Kent County Chamber of Commerce Newsletter
COC in Blue

 

Kent County Chamber of Commerce

122 North Cross Street

P. O. Box 146

Chestertown,MD  21620

410.810.2968 Tel  |  410.778.1406 Fax 


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. 
 CHAMBER NEWS                       JANUARY 2015
IN THIS ISSUE
LEADERSHIP

EXECUTIVE BOARD

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

LORETTA LODGE 

    

PRESIDENT

DIANE BRANDT  

CNB


VICE PRESIDENT

KEN COLLINS   

WCTR BROADCASTING, LLC  

    

TREASURER

LINDA DAWSON 

KENT FORWARD  

 

PAST PRESIDENT

DAVID BOWMAN

THE PEOPLES BANK   

  

  

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

 

SALLY CAMP

The Fiduciary's Friend  

   

DR. KAREN COUCH 

Kent County Public Schools 

 

SUZANNE EINSTEIN

Blue Crab Chesapeake Charters  

 

CREG FLEETWOOD

FAM&M Insurance Agency, Inc.

 

BOB GRACE

Dixon Valve & Coupling Company 

 

BOB GREENWALD 

East Coast Storage

  

LORI KERN 

Chesapeake Benefit Services, Inc.  

   

STEWART SEITZ 

UM Shore Nursing

& Rehabilitation Center

 

LANSING WILLIAMS 

Washington College   

 

CHAMBER EVENTS

01/30/2015
Chamber Awards Gala 
6:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.
Garfield Center for the Arts 
210 High Street 
Chestertown, MD

2/11/2015
Business After Hours 
5:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.
Kent County Public Library 
408 High Street 
Chestertown, MD

2/12/2015
Chamber Board Meeting
12:00 P.M.
Chamber Office  
122 N. Cross Street
  

From the Executive Director

A very Happy New year to all of you!  And so begins another year ... here is hoping that 2015 will be a great year for all of you!

 

First, I want to thank Vinny Assante and his staff at Luisa's Cucina Italiana for hosting the Chamber's annual Holiday Gala in December. We had a great turn-out and everyone enjoyed themselves - great food, great prizes and great fun. Thanks to our many members who so generously donated door prizes for this annual event. All door prize proceeds will be donated to the Community Food Pantry. It is through the generosity of our Chamber members who host these events and donate time and goods, that this event is possible and that allows the Chamber to give back to the community.

 

The Chamber kicked off the New Year with the Pre-Session Legislative Breakfast on January 12, which was again this year graciously hosted by Heron Point. A big thanks goes out to Garret Falcone and his staff for another outstanding job. You all make my job that much easier. Thank you!

 

Thanks too to our legislators, State Senator Stephen S. Hershey, Jr., Delegate Steve Arentz, Queen Anne's County, Delegate Jay Jacobs, Kent County and Kent County Commissioner Bill Short. These gentlemen, aside from always taking the time from their busy schedules to join us for this annual breakfast, truly have the best interests of the Eastern Shore at heart.  They are genuinely representatives for all of us.

 

As I have said many times before, this is an incredible and unique opportunity to meet face-to-face with your representatives, ask them questions, find out what is expected in the upcoming session and new year, and hear about current issues, locally, regionally and statewide. If you were unable to attend this pre-session meeting, keep an eye out for the notice of the Post-Session Legislative Breakfast to be held in April.

 

The Chamber's annual Excellence in Business Awards Gala will be held on January 30, 2015 at the Prince Theatre at the Garfield Center for the Arts. This is always a fabulous event where we recognize the "Best of Our Best".  This year's keynote speaker will be Kimberly Scott, owner of The Great Gourmet located in Federalsburg, MD. Kimberly's success story is fascinating for anyone who has ever owned, run, or wanted to start a business. You can read more about Kimberly Scott and The Great Gourmet at www.thegreatgourmet.com.  To read and interview with her at CLICK HERE.  So please come out and join us for a wonderful evening as we hear Kimberly's story and honor our award recipients for 2014. The invitation and details for this event can be found later in this newsletter.

 

Remember, the recipients of the Excellence in Business Awards are selected from nominations submitted by you, our readers.  Nominations for any Chamber member businesses, including your own, must be submitted by close of business this Friday, January 16thCLICK HERE for the nomination forms.  The notice for nominations can also be found later in this newsletter. 

