CHAMBER NEWS FEBRUARY 2013
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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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LEADERSHIP
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EXECUTIVE BOARD
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
LORETTA LODGE
PRESIDENT
DAVID BOWMAN
PNC Bank
PAST PRESIDENT
DOUG CAMP
The Investor's Friend
TREASURER
DIANE BRANDT
CNB Bank
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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
Champion Realty, Inc.
KATIE WARRINGTON
Horizon Organic Dairy
LANSING WILLIAMS
Washington College
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CHAMBER EVENTS
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1/10/2013
Chamber Board Meeting
12:00 P.M.
Chamber Office
122 N. Cross Street
Chestertown, MD 21620
01/24/2013
Excellence in Business Awards Gala
6:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.
Chester River Yacht & Country 7738 Quaker Neck Road
Chestertown, MD 21620
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From the Executive Director
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L-R: Anita Hagan, Chuck Ministero (Uncle Charlie's Bistro), Jaye Alexis Owings (Flow Salonspa), Herman & Christy Hill (Harborview Farms), John Carroll, Jr., & Dick Goodall
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Laissez les bon temps rouler!
And the good times did roll! Nearly 100 Chamber members and friends turned out last Thursday evening to celebrate the best of our best at the Kent County Chamber of Commerce 2012 Excellence in Business Awards. The theme for the evening was Mardi Gras complete with beads, feathered and sequined masks, Cajun fare and music by Mike Buccino & Phillip Dutton and company. It was a grand evening!
After a State of the Chamber report, the Chamber recognized the 2012-2013 Kent County Public School Teacher of the Year, Ida Nabb. Congratulations Ida!
The Chamber also recognized Doug Camp for his Distinguished Presidential Service to the Chamber in 2011 and 2012. Thank you Doug for all you have done to move the Kent County Chamber forward.
Then it was on to the awards!
And the winners of the 2012 Excellence in Business Awards are:
Environmental Awareness Award
Harborview Farms
with Herman & Christy Hill accepting the award
Community Service Award
Dick Goodall
Best New Business of the Year
Uncle Charlie's Bistro
with Chuck Ministero accepting the award
Outstanding Business of the Year
Flow Salonspa
Jaye Alexis Owings accepting the award
Business Leader of the Year
John Carroll, Jr.
Congratulations to all of our Award Winners as well as the fifteen other businesses and individuals who were nominated! The voting was very close. The effort you have put into your businesses to make them the hallmarks of commerce they are is evident. You set a wonderful example and a high standard for everyone. We applaud each of you!
In addition to recognizing our award winners and nominees, I don't want to miss the opportunity to acknowledge those businesses and individuals who were instrumental in making this year's Award Gala such a success.
Chester River Yacht & Country Club
Barbara Esmonde, Manager and her talented and capable staff for providing such a wonderful venue and fabulous fare for the evening's event.
Eastern Shore Tents and Events
Rebecca Blizzard and Jonathan Mason for providing tables and linens
Mike Buccino, Phillip Dutton, Ray Anthony & John Thomas for providing such great music
Doris Winter & Cabot Lodge - our volunteers who welcomed all of our guests for the evening
And last, but not least, I want to thank all of our members and guests who joined us to celebrate and honor the "best of our best" and who helped make the evening such a grand success.
Thank you to all of you and again, congratulations to all of our Award Winners!!
One last note, the Chamber will be sponsoring an Education Breakfast on February 27 where the "Kent Forward" initiative will be presented. Please look for details coming soon!
Loretta
Loretta M. Lodge
Executive Director
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Welcome New Members The following businesses have recently made an important investment in their future and a significant commitment to the community by joining the Kent County Chamber of Commerce _________________________ Beverly's Family Restaurant Beverly Chance - Owner 11 Washington Square Chestertown, MD 21620 Tel 410.778.1948 mom_b21635@yahoo.com Country breakfast, lunch, and dinners. Days/Hours: Open 7 days a week Monday - Saturday: 6am - 2pm Sunday: 6am - 1pm Over 40 years of experience in the food service industry!
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Harvest Ridge Winery
Chuck Nunan
447 Westville Road
MaryDel, DE
302.492.8059
nan@harvestridgewinery.com
www.harvestridgewinery.com
Family farm winery located in Marydel, De. Onsite tasting room and wine making facility. 3,000 square feet of modern event space available for your every need. This includes, but is not limited to: birthdays, reunions, weddings, business meetings.
Men On The Move
Jose Medrano
243 Devon Drive
Chestertown, MD 21620
443.480.2615
men_onthemove@hotmail.com
www.menonmove.com
Men On The Move was founded by Jose' Medrano in January of 2005 to provide a much needed service in Chestertown and Kent County Maryland. We offer local and long distance residential and commercial moving services along the Eastern Shore and Upper Shore of Maryland.
