Chestertown, MD

Nestled along the banks of the Chester River, Chestertown is a wonderful little town that offers a big bang for your buck. Wonderful homes are available in all price ranges, from the cute little bungalow well under 200K to divine waterfront properties. Chestertown offers a bustling downtown area full of antiques, gift shops, book shops, restaurants with food to die for (you must try BRIX, the new tapas, wonderful food and atmosphere)

Being the seat of Kent County, Chestertown has a wonderful hospital, Chester River Hospital Center, great physicians, a retirement home, Heron Point which is situated on the banks of the Chester River, a thriving active college, Washington College has wonderful activities, a thriving sports program, theatre program, it's just a wonderful center for the town.

There is not much reason to leave Kent County, but you are a quick 3 hours from NYC, 2 from DC, 1.3 from Baltimore and Philly.

Come and visit -- Hit the Bricks of Chestertown - do some Christmas shopping in style. Your gifts will be artfully wrapped with a pleasant smile, enjoy a coffee or a glass of wine at Play it Again Sams. Be sure to stop in at Doug Ashley Realtors, LLC on High St and say hello... Just come on in. We have free welcome packets waiting for you!

Doug Ashley REALTORS, LLC opened their doors in September, 2008 IN THIS CRAZY MARKET and it is thriving. Please check out our new website, just went live yesterday. www.dougashleyrealtors.com Being a newbie agency, but one with 25 years of collective experience has been a trip! Deciding on signage, logo's, stationery, picking out furniture, setting up escrows, E&O insurance.. sheesh the list goes on and on!

Doug's committment to helping his clients has made him one of if not the, most successfull Realtors for the past 19 years. As a former client, now one of his agents, I don't always like what he has to say, but he is usually pretty much right on the money. His clients are very loyal, which is a good thing in ANY market.

Our phones are ringing, and we are showing and selling! It's a great time to buy, as we all know here on Active Rain. Just getting the buyers in the door is key. Fortunately, living on the Chester River in Kent County, with Chestertown being a destination location has helped.

I have been absent from Active Rain for a while, and I'm happy to be back! I'll be catching up on blogs and can't wait to see what's been going on. Happy Holidays to all!

Good morning A/R ~ It's been a wild week, and I want to share a wonderful experience. Kent County High School First Induction into the Hall of Fame was this weekend. Dan Zottarelli, who has coached for years at KCHS spearheaded this event, with the help of a wonderful committee. Below is my daughter, Christyl Leigh Arrabal (in green) and Jamie Larrimore Fleetwood, PHd, both All-Americans in Field Hockey, and Christyl holds All-American in Lacross as well. Both are successful professionals who apply the lessons they learned from sports to other aspects of their life! Congratulations to both Jamie and Christyl.

Although these two girls are famous in MY life, among the other inductees were Ira "Dude" Smith, and Ryan Thompson, both graduates of Kent County High School who went on to play professional baseball

for many years. It was a wonderful event -- full of family, friends, coaches, administrators -- Warm stories were shared - and it showed again what a wonderful place Kent County, Maryland and Chestertown is to raise children in.

Thanks to Zot (Dan Zottarelli) and the committee again for a great job! Kent County is very lucky to have such great quality educators.

Today -- at the General Membership Meeting there was a lot of D&G (doom and gloom) and bless her heart, Dinah Riordan of Chase, who is an amazing loan officer and wonderful resource for the Eastern Shore of Maryland sorta put it into perspective. We can sit there and complain, or seize this as a great opportunity. The $7500 tax credit for first time buyers (and that means if they haven't bought a home in the LAST THREE YEARS... which was news to me), of course, the lower prices, great rates.. It truly is a great time to buy.

It's important to remain positive, although (I struggle with it) it's sometimes hard to do -- but Dinah had a good point. We can sit here complaining or make hay while we can. It's a great opportunity!

Remember the three P's: Professional, Positive and ProActive....

Happy Friday tomorrow everyone!

Every Wednesday (unless Christmas falls on a Wednesday) Dixon Sale Barn has their auction, over 20 acres and a huge warehouse just full of things to sell People bring their "trash" which becomes someone's "treasures". The items are all auctioned that day. You must make arrangements to pay by check or credit card, otherwise, cash is due at the time the auctioneer says "sold" There are helpers to get your treasures to the car. Despite the fact there are antique dealers, it's amazing the deals that can be made.

And then, inside the warehouse are Amish vendors who sell wonderful butter, cheeses, bacon, bread, you name it. There is a restaurant that is available for a great breakfast and lunch, and you can take home a delicious baked chicken, absolutely mouthwatering. (Be sure to order one early, they run out quickly.)

In Chestertown be sure to check out Antiques on Cannon, stroll along High Street, visit The FInishing Touch, Carla Massoni's Art Gallery, enjoy a visit to Stams Drugstore for an oldfashioned soda and/or ice cream. Rachel's Flower Power, recently written up in Maryland Magazine has amazing flower arrangements, bromeliads, and fun jewelry. If you are getting hungry, The Feast of Reason features homemade breads for delicious sandwiches, salads, soups, or visit Play it Again Sam for coffee, tea or a glass of wine to be enjoyed in a comfy coffee house setting or out in the courtyard. There are wonderful B&B's in Chestertown, the Widow's Walk Inn, Brampton's, Laureteum or the ever popular Imperial Hotel.

Enjoy any of these places and much more in Chestertown, and stop by The Hogan's Agency in Historic Stams Hall and say hello.... or maybe I will see you at Crumpton at the sale. Remember on the First Friday of every month, the Downtown Chestertown Association welcomes you from 5:30 to 8:00 with refreshments, art exhibits, musicians and entertainment. August 1 is The Dog Days of Summer. Bring your dog, enter the contests, have a "Pawtrait" done of your animal, all free, but donations are welcome for the Humane Society of Kent County.

Think Pawsitive.....