Friends of the Dorchester County Public Library

Thanks went to all those who came out to the Friends of the Dorchester County Public Library’s first sale of 2024 on Jan. 13.

“We had the best day of sales that we've ever had, possibly helped along by our first price increase in over a decade - $1 for paperbacks and $2 for hardbacks,” an online post said. “And remember, all funds raised at our monthly sales go directly to our Dorchester Libraries for programming and collection enhancement. So, thank you very much for your support. We hope to see you every Second Saturday morning.”

Haskell to speak Feb. 4 at Avalon

David George Haskell is a writer and biologist whose latest book, “Sounds Wild and Broken,” was nominated for a 2022 Pulitzer Prize for general nonfiction. He has spent his career reminding the public to pay attention to nature.

He will speak Feb. 4 at 2 p.m. at the Avalon Theatre at an event incorporating recordings of nature’s most wondrous sounds. This event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. The first 35 arrivals will receive a free copy of the book.

“Sounds Wild and Broken” is an Editor’s Choice at the New York Times and explores the story of sound on Earth. Starting with the origins of animal song and traversing the whole arc of Earth’s history, he illuminates and celebrates the emergence, diversification and loss of the sounds of our world, including human music and language. The book has been described as “captivating” and as offering “one delight after another” by Scientific American and as meditative and celebratory by The Spectator. 

The program is presented in partnership with Shore Lit and the Avalon Foundation. Registration is required at adkinsarboretum.org.

Botanical art classes 

Learn to capture the nuances of plants in colored pencil or watercolor when Adkins Arboretum offers a series of botanical art classes. Programs include:

Color Pencil I: Techniques
Fridays, Feb. 2, 9 and 16, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

Taught by Sarah Saltus, the focus of this course is on color application and color theory.

Botanical Drawing I
Sundays, Feb. 11, 18, 25 and March 10, 12:30 –3:30 p.m.

Led by Sarah Saltus, this introduction to botanical drawing will focus on developing skills and techniques necessary to capture the essence of flowers, fruits, pods, and leaves. Each student will produce a detailed botanical study in pencil.

Botanical Drawing II

Sundays, March 17, 24, April 7 and 14, 12:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m.

Watercolor is a versatile and expressive medium that can initially be intimidating. This introductory class with Kelly Sverduk will focus on proper watercolor techniques: brush handling and control of water, mixing colors using a limited palette and achieving gradients with washes and layering.

Main Street Gallery

Until Feb. 25, the Main Street Gallery in Cambridge will show the works of their member artists in a special show, “Serendipity.” Hours are Thursdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. A Second Saturday event is planned for the show from 5-8 p.m. Feb. 10. There will be a brief talk by artists, and light refreshments.

The Main Street Gallery is open Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Second Saturdays until 8 p.m. The gallery is at 518 Poplar St., in Cambridge.

Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra

The Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra has elected Hanna Woicke and Bernice Michael to its board of directors.

Hanna Woicke:

Since 2007, Ms. Woicke has been based in St. Michaels, where she has contributed as a past board member of Chesapeake Music and the Academy Art Museum. Currently, she remains actively involved as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate).

She is married and has two children and five grandchildren. “Her life's work reflects a profound dedication to education, community service, and the well-being of individuals in various parts of the world,” a statement from the orchestra said.

Bernice Michael:

In 1999, Ms. Michel and her husband, Jerry, moved to St. Michaels, where she established her own consultancy. Also a board member of Chesapeake Music, she chaired the Chamber Music Festival for five years, overseeing significant growth.

She is currently a docent at the Academy Art Museum in Easton.

The Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra is the only professional symphony orchestra serving southern Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore with a full season of programs.  A complete schedule of the 2022-2023 season and other information is available at midatlanticsymphony.org.

Maryland Entertainment Council

Governor Wes Moore on Friday announced appointments to the Maryland Entertainment Council, which will study and make recommendations regarding Maryland’s film, television and entertainment industry. The Maryland Entertainment Council was created last year.

The council, which is staffed by the Maryland Department of Commerce, is led by Meryam Bouadjemi who serves as senior advisor and chair. The council will assess Maryland’s existing assets, opportunities and competitiveness within the film, television and entertainment industry.

The first round of appointees include: 

• Ruchi Bhowmik is the vice president for public policy at Netflix.
• Andy Forssell most recently served as the head of HBO Max at WarnerMedia.
• Renard Jenkins currently serves as president of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers.
• David O’Ferrall is the business agent for International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 487.
• Sumi Parekh is the executive director for the Group Effort Initiative.
• Judee Ann Williams is the global head of impact across CAA Sports.