How Can Our Community "Do Better"?

Since last Friday when many of us gathered at Pohanka of Salisbury Automotive for the "We Stand United" event....I've been thinking. Turning over some of the words that were said in my head; tossing around some phrases and statements that were made; wondering HOW does a community "do better". There must be a special ingredient in those select few places where people do, in fact, act and live in a way which promotes open dialog, respect and a culture of togetherness.

There's a question floating over my head, words in a bubble like a giant blimp hovering nearby - and I'm sure I can't be the only one thinking this: "How can we avoid being the next Ferguson, Dallas, Baton Rouge?" Honestly, someone else besides me must have considered the same exact question....right?

Vintage Images from Ocean City, Maryland (Part Two)

"Memories of Ocean City, Maryland" - Postcards, memorabilia and advertising featuring local landmarks from Maryland's favorite beach towns. These images which feature travel brochures, motel advertisements and depictions of the famous boardwalk, offer a fascinating glimpse into life in our towns from years ago.

Local Ice Cream! Dairy Farms and Creameries on Delmarva July 2016

*** UPDATE *** We have revised our info for the Delmarva Ice Cream Trail. Check out the blog post here and view the new #DelmarvaIceCreamTrail Google Map too!


What better what to celebrate National Ice Cream Day than by enjoying the independent farms and dairies right here in on the Delmarva Peninsula. While while you can go to a chain place anytime, we think the REAL delicacies are found at the local shops and area creameries Below we've listed some of our favorites from Delaware and the eastern shore areas of Maryland and Virginia.

DELAWARE

Fifer Orchards in Wyoming, established 1919

http://www.fiferorchards.com • Facebook

Think For Yourself / Grow Your Mind (part I)

“Grow your mind and expand your world”

1) “Why We Don’t Accept Delays and Appreciate the Gift of Empty Time"

2) "We now live in individual bubbles of our own making"....this is a good read. "There's a Battlefield at Home and Only First Responders See It"

Wake up World (We can't live like this)

Why is "active shooter" a term we have all come to know? Why does it seem commonplace - almost a daily occurrence - to read about another violent act or outburst by someone walking a thin line between right and wrong?

We Will Not All Get Along, All The Time (and that's okay!)

"Learning to accept others"

Sometimes we go about our lives with the expectation that everything must be a certain way, that other people should share our views (because they are the right ones!), or simply fall into the trap of feeling as everyone should see our perspective. Unless you have some fairy dust and a magic wand, chances are good life is not going to go exactly like that.

Visiting the Delmarva Peninsula | the town of Berlin, Maryland

The town of Berlin is one of my favorite places here on Delmarva and it's one that we often recommend to visitors. Located just off Route 50, about 8 miles inland of Maryland's favorite beach town of Ocean City, it's a refreshing change from the souvenir shops and boardwalk stores. See the links and info after the photos.

"Be Careful of What We Are Becoming"

Something dark and disturbing appears to have overtaken our world. A foreboding shadow is emerging perhaps, beginning to creep in as a faint but persistent fog which seems to be settling over us and dulling the perceptions of right and wrong; love vs hate; pitting apathy at war against kindness. What happened to us??

An American Icon | Shelby Mustang GT500 King of the Road

Taken June 2016 in Ocean City, Maryland. Late 1960's model GT500, KR edition (believe it's a '68). About this car:


April 1, a street-legal version of the 428 cid V8 CJ "Cobra Jet" drag car debuts as the Shelby GT-500KR. Inspired by Rhode Island dealer/race car builder Bob Tasca, the "King of the Road" is rumored to produce 400 horsepower. A Ram Air induction setup was installed, as noted by the hood scoop and black hood stripe. The transmission options were a 4-speed manual or six-speed automatic. There was an initial run of 50 units inspired by Ford dealer and Mustang racer Bob Tasca's efforts, but eventually 2,253 CJ Fastbacks and 564 CJ coupes were produced. Note the new, functional C-pillar vents.
Source: http://www.shnack.com/history/1968

Forty years ago, at the 1967 New York Auto Show, Ford introduced the most powerful Shelby Mustang ever. The 1968 Shelby Cobra GT500KR was a mid-year introduction, based on the 1968 Shelby GT500. Ford added ‘Cobra’ to the Shelby’s moniker to help usher in the beginning of a new performance era at the company. The Cobra name referred to the new 428 Cobra Jet V-8 that was planted under the KR’s custom fiberglass hood. It was the engine that would once again vault the Mustang to the head of the pack.
Source: http://www.supercars.net/blog/1968-shelby-gt500kr-fastback/

Flickr Album ~ https://flic.kr/s/aHskssAayd

"Life on Delmarva" • #delmarvausa

You can leave and still not tear others down...

I'm not perfect, actually I'm full of flaws, but sometimes I think about things from a different perspective. You can read this or not, ignore it or unfriend me, it's all up to you.

Once upon a time we were involved with a local nonprofit. They did as much as they could to help others in the community and we bonded with the people and their attitude of caring. It was a good mix; we fit in, offered some things which were useful and developed ties with many nice folks. Fast-forward a few years and - as sometimes happens - things changed. We questioned a few things that by some measures didn't appear to be handled quite right. A couple of misunderstandings and a few situations not handled well led to us feeling out of touch and that perhaps we no longer were wanted. But with a sense of no longer being wanted came something else....the thought that perhaps WE also no longer wanted to be a part of that circle, and so we stepped away.


That's it. We choose to step away....without a public speech, without announcing who wronged who. This organization does good, absolutely. Could they take a look at their practices and interactions with building for the future? Yes. Was everything handled exactly right within? Perhaps not. But every time a family asked for assistance, or someone's home burned down, or a caring person was needed during a difficult time.....they stepped up. The good that is done outweighs my personal feelings of "correctness". How many of you have heard "there aren't enough people who help", or "there are so few resources available anymore" or "I wish there were more places like yours"? Sometimes what is done is in itself a good thing and maybe out-ranks something else; perhaps your beliefs, or likes, or the way you see things....and if so, perhaps you will decide to part ways. YOU can't fix everything. But at that time you have a choice; move on in bitterness and speaking ill of others and tearing down the positive things that were done, or you can just MOVE ON.

"With respect all things are possible"