CAPE CHARLES — It’s the largest town in the county, boasting shops, restaurants, water sports, world-class golf a public beach and a resort, and
today it has Northampton’s only full-time recreation director. Jennifer Lewis of Jamesville started officially as the town’s community events and recreational coordinator earlier this month. One day last week she was helping a group of 3- and 4-year-olds make door hangers and bookmarks decorated with their names, fish motifs and “groovy flowers,” the new director said after the fun-based enrichment activity at the library. There were nine children total, more than double what she’s had for the past few weeks. “The word has gotten out,” she said. But Lewis, the mother of four and a longtime X-ray technician, does a lot more than arts and crafts for preschoolers in her new and expansive responsibilities. “The council was very strong about having the part-time recreation position go full-time,” said Heather Arcos, acting town manager.
The position had been part-time for two years, with former staffers Jimmy Marvel and Tad Taborn taking turns initiating and running programs. Marvel left to work full-time at a local health club, and Taborn, a former News reporter, left before it became a full-time position in July, Arcos said.