The Botanical Art League of the Eastern Shore  is exhibiting paintings and drawings in an exhibit ‘Garden Companions’ at the Talbot County Library. The exhibit opened on October 1 and runs until October 30 during regular library  hours. Using mediums of watercolor, colored pencil, graphite and ink, members have paired vegetables and flowers in our gardens that are beneficial to each other’s growth and health.The exhibit will move to the Queen Anne Center for the Arts in Centreville for the month  of November.

Companion planting is a gardening technique where different plants are grown together to benefit one another, whether through improved growth, pest control, enhanced flavor or all of these.  For example, planting marigolds alongside vegetables like tomatoes can help deter harmful insects, while basil, when planted near tomatoes, is believed to improve the flavor of the fruit and repel pests like aphids.

The benefits and modern relevance of companion gardening undoubtedly continue to exist:

Pollination – Companion plants can attract pollinators, improving crop yields.

Pest Control – Some companion plants deter pests; others attract beneficial insects that control other pests.

Weed Suppression – Companion plants help suppress weeds by creating shade.

Nutrient Enhancement – Some plants, like beans and clover, are nitrogen fixers, enriching the soil for other plants.

Soil Health – By reducing erosion, conserving moisture, and adding nutrients, companion plants can improve the soil.

Space Optimization – No matter how large or how small your garden, companion planting allows for better use of garden space.

Sustainable Agriculture – By reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and other external inputs, companion planting can help protect the ecosystem of your garden.

Chesapeake Film Festival returns this October, transforming downtown Easton into a destination for film enthusiasts for its 18th season.  The festival’s unique cinema programming is also attracting VIP attendees to its extraordinary lineup of shorts, documentaries, student films, and international features.  Celebrated artists and film industry leaders attending include Baltimore native Vincent De Paul – two-time Emmy winner, director, actor and producer; John O’Hurley – actor and comedian well known for his portrayal of J. Peterman in the TV series Seinfeld; and Rebekah Louisa Smith, whose company The Film Festival Doctor transforms the lives of independent filmmakers by helping them navigate the global film festival circuit. 

Chesapeake Film Festival is hosting film screenings in iconic Easton venues, including the Ebenezer Theater, the Academy Art Museum, and the Talbot County Free Library from Oct 10 to 12. Audiences will enjoy screenings, filmmaker introductions, and live Q&As throughout the weekend.  Check the festival website for times, venues and film details.  Daily highlights include:

Day One – Friday, October 10

• The Chesapeake Film Festival (“CFF”) 2025  Opening Film, Loving Vincent, the world’s first animated fully painted feature film.  The Oscar-nominated selection was created by a team of 125 artists from around the world – Friday, Oct 10 at 12 Noon – Ebenezer Theater..
• VIP Reception  — Tides and Talent, 5:30 – 7:00PM – Ebenezer Theater
• Environmental Night – Featuring three exciting films & environmental advocate panel discussion, Ebenezer Theater – 7:30PM

Day Two — Saturday, October 11 

• Live Podcast with Actors and Filmmakers at the  Talbot County Free Library at 10:30AM.
  Join producer/director Kimberly Skyrme and Rose Rosen, hosts of Casting Confidential, for a dynamic live podcast with John O’Hurley, award-winning actor, host, Broadway star, and Seinfeld’s iconic “J. Peterman.” He will discuss his comedy pilot Now What? and upcoming adventure film Ring of Kibo. Both Now What and a sneak preview of Ring of Kibo will screen later that day at the Ebenezer Theater.
• High Voltage Shorts follow the breakfast, introduced by local filmmaker and producer Monda Raquel Webb.  This electrifying block of selected short films are followed by a Q&A moderated by Cedric Hill, celebrated writer, director and producer at the Academy Art Museum.
• An additional block of short films — Stories of Love and Passion will be hosted by Amber Monet, award-winning director, editor and producer.  This curated collection of shorts explores family ties, resilience, and connection at the Ebenezer Theater.
• Future filmmakers will be spotlighted in a collection of Student Shorts: Next-Gen Storytelling.  introduced by the Festival’s own Zane Jacquot, an active member of the programming and selection committee.  Jacquot will also moderate the following Q&A at the Academy Art Museum.
• Documentaries will be celebrated in two blocks, hosted by CFF’s grant writer and development committee member, Tim Smith.  Beauty Through Art – Dignity Honored, includes compelling films that explore important social issues at the Talbot County Free Library.  Rhythm, Motion, and Meaning  explores the challenges of performing artists and  is followed by a Q &A moderated by Kimberly Skyrme,, a CFF board member and veteran casting director and producer – Academy Art Museum.
• Day Two also features a block of environmental films — Water, Wildlife, and the Will to Act – hosted by CFF President and award-winning filmmaker, Irene Magafan.  The films are followed by a Q&A with Maggie Stogner and Dave Harp, acclaimed regional environmental filmmakers at the Talbot County Free Library.
• Saturday concludes with the theme Truth on Trial with the screening of Anatomy of a Fall which won Cannes Film Festival Palme d’Or in 2023.  CFF’s artistic and executive director introduces the provocative selection at the Ebenezer Theater at 6:15PM.

