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January 7, 2022

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Winterfest Sees Attendance Jump

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

January 7, 2022

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

Some of the sights of the walking Winterfest of Lights display are pictured.

Photo by Chris Parypa

OCEAN CITY – The modified walkthrough Winterfest of Lights was once again a clear success with high attendance and gross sales exceeding budget expectations.

Winterfest of Lights opened the Thursday before Thanksgiving and ran through New Year’s Day last weekend, just as it has done for nearly the last three decades. However, because of ongoing COVID concerns, the event last year was modified to a walk-through event and was a critical and financial success.

For decades, Winterfest of Lights attracted thousands of visitors who rode the Boardwalk tram through the massive light displays arrayed throughout the Northside Park complex. Last year, however, visitors enjoyed Winterfest of Lights as a walk-through experience that proved to be equally rewarding.

Visitors and residents last year mostly raved about the modified event with its light displays arranged around the roughly half-mile walking path around the lagoon. This year, with the critical acclaim in 2020, the Town of Ocean City returned to the modified walk-through event, which set new benchmarks for Winterfest.

Anecdotally, many visitors said they preferred the leisurely pace of walking through Winterfest and enjoying each of the light displays and lingering around their favorites for a while, compared to waiting in line for the tram and getting whisked quickly through the park.

There was still the massive Christmas tree with its synchronized lights and music. There were still opportunities to visit with Santa and enjoy a hot chocolate and the gift shop. However, the big change was the pedestrian aspect.

The proof was in the pudding, as over 100,000 entrance tickets were purchased this year during Winterfest of Lights including robust online sales.

Last year, the first-ever modified walkthrough Winterfest drew around 74,000 visitors.

Last year, the gross sales were just over $434,000, while this year, that figure rose to nearly $615,000. About $560,000 was budgeted for Winterfest this year, according to statistics provided by the town, meaning the event well exceeded financial expectations.

This year’s Winterfest of Lights also set new records in several key financial categories compared to previous record year. Gift shop sales were up 34% from the previous record year in 2018. Glow product sales were up 16% from the previous record year in 2019, while Santa photo sales were up a whopping 86% from the record year in 2017.

Commission To Revisit Rezoning For Townhome Community

January 7, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 7

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – Discussion regarding a rezoning that would allow for a substantial townhouse development just off Route 50 is expected to continue next week.

At a meeting Jan. 12, the Berlin Planning Commission will consider a request to rezone commercial land near the northwest intersection of routes 50 and 818.

The rezoning is being pursued to allow for construction of a 176-unit townhouse community on the 24-acre property.

In October, developer Chris Carbaugh approached the commission to share plans for a 176-unit townhouse project he’d like to pursue on 24 acres at Route 818’s intersection with Route 50 westbound. The land was rezoned from industrial to commercial in 2020 at Carbaugh’s request. Carbaugh told the commission this fall he was seeking the latest rezoning because the pandemic had affected commercial plans for the property.

“A lot of those users put their growth plans on hold,” he said in October. “Since that time there’s been substantial interest in residential development in the town of Berlin so we wanted to go back and try to see if there was a way to incorporate the residential into this project and create more of a mixed use.”

Carbaugh said there would be commercial space on the corner and then townhouses on the substantial back section of property. Following his presen-

A proposed site plan featuring 176 townhomes is pictured.

tation, commission members said they wanted to hear from the public before voting on the rezoning request.

In the weeks since, close to a dozen emails related to the proposal have been submitted. Some expressed concern related to growth while others highlighted the impact that many townhouses would have on an already busy intersection.

“Do we actually have to grow or can we stay the same size, or maybe manage our growth in smarter ways, grow within our town bounds, meter that growth with

single-family homes, and keep the charm that makes Berlin, Berlin intact,” resident Tony Weeg wrote in his email to the commission.

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA) also submitted concerns regarding the proposed development’s proximity to Bunting’s Airport.

“The proximity to Bunting’s Airport, an MDOT MAA licensed commercial-use landing facility, is of paramount concern,” a letter from Ashish Solanki, director of the Office of Regional Aviation Assis-

File Photo

tance, reads. “Residential communities in close proximity to aircraft activity invites negative public perception of noise/vibrations, nuisance complaints and environmental complaints. Additionally, low flying aircraft perform aerial applications on farm communities in the area. Any densely developed community in the area would be dangerous to both the piloted aircraft and residences of the community.”

The Berlin Planning Commission is scheduled to meet virtually on Wednesday, Jan. 12 at 5:30 p.m.

Former Councilman Starts Petition Against Room Tax Change

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – A recently-passed ordinance scaling up the percentage of the town’s collected room tax dedicated to marketing in future years is being challenged with a petition for referendum.

In early December, the Mayor and Council narrowly passed an ordinance altering the formula for how a percentage of room tax generated in the resort is distributed to marketing and advertising. By way of background, Ocean City’s room tax in 2019 was raised from 4.5% to 5% with about 44% dedicated to marketing and advertising and 56% dedicated to the town’s general fund to help offset the cost of increased tourism, such as increased fire and police services,

public works, salaries and overtime, for example.

There are essentially two schools of thought regarding the distribution of room tax revenue in the resort. On the one hand, dedicating more of the room tax revenue to marketing and advertising will only grow the revenue source by attracting more visitors to Ocean City.

On the other hand, attracting more visitors to Ocean City, particularly in the shoulder seasons and offseason with more and more special events puts additional strain on essential services such as police, fire and paramedics, public works and other departments.

The option ultimately approved by a 4-2 council vote in December was to continue to direct 2% of the increase in room tax revenue to destination marketing, advertising, promotions, sponsor-

ships and special events and the like for fiscal years 2022 and 2023, while scaling up the percentage for that purpose to 2.1% in fiscal year 2024 and 2.2% in fiscal year 2025.

Former Councilman Vince Gisriel from the beginning publicly challenged the ordinance on the grounds the scaled increases in the amount of room tax dedicated under the broad umbrella of marketing and advertising would exponentially grow those budgets at a rate faster than the general fund growth. To that end, in December he sent a letter and a draft petition for a referendum on the room tax ordinance to the city solicitor for approval.

The preamble to the petition for referendum reads, “We, the undersigned petitioners, being duly registered voters of said town, do hereby request that Or-

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dinance 2021-24 in its entirety, as stated herein, be submitted to a referendum vote of the registered voters of the town of Ocean City for their approval or disapproval.”

Gisriel’s letter to City Solicitor Heather Stansbury for approval of the petition set in motion a 40-day window for gathering the requisite number of voter signatures to bring the question to referendum. The city charter requires signatures representing 40% of those who voted in the last municipal election. With 1,528 votes cast in the last election, the target number for a successful petition is 612 signatures.

In a letter back to Gisriel dated Dec. 30, Stansbury acknowledged its receipt and outlined the procedure by which the former 14-year councilman must proceed.

“I acknowledge that your petition was received on December 23, 2021, which was within three business days of the passage of Ordinance 2021-24,” the letter reads. “Effective December 30, 2021, you shall have 40 days from the date of this letter, February 7, 2022, to obtain the signatures of 40% of the number of voters at the most recent general election. Therefore, you will need at least 612 of those qualified registered voters’ signatures for you to have a successful petition for referendum.”

In a letter to the editor this week, Gisriel outlined his reasons for seeking a repeal of the room tax ordinance.

“This new ordinance replaces an earlier one passed in 2007, which was flawed from the outset,” the letter reads.

“The old ordinance was supposed to dedicate one-half percent of the room tax to advertising. However, instead it dedicated an amount equal to 2% of gross room revenue to advertising. This resulted in an enormous increase in the amount of money being spent to promote the town.”

According to Gisriel, under the original ordinance passed in fiscal year 2007, the town’s advertising budget was just over $1.76 million. By fiscal year 2021, it grew to over $7.46 million.

“By way of comparison, from fiscal year 2007 to fiscal year 2021, property tax revenue grew 17%, while room tax revenue grew 80%,” the letter reads. “As the room tax dramatically grew, funds from the revenue source to the general fund for such essential services as police payroll and overtime, and additional EMS shifts, only grew by 30%, while funds from the room tax for advertising increased 324%. This caused a major imbalance in the budget.”

In the letter, Gisriel asserts the recently-passed ordinance only exacerbates what he believes is an alreadydisproportionate room tax distribution formula.

“Rather than correcting the problem, the Mayor and Council have passed a worse ordinance to replace a bad ordinance,” the letter reads. “The new ordinance exasperates the situation by increasing the advertising budget even SEE NEXT PAGE

Resort Out Of Pedestrian Lawsuit

January 7, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Del. Resident Died In 2017 Collision

OCEAN CITY – A civil suit filed by the family of a local man struck and killed by a police vehicle no longer includes the Town of Ocean City, but remains open against the other named plaintiffs in the case.

In October of 2017, Thomas Lawlor, 57, of Ocean City, attempted to cross Coastal Highway at 76th Street from west to east when he was struck by an unmarked Maryland State Police (MSP) cruiser allegedly traveling at a high rate of speed in response to another incident. Lawlor was struck by the MSP cruiser operated by Trooper James Price as he crossed the northbound lanes of Coastal Highway at 67th Street and ultimately succumbed to injuries sustained in the collision.

The decedent’s wife, Rennae Lawlor, of Lewes, Del., and her two sons filed suit in U.S. District Court, naming Price, the MSP, the state of Maryland and the Town of Ocean City as defendants. Price was named in the six-count suit for his alleged negligence leading up to the fatal collision, while the other defendants were named for their various alleged roles in the tragedy.

The complaint was later dismissed in U.S. District Court over jurisdiction issues. The victim’s family then filed a similar complaint in Worcester County Circuit Court naming the same defendants, including the Town of Ocean City, Price, the MSP and the state of Maryland. The suit is seeking in excess of $75,000 in damages, to be determined by the court, for six separate counts. The counts included negligence, gross negligence, negligence in hiring and retention, a wrongful death claim, a survivor claim and, finally, a respondent superior claim.

The Town of Ocean City subsequently filed a motion to dismiss it as a defendant in the case. This week, a Worcester County Circuit Court judge

dismissed the town as a defendant in the case. However, the civil suit will continue against the other named defendants in the case. Ocean City Attorney Bruce Bright confirmed the dismissal this week.

