Chamber Logo 2010

Kent County Chamber of Commerce

122 North Cross Street

Chestertown, MD  21620
P. O. Box 146
410.810.2968 Tel  |  410.778.1406 Fax
[email protected]
www.kentchamber.org

 CHAMBER NEWS

May 2011  

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.

IN THIS ISSUE
Chamber Member News & Events
Chamber Events & Information
Our Sponsors
CHAMBER EVENTS

5/07/11

Baby Expo

 

5/12/11

Chamber Board Meeting

 

5/17/11

Kent & Queen Anne's Counties Joint Mixer

 

5/24/11

Chamber After-Hours BBQ

 

See details of these events in this Newsletter

LEADERSHIP

EXECUTIVE BOARD 

 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

LORETTA LODGE

 

PRESIDENT

DOUG CAMP 

The Investor's Friend

 

TREASURER

DIANE BRANDT 

CNB Bank

 

PAST PRESIDENT

KEN COLLINS 

WCTR Radio Station 1530AM  

 

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

 

REBECCA BLIZZARD 

Eastern Shore Tents & Events

 

DAVID BOWMAN 

PNC Bank

 

BOB GREENWALD 

East Coast Storage

 

JON HANLEY 

Hanleyman Services, LLC

 

JIM RICH 

Inn at Huntingfield Creek

 

JIM ROSS 

Chester River Health System

 

BILL RUCKELSHAUS 

Coldwell Banker Chesapeake Real Estate

 

JAY SILCOX 

David A. Bramble, Inc.

 

KATIE WARRINGTON 

Horizon Organic Dairy

 

DAVID WHEELAN 

The Chestertown Spy

 

LANSING WILLIAMS 

Washington College

 

From the Executive Director

 

Dear Chamber Members,

 

Welcome to spring! and all the wonderful outdoor activities it brings with it.   I think that all of us are glad to put behind us what seemed to be an interminable winter, and look forward to long days and warm summer evenings.  Since our April newsletter, there has been much activity here at the Chamber.  Here are a few of the highlights.

 

The Chamber sponsored two breakfasts in April.  On April 19, the  Legislative Wrap-Up Breakfast was held at Heron Point.  We had 40+ in attendance, including eleven of our legislators or their representatives.  It was a good turn-out and very informative, even if the news from Annapolis was not all that encouraging for those of us on the Eastern Shore.  Our representatives have, however, not lost faith and will continue to lobby in the best interests of our businesses and communities here in Kent County as well as on the Eastern Shore.

 

April 26 brought the New Members Breakfast with almost 50 in attendance.  The new members had the opportunity to introduce themselves and give a brief synopsis of their businesses.  This was a wonderful networking opportunity for both our new members and our long-time members alike. 

 

We are in the final stages of the 2011-2012 Chamber Business Directory.  To ensure accurate listings in the Directory, we have completely rebuilt our member database with information submitted by our members.  This was a huge project, which I am happy to say is now complete.

 

We have added four new members to our ranks in April and one so far in May.  If you know of a business just starting out, or an existing business that could benefit from Chamber membership, please have them give me a call.  

 

In addition to these networking events, I along with Doug Camp of The Investor's Friend and also the President of the Kent County Chamber Board of Directors, have been meeting with some of our Chamber members to determine what the Chamber is doing for them that is working, what can we improve on, and what else can we be doing for our members.  There seems to be two themes emerging.  Those are networking and legislation.  We are being told that our business members would like to see more networking opportunities and that our businesses would like to have the voice of small business heard by our legislators.  To that end, the Membership & Marketing Committee will be looking at the calendar for the upcoming year to see what events can be scheduled to afford our members more viable ways to network, and the Legislative Committee will be actively communicating with our businesses to present their concerns to our legislators. 

 

In addition to all of our April activities, May promises to be a busy month for the Chamber as well. 

 

Plans are underway for the joint Kent & Queen Anne's Counties Mixer on May 17 at the Lelia Hynson Pavilion next to Wilmer Park in Chestertown, and on May 24, Sommers Enterprises will be hosting an After-Hours Networking BBQ.   Details for both of these can be found below.

 

In anticipation of the Chestertown Tea Party Festival on May 28 & 29, the downtown Chestertown businesses will be creating window displays.  The Chamber has again, been asked to be a judge for this competition.

 

The Chamber will also have a booth at the Chestertown Tea Party Festival on May 28 manned by several of our Chamber members.  So if you're out and about, stop by and see them! 

