September 2018 ‘GOOD NEWS’ Newsletter

​Hello, good people,

Once again I have the privilege of bringing you the Greater Crisfield Action Coalition’s ‘Good News’ Newsletter. Even I am surprised at how much good news there is to share month after month after month. It just shows that people are plugging away and making things happen! Here is the latest:

BUBBY’S WING SHACK NOW OPEN:

• Crisfield has a new eatery just in time for football season: Bubby’s Wing Shack opened recently just north of the City and across from Rubberset on Route 413. Bubby’s is run by Mike and Renee Ward-Mears along with their son “Bubby” and their other children who help part-time. The business is open 7 days a week and sells fresh breaded shrimp and clam strips, the popular chicken salad Renee is known for, and macaroni and cheese, in addition to wings – none of which has been frozen.  Their biggest seller is something called “chicken chunks,” which are made from fresh chicken breasts. The business is named Bubby’s Wing Shack because a lot of their homemade sauces are made by him. Although they haven’t been open long, they were busy both times I was there, and, in fact, they sold out over Labor Day and had to close a little earlier than planned. Most of their patrons are locals, but they do get tourists from Janes Island State Park and also bikers who find them because their location is a GEO Spot. Renee said they plan to stay open at least through Super Bowl, but perhaps year-round, if possible. Renee and her family have substantial experience working for others in the restaurant industry, and it is great to see them have a business of their own.

LMEN SEAFOOD MARKET PROSPERING IN NEW LOCATION:

• Lamount Potter, owner of LMEN Seafood Market across from Subway, is doing well at his new location where he sells seafood wholesale Monday through Thursday and retail Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. He said a lot of his retail customers are campers or boaters. He also sells his soft crab sandwiches and other seafood at local events in Crisfield like 4th Saturday Bay Strolls. At an event in August, I overheard a lady who came back to his booth say the soft crab sandwich he prepared was “the best” she’s ever had. In all modesty and with a smile, Lamount replied, “That’s not the first time I’ve heard that. People like my food.” His cooking demonstrations at the Ward Brothers Museum in Salisbury have also been well received. It’s a good feeling to see local people do well.

JOHNNYSWEETS IS EXPANDING:

• Even though they just opened a couple of months ago, JohnnySweets at 801 West Main Street in Crisfield will be expanding this Fall into the adjoining space where they will offer smoked meats in addition to the sweet treats they are already known for. As a result, they will be doubling their space and providing a sit down area for patrons. The smoked meat offerings will include beef brisket, pulled pork, roast beef, and rotisserie chicken. In their present location, their biggest sellers are their doughnuts, Smith Island baby cakes, and ice cream. Next week, they will be adding 50 different milkshakes to the menu. These folks are rolling! There was a good front page article on them and how they named the bakery in the Daily Times last month. See: https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/local/maryland/2018/08/14/johnnysweets-sweet-shop-opens-crisfield/669873002/

CRABS AT CRAB DERBY:

• City Manager Rick Pollitt reported that for the first time in a long time, visitors to the Crab Derby were able to sit down and eat steamed crabs, thanks to the City of Crisfield and Southern Connection.  They provided a tent adjacent to the main pavilion where people could buy crabs, steamed on-site, by the dozen and half-dozen.  Over 9 bushels of crabs were sold, and people were delighted that this new treat was available. Good move on the part of the City and a local seafood business!

DJ’S CAR WASH IS EXPANDING ITS SERVICES:

• DJ’s Car Wash owners, Jay and Debbie Tawes, along with new Manager Erik Emely, have been expanding their services to the community over the last several months. Besides the pickup service they initiated to pick up, wash, and deliver an owner’s car back to his home or work location, they are also expanding their services to large companies and organizations. They now wash the vehicles for sale at Tawes Brothers Buick and GMC and the buses and cars for the Board of Education, plus another large contract is pending. This is a significant expansion from just individuals driving up to wash their cars one at a time. Also, they ran a Car Detailing Competition last month, which featured eight local car wash technicians. The competition was watched online as well as in person and was won by Edwin Miles. This was a first-time event in Crisfield and attracted a lot of interest to the services offered there. We commend Jay, Debbie, and Erik for their initiative in expanding DJ’s Car Wash.

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DOUG RAYFIELD TO BE FEATURED ARTIST AT LOCAL SHOP:

• The Bay Gift Vault at 952 West Main Street is featuring the work of local artist Doug Rayfield on September 22 from 4:00-7:00 PM, the same time as 4th Saturday Bay Strolls. Wine and refreshments will be served. (See attached picture of one of his paintings.) Years ago I heard that Somerset County has more artists per capita than any County in the State. I can believe this is true, but I haven’t been able to verify it. In any case, I commend owner Linda Singh for continuing to showcase our local artists as a part of her shop’s promotions.

CARVEL HALL UPDATE:

• According to City Manager Rick Pollitt, Spangler Strategic Advisors, LLC continue to prepare their Phase II Environmental Clean-up strategy at Carvel Hall.  In addition, they have had no less than three potential tenants express interest in the property, and the City is working through Danny Thompson at Somerset County Economic Development to get the parties together.  “Two of the three look like very good possibilities, and we’re exploring some of the economic incentives available to bring them in,” Rick said.  “These include the Enterprise Zone, with which we have worked before but also the Opportunity Zone and a federal HUB Zone, both of which are new to us.  Mr. Spangler was here before the Crab Derby and met with one possible tenant, with good results, but no decisions yet. While I can’t share the nature of the businesses, I can say they have nothing at all to do with animal products and are more in-line with traditional manufacturing and electronics enterprises.  Meanwhile, Spangler continues to express the highest confidence in the property and his intention to purchase and restore it to full economic vigor.” This is potentially good news for jobs, keeping young people here or bringing new workers here, and increasing the City’s tax base. No doubt it will be *great* to have Carvel Hall environmentally safe and in operation again after all these years.

