BERLIN MD BLOG

…Let me count the ways”

I think the poem goes…”How do I love thee – let me count the ways” – or something like that.  Last evening at the regular meeting of the Berlin Maryland Town Council the newest object of my affection was served alongside the usual, often dry, but necessary, rhetoric.

Upon entering the nearly full, Town Hall Council Chamber, I was handed a container of the new “Official Berlin MD Dessert”.   And, shortly thereafter, we listened to a lovely presentation about the now former, famed, Berlin area, Harrison Orchards by Sandra Dewey (nee Harrison). Continuing, amid the ‘clatter’ of busy utensils, our Mayor, Gee Williams and the Council members unanimously decreed that the ‘Peach Dumpling’ would become our Town’s official dessert – beautifully baked, flakey, tender pastry filled with flavorful peaches topped with a dollop of flavored whipped cream!  What fun and how delicious!

For now though – we’ll have to wait a bit for a second (and third….) helping. Still busy with remodeling within the Main Street location formerly known as “The Pink Box”, the new bakery is not yet open to the public.  Soon, I hope – be assured, it’s worth the wait.  This offering has me waxing poetic!

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Something ‘peachy’ to dispell winter’s gloom…?

Armed with a bit of ‘mad money’ and feeling the need for some ‘retail therapy’, I ventured downtown to our Historic Berlin MD Main Street shopping district on Tuesday.  If you remember, it was a rather gray day outdoors with the weather forecast calling for yet another late winter event – however brief!  So, despite my ongoing, ‘careful spending’ resolve I went in search of something new – something fresh.  First stop was my favorite ‘feel good’ place – Victorian Charm, where, when greeted by Deb, I leaned first, that a lot of new ‘stuff’ was due in any day moreover that Deb’s favorite little canine guy, Josh, was ailing.  Seems that the years have caught up to even this wonderful Berlin shop icon.  Locals and visitors alike always look for ‘that doggie in the window’.  In the past, having worked at Deb’s, I remember that on many days the first question posed by customers was, “Where’s Josh?” Deb, please know that we all love you and Josh and hope that he rallies – if even for a brief time.  Our thoughts are with you.

Yet, still seeking that ‘something new’ I then wandered up to Bruder Hill – another fashion place.  Alas, finding the door locked. I walked back to Main Street and caught sight of  our Berlin MD Business representative, Michael Day, standing on the corner talking with Ann Coates, owner of Snow Hill’s famed Bishop’s Stock Fine Art and Fine Craft.  Seems Ann was in town for an appointment.  I joined them and we commented on the shops I’d found closed.  It’s understandable though – definitely a good time for shop owners to take a break, as traffic is always light early in the week, especially this time of the year.

Continuing to chat with Michael I learned that there will be a surprise ‘guest’ at the regular Berlin Mayor and Council meeting on Monday evening – something  ‘peachy’, being baked up by the women of the soon to be open – newest incarnation of our downtown bakery spot.  Even heard the words ‘samples for all’ mentioned.  Wow – even not yet knowing the agenda – I surely won’t miss this meeting!

Later, upon returning home I thought about my little trip out – and despite still having cash in hand, I felt somehow fulfilled– once again experiencing the many wonderful people, places and things I love about this town.

To partake of the surprise ‘guest’ visit, to the Berlin Mayor and Council meeting on Monday (8 March 2010) – Town Hall, 7 pm.

WAITING…waiting…waiting – the LION wins the day!

The thought of tearing the February page from the calendar yesterday brought a shiver of anticipation to this old Berlin gardener.  To me, March means SPRING – that entire ‘lion to lamb’ stuff- remember?

So being a perennial optimist, and after seeing the morning sunshine and reading an above 40º forecast on the weather news, I decided to prepare for a day of yard cleaning – removing at least the top layer of winter’s debris by picking up sticks, trimming back the clematis, etc.  By the time I was armed with the proper tools the sun had gone in – sticking my nose out the door and finding it still felt a little chilly, I decided that I would wait and do some indoor chores.  By chores, I mean sitting at the computer while pondering the whereabouts of the vacuum and dust mop.  By the time the chores were finished…and having read nearly the entire Burpee Spring Catalog online, I was ready for lunch.  Lunch meant nap.  Upon awakening, I jumped up to again ready to head outside.  No, not yet.  It was even gloomier and windier than before – definitely chilly and a bit of rain had fallen.  Drats!  Seems I will wait for tomorrow…the March lion is in charge today!

