Berlin officials presented Worcester County Tourism Director Lisa Challenger with the Reese F. Cropper, III Bright Idea Award during the Berlin Chamber of Commerce meeting March 19. Pictured, from left, are Berlin Mayor Gee Williams, Challenger and Berlin Chamber of Commerce Past President Tom Sholtis and President Natalie DeHart. Challenger received the award for her efforts to successfully nominate and rally local and statewide support to have Berlin awarded the title 2014 Coolest Small Town in America by Budget Travel. “Receiving this award is quite an honor, but I know it took a lot of dedicated hands working together to have Berlin named the Coolest Small Town,” Challenger said. “Due to that designation, many businesses have been positively impacted, and the benefits continue to have a positive impact on the town. It was a privilege to be a part of that project.” Submitted Photos
The proceeds from a 50/50 raffle held during the Coastal Association of REALTORS® (CAR) March Business Card Exchange were donated this week to Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). The monthly Business Card Exchange, held at Adolfo’s Italian Restaurant in Ocean City, is an opportunity for members of the association to network and raise money for a local worthy cause. Each event is sponsored by affiliate members of the association. This week’s donation brings CAR’s total contribution to Wounded Warrior over the past year to $738. Pictured, from left, are Rod Flowers of Prime Lending, John Rego of WWP and CAR Events Committee Chair Pam Wadler.
Clerk of Circuit Court Susan R. Braniecki has appointed Sherry C. Harrington as Chief Deputy Clerk of the Circuit Court for Worcester County. Harrington was sworn in on March 6 in Snow Hill. Harrington brings a wealth of knowledge to the position with over 38 years of service to the Clerk’s Office and the Maryland Judiciary.
Coffee Shop Changes Hands
SALISBURY — Bradley Gillis, Senior Advisor with Sperry Van Ness – Miller Commercial Real Estate, facilitated the deal for Rise Up Coffee Roasters to purchase the Viva Espresso, located at 105A East College Avenue in Salisbury.
“We thank all of our loyal customers, especially our daily patrons, for their support of us and our products. We hope that you will visit the College Avenue location when it re-opens as Rise Up Coffee,” said Viva Espresso owners Chuck and Nancy Dix, who are retiring.
Rise Up Coffee has been an independent small-batch coffee roaster and retailer since March 2005. Recently celebrating its 10-year anniversary, Rise Up has a loyal following and strong brand on the Eastern Shore. The College Avenue location will become the fourth location for Rise Up Coffee, which already has existing locations in Easton, St. Michaels and Salisbury.
Rise Up will be doing light renovation work on the College Avenue space and plans to re-open the business in mid-April.
“As an Eastern Shore original, we take great pride in serving our local communities,” said Tim Cureton, owner of Rise Up Coffee. “We’re very excited to add another option for our friends in the Salisbury community, and we’re also very excited for Nancy and Chuck as they transition on to their next adventure.”
Vet Designation Achieved
SALISBURY – In order to better serve the veterans in hospice care, Coastal Hospice & Palliative Care has completed Level 1 of the “We Honor Veterans” program to provide specialized care to veterans who are facing a life limiting illness.
The achievement coincides with the state of Maryland’s proclamation designating March 30 as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day. The date marks the 42nd anniversary of American troop withdrawal from the war and establishes the day to recognize the service and sacrifice of veterans who did not receive a warm welcome when they returned home from Vietnam.
Currently, Coastal Hospice has three Vietnam-era veterans in its care.
The National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization and the Department of Veterans Affairs jointly developed the We Honor Veterans program to empower hospices and other healthcare providers across America to meet the unique needs of seriously ill veterans and their families.
“By reaching this milestone, Coastal Hospice proudly stands among those organizations dedicated to honoring our veterans with the respect and dignity they deserve,” said Nancy Stewart, coordinator for the We Honor Veterans program at Coastal Hospice.
By identifying the unique needs of veterans, Coastal Hospice is able to accompany and guide veterans and their families who face life limiting illness toward a more peaceful ending. In cases where there are specific needs related to the veteran’s military service, combat experience or other traumatic events, Coastal Hospice finds tools to help support the veteran patient.
“It is time that we step up and acquire the necessary skills and fulfill our mission to serve these men and women with the dignity they deserve,” said J. Donald Schumacher, president and CEO of the National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization.
“The Veterans Administration shares a common goal with our nation’s hospices, and that is to provide the best possible care specifically tailored for veterans,” said Thomas Edes, director of the VA’s Home and Community Based Care.
To achieve Level 1 of the We Honor Veterans program, Coastal Hospice successfully completed required activities, including educating staff on working with the Department of Veterans Affairs, communicating with veterans and understanding their cultural considerations. The organization also implemented a military history checklist for all veterans admitted to hospice service.
Coastal Hospice is currently working on Level 2 of the program and has already established community relationships with the VA Medical Center in Baltimore and the VA outpatient clinics in Cambridge and Pocomoke City.
Coastal Hospice is a member of the Maryland Hospice-Veteran Partnership and the Veterans Service Providers Network. Each year on Veteran’s Day, Coastal Hospice partners with facilities including Genesis Nursing and Rehabilitation, Chesapeake Woods Center and Anchorage Nursing and Rehabilitation to visit and honor the veterans in their care.
Founded in 1980, Coastal Hospice is a nonprofit health care organization that cares for individuals facing life limiting conditions but who want to remain as active and engaged as possible. Coastal Hospice cares for patients in their home, nursing home, assisted living facility or at Coastal Hospice at the Lake. The organization serves Wicomico, Worcester, Dorchester and Somerset counties.
Shore Data Released
BERLIN — The number of homes sold increased in many areas of Maryland’s Eastern Shore region in February, according to The Long & Foster Market Minute reports. The Eastern Shore market includes Worcester, Wicomico, Dorchester, Queen Anne’s, Talbot and Caroline counties. The Long & Foster Market Minute reports are compiled from data from residential real estate transactions within specific geographic regions, not just Long & Foster sales.
Much of the Eastern Shore real estate market saw some positive trends in the number of homes sold in February. In Dorchester County, the number of homes sold increased by a staggering 118 percent, followed by a 52 percent jump in Queen Anne’s County and a 50-percent increase in Caroline County. Worcester County experienced a 38-percent increase in the number of homes sold, and Talbot County saw a 26-percent increase. In Wicomico County, the number of homes sold decreased by 24 percent.
Inventory decreased in most of the Eastern Shore region when compared to year-ago levels, according to February data. Caroline County saw a decrease of 14 percent and Worcester County had a 10 percent drop. Active inventory in Wicomico County dropped by 8 percent, while both Dorchester and Talbot counties experienced inventory decreases of 5 percent. Queen Anne’s County saw a 7 percent increase in active inventory.
The median sale price varied across the Eastern Shore region, with Caroline County seeing an 8 percent increase and Wicomico County seeing a 7 percent increase compared to the same month last year. In Queen Anne’s County the median sale price dipped by 3 percent, while other areas experienced declines from 5 percent to 52 percent.
In most areas of the region, homes are selling in four to six months or less on average, according to the February data. Wicomico County experienced an average days on market (DOM) of 89 days, followed by Caroline County at 103 days. The rest of the region saw homes selling between 123 to 169 days on average.
“During the month of February, we saw some improvements being made in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast real estate market, including in the Eastern Shore region, with areas seeing rising numbers of homes sold,” said Jeffrey S. Detwiler, president and chief operating officer for The Long & Foster Companies. “These improvements, along with positive trends in the economy, indicate optimism in the economy and where it’s headed. We’re looking forward to seeing good things happen in the real estate market this spring.”