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CRISFIELD – THE DIAMOND OF THE CHESAPEAKE:

• In my opinion, there is no other City in the State that has more undeveloped potential than Crisfield. In fact, I believe we’ve only tapped 5% of our true potential. When GCAC did the Asset Map for Crisfield that is in the Five-Year Action Plan, we planned to include the top 20 assets. But we soon realized there were so many more that we just kept adding to the list. The final list ended up being close to 70 assets including the goodness and friendliness of the people, the natural beauty of a small town with water on three sides, the sunsets, the two islands, the marina, the park, the airport, the hospital, the heritage, the infrastructure, the low crime rate, charter fishing, the seafood, the artists, etc., etc., etc. Wouldn’t Berlin or Saint Michael’s or Chincoteague like to have our assets…?! Go to http://www.greatercrisfieldmd.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Action-Plan-Part-Three.pdf in the GCAC Action Plan for the full list. The beauty and potential is captured in the two pictures of this year’s Boat Docking Contest, one taken by Bernie Johnson with his drone and one taken by my iphone from Captain’s Galley Condominiums.

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REAL ESTATE TRENDS ON THE RISE:

• Perhaps people are starting to discover and appreciate the assets we have. There are three interesting facts I learned about the local real estate market this week: First, Crisfield real estate continues to sell, with the $100,000-150,000 range being the “hot” market in Crisfield and in the region for first-time home buyers, according to realtor Cindy Stevens. (As a personal example, my granddaughter and her husband sold their home in Princess Anne in six days for $145,000 to a first-time homebuyer!) Second, homes in Crisfield that have been updated or maintained are selling close to $100 per square foot, something that hasn’t been the case in recent years.  As an example, a home on East Main Street sold for $188,900 at the end of July, which was $91/SF. A house near the American Legion sold in August for $199,900, which was $101/SF. And another on Crisfield-Marion Road sold for $159,000 in August, which was $121/SF. Third, lots and homes on the water are selling. There will be five new homes built on Landon’s Point in the next year. And a house on Hammock Pointe sold on July 27 for $460,000, which is still a bargain for a quality home on the waterfront. All three trends are encouraging for Crisfield in terms of new construction and improving the tax base through a rise in values.

CITY GETS NEW INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT FOR $250,000:

• Jen Merritt, the City’s grant writer, was successful in acquiring a new grant from the Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund in the amount of $250,000 to continue the City’s efforts to address Infiltration & Inflow (I&I) problems in our sewer collection system.  Crisfield just completed the first phase of the effort parallel to Maryland Avenue through a $125,000 RMPIF grant, and this one will examine lines in the Cove Street area.  In the first project, the City identified and repaired two serious line breaks, adding vital treatment capacity and eliminating a potential environmental hazard. Congratulations to Jen Merritt and the City of Crisfield for this new infrastructure grant to next address I&I problems in the Cove Street area.

STATE AWARDS OPERATING ASSISTANCE GRANT TO GCAC:

• The Greater Crisfield Action Coalition, Inc. (GCAC) has received notice that it will receive $18,000 from the State of Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development to create more detailed plans for projects identified in the GCAC Five-Year Action Plan.  The proposal titled “Action Plan Project Development” requested funds to help GCAC move major projects closer to reality. The program from which the monies are being received was open only to non-profit organizations like GCAC, which is a 501 (c)(3). The state has specified that the monies are to be used for operating costs, and GCAC intends to stretch these funds by working with college interns and thesis candidates to develop the more detailed plans for possibly as many as 5 major projects within the 191 steps of the Action Plan.  GCAC’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors will select the most suitable and highest priority projects and then match those projects with individuals with the appropriate skillset.  Several professional consultants, who are also GCAC Board Members, have agreed to provide mentoring services for the students, without cost.  GCAC is excited about the prospects of advancing our Action Plan to help revitalize Crisfield and engaging detailed project planning and development support with this new grant. GCAC is currently in the process of defining our top 3 projects. More to come about that…

GCAC GALA EVENT WILL BE EXCEPTIONAL:

• The GCAC Gala “Dining Under the Stars” rescheduled to September 29th is going to be an outstanding event no one should miss. We are excited to have received such local, County, and State support including local citizens, government officials, and 75 auction items so far from many local businesses and others in the region, thanks to an outstanding planning committee: Linda Singh, Linda Riggin, and Fran Campbell. What an awesome trio! Besides tours of the mansion grounds and property, live music, and silent, live, and online auctions, guests will enjoy a superb dinner menu that includes: Carved London Broil, Chicken Chesapeake, Asparagus with Roasted Red Pepper, Roasted Redskin Potatoes, and Caesar Salad, plus appetizers including a Fruit and Cheese Arrangement and Crab Dip with Pretzel Chips and Crackers. Butlered items include Ham and Swiss Sliders, Turkey Raspberry Brie Sliders, Individual Crudité, Single Fried Oysters in Cocktail and Blue Cheese with Balsamic Roasted Grapes Crustini.  If you leave hungry or unsatisfied, it’s your own fault!  The remaining tickets can be purchased at: www.celebrategreatercrisfield.com/

Well, there you have it for this month. I think it all comes down to the *power of commitment*. People have committed to opening businesses in Crisfield and working hard to make them a success. People have committed to working on behalf of the citizens to help this town flourish. People have determined to stick with it no matter how hard it gets or how impossible it seems at times. In the words of the German philosopher Goethe, “Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too.” I do believe Providence is moving as we continue to commit our time, talent, and resources on behalf of our beloved Crisfield. To me that explains why we continue to have ‘Good News’ month after month after month!


Best, Charlotte
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Charlotte Scott, President, GCAC