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| Kent County Chamber of Commerce Newsletter |
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Kent County Chamber of Commerce
122 North Cross Street
P. O. Box 146
Chestertown, MD 21620
410.810.2968 Tel | 410.778.1406 Fax
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CHAMBER NEWS  DECEMBER 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 DIRECTOR
LORETTA LODGE
PRESIDENT
DAVID BOWMAN
The Peoples Bank of Kent County
PAST PRESIDENT
DOUG CAMP
The Investor's Friend
TREASURER
DIANE BRANDT
CNB Bank
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
KEN COLLINS
WCTR Broadcasting
CREG FLEETWOOD
FAM&M Insurance Agency, Inc.
BOB GREENWALD
East Coast Storage
JON HANLEY
Hanleyman Services, LLC
LARRY HOUCK
Houck's Menswear
JIM RICH
Inn at Huntingfield Creek
BILL RUCKELSHAUS
Champion Realty, Inc.
KATIE WARRINGTON
Horizon Organic Dairy
LANSING WILLIAMS
Washington College
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From the Executive Director
It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving has already come and gone and the Christmas holidays will soon be upon us. But as I have been reminded on more than one occasion, Christmas falls on the same date every year, so it should not be a surprise. Whether you are ready or not, it is always a nice time of year, with decorations, holiday parties and festive attitudes everywhere.
In keeping with that festive attitude, the Chamber is kicking off the season with our annual Holiday Gala. This has become a very popular event over the past years, with lots of folks attending, door prizes, a 50/50 raffle with the proceeds going to the local food bank, fabulous food and friendship and just good plain fun! This year's Holiday Gala will be held on Tuesday, December 10 from 5:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. at JR's Past Time Pub at 337 High Street in Chestertown. So if you haven't made your reservation, do so now! Don't miss out! Deadline for reservations is Thursday, December 5th. You can RSVP via phone, email or online. For details, please see the flyer later in this newsletter.
On Thursday, December 12, we will be welcoming one of our newest members, Loving Touch Home Care with a Ribbon Cutting at 5:00 P.M. Loving Touch Home Care owners Barbara Reed, RN and Dawn Sbriglia, LPN, along with their staff, offer skilled nursing, supervised care by CNA/GNA's and companion services for individuals wanting support to live safely and comfortably in their homes. So stop by on Thursday for the Ribbon Cutting, enjoy a bite to eat and a drink, and welcome them to the Chamber and to our community. They are located at 114-E South Lynchburg Street in Chestertown.
Recently, you received in your inbox a ballot for the single upcoming vacancy on the Chamber's Board of Directors. A strong Chamber relies on a strong Board of Directors, so please cast your vote for one of the nominees. Details about the nominees can be found later in this newsletter. Only Chamber members are eligible to vote. All votes must be received by December 15. Click here for the ballot.
My last reminder this month is about the upcoming publication of our 2014 Chamber County Map. Our annual County Map is a great way to get your business noticed and broaden your customer base. You will be receiving information in the mail in the next day or two on advertising opportunities in the 2014 Map. The rates are very reasonable, (no increase since 2011!), especially considering the extended shelf life and the distribution of the Map through the Chamber, the Visitors Center, the Department of Tourism & Economic Development and local businesses. So check your mailboxes and don't miss out on this great advertising opportunity! More details can be found later in this newsletter.
Wishing you and yours a healthy, happy and prosperous holiday season and New Year!
Loretta
Loretta M. Lodge
Executive Director
"I have found no greater satisfaction than achieving success through honest dealing and strict adherence to the view that, for you to gain, those you deal with should gain as well"
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Welcome New Member
The following business has recently made an important investment in their future and a significant commitment to the community by joining the
Kent County Chamber of Commerce
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JR's Past Time Pub
337 High Street
Chestertown, MD 21620
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Please join us in welcoming our newest
Chamber member!
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Chamber Board Meeting
Thursday, December 12, 2013
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.
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Send Us News of Your Business and We Will Publish It for
FREE !
You are invited to submit a FREE announcement about your business for each weekly Chamber NewsFlash. The content of your message should be about something that's happening in your business, announcement about an employee, an award that your business has won, etc. This space is not intended to be used for advertising. Please limit your message to 100 words or fewer. It's a great way to get your business noticed! Please note that your article may be edited for spelling, grammatical errors and/or length. Photos are welcomed. Submit your announcement to kentchamber@verizon.net.
Chamber NewsFlashes are published every Tuesday.
Deadline for submission is Friday to be included in the following Tuesday's NewsFlash.
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If you are interested in donating a door prize, please contact Loretta at the Chamber office at 410.810.2968 or |
Thursday, December 12
5:00 P.M.
