By Greg Ellison, Staff Writer

(Nov. 2, 2017) As fall hits full stride with Halloween’s passage, the Snow Hill Arts on the River First Friday event provides an ideal opportunity to savor the newly chill air, while attending artist gallery receptions, perusing boutiques for unique holiday gifts, and partaking of music, food and libations, starting at 5 p.m.

The Lower Shore Land Trust, 100 River Street, will feature award-winning author Barbara Lockhart, who will sign copies of her most recent children’s book, “Will’s Tractor.”

The title character works relentlessly to restore an old tractor unearthed at a recently purchased farm. Will nearly quits the challenging task, before an encouraging word from a loved one nudges him to success.

In addition to four volumes for children, Lockhart has also published a pair of novels and a collection of short stories.

Lockhart taught kindergarten for a quarter century before earning a MFA in writing from

Vermont College. After residing on the shore nearly a half century, she takes creative solace from the region.

“I moved here 45 years ago [and] everything I’ve written is set here on the shore,” she said. “I’m a city girl and sometimes when you move to a new place you have an outside perspective.”

Lower Shore Land Trust will welcome two-dimensional artist David Thompson, who will display oil paintings. Appetizers and beverages will be offered.

Bishop’s Stock Fine Art, Craft & Wine, on 202 West Green Street, will hold an opening reception for its November featured artists, Lois and Kathryn Engberg, and provide wine samples from Oregon’s Willamette Valley.

Kathryn is a third-generation artist, following in the footsteps of her mother Lois and grandmother, Barbara Beauchamp. She graduated in 2016 from the Grand Central Academy of Art in Queens, New York, where she studied under classical master Jacob Collins.

Lois, who like her own daughter found the creative calling from an artistic mother, has worked as a professional painter for nearly two decades. Painting with oils in a classic realist tradition, she is widely known for floral still-life paintings that feature dark backgrounds.

To provide an ideal starting point to the evening, the 101 Green Street Gallery will be open from 3-7 p.m. Proprietor Jan Coulbourne said appetizers and beverages would be available for art enthusiasts while they search for work that speaks to their aesthetic sensibilities.

Further art treasures can be found at the Jim Adcock Studio in the John Blair House, on 106 East Green Street. Enjoy refreshments while being entertained by the strains of Charlie “Uke of Earl” Flagiello, and take advantage of a closeout sale on selected Adcock prints.

Check out cutting-edge, environmentally conscious art at Green Pearl Contemporary Fine Art, 114 Pearl Street. Proprietor and artist Paul Volker is perfecting a technique to transform Styrofoam, or polystyrene plastic, into pliable putty suitable for shapes or mold casting.

Get a hairstyle update at the Mirror Salon, on 216 North Washington Street, which will offer half-price on basic cuts from 5-8 p.m.

ReTag’d Upscale Resale, on 108 Pearl Street, will have a sidewalk sale with items stating at $1.

Sassy Girl Boutique, on 114 West Green Street, will be offering 40 percent off all remaining fall décor, as well as featuring new holiday décor.

The Olde Town Candy Company, on 102 West Green Street, will feature new products for the fall and holiday season, including single-malt scotch and sea-salt caramels.

Toy Town Antiques & More, 207 North Washington Street, is having a 10-percent-off sale on all purchases of $20 or more. In addition to bargains, stop in to hear the soothing sounds of Snow Hill’s own Nick Haglich, who will hold an in-store performance.

The Harvest Moon Tavern, on 208 West Green Street, will feature the acoustic rhythms and vocal harmonies of Opposite Directions from 7- 10 p.m. As usual, reservations are strongly suggested.

Close out the evening with high-end cuisine at the Blue Dog Café, on 300 North Washington Street, and raise a glass to the red, white and blue during a performance by WWIIunes and vocalist Todd Crosby. Show times are from 7-10 p.m. and reservations are strongly suggested.

First Friday in Snow Hill sponsors include Arts on the River, Snow Hill’s Arts & Entertainment District, the Worcester County Arts Council, Maryland State Arts Council and the Town of Snow Hill.