TerraCycle Inc. to offer bird feeders, ornithology curriculum for Easton schools

EASTON  TerraCycle Inc. is looking for an Easton area school interested in receiving free bird feeders and an entire ornithology curriculum to help teach their students about nature and the importance of protecting wildlife.

In early October, a representative from TerraCycle will be presenting the company's newest eco-friendly product, an entry bird feeder packaged in a reused 2-liter soda bottle, at the Easton Wal-Mart on Elliott Road.

For every three bird feeders that are purchased that day, TerraCycle will donate one feeder to the school along with the Maryland ornithology curriculum to the school.

TerraCycle developed the bird feeder and this program with hopes of inspiring young children to love and appreciate wildlife.

The TerraCycle Bird Feeder is the ideal eco-friendly bird feeder for young people and families with young children.

It is made from recycled or reused materials and is already filled with quality birdseed. Unlike other bird feeders, you can take it home and hang it outside immediately.

The compact and attractive design makes the feeder perfect for decks or yards of any size.

It is also less expensive than any other on the market, retailing at Wal-Mart for only $4.88. TerraCycle works extensively with schools across America by running three recycling fundraisers.

The first is the Bottle Brigade, a program in which schools collect used 20-ounce soda bottles and TerraCycle donates 6 cents for every de-labeled bottle returned to TerraCycle.

The newest collection program is for kid's drink pouches.

TerraCycle pays schools 1 or 2 cents apiece for these non-recyclable pouches.

TerraCycle is now working with Stonyfield Farm to collect used yogurt containers, donating 2 or 5 cents depending on size.

Visit www.terracycle.net/dpb to sign up or for more information.

Choptank Electric board member honored by NRECA

DENTON  Jeffrey Rathell, vice president of the Choptank Electric Cooperative Board of Directors, recently received the Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate from Glenn English, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA).

Rathell, who represents Talbot County on the Choptank board, was awarded the certificate for having completed the coursework in a program designed to provide the basic knowledge and skills required of cooperative directors. The certificate was presented during the NRECA Region I Meeting, held Sept. 5 to 7 in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Bioneers Conference planned in Baltimore

BALTIMORE  A satellite of the California-based Bioneers Conference will be held in Baltimore Oct. 19 to 21 at the Maryland Institute of Art's Brown Center.

The Bioneers Conference, now in its 18th year, brings together brilliant scientific minds and social innovators focused on practical and visionary solutions for restoring the Earth's ecosystems and healing communities. Baltimore Bioneers will combine a simultaneous broadcast of the conference plenary talks in California with regional speakers, panels and workshops.

The audience for the conference is unusual in that it brings together local thought leaders representing business and the arts, as well as the environmental and social justice movements.

The conference's goal is to encourage cross–discipline dialogue and offer opportunities to create new solutions. National speakers include Van Jones, Majora Carter and Winona Laduke. Local programming features workshops, live performances and a Woodberry Kitchen dinner. Local topics include "The Power of Dialogue," "Business with Conscience," "Demystifying your Carbon Footprint" and "Art and Social Change."

Tickets start at $65 for one day and are $195 for all three days. Go to www.cultivatingchange.org for more information and to register.

Kwik Kerb is newest Cambridge business

CAMBRIDGE  Father and son team Mark and Ryan Heckler opened a new Cambridge business, Kwik Kerb, in August.

Kwik Kerb by Choptank Designs is a decorative landscape curbing business that can install custom curbing in a variety of colors and textures around flower beds, driveways and yards.

The business is new, but the owners' names should be familiar to most Dorchester residents. Mark and Ryan Heckler are descendants of Wilson B. Heckler, who opened Heckler Motor Parts in 1936 in a small storefront on Race Street in Cambridge. Mark Heckler's grandfather set up shop to service and repair outboard motors, and the business eventually moved to Cedar Street, where it is still in operation. Now Mark and his son Ryan have taken the family name in a whole new business direction.

"One day while riding my bicycle, I passed one of my favorite homes in Cambridge and thought what a beautiful house and yard," Mark said. "But it lacked something and finally I realized that similar houses in Florida, where I had lived for several years, had the attractive finishing touch of curbing around flower beds, along driveways, etc."

With Kwik Kerb, the Hecklers can provide imprinted texturing and custom coloring. After installation, the product receives three coats of UV sealer to protect and maintain the curbing. 

"The result is an extremely durable, low-maintenance, permanent landscape or driveway edging that adds beauty and value to a property," Ryan said, explaining that one style, called "Eurobrick," can be re-colored anytime a homeowner changes siding, roofing or exterior accent colors.

To learn more about Kwik Kerb by Choptank Designs, contact Mark or Ryan Heckler at 410-228-KERB or  kwikkerbchoptankyahoo.com. To learn about how Dorchester First! can help with starting or expanding a business in Dorchester County, call Joy Loeffler at 410-228-0155.

Father and son business owners, Mark, left, and Ryan Heckler stand by their new Kwik Kerb trailer.

Easton Cable and EastonOnline launch Triple Play

EASTON  Easton Cable and EastonOnline have launched "Triple Play," a new package that gives customers a convenient way to save. The Triple Play package includes more than 160 channels of digital cable programming, the fastest Internet service in town and unlimited local and long-distance calling in the continental U.S. for $99 per month.

The package offers customers not only significant savings over what they would have paid by buying these services from three separate providers, but also offers an additional savings of 16 percent over the normal standalone price of the services from Easton Cable and EastonOnline. Customers will continue to receive local customer service and support.

"Easton Cable and EastonOnline made a significant investment in upgrading the cable and Internet system to fiber optics in 2001 largely so that we would be able to deliver the next generation of services such as these," said Bill Russell, manager of Easton Cable and EastonOnline.

Customers who currently have Digital Cable, high-speed Internet and DigitalVoice services from Easton Cable and EastonOnline will automatically receive the Triple Play Package discount. The $99 monthly price is valid for one year and does not include equipment, installation and taxes.

Bilbrough honored by Choptank Electric

GOLDSBORO   Choptank Electric Cooperative employee Mark Bilbrough, a system controller and resident of Goldsboro, was recently recognized for his fifth year at the cooperative. He received an award presented by Jeff Brown, data acquisition analyst and system control supervisor.

Amish Market to host 'Olde Thyme Days' this weekend

EASTON  The Amish Market will host a series of special events during "Olde Thyme Days," Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 4 to 6.

Planned events include pony cart rides, quilting and wood burning demonstrations, an outdoor barbecue and games. There will be a raffle to win an Amish quilt and other prizes; entrants need not be present to win.

There will also be special discounts at all stands in the market. The Amish Market is located at 101 Marlboro Ave. in Easton Plaza.

For more information, call 410-822-8989.