 

One last reminder, the Chamber's February Business-After-Hours will be hosted by the Kent County Public Library on Wednesday, February 11th from 5:00 - 6:00 P.M. So mark your calendars and plan on joining us and seeing what exciting new things are happening at the Kent County Public Library. Invitations will be arriving in your mail box soon!

 

Loretta

Loretta

Loretta M. Lodge

Executive Director

 

 

 

 

"Wake up with determination.  Go to bed with satisfaction." 
 
    - Unknown                       

OUR SPONSORS

PLATINUM
GOLD

SILVER

BRONZE
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
 

 


New Member Welcome 
  
  

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.

We urge the membership to use the goods and services of other Chamber members.

This is what the Kent County Chamber of Commerce is all about. 

 

  _________________________ 

 

                   

 

Michael A. Scott, Inc.   
207 S. Maple Avenue 
Chestertown, MD  21620 
410.778.2310 Phone  |  410.778.5718 Fax 
Michael A. Scott, Inc. established in 1991 in the town of Chestertown by Michael A. Scott, provides professional land surveying services primarily, but not limited to, Kent, Queen Anne's, Cecil, Caroline, and Talbot counties. We provide services for state, county, and local government agencies as well as private developers, lawyers, realtors, and landowners. We have the experience to complete your projects, working closely with county officials.  We understand the processes of taking a job from inception to completion in a timely manner.

   

                                                       
 

Please join us in welcoming our newest

Chamber Member!  

 


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 [email protected].  

Chamber NewsFlashes are published every Tuesday.
Deadline for submission is Friday to be included in the following Tuesday's NewsFlash.
FROM THE CHAMBER

 

   

Send your nominations in today!!
Nominate your business or one of your fellow Chamber members.
 

Deadline for nominations
Friday, January 16th!

 

Kent County Chamber of Commerce 

Annual Excellence in Business

Awards Gala

Celebrating Business and Opportunity    

Friday, January 30, 2015    

at  

The Prince Theatre

at the Garfield Center for the Arts  

in Chestertown  

 

Event invitations coming to your mailbox soon. 

 

Award Nominations

 

This annual event is designed to recognize the dedication, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit in Kent County. 

Nominations are currently being accepted for: 

*  Environmental Awareness Award

*  Community Service Award

*  New Business of the Year

*  Outstanding Business of the Year

*  Business Leader of the Year

 

The winners in each category will be honored at the Gala on January 30, 2015.

Below is the  link to the Nomination Forms. Please take the time to nominate your business or one of your fellow Chamber members for these prestigious awards. Don't miss this opportunity to be recognized among your peers and throughout the community.     

 

 

 

 Click here for Nomination Forms

 

 

 

Kent County Chamber of Commerce

Your leading advocate for business in Kent County   

 



UPCOMING EVENTS












WHAT WILL BE DIFFERENT ABOUT REDNER'S NEW WAREHOUSE MARKET?

   

 

Eric White from Redner's Markets will join the Community Breakfast Group (CBG) at their January 15 meeting.  Redner's plans to open a new Warehouse Market within the Washington Square Shopping Center this spring.  Eric will review the company history, their approach to the grocery business and how they wish to help and be a part of the Kent County community.
 
In 1940, at the age of 16, Earl Redner started his career in the food business with the Grand Union Tea Company in Middletown, New York. His first job was potato bagger and stoker of the furnace. He spent the next 29 years working for Grand Union and during his time there, worked in various positions including assistant store manager, district sales manager, division grocery sales manager, and superintendent of stores in Washington, D.C. He still holds the Grand Union record for youngest manager, district store manager, and store superintendent.
 
In 1970, Earl decided to strike out on his own.  He bought two small supermarkets near Reading, Pennsylvania.   The rest is history.  Redner's now operates 65 grocery stores throughout Eastern Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware.  This in a period where most of the giant supermarket chains are struggling or have collapsed completely.  Nevertheless, Redner's continues to expand, with Chestertown being the site of their latest new store.  They must be doing something better than the other chains!  Will they succeed in a location where two other chains have tried and failed?
 
