Robert Earl Price

Robert Earl (Bashiri) Price, poet and playwright, died on April 16 in Chestertown, Maryland at the age of 83.  Mr. Price was the author of four books of poetry and had twelve of his plays produced, including productions in Berlin and Johannesburg. His book of poetry Blood Flow was awarded the William Meredith Award. Price was an NEA Literary Fellow and received the State of Maryland Individual Artist Award in both poetry and playwriting.

Price grew up in Atlanta, Georgia and studied at Clark Atlanta University. He received the William Wyler Fellowship for Screenwriting at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles. He spent fifteen years in Los Angeles and was part of the Black Arts Movement and the L.A. Rebellion. He collaborated with Norman Lear and Alex Haley on the TV series Palmerstown, U.S.A., and Jan Kadar on the miniseries Freedom Road, and received an NAACP Image Award for his work co-founding the Black Anti-Defamation Coalition in 1980.

From 1985-2007, Price lived and worked in Atlanta where he became playwright in residence at 7Stages Theater, teaming up with director Del Hamilton.  His plays pushed the boundaries of the theatrical, combining poetry with a groundbreaking reimagining of the stage.  Several of his plays highlighted jazz and blues musicians, including Blue Monk commissioned and produced as part of the Cultural Olympiad at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. His play, All Blues, with nods to the jazz standard of the same name, chronicled the undercover travels through the Jim Crow South by Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter Ray Sprigle. HUSH: Composing Blind Tom Wiggins told the story of the enslaved piano genius through the lens of Black artists of the twentieth century and their struggles for respect and freedom.

Price relocated to Chestertown, Maryland and became Artist in Residence in the Drama Department at Washington College where he wrote and produced two new plays. With Pam Ortiz, he wrote the musical Red Devil Moon based on Jean Toomer’s Cane featured at the New York City Fringe Festival. He became active in preserving Eastern Shore African American history, including working to revitalize the Charles Sumner G.A.R. Post #25, a historic hall chartered in 1882 by African American veterans of the Civil War and built in 1908.  He co-founded the Kent County Poetry Festival, now in its sixteenth year, and he worked extensively with the Kent Cultural Alliance, including staging a production of The Unlading, which contributed an understanding of the role of slavery in the Revolutionary Era that is celebrated in Chestertown’s annual Tea Party.

His poetry and plays married the vitality of jazz and blues idioms with a dedication to the power of art to resist oppression and what he called “the stale and static status quo.” His friends remember him for his wry humor, his wisdom, and his dedication to using art to see the world afresh.  He is survived by his partner of 33 years, Carol Colgate; by his three children Dhati Price, Makini Jones (Elzia) and Mshinda Jones (Lisa); grandchildren Ariana, Phylicia, Philip, Jamal and Bashiri Halan, and great-grandson Brayden.

Those wishing to honor Robert Earl’s life with a gift may join him in supporting the Kent Cultural Alliance, www.kentculture.org, in Chestertown, Maryland.

~Submitted by Chris Ames

Kelly Cuff Reed

 The Kent County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the appointment of Kelly Cuff Reed as its new Deputy Executive Director.

A longtime resident of Kent County, Kelly brings a deep-rooted commitment to community engagement and a strong background in nonprofit leadership to her new role. Originally from outside of Philadelphia, Kelly has called Kent County home for the past 20 years, having lived in Galena, Georgetown, and Worton. She now resides in Chestertown with her fiancé, Bob Mathews, and sons, Declan and Hagen.

Kelly joins the Chamber following three successful years as the Assistant Executive Director of Main Street Chestertown, where she played an integral role in driving economic development, supporting small businesses, and enhancing downtown revitalization efforts. Her passion for community engagement, along with her deep understanding of Kent County’s unique character and opportunities, makes her an invaluable addition to the Chamber team.

“We are thrilled to welcome Kelly to the Chamber in this important leadership role,” said Sarah King, Executive Director of the Kent County Chamber of Commerce. “Her experience, energy, and commitment to community make her the perfect partner as we continue to strengthen our support for local businesses and promote economic vitality across Kent County.”

“I’m truly excited to step into this role with the Chamber,” said Kelly Cuff Reed. “I look forward to building on the momentum already underway and strengthening the incredible connections I’ve been fortunate to make across Kent County. It’s an honor to serve our business community in this new capacity.”

As Deputy Executive Director, Kelly will work closely with Chamber leadership to enhance member services, develop programming, and support strategic initiatives aimed at advancing the Chamber’s mission of promoting business growth and community prosperity.

About the Kent County Chamber of Commerce

The mission of the Kent County Chamber of Commerce is to strengthen, support and promote the economic vitality of our member businesses and the community of Kent County through positive connections, business growth, community engagement, and collaborative advocacy.

Draft FY 2025–2026 plan avoids tax hikes, trims spending, and prioritizes equity across all wards. This summation is based on Town Manager Larry DiRe’s report to the town council, Monday, April 7, 2025.

