The day was just right for gathering at the courtyard behind The Kitchen at the Imperial to sample crab soups and local wines.  The Chestertown Rotary Club’s 6th Annual Soup & Sip crab soup competition on October 21 was the occasion, and folks from the area as well as visitors to town gathered to choose the winners.  

A retired educator and one of the school system's newer teachers were both honored with Golden Anchor Awards at the December Kent County Board of Education meeting. Evelyn Foster and Abigial Porcher received their Golden Anchor awards from their respective principals Monday evening, Dec. 11. The Golden Anchor Award is presented each month to staff members or groups of employees who exemplify the mission and core values of Kent County Public Schools.

The YMCA of the Chesapeake is delighted to announce that the 2023 YMCA Turkey Trot broke records again this year, with approximately 1,800 runners, raising nearly $200,000 for the Annual Fund through sponsorship and runner registrations. The Annual Fund supports programming across all eleven YMCA of the Chesapeake branches on the Delmarva Peninsula.  

Crossroads Community, Inc. recently held their Annual Client  Holiday & Awards Celebration, which was a resounding success, encompassing the presentation of 261  awards to clients in recognition of their unwavering dedication and hard work. Areas of recognition  include achievements in the areas of resiliency, milestones in recovery and highlighting some of the  amazing inspirational recovery stories of our clients.  

Tracking word counts and books, creating incentives and continually encouraging students is building a true love of reading at Rock Hall Elementary School. As of last month, Rock Hall Elementary School fifth graders were quickly closing in on having read 5 million words, with 109 books completed, as reported through the Reading Counts program. 

Mia Cranford has been appointed the new Director of Development at For All Seasons. Her previous positions included the Director of Development at Talbot Hospice and roles at What's Up Media and Taylor Haywood Media.

Kent County Middle School has launched a new tutoring program to help students get ahead in core content classes.    The free After-School Tutoring Academy launched last month for middle school students, providing tutoring and extra skill-building time in English language arts, math, science and social studies. The academy is offered from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. every Thursday at the school.

Benedictine celebrated milestones in service for 50 of its dedicated staff members in early December. The awards were presented to employees with 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30, 45, and 55 years of service. Phyllis Young celebrated 55 years with Benedictine.

An annual holiday tradition at Kent County High School returns this week as retired science teacher Dennis Herrmann presents the Planetarium Christmas Show. This is the 37th year for the Planetarium Christmas Show, which is being produced by the high school's radio station 90.5 WKHS. Admission is free and seasonal refreshments will be served.

Haven Harbour Marina Resorts Technical Lead Erik Lostrom was  appointed the newest member of the Marine Trades Association of Maryland Board of Directors during  the organization's annual winter meeting and holiday party. Erik will serve his term by helping guide the  organization — particularly in matters of workforce development.