The CBG meets for breakfast every Thursday at 7:30AM at the Holiday Inn Express in Chestertown.  Our meetings start promptly at 7:30AM, so you may want to come at 7:15AM to get your breakfast before the meeting.  Our website is www.kentcbg.org .    
 
Cathy Cole, postmaster for the Chestertown Post Office, will join us at our January 22 meeting.
   






 

NOTICE OF ETHICS TRAINING

 

 

            The Kent County Ethics Commission and the County Commissioners of Kent County will be sponsoring Ethics Training on Thursday, January 15, 2015, and Friday, January 16, 2015. Sessions will last approximately 90 minutes and are scheduled at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. each day. If you would like to attend please call 410-778-4595 to register.   This training will be available to all Employees, Board Members, and citizens.

 

THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

OF KENT COUNTY, MARYLAND

 

Sondra M. Blackiston, Clerk 

 




 

 

KCPL Logo-White  

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

 

HANDLE STRESS THE GOOD HUMOR WAY

AT KENT COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

 

Chestertown, MD, January 12, 2015 - Humor is a powerful tool which has the ability to decrease stress, improve health, lessen pain, improve communication, and enrich quality of life.  Join us and be ready to laugh as the extraordinary Carol Moore leads us down the path of humor to better ways of coping with the many stressors in our lives.  Spend an interactive hour at KCPL as she presents "Handle Stress the Good Humor Way" and take away ideas and techniques to keep you laughing, feeling cheerful, and looking on the bright side.  The hilarity will take place at the Chestertown Branch on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at 1p.m.  There is no cost to participate and all are welcome.

 

Carol Moore, MS, RNC has worked in a variety of health care settings during her 25+ years of nursing experience, she has been a military nurse, worked in public health, in physician offices and in several hospitals. Currently she is an Education Specialist at Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury, MD.  Carol presents local and national workshops on various educational topics, but her favorite presentations are on humor and laughter.

 

For more information about this program, please call 410-778-3636.

 


 



 

 







4-H EVENTS                                             FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

BY ELIZABETH M.S. HILL, FEA, 4-H Youth Development........................................................................

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4-H COMING EVENTS

Volunteers needed in 4-H: Looking for volunteers as Kent County Fair 4-H Division chairpersons, judges and much more! Call the Extension Office if interested, 410-778-1661. The University of Maryland, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources programs are open to all 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.

January 2015

1              New Year's Day Holiday ~ Extension Office Closed

3              2015 Beef and Dairy Market Steer Tagging, 10:00 am, Kent Ag Center

5              DEADLINE: Kent 4-H Senior Portfolios (Resume/Essay/Application) due to Kent 4-H Office for eligibility for 4-H National Trips. Portfolio must be complete with Application.

13           JLC (Jr. Leadership Council), 7:00 pm, Extension Office - All 4-H Youth Welcome!

UME 4-H Online Training for New Volunteers, 6:30 pm. Must register with Kent Office 2 weeks prior.

                14           DEADLINE: 4-H Senior Portfolios Due to MD 4-H Office (for eligibility for National Trips)

15           Ag Center Board of Director's Meeting, 7:00 pm, Kennedyville United Methodist Church

16-18     Horse World Expo & 4-H Horse Art Contest, MD State Fairgrounds, Timonium

16-19     State 4-H Winter Camp, Patuxent River 4-H Center

18           State 4-H Awards Gala, 3:00 - 6:00 pm, Laurel Racetrack

19           Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday ~ Extension Office Closed

20           DEADLINE: ALL 4-H Record/Memory Books due to Extension Office by 4:30 pm.

                DEADLINE: 4-H Achievement Award Nominations Due to Extension Office

22           Toy Drive Committee, Wrap-up Meeting and Thank-You Cards, 7:00 pm, Ext. Office

24           4-H Healthy Living Summit, Thendera 4-H Center, Dorchester County

26           4-H Toy Drive Committee - Wrap-up Session & Thank You Writing, 7:00 pm, Extension Office

27           4-H Annual Report to the Kent County Commissioners, 6:15 pm, Commissioners Office, 400 High Str.

                4-H Leaders Council, 7:00 pm, Extension Office

27           4-H Annual 2015 Animal Science Volunteer Webinar Update

                Cecil Hands on Animal Science for Volunteers - Cheese-making.  Kent volunteers invited!

