Many of our community based organizations had a very good year in 2013. The Kent County Library, RiverArts, and the Chestertown Trail were notably successful along with many other local groups serving Kent County residents. Join the Community Breakfast Group (CBG) at our January 2 meeting and share your stories of the benefits you have received from your community during the past year.
The CBG meets for breakfast every Thursday at 7:30AM at the Holiday Inn Express in Chestertown.
Despite limited funding and staff reductions, the library’s new director, Jackie Adams, has made dramatic improvements in improving the library’s ability to serve our community. Among other changes which can easily be seen by library patrons are a library collection that more accurately reflects our community’s preferences, technical support for the community’s use of computers and the internet, and expanded outreach so the community can better use and value library services.
RiverArts was recently formed by combining art organizations: Artworks and the Chestertown Arts League. The combination has been extraordinarily successful, with RiverArts rapidly increasing revenue and profitability. They currently offer 18 monthly exhibitions, 7 special events and 14 classes, not to mention maintaining a large, museum like exhibition space! They have been so successful they have just hired Diane Landskroener as their first Executive Director.
After years of wrangling, Chestertown finally improved the abandoned rail line so the route can be used by hikers and cyclists. The Chestertown Trail, which opened on Earth Day in 2012, runs from the old train station through Washington College. Development of the trail was made possible through a 2003 federal earmark by former Congressman Wayne Gilchrest, for whom the trail will be named. The trail has been well used, and Chestertown Council recently reaffirmed its financial support for expanding the trail.
Muriel Cole says
RiverArts is a non-profit organization. We do not make any profit.