CRCC News and Notes 11/01/11

Oct. 27th Meeting Recap

The Oct. 27 Crofton Regional Community Center's general meeting at the Nautilus Diner in Crofton was proclaimed a big success with a good-sized crowd attending and large colored drawings of the proposed community center displayed for all to see. Jon Grant, from Grant Architects (who printed off the color drawings), spoke first on the layout and the reasoning for the entire center and surroundings. The center will be built with future expansion in mind. Later, during questions and answers, he pointed out the noise barriers designed into the building and planned for the site, as well as the consideration for storm water runoff.

Mike Adams, from Gardiner and Gardiner Construction (they did our feasibility study) pointed out the reasoning of each room and, during questions and answers, gave more details on how each room was designed to be multi-purposed. It was an exciting night for the CRCC to be able to display a final version of what we are aiming for, the facts and figures as well as the details.

All this is thanks to Frank Bedard, our Program Director, and who has worked hard to get us to this point. His work was vital to everyone and it is thanks to him that we have gotten this far.

One of the questions fielded was about the skate park design. It was pointed out that it is designed as a bowl in the ground and thus the noise would travel upwards and not outwards. It was also pointed out that the concrete, rather than other substances, keeps the sound minimal. Everything has been carefully researched and designed to alloy us to be a good neighbor. The skate park would be closed at sunset.

Other business was conducted on this evening. Each fundraiser and event coming up was gone over and explained. Raffle tickets for three different kinds of e-readers were sold (the drawing will take place at the Book Lovers Auction on Nov. 12). Next year's planned events were mentioned and when an appeal went out for a volunteer to be in charge of Crofton Night at the Baysox in 2012,one of the attendees was good enough to volunteer taking over.

One highlight of the evening was a new idea the CRCC will now be doing - the CRCC recognition of the Business and Volunteer of the month. Our volunteer award went to Deniz Cribbs, from Coldwell Banker who, since volunteering, has done so much in spreading the word and helping us out. Here is one tireless supporter who does more than say she'll help, but goes out and does it. Thank you, Deniz!

The award for Business of the Month went to Barbara Morsberger from Minuteman Press who has gone above and beyond in supporting and helping the CRCC. The woman is amazing and the work Minuteman has done for us has been more than we ever expected. We recognize how lucky we are to have such dedicated volunteers.

The free photo session by Linda McCarthy of Visual Concepts is a win/win for all concerned. By your $50 donation to the CRCC you are supporting the community center and bringing it that much closer to being built. With this donation, you are entitled to a free photo session by Visual Concepts, a free 11-by-14 photo, special discounted prices on other photo packaging such as Holiday cards, and a chance to receive a free 24-by-30 canvas wall photo. The drawing for this wall photo will be at the Feb. 18 Sweethearts Ball (winner need not be present). The deadline to have your picture taken is Dec. 31, but you should call Linda right away at 410-626-7474 or email her at linda@visualconceptsltd.com to reserve your session.

The Greater Crofton Community Awards Banquet is this Friday, Nov. 4, where the CRCC will be one of nine organizations giving out their awards. For more information on this, call Judy Wilson at 410-721-9131 or contact her at info@croftonchamber.com

A reminder is in order for the Book Lovers Auction. People on Nov. 12 at the Blue Dolphin Banquet Room. You need to call in and reserve a ticket right now. A headcount of how many people we can expect is important to us. Just a phone call or email will reserve your ticket. You can pay at the door and then receive a door prize ticket and a program explaining what to do and look for. But all you have to do is inform us that you plan on coming. Call Rev. Shawn Jegede at 443-302-9598 or call me at 410-793-3896. Tickets are $5 for the first 50 people to call (and we are nearly at that count right now) and $10 a ticket thereafter.

What this price of admission gives you is a chance to meet and talk to 17 different authors, to bid on thousands of all kinds of books and other things, to socialize and enjoy the food and beverages, take part in a raffle of an e-reader at $10 a ticket or three for $25, perhaps win one of the door prizes, and select from the free books as you leave. There are many surprises, such as autographed pictures, audio books, CD's, bargain tables, T-shirts, and so on. Even comic books! Lots of cook books and special topic books as well.

The Sweetheart's Ball, on Feb. 18, 2012, will offer attendees a chance to bid on even more and bigger auction items than last year. Hopefully, there will be no lack of electricity due to Mother Nature's mischief this time. It takes a lot of planning to do something this big, so anyone who can help is encouraged to call John Hollywood at 301-261-8515 or email John at jhhollywood@verizon.net. Donations of all kinds are needed for the silent auction part of this event.

The latest CRCC newsletters have gone out. Anyone who wants to be included on the mailing list for this should contact me at doyle1718@comcast.net.

The Crofton Regional Community Center is a tax-free, non-profit organization formed to open a community center and a skate park in Crofton. The website is at www.croftonregionalcommunitycenter.net. The Facebook fan page is at www.facebook.com/theCRCC. Email comments and questions to Donna Doyle at doyle1718@comcast.net.