30           Kent 4-H Record Book Judging Day, 10:00 am Judging, Lunch Provided @ 12:00 noon - Lots of Volunteers,

Parents, Supporters Needed and Welcome - no previous experience necessary!

 

KENT COUNTY 4-H CLUB MEETING DATES

Bits and Bridles 4-H Horse Club -Meets 3rd Saturday, Running W Kennel, Worton, 1:00 pm, Leaders: Avra Sullivan, 443-480-3346 and Stephanie Turner, 410-708-0994

Clay Crushers 4-H Shotgun Club - Meets 2nd & 4th Sunday afternoons weekly, alternating between Kent County Gun Club and Sudlersville Skeet Club, Leaders: Russ Parson, cell (443-480-0292) and Robert Baldwin (410-348-5727)

Junior Dairy Associates - Meets 3rd Friday monthly, 7:00 pm, Kennedyville United Methodist Church, Leaders: Beth Hill (410-778-1661) and Cheryl Plummer (410-648-6828)

Junior Rifle Club - Meets 2nd and 4th Sundays, 2:00 pm, Winter-Kent Ag Center Rifle Range, Summer- Alexander's Sporting Farm, LLC, Rifle & Pistol Range, Leader: John Curlett (410-778-0924)

Kent Clover Calf - Meets 2nd Wednesday monthly, 7:00 pm, Kennedyville United Methodist Church, Leaders: Jennifer Debnam (410-348-5905), Leader: Carrie Douthit (410-928-5860)

Kent Fuzzy Tails and Shiny Scales 4-H Club,Meets 4th Thursday monthly, 6:30 pm, Winter: Presbyterian

Church of Chestertown, Summer: Lovett Farms, Worton, Leader: Carrie & Jay Douthit, 410-928-5860, Jessica Matthews, 443-480-9308

Puppy Pals 4-H Dog Club - Meets Wednesdays monthly, 6:30 pm, Winter-Radcliffe Creek School,

Summer-Mondays-Running W Kennels, Worton, Leaders: Bert and Jim Lindauer, 410-778-2887

Shore Shots 4-H Archery Club - Meets 1st Sunday, 2-4 pm, and 3rd Sunday from 1:30 - 4:00pm, Cypress Creek Archery, Millington, Leaders: Teresa Quinn, (410-708-0217) email: [email protected]

Udder Delights 4-H Club - Meets 4th Monday monthly, 6:30 pm, Chester River Friends Meeting House, Chestertown, Leaders: Owen McCoy (410-639-7217) and Christine Betley, 410-739-0304

"NEW" 4-H Clover Bud Club - Meets 4th Saturday of every month 10:30am-12:00pm at Colchester Farm, Galena. Ages 5-7. For more information contact: [email protected]

 

 

NEWS FROM & FOR OUR MEMBERS
 

 

January 9, 2015

Immediate Release

 

Geography Bee Kent School

 


Will Cammerzell, an eighth grade student at Kent School, won the 2015 school-level competition of the National Geographic Bee on January 9 and a chance to win a $25,000 college scholarship. Sixth grade student, Ty Wilson was runner up. The school level Geo Bee at which students answered oral questions on several facets of geography, was the first round in the 27th annual National Geographic Bee.

Pictured: Front row:  Flynn Bowman, Tylante Wilson, Campbell Parkhurst, Sage Cookerly, Harrison Sheridan
Back Row:  Zach Goss, Giovanni Proccacini, Will Cammerzell, Kolby Brice, Payton Lord
 

Students in grades four through eight participated in the competition. Preliminary rounds were completed in individual grades earlier this month. Finalists were: Harrison Sheridan & Kolby Brice (4th grade), Flynn Bowman & Sage Cookerly (5th grade), Campbell Parkhurst & Ty Wilson (6th grade), Peyton Taylor & Giovanni Procaccini (7th grade), and Zachary Goss & Will Cammerzell (8th grade.)

 

Kent School's seventh grade geography teacher, Michele Cerino has been coordinating the Bee for 10 years and is proud of all the contestants, students and teachers that help in preparing for this event. On Monday, January 12, a written test will be given to our winner, then sent to the National Geographic Society, who then determines winners qualified for the state level competition. For the past two years, a Kent School student has successfully qualified to compete in the state level of the National Geographic Bee.