With the federal infusion of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds now in the rearview, Chestertown’s draft budget for fiscal year 2025–2026 reflects a shift from pandemic-era stimulus toward steadier, leaner governance.

Passed in 2021, ARPA enabled Chestertown to fund a wide range of community programs and local infrastructure. With those resources now fully expended, the Town is focusing on a balanced budget that preserves essential services without increasing property taxes.

The draft budget includes no new staff positions or layoffs and proposes a 3% cost-of-living increase (COLA) for employees earning under $100,000. Staff making above that threshold will not receive a COLA this year, a decision that yields approximately $7,000 in savings. Several leadership roles—including town manager and town planner—are currently filled at lower salaries than their predecessors.

Town officials are also bracing for a potential spike in health insurance costs. Preliminary estimates suggest increases between 18% and 32%, or up to $97,000 over current levels. While state-mandated FAMLI Act contributions were deferred until 2027, these costs loom on the horizon.

Although no property tax rate increase is proposed, the town expects a modest $99,952 bump in property tax revenue due to rising assessments, according to the State Department of Assessment and Taxation. Still, the budget reflects flat growth overall. Key development sites, including 98 Cannon, the Armory, and Radcliffe Meadow, are unlikely to generate new taxable improvements in the coming fiscal year.

To help close the budget gap, the town is proposing a 3% increase in water and sewer rates and revising development fees to match those of its contracted plan review and inspection services.

The town’s marina debt continues to be a long-term financial obligation. Originally financed with a $2 million loan in 2012, the general fund covers principal payments while marina revenue pays the interest. The FY 2025–2026 general fund cost is $127,595, with the original bond maturing in 2032 and a USDA renovation loan extending to 2058.

This proposed draft budget does not include any tax increase but does propose development fees be brought into line with those of our contract plan review and inspections service, as well as a three-percent (3%) increase in water and wastewater services.

Even with constrained revenues, the town has carved out $45,000 in new investments, including:

• $14,000 for tree maintenance
• $12,000 for a trail survey connecting Coventry Farms to Carpenter Park
• $8,000 for park signage
• $8,000 for bleachers at Gateway Park
• $3,000 for a residential composting program

To balance this new spending, the draft budget proposes $88,500 in cuts that do not affect service levels. These include reductions to retiree benefit payments, holiday bonuses, out-of-state travel, and visitors center staffing. The net savings of $43,000 help maintain equilibrium.

Notably, community groups that previously benefited from ARPA grants will not receive direct financial support this year. Instead, the town is offering free grant writing and capacity-building assistance through the Upper Shore Community Development Partners—an effort to help these organizations remain sustainable beyond federal aid.

Final decisions rest with the Mayor and Town Council, who are expected to take up the draft in the coming weeks.

Fro complete transcripts and video, go here.

Sen. Beidle

Analysis by State Senator Pam Beidle

The public is invited to attend the next meeting of the Democratic Club of Kent County for a thoughtful overview by State Senator Pam Beidle (32^nd District) of the recent session of the General Assembly. Senator Beidle was first elected to the Maryland Senate in 2018 and has been a member since January 2019. She was a member of the House of Delegates from 2007 to 2019. She is the chair of the Senate Finance Committee and serves on the Rules Committee and the Legislative Policy Committee. Other current assignments include the Maryland Veterans Caucus and the Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus.

Senator Beidle has resided in  Linthicum for 44 years, having grown up in Glen Burnie. She was the owner of a small business and raised three children in Linthicum.

Among the topics she will address in this Zoom meeting is how the General Assembly works, how citizens can become more involved and what the major accomplishments were of the 2025 session. She will also discuss legislation affecting Kent County.

This meeting will take place via Zoom on Thursday evening, April 17. The meeting will open with a brief business meeting at 6:45 p.m. At 7 p.m. we will hear from Senator Beidle. Members will receive the Zoom link prior to the meeting; others please contact the club at [email protected] for an invitation to attend.

The Kent County Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Community Excellence Awards held on January 29th at the Chester River Yacht and Country Club in Chestertown. These awards honor outstanding contributions to our community, through commitment, innovation, and leadership in three distinct categories.

Harborview Farms was named the 2025 Business of the Year, Shore Community Outreach Team was awarded the 2025 Organization of the Year, and Kristen Owen was recognized as the 2025 Individual of the Year.

“The Community Excellence Awards is a testament to the spirit of collaboration and dedication that defines Kent County,” said Sarah King, Executive Director of the Kent County Chamber of Commerce. “Each nominee has demonstrated a profound impact on our community, and we are thrilled to recognize their achievements.”

The 2025 award recipients are as follows:

Business of the Year: Harborview Farms

Trey Hill (right), owner of Harborview Farms, accepts the Business of the Year award from Sarah King (left), Executive Director of the Kent County Chamber of Commerce.

Harborview Farms, owned and managed by Trey Hill and Herman Hill, was recognized for its leadership in responsible and environmentally sustainable agriculture. Beyond their own operations, they are pioneers in advancing agricultural innovation and fostering the next generation of farmers. A local resident who nominated Harborview Farms emphasized, “Harborview Farms exhibits continuous excellence in the community through job creation, development of the younger workforce, educational outreach, and a commitment to giving back.” Trey Hill accepted the award on behalf of Harborview Farms, expressing gratitude for the recognition and reaffirming the company’s dedication to innovation and sustainability in agriculture.

