Each year, the County Times celebrates its readers' poll, Stars of Somerset. A special part of that is the Person of the Year finalists who go above and beyond to make Somerset County a better place. These individuals were nominated by people in the community who have seen the difference a good deed can make.

See event photos here: https://baytobaynews.com/crisfield/stories/stars-of-somerset-2024-celebrates-business-nonprofits-and-community,142606

Read the keepsake Stars of the Banner special publication, including hundreds of categories' worth of winners here: BayToBayNews.com/Somerset/SpecialSections .

Now, here are interviews with the 2024 Person of the Year finalists, who were recognized at a special event in August: the Brian Laird Jr., Caitlin Kilby and Billie Chandler.

PERSON OF THE YEAR WINNER

Brian Laird Sr.

What does it take to create and maintain a youth sports program? It takes a whole lot of money—or a whole lot of love. It’s that second option for longtime coach Brian Laird, who has been named the Stars of Somerset Person of the Year for his love and personal dedication to youth athletics in Somerset County.

Laird has coached Washington High School varsity baseball for at least 20 years. He’s supported the youth football league since helping to create it in the 1970s. He also helped bring in Cal Ripken Baseball, a division of the Babe Ruth League. He’s been a player or coach in the Eastern Shore Baseball League since its inception in 1982. He also coaches American Legion baseball for older teens to continue their sports season.

Laird’s approach to coaching is “I try my best to make sure that they know there’s only one way to play this game, and that’s ‘the right way.’ There’s a code of ethics in everything you do, and baseball’s no exception. I try to instill in them to act accordingly. Never let their emotions get the best of them … you gotta know how to act in this world, and if you can act like that on a baseball field … and in school, then I think you’re going to become a better person.”

Besides managing and coaching, he’s maintained fields, provided transportation, and organized countless fundraisers to make youth sports possible. In fact, he interviewed for this newspaper column while personally prepping the field for an upcoming game, in a nearly 100-degree heat index.

“I don’t want to mislead you: a lot of the things I do, I get paid for,” Laird said. Then again, “just because you get a check doesn’t mean you do it for the money!

“I’ve been very fortunate. When the high school baseball job came … it meant a lot to me because I wanted to be able to help out the school that I was helped out at,” said Laird. “I got a lot of respect for the school and the county. I don’t think there’s anything greater than a public-school education.”

Growing up, sports were so important to Laird. “That’s probably what got me through high school. I was an average student at best,” graduating from Washington High School, attending two years at UMES as an athlete, then leaving to farm and eventually get married.

“I don’t regret it one day. The only thing I do regret is not going back and finishing my education. I try to stress that to the kids I coach … the best time to do that is when you’re in it.”

Why has he continued coaching for so long?

“My body doesn’t thinks so, but my mind still thinks I’m a kid. That’s what my wife says, anyway,” Laird quipped. “I just want to make sure these kids have an opportunity to have a team … I would hate for someone, especially who wants to improve their skills, not to have a place to do that … that’s why I continue to keep that American Legion playing.

“Any child’ll tell you, probably someone or another went to bat for them, to help them along the way, give them an opportunity.” That’s a special legacy to have in a child’s memory.

Laird is also involved with the St. Peters Church and the Eastern Shore Baseball Foundation, which manages a museum and hall of fame in Salisbury.

To be recognized as Stars Person of the Year, “I feel honored, I really do, because I know there’s so many people in this community who do good things. So for them to bring my name up, I feel very honored and very appreciative.”

For Somerset’s future, “I hope that the county and the school systems all prosper and it’s a fine place for someone [who’s] either been here or moving here to [live] and be proud of.”

Although a lifelong resident of unincorporated Venton, Laird’s wide-ranging service to youth sports was even recognized with the Princess Anne Town Commission’s Citizens Merit Award in autumn 2023.

Laird is a familiar name in the region, including his father and past county commissioner, Clarence Jr.; mother and longtime secretary for Somerset County Public Schools, Pat; brother and current county commissioner/president, Charles.

Laird himself is also a longtime school bus driver for Somerset County Public Schools; chair of the Somerset County Board of Zoning Appeals; continues to operate a poultry farm; works at Hinman Funeral Home; and was a past president of the Somerset Ruritan Club.

He is also a proud father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

He gave a shout-out to his wife, children and grandkids. “They support me and put up with a lot, and I support them … I’m proud of my family, each and every one of them.” He also recognized his siblings, including his late brother-in-law who used to help him coach.

PERSON OF THE YEAR FINALIST

Billie Jo Chandler

Billie Chandler has been described as a full-time volunteer—in addition the multiple businesses she runs. Her consistency to keep showing up led to her being named a finalist for Stars of Somerset Person of the Year.

Born and raised in Crisfield, she’s known for Billie’s Catering, Kayak Crisfield, plus taxi cab, pizza shop and other ventures.

She’s also executive director of a volunteer organization that serves as an official 501(c)(3) hub for community projects and fundraising efforts—from supporting Easter egg hunts and the Crisfield Farmer’s Market to processing federal emergency grants from Hurricane Sandy and COVID-19.

“The Friends of Crisfield, in my opinion, is a really good group for any town to have,” especially when the volunteers are so dedicated, Chandler said. “So, when stuff needs to be done and the City doesn’t have the funds to do it, they can pull a big volunteer group to do it.”