 

As always, we encourage you to contact our office with any suggestions or questions you might have about the services we provide to our membership. We look forward to hearing from you!

   

Loretta

Loretta M. Lodge
Executive Director

 

 New Member Spotlight

 

 

The following businesses have recently made an important investment in their future and a significant commitment to our Community by joining the

Kent County Chamber of Commerce. 

 

 

 

Chester River Home Care & Hospice

Cindy Bach, Executive Director

6602 Church Hill Road

Chestertown, MD  21620

410.778.1049 Tel    

[email protected]

 

Chester River Home Care & Hospice serves both Kent & Queen Anne's Counties.  They provide individualized care in the home after an injury, a new or worsened disease or condition, surgery or accident.  Services include nursing, therapy, personal care aides, social work and bereavement (for hospice patients).  

 

 

~~~~~

 

Eastern Shore Entrepreneurship Center

Mike Thielke

8737 Brooks Drive, Suite 101

Easton, MD  21620

410.770.9330 Office  |  410.770.5398 Fax

[email protected]

www.ventureahead.org

 

Eastern Shore Entrepreneurship Center (ESEC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to help entrepreneurs venture ahead on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Through programs and initiatives, ESEC strives to create an entrepreneurial eco-system that results in personal and community wealth creation.

 

ESEC targets its resources to help business owners and entrepreneurs to succeed by creating greater access to capital, facilitating programs that develop entrepreneurial skills and knowledge.

  

~~~~~

 

The Fiduciary's Friend 

Sally S. Camp

119 A-4 N. Main Street

Galena, MD  21635

410.648.6866 Tel  |  410.648.6877 Fax

 [email protected]

  www.fiduciarysfriend.com

 

 

The Fiduciary's Friend provides accounting services to law firms and solo practitioners needing support for estate administrations, trust administrations, guardianship proceedings and estate planning. They also provide tax preparation services to estates, trusts, small businesses and individuals.

 

~~~~~

 

 

National Associates Ltd

CJ Morales

211 Sassafras Street 

P.O. Box 206

Millington, MD  21651

410.928.3501 Tel  |  410.928.3501 Fax

 [email protected]

 

National Associates has been in the insurance business since 1952. CJ became a partner with National Associates in 2002 and became the sole owner in 2011.  National Associates specializes in Health, Life, Auto, Home, Business, and Excess Flood insurance.  

 

CJ is a resident of Millington, MD and is married to Joyce, his wife of 26 years.  He has two daughters; Lauren who is graduating from Roanoke College this month and will be attending graduate school at Washington College in the fall, and Jessica who is a freshman at Del Tech. 

 

~~~~~

 

Please join us in welcoming our newest

Chamber members!

 


 

Chamber Member News & Events 

_________________________

 

"Baby Expo 2011"

May 7, 2011

10:00 am - 12:00 noon,

First United Methodist Church

Corner of High & Mill Streets 

Chestertown 

 

"If you have a bump or a baby, this is the event for you!"  The Baby Expo is being presented by Shared Opportunity Service, Inc., Family Support of Queen Anne's County and the Kent and Queen Anne's County Health Departments. 

 

The event will feature presentations on baby wearing, prenatal yoga and parenting.   Older children are welcome and can make a gift for Mom for Mother's Day.  Vendors will feature products to make life with baby easier and more fun.  Informational vendors will share materials about safe sleep, car seat safety, health insurance and local services available to families.

 

There will be numerous door prizes including baby goods and family fun gift certificates.  There will be gift bags for the first 20 families attending the event.

 

For more information please call Carol Strootman, Program Coordinator at 410-778-7911.

Shared Opportunity Service, Inc.

