Ms. Mickey Steele of Stevensville holds the title of being the Longest Active Volunteer at the Kent Island Federation of Arts. So it it is no surprise that she is on the committee helping KIFA celebrate its 50th year in existence.

Mickey moved to Kent Island in 1965 where she and her husband (Ab) owned and operated the Kentmorr Restaurant, Marina and Airpark. Shortly after moving to Kent Island, Mickey, a patron of the arts who loved theater and belonged to the local crafting club, befriended well-known local artist Elizabeth Bukowsky. Elizabeth, who Mickey still visits regularly, introduced Mickey to the Kent Island Federation of Arts, and she became a member in 1975. In 1983, after selling Kentmorr and after the death of her husband, Mickey took an active roll as a volunteer at KIFA by accepting a position as a board member. Mickey has served on the board several times throughout the last three decades, including recently through last January before suffering a stroke. She held the past positions of Treasurer and Docent Coordinator and acted as Fundraising Chair for the committee that raised funds to purchase the historic house at 405 Main Street in Historic Stevensville, which currently serves as headquarters for KIFA. She admits her favorite position was on the Dinner Theater Committee where her love of the theater was satisfied through several productions held at the Stevensville American Legion in support of KIFA. Today at age 84, Mickey is on the 50th Anniversary Committee and also serves KIFA as the telephone communications volunteer who notifies members of upcoming events, meetings and classes.

Throughout the years Mickey also has volunteered at local organizations such as St. Christopher’s Catholic Church, Hospice of Queen Anne’s and the Kent Island Heritage Society. Mickey says, “The community has given an awful lot to me and volunteering is my way of giving back!” Mickey says that by volunteering she gets to meet amazing people and has formed relationships that have lasted throughout the better part of her life and that continue to this day. She continues to live in the neighborhood of Kentmorr on Kent Island and enjoys spending time with her son Dean, her grandsons Rusty and Jackson and her 85-pound adopted Pit Bull.

In honor of their 50th anniversary, KIFA will be raffling a boat donated by Chester’s Annapolis Boat Sales. Tickets may be purchased for $50 each (ONLY 1000 total will be sold). On Saturday, November 9, 2013, an Anniversary Gala is scheduled for 7pm at the Kent Island Volunteer Firehouse. For information regarding raffle sales, Gala tickets or to find out about other celebratory events, visit www.kifa.us or call 410-643-7424.