 

According to the National Geographic Bee web page, "Each year, thousands of schools in the U.S. participate in the National Geographic Bee using materials prepared by the National Geographic Society. The contest is designed to encourage teachers to include geography in the classrooms and spark student interest in the subject and increase public awareness about geography. The Geo Bee website features a quiz section, an app and information on the World Competition."

 

Kent School is an independent school in Chestertown, MD, serving boys and girls from pre-K through grade eight. Its mission is to guide students in realizing their potential for academic, artistic, athletic and moral excellence.

   

Contact

Tricia Cammerzell

Director of Admissions and Development

[email protected]

 


#  #  #

 

 

January 12, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Kent School to Offer Arts Workshops for Youngsters

 

Kent School is inviting children and their parents to attend a series of fun, Saturday morning workshops designed to beat winter boredom. The workshops will be held on January 24, February 21 and February 28. The sessions will run from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Kent school's pre-school staff and arts teachers will offer activities in music, arts and crafts, and physical education respectively. There is no charge and the public is welcome. All activities are designed for children ages six and under. Parents should plan on staying on campus while their children participate. During program breaks the students will have access to activities in the Little School classroom and on the playground. The Little School teaching staff will be on hand to guide the children. 

 

On January 24, Music teacher Kate Bennett will lead a "Stories and Songs" session in the Kent School library. Kate will entertain and involve children in read-aloud stories, singing with musical accompaniment and audience participation.

 

On February 21, Little School teachers will lead the children in arts and crafts projects. "We'll provide the tools for the children to make their own masterpieces to bring home. There will be a couple of stations so children can choose which materials they would like to work with to make their art," said Julia Gross, Little School Director.

 

On February 28, Physical Education teacher Erin Kent will lead a session that will get kids moving through age-appropriate obstacle courses and exercise activities. "Sometimes it's hard for any of us to keep moving in the cold winter months. We will guide the children through fun activities that will keep them moving from start to finish," said Kent.

 

All workshops are planned with several breaks so the children can move around and explore the Little School facilities and other campus features. Gross continued, "We've designed these activities with a few goals in mind. First, we always want to create fun and interesting activities for children. We also want to offer a few activities to beat winter boredom. We all tend to stay inside during these cold winter months but we're offering families a few reasons to come out and enjoy the community. Finally, we want to share the talents of Kent School's teachers with the community. We are always proud of our commitment to the arts and this is a way to showcase that." Director of Admission, Tricia Cammerzell will be on hand to offer tours of the school to anyone interested.

 

The Little School at Kent School is a pre-kindergarten program serving three and four year olds. Parents can choose from full and half day options 3, 4, or 5 days a week. The Little School maintains an 8 to 1 student to teacher ratio. For more information about the Arts Workshops or general information about the pre-k program at Kent School call 410-778 4100 ext. 110.




Foundation for the Kent County Public Library Receives $6,600 Grant

from PNC for "Library Building Blocks"

 

[Chestertown] January 5, 2015 - The Foundation for the Kent County Public Library has been awarded a $6,600 grant from the PNC Foundation to continue their Early Literacy initiative that focuses on improving school readiness. PNC provided the funding in support of Grow Up Great, its bilingual program in early childhood education. 

 

 

KCPL Early Literacy Event 

"Library Building Blocks" will offer workshops for parents and educators to provide necessary resources and support for early learning. The grant will also enable the library to provide opportunities for preschoolers and toddlers to explore hands-on activities at the library to enhance vocabulary, fine motor skills, color recognition, number identification and imaginative play, ultimately improving school readiness in Kent County Maryland.  

"Thanks to the PNC Grow Up Great Grant, KCPL's exceptional Children's Department will continue to be an integral part of our early education initiative," said Jackie Adams, Library Director. "It allows us to continue to serve low and moderate income children and their families by providing direct services for children and family engagement in the community."

The grant from the PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC), will enable the Kent County Public Library to engage professional childcare presenters as part of family caf� events,purchase board books, picture books and early learning toys. The grant also will fund the purchase of educational supplies to support these programs and provide core knowledge training and readiness skills for early care providers and parents to earn Continuing Education Units.