“The case has been dismissed as to Ocean City, but remains pending against the state defendants,” he said.

“Ocean City sought dismissal through a motion, but before the court had ruled on that request, and based on the record as it was developed, the plaintiffs’ voluntarily dismissed the case, with prejudice, as to the city.”

According to the suit filed in March 2020 in Worcester County Circuit Court, the defendant Price was traveling at a high rate of speed in his unmarked police cruiser without having the vehicle’s emergency lights or siren activated. The suit also alleges Price was looking down and not at the roadway in front of him just prior to the collision.

“The defendant was traveling at an excessive speed at all times leading up to and at the time of the crash, and at the time of the crash was traveling at least 22 miles per hour over the speed limit,” the complaint reads. “Based on information and belief, the defendant was looking down in his vehicle during his approach to Mr. Lawlor, not at the roadway directly in front of him. Mr. Lawlor had crossed into the right northbound lane when the defendant swerved and smashed into Mr. Lawlor, sending him flying into the air and then crashing down into the pavement.”

The complaint charges the other defendants, which no longer include Ocean City, of allegedly knowing of dangers of the motor vehicle event and not taking the appropriate action to train and deploy its allied law enforcement officers, and for negligently entrusting the vehicle to the trooper when they had reason to believe it could be used in a high-speed activity during an event where vehicles intermingle with heavy pedestrian traffic.

more. Based on the trend of room tax increases over many years, and based on the increased formula found in the new ordinance, a conservative estimate is that funds dedicated to the broad category of destination marketing, which includes advertising, will be in excess of $8.7 million in fiscal year 2024 and over $9.5 million in fiscal year 2025.”

To that end, Gisriel is seeking a referendum to allow the city’s voters to decide the issue.

“Short of an outright repeal of the ordinance by the Mayor and Council, the only way to stop this financial irresponsibility is to petition the ordinance to referendum,” he said. “That is exactly what

I’m going to do.”

As of midweek, Gisriel said he hasn’t yet acquired any of the requisite signatures after just having received the letter from Stansbury.

“I don’t have any signatures yet,” he said. “I just received the updated voter rolls, and that’s a more efficient way to do this.”

Gisriel said he would go out and do the old-fashioned way of gaining signatures for the petition, which could begin as soon as late this week.

“I’m just going to go out and knock on doors,” he said on Wednesday. “That will begin tomorrow. That’s the best way to do it.”

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

… 612 Signatures Needed For Referendum

Page 9

Cricket Center Loses Leader To State Advocacy Position

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – A local child advocacy center began the new year without its leader at the helm.

Last week, Cricket Center Executive Director Wendy Myers concluded a 15year career at the facility. Myers, who started at the Cricket Center in 2006, is now overseeing the state’s 24 child advocacy centers as the new executive director of the Maryland Children’s Alliance.

“When the previous chapter director retired, I became interested in this position,” she said in an interview this week.

“I wanted to have statewide impact and to be involved in statewide decisions involving child welfare and really just recognizing the need not just here in Worcester but throughout the state.”

The Maryland Children’s Alliance is a nonprofit organization created to serve sexually abused children throughout the state. In her new role, Myers said she will be working closely with child advocacy centers and advocating for child welfare matters at the state level.

“I’ll be working closely with legislation in child welfare matters and I’ll be traveling to all 24 child advocacy centers in the state to support them and determine what

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individual needs they have at the local level,” she explained.

Myers said one of her top priorities includes seeking new ways to fund local child advocacy centers.

In Maryland, every county is required to have a child advocacy center, which brings together a multidisciplinary team made up of law enforcement officers, child protective service personnel, prosecutors, advocates, mental health therapists and medical personnel to collaborate on child abuse cases. The state mandate, however, is unfunded.

“We have to compete with other local nonprofits for funding, and we are mandated by the state of Maryland to conduct investigations and prosecutions in this way and also to support child victims by way of case coordination and advocacy for each child,” she said. “We were able to do that very successfully here in Worcester, mostly because of our generous community. But a lot of jurisdictions in the state don’t have the resources we do in Worcester County. I don’t believe there should ever be a county that has to compete with other nonprofits locally in order to provide services to victims of child abuse.”

Looking back on her 15 years as the Cricket Center’s executive director, Myers said she is most proud of the team that has been established and the work that has been done.

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partnerships, and I think back to years ago the way our child welfare system responded to reports of abuse and how we respond today. I know that we have established the mechanism that will best protect our children and also respond to child abuse.”

Myers said she is also eager to see the Cricket Center continue the work she leaves behind, including its prevention programming and a capital campaign to build a new facility.

“As statewide chapter director, I will be cheering for that to happen,” she said.

While Myers completed her tenure at the Cricket Center last Friday, she said she would continue to support the facility in her new role. As she continues to work remotely from Worcester County, Myers said she will be close by to lend her service dog, Josiah, to children in need.

“I am happy to report that Canine Companions, the Cricket Center and Maryland Children’s Alliance all recognize how valuable Josiah is to our kids, and we’ve reached an agreement,” she said.

“When I am able, I will be providing Josiah for our kids. Our team at the Cricket Center will alert me when he’s needed and every time I’m able I’ll make him available for forensic interviews, therapy appointments and to accompany kids in court.”

Myers noted her former position at the Cricket Center has yet to be filled, but that she is eager to work alongside its new executive director.

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Community Mourns Long-Time Worcester Music Teacher

Page 12

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – A longtime Stephen Decatur Middle School teacher known for inspiring countless young musicians is being mourned this week.

County officials on Wednesday announced the death of Peter Mundrick, the band director at Stephen Decatur Middle. Mundrick had been a dedicated member of the school’s faculty for more than two decades.

“Today, we mourn an incredible loss in our school community,” Principal Lynne Barton said. “The unexpected passing of Peter ‘Pete’ Mundrick has devastated us all. Mr. Mundrick has been a guiding light for our band program, and he has left a lasting imprint on so many students both currently in our school and those who have carried his lessons along with them as they progressed into their futures.”

Barton said the school was doing its best to help students during a difficult time.

“Our school will continue to feel the impact of this loss for a long while,” she said. “Our main focus right now is to help our students and staff cope with this loss, assisting his family in any way we are able, and remembering Mr. Mundrick as our band director and educator, who was well-loved for his ded-

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

ication to his students – both past and present — at Stephen Decatur Middle School.”

Mundrick, who established the school’s jazz band and marching band, was hired by Worcester County Public Schools in 1998. As Stephen Decatur Middle’s band instructor he instilled a love of music in so many over the years.

“Pete Mundrick inspired so many students in their desire to study music, to make music, to enjoy music,” said Gwen Lehman, a retired Stephen Decatur High School teacher. “As an educator, he cared PETER deeply about his kids. MUNDRICK They felt it in their hearts and knew it to be true.”

Mundrick, known for his interest in technology, also played a key role in producing the school system’s Teacher of the Year (TOY) video for many years.

Barbara Witherow, the school system’s retired coordinator of public relations and special programs, recalled his dedication to the annual project.

“Because of his love for technology and our Teacher of the Year program, Pete would produce our TOY video which was featured at the annual banquet,” Witherow said. “I was always impressed at how he pushed himself to make it better each year. Like when the

State Department of Education added a rotating 3D emblem to their TOY video, Pete was inspired and determined to do the same. And he learned how! I’ll never forget his smile when he showed it to me for the first time.”

She added that he had a way of putting the educators being featured at ease.

“Sometimes Teacher of the Year candidates started off nervous,” Witherow said. “Pete always made them feel comfortable. By the time a teacher was done, everyone was laughing.”

Former student Bill Todd said Mundrick, who let him and his friends practice in the band room after school, helped many develop a passion for music.

“Mr. Mundrick gave me an opportunity to become the musician I am today,” he said. “I didn’t read music, I just played the guitar the way I wanted to play. He never tried to make me change what I was doing, he just encouraged me to be me. I’ll always remember that.

There’s a few of us that came through his class that have been playing since then and made a living off of music. I think we all owe Mr. Mundrick a debt of gratitude for that.”

Worcester County Commissioner Chip Bertino said he and his wife were saddened to learn of Mundrick’s passing.

“He taught our children and he was a

January 7, 2022

gifted educator who had the best interests of students as a priority,” Bertino wrote on Facebook. “He will be missed.”

Former student Nick French also shared fond memories of Mundrick.

“He was one of my top teachers throughout my grade school years; always pushing me to my full potential,” French wrote on Facebook. “He always made sure I was working and practicing my craft to the best of my ability. He has inspired me, as he has so many others.

He cared so much for music and his pupils that cared for their own craft themselves.”

Superintendent Lou Taylor said officials were deeply saddened to learn of Mundrick’s passing but would do what they could for his family and students.

“It's always painful when we experience a loss in our school system community, and we will support Mr. Mundrick's family and the students and staff at SDMS however we are able through this time of mourning,” he said.

In 2016, Mundrick was recognized as one of seven teachers who earned recognition through the Maryland Music Educators Association Awards for Excellence. The teachers honored “devote their professional lives to educating the whole child, ensuring that students have a strong and complete music education,” according to the award announcement.

Governor Implements State Of Emergency, New Orders

January 7, 2022

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – As the nation enters its third calendar year of the pandemic, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan this week announced a new state of emergency and a series of executive orders aimed at addressing the COVID-19 surge.

In a press conference held Monday, Hogan declared a 30-day state of emergency to combat the current COVID-19 surge and announced the enactment of two executive orders addressing staffing shortages and overwhelmed health care facilities across the state.

“All of the emergency actions we are taking today are to keep our hospitals from overflowing, keep our kids in school and to keep Maryland open for business,” he said. “And we will continue to take whatever actions are necessary in the very difficult days and weeks ahead.”

Monday’s announcement came as the state reported a record-high 3,057 COVID-19 hospitalizations, representing a 500% increase in the last seven weeks.

“From day one of this crisis I have told it to you straight, so the truth is the next four to six weeks will be the most challenging time of the entire pandemic,” Hogan said. “Our newest projections, as of today, show that COVID hospitalizations could reach more than 5,000, which would be more than 250% higher than our previous peak of 1,952 last year. While we were hoping for the best, we are actively preparing for the worst.”

