But I’m getting off track – recently, while reading an article in this month’s issue of Organic Gardening I saw this comment, ”…it’s the tight knit rural communities that put the ‘here’ in there; that make one place distinct from another and are the essence of regional character.” To my mind this charming thought speaks of this place – Berlin Maryland.  Certainly these days we each have our challenges – personal, economic, environmental even political; no one is untouched by today’s events both near and far.  Yet, I keep discovering an extraordinary strength, a resiliency, and certainly a willingness to pitch in and share among Berlin’s people…my neighbors, my friends.  Thanks to the many area folks who just keep on putting the ‘here’ in there.

To that end, this weekend our town will again throw open the doors to welcome visitors and share our ‘here’.

Spring Arts Night on Friday evening offers a new view of our Town talents – to mention but a few of the many; Pat Henry will ‘Officially’ open his new gallery and I saw that Gail Lewis has a mighty fine show prepared at Water’s Edge.

Saturday features the 3^rd Annual Jazz & Blues Bash with daylong musical events planned for our Historic downtown streets.  Come on down…!

Although always subjective, much real art is recognized through exhibition (and sales)…

This coming weekend, Ann Coates of Bishop’s Stock Fine Art, Fine Craft Gallery in Snow Hill is opening the Spring season with an exhibit of new work by Lynne Lockhart and Kirk McBride.  “During the past year both Lynne and Kirk received national recognition for their work – Lynne’s for her paintings of animals and Kirk for his skill at plein air painting.”  The show opens with a gallery reception on Friday, April 2^nd, 5-8pm.  And, because the opening coincides with ‘First Friday’ down there – others venues shall be open.  Should be fun as the weather forecast is promising a real Spring weekend!

No one can say ‘Berlin Maryland’ without thinking about the art of Patrick Henry – I’d call Pat the Godfather of Painting here in town.  Over the past 20 years, his works – mostly depicting life within and around Berlin – have become classic and are always wonderful!  The huge mural inside the entrance of Atlantic General Hospital is Pat’s work.   And now, with the opening of Pat’s new gallery at 4 Bay Street, (across from Town Hall) his fine art may be seen and enjoyed every day!  We don’t have to wait…

Number four on our list of home grown town artists is Pete Cosby – by day, Pete’s a lawyer with an office in Ocean City, perhaps stealing the odd hour for his craft – but on nights and weekends Pete is often be found with brush in hand.   Pete’s work has come a long way in a short time.  I remember some early works – with an almost tooth-jarring, thalo/viridian green mix grabbing my attention.  His more recent works – marine in theme, are just plain terrific.  Thanks to Gail at the Water’s Edge Gallery, Pete’s newest works are frequently featured – and much loved!

Rounding out the home list is Marge Coyman – although not an native Berliner, Marge has become a strong, participating resident.  As a dedicated art teacher at the Salisbury School to our west, Marge still finds time to paint  (not often enough in my opinion) some wonderful works.  She’s done a couple of pastels – of simple vegetables – that I’ve coveted for a long, long time.  Yesterday, I found that these have been sold – but am promised that more will be available in the near future.  Marge – please do it!  Often Marge’s work may be seen at the j.j.fish gallery and studio on Main Street and at The Globe.

Certainly can’t list Berlin’s artists without mentioning additional locations within our town where their works (and the works of many other inspired folks) are frequently exhibited…

The Globe, 12 Broad Street – Jen’s got events and activities relating to the arts year round.  On Saturday, April 3^rd coinciding with Berlin’s Spring Celebration, the Globe will sponsor an ‘event to benefit cancer treatment for friend and artist, Bill Rolig‘.

Worcester County Arts Council – located on Jefferson Street – exhibits from area artists year round with frequent special receptions.

And finally, a heartfelt thanks to all of the shops and businesses that foster and feature ‘art’ and crafts throughout the year…on Berlin’s regular ‘Second Friday’ walkabouts and on Berlin’s upcoming special Spring Arts night – this year – May 7^th.

Note:  To the many other creative and talented folks who show and sell within this fine town – I apologize for neglecting to mention your name.  However, this one’s for the natives!
(Further…links to venues mentioned may be accessed by clicking on the name.)

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!)

If you’d care to leave a comment, click on the post title!

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.