Day Three — Sunday, October 12 

• The festival continues to celebrate an additional block of short films on Day Three with From Giggles to Goosebumps.   CFF board member Monda Raquel Webb returns to introduce this lively mix of films and to lead a filmmaker Q&A at the Ebenezer Theater.
• One Fragile Bond is the festival theme given to the Maryland Premiere of Strangers, CFF’s narrative feature and filmmaker Harold Jackson III’s intimate portrait of marriage.  The film is introduced by producer, writer and director Ted Adams III and is followed by a Q&A with Jackson at the Ebenezer Theater.
• Festival Artistic & Executive Director Cid Collins Walker introduces CFF’s closing film Holding Liat.  The director, Brandon Kramer is a Washington, DC-based filmmaker  recognized for telling personal stories about complex social issues.  This new 2025 film is a moving documentary about one family’s fight for their kidnapped loved one and the future of their homes. Ebenezer Theater, Sunday, Oct 12 at 4:15PM.

Chesapeake Film Festival invites you to join this celebrated Eastern Shore Cultural Tradition

With programs spanning love, resilience, the environment, and global justice, the 2025 Chesapeake Film Festival offers something for everyone. Tickets are still available for the popular VIP Reception from 5:30 -7:00 pm, on Friday, October 10– the festival’s opening night.  All-access pass ticket holders are VIPs and will have the opportunity to meet filmmakers, enjoy local cuisine and celebrate opening night in style.  All-Access Passes are available at www.chesapeakefilmfestival.com. In addition to the VIP opening event, the pass includes admission to all films, speakers and panels throughout the three-day film festival.

We extend heartfelt thanks to our generous sponsors, partners, and patrons for making this event possible.

For tickets and full schedule, visit ChesapeakeFilmFestival.com.

Church Hill Theatre is delighted to offer its production of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express from October 17 to November 2.  Unexpected roof repairs delayed the original opening scheduled for September 12. 

The stage play is an adaptation by the hilarious American playwright Ken Ludwig, who was asked to take on the project by the Christie estate. Director Kat Melton will propel her cast on a vintage steam locomotive through the snowy alps. Her use of sound, lights and projections will have you on the edge of your seat as Hercule Poirot uses his “little grey cells” to solve yet another mysterious death!    

Even if you have read the book a dozen times, the plot remains a real tease, as almost every passenger has a reason to murder the odious American businessman, Samuel Ratchett. Hercule Poirot’s interviews soon uncover connections to a past kidnapping case and other secrets.  Passengers include titled Europeans, several Americans, and many with hidden identities. Melton has made room for several smaller parts that enrich the plot and the production. These other passengers, the ensemble, help move along the action—and the scenery. The clues mount up, but is anyone telling the truth? Bien sûr, Poirot will of course prevail!