Hogan noted this week that recent COVID-19 hospitalizations are overwhelming hospital operations around the state. To that end, he announced the enactment of two executive orders, the first of which authorizes the Maryland health secretary to regulate hospital personnel, bed space and supplies and to direct and expedite the transfer of patients between facilities as necessary.

“The executive order allows interstate reciprocity for health care licenses, it allows inactive health care practitioners to practice without needing to reinstate their expired licenses, it authorizes graduate nurses to work at any health care facility to provide full nursing services, and the order allows health care practitioners to practice outside the scope of their licenses,” Hogan said. “The executive order also authorizes the health department to regulate elective medical procedures as necessary, and to issue directives to control and monitor COVID-19 in nursing homes and similar congregate care facilities.”

The second executive order, Hogan announced, authorizes additional steps to augment the state’s EMS workforce.

“Today, at my direction, we are mobilizing 1,000 members of the Maryland National Guard to assist state and local

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

health officials with the state’s emergency pandemic response,” he said.

“Approximately 250 members of the Guard will be deployed to support COVID-19 testing sites across the state, including at hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, and to assist with patient transport as needed.”

In response to the surge, Hogan said the state will be opening 20 new hospital-adjacent testing sites across the state to divert people away from hospital emergency rooms. He also called on the federal government to increase the distribution of monoclonal antibodies and expedite the production of COVID-19 antiviral pills and rapid tests.

“We are working on emergency procurements to acquire as many more as we possibly can but there is a serious

national shortage, and the federal government needs to immediately expedite the approval of additional rapid test and to push increased production and distribution to the states,” he said.

At the state level, Hogan said the administration has committed $100 million in emergency funding, with $50 million dedicated to stabilizing hospital workforce and staffing needs and $50 million dedicated to expanding the availability of COVID-19 testing, treatments and vaccines. He also announced a mask mandate in state buildings and two hours paid leave for state employees to get the vaccine or booster shot.

“We are urging other employers across the state to follow our lead by providing leave for vaccinations and boosters, and by strongly encouraging

Page 13

the wearing of masks and face coverings indoors,” he said.

Lastly, Hogan encouraged residents to avoid crowds, wash their hands and get the vaccine.

“As I have been repeatedly saying over and over again, the single most important thing you can do to protect yourself, your family and your fellow members from this virus and its variants is to get fully vaccinated and to get a booster shot,” he said. “Throughout 2021, nearly 75% of those who tested positive for COVID-19 in Maryland were people who had not been fully vaccinated. Nearly 85% of all our COVID hospitalizations for the entire year were people who were not fully vaccinated, and more than 84% of the more than 4,700 additional Marylanders who have SEE PAGE 14

Page 14

Heritage Tourism Grants Available

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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BERLIN – A grant funding opportunity is expected to benefit local heritage tourism sites.

Lisa Challenger, executive director for Beach to Bay Heritage Area, says local nonprofits and government agencies have until mid-March to apply for grant funding through a Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA) program.

Grant awards range from $5,000 to $100,000 depending on the project and must be used to support heritage tourism and education.

“It gives folks an opportunity to develop heritage tourism products and projects that attract visitors and allow them to really offer a bigger and better tourism experience,” she said.

The Maryland Heritage Areas Authority is operated out of the Maryland Department of Planning and oversees the recognition and certification of 13 heritage areas throughout the state.

Challenger says its grant program offers between $5,000 and $50,000 for non-capital projects, such as interpretation and events, and between $5,000 and $100,000 for capital projects.

“They have a capital grant program, which is really for big projects like bricks-and-mortar building, new exhibits and renovating a historic site …,” she said. “They have to serve a heritage tourism purpose to the public.”

Since its certification in 2004, organizations within the Beach to Bay Heritage Area have received well over $1 million in grant funding to support heritage tourism projects, Challenger said.

Just last year, for example, the nonprofit received nearly $167,000 in funding for several projects, including structural renovations and repairs to the Black-Eyed Susan riverboat in Snow Hill and building repairs to the Sturgis One Room School House in

Pocomoke.

“The funds are available to nonprofits and municipalities to do a variety of projects,” she added.

This year, however, Challenger said more nonprofits and municipalities could have the opportunity to apply for grant funding, as matching requirements can now be any combination of cash or in-kind contributions.

“If the organization doesn’t have the cash, their match can be completely inkind …,” she explained. “It’s really made it super helpful and easier for smaller organizations to comply.”

Applicants must submit a Letter of Intent form through the MHAA’s financial incentives website by Jan. 28, and all eligible projects must take place within the boundaries of one of the certified heritage areas. The local application deadline is March 18, and awards will be announced in July.

“It’s a super easy process,” Challenger said.

For more information on the MHAA grant, contact Lisa Challenger at 443783-3035 or info@beachesbayswaterways.org. Copies of the grant guidelines and the link to start an application are available at mht.maryland.gov/grants.shtml.

“We encourage folks to apply and call or email with questions,” Challenger said. “It’s a fairly straightforward process. And now that they’ve relaxed the match requirements, I think it opens the door for a lot of organizations that didn’t apply in the past.”

The Beach to Bay Heritage Area is a grassroots, nonprofit organization whose purpose is to preserve, protect and promote the cultural, natural and historical heritage of Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties. Annually, the program provides $230 million in economic impact and generates $29.6 million in state and local taxes while supporting 3,145 full- and part-time jobs.

FROM PAGE 13 died from COVID-19 last year were not fully vaccinated.”

Hogan added that 33% of children ages 5-11 have been vaccinated.

“We all want to keep our schools safely open because there’s absolutely no substitute for in-person learning,” he said. “One of the best ways to do that is to get more of our school age children vaccinated as soon as possible.”

As the Delta and Omicron variants continue to spread, local hospital systems took to social media this week to remind community members that emergency departments are for medical emergencies.

“As COVID-19 numbers rise again, our Emergency Department is receiving an increased number of patients,” a Facebook post from TidalHealth reads.

“Emergency departments are for real medical emergencies, accidents and trauma care. We need all our emergency workers team to be prepared and prepared to help community members who show up with real emergencies. TidalHealth is not offering COVID-19 diagnostic tests neither by appointment nor outpatient in any of the emergency rooms inside its hospitals.”

A post from Atlantic General Hospital adds, “We would like to provide a reminder that our Emergency Department does not provide COVID-19 tests for asymptomatic individuals. If you are asymptomatic, please contact your primary care provider for a COVID-19 test. If you are experiencing shortness of breath or other symptoms of severe COVID-19, please go to the Emergency Room immediately.”

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January 7, 2022

STAFF WRITER

… ‘Actively Preparing For The Worst’

Berlin Mayor Explains Late Call To Cancel New Year’s Festivities January 7, 2022

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – Reactions were mixed following Berlin’s last-minute cancellation of New Year’s Eve events.

Though plans were still on early in the week, late Thursday afternoon the town announced that both New Year’s Eve events, the family celebration at 6 p.m. and the adult celebration at 10 p.m., were canceled because of rising COVID19 cases. While some applauded the news, others criticized the fact that the decision came just one day before the event.

Ivy Wells, the town’s economic and community development director, said Thursday morning officials found out several vendors wouldn’t be able to attend.

“There were several staff members that were ill, and all the vendors were ill,” she said. “It’s difficult to have an event when there’s no staff to work the event.”

Mayor Zack Tyndall shared news of the cancellation on Thursday in a Facebook post that cited rising COVID-19 cases and vendor cancellations as the cause. The post went on to encourage people to support the bars and restaurants that would be open. Those who commented on Facebook were quick to point out that though the town had canceled the outdoor events, it was encouraging people to gather inside. Paul Suplee, owner of Boxcar on Main, said he felt bad for his fellow merchants because the decision was made just the day before the event.

“Too late to cancel entertainment, too late to send food back,” he wrote on Facebook.

Bryan Brushmiller of Burley Oak Brewing Co. used the town’s cancellation post to invite people to the brewery and The Globe, as they stayed open New Year’s Eve regardless of the town’s elimination of the ball drop.

The Atlantic Hotel also stayed open but saw the effect of the town’s lastminute change in plans.

“It was disappointing but we understand that it couldn’t be helped,” the hotel’s Laura Stearns said. “It was not busy as we lost more than half of our reservations for both the restaurant and hotel.”

In a statement Friday, Tyndall said the decision to cancel the events had been made after discussions with elected officials and town staff.

“On Monday, December 27th, the Town decided to continue with the New Year’s Eve activities as planned,” He said. “However, within 48 hours of the Town’s decision to continue with the activities, Worcester County’s COVID-19 positivity rate jumped from 14.84% to 21.6%. In addition to the spike in COVID19 cases locally, the Town was informed by multiple vendors that they would be unable to attend due to their staff being ill or testing positive for COVID-19. Efforts were made to try and find replacement vendors but were unsuccessful.

The surge of COVID-19 cases locally

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

and vendor cancellations led the Town of Berlin to make the difficult decision to cancel all town sponsored New Year’s Eve events.”

The statement also said the prior day’s post regarding businesses that would be open was meant to support local merchants.

“This decision was also made to show support of the business community, who have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic over the last two years,” the statement said. “In sync with other local, state, and federal recommendations, the Town of Berlin is in no way promoting community members to congregate indoors. Many businesses in town offer carry out, delivery, or outside dining options.”

Page 15

Snow Day: Though it rained most of the morning, the snow began around

1 p.m. Monday and continued into the evening, dropping about three inches of snow in Berlin.

Photo by Steve Green

Mayor Seeks Citizens’ Input Ocean Pines Kicks Off Annual On Berlin’s Goals For This Year Review Of Proposed Budget

Page 16

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – Mayor Zack Tyndall is seeking the public’s input as he develops the Town of Berlin’s goals for the coming year.

Tyndall, who is in his first year as mayor, is currently in the process of compiling input from citizens and staff as far as what they believe the town’s priorities should be in 2022.

“The input process is open with a tentative deadline of next Wednesday,” Tyndall said.

He said that in taking over as mayor, he’d noticed there could be more communication between elected officials and town department heads regarding priorities for the coming year.

“What I wanted to do was give employees and department heads a chance to contribute to our goals and objectives as well,” he said.

Tyndall reached out to citizens as well via social media and within hours

of the post already had a half dozen emails from residents.

The mayor said he was planning to give an annual report — a task he says is a yearly responsibility of the mayor’s office — that would highlight the town’s accomplishments from the prior year at the Jan. 10 town council meeting. He wants to follow that up with a presentation regarding goals at the Jan. 24 meeting.

