BERLIN MD BLOG

America’s Coolest Small Town – Budget Travel Contest!

Note: The voting in this contest ends on April 3rd at which time the votes will be counted and the top 10 will be selected as “America’s Coolest Small Town(s)”. Berlin, currently standing in 12th place (992 votes) probably won’t make the cut! Seems that our neighbor, Onancock VA – presently standing in 4th place with 4,019 votes and a population of less than half (1,525 vs. Berlin’s 3,491) has more folks willing to use their keyboards to cheer for their town. Have you voted yet? If not click the link below and get busy during this last week of voting!
OK, so it’s a bit gimmicky…but at the heart of this contest, it’s true – Berlin Maryland is one of America’s Coolest Small Towns! Recently an entry was posted on the Budget Travel Contest website making our town a contestant for this honor! The editors have narrowed it down to a mere 22 towns nationwide…! YOUR vote can take us to the top (where we already know we belong)!!! Here’s the link – please go cast your ballot TODAY! (No online registration necessary) Note: Ballots may be cast weekdays from 10 am until 8 pm.

http://www.budgettravel.com/bt-srv/coolestsamlltowns/

Our entry says…”Berlin Maryland is definitely one of America’s coolest small towns — there is something for everyone! Located at the heart of the mid-Atlantic coastal region, a mere 7 miles inland, time and nature have created a most perfect place to live…and a very exciting place to visit! From surfing, sunbathing and fishing at the acclaimed Assateague Island National Seashore, (located on one of the few remaining natural barrier islands) to canoeing the quiet, peat-blackened waters of the meandering Pocomoke River this area has much to offer any water enthusiast . Hiking, biking or driving is enjoyed along the nearby scenic, 63 mile long old Algonquin Indian “beach to bay” trail is also available for the land lubbers. And, viewing the famed Chincoteague Island ponies in their natural habitat or the endless variety of wild fowl stopping to rest here along the famed Atlantic Flyway is also within an easy drive from town. Within our towns’ small Main Street commercial district, along tree lined streets one may view not only lovely period historic homes but set forth on a journey of discovery to seek that special something within our myriad of unique shops and to view the works of the many resident artists and craftsmen of renown within their galleries. We must mention too the multi-acre Stephen Decatur Park, that includes a large nature pond and public tennis courts! Berlin was recently honored with the State’s much coveted “Arts & Entertainment District” designation. As for the “entertainment” portion of the honor — along with the usual eateries there is the fully restored, Globe Theater…serving trendy bar food along with a full menu of year round live musical performances. However, like any small town our civic pride forces focus towards our annual Chamber of Commerce sponsored festivals including the Spring Jazz and Blues Fest, the well loved Fall Fiddler’s Convention and caroling during our month-long Victorian Christmas celebration. Our Town museum — the Calvin B. Taylor House also sponsors a series of popular summertime Concerts on the Lawn. To enjoy a picture view of our very real, small town flavor, you may rent the now 10-year-old Paramount movie — Runaway Bride starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere — where you can experience see Berlin Maryland up close! You will see that we’re a very cool, small town and certainly are one of the best places to live or visit. Come join us anytime!”

Downtown PARKING – a little “self-governance”, temporarily?

With recent focus on our tight daytime parking conditions in downtown Berlin MD, I vote for a little of that “self-governance”, it may be just the stuff to carry us through the Holiday-Event shopping season thundering our way.  Our annual VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS celebration begins next week with Arts Night on the 28th!

Certainly a benefit of living or working around Berlin is that most already know of some out of the way, yet convenient spaces.  We can park and yet not tie up parking for visitors and potential customers for our town businesses…and in this “less than stellar” economy that is very important.  Everyone benefits from a continuing and vibrant town center.

However, never a big fan of adding rules to rules, perhaps it’s time to take another look at current realities.  We have
several marked, Town-owned or maintained Public Parking lots just steps off Main Street. Wisely, shop owners and downtown business employees who park all day are already strongly motivated to park off Main Street. Employees of the Town government have been instructed to park in the St. Paul’s Church lot. I’m betting that if these reasonable requests were met on a regular basis there would be little need for more rules. Otherwise we are looking at more regulations – more signs and ultimately more costs in providing Police enforcement. Do you really want this?

That having been said, our downtown district needs more permanent parking.  Good minds are working on this – trying to configure around our narrow streets, sidewalk shops, restaurants and second floor apartments toward a more beneficial plan for all.  However, as one friend so aptly put it – “we’re not starting with a cornfield”.  This will take time and it will take now scarce investment dollars.  So, in the meantime we might try a little self-governance to keep things moving – toward the future of our businesses and our town.
To enlarge any photo, just “click”!

Berlin’s FIDDLERS’ CONVENTION – Coming soon!