If you’d care to leave a comment, just double click on the title of this post.

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.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIFYPQjYhv8

Seems I’m a bit late to this party – time’s already made me a geezer, however the good news is that information is turning me into a geek.  Since joining facebook two weeks ago I’ve found that there are a lots of ‘already geeks’ – aka ‘friends’, right here in Berlin MD.  In the meantime, I’ve also reconnected with long lost schoolmates from all over…(what happened, they look old!) and made closer connections with my kids and their kids – the grands, who live far away!  Uh Oh, Grammy’s lookin’! Finally, I’ve found and leaned more about many of our local organizations and businesses – all on facebook.  Surely, there’s more to learn…and I’m looking forward to the opportunity.

Come on…there’s still time, join the party!

Note:  You may have noticed that this old blog has a new look…many thanks to my new friend, Rodrigo Galindez of Cordoba, Argentina.  This generous and brilliant young man is the web design artist who created this beautiful blog space – called Modern Clix, which is now available as a free upload.  There are more in the works…you may visit Rod at http://rodrigogalindez.com to learn more about graphic design, typography and web development – more of that fascinating geek stuff.

To learn more about Grow Berlin Green – click here!

To learn more about Tom’s of Maine and CAST YOUR VOTE for Berlin’s team under Assateague Coastal Trust – click here!  Voting ends October 30th!
(we’re still pretty far down that list of 50 entries – so be prepared to scroll!)

To learn more about the Texas-sized island of plastic trash – click here!

A couple of weeks ago I was online seeking time and place information regarding our annual Memorial Day parade and celebration party to be held at Henry Park here in town. I went to our official Town website – TownofBerlinMD.com and under the third column on the home page at the bottom, clicked on ‘Town Events‘. This link redirected me to the Berlin Chamber of Commerce website at BerlinMDCC.org where I then went to the left side and clicked on ‘Event Calendar’. A page quickly popped up saying – “There are no events this week”. Wow, I had struck out there – at which point I had to ask myself for probably the 500th time – WHY?

And yet, I can probably answer my own question. For the past several years the Berlin Chamber has limited events to be listed on their website calendar to ‘member only’ activities. If a Chamber member business wants something to be listed they must email or phone a request to the Chamber office. Yet, falling further short, it seems that very few Chamber member events are ever listed. What’s with that? To my mind it stands to reason that to fully support Berlin businesses, encouraging publicity is primary – positive marketing is key. A few signs along the local roads may help, however folks from afar – never see these – (and they do not have access to the local info crawl on TV) they do however, when planning a trip to our big sister town of Ocean City Maryland – like to be aware of activities area wide. I was one of these folks for many years. And, because at that time, Berlin and it’s Chamber of Commerce having NO website, this town didn’t exist for me! Another story – another time.
Which brings me back to the official Berlin MD Town website. Yes, we have a website – although having pertinent information – unfortunately it is not attractive and certainly not truly representative of our community as are many other Town websites up and down Delmarva. Our new mayor, after having listened patiently to many complaints, some months back proposed that we have an IT (Internet Technology) Committee – made up of a few interested citizens along with our new Administrative Director and Deputy Director. (I’m now one of the ‘complaining’, citizen committee members.) It was decided during one of the three meetings held during the past five months that an overhaul of the Town ‘hardware’ would be first on the agenda – requiring a lot of our tax payer dollars – that’s fine and determined necessary. It was then proposed that money for a new website (requiring far fewer of those dollars) be held off and put into the new 2010 budget. OK, we’re there. The budget has been passed *. When’s the next website planning meeting?  Berlin Maryland proudly hosts some of the best events around, enjoying much public participation – and we could welcome more!
In the meantime, this very frustrated citizen will, in the next few weeks attempt to place a comprehensive and interactive Berlin Community Calendar of Events on this site and with your participation put up public-welcomed activities pertaining to any and all non-profit organizations within our Town limits. I’ll keep you posted as to the progress of this venture.

* The 2010 Town of Berlin budget was passed last week including a 3% raise for Town Staff at the same time many in our community were receiving news that there would be NO cost of living increase for FY 2010 in Social Security benefits. And, what’s with that?

A special thanks to Lindsay Parker of Wiggles and Giggles Daycare for chairing this super event!
For further information – visit www.berlinmdcc.org