Local groups are reaching out to spread the word about their events and schedules. The Banner compiled a list of announcements over the previous week, which follows:

Volunteer at Blackwater NWR 

Looking for a rewarding way to give back? Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge is celebrating National Public Lands Day on Saturday by hosting its annual litter cleanup. Help protect wildlife by volunteering to remove litter from refuge roadsides. In addition, the entrance fee for Wildlife Drive will be waived so that everyone has an opportunity to enjoy their public lands.

Blackwater NWR’s annual litter cleanup will take place from 9 a.m. until noon. Trash will be collected from roads around the refuge, beginning at the Education Building on Wildlife Drive.

Participants are encouraged to wear boots, long pants and brightly colored clothes for working along the roads. Trash bags, gloves and safety vests will be provided.

If you, your family or your organization would like to register, or for more information, please contact Michele Whitbeck at 410-221-8157 or michele_whitbeck@fws.gov.

There will be no fee for the Wildlife Drive on the following dates in 2023:

• 23 - National Public Lands Day
• 8 - First Sunday of National Wildlife Refuge Week
• 11 – Veterans’ Day

AARP meeting

The Dorchester AARP Chapter 1278 will meet at 12:30 p.m. Oct 4 at Cambridge American Legion Post # 91, 601 Radiance Drive, Cambridge. Bring your bag lunch and beverage.

Seeking cake donations

Calling all bakers! The Auxiliary is having their "World Famous" Cake Wheel at the Crab Feast on Sept. 23. We're looking for cake donations to fill the tables. Donations can be dropped off Friday night or any time after 9 a.m. Saturday.

If you're attending the feast, you can just bring it with you, if that's easier. Also, it's a cake wheel, but we have never turned away cookies, brownies or pies. Thank you in advance for your support.

Public notice

• The Charter Review Commission will conduct a meeting Sept. 20 at 6 p.m. in Room 110 of the County Office Building in Cambridge. 
• Members of the Dorchester County Council will attend a Volunteer Firemen's Association meeting Oct. 2 at 7 p.m.

Town of Preston

Preston leaders are in the process of creating events, along with the Concert in the Park series, and free art/craft workshops throughout the year.

Oct. 21 Hallowdaze 12-4 p.m.; The KG Band 12-3 p.m.; Costume contest 3 p.m.; Craft-art table, bounce house, vendors, trick or treating

Dec. 2 Christmasdaze 4-6 p.m.; Reagan Kent Vocalist 4-6 p.m.; Crafts, hot cocoa, cookies, popcorn machine, Christmas lights, food trucks, and more.

4-H events

• There will be an Indoor Craft & Yard Sale to benefit the Caroline County 4-H Program on Oct. 28 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Caroline County 4-H Park, 8230 Detour Road, Denton.

All vendors are welcome. Crafters, direct sales consultants, household items, furniture, jewelry, antiques, horse tack, tools, pet items and more. Direct sales consultants will be kept to one per venue. $15 per table. Payment must be received to reserve tables.

Set up is on Oct. 27 from 6-8 p.m. or Oct. 28 from 6-7 a.m. 

Proceeds from sale of table spots will benefit the Caroline County 4-H Programs including scholarships, club needs, leadership and service-learning activities.

Call Joanne Wooters at 410-479-0565 for information.

• The Trailblazers 4-H Club will hold an Equine Tack Swap and Sale on Oct. 29 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Caroline County 4-H Park, 8230 Detour Road, Denton. Spaces are $25 each and include one table and two chairs. Payment must be received to reserve tables. Set up is Oct. 29 from 7-8 a.m.

Proceeds from sale of spaces will benefit the 4-H Club's Programs including scholarships, club needs, field trips, leadership and service-learning activities. For more information or to reserve a space, call Karen A. Callahan at 410-479-0565 or email at 4hbazaar@gmail.com.

• University of Maryland-Dorchester County 4-H will have an Indoor Holiday Bazaar to benefit the Dorchester County 4-H Program on Nov. 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Caroline County 4-H Park, 8230 Detour Road, Denton.

All crafters and direct sales consultants are welcome. Direct sales consultants will be kept to one consultant per venue. $20 per space/table. Payment must be received to reserve tables. Set up is on Nov. 17 from 6-8 p.m. or Nov. 18 from 6-7 a.m. For more information or to reserve a space, call Karen A. Callahan at 410-479-0565 or email at 4hbazaar@gmail.com.
Proceeds from sale of table spots will benefit the Dorchester County 4-H Programs including scholarships, club needs, leadership and service learning activities. 