Tyndall believes that by documenting its goals, the town will be better positioned when it applies for grants.

“It’s something we can point to and say this is what we’re after,” he said.

When asked about goals he had in mind for the town, he said a community center was on his priority list. Beyond that though, he declined to elaborate.

“I’d like to give employees and the council and the public the chance to chime in first,” he said.

Those interested in suggesting goals can email Tyndall at mayorzack@berlinmd.gov.

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

OCEAN PINES – The Ocean Pines Association kicked off its annual budget process this week with a series of review sessions.

On Tuesday, the Ocean Pines Budget and Finance Committee held the first of three review sessions this week to evaluate the preliminary proposed budget for fiscal year 2022-2023.

“The role of Budget and Finance is to make recommendations to the board in respect to any actions we want to take … ,” said Dick Keiling, committee chair.

“This is the first draft of the budget so any suggestions we make and the general manager supports, he has the opportunity to change those in a second pass through of the budget before it goes to the board.”

General Manager John Viola told committee members this week the association continues to face challenges ahead of the coming year’s budget, including inflation, minimum wage increases and market adjustments.

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“Even with the adjustment for minimum wage, we still had to come up with an adjustment to hire people,” he said, “and it’s reflected in this budget.”

The proposed fiscal year 2022-2023 budget includes total revenues of $16,833,944 and expenditures of the same.

Viola also noted an estimated surplus of roughly $1.4 million, which will be applied to reserves.

“We did not use any surplus for this budget,” he said.

While the spending plan details increases to salaries, insurance and the fire department budget – a $319,000 jump related to salaries and medical benefits – Viola noted increased department revenues and expense reductions led to a proposed assessment decrease of $1.

“I believe we have a very good proposed budget,” he said.

Most of Tuesday’s meeting featured discussions with various department heads. Under general administration, for example, Finance Director Steve Phillips highlighted a $50,000 decrease in interest income and a $100,000 increase in casino fund revenues.

“The table games over at the casino generated more funds,” he said. “So we are budgeting $450,000 this year.”

Phillips also highlighted the $150,000 budgeted for legal fees in the coming fiscal year. When asked if the association had considered hiring its own attorney, instead of an outside law firm, Board President Larry Perrone said it hadn’t been discussed.

“I think the law firm should be reviewed every year …,” Viola added. “It’s not just the lawyer. We have HR outsourced as well, ever since I’ve been here.”

During Tuesday’s meeting, Budget and Finance Committee members reviewed the proposed budget with members of association staff, including public relations, golf, recreation and parks, and finance, to name a few.

A video of each review session, held Jan. 4-6, will be made available on the association’s YouTube page. Proposed budget documents can also be viewed online through the association’s website, oceanpines.org.

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National Search On Schedule For AGH’s New Leader

January 7, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 17

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BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – Atlantic General Hospital (AGH) reports it is still on track to identify its next CEO by this spring.

In the four months since the departure of Michael Franklin, former president and CEO of Atlantic General Hospital and Health System for 16 years, AGH has appointed a search committee and retained a national search firm to identify candidates for the leadership position.

In an update this week, CEO Search Committee Chair and Board of Trustees Secretary Charlotte Cathell reported the ongoing search has resulted in several contenders for the search firm to vet.

“The search for Atlantic General Hospital and Health System's next CEO is going well,” she said. “WittKieffer, the national search company hired by the hospital, is in the process of reviewing numerous candidates for the position.

We will narrow down the candidates by the end of the month, at which time the CEO Search Committee will work in tandem with WittKieffer to do a deep dive into each candidate's resume and decide which candidates they wish to interview and recommend to the Board of Trustees, hopefully in early spring.”

Last year, AGH’s Board of Trustees announced it would begin seeking candidates for the position of CEO following Franklin’s departure on Sept. 3, one week after AGH celebrated a ground breaking ceremony for its new Gudelsky Family Medical Center on Route 589 near Ocean Pines.

Franklin had led the community hospital since 2005. Prior to joining AGH, he served as chief operating office for Shady Grove Adventist Hospital in Rockville.

“We thank Michael for his commitment and professionalism over the past 17 years and wish him great success,” Greg Shockley, chair of the board of trustees, said in September.

In addition to announcing Franklin’s departure, AGH also identified Dr. Sally Dowling, vice president of medical affairs, and Kim Justice, vice president of planning/operations, to serve as co-interim president/CEO while a national search was conducted to find a permanent replacement.

“The board has full confidence in Kim and Dr. Dowling to lead our independent community hospital.” Shockley said at the time. “We appreciate all that our associates and caregivers, our medical staff, our senior leadership team and our boards do to continue to provide the highest level of service and care for our community.”

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Page 18

Heartsaver Hero Award Presented To Local Residents

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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January 7, 2022

Award honorees Judie Scotti and Rob Ruszin are pictured with OPVFD President Dave Van Gasbeck last week.

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BERLIN – Dave Van Gasbeck, president of the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department, last week presented the American Heart Association's Heartsaver Hero Award to Rob Ruszin and Judie Scotti.

Ruszin and Scotti helped save a life on Oct. 31 at the Ocean Pines Clubhouse Bar and Grille.

When a customer had a heart attack, their quick use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) resuscitated the man.

He was later transported by EMS to Tidal Health in Salisbury, and he reportedly recovered.

An American Heart Association study showed that cardiac arrest victims who received a shock from a publicly available AED had far greater chance of survival and being discharged from the hospital (66.5%) than those who did not (43%).

Van Gasbeck said he applied for the Heartsaver Hero Award shortly after Oct. 31 and was hoping it would arrive in conjunction with the November recognition by the Worcester County Commissioners. Maryland Del. Wayne Hartman and Sen. Mary Beth Carozza also previously presented Ruszin and Scotti with commendations on behalf of the state.

“You are both truly heroes,” Van Gasbeck said. “You did an amazing job. You just jumped into it, and we can’t tell you how much we appreciate what you’ve done and how much we actually recognize, being in the business, how important it is the work you’ve done.

“You all are both fantastic,” he added.

Scotti was modest in accepting the award, saying, “it's something that [anyone] would do.”

“As a as a human being, if you can help somebody, then that's what you're supposed to do,” she said. “Rob did an amazing job and, for me to help facilitate what I can do, then that was great … but I give credit to Rob.” “I was just there and knew where [the AED] was,” Ruszin said. “Everyone that was there … helped out.”

“It was a big effort for everyone that was here,” Scotti said. “So, it's not it's not just awards for us. It’s awards for them too.”

Following the award presentation, Van Gasbeck took the opportunity to encourage local people to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

“It's really important,” he said. “We are taking more and more patients – and sick patients – on a daily basis. And virtually every patient that we brought in, in the last couple of months, has been unvaccinated.

“Do yourself a favor and protect yourself and your loved ones by getting vaccinated and, with the high amount of positivity now in Worcester County 20.58%, wear masks when you feel it is appropriate,” he added.

January 7, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 19

870 Penguins Plunged To Support Community Hospital

Page 20

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

January 7, 2022

Though it rained for much of New Year’s Day, the swimmers who took a chilly dip on a mild day were able to get in and out of the ocean before the heavy downpour.

Photos by Erik Dowell and Tyler Layton

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

OCEAN CITY – More than 800 participants plunged into the Atlantic Ocean last week to raise $102,000 for Atlantic General Hospital.

On New Year’s Day, 870 participants, sporting both costumes and bathing suits, took a dip in the chilling waters off Ocean City for the 28th Annual Penguin Swim.

Despite the cold water temperatures and rainy conditions, organizers say it didn’t stop swimmers from supporting the hospital’s fundraising efforts.

“Weather was warm but rainy, [and] fortunately heavy rain held off until right after the swim,” said Development Co-

ordinator Kam LaBrunda. “Perhaps even more people would have participated if it was sunny.”

This year, a preliminary gross total of roughly $102,000 was raised for health care services in the community.

“The participation from swimmers and spectators was a great demonstration of community support for our local nonprofit hospital and healthcare heroes,” LaBrunda said.

Since its inception, the annual Penguin Swim has grossed roughly $1.6 million in support of the hospital’s mission to provide a coordinated care system with access to quality care, personalized service and education to create a healthy community.

SEE NEXT PAGE

January 7, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

… spirited penguin swim held in oc

As one of the hospital’s largest fundraisers, the annual swim has become a tradition for hundreds of residents and visitors and many local businesses and community groups. The Ravens Roost team, for example, has contributed nearly $153,000 to the Penguin Swim over the last 13 years. And the Bull on the Beach team has contributed more than $662,000 since the fundraiser’s start in 1995.

Penguin Swim winners, listed in order of award sequence, are as followed: Youth/Family Teams “Believe” (Denver, Pa.): $2,295 Zoo Crew (Breinigsville, Pa.): $2,100 Ice Ice Kirbys (Berlin): $1,450 Community Group Teams OC Ravens Roost #44 (Ocean City): $9,057.50 OPST Hammerheads (Ocean Pines): $815 The Atlantic Club (Ocean City): $400 Business Teams Bull on the Beach (Ocean City): $20,000 OC Wasabi (Ocean City) $2,000 The Dispatch (Berlin): $1,150 Adult Individuals James King (Selbyville, Del.): $1,330 Michael Nelson (Rosedale): $1,285 Ellen Waters (Ocean City): $1,025 Youth Individuals Dennis Tice, Jr., age 17 (Lusby, Md.): $275 Leila Attia, age 13 (Fallston, Md.): $125 Joel Smith, age 13 (Elkridge, Md.): $75 Celebrity Challenge Individuals Michael Boyle (Ocean City): $100 Celebrity Challenge Teams License to Chill (Ocean City): $3,595 Mike for Mayor (West Chester, Pa.): $450 Delmarva Aces (Berlin) $25 Special Recognition Prizes Youngest Penguin: Charlie Draeger (Landsville, Pa.), 1 year, 11 months, 3

Page 21

TThe 870 penguins raising money for Atlantic General Hospital ranged in age from 23 months to 91 years old.

