March 2019 GCAC ‘GOOD NEWS’ Newsletter

​Hello, good people!

Can you believe that Spring is only 19 days away? That’s less than three weeks! Just as I look forward to Spring and Summer, I also look forward to Crisfield entering a new season where Crisfield starts to bloom again. It’s happening, folks. It’s happening right now with the opportunity related to the Hotel/Conference Center & Park along with new and expanding businesses, exciting events, historical interpretive signage, and improvement projects to help Crisfield become the place we know it can be – the best version of itself.

Here is the latest:
HOTEL/CONFERENCE CENTER & PARK PLAN PRESENTED TO MAYOR & COUNCIL:

• On February 13th, Ocean City developer Peck Miller made a presentation to the Mayor, City Manager, and Council on the comprehensive plan he envisions for Crisfield’s rejuvenation. He has been meeting with the Greater Crisfield Action Coalition’s Executive Committee since Fall 2018 to develop steps forward beginning with a Hotel and Conference Center downtown adjacent to a Central Park or “Watermen’s Memorial Park” and a Parking Garage to control downtown traffic.

• Peck discussed the various components of his plan and reported that he has contracts on all the property in the targeted area except for one piece, which is still under discussion. The Council’s questions and interest during the presentation and after the meeting showed their positive outlook toward what was presented. (See the attached news article about the presentation in the County Times.) We are encouraged and optimistic, and look forward to pursuing this opportunity. We are having lots of meetings and conversations and looking at all options. As things solidify, I’ll keep you posted.

SMITH ISLAND BAKING COMPANY ON THE MOVE:

• Winter may seem like the slow time of year, but at Smith Island Baking Company in Crisfield, things are on the move as they prepare for the 2019 season. Besides working on new packaging, tweaking their recipes, and looking for new warehouse space, Facility Manager Raymond Lord told me they are busy making their newest product, Smith Island Cake Bites, which are selling like crazy! They have Double Chocolate Filled Bites, S’mores Filled Bites, and Banana Cream Filled Bites and others. I tasted the Red Velvet Bites, which had a creamy frosting center and tasted divine. The company is selling them to restaurants for their dessert menu. They are also making a “Picnic Cake” for sale in grocery stores. Raymond said, “Things are going a mile a minute here. It’s awesome!” We think it’s awesome too having the State Dessert and other sweet delights made here in Crisfield, and we wish them the best as they stay on the move. To learn more, go to: www.smithislandcake.com or stop in their store at 45 West Chesapeake Avenue.

BUBBY’S WINGS HAS EXPANDED:

• As of March 1st, Bubby’s Wings is operating the former Water’s Edge Café at 1108 West Main Street. Mike and Renee Mears are excited about leasing the space from Dan and Mary Nelson, and have developed their menu based on everything “fresh” and “homemade”. This will include specialty burgers, barbeque items like beef brisket and ribs, ribeye steaks, pulled pork and seafood including shrimp, tuna, and the “Crisfield Salad”, which is salad topped with Maryland crabmeat. Frankly, I’m going in this weekend for their salad topped with Ahi Tuna, a choice that’s good for my palate and my health requirements.

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• Renee shared that she has wonderful memories of an African American lady who taught her to cook when Renee was 19 and worked at the English Grill in Salisbury. Renee’s grandfather once owned City Restaurant in Crisfield, so it runs in the family too.

• The restaurant will be open from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM, with extended hours in the summer, “especially on Crab & Cruise weekends”, Renee said, “when more people are in town.” That’s the name of the game… people.  As we attract more people to Crisfield because of our existing, growing activities and new ones, it will help our existing businesses thrive and gradually create a demand for more shops and restaurants. This is how we are going to grow!

yART and YARD SALE PROMOTED BY A&E:

• If you have art or junk (um, I mean “treasures”) to sell… or like to buy art and art supplies or browse yard sales, then plan on spending all day in Crisfield on Saturday, March 30 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM enjoying the community-wide Crisfield Yard Sale and yArt Sale promoted by the Arts & Entertainment Committee. The idea is that a lot of people need to downsize and de-clutter, and they have wonderful pieces of stored artwork, antiques, and traditional yard sale items that others would enjoy having. This is the first of its kind in Crisfield, and A&E plans to make it an annual event each Spring. Please tell all your friends in Crisfield and the region so we will have huge numbers of buyers in all parts of town. Frankly, I can’t wait. See you there! 