601 High Street

Chestertown, MD  21620   

 

 ~~~~~


BAAR Expo a Success!


2011 BAAR Expo

           

The first Bay Area Association of Realtors(R) Expo held April 14 at Chesapeake College drew 125 attendees to a full day of continuing education classes and exhibits. Exhibitors included 25 regional companies displaying products and services for home buyers and real estate professionals. More than 80 Realtors(R) from Kent, Queen Anne's and Caroline counties took 180 continuing education classes at the event. Expo sponsors included 314 Design Studio, LLC; Arrow Services; AXA Advisors, LLC; Chesapeake Environmental Lab; Edible Arrangements; First Home Mortgage; Homebuyers Journal; Homeland Title & Escrow, LTD; Joe Fraser Property Inspections Maryland Residential Mgmt. Co.; Mayer Bros., Inc/HOOT Systems LLC; MetLife Home Loans;  Metropolitan Regional Information Systems (MRIS); National Property Inspections; Peninsula Gas & Oil; Rainbow International; Real Biz Media; Reliable Water Systems Inc.; Showalter Property Consultants; The Atlantic Title Group; The Washington Savings; Torchio Architects; Universal Mortgage & Finance Inc.; Wesleyan Retirement Community and What's Up? Eastern Shore.

 

An after-class mixer provided a networking opportunity for area Realtors(R) and a 50/50 drawing raised $430 in donations for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Queen Anne's and Kent Counties.

 

BAAR provides Realtors(R) and the public with a strong voice in the protection and promotion of property rights while fostering the ultimate American dream of home ownership. BAAR offers support, service and training for its more than 300 members and they provide community outreach through partnerships with non-profit organizations. They are the leading advocate of the local real estate industry, of private property rights and for issues that affect its members' ability to service the public with competency, integrity and professionalism. 

 

~~~~~


CASA PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTED  

AT INFORMATIONAL DINNER  

CASA Dinner @ Lemon Leaf

(l-r) Karen Somerville, Norvel Thompson, Margie Elsberg, Mickey Elsberg, and Rachel Carter Goss learn about the services that CASA of Queen Anne's & Kent Counties provides for children in Kent County.


Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Queen Anne's & Kent Counties hosted an informational dinner on April 13 at the Lemon Leaf Caf� in Chestertown. The event was organized by CASA board members Lea Ferguson Brooks, Polly Newell, Jij Duffey, Linda Reed, and the Lemon Leaf Caf� owner & chef, J.R. Alfree.

 

Pat Melcer, MSN, CCRN, Executive Director of CASA of Queen Anne's & Kent Counties provided an introduction to and description of how CASA, through the advocacy work of their volunteers, has become a powerful voice for the abused, neglected and abandoned children of Kent County. CASA recently celebrated its first anniversary serving the children in foster care in Kent County. "We are truly blessed to have excellent relationships with our partners in Kent County's child welfare system and a community committed to supporting CASA's goal of securing a safe, permanent placement for every child under the protection of the courts," stated Melcer.

 

CASA volunteers are everyday citizens appointed by a Circuit Court judge to advocate for the best interests of children removed from their homes due to parental abuse and neglect. The CASA volunteer's sole focus is the child. Each volunteer completes a 32-hour pre-service education program prior to appointment by the court. CASA volunteers visit their child every 7-10 days, and spend hours investigating the child's circumstances. It is this research and time spent with the child which provides the judge with the information necessary to make informed decisions regarding the best interests of the child.

 

To learn more about volunteering and how you can support the CASA mission, please call (410) 758-8610or visit  www.casaqackent.org.

 

 ~~~~~

 

Chester River Hospital

Extends General Visitation Hours

 

Chestertown, MD, April 25, 2011 - Chester River Hospital Center will begin new visitation hours on May 2. The new, extended general visitation hours will be from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, seven days a week. The new hours are more convenient and family-friendly, giving visitors more time with their loved ones. 

 

In addition to the extended visiting hours, Chester River Hospital Center will request all visitors to sign a log book at the main reception desk. Each visitor will receive a visitor badge to wear while in the hospital.  The safety and health of patients, visitors, and staff, is a priority at Chester River Hospital Center.

 

"This change was adopted to ensure the safety and well-being of our patients and staff members," commented Beth Copp, director of safety and security, Chester River Hospital Center. 

 

The visitation policy at Chester River Hospital Center is designed to protect patients' privacy and increase their comfort and safety, allowing for proper recovery in restful surroundings while enabling family and friends to participate in the healing process. Chester River Hospital reviews its visitation policy each year.

 

For more information or for a copy of the complete visitation policy, please contact Beth Copp, director of safety and security, Chester River Hospital Center, 410-810-5673 or [email protected].

 

