April 2, 2015 - In This Issue:
APRIL
FIRST FRIDAY FEATURES
invites you to join them for an artist talk in the gallery with refreshments at 12:00 pm with visiting fiber artist, Katherine Allen, woodworker Vicco von Voss, and painter Jon Mort.

The Massoni Gallery is also open from 5 - 8 pm for a special Earth Stewardship Days event.

 

The Chester River Packet Co. is kicking off their season with a Five Dollar Fish Fry at the foot of High Street. Enjoy $5 fish and chips prepared fresh at the dock from 5 - 8pm and live music by Philip Dutton and the Alligators beginning at 5:30pm.

 

They are still accepting reservations for their Kickoff Sunset Cruise Saturday, April 4!

 

Inspire your spring by visiting Bloomin' Wild for their 20 minute design class for $20, beginning every 20 minutes. This month you will learn how to make a spring arrangement using seasonal flowers. Cost includes all materials. Walk-ins are welcome.

 

Warm your body and your heart with Poor Richards' 

latest arrival, a beautiful red, white and pale blue Chestertown 21620 throw! They're also featuring a wide selection of leather and canvas Mona B bags!

More importantly, the store is selling hand decorated egg ornaments for $5 ($10 value) with 100 percent being donated to the Samaritan Project.

 

Coco's Pet Center is proud to offer a 10% discount to all guests who make a donation to the Kent County Humane Society.

Feed your hunger at

Evergrain Bread Co.

from 5 - 7 pm. for cheese-steak sandwiches on demi-baguettes, along with their normal array of pastries, savories and espresso drinks!

Also, starting next week on Tuesday April 7, 2015, Evergrain will be open 6 days a week: Tuesday through Sunday 7 am to 5 pm, closed Monday.
 

Kevin Hemstock will be the Bordley History Center's guest for History Happy Hour from 4 - 6pm. Kevin will be discussing his new book, "Race and Injustice on the Eastern Shore - Race and the Hill Murder Trial."


Hop down to Gabriel's  for crab dip, Easter treats, wine and beer. Lots of new merchandise to fill those Easter baskets. Gourmet candy, soaps, jewelry, toys, crafts and more. The first shipment of new Lilly Pulitzer accessories has arrived, along with other new Spring items!

 

Drop in to Music Life
for live music featuring The Ukulele Trio. Jam session to follow; all musicians, beginner and beyond, are welcome to join in! Additionally, enjoy 20% off on just about everything in the store.

 

Chesapeake Bank & Trust Company will feature the work of artists Marti Hawkins, Sharon Daggers, and Wes Moore in their lobby at 245 High Street. Visit between 5 and 7pm for refreshments and to meet some of CB&T's friendly staff.

 

Visit Twigs & Teacups for their Egg-stravaganza event. When you make a purchase between 5 and 8pm you can choose an egg to find a prize inside -- could be savings, could be a treat!  

 

Jody Primoff is the featured artist this month at The Artists' Gallery. She specializes in pastels, mixed with pen and ink and watercolor washes. Stop by and enjoy her unique rendering of local scenes.

 

Chester River Wine & Cheese Co. is celebrating their first full month open with wine and cheese tastings and specials throughout the weekend.   

 

If you need a last minute item for your holiday family gathering this weekend, they are open on Sunday, April 5 from 11am - 4pm.   

Many other shops and galleries will be open late! Grab a friend, take a stroll, and see all that Downtown Chestertown has to offer!  
KENT COUNTY POETRY FESTIVAL at THE BOOKPLATE 
112 South Cross Street, Chestertown  
 
   
Washington College and the Kent County Arts Council present Kent County Poetry Festival: An evening of public poetry in honor of National Poetry Month. This event is being held at The Bookplate from 4-7 pm.

All are invited to read and/or listen.
EARTH STEWARDSHIP DAYS
Various Locations

Earth Stewardship Days: Rev Up The Planet is a month-long series of events designed to raise awareness of the importance of taking care of the Earth.

Earth Stewardship Days is sponsored by Chestertown RiverArts, the Carla Massoni Gallery, the Art of Stewardship Project (founded and led by Greg Mort), and the many organizations throughout the greater Chestertown area that are committed to the concept that we all have a role to play in promoting active stewardship of our planet.

