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The Mission of the Kent County Chamber of Commerce is to serve, represent and be the leading advocate for the business interests of its membership in ways that enhance the environment of the business community and quality of life and well being of residents and visitors. | |
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Greetings!
Are you tired of the snow yet? The Chamber has some great events this month to get you out of the office and in the mood for spring.
We kick off the month with our New Member Breakfast on March 3rd at Chester River Yacht & Country Club. This is one of the best-attended Chamber functions of the year. We have three sponsors for the event. Our thanks to SCORE Chapter 670, Funk & Bolton law firm and Martel Communications for their sponsorships! During the past year we added more than 50 new Chamber members and two new Chamber sponsors, so come out and meet these great businesses.
On March 17, the Chamber partners with Washington College's Center for Career Development and SIFE team to host the Annual Career Fair at WC's Cain Gymnasium. This event is open to the public, so bring your resume and talk with employers about job openings in our area. If you're an employer looking to hire, call the career center about participating.
Our St. Patrick's Day Mixer also on March 17 at the Investor's Friend in Galena is a joint event with the Sassafras River Business Council (SRBC). The SRBC is an active association of more than 60 businesses in the greater Galena and Cecilton area. The Mixer gives you a chance to network and exchange ideas with northern county businesses.
On March 18 we resume our Business Breakfast Workshops with an introduction to SCORE Chapter 670. SCORE is an organization of retired executives who provide free counseling services to businesses in Kent, Queen Anne's and sourthern Cecil counties. Come meet the SCORE counselors and hear about how this great organization can help improve your business.
Look for our Young Professionals organization - CONNECT - to meet later in March and watch for Ribbon Cutting announcements throughout the month!
Cindy Genther
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Gratitude Yachting Center Owners Congratulated on Outstanding Business of the Year
I caught up with Gratitude Yachting Center owners Jack Heffner, Robin Wood Kurowski and Ed Kurowski (pictured at right) earlier this month to congratulate them on being named the Outstanding Business of the Year at the Chamber's January 29 Excellence in Business Awards. The company owners were working at the Commercial Fishing Show in Ocean City, MD during the Awards event and could not attend.
Congratulations Jack, Robin & Ed!
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| Member News Bytes
Chesapeake College offers one-day computer courses for area business people on Wednesdays in March. Call 410-822-5400, x 360 for details or to customize a class for your business.
Chester River Health System announces March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Check the Chamber NewsFlash for events to be announced during the month.
Champion Whiteley Realty is selling tickets for a Ravens Longaberger Basket to be raffled off on March 31. Proceeds to benefit Kevin & JoAnn Watson. Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5. Get tickets at the Champion office at 1002 Washington Ave.
Chestertown Arts League membership drive is on. Founded in 1946, the League offers members discounts on materials and classes, and opportunities to display works of art. Check out their website at
Delmarva Power notes that during 2009 it started producing energy at its first land-based wind farm and rolled out eco-friendly fleet vehicles. They also continue to support hundreds of nonprofit organizations through corporate giving programs.
Kent County Office of Emergency Services' Community Outreach Program offers AED (defibulator) and CPR training for local businesses. Contact them for details: 410-810-2278.
Kent County's University of MD Extension office thanks all the donors, 4-H'ers and volunteers who helped make the 2009 4-H Toy Drive their biggest success yet. Chamber member donors include Dixon Valve & Coupling, Flower Child, Galena's Kitchen, Hogans Agency, Houston's Dockside Emporium, People's Bank, Kent County Public Library, Kent School, Kent Soil Conservation District.
Salon and Mimi's Closet raised $240 for the Community Food Bank at their New Year, New You event on Feb. 13.
SCORE invites retired executives to become counselors for new and existing local businesses. Contact Bart Stolp at SCORE to get more information: bartstolp@gmail.com
Shore Health System's Memorial Hospital at Easton earned three-year accreditation from the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories.
Town of Chestertown offers informational sessions on home and garden practices that are environmentally friendly:
- March 16: Preparing your Garden for Spring the Healthy Way
- April 13: Affordable Solar Energy for the Home
All sessions are 7:00-8:00pm at the town office. Look for more to follow.
Unity Landscaping annouces they have added snow plowing services to help dig you out. Call them for info: 410-348-5566.
Temporary employment opportunities with the US Census. Call: 1-866-861-2010 or visit:
Do you have news you'd like to share with Chamber members? Send it to Cindy and we'll include it in our next issue.
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Welcome New Members!
Goeins-Williams Associates, Inc.
Dr. Devona E.G. Williams
P.O. Box 11
Clayton, DE 19938
302-659-1099
GWA focuses on People, Process and Performance-TM and works with clients to develop blended interventions to meet organizational and individual objectives and achieve lasting results. The company provides consulting services including assessments, focus groups, strategic planning and meeting facilitation.
Mullin/Ashley Associates
Trena Williamson
306 Cannon St. Suite 1
P.O. Box 118
Chestertown, MD 21620
410-778-2184 / 410-778-6640 (fax)
Mullin/Ashley serves Business-to-Business, healthcare and service-based clients in the mid-Atlantic region with comprehensive communications and marketing services. Their expertise in market research, strategic planning and brand-positioning serves clients in global markets.