"PNC is committed to providing families with the tools and resources to help children be successful in kindergarten and life," said Chick Hamm, PNC Executive Vice President and Market Executive in Greater Maryland. "We are thrilled to expand our support of the Early Literacy Center as it continues to serve a critical community need - helping more Kent County children arrive at kindergarten with essential skills and ready to learn."

In 2013, more than 4,200 community members attended library programs offered throughout the year, including weekly story times and other culturally enriching programs. The library has early literacy computers in all the branches, and it has been able to provide take home learning backpacks with books, puzzles, games, and puppets which support all areas of the Maryland Model for School Readiness. The library also offers a summer reading program which includes a summer reading game with books as prizes that serve as incentives for reading.

 

 

About the Organizations

          The PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC), actively supports organizations that provide services for the benefit of communities in which it has a significant presence. The foundation focuses its philanthropic mission on early childhood education and community and economic development, which includes the arts and culture. Through Grow Up Great, its signature cause that began in 2004, PNC has created a $350 million multi-year initiative to help prepare children from birth to age five for success in school and life.


 

 

 

 

Linda Mastro, Director, Marketing and Communications

443-262-4117, [email protected]

 

For immediate release  

 

Adult Grief Support Group Begins in January

 

Ann OConnor, LCSW-C (left) and Wayne Larrimore, MEd (right) will co-facilitate the Adult Grief Support Group

 

Compass Regional Hospice is forming a new grief support group for adults 18 years and older who have lost a loved one. The group will meet at Sacred Heart Catholic Church Hall, 508 High Street in Chestertown beginning Tuesday, January 20, 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. The group will meet every Tuesday for ten consecutive weeks.

 

The grief support group will be co-facilitated by Ann OConnor, LCSW-C, and Wayne Larrimore, MEd, grief counselors for Compass Regional Hospice.

 

For more information about the adult grief support group, contact Ann Oconnor, 443-262-4100, [email protected] or Wayne Larrimore, 443-262-4100, [email protected]. To learn more about other grief support programs available through the Compass Regional Hospice Hope & Healing Center, visit www.compassregionalhospice.org/hopeandhealing.

  

# # # #

 

Compass Offers Hospice Volunteer Training

Discussing hospice volunteer opportunities in Kent County are (left to right) Courtney Williams, manager of professional and volunteer; Heather Guerieri, executive director; hospice volunteer Linda Cades; Bob Denison, social worker; and hospice volunteer Nancy Schilling
Compass Regional Hospice will offer two training sessions in March for individuals interested in volunteering to work with patients and their family members. The first session will be held on March 17, 18 and 19 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at Caroline Hospice Foundation, 613 S. 5th Avenue in Denton. Another session will be held on March 24, 25 and 26 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Chestertown Presbyterian Church, 905 Gateway Drive in Chestertown. This training is free and open to anyone interested in becoming a volunteer for Compass Regional Hospice in Caroline, Kent and Queen Anne's Counties.

V
olunteer trainees will receive an overview of hospice and learn more about the process of dying, the stages of grief, and spiritual care as part of the hospice program. Other topics to be discussed include effective communications techniques, family dynamics, stress management and self-care for caregivers.

"Hospice volunteering is just like being a good 

Volunteers have been essential to the hospice care provided in Caroline County for many years. Pictured at a reception to discuss new volunteer opportunities in Caroline County are (left to right) Betty Ballas, president, Caroline Hospice Foundation board; Heather Guerieri, executive director, Compass Regional Hospice; hospice volunteer Barbara Pratti; Heidi Plutschak and Brandi Cathert, staff, Caroline Hospice Foundation; Laura Harris, vice president, Caroline Hospice Foundation; Courtney Williams, manager of professional and volunteer, Compass Regional Hospice; Denise Walls, RN, hospice case manager; and hospice volunteer Mary Turkington
neighbor-it is all about helping others and being there when someone needs you," says Courtney Williams, manager of professional and volunteer services for Compass Regional Hospice. "There are many
other ways to be a volunteer, depending on your interests and the amount of time you have to give."

