SUBMITTED PHOTO
An example of the cafe tables and chairs the Town of Berlin plans to purchase for events, thanks to a recently awarded grants from the AARP.News, Newspaper, Community, Bayside Gazette, Maryland, Worcester County, Berlin, Ocean Pines,
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor
(July 19, 2018) Town of Berlin events are about to get more comfortable, thanks to a new grant from the American Association of Retired Persons’ Community Challenge.
Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells said the $5,000 grant, awarded on Wednesday, would be used for new café tables and chairs.
“It’s a community grant through the Main Street program that looked for reasons to help make things easier for people over 50,” Wells said. “I wrote a grant saying we needed those café tables and chairs, because at our events there’s nowhere to sit down.”
She included in the application several photos of families sitting on curbs and sidewalks, as well as a mockup of what Main Street might look like if it instead had café tables and seating.
“I submitted that, got $5,000, and I get to buy these really cute café tables and chairs,” she said. “Picnic tables are good, but they’re not as comfortable as those chairs with a back.
“It’s classier and it’s more welcoming,” Wells added. “Every town event will be able to use that.”
Wells said the additional seating could be used during the Berlin Farmer’s Market on Artisan’s Green, Sundays from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., and during concerts and “any event, whether it’s a museum event or chamber of commerce event.”
According to a notification email from the American Association of Retired Persons, “This was a competitive, national challenge and your project stood out. We are delighted to select your proposal and look forward to working with you.”
The next major event in Berlin is the annual Peach Festival, Aug. 4.
A Summer Sidewalk Sale is scheduled Aug. 10-12 and the next Concert on the Lawn, at the Calvin B. Taylor House Museum, is Aug. 12.
Scheduled events in September include Shakespeare on Main Street (Sept. 1), the second Small Town Throw Down (Sept. 8), Concert on the Lawn (Sept. 9), Paint Berlin (Sept. 19-22) and Fiddler’s Convention (Sept. 21-23).
Fall Cruisers and Touch a Truck are set for Oct. 6, and the annual Oktoberfest and Fall Sidewalk Sale returns Oct. 13.
A tree-lighting and holiday open house are scheduled Nov. 23, the annual Christmas Parade is slated for Dec. 6, and the New Year’s Eve Celebration and Ball Drop is scheduled on Dec. 31.
For more information about town events, visit www. BerlinMainStreet.com.