Loving Touch Home Care
114-E South Lynchburg Street
Chestertown, MD
RSVP: 410.778.1895 or 410.810.2968
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NEWS FROM & FOR OUR MEMBERS
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 The Hearing Center of Chestertown to Hold Open House Chestertown, MD. November 21, 2013: The Hearing Center of Chestertown is pleased to announce that it will be holding an open house on Wednesday, December 4, 2013, from 2:00 to 6:30 PM. The Hearing Center of Chestertown is located in the Aquafit building at 818 High St., Suite 3 in Chestertown. The practice is owned and operated by Barbara J. McLendon, Doctor of Audiology, who began the practice in 2002 and has over 25 years of experience. Also on staff is clinical audiologist, Stacie Glover, M.S. CCC-A, with over 10 years of experience in private practice. The Hearing Center of Chestertown is a member of the Audigy Group, which invites only the top 7 percent of practices in the US to join. Audigy Group members adhere to a strict set of patient care standards that deliver incomparable patient satisfaction. Dr. McLendon invites folks to come in and learn about the hearing evaluations, hearing aids, and tips for maintaining healthy hearing. In addition to touring the office with state-of-the-art equipment, the open house will feature door prizes and light refreshments. For more information, call (410) 778-5170, or see the invitation on the web site at www.chestertownhearing.com. -30- Contact Chris Bigelow, Office Manager at (410) 778-5170 or (410) 708-7489 for more information. |
First Friday, December 6
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Stop by the Main Branch of The Peoples Bank
for a taste of the Holidays: punch, cookies
and
CAROLERS FROM THE CHESTERTOWN MIDDLE SCHOOL
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Historical Society's First Friday to Feature Famous Log Canoe, Silver Heel, and Owner Robert Hewes Please join Robert Hewes, III, and Donald Hewes for a conversation about their family's racing log canoe, Silver Heel, at the Historical Society of Kent County's History Happy Hour on First Friday, December 6. The event begins at 4:00 p.m. at the Bordley History Center, 301 High Street. A wine and cheese reception will also be held. Silver Heel was built in 1902 as a five-log canoe, so called because she was fashioned from five logs lashed together into a boat thirty-three feet long with two main masts and other small sails. During her long life, she has gone from sails to engine power and back to sails. She has gone from being a working boat of the type developed on the Chesapeake Bay by its watermen to fame as a racing sailboat after being acquired by Robert Hewes in 1961. Robert and Donald Hewes will talk about Silver Heel's transformation to racing competitor with other log canoes. Under the Hewes' family ownership, her masts were heightened and her sails enlarged. Today she requires a 10-person crew for sailing races. Silver Heel is one of 22 log canoes recognized on the National Register of Historic Places. Proudly, she has always been a Kent County boat. Silver Heel's early life is featured in a window display at the Bordley History Center, along with the original watercolor of her as the racing "Well-Heeled Silver Heel" by Marc Castelli, on loan from Briggs and Sara Cunningham.
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2014 Chamber Board Member Election
 YOUR VOTE COUNTS!
The Kent County Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit 501(c)6 organization governed by a voluntary Board of Directors. The Board is comprised of representatives of Chamber member businesses. Board members serve (1) three-year term and are eligible to renew for a second three-year term. The by-laws stipulate no member shall be eligible for re-election to the Board until the lapse of one year from the end of his/her second term. After accepting voluntary nominations to fill the upcoming vacancy for the Board of Directors, the nomination committee offers the following list of nominees. Only Chamber members are eligible to vote for the Chamber Board of Directors. All votes must be received by December 15, 2013 in order to be eligible for count. __________________________________________________________________ 1st Term Appointments (2014 - 2016)
Linda Dawson Executive Director Kent Forward
Since April 2013 I have been the Executive Director of Kent Forward, a non-profit initiative to help our Kent County Public Schools move from the bottom five schools districts in the state of Maryland to the top five in five years. I have worked closely with many local businesses to increase the awareness of our schools, attendance and reading to children by developing quarterly training programs, Attendance Awareness Month, and other projects. I have extensive experience and leadership in business management and sales. I served as branch manager and assistant vice president of PNC Bank for 12 years. Earlier in my career I worked as a buyer and department manager for major retailers, John Wanamaker and Saks Fifth Ave in Philadelphia as well as owning my own gift business. I have been a member of the Chestertown community since 2000 moving here from Exton, PA with my husband, Joe. We have two married children and four beautiful granddaughters. I enjoy working on boards of local non profits including SOS and Character Counts! and recently was named to the MD State Advisory Council for Gifted and Talented Education. Bob Grace President, Dixon Valve & Coupling Co. Bob Grace is President and COO of Dixon Valve & Coupling Company, a leading manufacturer and supplier of hose fittings and accessories headquartered in Chestertown, MD. Bob has 29 years of business experience and has spent 24 of those years at Dixon. He began his career at Dixon in 1989 as the Distribution Manager. Prior to becoming President in 2010, Bob was the Vice President and General Manager of the Dixon Fire Division. Bob is an active leader in the community. He currently serves on the board for the Chesapeake College Foundation in Wye Mills, MD. Bob also volunteers as a character coach in Kent County's Character Counts program-an educational program that teaches students the value of good character. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Management from Towson University, and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Baltimore. Bob and his wife, Joy, reside in Chestertown. They have two children, both in college. In his free time, Bob enjoys golfing, boating, and spending time with his family. Click Here for Ballot
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SAMARITAN GROUP ANNOUNCES 2014 WINTER SHELTER
Kent County's only emergency homeless shelter will be open January 2 - March 30. In January, we are housed at the Presbyterian Church and move to First United Methodist Church for February and March.