The strong production team is especially proud of the set and effects that really bring a steam locomotive and luxury passenger cars onto the stage. Almost all of our original cast members adjusted their schedules to catch this train but a few understudy substitutions of equally talented actors have been required. The entire cast and crew know this could be your “favorite-ever” show. It runs from October 17 to November 2, with shows at 7:30 on Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 pm on Sundays. Tickets are available now online at https://www.churchhilltheatre.org/shows/tickets/ or by calling the box office at 410-556-6003.  If you had tickets for the original September show, you should already have been contacted by the box office to arrange new dates.  If there is any confusion, please call the office.

Church Hill Theatre would like to express its grateful thanks to all of the friends and patrons who supported us during the repair process. Your kind words and financial generosity have been heartwarming.  THE SHOW WILL GO ON!!!

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Every year, ShoreRivers hosts a series of hands-on Expeditions to connect the community to the waterways of the Eastern Shore. Join Meredith Davies Hadaway for a reading and generative workshop for both aspiring and experienced writers who want to tap into the power of place in their poetry or prose. This event is on Monday, September 29th from 4:30-6:30pm at the Lawrence Wetland Preserve in Chestertown. Learn more and register for the event at Shorerivers.org/events. If you have any questions, contact Maegan White at [email protected]. 

An award-winning poet and teacher, Meredith Davies Hadaway is the author of five books of poetry including Small Craft Warning, a collaboration with artist Marcy Dunn Ramsey and most recently, [Among the Many Disappearing Things].  Her collection, At The Narrows, won the 2015 Delmarva Book Prize for Creative Writing. Hadaway is currently the Sophie Kerr Poet-in-Residence at Washington College.

Attendees at Easton’s September First Friday Event soon discovered not all of the art was indoors in galleries. To launch her line of artisan jewelry, R.U.T.H. Real Unique Treasures Handcrafted,  Ruth Kellum-Oglesby set up a display outside of the Wittersgreen Wildlife Gallery. Soon, a steady stream of curious customers stopped by to both admire and purchase her one-of-a-kind earrings and bracelets. Each design is unique and is not repeated in Ruth’s portfolio of designs and each piece of jewelry featured in this article is available. 

The mix of marine animals and blue ovals appealed to this Crab, and I especially liked how Ruthie chose different marine animals instead of using just one species. 

I love the earth tones and geometric elements of this design-the perfect accents for fall’s fabrics.

Blue is the favorite color of most people and I admired how the small solid circle floats in the larger circle of blue beads.

The tear-drop earrings are a lovely mix of multicolored and cream colored beads.  

This bracelet is staged in front of a lotus flower. The bracelet’s striking design has multicolored discs and beads and a clever cross section of a lotus flower.

Ruth, the artisan designer, turned fifty this year and her dream to develop what up until now has been a labor of love for family and friends is coming true with her launch of her unique line of jewelry. Her design process begins with sitting down to see where her creative instinct for a new piece of jewelry will lead her. She relishes hearing a customer tell her how they were drawn to her jewelry line and they knew they had to have it!

For special orders, Ruth will work with you on colors, materials and design for that special piece for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, or, as Lewis Carroll wisely said, “the best present is an un-birthday present”, so treat yourself! 

Contact Ruth to have your R.U.T. H. dream piece custom made for you at 410-443-6851, or [email protected].

Ruth Kellum-Oglesby will be a vendor at “Taste of Cambridge”, from 12 noon to 6:00 pm, this Saturday in downtown Cambridge. 

Visit www.downtowncambridge.com to purchase a ticket 

Contributor Jennifer Martella has pursued dual careers in architecture and real estate since she moved to the Eastern Shore in 2004. She has reestablished her architectural practice for residential and commercial projects and is a real estate agent for Meredith Fine Properties. She especially enjoys using her architectural expertise to help buyers envision how they could modify a potential property. Her Italian heritage led her to Piazza Italian Market, where she hosts wine tastings every Friday and Saturday afternoons.

Tred Avon Players continues its 2025 season with Hot ‘n’ Cole: A Cole Porter Celebration! Words and music by Cole Porter. Directed by Marcia Gilliam, the show will be presented in eight performances, October 23–November 2, at the Oxford Community Center. Tickets are available online at www.tredavonplayers.org or by calling the TAP ticket line at (410) 226-0061.

