Dorchester Banner
CAMBRIDGE — As the situation regarding COVID-19 continues to develop, local groups are reaching out to spread the word about changes to their events and schedules. It remains a good idea to check on the status of goods and services before leaving home.
The Banner compiled a list of announcements over the previous week, which follows:

Cambridge Elks Lodge #1272
Please remember that since the shutdown, Fraternal Organizations were not eligible for federal funding unlike the many small businesses. We need our members more than ever to come help support us once we re-open.
Many fraternal organizations have been around cities longer than the businesses have ever been. So please support those who were shuttered completely during the last 90-plus days.
If you’re not a member and you want to support us, ask for an application to an American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Loyal Order Of Moose, Fraternal Order of Eagles (FOE), and Benevolent Protective Order of Elks (BPOE). We will find a place for you to be involved and will welcome you into our organizations.

Dorchester County YMCA
We are so excited to finally announce that the YMCA of the Chesapeake will reopen all Maryland locations on June 20 at 7 a.m. Our wellness centers and group exercise classes will be open with space for social distancing.
Thanks for sticking with us! We can’t wait to see you back.

Town of Preston
Exciting news! The pavilion is now open. Please read all signs before using the space and follow the posted safety protocols while using the space. Don’t forget to check out the lending library as well. There are some great books in there. Thank you, Community Club of Preston for working so hard to create a safe little library for our readers.

Maryland Dept. of Health
As Marylanders prepare for additional reopenings, Maryland Department of Health Deputy Secretary Fran Phillips shared 3 key takeaways:
• Nothing is zero risk;
• Just because it’s open doesn’t mean that you have to participate;
• If we all continue to use common sense and practice social distancing, we can keep this curve flat and prevent a second wave of infections.

Dorchester Co. Public Library
On Monday, the Cambridge Library began taking reference calls and Library to Go orders.
What’s Library to Go? We’re glad you asked!
We’re so excited to announce that on June 17, we will begin offering Library to Go, a contactless pickup service! Patrons can place holds via phone, online catalog, or Google form (https://bit.ly/2MW68It) and schedule a time to pick up items.
Only materials from the Cambridge Library will be available. When placing orders, please be sure to provide a current phone number or update the contact information in your account.
PLEASE NOTE: The Hurlock Library has been accepting returns since Monday. Due to a phone line issue, they are unable to offer Library to Go at this time. We will provide a later announcement when they are up and running.

Historic Preservation
The City of Cambridge Historic Preservation Commission will conduct a remote log-in meeting on Thursday at 6 p.m. from City Council Chambers, 305 Gay St. Members of the public and applicants are not authorized at Council Chambers due to the coronavirus situation, but can log in to a conference call by calling 425-436-6391. The access code is 257-171#.
The meeting will be streamed live on TownHallStream.com.

Trappe Lions Club
Coming this Saturday, chicken barbecue. Curbside service available. See you at the traffic light!

Maryland PTA
There will be a “Tele-Town Hall” with U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen on Friday at 10 a.m. Join us to talk about the federal COVID-19 response and schools, the HEROES Act (passed by the House of Representatives) and the recent Blueprint (Kirwan) veto.
The dial-in number is 712-999-2090, access code is 680347#.
Our senator wants to hear from us. This is a time to let him know what we need for our children.

Dorchester Public Schools
The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Education is Thursday. Due to COVID-19, the session is closed to the public, but comments can be emailed to Chris Dayton at daytonc@dcpsmd.org by 3:30 p.m. on the day of the meeting. The open session starts at 6 p.m. and can be accessed by livestream at townhallstreams.com/towns/dorchesterboe.

Food distribution
Dorchester County Public Schools’ and volunteer organizations’ food distribution program will continue until June 25, at the regular locations.

MidShore Meals til Monday
Each month we submit a report to the Maryland Food Bank. Here’s our report for May:
We had 44 volunteers who put in a total of 425 hours to help feed hungry kids and their families in Dorchester County. We packed and distributed 4800 bags of food. We helped 1,200 families have Meals til Monday.

Shore Regional Health
June 14 was World Blood Donor Day. Giving blood is more important now than ever before.
During the coronavirus pandemic, the Red Cross has experienced critical blood shortages. We are all in this together. Save a life and find a blood drive near you at redcross.org.

Hurlock Am. Legion Post 243
Post 243 will reopen on Friday at 5 p.m. The following safeguards/rules will apply:

1. 50% capacity - limited seating for safe social distancing.
2. Face masks are required when entering and exiting the building, and when using the restroom or approaching the service area at the bar. (may be removed while seated).
3. New sanitation procedures will be in effect.
4. Limited use of the slot machines for safe social distancing.
5. There will be no dinner or entertainment on the 19th, this is still being discussed and will be posted at a later date.
6. Meetings can resume after the 19th at the discretion of the meeting organizer - social distancing rules apply.
7. The Pool League will resume after the 19th - social distancing guidelines have been established for the pool.room.
8. Important - with safety in the forefront, we ask that any member who is not feeling well, refrain from visiting the post at this time.
   Thank you, we look forward to seeing you again!

Henson Scout Reservation
Friday afternoon, Maryland Department of Health via Gov. Hogan’s order announced that overnight youth camps are permitted to operate with restrictions beginning June 19. We had already delayed our opening until July 5.
Our council executive committee and staff are currently reviewing the new guidance and restrictions. We hope to provide more information once we finish our review.
Thank you for your continued patience as we navigate this ever-changing situation. The health and safety of our campers and our staff continue to be our primary concern.