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Candace
Candace

I built The Dorf to make local news easier to follow, easier to read, and actually useful.

MEET YOUR NEIGHBOR

Hey neighbor, I’m Candace.

My family moved to Charles County more than 30 years ago. I left for college, and like a lot of us, I came right back. I didn’t realize back then that I’d be here long enough to watch this place grow up, but here we are, and honestly, it’s been pretty cool to see.

People used to joke that Waldorf was so far out you’d need a plane ticket to get here. Well, the flight was taken and the people have arrived. Charles County is growing fast, there’s more to do than ever, and yes, the traffic has noticed too.

Why The Dorf exists

For years I found out about great local events the same way: after they happened. A festival, a pop-up, a free concert I would have loved, and I’d hear about it the Monday after. I don’t want anyone else stuck in the not-knowing. So every week I check 40+ local sources, from county calendars and the library to farms, venues, and community groups, and put it all in one 5-minute read every Sunday morning.

No event is too small

And no business is too small. If we want good things in our community, we have to show up for them. That’s also why I include local government meetings. They’re not flashy, but the decisions made there shape the future of the place we call home.

WHERE YOU MIGHT CATCH ME

πŸ” Prime Street Grill

🍹 Mexico, for some good drinks

🍣 Kobe

If you see me out, say hey. And if The Dorf helps you, pass it along to a neighbor.


Not getting The Dorf yet? It’s free, every Sunday morning.

EVERY ISSUE SO FAR

Catch up on the archive

πŸ—žοΈ Trunk-or-treats, a haunted firehouse, and Jim Jones

πŸ—žοΈ Trunk-or-treats, a haunted firehouse, and Jim Jones

Hey neighbor! Halloween is Saturday and Charles County went all in. There are trunk-or-treats starting Wednesday, a haunted firehouse you can drive through for free, the Cornstalkers Trail of Terror at the stadium, and Jim Jones headlining a Halloween night in Waldorf. Two heads ups before we start: the Friday Line Dance Costume Party at Graces shows as canceled, and clocks fall back Sunday. Let's get into it. πŸ‘‡

Oct 25, 2026

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16 min read

πŸ—žοΈ Trunk-or-treats, a bull roast, and a man-eating plant

πŸ—žοΈ Trunk-or-treats, a bull roast, and a man-eating plant

Hey neighbor! Halloween is still a week out, but Charles County didn't wait. Saturday alone has more trunk-or-treats than I could fit on one hand, plus Chaney's 47th Annual Bull Roast, Victorian Halloween tours at the Mudd House, and Little Shop of Horrors opening at CSM. Sunday, the Chamber's SoMD Savor the Flavor takes over Weatherly Farm on the Potomac. One heads up before we start: the Wicked Warrior 5K at La Plata High has been canceled. Let's get into it. πŸ‘‡

Oct 18, 2026

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19 min read

πŸ—žοΈ Fall festivals, flamenco, and a whole lot of monster trucks.

πŸ—žοΈ Fall festivals, flamenco, and a whole lot of monster trucks.

Hey neighbor! Fall is in full swing and Charles County is acting like it. This week you've got Monster Truck Wars at the fairgrounds, the Colonial Faire and Fall Festival at Maxwell Hall, a scarecrow trail on Cobb Island, and the Citizens for CCPL Book Bazaar in La Plata. Add a flamenco dinner show Sunday night and a pile of free library programs, and you've got no excuse to stay on the couch. One heads up first: Monday is Indigenous Peoples Day, so the libraries and county offices are closed. Let's get into it. πŸ‘‡

Oct 11, 2026

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12 min read

πŸ—žοΈ Rodeo, a haunted stadium, and a packed Saturday

πŸ—žοΈ Rodeo, a haunted stadium, and a packed Saturday

Hey neighbor! Bull riding at the fairgrounds, a haunted house inside the Blue Crabs stadium, and the Walk to End Alzheimer's all land in the same stretch, and Saturday, Oct 10 is stacked from sunrise to bedtime. There is a Moose Lodge showdown in Indian Head, witches on the water at Cobb Island, and a farm dinner or two if you would rather eat than scream. The library is running a full week of crafts too, from velvet pumpkins to glowing ghost jars. Let's get into it. πŸ‘‡

Oct 4, 2026

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11 min read

πŸ—žοΈ Saturday, Oct. 3 might be the most packed day Charles County's had all fall.

πŸ—žοΈ Saturday, Oct. 3 might be the most packed day Charles County's had all fall.