Occasionally I am asked about the weather here in Berlin MD; “What’s it like?”  Our weather is usually very forgiving; moderate – not too cold in the winter and not too hot in the summertime as compared with towns to our west.  We are, after all, tempered by the nearby ocean influence.  However, this winter we are experiencing some pretty extreme conditions – two bouts of ‘snowmaggedon’ and the most recent ‘snowicane’.  Usually, other than the occasional nor-easter (gusty winds with precipitation) our weather is very people friendly.  We are fortunate!

No GHOST Town this…BERLIN hums!

Last Sunday, Mike and I traveled west – to the other side of our peninsula to Crisfield Maryland to chase some ghosts…!  Aptly named the Crisfield Ghost Tour, Mindie Burgoyne, author of the book, Haunted Eastern Shore, led a group of 51 intrepid (fearless) folks out for an afternoon of ghost hunting.  While visiting one of the potentially inhabited homes, Marquis Manor (now a bed and breakfast), I decided to forgo the indoor presentation and stayed outside.  This lovely old Victorian era home is located only steps from the Town’s main street, yet I was amazed by the complete quiet all around.  Literally, I was in the center of a once thriving port city once heralded as second only to Baltimore in activity – and today, one hundred years later, it was stone silent.  I experienced this rare occurrence with wonder.   Nary a birdcall, slamming door, child’s shout or car motor marred the perfect stillness.  Sadly, as most of us already know, Crisfield no longer bustles.  A quick trip to the Town Dock showed only a few boats silently moored there; most having ‘Smith Island Tour’ signs hanging about.  The main street shows few signs of life except for some restaurants; although a new Food Lion was seen to be in active construction beside the McDonalds in a former bank building.  The nearby town of Marion Station, once a famed, Eastern Shore supplier of strawberries to the nation, is now officially a ghost town.

Later Mindie (a Crisfield implant), and I spoke; she told me of her daily regimen of travel, logging double digit miles to most anywhere to supply the daily needs of her family; the nearest Walmart – 19 miles away.  Is this the price to be paid for that perfect silence?

That evening as we returned to our home here in Berlin Maryland, I noted again the familiar HUM of our town; traffic, both pedestrian and vehicular all around, I was comforted.  Certainly no ghost town this!

(Although we met no ghosts, this tour was great fun…we look forward to the next ‘Eastern Shore Ghost Tour’ from Great Blue Media!)

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ALL eight syllables for Berlin – let’s finish the job!

In-for-ma-tion Tech-nol-o-gy  – eight syllables which really mean information transmission for the people of our town.

During the past year a reasonable number of our tax dollars have gone toward a major upgrade of our Town’s communication equipment – the ‘hardware’ that allows computations, data storage and plain old communication to take place within and without the various Berlin governmental departments. The ‘within’ portion of the work is done; the ‘without’ is incomplete – we remain having a poor face for our Town’s website.  Take a look…  Compared with surrounding Towns throughout Delmarva, Berlin’s website is confusing and dull; giving the casual visitor no sense of what Berlin MD really has to offer; certainly showing no sense of pride.  Actually though, contained in our Town Government website is a wealth of valuable, up to date information – it’s the ‘face’, the lipstick if you will, that needs to be fixed.  One year ago our Mayor & Council budgeted for this final step – for the IT (those eight syllables again) Committee folks to move forward by reviewing the info and selecting a web design firm to complete this face.  One year – it’s time to finish the job!

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Round Three…delayed?

Today’s local news seems to be focused on a third, potential snow event here; all three happening in less than two weeks! According to my new favorite weather website – Foot’s Forecast, we may see an additional 6” to 12” of white stuff by tomorrow evening. Having recently become somewhat of a ‘snow wimp’, today was my first day out and about – driving a short distance to our surprisingly, well-stocked Food Lion for further provisioning! Once there I met neighbors and friends, pink-cheeked and smiling, doing the same. My primary mission was to grab a few Valentine’s Day cards to send to the grand kids that live away.
While chatting with those aforementioned friends I was happy to learn that little in the way of really calamitous events resulted here in town due to the deep snow. Yes, much grumbling about digging out blocked driveways and the resulting sore shoulders and aching backs but also talk of how neighbors pitched in with digging, delivered mail and expressed concern along with offers of help. Folks in South Point got ‘out’ as did friends from the West Berlin neighborhoods of Franklin Knolls and ‘the Henry’s’ and the East Berlin development of Decatur Farms. So as of today local roads are passable. Except for a minute ‘blip’ on Saturday we’ve had continuous electric power.  (It might be noted that a friend living near Lewes DE has had no power since 12:06 am Sunday morning!)  Our area schools remain closed; yet the regularly scheduled Berlin Mayor and Council meeting was held last evening at Town Hall.
Frankly, (with fingers still crossed) it looks as if our fine little Town of Berlin Maryland continues to operate quite well despite these repeated ‘historic’ weather events…!