Upcoming Ribbon Cuttings
Mar. 5 at 5:00pm
Flower Child
201 High Street
Chestertown, MD 21620
Postponed from Feb. 5, Angela is celebrating Flower Child's 1st Anniversary and her move across the street to 201 High Street! Join us for the Ribbon Cutting and stay for the 1st Friday party 5-8pm.
Our New Member brochures are here. Please let us know if you'd like a few to distribute at your business.
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Chamber News & Events Calendar
The Chamber's Legislative Committee has reviewed more than 20 bills so far this session that could impact businesses if signed into law. We provide comments to lawmakers and testify on behalf of our member businesses. Kent County's legislative watchdog in Annapolis is Jack Steinmetz. You can still contact us or Jack at jsteinmetz@kentgov.org if there's a piece of legislation you'd like us to watch out for or take a position on.
HB 1175, that reduces the term of new Kent County School Board members from six to four years, has been filed and will be heard on March 24. At the request of members, the Chamber recommended this legislation to Kent County Commissioners and our Delegates.
Check out the the Chamber Action Network website for regular updates about legislative issues that impact your bottomline: www.chamberactionnetwork.com
BULK MAIL USERS UPDATE
The US Postal Service announces that as of March 1, 2010 returned mailers will be charged first class postage. If you use the Chamber's Bulk Mail permit, please contact Cindy for important updates.
UPCOMING CHAMBER EVENTS
Mar. 3, 8-10am, New Member Breakfast at Chester River Yacht & Country Club, Chestertown. Welcome all new Chamber members in the past year and hear about benefits of Chamber membership.
Mar. 5, 5:00pm Ribbon Cutting at Flower Child's new shop at 201 High Street, Chestertown.
Mar. 11, noon, Chamber Board Meeting at the Chamber Office at 122 N. Cross St., Chestertown.
Mar. 17, 10-2, Washington College Career Fair at Cain Gymnasium. Open to the public. Interested employers contact the Career Center at 410-778-7890.
Mar. 17, 5-7pm, St. Patrick's Day Mixer at The Investor's Friend, Dogwood Plaza in Galena. This is a joint Mixer with the Sassafras River Business Council. Don't miss this great networking opportunity.
Mar. 18, 8:30-10:00am, Business Breakfast Workshop: SCORE Open House. Meet the SCORE Counselors and find out how they can help your business. Individuals interested in becoming counselors are also welcome to attend.
RSVP for any of these events to Cindy at 410-810-2968 or
We still have a few opening for businesses to host mixers in 2010. Our mixers draw more than 50 people to your business location. Call Cindy if you're interested in hosting a mixer.
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| Member Events
Feb. 27, 9:00-11:00am WCTR broadcasts live from Riverheart Cafe in Chestertown. Listen on am1530.
Feb. 27, 7:00pm, Washington College's SIFE team presents the film "Glory" as a fundraiser for the GAR museum restoration.
Mar. 4, 9:00am Kent County University of MD Extension office hosts "Sustainable Roadside Landscapes" a presentation by Susan Barton of the University of Delaware Ag and Natural Resources departments that focuses on roadside plantings that reduce maintenance costs and beautify our roads.
Mar. 5, 4:00-6:00pm History Happy Hour moves to Washington College's Miller Library this month to feature The War of 1812 in the Chesapeake. This book promises to be the definitive book on the War in the Chesapeake region. Authors Ralph Eshelman and Scott Sheads discuss their work and sign copies.
Mar. 5, 5:00pm, Ribbon Cutting at Flower Child's new shop at 201 High St.
Mar. 5, 5:00-8:00pm, Artworks and Main Street Historic Chestertown partner to showcase images that capture the spirit, energy and heritage of Chestertown at the Artworks Studio, 306 Park Row. Artists interested in displaying original work that captures the spirit of Chestertown may drop off pieces at 306 Park Row on March 1.
Mar. 12, Deadline for public comment on the proposed Foreign Affairs Security Training Center in Ruthsburg, Queen Anne's Counties.
Mar. 17, 10:00am-2:00pm, Washington College's Career Fair in Cain Gymnasium.
Mar. 18, Business Breakfast Workshop: SCORE Open House. Find out about this great local organization that provides free counseling services to new and existing businesses in Kent, Queen Anne's and Cecil counties. 8:30-10:00am at 122 N. Cross Street, Chestertown.
Mar. 24, Hearing on HB 1175 that reduces the term for new Kent County school board members from six to four years. Call Cindy for details if you plan to attend.
Mar. 26, 7:00pm, Relay for Life Kickoff at Fish Whistle. Food, silent auction, 50/50, DJ, guest bartenders.
SAVE THE DATE!!
Apr. 15, Green your Business to Improve your Bottom Line. This Business Breakfast Workshop features a panel of experts who will discuss how making your business more environmentally friendly can also improve your financials.
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