Hey neighbor! Buckle up, because Saturday, October 3 is doing the absolute most this week. Jazz and wine in Indian Head, the Angel's Wing car show, Household Hazardous Waste Day, two separate pumpkin patches, and Nanjemoy's 24th annual Heritage Day are all happening on the same 24 hours. Steel Magnolias also wraps its run at Port Tobacco Players this weekend, so if you've been meaning to catch it, this is your last call. Plus the library's got author talks, a STEM club, and a free estate planning workshop worth putting on your Tuesday. Let's get into it. πŸ‘‡

Sep 27, 2026

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10 min read

πŸ—žοΈ Two-day festival, 49 years of lobster, and free stuff all over the county.

πŸ—žοΈ Two-day festival, 49 years of lobster, and free stuff all over the county.

Hey neighbor! Fall showed up and the county went ahead and booked everything on the same weekend. Camp Souled Out takes over Regency Furniture Stadium for two full days, the Rotary Club's Lobster Festival hits its 49th year on Sunday, and Rec & Parks is throwing open the doors county-wide for a free Exploration Day on Saturday. There's also reenactors with cannons in Newburg, Steel Magnolias at Port Tobacco Players, and about a dozen ways to spend a Saturday afternoon making something with your hands. Let's get into it. πŸ‘‡

Sep 20, 2026

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14 min read

πŸ—žοΈ Four days of fair, Game 3 in Waldorf, and a Saturday that'll make you choose.

πŸ—žοΈ Four days of fair, Game 3 in Waldorf, and a Saturday that'll make you choose.

Hey neighbor! This is the biggest week on the calendar all fall and it isn't close. The 102nd Charles County Fair takes over the fairgrounds Thursday through Sunday, the Blue Crabs are hosting playoff baseball Friday night, and Historic Rich Hill is holding its first major program since reopening. Throw in a twelve hour gaming festival at CSM, three farmers markets, and a crab feast, and Saturday is going to require some hard choices. Let's get into it. πŸ‘‡

Sep 13, 2026

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15 min read

πŸ—žοΈ RunFest, the last Blue Crabs game, and Junkyard Band

πŸ—žοΈ RunFest, the last Blue Crabs game, and Junkyard Band

Hey neighbor! Labor Day gives us a slow start, and then Saturday arrives and refuses to be reasonable. The St. Charles Running Festival takes over the Blue Crabs stadium with a free food festival attached, Junkyard Band is at Shark Bar, and the Crabs play their final three home games of the entire season Tuesday through Thursday. Sunday brings a car show, a sound bath, and two farmers markets, because apparently we are doing all of it. Let's get into it. πŸ‘‡

Sep 6, 2026

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11 min read

πŸ—žοΈ Four Go-Go bands, six acres of sunflowers, and the last long weekend of summer.

πŸ—žοΈ Four Go-Go bands, six acres of sunflowers, and the last long weekend of summer.

Hey neighbor! Labor Day weekend is here and Charles County is not letting summer go quietly. Four legendary Go-Go bands are taking over the fairgrounds Sunday, Serenity Farm is opening six acres of pick-your-own sunflowers, the La Plata Train Station Museum is throwing its doors open, and there's a 90s cover band closing out the season at Port Tobacco. Add four farmers markets, a comic book signing, and a full library week that wraps before the holiday, and you've got more than enough to work with. Let's get into it. πŸ‘‡

Aug 30, 2026

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11 min read

πŸ—žοΈ The final Friday concert of the summer, plus six Blue Crabs games and a stacked Saturday.

πŸ—žοΈ The final Friday concert of the summer, plus six Blue Crabs games and a stacked Saturday.

Hey neighbor! Summer is doing its last lap and Charles County is going out loud. The La Plata Summer Concert Series plays its final Friday of the season, the Blue Crabs are home for six straight games with fireworks on Friday, and Saturday stacks a classic car show, three farmers markets, and a comedy paint night on top of each other. There's also a waterfront fundraiser in Port Tobacco if you want something a little dressier. Let's get into it. πŸ‘‡

Aug 23, 2026

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11 min read

πŸ—žοΈ School starts the 26th, so this is your last free weekend. Here's how to spend it.

πŸ—žοΈ School starts the 26th, so this is your last free weekend. Here's how to spend it.

Hey neighbor. This is it. School starts Wednesday the 26th, which makes this the last full week of summer, and Charles County is going out loud. There's a fishing tournament on Cobb Island raising money for childhood cancer research, a free health expo in Indian Head, the final Kids' Summer Show on the La Plata lawn, and an end-of-summer pool party for teens at Thomas Stone. Add three farmers markets, six live music nights, and a library calendar that refuses to slow down, and you've got a week worth clearing your calendar for. Let's get into it. πŸ‘‡

Aug 16, 2026

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10 min read

πŸ—žοΈ Living history at Smallwood, five home games, and a market almost every day.

