Where life is a bit slower, neighbors are a bit friendlier, and community is a LOT more important!

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Counties: Dorchester, Talbot, Queen Anne's, Caroline, Kent and Cecil! 

The third annual Chesapeake Film Festival will once again bring the best in film from around the world to the Eastern Shore. Featuring more than 30 films from festivals like Cannes, Galway, Dublin, Sundance, Slamdance, and the NY Int’l Children’s Film Festival, not to mention Academy Award winners and nominees, this festival truly has something for everyone.

A screening of “Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child” on September 24^th attended by filmmaker Tamra Davis will launch this year’s festival at the Academy Art Museum in Easton. A fascinating look at the meteoric rise of an influential outsider painter and the melting pot of the New York arts scene in the late ‘70s and ’80s the film tracks Basquiat’s work, its impact, and his many fascinating relationships. Preceding the screening, guests will be able to view original Basquiat artwork with Academy Art Museum curator Brian Young.  Immediately following the film, guests will mingle with filmmakers and special guests at a festive reception and dance party at the Tidewater Inn. Acclaimed deejay Lee Mayjahs? will be there to delight guests with music inspired by the film’s unique mix of ‘80s tunes, Bebop, and classic jazz.  Lee Mayjahs? has played for enthralled crowds at events from Burning Man to Berlin.

The festival runs from September 24-26 at various venues in Easton, Cambridge, Oxford, and St. Michaels. For tickets and further information, visit www.chesapeakefilmfestival.com or call 410-822-1012. Also, you can find us on Facebook.

by Cyndi Paxton Johnson

I’m tracking Hurricane Earl while I listen to B.B. King sing the blues (which should tell you a bit about MY week!) I haven’t prepared for a hurricane since Isabelle, teaching my small child about the weather as we collected oil lamps, batteries and water.  The little girl is 12 now – but the old “hurricane gene” kicks into automatic function. 

Firefighters in Baltimore are already preparing – because by the time they KNEW Isabelle was going to slam them – it was too late to get into gear.  So…while I cautiously watch the news – and it still doesn’t sound too bad for us inland shorebirds – I’m also making my list.  For those of you on the Atlantic Ocean or Delaware Bay – you not only have to prepare your home for damaging rain and winds – you also have to be ready to evacuate, if necessary.  Makes me glad our small beach is a ½ mile away!

So tomorrow I’ll gas up the car, gather some food that doesn’t require cooking (since it’s too hot for the woodstove – which I cooked on during the blizzard!), refill the oil lamps, stock batteries for the radio, and put away the lawn furniture & decorations.  I’ll also make sure everyone’s prescriptions are stocked! Thursday morning I’ll fill all kinds of containers with water –  six people go through a LOT of water!

Most days I dream of a house on the ocean – today I’m feeling sorry for those homeowners – having to batten down the hatches and hope for the best!  

Happy Hurricane (and Happy Labor Day, too!)

Through the help of two local businesses, Talbot Humane has upgraded the exterior of its Adoption Center on Route 50 in Easton.  Annapolis Paint donated the paint and Dode’s Painting provided the labor, changing the facility from what Executive Director Brian Metcalf called “a rather drab tan” to two shades of blue with cream-colored trim.

“The facelift gives Talbot Humane a more cheerful, inviting look to passers by,” said Metcalf. “It significantly improves the appearance of the Adoption Center and provides a much more welcoming and modern look to the facility.”

Since taking the reins at Talbot Humane last October, Metcalf has been working to engage the community in all aspects of the organization’s activities.  Chuck Halterman of Annapolis Paint previously had participated in refurbishing the facility’s cat condos.

When Metcalf approached him to help with the exterior upgrade, Halterman not only agreed to donate the paint, but also recruited Dode’s Painting to do the work.

“We were very pleased to assist again and participate in a project that benefits Talbot Humane,” said Halterman. “Annapolis Paint is dedicated to giving back to our community in meaningful ways. This is a project that should provide long-term benefits to an organization that is vitally important to our community.”

For Robert Mitchell of Dode’s Painting, it was an opportunity to showcase his new painting business. A professional painter for more than twenty years, Mitchell was pleased to be able to help an organization in need while also introducing his business to the community.

