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Busy weekends are a symptom of spring in Dorchester

editor@din.us1.dti — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 05:34:26 GMT

This winter has been so mild many probably thought spring came earlier than it did. A sure sign that the season has changed in Dorchester County, besides the increase in sneezing co-workers and pollen covered cars is ever growing weekend calendars.

This weekend is a great example - though a holiday weekend - many groups have scheduled a ton of events for the first weekend of April.

On Saturday alone:

There is a clothing/household item giveaway: 8 a.m. - 11 a.m. at the corner of Race and Cedar streets in Cambridge. Hosted by the First Baptist Church of Cambridge. Everything is FREE!!

A community flea market/ arts & crafts: 7 a.m. to noon at Governor’s Hall at Sailwinds in Cambridge. Admission: $1. Available at snack bar: scrapple, eggs and cheese sandwich, donuts, wing dings & fries, hot dogs, coffee, sodas and water. Sponsored by Sailwinds of Cambridge Board of Directors. Tables for rent at $15; $5 for each additional; $5 for clothing rack. Set up times noon to 7 p.m. April 6. For information call 410-228-7245 or 443-521-1449.

The inaugural Peeps-n-Pets Easter Eggtravaganza is planned: Bring your pet for a day of treats, fun and prizes, 1:30-4 p.m. at Long Wharf Park (right near the parking area). $2 pre-registration fee; $5 at the event. Easter Egg hunt; dunkin’ for eggs, Easter bonnet contest; best dressed; prizes and much more. Stop by Pet Threadz or visit facebook page for more information and showing categories. Pets must be restrained and have current shots.

And then there is a free Easter crafts workshop: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Pine Street Empowerment Center in Cambridge. Children ages 3 to 10 are welcome. For free registration and information phone 410-901-1397 Monday through Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

At 5 p.m. there is an Easter Fashion Extravaganza at St. Luke Um Church, 712 Bradley Ave., Cambridge. Donation: $5. Lite dinner will be served. The Rev. Yvonne Wallace Penn is minister.

Starting this weekend, one-hour walking tours of Historic High Street: Meet colonial costumed toured guide at 11 a.m. at Long Wharf at the foot of High Street in Cambridge. Reservations not necessary. For information call 410-901-1000. Hosted by West End Citizens Association every Saturday (weather permitting) through Oct. 28. Adults, $8. Children under 12 years of age, free when accompanied by an adult.

Also, the 5th Annual Native American Artifact Exhibit: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Dorchester County Historical Society campus, 1003 Greenway Drive, Cambridge. Admission free. There will be 40+ tables, encomassing 20+ collections of local Nataive American Artifacts, including the Sandy Hill Adena collection. Experts Dr. Darrin Lowery and Jack Hranicky will be on hand. Daniel “Firehawk” Abbott will present his program “Origins.” Refreshments will be on site.

Saturday sounds like it is going to be a banner day in Dorchester.

Happy Easter!

What does home mean to you?

editor@din.us1.dti — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 05:24:17 GMT

“What does home mean to you,” asked Nancy Andrew, Habitat for Humanity Choptank executive director, at the beginning of an information meeting about her group in December.

The gathering, called a Habi-Tour, gave community members and leaders a chance to learn about the non-profit group that battles homelessness in Dorchester and Talbot Counties.

The next Habi-Tour will be at 4:45 p.m. on April 11 at 439 High St. in Cambridge.

Learn more about how Habitat Choptank transforms lives and neighborhoods during the one-hour event. During the Habi-Tour, you’ll get to hear from Habitat homeowners — their personal stories — and learn more about Habitat’s mission of building homes and hope.

Habi-Tours take place on the second Wednesday of the month.

To reserve, call 410-476-3204 or e-mail development@habitatchoptank.org.

Before you go, think about your answer. What does home mean to you?

Learning about how Habitat for Humanity Choptank helps others and how you can get involved sounds like a Banner Day.

My encounter with a spirit animal

editor@din.us1.dti — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 21:29:32 GMT

On Friday, March 30, I spent most of the day with Chief Sewell Winterhawk Fitzhugh of the Nause-Waiwash Band of Indians, members of his tribe, and supporters of his people on a tour of significant sites to his band of Indians in Dorchester County.

During our journey, a white squirrel crossed our path.

Chief Winterhawk said the squirrel was a spirit animal and was a good omen.

I'm not sure about spirit animals, but I can say that it was an interesting sight and I was filled with a sense of calm as the white creature scampered in front of us.

Susan Meredith, of Blackwater Paddle and Pedal Adventures, donated her time and van for Friday's history tour. When Chief Winterhawk, in the passenger seat, saw the squirrel he asks Susan to stop as the white squirrel crosses our path. I will post photos of the encounter on Maryland.Newszap.com soon, in the meantime some photos can be seen on The Banner's Facebook page, www.facebook.com/TheBannerNews.

As I think about our travels in Dorchester on Friday, I am reminded that we were greeted by other wildlife throughout out trek that started at about 11 a.m. and ended at about 2:30 p.m. Sika deer, deer, turkey, and a ton of water fowlturkey and a ton of waterfowl came out to greet us as we went by.

We encountered the "spirit" animal on Chicone Road off of Reid Road near Reid's Grove.

Our journey through time Friday began in Vienna at the Vienna Heritage Museum and then went out to Elliott Island. After a brief tour of the island, which Chief Winterhawk noted was a true island, we headed back toward Vienna and to the Chief-of-Chief's village, Chicone.

Once a powerful capitol for the native people that called what-is-now Dorchester County home, now is only marked by a rise in a farm field off of Indiantown Road near the historic Handsell House.

Keep watching The Banner and Maryland.newszap.com, in the coming weeks for a series about Dorchester County's Native people, their history, future and struggles in the modern world.

Friday, March 30, was a Banner day in Dorchester – meeting new people and learning about the place I now call home.