How I spent my summer vacation By MAEGAN CLEARWOOD Student intern | Posted: Thursday, August 9, 2012 12:00 am Before this summer, my Kent County didn't extend past the Chester Five. To be honest, most days, it didn't even cross Washington Avenue. Sure, I tried to patronize the farmers market during school year weekends, but by the time my midterms at Washington College hit, Saturday mornings were reserved for catching up on sleep. I was an occasional Book Plate browser, and I purchased the rare milkshake from Stam's to enjoy by the waterfront. Betterton, Galena, Worton – they were familiar names, but I'd never driven far enough down state Route 213 to actually discover them. I'd lived beside the Chester River for three years, but I didn't experience it until this May. The really sad part is, Chestertown is one of the main reasons I decided on Washington College as my home for the first four years of my adult life. I still remember driving over the Chester River bridge for the first time, completely enchanted by this strange, quiet world I'd discovered. I toured the college, peeped in on afternoon classes and sampled a dining hall lunch; the campus felt right, but the town felt like home. As soon my parents and I shook hands with our student tour guide, I made a beeline to Play It Again Sam. I sat outside for hours, people watching and soaking in Chestertown life. I regret to admit how quickly I forgot about the world outside of Washington College. Time warps on a college campus; one minute, I was hauling a mini fridge out of my car, and the next I was cramming for finals. Somehow, it never seemed like there was a free afternoon to simply explore. But that's exactly what I did during my three months with the Kent County News: I explored. I was skeptical at first. As charming as Chestertown is, it's hardly famous for its nightlife or bustling shopping centers. My daily planner was completely blank for three whole months, without a single assignment or test to keep me occupied, and I was nervous about how, if at all, I'd fill them. But much to my surprise, this county is teeming with life. My very first day on the job, I was given an assignment in Rock Hall. I spent my afternoon at a marina, talking to locals and soaking up the fresh harbor air. A few weeks later, I trekked over to Galena for an interview. Afterward, I wandered through the antique district and discovered, to my giddy delight, the original playbill to one of my favorite Broadway shows. In Georgetown, I learned about the heroism of Kitty Knight and stood on the banks of the river where, 150 years ago, Americans risked their lives for freedom. I visited a wildlife refuge, a county fair and a vineyard. I saw Tallulah Bankhead's grave, petted a dairy cow, sampled 10 different flavors of homemade ice cream, played with pit bull puppies and interviewed farmers, shopowners, artists, barbers and a millionaire. Needless to say, my summer wasn't boring. I loved my time as a fullfledged Kent Countian, and I'm honored to have spent three whole months talking to and writing about its residents. Here's the ugly truth: not all college students are this easily impressed. It takes a lot to tear 20 somethingyearolds away from their laptops and cell phones and into the world of the living. For me, it took an entire summer. I've heard lots of complaints during my assignments this summer about the "ghost town" into which Chestertown is slowly deteriorating, how college students simply don't understand how much the town has to offer. Small businesses are struggling, even though there are about 1,400 potential
customers living right down the road. Yes, college students need to make an effort, but Kent County, it's partly up to you. Many of us are night owls. It's not easy to convince us to leave campus for a hot dinner when most restaurants close early by our standards. Some of us work two or three jobs just to tuck away a little spending money, and almost everything – clothes, food, entertainment – is overpriced from a college student's standpoint. We need some encouragement if we're going to spend our hardearned cash in town instead of at Walmart. Honestly, we can be lazy. There's a dining hall and bookstore right outside our front doors. It's far easier to throw on a pair of sweatpants and shuffle across campus for an afternoon snack than it is to walk into town. So please, remind us of what you have to offer. Open your doors and invite us to explore your shops and restaurants. Advertise on campus. Support our clubs and fundraisers. When you see someone with a Shoremen sweatshirt, say hello. I promise we'll listen.