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:

Cambridge-Dorchester County Christmas Parade

We are so thankful for all of the support we receive to make this event happen. It's a labor of love, but also an expensive venture. One that requires your continued support. We are way behind in fundraising goals this year.

Just a little on the expenses: We're giving back a little more to our school bands by increasing travel stipends, there's insurance binders that must be paid, porta potties, adding in new costume characters as the years have been hard on the costumes we presently have, trophies, event supplies, NJA fees....the list goes on.

Could you help us out to defray some of the costs? No donation too small. Simply send in your tax-deductible donation to CDCCP, P.O. Box 1083, Cambridge, Maryland, 21613. We want to see the event flourish and grow, but we can't go it alone.

The Cambridge-Dorchester County Christmas Parade is 100% volunteer run and 100% donor funded. This means, without YOUR support, the parade will cease to exist.

Please make checks payable to CDCCP. See the parade’s Facebook page for more information.

BOE Open Session

The Board of Education of Dorchester County will conduct an open session on Thursday, Nov. 17, at 4 p.m. at Dorchester Career and Technology Center, 2465 Cambridge Bypass. After the start of the Open session, the Board will meet in Closed Session in accordance with Section 3-305 of the General Provisions of the Annotated Code of Maryland. At the conclusion of the Closed Session, the Board will reconvene at 6:00 p.m. in Open Session.

The agenda and related documents can be accessed online via BoardDocs on the Dorchester County Public Schools website at www.dcps.k12.md.us.

Anyone who would like to submit public comments electronically, to be included in the minutes, can email comments@dcpsmd.org by 2 p.m., Nov. 17. All Board of Education Meetings will be livestreamed: https://townhallstreams.com/towns/dorchesterboe.

Public Notices

Dorchester County Board of Electrical Examiners will conduct a meeting on Thursday, Nov. 17, at 9 a.m. in Room 110 of the County Office Building in Cambridge.

Dorchester County Public Schools

What are you doing on Nov. 21? Want to save a life? In conjunction with the Blood Bank of Delmarva, the C-SD National Honor Society is sponsoring a Blood Drive in C-SD’s gym on Monday, Nov. 21, from 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. To make an appointment, go to https://donate.bbd.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/8148. All donors will receive a T-shirt, and the satisfaction of giving a precious gift to someone who needs it.

Hurlock Lions Club

We need volunteers to help Lions light up North Dorchester with luminaries Dec. 17. If you would like to help, please text Lion Mary Lou Brown 443-521-0884.

North Dorchester High School

NDHS student-athletes and parents/guardians/family members: The Fall Athletics Awards have been moved to Dec. 1.

Wednesday Morning Artists

Join Wednesday Morning Artists as we gather weekly at 900 Peachblossom Place, at 9:30 a.m. We welcome artists of any form of media and artistic work.

Bring your work to show, plan future activities, and learn about the many opportunities to collaborate and discover new ways to create.

Our current Community and Art Project is the Blue Ruin building. Deadline for art submissions is Nov. 30.

Jeannette Faber, artist member, is holding Christmas card making workshops. Her creations are unique and one of a kind. Spaces are available for the Nov. 15 workshop. Call her at 610-306-5730. We are welcoming artists who would like to teach classes.

Questions? email: wednesdaymorningartists@gmail.com

Facebook: WednesdayMorningArtists

Meals til Monday

We will no longer have the Tuesday evening food giveaways at the Salvation Army. We do 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.

For immediate food assistance or to receive Meals til Monday bags of food for your children, we can be reached at 443 225-6789.

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge 

As a reminder to our paddlers, the Purple Trail will be closed through March 31 to provide a sanctuary area for migratory birds. The Green Trail and Orange Trail remain open year-round. To learn more about our paddling trails, or for a map of seasonally closed waters, visit our website.

Attention 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 meets 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.

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, are who 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.

Our next Basic Mediation Training is happening on weekends in August and September 2022. To apply or for more information, contact 410-820-5553 or email info@midshoremediation.org.

Children’s COVID-19 vaccinations

COVID-19 vaccinations for children 6 months to 5 years are being offered from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-4 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at the Dorchester County Health Department.

Appointments will be required for this age group. Please call 410-228-0235 to make an appointment. Pfizer and Moderna vaccines will be available.

Parents/guardians: You will check in at the front desk at the health department at 3 Cedar St. for your child's appointment. Your child's pediatrician also may be offering COVID-19 vaccinations.

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 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month for a Regular Session.

Community Club of Preston, Maryland

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

Choptank Community Health System has a new phone number for After Hours Medical & Dental Emergencies. You can reach out in emergencies after business hours at 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.