πŸ—žοΈ Living history at Smallwood, five home games, and a market almost every day.

Hey neighbor, Mid August is quietly one of the best weeks we have had in a while. The Blue Crabs are home all week, Smallwood State Park is hosting a Maryland 250 living-history tribute, and the library is running everything from a Hamnet book club to an Oreo taste test. Throw in two farmers markets, a sound bath, live music out at Cobb Island, and an all-white brunch on the Patuxent, and there is a little of everything this week. Let's get into it. πŸ‘‡

Aug 9, 2026

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6 min read

πŸ—žοΈ Five back to school giveaways, a soul festival, and a free outdoor movie.

πŸ—žοΈ Five back to school giveaways, a soul festival, and a free outdoor movie.

Hey neighbor. School starts in a couple weeks and Charles County is going all in. There are five separate back to school giveaways happening this week, plus Sunshine Anderson live in Indian Head, a soul festival out at Bena Farm, and a free outdoor showing of the Mario Galaxy movie on Festival Way. The library is doing Shakespeare under the stars and a magic show, and the farmers markets are in peak tomato season. Let's get into it. πŸ‘‡

Aug 2, 2026

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10 min read

πŸ—žοΈ Wine at the fairgrounds, free music on the lawn, and a stadium full of baseball.

πŸ—žοΈ Wine at the fairgrounds, free music on the lawn, and a stadium full of baseball.

Hey neighbor. August is knocking and Charles County is going out swinging. The Blue Crabs are home for six straight games, the Navy Band Cruisers take the La Plata lawn Friday night, TrioFest brings wine and beer to the fairgrounds on Saturday, and Rec is closing out Parks and Recreation Month with a free block party at Billingsley. Add two farmers markets, free kids shows on the Concert Lawn, and a Sunday at Thomas Stone marking 250 years to the day, and you have a genuinely full seven days. Let's get into it. πŸ‘‡

Jul 26, 2026

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9 min read

πŸ—žοΈ Theater, farmers markets, and a bike-and-coffee ride to start your Friday.

πŸ—žοΈ Theater, farmers markets, and a bike-and-coffee ride to start your Friday.

Hey neighbor! The Blue Crabs are on the road this week, but the county is picking up the slack. You've got Legally Blonde on stage in La Plata, Tuesdays with Morrie closing out its run in Indian Head, three farmers markets, a whole National Moth Week at the library, and a Friday morning bike ride that ends with coffee cake. Plus live music at Apes two nights and a sound bath if you need to exhale. Let's get into it. πŸ‘‡

Jul 19, 2026

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8 min read

πŸ—žοΈ The Crabs are back home and Saturday is absolutely packed. Here's your week.

πŸ—žοΈ The Crabs are back home and Saturday is absolutely packed. Here's your week.

Hey neighbor. Saturday the 18th is going to make you pick favorites. You've got the 4th Annual African American Cultural Expo and Children's Book Fair, a Go-Go concert and car show over in Indian Head, two car shows, and an ice cream lab where you build your own cookie sandwiches. The Blue Crabs are also back home all week at Regency, and the library is running reptiles, robots, and a virtual author talk with Karin Slaughter. Let's get into it. πŸ‘‡

Jul 12, 2026

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8 min read

πŸ—žοΈ Post-holiday week, but the weekend delivers. Here's what's worth your time.

πŸ—žοΈ Post-holiday week, but the weekend delivers. Here's what's worth your time.

Hey neighbor! Hope you had a good Fourth. Now that the fireworks smoke has cleared, the county's easing back in with a quieter but genuinely fun week. You've got a Christmas in July movie night with a full-on Whoville setup, a car show taking over the stadium lot, free jazz on a Wednesday in downtown La Plata, and living history with Revolutionary War reenactors out at Rich Hill. Heads up that the Blue Crabs are away all week, so no home games, but the weekend more than fills the gap. Let's get into it. πŸ‘‡

Jul 5, 2026

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9 min read

πŸ—žοΈ Three firework shows, a free foam party, and a packed Fourth of July week.

πŸ—žοΈ Three firework shows, a free foam party, and a packed Fourth of July week.

