Calvert County Board of Commissioners to Make Several Announcements at Solomons Dedication Day

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md., -- May 15, 1998 -- The Calvert County Board of Commissioners announced today that at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 19, 1998, they will dedicate the new County entrance sign and Town Center Trail Blazer signs at the Solomons Visitors Center. At 2:30 a dedication of the bulkhead improvements at the Lore Oyster House and acceptance of the Kersey Property take place at the Oyster House. At 3:00 p.m. a reception will follow at the Lore Oyster House. The honorable Louis L. Goldstein will also attend the ceremony.

Trail Blazer Signs - In conjunction with the Town Center signs, Calvert County and State Highway Administration (SHA) developed a system of approved secondary directional Trail Blazer signs. These signs use international symbols to direct motorists to particular services in the St. Leonard, Lusby, Huntingtown and Solomons Town Centers. Establishing the Town Center signs is a significant step to ensure the survival of the smaller business centers and as a consequence, better serve all Calvert County visitors. The trail blazer signs are consistent in appearance with the main Town Center signs, are located at key intersections throughout Route 4 in the Lusby, St. Leonard and Solomons Town Centers.

Simultaneously, Calvert County, SHA and the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED), Office of Tourism have worked cooperatively to develop a program to implement attractions signing on a statewide basis. One of the primary focuses of the program is to establish uniformity in signing both specific and generic motorist services and attractions. Calvert County is the first county in the state to institute the Trail Blazer sign program.

Lore Oyster House - Now part of the Calvert Marine Museum, the Lore Oyster House represents one of the County's traditional maritime industries. When the deteriorating bulkhead threatened the building, the State assisted in restoring the facility. Working with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Shore Erosion Control Program, the County was able to secure a long term, interest free loan to replace the bulkhead. The State, in turn, reduced the loan through Waterway Improvement Grants. An additional matching grant from the Chesapeake Bay Shoreline Improvement Program provided funds to construct a boardwalk above the bulkhead, lighting and seating.

Kersey Property - Subsequent to the Lore Oyster House project, the Commissioners were presented with an opportunity to acquire the adjacent Kersey property. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources provided $165,000 from their Patuxent River Access fund to purchase the property and Calvert County assisted with an additional $35,000 to allow the contractor to include bulkheading this property during the Lore Oyster House renovation. The property will eventually be used as a picnic area for the park and Oyster House.

The total cost for the Lore Oyster House Bulkhead was $247,181.

For information about the Trail Blazer Sign Program please contact the Calvert County Department of Economic Development, 410-535-4583 or 301-855-1880, e-mail cced@co.cal.md.us. For information about the Kersey Property, please contact Sherrod Sturrock, 410-535-1600 x210.

For more information on the Calvert County, Maryland Department of Economic Development, our visitor sites and attractions and the services available to assist County businesses, call 410.535.4583, 800.331.9771 or 301.855.1880; or send an e-mail to info@ecalvert.com