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:

RFC Train Garden

The Rescue Fire Company Train Garden opened Dec. 1. Now in its 89th year, this is the oldest continually running fire company train garden in the country.

It's been a beloved tradition for generations. The train garden changes each year and features miniature towns, cities, farms, forests, factories, highways and more, all decked out in holiday revelry and crisscrossed by model trains. A big thank you to all the Rescue Fire Company volunteers who spend weeks creating the garden.

• Located in the old firehouse, 307 Gay St., Cambridge.
• From Dec. 1-31, open Monday through Friday 6-9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 1-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. Closed Christmas Day.
• Keep the train garden on track! Considering donating to the train garden in-person or online at at/mMRX2.

MD 404 meeting

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration will host a public open house Dec. 6, to share information and answer questions about the agency’s study of MD 404 between MD 16 (Harmony Road) and MD 16 (Greenwood Road) in Denton.

The purpose of this study is to assess the transportation needs along MD 404, including traffic operations safety and pedestrian and bicyclist accommodations. The public open house will be held from 5-7 p.m. in the Denton Elementary School cafeteria located at 303 Sharp Road.

There will be no formal presentation. Project team members will be available to answer study-related questions. 

Hurlock Christmas Parade

The 2023 Town of Hurlock Christmas Parade will be held Dec. 9 down Main Street, starting at noon. The theme is “May the Joy of the Season be Felt Worldwide.”

There will also be a Christmas Fair on Dec. 9 from 12-4 p.m. at Unity-Washington United Methodist Church at 112 North Main St. There will be craft and vendor tables, as well as food and drinks.

Immediately after the parade, there will be Cookies with Santa, at the Hurlock Volunteer Fire Company at 300 Charles St. The event will be hosted by the Hurlock VFC Auxiliary. For information, call 410-943-4181.

Public notice

Members of the Dorchester County Council will attend the Annual Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) Winter Conference on Dec. 6-8 at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Resort in Cambridge.

AARP lunch

The Dorchester AARP Chapter 1278 will meet Dec. 6 at the Cambridge American Legion Post #91, 601 Radiance Drive, Cambridge. This is our Christmas luncheon and you will be admitted if you have paid in advance.

Landfill Transfer Station

Landfill Transfer Stations at Golden Hill, Secretary and Chesapeake Drive are changing their hours of operation. Hours will be Tuesday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. These locations will accept only bagged trash and recycling during the new hours.

The Chesapeake Drive location will also accept residential bagged trash effective Jan. 2, 2024. There are no changes to the Neck District location at this time.

Permits are required for residential trash and will be available on location once fully operational. Recycling is still free of charge.

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.ww

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 Choptank Health patients with after-hours medical and dental emergencies, call 443-329-9920.

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.

Woman’s Club

The Cambridge Woman’s Club is at the historic Sycamore cottage on 417 High St. in Cambridge. CWC hosts lectures during the year by local artists, community activists, and educators. The hall is also available to rent, complete with kitchen and amenities. We are always looking for new members and supporters. For more info, call Katherine at 415-483-6969.