Hey neighbor, It's the big one. Fourth of July week, and Charles County is going all out for America's 250th. You've got the county's free Fun-Filled 4th at the stadium, three separate firework shows to choose from, the Blue Crabs back home Friday night, a homecoming concert from Landon Cube, and the Thomas Stone house opening its doors like it's 1776. Plus the usual library fun, two farmers markets, and a yacht party if that's your weekend.Heads up: the library branches and county offices are closed Friday July 3 and Saturday July 4. Confirm hours before you head out. Let's get into it. πŸ‘‡

Jun 28, 2026

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7 min read

πŸ—žοΈ Six nights of baseball, a barbering showcase, and one quiet reset before the week

πŸ—žοΈ Six nights of baseball, a barbering showcase, and one quiet reset before the week

Hey neighbor! The Blue Crabs are home all week, which means six straight nights of ballpark lights out on St. Linus Drive. Beyond the stadium you've got go-go legends at Shark Bar, a Summer Fest taking over the Shops at Waldorf Center, a 50-and-better lawn party in Indian Head, and a packed library week from geodes to model trains. There's even a sound bath on Sunday if your week needs a reset. Let's get into it. πŸ‘‡

Jun 21, 2026

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8 min read

πŸ—žοΈ Two Juneteenth festivals, a packed Father's Day weekend, and ten days of eating well.

πŸ—žοΈ Two Juneteenth festivals, a packed Father's Day weekend, and ten days of eating well.

Hey neighbor, this is a big one. Juneteenth lands on Friday and Father's Day closes out the weekend, so the calendar is stacked from Friday straight through Sunday. You've got two Juneteenth festivals (Indian Head on Friday, the Shops at Waldorf on Saturday), the kickoff of Charles County Restaurant Week, paintball and cupcake decorating for the dads, and a go-go brunch at Shark Bar. Heads up: county offices and every CCPL branch are closed Friday for the holiday.Let's get into it. πŸ‘‡

Jun 14, 2026

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7 min read

πŸ—žοΈ Toddlers to teens, free to sleepaway, every local camp in one place.

πŸ—žοΈ Toddlers to teens, free to sleepaway, every local camp in one place.

Hey neighbor! School is out, the "I'm bored" chorus is already warming up, and camp weeks are filling fast. So we did the digging for you. This is every summer camp we could find across Charles County, from My Gym in Waldorf to a free space program for teens at the Science Center, sorted by age so you can scroll straight to your kid. Some run all summer, some are a single day, a couple are sleepaway. There is genuinely something here for every family.Let's get into it. πŸ‘‡

Jun 14, 2026

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7 min read

πŸ—žοΈ Indian Head's biggest arts day, free outdoor movies, and the Crabs are home all weekend.

πŸ—žοΈ Indian Head's biggest arts day, free outdoor movies, and the Crabs are home all weekend.

Hey neighbor,June is hitting its stride and Charles County is packed this week. ArtsFest takes over the Indian Head Village Green on Saturday, the Blue Crabs are home all weekend with Saturday fireworks, and there's a free outdoor screening of Black Panther II at the Shops at Waldorf Center. Add live country at the Blue Dog Saloon, a boxing card in Waldorf, and a library calendar that's honestly doing the most, and you've got plenty of reasons to leave the house.Let's get into it. πŸ‘‡

Jun 8, 2026

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7 min read

πŸ—žοΈGraduations, opening day markets, and a whole lot of music.

πŸ—žοΈGraduations, opening day markets, and a whole lot of music.

Hey neighbor, June is here and Charles County is not easing into it. This week the Class of 2026 crosses the stage at Regency Furniture Stadium, the Waldorf Farmers Market officially opens for the 2026 season. There's also a brand-new Gospel Karaoke Brunch making its Sunday debut, a free outdoor concert series kicking off in La Plata, and more farmers markets than you can shake a tote bag at. Let's get into it. πŸ‘‡

May 31, 2026

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6 min read

πŸ—žοΈ Drag racing, fireworks, comedy, and a packed holiday weekend

πŸ—žοΈ Drag racing, fireworks, comedy, and a packed holiday weekend

Hey neighbor, Memorial Day weekend is officially here, and Charles County is delivering. This week you've got NHRA history being made at Maryland International Raceway (the inaugural Potomac Nationals), the Blue Crabs home all weekend with post-game fireworks Friday night, the PrEP for Pride Festival on Saturday, late-night comedy at Grace's Event Center, sound healing at The Green Coterie, and a full library lineup back in action Tuesday through Saturday after the Monday holiday. There's a lot going on. Let's get into it. πŸ‘‡

May 24, 2026

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9 min read

πŸ—žοΈ Memorial Day weekend is stacked, here's what to check out.

πŸ—žοΈ Memorial Day weekend is stacked, here's what to check out.

Hey neighbor,Memorial Day weekend is almost here and Charles County is not holding back. This week you've got the La Plata Summer Concert Series kicking off its first free outdoor show of the season on Friday, a massive regional job fair at CSM on Thursday, and the library packed wall-to-wall with programs from robotics to a foraging walk at Mallows Bay. Whether you're headed out or keeping it close to home, there is genuinely no shortage of reasons to get off the couch.Let's get into it. πŸ‘‡

May 17, 2026

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9 min read

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