We R Wireless
Verizon Wireless Premium Retailer
George Young - Store Manager
711 Washington Avenue
Chestertown, MD 21620
410.810.3150
young@wer-wirless.com
Over the past five years, We R Wireless has continued to grow and now operates 70 stores throughout the United States. We offer high quality products and exceptional service on "America's Most Reliable Network".
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Please join us in welcoming our newest
Chamber members!
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Chamber Board Meeting Thursday, February 14, 2013
Chamber Office 122 N. Cross Street Chestertown, MD
The meeting is open to all members. Please contact Loretta at 410/810-2968 or kentchamber@verizon.net if you plan on attending.
Education Breakfast
Wednesday, February 27, 2013 8:30 A.M. Hynson Lounge Washington College 300 Washington Avenue
Further details to come
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NEWS FROM & FOR CHAMBER MEMBERS |
Do you have news about your business that
you want to share with our readers?
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Boards of Chester River Health and Shore Health Vote Unanimously to Merge
The boards of Chester River Health and Shore Health have announced the merger of the two health systems. The merger will maximize health care accessibility for Mid-shore residents, while maintaining the financial strength of local healthcare in the face of rapid changes in health care delivery and reimbursement, ensuring a sustainable path to the future of the Mid-shore's health care. Both systems are members of the University of Maryland Medical System, which has approved the merger.
"The Boards' vote for the merger was unanimous and we are very excited to combine our health systems," commented the Board chairs, Wayne Gardner of Chester River Health and John Dillon of Shore Health, in a joint statement. "Together, we can reach new levels of quality care and our communities deserve it."
Dillon commented, "We have prepared our health systems in the best possible way to meet the challenges of a health care environment that is rapidly changing due to healthcare reform. This enables us to provide seamless and efficient care across our region. We are confident that the thorough process we have pursued has led us to the right decisions."
"Our boards have come together to build a sustainable health care system and that is really trailblazing here in Maryland," remarked Gardner. "Our collaboration will improve care and outcomes for our patients while increasing access to quality healthcare services, programs and specialists to residents of the Mid-shore region."
The unanimous votes taken by the two boards will result in the following:
- Effective July 1, 2013, Shore Health System and Chester River Health System will merge into a single entity, with a single board governance structure.
- Effective July 1, 2013, the health system's executive management team will be unified. Ken Kozel, current CEO and president of Shore Health System, will serve as CEO and president of the unified system. Jim Ross, current CEO and president of Chester River Health, will continue to serve until the merger is complete.
- On a date yet to be determined, the health systems' medical staffs will be unified.
- By January, 2014, the health system's middle management team will be unified.
- Once timelines and transition plans are developed, staffing may be added, relocated or eliminated based upon regional needs.
All three existing hospitals in the system will remain open and will continue to operate as acute care inpatient facilities with emergency departments. The combined health system will operate hospitals in Cambridge, Chestertown and Easton; a freestanding emergency center and adjacent medical pavilion in Queenstown; a nursing and rehabilitation center in Chestertown; and outpatient care and diagnostic centers in Cambridge, Centreville, Chestertown, Denton and Easton. Home care and hospice services will be continued throughout the region by the combined system.
Foundations will continue to raise funds for their specific hospitals and funds raised in each unique community will stay in each community. Auxiliaries and volunteers will remain locally based in support of the individual hospitals they serve and support.
In addition to approving the merger, the Boards have endorsed modification of clinical services to reflect regional needs and resources. Clinical changes at the health systems that have already been implemented include:
- The addition of new medical specialists in Kent County, including a urologist, a nephrologist, and a neurologist.
- The completion of the Shore Medical Pavilion in Queenstown has expanded access to services in the region including primary care, cardiology, ENT, urology, physical and occupational therapy, speech therapy, a regional sleep study center and extensive diagnostic imaging services, including mammography, MRI, x-ray, ultrasound and bone densitometry.
Clinical changes expected to be implemented near term include:
- Enhanced access to regional services and programs, including but not limited to a women's breast center, a diabetes program, telemedicine and hospice and palliative care, for the Chester River community.
- Centralizing diagnostic cardiac catheterization services at Memorial Hospital. The cardiac catheterization lab currently in operation at Chester River handles fewer than 50 diagnostic procedures annually, and is in need of replacement at an estimated cost of $1 million. Certain invasive cardiac procedures currently performed in the Chester River cath lab, such as pacemaker implantation, will be moved to the Chester River Hospital operating rooms, where new investments are being made in radiology equipment.
