BY JANET BERNOSKY, Eastern Shore Post —
Island Community House on Chincoteague Island welcomed its new executive director April 8.
HannahKate Grobin said she is excited to apply her background in group development and program planning in her new role.
“I am incredibly grateful for the warm welcome I have received moving into this role,” she said.
“Everyone I have met has been extremely kind and helpful, most especially our volunteers and donors.”
Raised in Augusta, Ga., Grobin later earned a bachelor of science degree in outdoor education, with a minor in public health, from Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, Ga.
The hands-on, experiential nature of her college program was advantageous in her previous position as the Outdoor Center Coordinator at Camp Bernie, a YMCA camp in Hunterdon County, N.J., where she regularly organized field trips for students.
On Chincoteague Island, she now finds herself also working with older, lifelong learners in the community, and is looking forward to organizing inclusive events for people of all ages, bearing in mind the mission statement of the Island Community House:
“To provide accessible space, using a conveniently located house, where residents of all ages can congregate to fulfill social, physical, emotional, and intellectual needs, and drive encouragement for socialization.”
Likewise, she is focused on the word “community” in her new organization’s title.
She uses as an example a patriotic wreath-making event she is hosting on May 9.
“For me, it’s more about doing things together, about gathering in community, while also making a nice wreath,” she said.
Grobin moved to Chincoteague last month with her husband Eli and their two cats, Cornbread and Beans. She mentioned they both already love their new community, being on the water, and biking all over town.
They have also taken the advice of locals to dine out at area restaurants now, before tourist season heats up.
“Then, we’ll check out the food trucks,” she said.
— For more information, visit www.islandcommunityhouse.org