Organization of the Year: Shore Community Outreach Team

The UM Shore Community Outreach Team was recognized for its unwavering dedication to improving healthcare access and support services for residents in Kent and northern

Emily Welsh (Center) and Michelle Mathews (Right) of the Shore Community Outreach Team accept the Organization of the Year award from Sarah King (left), Executive Director of the Kent County Chamber of Commerce.

Queen Anne’s counties. With a team consisting of a registered nurse, a social worker, and community health advocates, the organization delivers inclusive and accessible programs tailored to meet local needs. “The Shore Community Outreach Team stands out for their innovative programs and deep engagement with the community,” read the nomination. “Their efforts improve the health and well-being of our residents in meaningful and lasting ways.” Emily Welsh, RN Coordinator, accepted the award on behalf of the Shore Community Outreach Team, expressing appreciation for the community’s ongoing support of their mission.

Individual of the Year: Kristen Owen

Kristen Owen (right) receives the Individual of the Year award from the Kent County Chamber of Commerce’s Executive Director, Sarah King (left).

Kristen Owen was honored for her exceptional volunteer leadership as President of the Board of Main Street Chestertown. Throughout a critical transitional period, she dedicated countless hours to ensuring the organization’s stability and the successful advancement of the Chestertown Master Plan initiative. A local business leader who nominated Owen remarked, “She took time and energy from her personal and professional life to take on an incredible amount of responsibility. Her dedication and leadership make her truly deserving of this recognition.” Upon receiving the award, Owen expressed her deep appreciation for the community and her commitment to the continued success of Main Street Chestertown.

The Chamber extends its congratulations to all winners and nominees of the 2025 Community Excellence Awards. Their dedication, service, and passion for Kent County continue to inspire and uplift the community.

For more information about the Kent County Chamber of Commerce and future events, please visit www.kentchamber.org.

The family of former assistant keeper Harold Messick recently gathered at the 1879 Hooper Strait Lighthouse on the campus of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum to learn more about lighthouse life and remember their ancestor.

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is thrilled to share its 60th-anniversary celebration with its expansive community in 2025.

Throughout the year, CBMM will look back on its six decades through a series of mission-focused videos to be released at cbmm.org/60thAnniversary and its YouTube channel. The anniversary festivities also include a “Celebrating 60 Years of CBMM” logo, social media highlights, an exclusive CBMM Member Night program, and more milestone moments woven into its annual festivals and programming.

The fun culminates with CBMM’s annual Boating Party Fundraising Gala on Saturday, Sept. 6, which will mark the diamond anniversary with a glamorous evening of celebration to benefit the organization’s mission.

“We are proud to celebrate 60 years with everyone who has helped make this milestone possible,” CBMM’s President & CEO Kristen Greenaway said. “With the help of our community, we are excited to use this occasion to spotlight the ways that we have fulfilled our mission through the years and continue to share the Chesapeake story with new audiences.”

Located on Navy Point along the Miles River in historic St. Michaels, CBMM officially opened its doors on May 22, 1965, as a project of the Historical Society of Talbot County amid a still-bustling complex of workboats, docks, and seafood packing houses.

Over the past six decades, CBMM has blossomed into a world-class maritime museum and vital community partner serving more than 80,000 guests per year on its 18-acre campus in fulfillment of its mission to preserve and explore the history, environment, and culture of the entire Chesapeake Bay region, and make this resource accessible to all.

Today, CBMM is the only museum devoted to interpreting the entire maritime region of the Chesapeake, sharing the stories of Chesapeake people across time through historic structures, purpose-built exhibition buildings, a floating fleet of traditional vessels, and a working Shipyard.

CBMM will share the journey through its video series highlighting key themes across the 60 years. The initial installment, available now, delves into CBMM’s collections and how it cares for more than 90,000 artifacts while spotlighting the storytelling about the 1879 Hooper Strait Lighthouse through the eyes of the family of former assistant keeper Harold Messick.

Future chapters will celebrate 60 years of education, exploration, preservation, tradition, and community building. The monthly features will highlight CBMM’s historical archives and introduce community members to share their stories.

“It’s great to reflect on our progress in collecting and interpreting the culture of this place while some of our original supporters are still with us,” CBMM’s Chief Historian Pete Lesher said. “The museum itself, the number of lives we touch, and the tourism economy that we anchor have grown beyond anything they could have imagined 60 years ago.”

CBMM members become a part of the Chesapeake story, joining CBMM’s mission as stewards of the region’s rich cultural heritage. To discover all the terrific benefits of membership and join today, visit cbmm.org/memberships or contact Membership Services Coordinator Debbie Ruzicka at 410-745-4991 or [email protected].

To learn more about CBMM’s 60th anniversary celebration, visit cbmm.org/60thAnniversary.