The decision to merge the two organizations was taken after a comprehensive review of the population health needs of the five Mid-Shore counties, which was conducted by the Regionalization Study Committee (RSC) comprised of Board members and administrative leaders from both health systems over the past year. The study process included a series of community forums held throughout the region, as well as multiple forums for physicians and the health systems' employees and volunteers.
The new organization will address the unique challenges of delivering health care in rural areas and will be in a better position to address these challenges, which include provider shortages, scarcity of specialty care, and a predominately aging population with multiple chronic conditions.
The Regionalization Study Committee will remain in place and will continue to meet through June 30, 2013, while management staffs at both health systems plan and coordinate the important next steps that will include the development of a transition plan; name and branding; timelines for new program implementations; service delivery; and a unified budget.
About Chester River Health System
The Chester River Health System was formed in 1997 to offer state-of-the-art health care to the residents of Kent and Queen Anne's counties. Chester River Health System, a member of the University of Maryland Medical System, includes Chester River Hospital, Chester River Home Care & Hospice, Chester River Manor Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, and Chester River Health Foundation. The system provides health care through a network of community-based services and is recognized throughout the community for providing quality, compassionate care with a personal touch.
Chester River Hospital, established by community citizens in 1935, is a not-for-profit community hospital which provides inpatient services, 24-hour emergency care, surgical services, outpatient diagnostic services, rehabilitation services, and oncology services. The hospital is staffed by more than 400 employees. The medical staff currently consists of more than 100 active and consulting physicians representing more than 20 specialties. For more information, visit www.chesterriverhealth.org
About Shore Health System
Shore Health System was formed in 1996 through the affiliation of the Memorial Hospital at Easton, located in Talbot County, Maryland, and Dorchester General Hospital, located in the city of Cambridge in Dorchester County. Both hospitals have served their communities for over 100 years. Today, Shore Health System is a regional, not-for-profit network of inpatient and outpatient services with facilities in Talbot, Dorchester, Caroline and Queen Anne's counties. Shore Health is staffed by more than 2000 employees and a medical staff of 200 primary care and specialty physicians.
In 2006, Shore Health System merged with the University of Maryland Medical System to expand clinical programs and facilities, and to facilitate physician recruitment. The two Shore Health System hospitals have 188 inpatient beds, including the 20-bed Requard Center for Acute Rehabilitation at Memorial Hospital and a 16-bed inpatient behavioral health unit for adults at DorchesterGeneral Hospital. The Queen Anne's Emergency Center near Grasonville opened in 2010 and operates 24 hours a day,every day, to respond to minor injuries and illnesses as well as to strokes, heart attacks, and traumatic injuries, with seamless coordination when patients need to be transported by ambulance or helicopter to a hospital. The Shore Health System regional network of outpatient services includes primary and specialty physician practices for people of all ages along with diagnostic testing, medical rehabilitation, cancer care, diabetes management, digestive health, home health care and hospice. For more information, visit www.shorehealth.org.
About University of Maryland Medical System
The University of Maryland Medical System is a 12-hospital system with academic, community and specialty service missions reaching every part of the state and beyond. UMMS is a national and regional referral center for trauma, cancer care, neurocare, cardiac care, women's and children's health and physical rehabilitation. It also has one of the nation's largest kidney transplant programs, as well as scores of other programs that improve the physical and mental health of thousands of people daily. UMMS has 18,000 employees, approximately 2,300 licensed beds, over 120,000 annual patient admissions and gross patient revenues of $3 billion. Additionally, the Medical System generates nearly $3.5 billion in economic activity in Maryland. For more information, visit www.umms.org.
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Kent County Public Works Complex 709 Morgnec Road, Suite 202 Chestertown, MD 21620 TEL 410-778-1661 FAX 410-778-9075 COMING EVENTS
Every TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY and FRIDAY, 8:30 a.m.- Noon, Sabine Harvey, Horticulture Program Assistant & Master Gardener. Free service. Help with home horticulture problems & questions. Call 410-778-1661 or stop in and talk to Sabine. Bring plant samples with you for cultivar & disease identification. University of Maryland Extension programs are open to all citizens and will not discriminate against anyone because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry, or national origin, marital status, genetic information, or political affiliation, or gender identity and expression.
February 2013:
02 - Mid Atlantic Small Flock Poultry Expo, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., Carroll County Agricultural Center.
04 - Excel Spreadsheets for Farm Businesses, 9 a.m. - Noon, Chesapeake College, EDC26, Wye Mills. Register with Shannon Dill, 410-822-1244, sdill@umd.edu. - Quick Books for Farm Businesses, 1-4 p.m., Chesapeake College, EDC26, Wye Mills. Register with Shannon Dill, 410-822-1244, sdill@umd.edu.