First Friday events include:
  • Art of Stewardship Opening Reception at RiverArts featuring works that express and exemplify the importance of being good stewards of the earth; 5 - 8 pm
  • EARTHWORK Opening Reception at Carla Massoni Gallery featuring artists from all over the mid-Atlantic; 5 - 8 pm
  • SINGLE STREAM: a 25 minute film at the Garfield Center for the Arts; first showing at 6, second at 7
For a full calendar of events, please visit the Earth Stewardship Days website.
SINGLE STREAM
VIEWING AND TALK-BACK SESSION
Garfield Center for the Arts

The Garfield is pleased to offer two free showings of the film, Single Stream in celebration of Earth Stewardship Days.

The First showing at 6pm, following by a talk back with Ford Schumann, with a second showing at 7pm for those who missed the first.  To learn more visit the Garfield's website. 
UNITED WAY FUNDRAISER DINNER
Tuesday, April 7, seatings at 5, 6, 7, & 8pm
Lemon Leaf Café & JR's Pub
Reserve your seats now...this event WILL sell out!
EARTH DAY & MUTT STRUT
Saturday, April 18, 9am - 1pm
Memorial Plaza & Fountain Park

The annual Earth Day Festival includes eco-friendly services and goods, conservation and recycling info, a recycled art show, live music and family friendly activities. Bring your one-use batteries, CFL bulbs, fluorescent tubes, VHS/DVDs/CDs to recycle. Free paper shredding will also be available. For more information call 443 480 1987 or 410 708 8951, or email andysctown@atlanticbb.net.

 

MUTT STRUT SCHEDULE
10-11:00 am Check-in and registration in Fountain Park (be sure to visit the Farmers' Market too!)
11:00 am Mutt Strut begins from Fountain Park and continues around town
11:20 am Meet HSKC's adoptable animals in the Courthouse Lawn
11:30 am Join (or watch) doggie games in the Courthouse Lawn (awards provided!)
12:00-1:00 pm Enjoy lunch with your dog at "Paws on the Patio" outside of the Lemon Leaf Cafe & JR's Pub and visit the Earth Day vendors on Memorial Row

Games include a dog jumping contest, a pet/owner look alike contest, best dog tricks, doggie limbo, a costume contest, and a musical sit game. Judges will award prizes provided by Coco's Pet Center on High Street.

Online registration is $10 per dog before April 18th or $15 the day of the event. Registration includes a goody bag filled with a doggie bandana, water, poop bags, coupons to local stores and more! All proceeds benefit The Humane Society of Kent County and its shelter pets.

To register your pet for Mutt Strut in advance or to make a donation to the Humane Society of Kent County, visit the website! 
TASTE OF CHESTERTOWN
Sunday, April 26, 1-3pm
Fountain Park

Our amazing local restaurants are preparing for our annual Taste of the Town (and County). Tickets are available online or at The Finishing Touch through Wednesday, April 22. After Wednesday, April 22, tickets available ONLY day of at the door for $20.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the Taste of Chestertown website.
FIGG'S ORDINARY
Saturdays, 8 am - 12pm
Fountain Park

Exciting news for Chestertown residents! A new stand made its debut at the farmers' market last weekend -- in the snow! "Figg's Ordinary" will be the Chestertown Farmers' Market's first entirely gluten and refined sugar free vendor, offering a selection of baked goods made from scratch by long-time Chestertown resident Ingrid Hansen.  

 

The baked goods are perfect for the gluten-intolerant, those who might be trying to eliminate gluten and/or refined sugar from their diets, or anyone wishing to make healthy choices without sacrificing flavor.  

 

The idea behind the products at Figg's Ordinary is that baked treats don't need to be filled with gluten or refined sugars to satisfy our taste buds; instead, Figg's Ordinary lets the natural flavors speak for themselves. Your taste buds (and your stomachs!) won't be disappointed.
OTHER DCA HAPPENINGS
There is always something happening in and around Downtown Chestertown.
We exist to represent our local businesses and generate awareness among our community and our visitors of key events in our downtown area.

For more information about the DCA or to become a member, visit us at www.downtownchestertown.org/support-dca/

 

Have you heard about our newest event, Porchfest? On Saturday, May 2, DCA will pair local musicians with front porches as venues, and visitors will have the opportunity to stroll the sidewalks and enjoy our local talent and charming historic downtown district. If you are interested in learning more about  Porchfest, please email Kristen.

 

If you have any interest in participating in our ongoing event planning and marketing efforts, please do not hesitate to let us know! We could always use an extra set of hands and are appreciative of fresh perspectives. 

See you around First Friday!