April was an eventful month. We started with a ribbon cutting for Life Fitness Management. A new business is always a reason to celebrate; it was particularly exciting to see a business opening that will benefit individuals within our community, one that is locally owned by three partners and on a personal note one that is 2/3 women owned. (see Ribbon Cutting photo)

I am still recovering from our very successful and fun Spring Fling. My thanks to all the volunteers that helped to make everything run smoothly. Mark Widmyer chaired the committee along with Stu Czapski, Greg Hare, Karen Johnson, Amy Jacobs, Peg McKenzie and Kim Shirer. The delicious steaks came from B&B Meats, scrumptious ice cream from the Queen City Creamery, great music from Queen City Funk and Soul and the event was held at the Ali Ghan Shrine Club. We didn't even have a chance to recover before our season's first "Chamber After Hours" was held at Friends Aware. We had a great turn out; it is always enlightening to tour and hear in more detail what wonderful work organizations like Friends Aware do for our community.

Our committees kept busy during the month: The Education Committee can multi task better than any one. They participated with the Focus on the Future Showcase held at the Allegany County Fairgrounds on April 22nd and 24th. In partnership with the Rotary Club of Cumberland the committee hosted our Annual Outstanding Student Business Awards luncheon on April 29th. It is amazing how many of the students become successful business people within our community in the years following the awards. Two people come to mind Jerilyn Jackson, Frostburg Main Street manager and Nicole Wigfield, who filled in for Amy last year at the Chamber, are both past awardees. The Education Committee has already started working on the FSU/WCBC Student Salute Awards program. Committee Chair James "Snake" Robertson is doing a great job of providing constant projects that bring education and business together.

At their last meeting, the Economic Development Committee heard from Ed Mullaney, Downtown Manager, who updated the group on the business activity within the downtown Cumberland area. The area continues to welcome new businesses and there is increased business activity on Centre Street. Ed stressed that all of us need to continue to show our support by coming downtown to shop and dine. The Economic Development Sub-Committees continue to be active. The Comprehensive Planning Committee recently held a meeting where Phil Hager, County Planner, provided an update to the committee and answered questions concerning the county's comprehensive plan.

The Legislative Committee recently held their last committee meeting of the session - whew what a busy year. An update of all of the activities was provided during our annual Legislative Wrap-Up Breakfast held on April 22nd. We are always grateful for the work our delegation does for us and this was indeed an exceptional year. As a community we are very fortunate to have the members of our Western Maryland Delegation take the time to meet with us both before and after the legislative session to keep us updated.

There was a lot more activitiy, however I am running out of space. I wanted to mention in closing a meeting we had recently with Carol Snyder, Executive Director of the Bedford County Chamber of Commerce and Stewart Hickey, President of the Bedford County Chamber of Commerce. Chamber First Vice Chairman Steve Nelson, Peg McKenzie and I enjoyed a great lunch with them as well as a valuable exchange of ideas. We plan to join them in Bedford soon to continue our discussion.

Enjoy the sunshine at last.

    - Barb