The spotlight is on the timelessness of Cole Porter classics, presented with fresh arrangements and a contemporary twist. More than forty songs, from iconic standards like “Anything Goes” and “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” to lesser-known gems, are woven into an evening that feels as much like a musical as a revue. Wry, romantic, irreverent, and touching, each number captures Porter’s signature blend of wit, elegance, and playfulness while remaining as timeless today as when it was first written.

“Cole Porter’s music has a sparkle that never fades,” said director Marcia Gilliam. “What excites me most about Hot ‘n’ Cole is how it both honors the sophistication of the original songs and gives them a fresh twist that today’s audiences will love. It is funny, touching, and a sheer delight from beginning to end.”

The talented vocal cast features both new and returning TAP performers: Erin Bradley, Emma Carmean, Jane Copple, Katie Cox, Bill Gross, Debbie Harmon, Ed Langrell, Erinne Lewis, Leigh Marquess, Matt Rein, Lisa Roth, Destiny Strawberry, Kiara Vos, and Herb Ziegler.

Music Director and pianist Michael Casey joins them on stage, along with dancers choreographed by Erinne Lewis and a band led by director and arranger Ray Remesch (piano/guitar) and featuring Ron Demby (clarinet/flute/sax), Amy Smith (string bass), Maura Thompson (French horn), and Cody Thompson (percussion).

Hot ‘n’ Cole: A Cole Porter Celebration! runs for eight performances, Thursdays through Sundays, from October 23–November 2 at the Oxford Community Center, 200 Oxford Rd, Oxford, Md. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Sunday matinees are at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for students. They are available online at www.tredavonplayers.org or by calling the TAP ticket line at (410) 226-0061.

About Tred Avon Players

Tred Avon Players (TAP) is a nonprofit organization committed to providing high-quality theatrical experiences for the Eastern Shore community. Founded in 1982, TAP produces four mainstage shows each year at the Oxford Community Center and offers opportunities for local actors, directors, and volunteers to participate in all aspects of live theater. For more information, visit www.tredavonplayers.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

A fall tradition now in its 42nd year, the Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival will bring unique watercraft and their passionate owners and builders to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s waterfront campus on Friday-Sunday, Oct. 3-5.

One of the nation’s largest gatherings of its kind, Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival XLII will celebrate the craftsmanship and innovation showcased through these vessels during a family-friendly weekend defined by camaraderie, tradition, and fun. Learn more about all the festivities planned at cbmm.org/MASCF.

Register as a participant at cbmm.org/MASCFparticipants to bring your vessel and gain access to the full slate of events throughout the weekend, including demos and workshops, guest speakers, races, children’s activities, boat judging and awards, and more. All other guests can enjoy the festival with general admission, which is valid for two consecutive days.

CBMM members save $25 on adult participant registration and receive free entrance to the festival as part of their free general admission throughout the year.

CBMM members become a part of the Chesapeake story and CBMM’s mission of preservation and exploration. To discover all the terrific benefits of membership and join today, visit cbmm.org/memberships or contact Membership Services Coordinator Debbie Ruzicka at 410-745-4991 or [email protected].

Each year, the Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival features dozens of small craft, including sailing skiffs, rowing shells, kayaks, canoes, paddle boats, prams, and one-of-a-kind boats. An enthusiastic group of small craft owners from around the region, including members of the Traditional Small Craft Association, spend the weekend messin’ about together on the Miles River, starting with a Thursday camp cruise to Wye Island.

CBMM’s celebration of all things small craft features a variety of activities spread around campus and on the Miles River.

On Saturday, participants can enjoy craft and art workshops, plus boat discussions examining unique Chesapeake creations. This year, the evening program and awards is headlined by Joe Youcha, founder and director of Building to Teach and co-founder of Teaching with Small Boats Alliance.

Representatives from the Chesapeake Wooden Boat Builders School will offer boatbuilding and maritime demonstrations Saturday, and Chesapeake Light Craft will be on site with a selection of vessels from its fleet for guests to demo.

The children’s activities include cardboard boat construction and racing and model building on Saturday and a Sunday campus scavenger hunt.

