Author John Barth joins in unveiling of historic marker in his honor

Hundreds of people joined Cambridge native author John Barth in June to unveil a historic marker in his honor. The marker, as well as a brochure with a walking tour of spots in Cambridge related to Barth's life, were developed by the Dorchester County Friends of Library. The marker is located on library grounds at 303 Gay Street in Cambridge. Winner of the National Book Award (for The Sot-Weed Factor) and F. Scott Fitzgerald Award for Outstanding Achievement in American Fiction, Barth was born and raised in Cambridge. His novel, The Floating Opera, is based in Cambridge. The Barth sign is the first in Dorchester County to honor a literary figure. “Cambridge, the rivershore, and the great down county salt marshes were my life’s coordinates from birth through high school through college and my first efforts as a writer of fiction, and they remain as touchstones of my imagination," he told the crowd. Read more about Barth's life here on a page created by the Dorchester County Public Library.

Dorchester County makes 'Best of the Bay' in boating magazine

We’ve got some local winners in Chesapeake Bay magazine’s Best of the Bay 2010. The Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina won in the Best Resort Marinas category and brought in votes for Cambridge as one of the Best Towns for Families. Cambridge also made the list for Best Towns for Inexpensive Docking. Choptank River won for Best Cruising Rivers. Check out all the winners.

Dorchester County welcomes its first-ever winery, Layton's Chance

A family that has farmed Dorchester County lands for generations is opening the county's first-ever winery, Layton's Chance Vineyard & Winery. Located in the midst of 1,800 acres of farmland near historic Vienna, the winery is open daily from 11am to 5pm. Read about how the winery came to be in this Daily Times story.

 

Heritage Area Award winners announced

The Heart of Chesapeake Country Heritage Area has announced the winners of the 2010 heritage awards. William J. Jarmon, Jr. won for individual achievement. Wesley Chapel Church Congregation won for organizational excellence. The Town of East new Market, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, and Urban Dialogues all won for outstanding project with the "place work[s]hop East New Market" (pictured here). And Claudia and Tricia Colaprete won youth of the year. Congratulations to all the winners!

 

Dorchester's ChesapeakeMan triathlon named one of world's 10 best; endurance events grow in the county

ChesapeakeMan, the 140.6-mile triathlon that happens here in Dorchester County, was  named one of the 10 best triathlons in the world by Triathlete magazine! Only three other U.S. triathlons were named; the rest are in other countries. This year's ChesapeakeMan is scheduled for September 25. Dorchester also is host to the annual EagleMan Ironman 70.3 triathlon in June,  as well as a growing number of other cycling and running rides and events. Click here for more, including a list of upcoming endurance events.

The wonders of the National Outdoor Show featured in What's Up magazine

In the February 2010 issue, What's Up Eastern Shore magazine explores the "pageantry of competitive muskrat skinning" at Dorchester County's National Outdoor Show. This one-of-a-kind event, this year Feb. 26-27, features everything from beauty pageants to muskrat skinning contests to muskrat stew. It was featured in a PBS documentary, Muskrat Lovely. A true slice of traditional rural Dorchester culture. 
 Click here to read the story.

'Finding a Way to Freedom' tour featured in Philadelphia Daily News 

A story in the Feb. 10, 2010 Philadelphia Daily News takes readers on the “Finding a Way to Freedom” driving tour through Dorchester and Caroline Counties, which explores stories of the Underground Railroad and its most famous "conductor" Harriet Tubman. (You can pick up this driving tour brochure at the Dorchester County Visitor Center.) The writer mentions some of the sites on the tour, including the Dorchester County Courthouse, the Tubman museum in Cambridge, Stewart’s Canal, and Bucktown Village Store. The writer, P.J. Thomas, is also editor and publisher of Pathfinders Travel Magazine for People of Color. Click here to read the full story.

Cambridge restaurant, mayor, watermen, more on national TV

Tom Brokaw's hourlong documentary on Route 50, which premiered on USA Network Jan. 18, opens with a segment on Cambridge. “Tom Brokaw Presents: American Character Along Highway 50” features local watermen, crab-pickers, the mayor, and downtown entrepreneur Amanda Bramble, who opened Jimmie & Sook's Raw Bar and Grill in January 2009. 
Click here for more.

Photo of Blackwater Refuge snags "Best in Show" in photo contest

Eastern Shore photographer Donald Stukey captured Best in Show honors with a magnificent photo of sunrise Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Maryland Life magazine's photo contest. Just goes to show how photogenic Dorchester County is! Click here to see other prize-winning photos.

Exploring the lives of Nanticoke Indians, the Nanticoke River, and the town of Vienna

"Natives on the Nanticoke," a four-page feature in the January/February 2010 issue of Maryland Life, shares fascinating stories about the Nause-Waiwash Indians who still live in near Vienna, as well as the river that shares their name. The article is not available online, but you can see it at the Dorchester County Visitor Center.
 
 

Tourism director among 'People to Watch'

Amanda Fenstermaker, director of Dorchester County Tourism, was the "People to Watch" in the January 2010 issue of What's Up Eastern Shore magazine. The magazine selected nine people under 40 around the Eastern Shore who are making a difference. Also named "People to Watch" were Dorchester County residents Jermaine Anderson, a community activist who is co-chair of the Cambridge Lives! revitalization program, and Ian Campbell, the chef at Bistro Poplar in downtown Cambridge. 
Click here for more.
 

Dorchester featured in Baltimore Sun travel story on driving tour of Maryland's byways

A stunning photo of the Tubman Hiking Trail at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge got prominent coverage on the front page of the travel section in the November 6, 2009 Baltimore Sun. The accompanying story explores the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway in Dorchester and Caroline Counties, as well as other byways in Maryland.

Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway Named All-American Road

On October 16, 2009, the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway in Dorchester and Caroline Counties received the prestigious All American Road designation by the U.S. Department of Transportation's America's Byways© program.
Click here to read the full story.

Watch a New Video About Dorchester County

A new audio-visual exhibit is now up and running at the Dorchester County Visitor Center. The first of three videos captures the beauty and unspoiled nature of Dorchester's landscapes, the appeal of its cultural traditions, and opportunities for recreation adn heritage tourism. It includes commentaries by those who know and love the area. Watch it on a high-definition wide-screen TV at the Visitor Center, or watch it here: http://www.vimeo.com/6010106 

Tom Brokaw Presents American Character Along Highway 50.

Click on the link below to watch a video featuring local business owner Amanda Bramble, as Tom Brokaw presents American Character along Highway 50.
http://www.usanetwork.com/highway50/videos/index.html

Governor O'Malley Announces Approval of Harriet Tubman Design Project

Governor Martin O'Malley announced Board of Public Works approval of the design contract for the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park, including a visitor center, memorial garden and trails that will interpret and preserve the legacy of this freedom fighter in Dorchester County.
Click here to read the full story.

Tubman Legacy Getting New Attention

Federal, state and regional efforts are being proposed to honor Harriet Tubman, the famed Dorchester County native who escaped slavery, then led others north to freedom along the Underground Railroad. WYPR's Donna Marie Owens reports.
Click here to read the full story.