Photos by Erik Dowell and Tyler Layton

days Oldest Penguin: June Barnes (Fallston, Md.), 91 years, 4 months, 5 days Traveled the Furthest: Karl Perkins, Euless, Texas Costume Contest Best Youth Costume: Sloan Aye (Baltimore, Md.), “Mermaid Princess” Best Adult Costume: Butch Lorditch (Denver, Pa.), “Genie” Best Couple Costume: Kelli and Matthew Brozena (Telford, Pa.), “Lifeguard & Shark” Best Group Costume: Bridgette Garchella and Family/Friends (Ocean City), “Kiss Covid Goodbye” “Blingiest” Costume sponsored by Park Place Jewelers: Lindsey Reed, Reagan Reed, Kate Reed, Layla Hamrock and Brooklyn Paul (Berlin), “Frosty Friends”

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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COPS & COURTS Nightclub Security Arrests

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OCEAN CITY – One Ocean City nightclub security staffer was arrested last weekend for allegedly shocking a male patron with a stun gun, while a second was arrested for allegedly obstructing and hindering a police investigation of the incident.

Just after midnight last Saturday, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers responded to a nightclub at 17th Street for a reported disorderly conduct incident. The officers met with a male individual who reported his friend had been removed from the bar by security staff for unknown reasons.

The male individual reportedly followed his friend as he was being escorted to the front door and attempted to prevent security staff from removing his friend. The victim reportedly told police he felt someone hit him with a stun gun on the right side of his neck and shocked him.

According to police reports, the victim fell to the ground. He then reportedly left the nightclub to wait for the police to arrive. The victim described the individual who shocked him with the stun gun as a member of the bar’s security staff and provided a description of the bar staffer, according to police reports.

A member of the security staff escorted an OCPD officer through the bar so the officer could talk to each member of the security staff. The officer spoke with a juvenile security staffer, who advised he knew little about the incident, and that he had never left his post near the stage, according to police reports.

The officer asked the juvenile staffer if he had a stun gun, to which the juvenile replied he did, but had not used it, according to police reports. The juvenile reached into his sweatshirt pocket and produced a “Kwik Force” stun gun and handed it to the officer. At that point, the juvenile was arrested for possession of a concealed dangerous weapon and possession of a stun gun.

As the officer walked the juvenile to the patrol car for transport, another member of the security staff, identified as Damond Moore, 21, of Salisbury, began screaming “Get off my boy,” and “He’s only 16,” according to police reports. Moore reportedly walked off the sidewalk toward the arresting officer and he was given multiple orders to stay back. Moore attempted to walk past other officers in order to interfere with the arresting officer’s investigation despite multiple orders to stay back, according to police reports.

The arresting officer reported Moore’s actions prevented him from conducting the investigation out of fear Moore was going to assault him, attempt to free the juvenile, or both. Moore was ultimately arrested for obstructing and

hindering. The outcome for the juvenile who allegedly shocked the male patron with the stun gun is not known.

Replica Handgun Arrest OCEAN CITY – A Salisbury man was arrested last week for driving without a license and possession of a replica handgun in violation of the town’s weapons ordinance.

Around 12:25 a.m. last Wednesday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer patrolling in the area of 80th Street allegedly observed a vehicle cross from the travel lane to the bus lane for about three seconds before correcting. The officer observed the driver, later identified as Darryl Hall, 36, of Salisbury, make eye contact with the officer before drifting again into the bus lane for about five or six seconds, according to police reports.

The officer made contact with another OCPD officer who advised Hall had been stopped two hours before and was cited for driving without a license and was given a lawful order not to drive, according to police reports.

Based on that information, the officer stopped Hall in a parking lot of a convenience store at 83rd Street.

When the officer approached Hall, he reportedly began talking freely about his earlier stop and produced the citation. He admitted he had been stopped for driving without a license and Ocean City Communications was able to confirm Hall did not have a valid driver’s license, according to police reports.

Communications also confirmed the vehicle was registered to another individual from Salisbury, according to police reports.

At that point, Hall was asked to step out of the vehicle and was placed under arrest for driving without a license.

While Hall was being handcuffed, OCPD officers located a handgun on the floor on the passenger side of the vehicle.

The weapon turned out to be a replica .357 magnum Smith and Wesson that had the same physical characteristics and weight as an authentic handgun. Hall was arrested and charged with possession of a replica handgun and driving without a license.

More Weapons Found OCEAN CITY – An Oxon Hill, Md. man was arrested last week after a variety of weapons were allegedly found in his vehicle.

Around 12:35 a.m. last Thursday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer patrolling in the area of North Division Street allegedly observed a vehicle with a strong odor of marijuana emanating from it in a convenience SEE NEXT PAGE

January 7, 2022

... COPS & COURTS store parking lot. The officer observed the vehicle was parked directly in front of the door of the convenience store, according to police reports.

The officer reportedly could smell the odor of marijuana from at least 20 feet away and there were no other cars in the parking lot, nor was there anyone else outside smoking. The officer approached and asked the driver, later identified as Raul Urbina, 20, of Oxon Hill, Md., and the other occupants to step out of the vehicle.

A search of the vehicle revealed two spring-assisted knives, one large machete, a small bat similar to a club and a set of make-shift fighting knuckles all concealed within the vehicle, according to police reports. The knives were located in the glove box, the machete was found in a bookbag and the small bat was located under the driver’s seat, according to police reports.

The officer noted in the report all of the weapons were concealed in such a way that they were easily accessible to the driver or any passengers in the vehicle. Urbina was arrested on various weapons charges in violation of the city’s weapons ordinance.

Prison For Assault OCEAN CITY – A local woman, arrested in October after first causing a disturbance at an uptown motel and then moving over to a nearby restaurant where she allegedly continued her disruptive behavior, pleaded guilty last week to second-degree assault and was sentenced to 40 days in jail.

Around 6:55 p.m. on Oct. 24, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer was dispatched to a restaurant at 126th Street for a reported disorderly female. Upon arrival, the officer met with the restaurant’s owner and a female employee at the establishment’s door.

The female employee said a suspect, later identified as Emily Gore, 31, of Ocean City, who was still inside, attempted to hit her, according to police reports. The restaurant owner reportedly showed the OCPD officer where Gore was still seated.

When the officer approached Gore, she exhibited signs of intoxication and became hostile, according to police reports. The officer told Gore the business owner wanted her to leave, but she replied she had been invited there, according to police reports. When she was told again she was being trespassed from the premises, she began demanding a reason why she had to leave, according to police reports.

Gore was reportedly stumbling and yelling near the bar, and stumbled toward a patron, knocking over a bar stool, according to police reports. The initial officer placed a hand on Gore’s shoulder in an attempt to escort her from the restaurant. Another OCPD officer arrived on the scene and Gore was placed under arrest, according to police reports.

Gore reportedly resisted being placed

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

in handcuffs and pulled her hands away, despite commands from police to stop resisting. OCPD officers were ultimately able to place Gore in handcuffs, but she continued to yell throughout the arrest process. Meanwhile, numerous guests stopped eating to watch the disturbance Gore was causing in the restaurant, according to police reports.

Gore reportedly flailed her body and continued to yell while she was being escorted from the building. At one point, she spat in the face of one of the transport vehicle officers, according to police reports. OCPD officers interviewed the bar employee, who informed police she had cut Gore off from any more alcohol. The employee reportedly told police Gore unsuccessfully attempted to smack her, which is when the police were called.

A short time later, OCPD officers on the scene learned Gore continued to be uncooperative at the booking facility.

According to police reports, earlier in

the evening around 5:40 p.m., the same OCPD officers was dispatched to a nearby hotel at 126th Street and observed Gore on the floor in the lobby.

A front desk employee told the officer Gore had asked to charge a phone in the lobby, then became disorderly and threatened to hit the front desk employee, according to police reports.

Gore was given an indefinite trespass warning by the employee and the OCPD officer escorted her from the hotel premises. The officer observed Gore walk into the restaurant nearby where the second incident allegedly occurred.

All in all, Gore threatened to assault one individual, attempted to assault another, and successfully assaulted two OCPD employees. She was charged with multiple counts of second-degree assault. Last week, she pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree assault and was sentenced to 40 days in jail.

Probation For Assault

Page 23

OCEAN CITY – A Wilmington, Del. man, arrested on assault charges after starting a fight with another man in the downtown area, pleaded guilty last week and was placed on probation for one year.

Around 12:25 a.m. on Oct. 17, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers were dispatched to a reported fight in progress near a closed business on South Baltimore Avenue. When officers arrived, the located a suspect later identified as Jonathan Stephenson, 31, of Wilmington, Del., on the ground with another man standing over him.

The other man was reportedly telling Stephenson to calm down and that he didn’t want to fight. There were numerous bystanders in the area who told officers Stephenson had been acting crazy and trying to pick fights.

Stephenson was ultimately arrested and charged with second-degree assault. Last week, he pleaded guilty to that charge and was placed on probation for one year.

OC Art League To Open New Monthly Show, Exhibits

Page 24

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

OCEAN CITY — First Friday, Jan. 7, celebrates a collaboration between visual artists and writers during the annual “Shared Visions” exhibit at the Ocean City Center for the Arts. All are welcome to the free event that runs from 57 p.m.

“Shared Visions” is the annual partnership between the Art League of Ocean City and the Ocean City branch of the Worcester County Library, home of the Ocean City Writers Group, headed by Ruth Wanberg-Alcorn. The writers submitted poems and stories they hoped would inspire the visual artists, and the artists selected their inspirations and created accompanying works of art.

Both sides will be on exhibit until Jan. 29.

“This is the ninth year for the collaboration,” Rina Thaler, executive director of the Art League, said. “It is an inspired coming-together of words and images and demonstrates the different forms of self-expression.”

On Jan. 18 from 6-8 p.m., the Ocean City Writers Group will read their work and discuss what inspired them during

a free event at the Arts Center, and the public is invited.

In January, the Galleria will feature an exhibit entitled “My Favorite Things,” an all-media group show inspired by the artists' favorite people, places, and things. The exhibit judge is Leslie Belloso of Salisbury, a medical doctorturned-artist who received her MFA in 2017 from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and currently participates in national juried art shows, including Plein Air Easton and the Olmstead Plein Air Invitational.

Lamont Hall exhibits in Studio E in January. Originally from Pocomoke City and a multi-year Art League scholarship winner, Hall is currently based in Brooklyn, N.Y. as a senior at the Pratt Institute pursuing a BFA in communications design and art history. His work falls into the space between art and design, and Hall hopes it starts conversations around contemporary topics.