Men, women, and children needing temporary shelter are referred through the Kent County Department of Social Services. The shelter is open from 5:30 P.M. until 8:00 A.M. and provides a warm, dry bed and three meals.
We rely on community support for funds and volunteers. Donations are desperately needed - send to P.O. Box 934, Chestertown 21620.
For more information contact Carol Droge at droge52@yahoo.com. Samaritan Group is an agency of the United Way of Kent County. |
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Dear Kent County Chamber of Commerce Members & Friends:
In an effort to deliver baccalaureate and graduate degree programs that meet the educational needs of area citizens and the economic needs of the region, we would like to learn what degree programs should be offered at the Eastern Shore Higher Education Center. If you would please ask your members to complete the brief survey at the following link (Eastern Shore Higher Education Center Survey ), we will use the results to contact colleges and universities to bring more degree programs to the Eastern Shore Higher Education Center.
We understand that this is a busy time of the year, but we would appreciate your response to the survey by Tuesday, December 17th.
Thank you very much for your assistance.
Happy Holidays!
Deborah Urry, Executive Director, Eastern Shore Higher Education Center
Ruth Jeffries, Administrative Associate, Eastern Shore Higher Education Center
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Are you looking for a way to broaden your customer base and increase your company's visibility? Well here is your opportunity!
The Kent County Chamber of Commerce will again be publishing our annual map of Kent County in January 2014 and we are offering several advertising options especially for you,our member.
With the current economic climate, we know that budgets are tight and being mindful of that, we are pleased to let you know that the rates for the 2014 map will not increase, but will remain the same as they have been since 2011! Now there's a deal!
Our map is widely distributed throughout Maryland with copies available at the Chestertown Visitors Center, the Kent County Department of Tourism & Economic Development, the Kent County Chamber of Commerce office, and at the Chamber of Commerce booth at events throughout the year. Our map is also sent to businesses and homeowners interested in relocating to Kent County. So you can be assured that an ad for your business placed in this map will have extensive circulation!
In the past we have had tremendous support from our members by way of your advertisements in our map. We are again asking for your support in this highly successful publication.
For 2014 Rates & Ad Sizes, Click Here
For a 2014 Map Order From, Click Here
Due Date for New & Renewal Orders: December 18, 2013.
Don't miss out on this great advertising opportunity! Show your support for your Chamber and place your order today!
As always, your support is greatly appreciated!
Thank you,
Loretta
Loretta M. Lodge
Executive Director
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For Immediate Release
From Kent County Public Library
Children's Program December 19, 6:30 P.M.
Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg.
Climb aboard and drink some hot chocolate while listening to the classic story about the magic of Christmas! There will be a special visitor from the North Pole and a craft activity. Bring your cameras! Wear your P.J.'s This event is by train ticket only. Call 410-778-3636 to reserve your train ticket.
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 Please be advised that the December 2013 issue of our Tri-County Agline newsletter is now available for your viewing and printing at the following web address. https://extension.umd.edu/kent-county/agriculture/kent-county-ag |
All Kent County Public Library branches
will be CLOSED
Tuesday, December 24th &
Wednesday, December 25th.
In celebration of the New Year, all Kent County Public Library branches
will CLOSE EARLY at 12:30 p.m.
on Tuesday, December 31st
&
will remain CLOSED
Wednesday, January 1st, 2014.
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Send Us News of Your Business and We Will Publish It for
FREE !
You are invited to submit a FREE announcement about your business for each weekly Chamber NewsFlash. The content of your message should be about something that's happening in your business, announcement about an employee, an award that your business has won, etc. This space is not intended to be used for advertising. Please limit your message to 100 words or fewer. It's a great way to get your business noticed! Please note that your article may be edited for spelling, grammatical errors and/or length. Photos are welcomed. Submit your announcement to kentchamber@verizon.net. Chamber NewsFlashes are published every Tuesday.
Deadline for submission is Friday to be included in the following Tuesday's NewsFlash.
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IN THE NEWS
&
AROUND THE STATE
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- E-Blasts - Broadcast E-Mail Service Available!
The Chamber 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 (Service Core of Retired Executives)
Invites retired executives to become counselors for new and existing local businesses. Contact Bill Noll at SCORE to get more information: wbnoll@yahoo.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.
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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!!
The following businesses are participating members.
Please support these businesses!
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