 

Patient care volunteers provide companionship and support to hospice patients and their loved ones in their homes and at the residential Hospice Center in Centreville. Volunteers also work closely with the Hope & Healing Center grief counselors as they maintain contact with family members after the death of a loved one. Other volunteers perform administrative tasks, assist with events and operate Estate Treasures, an upscale resale shop in Chester that raises funds for Compass Regional Hospice.

For 30 years Compass Regional Hospice has relied on a growing pool of volunteers of all ages in Queen Anne's County. "Now that we are providing hospice and grief support in Caroline and Kent Counties, too, we invite men and women who want to be of service in these communities to consider volunteering for hospice," says Williams.

For information about becoming a volunteer for Compass Regional Hospice, visit www.compassregionalhospice.org/volunteers or contact Courtney Williams, 443-262-4112, [email protected].

 

# # # #

 

Glacken Earns Hospice Clinical Excellence Award

 

Melanie Glacken, CNA, CHPNA, is the recipient of the 2014 Cynthia L. Nugent Clinical Excellence Award in Hospice and  Palliative Care. She was nominated by her peers for this award, which recognizes a Compass Regional Hospice clinical care provider who has shown outstanding dedication and excellence in caring for terminally ill patients and assisting their families. 

 

Glacken has been a hospice aide for Compass Regional Hospice, formerly Hospice of Queen Anne's, for 18 years. One of the award nominators wrote, "Mel has a smile that lights up a room. Her clients look forward to seeing her; she makes them feel safe and comfortable in her care."

Celebrating Melanie Glacken as the 2014 recipient of the Cynthia L. Nugent Clinical Excellence Award in Hospice and Palliative Care at the Compass Regional Hospice Christmas party are (left to right) Cynthia Nugent's husband Bob Nugent; Melanie Glacken; Cynthia's daughter Rebecca Bogliaoli and Rebecca's son Kratos; Nugent family friends Nicole Harper and Sue Armstrong; and Heather Guerieri, executive director, Compass Regional Hospice

 

The Cynthia L. Nugent Clinical Excellence Award in Hospice and Palliative Care is named in honor of hospice nurse Cynthia Nugent, who dedicated eight years of her life to Hospice of Queen Anne's.

 

After Cynthia's death in 2009, her husband, Bob, wanted to honor her work as a hospice nurse and recognize the excellent care she received as a patient at the Hospice Center in Centreville. Bob Nugent proposed creating an annual award that would honor Cynthia's memory by recognizing a staff member whose work meets high levels of excellence.

 

Bob Nugent says, "Cynthia thought the world of all of her colleagues. Although she had a career in the military and in government service, she found her calling when she came to hospice. She believed that caring for terminally ill patients was both a duty and an honor."

 

Heather Guerieri, executive director, Compass Regional Hospice, says, "Like Melanie Glacken, Cynthia made her patients laugh and smile with her contagious humor. She always went the extra mile. When our patients and her colleagues needed her, Cynthia was there. We can say the same for Melanie, who is respected by her co-workers and loved by her patients."

 

Other Compass Regional Hospice staff who have earned the Cynthia L. Nugent Clinical Excellence Award in Hospice and Palliative Care include social worker Sharon Loving, hospice aide Beverly Baynard, hospice nurse Melissa "Missy" Willis, and bereavement counselor Rhonda Knotts.

 

# # # #

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AROUND THE STATE
 
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 [email protected].  

Chamber NewsFlashes are published every Tuesday.
Deadline for submission is Friday to be included in the following Tuesday's NewsFlash.


CHAMBER INFORMATION 

 

  

STEP UP TO  THE MIC!

 

Don't miss out on this

FREE !!

 

marketing opportunity

Exclusively for Chamber Members!  

 

Every Thursday morning at 8:40am a Chamber Member will be featured on WCTR Radio 1530 AM and 102.3 FM to talk about their business at NOCOST to the Chamber Member.

 

Please call or email Loretta at the Chamber office to set up a date today!  410-810-2968 OR  [email protected] 

 

WCTR - The Voice of Kent & Queen Anne's Counties

Listen to WCTR online:  www.wctr.com   


 

  • Notary Service Now Available! 

Notary services are now available free to our members at the Chamber by appointment. Please contact the Chamber office to schedule an appointment. 

  • 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: [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.

 

For details about discounts offered by participating members, please contact them directly. 

  

 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!