Angela Pierce of Selbyville, Del., is the Spotlight Gallery artist for January.

Pierce is an arts educator who taught for

January 7, 2022

28 years in Baltimore City and Maryland public schools. She discovered oil painting in Florida, and now uses her passion for taking photographs to convey her impressions of nature to oil paint on canvas.

Susan Allen of Lewes, Del., continues as the Art Center’s artisan for January. Allen developed a passion for mosaics when she made her first piece four years ago, and, as a physician, recognized and experienced the healing effects creating mosaics can provide both to healthy individuals and those in need of healing. Her recent works combine glass and other materials adding texture and dimension.

The Art League’s satellite galleries also open new shows on First Friday, with the artists present to greet guests and talk about their work. C.K. Rompf of Chincoteague, Va., opens a three-month show at the Coffee Beanery on 94th St. and Coastal Hwy. A digital artist, photographer, and poet, Rompf is a graduate of the Writing Seminars at The Johns Hopkins University, a co-editor of The McGraw Hill Book of Poetry and The

McGraw Hill Book of Fiction, author of two chapbooks, and a published poet.

Petra Bernstein of Salisbury opens a three-month show at the Princess Royale Oceanfront Hotel lobby, 9100 Coastal Hwy. Born and raised in Germany, Bernstein holds a BS from the University of Regensburg and a BFA, summa cum laude, from Salisbury University.

Living on the Wicomico River, Bernstein uses both photography and painting to express her deep connection to the natural world.

The Art League of Ocean City is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing the visual arts to the community through education, exhibits, scholarship, programs and community art projects. Funding for this event is in part provided by the Worcester County Arts Council, Maryland State Arts Council and the National Endowment of the Arts, organizations dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive.

More information is available at ArtLeagueofOceanCity.org.

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Page 25

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Worcester Prep fourth grader Lea Jaoude of Lewes, Del. served as Head of School on Dec. 16. Her parents purchased the “Head of School for a Day” opportunity during the WPS Virtual Gala fundraiser auction last April. As Head of School, she asked all students, teachers and administrators for a donation of $1 to go towards SOS Children's Villages of Lebanon, and in return those who donated were allowed to wear “crazy hat” for the day. SOS supports orphaned children deprived of parental care and provides them with family-based care preventing child abandonment.

Her busy schedule was filled with leadership meetings, visiting classrooms, touring campus, doubling recess times for Grades 1-5, adding recess to both Middle and Upper Schools schedules, treating teachers to donuts, ice cream was served to fourth grade students during lunch, as well as the fourth grade got to play The Great American Snowball Fight during physical education class. Also, at the end of the day, Lea presented a power point on the SOS Children's Villages of Lebanon to her peers.

Above left, Jaoude sits at the Head of School’s desk with WPS Head of School Dr. John McDonald. Above right, Jaoude shared her knowledge on the SOS Children’s Villages of Lebanon with her fourth-grade peers.

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

January 7, 2022

COMMUNITY News In Photos The Pine'eer Craft Club of Ocean Pines recently announced annual donations of $5,800 to several Ocean Pines departments and community groups. Since forming in 1974, the club has given more than $175,000 to the Ocean Pines community. This year, Club President Sharon Puser said funds were distributed to the Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks, Police and Public Works departments, along with the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department, Ocean Pines Library, Neighborhood Watch, and the Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation. Puser said profits from craft fairs and from the Artisan Gift Shop went toward the donations.

Additional money was raised this year during “Desserts in the Park” events that coincided with summer “Concerts in the Park.”

Stephen Decatur High School students Saige Figgs and Kameron Harris coordinated a holiday canned food drive collecting items from students and the residents of Oyster Harbor. Together, they collected over 300 canned goods to donate to Shepherds Crook food pantry. Pictured, from left, are Margie Wilson of Mercy Ministries, Harris, Figgs and Pastor Sean Davis of OC Baptist Church.

Submitted Photos

Race Directors Rick Hundley and Ernie Felici, of Focus Multisports, best known for the Bethany Beach First Responders Sports Weekend, Coastal Delaware Running Festival, Coastal Resorts Golf Classic, Surfin Snowman Valentine’s Day Weekend Love Run/Walk, Justin’s Beach House 5k, July 4th Holiday Firecracker Run, Dewey Beach Buddy Run, Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot and other entrepreneurial ventures, recently made a contribution of $16,000 to the Delaware Seashore Preservation Foundation (DSPF), after a successful Coastal Delaware Running Festival. The foundation is a non-profit friends’ organization created to preserve, protect and enhance the Indian River Life Saving Station, and the parks within the Delaware Seashore State Park Region. Pictured, from left, are Felici; Doug Long, Delaware Seashore State Parks; Hundley; John Roberts, Fort Miles Historical Association Board member; Shirley Price, DSPF Board member; and Larry Brown, DSPF Board chairperson.

Aminesa Metelus was TidalHealth Peninsula Regional’s first baby of 2022 born on Jan. 1 at 9:16 a.m. She joins mom, Malouse, and dad, Balnave, for a photo with the gift box presented to her by the TidalHealth Junior Auxiliary Board.

The Ocean City Lions Club recently spent the morning collecting trash along Route 611. Protecting the environment is one of Lions Club International's global causes and the OC Lions support many local environmental causes.

State Senator Mary Beth Carozza and State Delegate Wayne Hartman recently presented Beth Rodier, RWWC President 2018-2021, with citations from Governor Larry Hogan, the Maryland General Assembly, and the Senate of Maryland in recognition of her service to the Republican Party. Pictured, from left, are Carozza, Rodier, her husband Ed Rodier, who is president of Worcester County Board of Elections, and Hartman.

January 7, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 27

BUSINESS And Real Estate News Property Changes Hands BERLIN – Senior Advisor Tonney Insley has settled on the Assateague Market, located at 7643 Stephen Decatur Highway outside of Berlin.

Tonney represented both sides of the deal, listing the property for a previous client, and securing a buyer resulting in a new client.

The market is the last stop before heading into Assateague Island’s State and National Parks. The market serves as a one-stop-shop for the millions of annual visitors at Assateague Island offering a variety of goods including a full-service deli, beach supplies, fishing gear, crab traps, beer, wine, souvenirs, camping necessities and more.

In 2018, Assateague Island attracted 2,136,889 visitors, according to the National Park Service. These visitors are also estimated to have spent $94,476,000 in communities near the park.

“Tonney’s local knowledge and guidance through the sale of our property is unmatched. We were happy to have a seamless transaction and for our markets legacy to live on with a new owner,” said seller David Sharrof.

The buyers of the Assateague Market have plans to continue to run the business as a family and are eagerly waiting to open next season. The owner said, “First off, Tonney was easy to work with and helped throughout the way. For the market, we plan to bring our own personal touch with full renovations and a fresh look to this long-standing Assateague Island staple.”

Branch Manager Named OCEAN CITY – Reid Tingle, President & CEO of Bank of Ocean City, along with the Board of Directors, announced the promotion of Robin Gribble to branch manager of the Ocean Pines office.

Gribble joined the Bank of Ocean City in July of 2020. She brings 25-plus years of management experience coupled with extensive workforce development training. She is committed to providing an outstanding customer experience. She is looking forward to serving ROBIN GRIBBLE the clients of the community and building customer relationships.

Bank of Ocean City is a locallyowned, independent community bank.

Established in 1916 and headquartered in West Ocean City, the bank has five offices – two in Ocean City, one in Ocean Pines, one in Berlin and a Delaware branch located in Fenwick Island.

Board Members Named SALISBURY – The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore recently an-

nounced Robin Evans, Tyrone Mills, Melody Nelson and Sonya Whited have joined the foundation’s Board of Directors.

Evans is originally from Crisfield, Md. She worked on Capitol Hill for Congressman Doug Bereuter 23 years before returning to the Eastern Shore. After returning to the Eastern Shore she worked for Morgan Stanley and at Salisbury University in Student Affairs.

Mills lives in Hebron and is a retired principal from Pocomoke High School and served as the Director of Athletics for Worcester County Public Schools.

SEE PAGE 28

Renovations to the Assateague Market on Route 611 are planned after the recent property transaction.

Submitted Photo

Positive Outlook For Equities

Page 28

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

January 7, 2022

Wealth of Knowledge

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BERLIN – The general outlook for equities is positive coming off 2021 and heading into 2022.

Stocks performed relatively well through the autumn earnings season and, as a general rule, the fourth quarter tends to be the best one for stock performance. While the coronavirus, labor shortages, supply chain issues and rising prices have presented headwinds for COLLIN the economy, low interest rates and positive MACOMBER corporate earnings have kept equity performance in good shape.

According to Charles Schwab, investors looking for a higher stock allocation should consider high-quality, reasonably valued companies poised to benefit from worldwide economic recovery. As for individual stock picks, consider company fundamentals and the ability to weather different market conditions over specific sectors.

Merrill Lynch believes the market environment looks to be supportive of stock investments through the first two quarters of 2022. Its analysts expect job growth to continue. Their experts believe the United States will head toward full employment, which will help eliminate the current issues related to labor and supply shortages. Merrill Lynch also sees China’s recovery as a catalyst to spur overall global economic growth.

For investors, their wealth manager recommends adding long term investment themes related to innovation. Diversification remains important but key sectors expected to thrive include industrials, materials, energy, financials and large-cap technology.

Now that factories are back up and

running worldwide, Goldman Sachs sees inventories building back up, continued innovations in health care and a boost in consumer spending due to pent-up demand. By the middle of next year, their wealth manager sees a moderate slowdown in the current growth rate of developing markets. It predicts global GDP will increase to about 4½% and does not expect the Fed to begin raising interest rates until July 2022.

Speaking of the Fed, in November it announced plans to begin tapering bond purchases over the next six months. By the middle of 2022, it anticipates no need to ease monetary policy any further. In response to these actions, Morgan Stanley analysts believe that real economic growth will continue to improve in the New Year. Both America’s response to COVID and the new infrastructure bill place the United States in a favorable position relative to the rest of the world. Investors will likely have the confidence to buy riskier assets, whereas inflation risk will continue to put upward pressure on real interest rates.