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PARK CABINS AND LODGE TO BE FULLY RENOVATED:

• Janes Island State Park is getting ready to do a complete renovation to its full service cabins and its lodge starting at the end of this year. Janes Island has four full-service and five camper mini-cabins. Daugherty Creek Lodge sleeps 16 persons with four bedrooms and three and a half baths. There is also a kitchen, common area, large second floor meeting room, two fireplaces, and a deck overlooking the expansive marshes of Janes Island. Janes Island State Park is one of Crisfield’s greatest assets. Over 90,000 visitors come annually to enjoy the 260 acres of parkland on the water, 2900 acres of saltmarsh, 30 miles of water trails, and miles of isolated pristine beaches. You can get full details and make reservations for the 2019 season at: https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/eastern/janesisland.aspx

NEW REALTOR IN TOWN:

• Born and raised in Crisfield, Melissa Laird has returned to her roots, purchasing Tull & Price Real Estate and opening it under her realty, Laird & Associates. Melissa has been living in Salisbury for many years, working first as a postal worker and then as a realtor for ERA. Now she is coming back to Crisfield to run her own business here. She will cover the tri-county area – Somerset, Worcester, and Wicomico – and plans to expand into property management in addition to real estate sales. She has had the offices at 938 West Main Street renovated, and is open for business.

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Melissa said, “Few things make me happier than helping clients buy and sell real estate in my hometown.” Realtor Tim Carson, formerly with Tull & Price, will continue to work there along with Erin Pruitt. Tim said, “I told people she would take it to the next level, but I was wrong. She’s taking it up two levels!”  We’re glad she is, and with the growth that is coming to Crisfield, she’s coming just at the right time.

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NEED FUNDING FOR TWO MORE HISTORICAL SIGNS:

• Tourism requires a number of things: things to do, places to eat, and proper signage around town, including interpretive signage that shares the history and culture. Hebron Savings Bank funded the newest historical sign titled “The Turf” to be placed near the Crisfield Library. Attached are two more signs ready to go to production once we have the funding. Each sign is $2,400. If your organization or company would like to sponsor one of these signs, please contact me at [email protected]. And *thank you* in advance!

Sign #7 – Oyster Industry

Sign #8 – Uptown Main St

HERE COMES THE CHOIR:

• The five-star rated program “It Takes a Choir” that included an episode done in Crisfield is now available on Amazon Prime. Below is a segment from Part 4. It’s neat seeing scenes from Crisfield and the people of Crisfield performing beautifully. Take a look if you haven’t seen it or bought it:
• https://www.facebook.com/crisfieldmd/videos/2297111673879517/?q=crabbin%27%20and%20choirin%27%20in%20Crisfield%20It%20Takes%20a%20Choir&epa=SEARCH_BOX

CITY RECEIVES $100,000 FOR FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT:

• According to the City of Crisfield’s newsletter, the City “has received $100,000 to be used for Façades/Building Improvements within the Arts & Entertainment District through a Community Legacy grant from the Department of Housing and Community Development. Under this program the City of Crisfield will use Community Legacy grant funding to provide secured grants for business owners to improve building façades and interiors within the City boundaries, with an emphasis on the Arts and Entertainment (A & E) District, with the greatest weight given to the area where the National Historic District overlaps the A & E. The goal is to fund ten businesses at $10,000 each, although businesses may apply for more or less than this amount.” The grant requires a 50/50 match, and applications will be available by April 1st and must be filed by April 30th. Email Jennifer Merritt at [email protected] to be added to a mailing list for updates. Won’t it be great to see façade and interior improvements to 10 of Crisfield’s businesses this Summer? I love it!

MAYOR PROPOSES “ADOPT A NEIGHBOR” PROJECT:

• Crisfield Mayor Barry Dize has proposed an “Adopt a Neighbor” project, asking citizens to identify someone in their neighborhood in need of attention and to just check on them from time to time to make sure they’re not in any distress. This is certainly the kind of thing that makes a “community”, and it also makes people want to live in a place like this. I know there are already people who do this on a regular basis, but I hope because of the Mayor’s initiative there will be even more.

I know there are a lot of pictures attached to this newsletter, but I hope they helped bring all this ‘Good News’ to life! In conclusion, the time is ripe for Crisfield to reach its true potential. Can’t you see the puzzle pieces coming together? It takes a lot of little and big things happening gradually one after another and some simultaneously to bring the change Crisfield needs. One day, some will say it happened “overnight”! The truth is it’s been happening gradually and it’s picking up steam. It may appear to happen overnight, but has taken an enormous amount of vision, effort, risk, faith, and unity continuously over a period of time to bring Crisfield to life. In the end, through a comprehensive approach, we CAN create ‘The New Crisfield’ – a Maryland City that will become the pride of Crisfield, the County, the State, and – can you think this big? – the nation! It’s happening day by day. Believe.

Best,

Charlotte
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*The Greater Crisfield Action Coalition, Inc. (GCAC) is a 501(c)3 not for profit economic development corporation run by an all-volunteer, non-paid Board of Directors