CHESTERTOWN - A special exhibition and talk at Washington College on Wednesday, Feb. 22, will focus on an often-overlooked aspect of George Washington as a surveyor and mapmaker. That expertise and interest in geography would stay with him throughout his life, shaping many of his decisions as a leader on the battlefield and in the political arena.

ST. MICHAELS St. Michaels Elementary School held a pep rally Feb. 2 to kick off the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program at the school. The rally was organized by the Bullying Prevention Coordinating Committee, composed of staff at St. Michaels Elementary. Student ambassadors spoke during the rally, as well as committee members. Classes made banners to decorate the gymnasium and students learned the chant, "We don't like bullying in our school, it isn't nice, it isn't cool."

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ABBOTT

OXFORD When Jennifer Stanley and her now late husband, Ted, purchased their Oxford home in 1979, they had no intention of also buying the nearby church. But, that's exactly what they did.

Mr. and Mrs. William Leo Bernard of Easton announce the engagement of their daughter, Michelle Katherina, to Donald Crenshaw McClure III, son of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Crenshaw McClure Jr. of Memphis, Tenn.

Jeffrey and Sandra Squires of Millington announce the engagement of their daughter, Jan Marie, to David Allen Leager Jr. of Galena, the son of the late David Allen Leager Sr. and JoAnne and Kevin Coker of Smyrna, Del.

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BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, Wash. A bit of old Kent Island history faces an uncertain future on the West Coast.

EASTON Talbot County Arts Council President Jane Bollman presented a check for $3,500 to Superintendent of Schools Karen Salmon during the Feb. 8 meeting of the Talbot County Board of Education. The grant award is for the cost of school buses to transport students from all local public elementary schools to four age-appropriate cultural and educational enrichment programs at the Avalon Theatre during this school year.

TRAPPE On Saturday, Feb. 11, the Trappe/Bruceville United Methodist Charge celebrated 14 years and more than $100,000 in sales for its perpetual indoor yard sale also known as Martha's Closet.

The Star Democrat welcomes articles for our Friday church page. Please include a telephone. Items will be published up to 7 days before the event in the calendar and as articles or briefs as space allows. Deadline to submit church page material is 5 p.m. on the Tuesday before the article is to appear. You may email church news to eastoneditchespub.com, fax to 410-770-4019 or mail to Community News, The Star Democrat, P.O. Box 600, Easton, MD 21601.

CENTREVILLE - Calling young artists! The annual Month of the Young Child Poster Contest is under way.

EASTON - Talbot Mentors will feature more than 20 pieces of its students' artwork at a reception to be held at the Academy Art Museum, Friday, March 2, from 5 to 7 p.m. A presentation takes place at 6 p.m. Hill's Soda Fountain and Cafe is providing hors d'oeuvres for the event.

Dear Annie: My husband and I work comparable hours, but I earn less than half of what he does and have little discretionary income. I come home to my "second shift," which includes cooking, cleaning and picking up after this man, who leaves his dirty clothes, snack packaging and other things strewn about the house. Meanwhile, he runs off to play golf. After dinner, he falls asleep in front of the TV. He doesn't even mow the lawn or do routine household maintenance. He hires out for those things.

QUEEN ANNE Members of the Queen Anne-Hillsboro Volunteer Fire Company held their annual awards banquet Saturday evening, Feb. 11, honoring longtime members and outstanding current members.

EASTON Seven seventh- and eighth-grade Latin students at The Country School traveled Feb. 4 to Westminster to meet Latin students from nine other Maryland schools for the second Westminster High School Cupid & Psyche Certamen.

TODAY

EASTON On Thursday, March 15, 2012, Soroptimist International of Talbot County (SITC) will hold its annual awards banquet honoring two women and a teen who actively work to better their own lives and their community.

CHESTERTOWN Novelist Paul Lisicky will give a reading at the Rose O'Neill Literary House at Washington College, 407 Washington Ave., on Thursday, Feb. 16, at 4:30 p.m.

TODAY

My love-hate relationship with gift cards has intensified. What a pain, really. I'm one who just forgets to use them, and when I remember, I try to figure out how to use each one to the last cent. I was reminded of my situation recently when I cleaned out my wallet and found a small collection of cards in need of action.

CENTREVILLE This marks the 12th consecutive year A Queen Anne's County 4-H All-Equestrian Team has been selected by ACM-Chesapeake Publishing. The honorary team recognizes the top 4-H performers each year, based on each individual meeting all three parts of the simple requirements to make the team. The criteria has not changed since its inception.

Margaret and Ronnie White Sr. of St. Michaels celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Jan. 19, 2012, in Kona, Hawaii, with their sons and their families. The couple exchanged vows Jan. 19, 1962, in Snow Hill.

TODAY