One thing to note about inflation is that it doesn’t necessarily bode negatively for stocks. In fact, according to research by Fidelity Investments, the stock market has performed relatively well during past historically high inflation periods (except for the 1970s). Energy stocks tend to be positively correlated with high inflation, while consumer discretionary and financials are usually negatively correlated with rising prices.

If you’ve recently harvested any losses or gains and are looking to rebalance your portfolio, we’d be happy to help you vet investment opportunities appropriate for your situation. Please contact us to get started today.

(The writer is an investment advisor with Key Financial Services. The entire KFS team can be reached at 410-629-0357.)

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FROM PAGE 27 He is a board member for Hudson Health Services and currently works part time at Dove Pointe.

Nelson is a past board member and chair of the Community Foundation and is retired from a career in the insurance industry. She has remained active on various committees and volunteer efforts since her retirement CFES Board of Directors retirement in 2019 and is excited to rejoin the Board of Directors.

Whited moved to Salisbury 16 years ago. She works at Perdue Foods as the Senior Director of Retail Product Development where she and her team work with cross-functional associates and vendors to make concepts into reality.

She is involved in many community ef-

forts and is a CFES Legacy Society member.

“The Community Foundation has always prided itself on having a diverse and knowledgeable board of directors” said CFES President Erica Joseph. “We are looking forward to the contributions and perspectives our incoming Board Members will lend us, coupled with their strong passion for philanthropy the local community.”

Practice To Relocate SALISBURY – TidalHealth relocated its TidalHealth Pain Management practice this week from its previous location on Tilghman Road to the H. Gray Reeves Medical Building,145 East CarSEE NEXT PAGE

January 7, 2022

... BUSINESS NEWS roll Street, Suite 101-102 in Salisbury.

The outlying strip mall on the Tilghman Road property where the Pain Management office had been located incurred significant structural damage when impacted by an automobile traveling at a high rate of speed on Dec. 31.

While the practice, itself, did not take a direct hit, there was infrastructure and water damage, overall, to the building housing it.

While a determination is being made on the structural stability and safety of the Tilghman Road structure, the practice has been moved, at least temporarily, to the Reeves Medical Building, which is located directly across East Carroll Street from TidalHealth Peninsula Regional.

TidalHealth continues to alert patients with existing appointments of the change in practice location and thanks them for their patience and understanding. Anyone with questions may call TidalHealth Pain Management at 410742-7246.

Reaccreditation Granted SALISBURY – Salisbury University’s Mid-Atlantic Sales and Marketing Institute (MASMI) in the Franklin P. Perdue School of Business recently earned reaccreditation from the University Sales Center Alliance (USCA).

Founded in 2015, MASMI provides an academic program for students interested in sales, with financial and mentoring support from regional and national sales leaders. The institute joined the USCA in 2016 as an associate member, earning full membership in 2017.

“What [MASMI has] accomplished over the past six years is incredible,” said Dr. Scott Inks, USCA president-elect.

“In 2015, you were a one-person shop; now … you have a sales minor, four faculty teaching sales, a full-time administrative assistant, multiple partners/sponsors [and] a large national sales competition.”

He attributed the success to the efforts of MASMI’s director, Dr. Amit Poddar; Perdue School Dean Christy Weer; and Sales Program faculty and staff, including Drs. Judi Billups, Aaron Johnson, Doug Tribull and Argha Sen, and administrative assistant Crista Hughes.

“All USCA schools go through the process every five years to ensure that we are creating value for our students and other stakeholders,” said Poddar. “I am pleased that we continue to uphold USCA’s mission of providing quality education to enhance the national sales force and look forward to continuing our membership in the organization.”

First At-Home Antibody Infusion Announced SALISBURY – TidalHealth’s Mobile Integrated Health/SWIFT team made history on Dec. 23, administering the first home-based monoclonal antibody infusion in the state of Maryland to Steven Webster of Mardela Springs.

The ability to administer the COVID19 treatment in a patient’s home is not only historic, it also reduces emergency

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch department utilization at a time when volumes are unprecedented, and it opens the door to access for people who have multiple barriers to receiving care.

Monoclonal antibody infusion is used to reduce the severity of COVID-19 effects in patients who are early in their exposure.

These treatments have historically been administered in a hospital setting, including the Robert T. Adkins, MD Emergency/Trauma Center at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional.

“TidalHealth is committed to supporting the health of our friends, families and neighbors. The SWIFT team is an innovative program that reduces unnecessary strain on emergency services and the emergency department while connecting patients to the right care, at the right time, in the right place,” said Katherine Rodgers, Director of TidalHealth Community Health Initiatives.

“We are constantly trying to evolve the program and the services the SWIFT team can provide in their pa-

tients’ homes. Bringing the monoclonal antibody infusion directly to a patient served by the SWIFT team is a perfect example of how the team and TidalHealth breaks down barriers to improve efficiency and healthcare.”

The team, led by Nurse Practitioner Dr. Aaron Sebach, coordinated with the TidalHealth Pharmacy and Emergency Department to acquire the requisite infusion supplies. While Salisbury Fire Department Paramedic Kara Harrington inserted an IV, Nurse Practitioners Dr. Aaron Sebach and Tammy Walbert obtained consent and set up the infusion.

The infusion was a success, and Webster appreciated the ability to receive care in his home.

Firm Improves Ranking SALISBURY – Becker Morgan Group has climbed several spots in Architectural Record Magazine’s Top 300 report, ranking #253 nationwide. The 2021 Top 300 Architecture Firms list is ranked by revenue for architectural services per-

Page 29 formed. Becker Morgan Group has ranked in the top 300 firms for the last five years.

Significant projects leading to the ranking are located from Delaware to North Carolina in a variety of practice areas. Projects of note include the Ocean City Convention Center Expansion project, adding 30,000sf of exhibition space and a bayfront gallery to the coastal Maryland amenity, and the Capital School District’s new Combined Middle School project anticipated to welcome 1,600 students in the fall of 2023.

Additional projects include the firm’s work at Milford Wellness Village in Milford, Delaware, transforming a former hospital into a multi-tenant community health center, and the North and West Brunswick High Schools addition projects in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Firm leaders continue to be humbled by the national ranking and consider the ranking a testament to the clients and staff members that have made the firm’s growth possible.

Assateague Island Presents Two Annual Awards

Page 30

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Pictured, from left, are annual award winners Markus Williams, Tami Pearl and Anastasia Rhodes of Assateague Island National Seashore.

Submitted Photo

BERLIN – The annual Assateague Island Superintendent’s Award and the Assateague Island Safety Award were recently presented.

The Superintendent’s Award is given to an employee or employees who performs “above and beyond” during the previous year. The Safety Award is given to an employee who has made a major contribution to the safety program or the safety culture of the park.

The 2021 Superintendent’s Awards were presented to Tami Pearl and Markus Williams.

Pearl is a Biological Science Technician, specializing in wildlife. Her primary responsibilities lie with Assateague’s avian monitoring programs, which include the piping plover, a fed-

January 7, 2022

erally listed threatened shorebird species. In January 2021, she initiated the first-ever virtual meeting for wildlife managers within the Piping Plover Southern Recovery Unit and was recognized for her significant leadership in this endeavor by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and her peers. She conducts annual avian population surveys including breeding bald eagles and American Oystercatchers and works closely with the Maryland DNR monitoring colonial nesting shore bird species in the summer and migrating saw whet owls in the fall. She is passionate about all of the seashore's wildlife management projects and has worked to make significant technological advances in field data collection protocols for the beach nesting bird monitoring program. She readily participates in inter-divisional discussions, works well with external collaborators, and is actively engaged with finding solutions to some of the park’s biggest challenges.

Williams is the Supervisory Recreation Fee Technician for the national seashore. He has taken on many additional duties while leading a hardworking fee collection staff through another year of record-breaking visitation at one of largest and most popular campground operations in the National Park Service. He has participated in important national-level programs including the launch of the new service-wide Recreation Business Management System, training all fee staff and troubleshooting system functionality and the development and implementation of the new and improved reclassification of the fee collection job series. He is an active member of Assateague’s interdivisional wild horse working group and an advisor for future entrance station and campground improvements.

The 2021 Safety Award goes to Anastasia Rhodes, a seasonal Visitor Services Assistant working with Assateague’s Horse Management staff.

Last year was her second season with horse management, putting her in an important leadership role. Anastasia was integral in orienting and training new Horse Management interns and Pony Patrol volunteers. These staff members are dedicated to educating visitors about the wild horses while monitoring and ensuring safe viewing distances and proper food storage compliance. Anastasia has drafted Standard Operating Procedures for moving wild horses and a new Job Hazard Analyses for UTV operation.

She has worked and operated equipment for two seasons without any safety incidents. She and her 2021 Horse Management team performed hundreds of hours of patrols safely. Her work ethic, skills and training provided for a safe season for park visitors and the Assateague wild horses.

January 7, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 31

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Quantities are limited.

While supplies last.

The rockfish bite did not slow down last week as evidenced by this pair of big stripers caught by local anglers Scott Lenox (left) and Curt Presnell (right) on the ForTuna on New Year’s Eve. The crew on the ForTuna landed around a dozen at 40-inches-plus.

Submitted Photo

COVID, Winter Storm Wreaks Havoc On Prep Slate

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

BERLIN – Between the holidays, COVID and this week’s winter storm, area prep winter sports teams have been idle for weeks although they should be back in action soon.

In what can only be described as a topsy-turvy season for the area’s high school winter sports teams, most have been idle for nearly a month for a variety of reasons. Stephen Decatur’s girls’ varsity basketball team last played on December 16, a 57-14 win over county rival Pocomoke, but the Seahawks have not played since. Two games scheduled during the annual Governor’s Challenge were cancelled over COVID concerns and early games scheduled for this week were post-

poned because of the winter storm.

Likewise, Decatur’s boys’ varsity basketball team last played on December 16, a 75-57 win over Pocomoke.

The Seahawks, whose record stands at 5-1, also had two games canceled and are scheduled to get back into action on Friday against Wicomico on the road.

A similar situation is playing out over at Worcester Prep. The Worcester boys’ last game was a 49-19 win over Holly Grove way back on December 14. The Mallards had two Governor’s Challenge games postponed and two games planned for this week were wiped out because of the storm. The Worcester girls’ varsity basketball team has not played since a December 16 win over Broadwater. The Mallards won’t play again until Monday’s home matchup with Delmarva Christian.

