Welcome to the Havre de Grace Experience (Fall 2002)

The coming fall and winter season brings some interesting community events. September offers the Children's Art Festival in Tydings Park. This is their 14th year and it is always a delight for young and old. From face painting to puppets and everything in between, you're bound to have a giggle enjoying this great program. The Bike Run 4 Breast Cancer is new to our area. Check out the article elsewhere in this publication to learn more about it.

To answer the many ways one might look to have fun; we have wine cruises aboard the Skipjack MARTHA LEWIS, an antique car show, and a great Fall Harvest Festival at Steppingstone. Or maybe you would rather see a play, enjoy our 1st annual Oktoberfest, take a nature walk or chuckle with the kids sporting their great costumes in our Halloween Parade.

Of course, we don't want to forget the exciting Concord Point Lighthouse Celebration of 175 Years of Light on Saturday, November 2nd. Then as we move into the December holiday activities, the Festival of Trees, downtown Christmas Parade, and the 30th Annual Candlelight Tour help to round out the year. The annual Duck Drop & Fireworks to bring in the New Year has become a unique Havre de Grace celebration.

The early months of 2003 will offer a wide variety of historical lectures and museum fundraiser activities. Freedom Road Productions will offer a series of concerts.

Then we know spring has arrived when the much-anticipated Skipjack MARTHA LEWIS has their Annual Bull & Oyster Roast fundraiser. This year it is scheduled for April 25th and they'll be celebrating 9 years of a great way to move from winter to spring!

The first weekend in May the town is jumpin'! With the HdG Decoy Festival, the War of 1812 Re-enactment downtown and at the Lockhouse, the Musical Mile of entertainment throughout town, and the Civil War Re-enactment at Steppingstone… well, you just have to be here to appreciate this amazing weekend!

When I talk of the Havre de Grace Experience, I like to share stories of the interesting people who make up our community. I had the opportunity to talk to several business owners that have decided to relocate here after visiting as tourists.

Ten years ago while traveling I-95, Bob Buden checked the map for an interesting place to have lunch. There it was - a spot right where the Susquehanna River met the Chesapeake Bay. Havre de Grace, MD - the meeting place!

That's the way Bob described his first stop in town. After many return visits, he has opened his business - Tapestries and Treasures - and is remodeling his new apartment. The new location - 220 N. Washington Street.

The great prices for commercial real estate were Bob's pragmatic considerations for choosing our community. But "a great small town with barbershops, friendly people, and the potential for growth were even more important," says Bob. He comments on the fact that three of the major churches are building and expanding. This "community of old fashioned values" was the final tug that cemented his decision. Of course his love of the water and sailing certainly made it an even easier choice.

Tapestries & Treasures has the reputation of the largest selection and highest quality of recently milled, hand-woven tapestries anywhere. Buyers appreciate their assortment of affordable serigraph tapestries from France, and the Jacquard collections from France, Italy and Belgium. Tapestries & Treasures are one of only a few North American sources for true one-of-a-kind original antique tapestries.

Bob's enthusiasm for his trade is obvious when he says, "Tapestries are wonderful in that they are art, they are history, they are beauty, and they are quite practical." You'll want to make it a point to catch up with him. He offers selections in his building through the Thorofair Antiques Center at 220 N. Washington.

He has also completed extensive renovations to create his new office in the rear of the building. He sells a great deal over their new website: www.tapestries4less.com and through wholesale at trade shows. With seven years developing a customer base, this next stage seems to be a natural.

An interesting side note is listening to Bob share his excitement at seeing his tapestries that were purchased for the daytime TV program, "As the World Turns." He also sold tapestries for the set of the Hallmark Hall of Fame's program, "Hamlet."

Tapestries & Treasures is a welcome addition to our community. Bob's personal energy, friendly demeanor and enthusiasm for our city are welcome attributes that will most certainly improve his chances for success!

Keith and Sandra Williamson of Chesapeake Country Candles, 450 Franklin Street, have a similar story. Keith's office was moving to Belcamp, MD so they were scouting the area looking for a place to call 'home.' Sandy had heard of Havre de Grace a great deal where she lived in Newark, Delaware.

As they drove through town, they loved that it was on the water. They checked out the marinas; then had a drink at MacGregor's Restaurant. As they talked about this charming, historic community, Sandy shared her excitement with Keith that maybe this was the place they might consider to build their candle shop.

Linda Braswell, an employee at MacGregor's Restaurant, overheard them discussing the shop. She told them about the building across the street on the corner - the one where she had an apartment. She explained that there was a corner storefront with an apartment above it.

They were hooked. Sandy and Keith loved the location and the rest, as we say, was history! In January they were in. By May they were open and ready for business.

Chesapeake Country Candles offers the finest handmade candles crafted with highest quality ingredients. These beautiful candles are long burning, clean burning, with long-lasting fragrance. Offering nearly 30 scents at present, Sandy always has a new creation in the works. From the lighter scents such as cucumber melon or azalea, to lavender, red apple peel or tangerine, to the heavier scented banana nutbread and apple pie.

"I have the best vanilla around," remarks Sandy. She admits that vanilla was not her favorite until she started testing. Now she loves her creation. One of her secrets - burn a vanilla with a black cherry. Mmmm…mmmm.

Sandy's now working on lines for the coming fall and holiday season. She'll also soon be creating a natural and aromatherapy line created with a vegetable based wax and essential oils.

In the beginning of 2003, Sandy hopes to add her own line of bath & body products including items such as handmade soaps created with natural ingredients. Add a candle and "Voila!" - instant personal spa!

And Keith? Well, between building new display cases, creating unique labels that offer great photos of local historic and natural sites, he's kept pretty busy trying to keep up with Sandy.

The Willamson's make a perfect team. Stop in to their shop and welcome them to town. Then don't go away empty handed. Be sure to visit their website at www.chescountrycandles.com.

"Welcome to the Havre de Grace Experience!"

Ellie Mencer, Editor/Publisher