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.

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)

CBMM hosts 28^th Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival on October 2

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM) is hosting one of the nation’s largest gatherings of small boats and unique watercraft at the 28^th Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival from 10am to 5pm on Saturday, October 2. Hundreds of amateur and professional boat builders and enthusiasts come from all over the region to display their skiffs, kayaks, and canoes. The event includes a boat competition, craft workshops, boat building demos, children’s activities and sailing, rowing and paddling races throughout the day. Free with Museum admission. For more information, contact CBMM at 410-745-2916, or visit www.cbmm.org/MASCF.html.

On Saturday, October 2nd Priapi Gardens in Cecilton will be having (rain or shine) 7th Annual Fall Festival. As with past years, admission to the event will be free. There’ll be cotton candy, balloons, hayrides, pumpkin painting, face painting and free plants for the kids. At 1pm a magic show will catch everyone’s attention under the big top top tent, both young and old! Atlantic Tractor’s home and farm equipment is to be exhibited for all to see and touch. A special plant sale offering up to 70% off selected plants is a new feature. When you get hungry, a group of Amish folks will have a pork and chicken BBQ with all of the trimmings. The event will run from 8am until 6pm.

5996 Augustine Herman Hwy.                 www.priapigardens.com
Cecilton, Maryland 21913 410-275-9438            

Saturday, October 16

Bark in the Park to benefit the animals of Talbot Humane, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Idlewild Park, Easton. Family fun festival. Activities and events for dogs and their people. Free admission. Information at 410-822-0107 or talbothumane.org.

Shore Health System nurses are giving back to the communities they serve by choosing one Mid-Shore county each season to benefit from an outreach project.

The Shore Health System Nursing Shared Leadership Global Council selected Caroline County as the beneficiary of the summer community outreach project. Preston resident Deedra Abner, BSN, a nurse on the Dorchester General Hospital multi-specialty care unit, partnered with the Caroline County Health Department to organize a collection for the elderly. Shore Health System nurses, physicians and other employees donated food and personal items. Cash donations were also collected and the money will be used to renew personal alert systems for people who use them in their homes.

“With the rising cost of daily necessities coupled with the fixed incomes of senior citizens, our nurses decided that older Caroline County citizens would benefit from receiving these supplies,” explains Janet Hash, RN, chair of the Shore Health System Nursing Shared Leadership Global Council.

Cutline: Loading up boxes of food and personal items donated to the elderly of Caroline County by Shore Health System employees are (left to right) Bernadette Wood, RN; Linda Spear, MSN, Caroline County Health Department; Deedra Abner, RN; Janet Hash, RN; and Jacklyn Weston, RN.

Talbot Humane is launching a new program to maximize the quality of life for the adoption center’s pets. The “Bedtime With Benji” program will allow the center’s animals to spend time in foster homes, while still being available to meet potential adoptive families.

Shelter Coordinator Patty Quimby created the program.  Dogs will spend nights and Sundays with foster families.  Monday through Saturday, while the family is at school, work or running errands, the dog will stay at Talbot Humane.

Quimby explained that the program provides opportunities to work on the dogs’ “home living skills.”

“All too often,” she said, “dogs entering Talbot Humane have received less than adequate care and attention.  By residing in a family setting, our ‘Benji Fosters’ will be working on house training, crate training, leash walking and basic obedience.” Quimby noted that a housetrained dog that has been taught to stay off furniture and not bolt out the door is much more likely to remain with its new family when adopted.

On Thursday, September 30, a new era of healthcare begins in Queen Anne’s County. Shore Health System will dedicate the Queen Anne’s Emergency Center at 9:30 a.m. The center is located at 115 Shoreway Drive, Nesbit Road and US Rt. 50 near Grasonville. The public is welcome to attend the dedication event and to stay for refreshments and tours.

The Queen Anne’s Emergency Center began as a partnership between Queen Anne’s County government, the University of Maryland Medical System and Shore Health System. These organizations came together to add a level of emergency medical services not currently available in this part of the Mid-Shore region.

The Queen Anne’s Emergency Center is one of only three freestanding emergency centers in Maryland and the only one in a rural area. The facility consists of approximately 16,000 square feet of space with 13 treatment rooms and onsite diagnostic imaging and laboratory services.

When it opens on October 4, the Queen Anne’s Emergency Center will operate 24 hours a day, every day of the year, treating patients with acute illnesses, injuries and trauma as well as minor injuries. The Emergency Center will be a full service emergency department, just like one at a hospital. The center will be staffed by board certified emergency medicine physicians, experienced ER nurses and hospital-experienced radiology and laboratory technologists.

Oxford, Maryland – August 16, 2010 – The Oxford Community Center (OCC) announced today it is launching a capital campaign to restore and renovate the historic 1928 school building that houses the organization.

OCC is a non-profit organization in Talbot County founded in 1971, governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees, whose mission is to provide a welcoming place where area residents and visitors of all ages can participate in programs and activities that enrich community life. For almost 40 years, OCC has served as a regional resource, welcoming over 8,000 people each year.

Ellen Anderson, Board President, states, “Renovation is absolutely necessary as the building requires new safety, accessibility and energy conservation features not only to support a more sound structure, but also to provide an enhanced experience for everyone who uses the Center. Board member Eric Mihan has been appointed chair of the capital campaign”.