Library and Shore Regional Breast Center team up for Breast Cancer Awareness Month – October 28th

          The St. Michaels branch of the Talbot County Free Library and Shore Regional Breast Center of Shore Health system will present a program at the St. Michaels Library on Thursday Oct 28^th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

          Shore Breast Center will open the program with a presentation of services provided by the Center in their work with local groups and people dealing with Breast Cancer. 

          Bob Musser, the local author of The P.I.N.K. Primer will speak about his experience as a partner of someone dealing with cancer. A lifelong world traveler and executive with Shell Oil Company for thirty-two years, Bob found himself ill-prepared to support his wife Ann when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Determined that no other male should feel as frustrated and alone at such a critical time, he wrote The P.I.N.K. Primer as a practical aid to men who want to be MVPs of breast cancer support. Told with humility, frankness and side-splitting personal anecdotes, Bob provides a fearless rallying cry for men to “drop the remote, suit up, and get in the game.”

          All library programs are free and open to the public. For more information about this event you may call the library at (410) 745-5877 or Shore Regional Breast Center at  (410) 820-9400 or http://www.shorehealth.org/services/breastcenter/.

ADKINS ARBORETUM TO SPONSOR MAGIC IN THE MEADOW—A TWILIGHT CABARET, SEPT.18

Adkins Arboretum promises an enchanted evening when it hosts Magic in the Meadow—A Twilight Cabaret, a dazzling event to benefit the Arboretum's conservation programs. As twilight falls from 6 to 9:30 p.m. on Sat., Sept. 18, guests will mingle in the meadow, surrounded by the Arboretum's 400 acres of majestic native gardens, wetlands, forests and streams.

The evening will feature the music of the incomparable Stef Scaggiari, sumptuous multicourse small plates and hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, delicious local wines from Cassinelli Vineyards and Winery, and dancing to the music of Dan Saunders.

Magic in the Meadow guests will have the opportunity to bid on a variety of unique items during the live and silent auctions taking place throughout the evening. Items range from fine wines to art, private parties and dinners, and custom travel packages to stunning destinations.

 One Maryland One Book

One Maryland One Book is the Maryland Humanities Council’s immensely popular program in which people all across the state read the same book at the same time.  This year’s selection, Outcasts United, tells the true story of a coach and a group of likeable but disparate refugee children that overcame incredible challenges to play the game they loved: soccer.  In addition to being a great American story (people overlooking their differences to pursue a common goal), Outcasts United is a joy to read.  Stop by the library, check out a copy, read it, and then join your fellow Marylanders in a statewide discussion. 

Children’s Programs

 Easton

 Family Crafts

Saturday, September 11, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.

Meet the Creatures from Pickering Creek

Thursday, September 23, 4:00 - 4:45 p.m. Live reptiles in the lobby!

The Robin Hood Shop in Cambridge has a new roof thanks to a grant from the George B. Todd Fund. The Todd Fund, which is administered by the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, donated $12,000 to the Dorchester General Hospital Auxiliary for this improvement to the resale shop located at 216 High Street.

The Robin Hood Shop is operated by the Dorchester General Hospital Auxiliary. Proceeds from the resale shop benefit programs and services provided by Dorchester General Hospital.

For more information about making a tax deductible donation of gently worn clothing, books and small housewares and to find out how to volunteer, call the Robin Hood Shop at 410-228-6339.

Cutline: Pictured at the Robin Hood Shop in Cambridge are (left to right) Mid-Shore Community Foundation President Stuart Bounds, DGH Auxiliary member Joanne Dixon, Robin Hood Shop Manager Helen Travers, George B. Todd Fund board member Ed Powell, DGH Auxiliary members Carole Kramer and Suzanne Press, DGH Auxiliary President Vera Block, DGH Auxiliary member Debbie Thomas, George B. Todd Fund board member David Tolley, DGH Auxiliary member Peggy Anderson, and George B. Todd Fund board members Marty Mullaney and Charles Capute. (RHS Todd roof donation 0810.jpg)