Reminder #1 – If you’re ready to celebrate your Valentine’s Day with community – stop by the Buckingham Presbyterian Church next Sunday. Beginning at 12:30 – 5:30 pm, an AYCE Spaghetti Dinner with trimmings will be served for the reasonable cost of $8.00. Sounds like fun especially since I’m getting tired of cooking all this sustaining ‘Snowy Day’ food!
Reminder #2 – Remember to keep your heat pump unit clear of snow and ice…save those energy dollars for the dinner!
Reminder #3 – SPRING officially arrives on March 20th at 5:32 pm!

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Berlin, Maryland – A thousand words!

Berlin’s Public Works Department – the ‘Town Guys’

After I lurched (no one over 50 leaps!) out of bed this morning, I went to the window to check and see if any of the previously forecast snow had fallen overnight!  Nothing – YET!  Then I began to think about how nice it is when snow does arrive in Berlin MD knowing deep down that the elements would not really threaten my day.  Living here for going on 14 years now I’ve never once been discommoded – inconvenienced by weather events.  Yes, there’s been some ‘high’ water due to heavy rain and perhaps some ice but nothing serious.  This feeling of security is mostly due to the consistency and quality of work performed by the men of the Berlin MD Public Works Department – aka our ‘Town Guys’.  From setting up for our many Historic Downtown Main Street Town Events; hanging electric drops, setting street barricades, emptying trash cans and doing the obligatory Victorian Christmas downtown decorating to street sweeping, keeping street drains clear, sorting our recycling and snow plowing on Town streets, these guys are on it!  Often when passing the ubiquitous white pick-ups with the blue, Berlin Town emblem I wave.  That’s my little acknowledgement; a small gesture of ‘Thank you’.  Perhaps you will too?

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Viral Networking – it’s communicable!

First, apologies for the bad pun!  Couldn’t help myself!

Tuesday morning’s free presentation in Snow Hill by Mindie Burgoyne from the Maryland Department of Business & Economic Development went a long way to help me on that previously mentioned journey – learning to go from ‘Geezer to Geek’.   Ms. Burgoyne gave an inspiring talk citing examples of her own path; how the social media helped build and expand real life friendships and how from these friendships, developed many and varied social and professional opportunities.  Although an author – Haunted Eastern Shore, Mindie pointed out ways in which an expanded social network could benefit all of us.  From sharing nearly instantaneous photos of far away grandkids to receiving that much hoped for job opportunity to finding that long, lost ‘rich’ uncle – social media works!  And, best of all; it’s just plain fun!

Rumor has it that Berlin’s own Economic and Community Development guy, Michael Day is working to have Mindie come here to Berlin MD and spread the word. Watch for an announcement soon!  Don’t miss it.  Be ready to enrich you life with communication.

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Note:  The Berlin Lion’s Club is holding their famous, annual ‘whole hog’ sausage sale on February 6th beginning at 8 am!  You know where…at the Lion’s Den just south of Main Street on Rt. 113.

The Resuscitated, Rejuvenated & Revitalized…Berlin Chamber!

While sitting at my worktable yesterday I glanced at a just received email in my computer ‘in box’…a weekly update from the Berlin Maryland Chamber of Commerce.  Within a new, very appealing visual format was advertised an upcoming Chamber Business After Hours, the current Chamber Member Drive, a note of applause for recent local donations to the victims of the earthquake in Haiti; a ribbon cutting for a new nearby venue, a date for the Atlantic General Hospital Flu Clinic, another date – for the Maryland Coastal Bays Program Citizen’s Advisory Committee meeting, an announcement for a business related seminar in Snow Hill next week; and more!

No longer must we wait for a ‘sometimes’ monthly, hard copy newsletter to arrive via snail mail – Great!  And, concurrent with these media improvements, our Chamber now has an actual physical presence, a public, walk-in office on Main Street (across from Victorian Charm) where visitors and locals alike may drop by and get up to the minute recommendations for local dining, shopping and services – learn about town history, whatever!  Wow, our Chamber is finally becoming a real Chamber of Commerce – doing the work of a real Chamber; supporting local business interests, which in turn support our Town and its people in many ways!

I suspect these long overdue but truly welcomed improvements are due to a shift in management philosophy.  Thank YOU!  No matter the reason I am delighted!  As an already proud resident, our Chamber (having arisen almost Phoenix-like), is making me ever more proud to call Berlin MD my hometown!