CAMBRIDGE — The Rotary Club of Cambridge recently recognized a top teacher, welcomed a new member, and took part in environmental work.

• Hannah Abt, a teacher at Choptank Elementary School, was honored by the club for being selected as the Dorchester County First Class Teacher of the Year. A graduate of Cambridge-South Dorchester High School, Ms. Abt said she knew she wanted to be a teacher as she grew up because of a teacher who inspired her at a young age.
She completed the Early Childhood program through the Dorchester Career and Technology Center while at C-SDHS then went on to Salisbury University where she received her BS in Early Childhood Education. Ms. Abt lives in Norther Dorchester with her husband and two sons.

• Lewis Hardy was recently inducted as a member of the Rotary Club of Cambridge. Mr. Hardy’s life is consumed with his career as a boat builder and his family, wife Coty and children Leland and Margaret. Other interests include hotrod building, hunting and fishing.

• Club members spent a recent meeting cleaning up the watershed between Washington and Cedar Streets. With Matt Pluta of Shore Rivers leading, Rotarians and members of the Cambridge community entered the watershed from both streets, picking up all the trash they were able to reach.

The club is a community service group that includes helping to clean the environment as one of its goals. For more information about the Rotary Club of Cambridge, visit the Club’s website.

In other business news:

Walters reaches milestone
Colleagues at Shore United Bank congratulated Kate Walters last week on her 25 years of service. Ms. Walters began her career with the Bank in December of 1995 in loan operations located in Centreville.
Over her career, she has held various positions, working in the mortgage division and multiple leadership posts. Her current position is Assistant Vice President Loan Servicing Manager, where she is responsible for ensuring loan records are maintained with accuracy and prepares management and regulatory reporting.
Ms. Walters attended Chesapeake College, where she earned an associate degree in Business Administration.
“Kate has years of loan experience, regulatory and reporting knowledge that makes her a vital team member. Her familiarity of the communities we serve and those who reside in our area are an asset,” says Jamie Dulin, Senior Loan Operations Officer.
Ms. Walters has served on the boards for Caroline and Dorchester Co. Fair and Caroline Lacrosse Association. She also participates in various community initiatives around the holidays serving children in need.
She resides in Ridgely with her husband Mike and her two children, Kelsey and Hunter. She enjoys watching football and lacrosse, camping, shopping and relaxing at the beach with her family.

State adds jobs
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released state jobs and unemployment data last week. According to the preliminary survey data, Maryland added 24,100 jobs and the unemployment rate decreased to 6.8% in November — the lowest level since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the current recovery, Maryland has regained a total of 245,700 jobs, with 254,800 jobs gained in the private sector. The state has regained 68% of private sector jobs lost during the pandemic.
“Our economy and our workforce continue to prove their resilience in the face of unprecedented challenges,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “I want to thank the many businesses that are taking public health and safety precautions seriously so that more Marylanders can get back to work.”
The Professional and Business Services sector experienced the most growth with an increase of 7,200 jobs. The Trade, Transportation, and Utilities sector increased by 6,700 jobs and the Education and Health Services sector increased by 4,800 jobs.
Other sectors that experienced growth include: Mining, Logging, and Construction (4,100); Leisure and Hospitality (3,000); Manufacturing (1,200); and Financial Activities (200).
The Other Services sector decreased by 1,300 jobs and the Information sector decreased by 800 jobs.
October’s preliminary jobs estimate was revised upwards by 15,300 jobs, from a gain of 10,200 jobs to a gain of 25,500 jobs.

New jobs in Columbia
KBR, a global consulting, technology, and engineering solutions firm, is planning to expand its operations in Howard County through the consolidation and relocation of 320 full-time jobs and an additional 48 new jobs over the next five years. Houston-based KBR has signed a lease for 65,000 square-feet of space at Maple Lawn that will serve as its regional office and expand its existing space on Columbia Gateway Drive in Columbia. Currently, the company has more than 1,700 employees in Maryland and operates independent office locations internationally in more than 40 countries.