05 - Grain Marketing Mtg., 6:30 a.m., Sudlersville U.M. Church, 103 N. Church St., Sudlersville, MD, $10 buffet breakfast. LOCATION CHANGE
05 - Write Your own Nutrient Management Plan: Farmer training & certification, Wye Research & Education Center, Queenstown. Contact Dr. Patricia Steinhilber, 410-841-5959.
06 - 2013 Southern MD Vegetable and Fruit Meeting, Budd's Creek Rd., Clements, MD, 8 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. Call 301-475-4484 to register (St. Mary's County Extension Office).
07 - Taste of Maryland Agriculture Dinner, 6:30 p.m., Loews Annapolis Hotel,. www.mdagcouncil.com for details.
07 - Chester River Association Farmer Breakfast, 7 a.m., Crumpton Fire Co.
08 - Grain Marketing Update, Chesapeake College, 7:30 a.m. - Noon, Higher Ed Ctr., Chesapeake College, Wye Mills, MD. Register by Feb. 1 by calling 410-822-1244 or email: sdill@umd.edu
11 - Economic Diversification for Large-Acreage Farms, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Washington College Center for Environment and Society, Chestertown, MD. Call 410-778-1661 for copy of flyer or 410-549-7878 for details.
11 - Mid-Shore Farm Trucking Forum, 1-4 p.m., Caroline Co. 4-H Park, Denton, MD. Contact Matt Teffeau, 410-924-4525.
14 - Delmarva Dairy Day, Hartly, DE, 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.. Register: 302-730-4000 or email truehart@udel.edu
14 - Commercial Pesticide Applicators Training, Caroline Co. 4-H Park. Call UME Caroline: 410-479-4042.
19 - Grain Marketing Mtg., 6:30 a.m., Sudlersville U.M. Church, 103 N. Church St., Sudlersville, MD, $10 buffet breakfast. LOCATION CHANGE
19 - Eastern Shore Vegetable Meeting, 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., Caroline Co. 4-H Park. Denton, MD
20 - Bay Area Fruit Mtg., Wye Research & Ed Ctr., Queenstown, MD, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Call: 410-827-8056 x115
20 - U of Maryland Extension Caroline Co. Agronomy Meeting, 5 -10 p.m., Caroline Co. 4-H Park, Denton.
21-22 - USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum, Arlington, VA. See http://www.usda.gov/oce/forum/ for details.
23 - Maryland Dairy Convention, Frederick, MD, 8:30 a.m., Frederick Co. Fairgrounds.
25-26 - Women in Agriculture Conference, Dover Downs, Dover DE
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JUST-IN-TIME PESTICIDE INFO - Respirator Recall
ACTION DATE: Immediate
ISSUE: Moldex has issued a recall for some of its 7000 Series half-mask respirators.
Moldex determined the cartridges for the models being recalled had gas/vapor breakthrough rates that did not meet the NIOS standard. Therefore, they have issued a voluntary recall and stop sale of the following Moldex 7000 series gas or vapor cartridges and assembled respirators with any manufacturing lot number before 121112000 (December 11th, 2012).
Owners should IMMEDIATELY stop using any of models being recalled and return them to Moldex, which will pay the return freight charges and replace the products at no charge. These respirators could have been purchased through a number of dealers, including Grainger and Gempler. The models being recalled are:
7100, 7101, 7102, 7103, 7111, 7112, 7113, 7140, 7171, 7172, 7173, 7200, 7300, 7400, 7500, 7600, 7601, 7602, 7603, and 7640.
To arrange the return of affected models, or for questions, contact Moldex Customer Service at 800-421-0668 ext. 550.
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Workplace injuries, illnesses, and deaths can be a threat to the very survival of the small businesses. Trauma to a worker can also be trauma for the business from increased costs for things such as workers' compensation insurance premiums or worker replacement processes.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has published a new online Small Business Safety and Health Resource Guide . It will help them find free or inexpensive information about protecting their workers. The guide includes:
- More than 30 websites with resources from training guides and courses to workplace regulations, hazard checklists and emergency guidance.
- Contact information for safety organizations and government safety agencies PLUS resources for specific industries such as convenience stores, construction sites, restaurants, and health care settings.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or suggestions about the guide. Protecting small business workers is in everyone's interest.
Ray Sinclair, Coordinator
Small Business Assistance and Outreach Program
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
4676 Columbia Pkwy Cincinnati, OH 45226 Rsinclair@cdc.gov 513.533.8172
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IN THE NEWS
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AROUND THE STATE
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The SBA has a new website dealing with health exchanges and help for small businesses.
Click Here
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- 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 Damon Bradley at SCORE to get more information: windtryst04@aol.com
- 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 kentchamber@verizon.net
The following businesses are participating members.
Please support these businesses!
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