Dorchester County Library

• Cambridge Library: STEAM Lab – 2 p.m. (Every Thursday), Hurlock Library: STEM Night - 5:30 p.m. (Every other Thursday). Recommended for ages 6-17.
• Calling all Anime/Comic Enthusiasts, ages 12-17: Stop by the Cambridge Library Meeting Room, every Wednesday, at 4 p.m., for Teen Anime Club!
• The Cambridge branch of the Dorchester County Public Library has fishing rods available to borrow. The fishing rods are suitable for youth and adults and can be borrowed for up to seven days - just ask at the reference desk.
• The Dorchester Discussions book club meets Tuesdays at 6 p.m. in the Cambridge Library meeting room.

Visit DorchesterLibrary.org and follow us on social media to learn more.

Wednesday Morning Artists

Wednesday Morning Artists will meet at 9:30 a.m. All artists are invited to join our weekly meeting at 900 Peachblossom Place, Cambridge. Bring examples of your work to share. 

More sessions of the Raku firing method for hand-built and wheel-thrown pottery are being offered. Beginners welcome!

Sign up at Dorchester Center for the Arts. Two locations and four dates for classes. The Dorchester Art Center classes: Sept. 19 and 26 from 5:30-8 p.m. and Sept. 30 from 12-3 p.m. Peachblossom studio classes are also being held on Sept. 20 and 27, from 12-3 p.m. The final Raku firing will be in October.

Contact: wednesdaymorningartists@gmail.com

Facebook: Wednesday Morning Artists

MidShore Meals til Monday

We have a food pantry in Vienna at the back of the white building across from Millie’s Restaurant every Friday from 3-6 p.m. If you have an immediate need, please contact 443-225-6789.

Choptank Writers

Are you interested in sharing your writing with a positive, supportive audience and receiving constructive feedback that may help you to improve writing skills, foster motivation, and gain fresh perspectives? If so, we invite you to join Choptank Writers. All genres are welcome.

Founded in 2009, Choptank Writers meet each Wednesday from 2:30-4:30 p.m. at the Dorchester Center for the Arts in Cambridge. Contact Judy Holland at jleeholl@gmail.com.

Talbot County Garden Club

All events are free and open to the public. Registration is not required. Questions about the programs should be directed to talbotcountygc@gmail.com.

Maryland Department of Health 

Maryland residents of any age or disability can receive free, gently used durable medical equipment through the Maryland Department of Aging’s reuse center. Items include wheelchairs, home hospital beds, shower chairs, walkers, and mechanical lifts. To request equipment or to donate, visit bit.ly/3idFuhx.

Eastern Shore Maryland Archaeology

Visit sites.google.com/view/asmeasternshore/home for more information or to join our chapter!

Hurlock Lions Club

If you know of local youth who need a bike and can't afford it, we may be able to help. Please drop us note by U.S. mail. Please include size bike needed and age of child to: Hurlock Lions Box 456 Hurlock MD 21643.

For All Seasons Behavioral Health and RCC

Please know that we are here to support community members on many levels. We want to remind you that our Crisis Hotlines are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

English – 410-820-5600

Spanish – 410-829-6143

Text English/Spanish– 410-829-6143

Please continue to be kind, caring, and patient with one another. You never know what someone is going through. Reach out and let someone know when you need a hand. Or extend your hand to someone else.

Mediation Center

Mid Shore Community Mediation Center is seeking volunteers to join our team of Community Mediators. Members of our community, just like you, make our work possible - 91% of our mediators are volunteers, dedicating personal time to support their neighbors through difficult conversations.

To become a community mediator, no experience is necessary. We provide all the training needed. To apply or for more information, contact 410-820-5553 or email info@midshoremediation.org.

Volunteers Needed

Trappe Rural Life Museum is looking for energetic volunteers to be board members. The position requires only a few hours a year. Let’s keep Trappe’s history going. Call Donald Brown at 410-476-3574.

County Council

The County Council of Dorchester County meets the first and third Tuesdays of each month for a regular session.

Community Club of Preston

New members are always welcome. For more information on the Community Club of Preston, call 410-673-1119 or visit Facebook at “Community Club of Preston, Maryland.”

Choptank Community Health System

For after-hours medical and dental emergencies, call 443-329-9920, with more at choptankhealth.org.

Trappe

Town Meetings are held the first Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. Planning Commission Meetings are held at least quarterly on the third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. Public hearings, public workshops, special appeals hearings, etc., are scheduled as needed. Check the website at trappemd.net for updates or on Facebook.

Preston Historical Society

Preston Historical Society Museum, 167 Main St., call 410-330-3368 or email kcgn52@hotmail.com.