~~~~~

    

Willow Construction, LLC

Announces 

 

Project Manager Katie Reedy and Superintendent Mark Winstead

Receive Healthcare Construction Certificates (HCC)

from the American Hospital Association (AHA) Certification Center

_________________________________________

 

The American Hospital Association (AHA) Certification Center is proud to announce that Katie Reedy, Project Manager, and Mark Winstead, Superintendent, both with Willow Construction, LLC have earned their Healthcare Construction Certificates (HCC). The HCC is awarded through the American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE).  To earn the HCC, an individual must complete a workshop that combines a pre-requisite e-learning program and a two-day seminar that educates attendees on critical topics in healthcare construction.  Further information may be obtained by visiting the ASHE website at www.ashe.org.

 

 

Estimator Justin Hiner

Selected for Shore Leadership Class of 2011

_________________________________________

 

Justin Hiner of Cordova, Maryland and Estimator for Willow Construction, LLC has been accepted into the Shore Leadership Class of 2011. Modeled after national and regional leadership organizations, Shore Leadership was formed in 1997 to promote a regional approach among local leaders for addressing community issues.  Justin is among 20 Eastern Shore executives and members of senior management who will take part in the nine month educational program that explores themes of regional interest including legacy, technology, economic development, community and arts, environment, education, and government.  Participants will also receive leadership training facilitated by a master certified leadership coach.  "Through face-to-face discussions with community leaders, these  class members will hone their leadership skills and develop a better  understanding of the shared challenges and opportunities of this region."  For more information about Shore Leadership, visit www.ShoreLeadership.org or email [email protected] 

 


A

Chamber Events & Information 

_________________________  


 

Kent County Chamber of Commerce 

Board Meeting 


Thursday, May 12, 2011

12:00 P.M.

Chamber Office, 122 N. Cross Street, Chestertown

 
The meeting is open to all members.  Please contact Loretta at 410/810-2968 or   [email protected]  if you plan on attending.  

_____

 

  

                               Joint Chamber Mixer

 

Kent & Queen Anne's Counties

Chambers  

will be holding our

Annual

Joint Chamber Mixer 

 

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

5:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. 

at the Lelia Hynson Pavilion

located on the beautiful Chester River

next to Wilmer Park

 

Come on out and join us for an evening of great food, great friends and great fun! 

 

     

   

Kent County Chamber of Commerce Members RSVP to

Loretta at 410/810-2968 or  [email protected]

or online at  www.kentchamber.org   

 

Queen Anne's ounty Chamber of Commerce Members RSVP to

410-643-8530

[email protected] or

www.qacchamber.com 

_____

 

SOMMERS ENTERPRISES, INC.

 

Invites you to a:    

 

Kent County Chamber of Commerce

** Chamber After Hours Barbeque **   

 

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2011

5PM to 7PM

 

With:

    

BBQ Bear 

   

"Charcoal Charlie" and Peg

Come and review rental spaces available at Crestview Square.

   

 903 Washington Avenue                      (410)778-1282

Chestertown, MD                         [email protected]   

 _____ 

 

 

  • E-Blasts - Broadcast E-Mail Service Now Available!

The Chamber now offers an E-Blast service to all of our members.  In an effort to help you build your business and get your message out efficiently and cost effectively, the Chamber office will send an email specifically on your behalf to all Chamber members and non-members who have signed up for our mailing list.  This is an excellent way to announce new products, services or events.  As a Chamber member, you can take advantage of this service at a very reasonable cost of $25.  Please contact the Chamber office for further details.

  • SCORE (Senior Core of Retired Executives)   

Invites retired executives to become counselors for new and existing local businesses. Contact Bart Stolp at SCORE to get more information: [email protected] 

  • Help Us Help You.  Keep Your Business Information Current! 

Please remember to contact Loretta in the Chamber office if you have any changes or updates to your business contact information.  We want to keep all of our members' information current.

  • Member-To-Member Benefit Program

This program allows any Chamber member to offer discounts on their products and services to other Chamber members and their employees.  Even if you do not offer a discount to fellow members, as a Chamber member, you may take advantage of the discounts offered by other members.  

 Don't miss out!  Sign up for this program today.

Call Loretta at 410/810-2968 or email at [email protected]   

The following businesses are participating members.  Please support these businesses. 

 

 



~~~ OUR SPONSORS ~~~



PLATINUM
PNC Bank


GOLD

Atlantic Broadband

CNB

 

SILVER

David A. Bramble 

Chester River Health System 

Horizon Organic Dairy 

The Peoples Bank

Washington College

 

 

BRONZE

Affinity Business & Technology Solutions

Connect the Dots Events 

Sears Hometown Store - Chestertown

ShoreToBeFun.com

WCTR - am 1530