By Laura Walter

The Dorchester Banner brought together some of the people who make the community a better place, through their excellence in business and in volunteerism. Winners from the 2024 Stars of the Banner readers’ poll were honored on June 10.

Readers voted all spring in the Stars poll, to honor the businesses, organizations, nonprofits and people who go above and beyond. The contest has over 100 categories, from favorite fried chicken to fine dining, and festivals to photographers and financial planners.

“I love Stars of the Banner and how it has grown over the years,” said Dave Cannon, Banner marketing consultant. It started with the Hometown Heroes volunteerism awards. “It was so popular that we at the Dorchester Banner wanted to include our readers’ favorite businesses and organizations. So, Stars of the Banner was born and over the years has grown to be a community favorite.”

Although rain took the place of the original public celebration in May, this evening in June provided a more intimate opportunity for the Stars winners to gather, mingle and enjoy hors d’oeuvres at Thaitalian Infusion Cuisine in Cambridge.

Winners were announced and snapped pictures with their awards (See the whole photo gallery online at BayToBayNews.com/Dorchester).

A special part of the program was the Hometown Heroes Award, presented each year for excellence in community service. The 2024 Hometown Heroes were:

• the All4Love nonprofit for its mentoring and providing safe and interesting life experiences for Dorchester teens, year round
• Bernard Johnson for his endless community service: from mentoring and guiding young people to donations through his business
• Hugh Middleton for his support of military veterans, both in volunteering and in his job running the Patriot Point retreat
• Michael Wheatley for his consistent volunteerism with local projects, including fire companies, service groups, business and community development
• Steve Bloodsworth for his decades of service as a pastor and educator—both in the community and at Open Bible Church and Academy
• Anne Watts and John Lewis for this couple’s enhancement of art in the community, from live music to radio, and writing, reading and history.

Perhaps Bernard Johnson best summed up how each of these individuals approaches their service: “My first passion is people—empowering people, and I just want to leave my mark on my community because I love it here! I have a passion for this place,” he said in a recent interview.

Doug Scott of Choptank Electric Cooperative greeted the honorees, and State Sen. Johnny Mautz IV (District 37) presented legislative commendations to each Hometown Hero. 

The evening was sponsored by Chesapeake Utilities, State Farm – Megan Holotik Agent, TreeHouse Foods and Mallard Bay Nursing & Rehab. The entertainment sponsor was Cambridge Waterfront Development Inc. and Cambridge Harbor. The Hometown Hero sponsor was Choptank Electric Cooperative.

For the full list of Stars finalists and winners, plus Hometown Hero interviews, read the “Stars of the Banner” publication online at BayToBayNews.com/Dorchester/SpecialSections.