She is a longtime Crisfield Chamber of Commerce board member, and she chaired The Crisfield Roundtable, also created to help small organizations and projects thrive. She and her husband led a major volunteer effort to recover Wellington Beach (also called Brick Hill) near Brick Kiln Road, for the public to enjoy.

Additionally, Chandler trained in the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) for disaster assistance (like storm recovery); served on various government committees (including chair of the Crisfield Economic Development Commission); and participated in the school system during her son’s youth (leading the PTO and advocating for special education families).

Why is Chandler so involved? “You should invest into your town!” she said. This advice applies to anyone, but “Especially if you’re a business owner, especially if you want to stay in business, you’ve got to keep your town thriving. And I enjoying doing it.”

In addition to being a Stars Person of the Year finalist, Chandler has received various community service awards over time. “I don’t do it for the awards … I do it because I like to do it. I don’t like to be on a pedestal … when I go to hang up the volleyball net, I don’t need people taking pictures!” she laughed. Although awards are “really special, and I appreciate them, it’s really nice—” she then described the many people who help when she asks for volunteers. She’s fortunate to witness everyone’s efforts. And again she emphasized the importance of serving a community that you want to succeed.

Chandler’s favorite place in Somerset County is rather fluid. “I love being on a boat,” she said, whether cruising down to the marina or over for barbecue.

“I notice when people come here, they come to get off the grid … most of them are coming from [the western shore or Philadelphia]. They come down here to chill, relax, get away from the phones, office, the city life,” and Chandler sees that as a special atmosphere to maintain. “A lot of people say, ‘Crisfield’s never gonna change,’ and I say, ‘What do you want to change it to?’” She pointed out that restaurants, bars, beach and a good sunset seem to satisfy visitors to Key West, Fla. “We want smart growth, but we don’t want bad growth.”

When envisioning Somerset’s future, she hopes for more water activities “because we have, like, the frontier of Maryland that hasn’t really been utilized … We’ve got some of the most beautiful beaches on the Chesapeake Bay,” she said. More activities would help people enjoy the water in new ways.

So what is she most proud of in life?

“My son and my grandson! He’s gonna be 2 years old in September. He’s fun, and he’s nice,” said Chandler.

She offered a big “Thank you to people who support me and help volunteer because you can’t do it alone … everybody that goes out there, helps, volunteers—it’s the whole community.”

PERSON OF THE YEAR FINALIST

Caitlin Kilby

Caitlin Kilby’s dedication to Somerset arts and overall nonprofit organizations led to her being named a finalist for Stars of Somerset Person of the Year.

This Crisfield resident has been employed as executive director of the Somerset County Arts Council since 2018, but much of her life has been in helping the community.

She recognizes that, especially for the arts to succeed, “you have to have connections with many people throughout the county.” That means partnering with art and music teachers, librarians, civic groups and individual volunteers.

“If you find the one person who volunteers for four different places, then you can reach those four different groups,” she said. “All of that touches art in some form or fashion.”

She emphasized the art council’s work, especially since “one of the reasons that I get to connect with some of these people is we give out grant money,” to everyone from individual artists to educational programs to public art to the UMES art gallery. She estimated about $60,000 in grants just last year. “I don’t think many people know that we give out that much.”

But it’s often boots-on-the-ground work that brings joy.

“I like to see the kids get involved. I like to make sure the kids know there are other art forms besides painting and things we hang on the wall,” she said. “One of the elementary schools—we send them to the ballet every year, and another elementary school has an assembly [where] they rap and dance,” Kilby added. “So it’s learning … and making sure all kids have the opportunity, not just a handful.”

When she envisions Somerset’s future, Kilby hopes for more and different kinds of activities, especially for kids.

Meanwhile, as a board member of Crisfield Chamber of Commerce, she often volunteers to staff events. “Any event they need me for, I’m there to help,” especially her favorite, the boat docking competition. (In fact, she’s even helped at Stars of Somerset events.)

She also helps the Crisfield Arts & Entertainment District.

Obviously, it’s good to serve in your community—so Kilby figures she’d better walk the walk, if she hopes that other people will get involved, too.

“I like being involved,” she said. And she’s trying to set a good example, as a parent and community leader. After all, young people pay attention to how adults act. For instance, “They always say you need to buy local, and if you see a ‘local’ buying local, then you’re more likely to do it,” Kilby said. “I want my kids to experience things, so I take them to whatever I can, so then they tell their friends about it … if you go to these things, it’s an actual event, and not just words that they talk about.”

Of all the places to experience in Somerset County, Kilby especially appreciates Wellington Beach. “My dad passed away 14 years ago, and every time I go there, I feel like he’s there, just hanging out. It’s the water, and the sunset hitting it just right—and it’s just a very comforting feeling. I feel like the people that aren’t on earth are just sitting there enjoying the water.” It’s a precious moment, as if different layers of life are meeting there, where “the light hits the water, and you feel like people are coming down to say hi to you.”

When it comes to attention, Kilby prefers to fly under the radar, including as a Stars Person of the Year finalist.

So what is she proud of in life?

“My children! All seven of them!” Kilby said. Ranging from about 12 to 30, “everyone’s in a different era of their life, so it’s fun to see them grow and see the different things they do … and watch them learn.”

Kilby thanked her parents, especially her mother—plus her husband, friends and mentors who have stood by her side to comfort and inspire her.