NOVEMBER MEETING DECISION-During our November meeting members decided on 4 projects to give to the State (they had asked us for one large project for possible grant funding). 3 of the 4 did not qualify for the grant but our first choice, to provide funding to implement the recommendations from the Drainage Study being conducted, did meet the guidelines for the grant. Unfortunately the drainage study will not be complete until after the date that the grant application has to be submitted. This does not mean we will not get to apply for the grant but it does mean we will have to wait for the next grant cycle (a new phrase for me). So we will have to be patient and wait until late next fall to see what happens.
 

PICNIC AREA ON EWELL FIRE CO PROPERTY-  Md Dept of Planning, with the permission of the fire company, has provided funding to start a picnic area on the fire company property on the south side of Smith Island Rd. (diagonally across from rec center). They will be placing 3 picnic tables, 2 trash cans, 1 bike rack, and 2 benches on the property. Somerset County and Coastal Realtors http://www.coastalrealtors.org/ have also provided part of the funding for this project.

 I REALLY NEED HELP WITH THIS. CAN SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT BENEFIT FROM TOURISM PLEASE GET ENOUGH VOLUNTEERS TO HAVE THIS EQUIPMENT ASSEMBLED. I AM GOING TO ASK THE FIRE CO IF WE CAN STORE IT IN THE REC CENTER SO THAT IT CAN BE ASSEMBLED INSIDE.

 The Coastal Realtors along with state and county officals are going to be coming over to place the equipment, take photos, etc. This will be happening within the next couple of months.
 

A TASTE OF THE EASTERN SHORE EVENT-    Smith Island United was very generously invited to set up an info table by the  Tri-County Council, http://www.lowershore.org/ at the 15th annual A Taste of the Eastern Shore event. This is an event at the Loews Hotel in Annapolis MD to promote the Eastern Shore. Over 350 political, business, and organization reps are invited and it is very well attended. They serve local fresh eastern shore food. The dessert room featured Smith Island Cake, Ice Cream from Chesapeake Bay Farms  http://www.supportlocalcows.com/index.php and Smith Island Coffee Beans,  https://www.facebook.com/smithislandbeans/ . The coffee was great and did an excellent job of keeping me awake on the late drive home last night. I think I can guess why this is so well attended! This turned out to be a great opportunity to promote the Island and make some very good contacts. I had the opportunity to have a brief but private conversation with Lt Gov Boyd Rutherford to thank the Hogan admin for the support they are giving us.
 

TRANSPORTATION STUDY- we have been told that the study is still funded and will be administered by the state. They have a vendor just not sure when it will start.
 

SMITH ISLAND ARTS FESTIVAL- I do not have very much info yet but the festival will be held again this year on Saturday

May 27, 2017 Memorial Day weekend. They are working hard on the planning.
 

JAY FLEMING'S 2ND PRINTING OF WORKING THE WATER- have had many calls asking where to buy the book (first printing sold out). The 2nd printing of the book can be pre-ordered on Jay's website at http://www.jayflemingphotography.com/shop/
 

NEXT MEETING- not yet sure of the date but will be sometime in March.
 

LIVING SHORELINE PROJECT- The county is waiting to get a firm yes or no from the Army Corps as to whether they will be able to fund dredging the channel and adding a  jetty at the north end of the shoreline project at Rhodes Pt. If they do not soon get a commitment from the Corps they are going to proceed with the project as is. The reason is that the funding has to be spent by the fall or it goes back to the funding source. This way the project will get completed for sure. Hope this makes sense getting tired of typing!
 

CAPT LICENSE COURSE- we are applying for funding to run another captain's license course. Will let you know when we hear back from the funding source.
 

VALENTINE DINNERS AT TYLERTON AND RHODES PT THIS WEEKEND!

 

PLEASE POST THIS ON THE ISLAND IN STORES, BULLETIN BOARDS, ETC. If I have forgotten anything let me know.
 

EDDIE