Commissioners hear Smithsonian exhibit, equipment‑reuse drive and Character Counts anniversary

Queen Anne's County Commissioners on Nov. 18 heard a string of community updates that included a Smithsonian Museum on Main Street exhibit at the Kennard African American History Museum, a volunteer‑driven sports‑equipment reuse program and the county's 25th anniversary recognition of the Character Counts civic program.

Jennifer Moore and Tara Corsi invited commissioners and residents to a Smithsonian Museum on Main Street exhibition, "Spark: Places of Innovation," which will be hosted in part at the Kennard African American History Museum beginning Saturday, Nov. 29 and running through Jan. 11. Corsi, identified in the meeting as the director at Kennard, said the local exhibit will run Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and that Maryland Humanities is sponsoring local organization participation. Moore asked county staff to help identify additional host sites and to allow poster displays in county lobbies to publicize events.

Commissioners also heard a presentation from volunteers working with Leveling the Playing Field, a national program that collects, refurbishes and redistributes gently used sports equipment. Presenters said the program has distributed more than $14 million worth of equipment since 2013, served more than 1,500 sports programs and moved roughly 550 tons of gear back into communities. Local organizers described an existing donation bin at Kent Island High School and announced new indoor drop locations under discussion for North County schools including Churchill Elementary; they encouraged rec‑league coaches, teachers and athletic directors to apply to the program's grant process to access redistributed equipment.

The board read Proclamation 25‑43 honoring the 25th anniversary of Character Counts in Queen Anne's County and spotlighted two youth honorees. The commissioners recognized Max Martinson, a sixth grader noted for community service, and Joseph Huber, a Kent Island High School senior credited with leading the effort to place a Leveling the Playing Field donation bin in Stevensville as part of his National Honor Society outreach.

Kathy Willis, the county's director of community services, joined Annie Sparks (director of aging and transportation) and Mike Clark (executive director of housing and family services) to deliver an agency update. Clark reported that the department's annual "Make a Difference Day" served 132 families (245 individuals) and that the county will continue a "ride for free" transportation program into 2026; Sparks said about 30–35% of rides provided are workforce trips. The commissioners read Proclamation 25‑50 recognizing November 2025 as National Caregivers Month and directed residents to county aging services for local respite and support resources.

The presentations closed with commissioners thanking volunteers and encouraging public support for upcoming community events and exhibits. The meeting then moved into action items on the agenda.