With the advent of September here on the lovely Eastern Shore, the countdown to the annual Berlin FIDDLERS CONVENTION begins in earnest.  For 16 years the Town of Berlin and the Berlin Chamber of Commerce along with many area businesses have proudly sponsored this “Very Best of Berlin” event.  Beginning as an idea picked up by one of our leading citizens, the late Mr. Jim Barrett while traveling, this event has gone on to become a chock-full, three-day celebration of live Bluegrass concerts, competitions and jams within the capable hands of Mr. Steve Frene.  This year, beginning at 7 pm on Friday, September 19th through 3 pm Sunday, September 21st the streets of Historic Berlin Maryland will resound with the finest fiddlin’, pickin’, pluckin’ and strummin’ imaginable!  With its backdrop of unique shops and great eateries, the usually quiet little town of Historic Berlin becomes a visitor’s delight!  And, it’s free to all! Mark your calendar and come on down!
For a specific schedule visit our website at – www.BerlinFiddlersConvention.com where Competition and Sponsorship forms are also available.
Direct contact, phone Steve Frene at 410-219-3500, xtn 13 or email: sfrene@dbc1.com
To enlarge any photo, just “click”!

Berlin’s Annual SIDEWALK SALE – bargains vs. beach!

Friday morning dawned cool and clear…promising what is termed locally as a perfect “beach day” in nearby Ocean City MD (7 short miles east). However, it was a “no brainer” choice for many as today also marks the beginning of the Annual three-day, SIDEWALK SALE held on Main Street in downtown historic Berlin MD. (see the accompanying photos) Each year local town merchants put aside the odds and ends, overstocks and such that accumulate during the seasons and hold a big street party for shoppers at the end of summer! Certainly a great time to stock up on some grand gifts for the holidays – a remembrance for a relative or even snag something for your own closet – all obtained at real bargain prices! Authentic Vera Bradley brand handbags, Crabtree & Evelyn lotions and potions and “Fresh Produce” summer-wear were all piled high in front of Victorian Charm. Noticed some nice serving pieces in front of Abigails, dynamite clothing and accessories were going for up to 70% off at Bruder Hill and down the street, MR Ducks had a huge selection of tees and sweatshirts going for rock bottom prices. Even Cody’s Christmas Shop had some pre-season goodies displayed. Noticed too the tables being readied in front of the Atlantic Hotel for weary shoppers in need of refreshment! Doing double duty – other town merchants and local galleries were gearing up for the regular monthly 2nd Friday celebration – tonight’s “Arts Stroll” that begins at 6 pm! Notwithstanding, there are two days remaining for the Sidewalk Sale in Berlin this year…stop by – you’ll really be glad you did! And, remember to mark your calendar for next year – bargains vs. beach – it’s a “no brainer”! (Click to enlarge any photo!)

In Berlin – a metamorphosis @your LIBRARY!

There’s an interesting sign hanging from the front of our Berlin Maryland town Library these days stating, “Metamorphosis…@ your library”. This message bears a bit of thought – strictly speaking, as a zoological term, metamorphosis means to transform, in two or more distinct stages from the immature form to the adult. A second meaning can be the change or nature of a thing or person into a completely different one by natural or supernatural means. In other words – an evolution!!!

Particularly noticed during these more stringent economic times are the increased numbers of library patrons…more cars in the lot outside and more patrons inside. And why not – our library, a full-fledged branch supported by the Worcester County Public Library System and State of Maryland, offers the full line of library services – FREE! No just longer a place to “get a book” or look something up, the library here in Berlin has definitely “morphed”. No longer greeted with a glance or hearing a “sssh”, patrons are greeted with a smile, most times with a warm “Hello”. Often these days some sort quiet special-interest meeting of local citizens or book club is seen being held at the table in the comfortable reading area near the fireplace – or a lively story hour is being conducted in the Children’s area. And, since the placement of five computers within our branch, it is seldom that one finds a vacant seat! These activities are supplemented by the widened selections of loan-able materials including audio (some rockin’ music!) CD’s and visual (current and popular) DVD materials. One cannot forget the “bulletin board”, where announcements of community interest vie for attention or the shelves where stacks of weekly area tabloids are kept – free for the taking. There’s also the newest service (5yrs) whereby one can ask a question via their home computer and receive an answer from any library or from many institutions of higher learning Maryland wide using the askusnow.org website! Very cool! Don’t take my word for it…stop by soon and ask Alice, the ringleader of this wonderful transformation or her helpers Doris or Robin – you’re sure to get an answer and a smile! A metamorphosis for sure!

The good ol’ summertime…in Berlin MD

This past Sunday evening found many townsfolk out enjoying a live musical performance on the well-tended lawn of the Calvin B. Taylor House Museum. Sitting beneath the large shade trees, enjoying the evening breeze, listening to lively, nostalgic tunes played by the Dixieland group “Backfin Banjo” was the perfect ending to a summertime weekend here in Berlin MD. The Berlin Heritage Foundation along with the Town of Berlin schedules four concerts each summer. Sponsorship of these events relies on various area businesses, on this evening – Barrett Chevrolet, a long-time, hometown supporter of nearly “everything Berlin”. There are two more summertime concerts scheduled for this season. A Bluegrass band, “The Annapolis Coalition” will be entertaining us on August 13th. For more information visit the Museum website at www.taylorhousemuseum.org and click on “events” in the sidebar. And, do remember to bring a blanket or lawn chair – admission is free – see you there!

Note: To enlarge any photo, just “click”.