County leaders and residents of Calvert’s southernmost town gathered at the north end of Solomons Island Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 8 to applaud the man credited with being the catalyst of a renaissance. The occasion was the unveiling of a plaque at Watermen’s Memorial Garden honoring longtime Solomons resident and community activist Alton Kersey. The garden is situated at the foot of the town’s boardwalk, across the street from the Lore Oyster House and at the edge of a stream of water connecting Solomons Harbor with the Patuxent.
The half-hour event included a performance of The Star-Spangled Banner by trumpeters Darryl Stewart and Emily Wose and the March on the Colors by the Patuxent High School NJROTC Color Guard.
Commissioner Gerald W. “Jerry” Clark [R] recalled the efforts of citizens to improve the aesthetics and amenities of the community, which began in the late 1980s. “You drove the forces,” Clark told Kersey. “It’ll always be a better community with you here.”
In a proclamation read by Commissioner Evan K. Slaughenhoupt Jr. [R], it was acknowledged that the Solomons Civic Association has declared Kersey “the honorary mayor of Solomons.”
Calvert Marine Museum (CMM) Deputy Director Sherrod Sturrock, who served as Calvert’s capital projects coordinator when many of the enhancements to Solomons were being made, called Kersey “my chief prodder for over 20 years.”
Sturrock noted that Kersey came to Solomons from Petersburg, VA by way of the College of William and Mary, where he met his wife, Joann, whose family owned and operated the J.C. Lore Oyster House. “He’s been deeply involved ever since he came,” said Sturrock.
The Watermen’s Memorial was a project Kersey was particularly dedicated to, as he raised $75,000 and made sure all the boat captains who worked out of Solomons had their names engraved.
As Clark did, Sturrock recalled the revitalizing efforts, fueled by the procurement of state and county funds, augmented at times by money raised, “a remarkable and exciting time in Solomons.”
The amenities include a boat ramp, fishing pier, parking lots, lighting, sidewalks, the Watermen’s Wharf, a pavilion, street signs, a clock and athletic fields that are located near Annmarie Garden.
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