One of the annual highlights is Saturday afternoon racing, with separate sailing and rowing competitions. Starting at 1pm, guests are encouraged to watch the competitors vie for bragging rights from CBMM’s waterfront and docks.

Everyone on campus for MASCF will be able to vote for their favorite boat, with the People’s Choice award and others announced among participants on Saturday evening. Limited offerings will be available for the public to see on Sunday.

For safety reasons, non-service dogs must be kept at home during CBMM festivals, including the Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival.

CBMM has an exciting slate of fall festivals ahead, including OysterFest (Saturday, Oct. 25), the Holiday Edition of the Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival (Saturday, Nov. 22), and Winter on the Chesapeake (Saturday, Dec. 13). Fall Festival Passes are on sale now, offering the chance to celebrate the best of the Bay at these three signature festivals for the price of two. Learn more and buy now at cbmm.org/Festivals.

Are you a choral singer or enthusiast who would like to enhance your musical knowledge? Consider joining Music Theory for Choral Singers this fall at Allegro Academy.  In four sessions participants will study basic music theory as it pertains to the choral world including rhythm, terminology, sight-reading, and various forms of choral music.  Teaching the course will be Amy Morgan, Director of the Allegro Women’s Chorus and Summer Sing Choir Festival, and Assistant Director and Accompanist of Easton Choral Arts Society.

Music Theory for Choral Singers will take place October 10, 17, 24, and 31.  Participants will meet 10:00-11:15am at Allegro Academy, 114 N. Washington St.  The cost for the four weeks is $100.  To register please email [email protected] or call 410-603-8361. 

Allegro Academy, a non-profit music conservatory located in downtown Easton, connects musicians through workshops, lessons, ensembles, and performances, and aspires to enrich the lives of music enthusiasts of all ages and incomes in our community. Academy Programs are supported in part by generous contributions from individuals, Talbot Arts, the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, and the Maryland State Arts Council.

The Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra (MSO) opens its 2025-2026 Ensembles Series with an intimate chamber music program featuring two masterpieces: Johannes Brahms’ Piano Quartet No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 60, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Piano Quartet No. 1 in G Minor, K. 478. The performance will feature MSO Concertmaster Kimberly McCollum, Principal Violist Yuri Tomenko, and Principal Cellist Katie McCarthy, joined by acclaimed Irish pianist Michael McHale.

Brahms’ C minor Quartet, sometimes referred to as the “Werther” Quartet after Goethe’s tragic hero, is a deeply emotional work that reflects the composer’s struggles with unrequited love and personal doubt. In contrast, Mozart’s G minor Quartet, the first major work ever written for piano and string trio, brims with dramatic intensity and elegance, showcasing Mozart at his most inventive and pioneering.

Guest artist Michael McHale has established himself as one of Ireland’s leading pianists, performing internationally as a soloist and chamber musician. He has appeared with ensembles including the London Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Orchestras, and the Minnesota Orchestra, and is a founding member of the Wigmore Soloists in London. McHale last appeared with the Mid-Atlantic Symphony in 2022 and returns for this much-anticipated collaboration.

The MSO Ensemble Series offers audiences the opportunity to hear chamber music performed in an intimate setting by members of the MSO highlighting both the artistry of our individual musicians and the interplay that defines this repertoire. The pairing of Mozart and Brahms promises an evening of elegance, drama, and emotional depth.

The concerts will be performed three times across the Delmarva Peninsula. The first concert takes place on Friday, October 10 at 7:00 PM at the Community Church in Ocean Pines, Maryland. The series continues on Saturday, October 11 at 3:00 PM at Epworth United Methodist Church in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, and concludes on Sunday, October 12 at 4:00 PM at the Academy Art Museum in Easton, Maryland.

Tickets are available now at www.midatlanticsymphony.org.

ABOUT THE MID-ATLANTIC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

The Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is the only professional symphony orchestra serving southern Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore with a full season of programs. The MSO is supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council, the Talbot County Arts Council, the Worcester County Arts Council, the Sussex County (Delaware) Council, and the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, Inc.

A complete schedule of the 2025-2026 season’s Masterworks and Ensembles programs, including venues, times, and other details, is available at www.midatlanticsymphony.org.