Decatur Seeks Repeat In Iron Horse

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

BERLIN – Stephen Decatur’s varsity wrestling team will hope to restore some momentum this weekend as it looks to repeat in the prestigious Iron Horse Duals tournament.

The Seahawks got off to a fast start this season, edging Caesar Rodney in their opening match, 37-36. Decatur then swept seven matches in the Grindstone Duals back in mid-December to take the

championship in that tournament.

The Seahawks last wrestled competitively on December 15 in a 77-0 win over Kent County. This weekend, Decatur will travel to Carroll County for the annual Iron Horse Duals tournament, featuring some of the top programs in the state. Decatur is the defending champion in the Iron Horse Duals, having last won the tournament in January 2020. Last year, COVID restrictions forced the cancellation of the Iron Horse Duals.

January 2022

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Page 32

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

January 7, 2022

People in Society Twinning in red, American Legion Auxiliary Post 166’s Emily Nock, left, and Kristy Johnson right, took a break from selling 50/50 tickets to pose with their dates, Robert Nock Sr. and CJ Gattis, at the group’s holiday party.

by Jeanette Deskiewicz Featuring Those Helping Causes In The Resort Area

At the Seacrets’ Customer Appreciation Christmas Party, Santa’s Helpers Kelly Green, Billy Bruce and Patty Dundore sold the 50/50 and Raffle Auction Tickets.

The Bearded Men Society was instrumental in organizing and making sure things ran smoothly at the Jimmy Charles I Am Not Alone Christmas Concert to benefit Diakonia.

Coastal Hospice employees Lauren Blair, Ashley Haldeman, and Alvin Harmon were in attendance for the Ocean Pines Chamber December Business After Hours.

Bourbon Street on The Beach Chef Barry Reichart, and his right hand woman, Debbie Milutin, graciously hosted this year’s Jimmy Charles I Am Not Alone Christmas Benefit at the restaurant.

Performing his annual I Am Not Alone Christmas Concert to Benefit Diakonia was Jimmy Charles with his wife, Miranda, at Bourbon Street on the Beach in December.

The acoustic duo of Brian Thomas and Danny Shivers, provided musical entertainment for the Annual Holiday Party of American Legion Auxiliary Post 166.

Attending their first Business After Hours were Katie Carey and Ashlee Nock of Farmers Insurance, a new partner of the Ocean Pines Chamber.

Ocean Pines Chamber partners Diana Dovel and Terrence Connors enjoyed the Business After Hours event last month at Seacrets.

Ocean 98.1 DJ’s Marla and Coach headed up the night’s festivities for the Listener and Customer Appreciation Christmas Party.

January 7, 2022

Every Monday: TOPS Meeting 5-6:30 p.m. Atlantic General Hospital, Berlin. Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a support group promoting weight loss and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Call Rose 443-880-8444.

Every Friday: Bingo Knights of Columbus will host with doors open at 5 p.m. and bingo beginning promptly at 6:30 p.m. Held at the Co-lumbus Hall at 9901 Coastal Highway, behind St. Luke's Church. Play every game for just $24. Light refreshments available.

Call 410-524-7994 with any questions.

Every Tuesday: Dancing The Delmarva Hand Dance Club holds dancing at the Selbyville Elks Lodge 2173 from 5:30-9 p.m. delmarvahanddancing.com.

Every Wednesday: Bingo Elks Lodge 2645, corner of Sinepuxent Avenue and 138th Street in Ocean City.

Has bingo all year. Doors open 4:30 p.m. with first game sharply at 6:30 p.m.

Kitchen open for light fare. 410-250-2645.

Jan. 7: Vocal Auditions The Ocean Pines Players announces open vocal auditions in preparation for the February 2022 original cabaret, “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” Call Director Karen McClure at 703-727-0528 to schedule your vocal audition on one of the two days. Plan by preparing an upbeat song and a ballad of your choosing to sing at the audition. (No more than two minutes for each song.)

Jan. 7: Cash Bingo The Bishopville Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary will be holding a cash bingo at the main station. Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 at the door. Doors open at 5 p.m. and early birds begin at 5:45.

Regular games begin at 7. Twenty regular games, two specials and jackpot. 50/50.

Food and beverages available for purchase. Call 619-922-9950 to reserve your tickets.

Jan. 7: Prayer Breakfast Registration begins at 7 a.m. Breakfast at 8 a.m. then Keynote Speaker, Brian Shul.

Table sponsorships still available. Roland E. Powell Convention Center.

Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28: Bingo For Babies Knights of Columbus Hall at 9901 Coastal Highway in Ocean City. Play all night for $24. Doors open at 5 p.m. with games

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Things To Do starting at 6:30 p.m. Refreshments available. Proceeds benefit The Grace Center for Maternal and Women’s Health.

Jan. 8: Anglers Club Meeting At 9:30 a.m. at the Ocean Pines Library, the crew of the Sea Wolf will talk about their $1 million catch last summer in the MidAtlantic – an 82-pound white marlin.

Jan. 10-16: Restaurant Week Berlin will host with an opportunity to win when you dine at three different restaurants. Get your card stamped and drop at Berlin Welcome Center for a chance to win restaurant gift cards and $100 donated by Bunting Realty.

Jan. 11: Monthly Meeting The Atlantic Coast Sportfishing Association is having its first meeting for the year at the American Legion of Berlin Post 123 located on Old Ocean City Boulevard. Meeting officially starts at 7:30 p.m.

Guests are welcome to attend, arrive earlier to get a seat, meet new friends, have a drink or something to eat. Guest speaker is Erik Zlokovitz from DNR who will discuss local fishing.

Jan. 13: Vaccination Clinic From 4-6:30 p.m. at Atlantic Health Center, 9714 Healthway Drive, Berlin This clinic is available to those ages 5 and older. Register at www.agh.care/vaccine.

Jan. 14: Crab Cake Dinner Stevenson United Methodist Church will host carryout only, 4-6:30 p.m. Cost is $14, crab cake sandwich, green beans, baked potato, cole slaw; $24, two crab cake sandwiches, green beans, baked potato, cole slaw; and $10, crab cake sandwich.

Jan. 14-15: Children’s Theater Ocean Pines Children’s Theater announced the upcoming production of the musical, Disney’s Frozen, Jr. Performances will be Jan. 14, 7 p.m. and Jan. 15, 3 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center, located in the Ocean City Convention Center. Tickets may be purchased through ticketmaster.com, or in person at the Ocean City Convention Center.

Through Jan. 15: Tree Recycling

The Solid Waste Division of Worcester County Public Works will host its annual collection of Christmas trees. Area residents can drop off Christmas trees at the Central Landfill in Newark and the Berlin, Pocomoke, and Snow Hill Homeowners Convenience Centers at no cost.

The trees will be ground into mulch for use at the Central Landfill.

Jan. 15: Fried Chicken Dinner Drive-thru pickup only at New Hope United Methodist Church, 11 a.m.-until in Willards. Cost is $14 and includes mashed potatoes, greens, string beans, roll and dessert.

Jan. 15-16: Festival Of Art Delmarva Art Expo returns to the Ocean City Convention Center, 40th Street, Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. A collection of many art forms from metals to canvas to fiber. Admission charge. delmarvaartexpo.com.

Jan. 16: Winter Dinner Meeting The Worcester County Historical Society will at the Dunes Manor Hotel. Dinner guests will learn about Worcester County’s past from Dr. Ray Thompson, retired history professor at Salisbury University.

He will speak to the members and guests about the early history of Worcester County. According to Thompson, the Eastern Shore has been fortunate to have the oldest continuous records in British-speaking America starting in 1632 to help people understand who the earliest settlers were. He called them hearty men and women who lived in the frontier environment away from civilization. His talk will look into who they were and their lifestyles and how they transformed the Eastern Shore. He will trace the movements of the settlers up the peninsula of Virginia into Maryland’s Eastern Shore and into Delaware.

Doors will open for the event at 2:30 p.m.

Tickets are $29 per person and can be purchased by sending a check to Robert Fisher, WCHS Treasurer, 230 South Washington St., Snow Hill, Md. 21863.

The deadline for reservations for the dinner, which is open to the public, is Jan. 9.

Jan. 18: Monthly Meeting

Page 33 American Legion Auxiliary Unit 166 will meet at 6 p.m. for social hour with meeting at 7 p.m. at American Legion Synepuxent Post 166, 23rd Street, Ocean City. If you have a family member that is a veteran or active military, join the mission to support veterans, active military, and their families. Current members and those interested in becoming a member are encouraged to attend.

Jan. 21: Oyster Fritter Sandwich Public is welcome to American Legion Post 123, 10111 Old Ocean City Blvd., Berlin from 2 p.m. till. Cost $9.

Feb. 18-20: Boat Show Sponsored by the Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club, the 39th annual event will feature over 350 boats, 150 exhibitors and 50 boat dealers. Hours are 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 18; 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 19; and 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 20.

March 3-6: OC Film Festival In partnership with the Art League of OC, this festival features films by local and international filmmakers of every background and genre. Screenings at multiple venues around OC. ocmdfilmfestival.com.

March 11-13: Wool, Fiber Expo Ocean City Convention Center 40th Street, hosts this unique and upscale wool and fiber expo featuring many oneof-a-kind hand created products. Also on hand, we will have all the materials available to make the products. The expo will also offer classes and demonstrations taught by true artists. Hours, Friday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Admission.

March 12: Parade, Festival The 42nd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival starts at noon at 60th Street.

Everyone loves to be Irish at Ocean City’s famous parade. Marching units, floats, and local celebrities. At 11 a.m. there will be a fun festival with food, drink and merriment at the 45th Street shopping area.

Free. delmarvairish.org.

March 18-20: Annual Home Show Home, Condo & Outdoor show plus art & craft fair at the Ocean City Convention Center, 40th Street. Hundreds of pros offering thousands of ideas...decorating, remodeling, accessorizing, and more. Hours Friday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.5 p.m.; and Sunday 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Admission. oceanpromotions.info.

Stevenson United Methodist Resuming In-Person Church Services Every Sunday At 9 a.m.

– Sunday School Back in Session

Stevenson United Methodist Church

123 North Main St., Berlin, Md. 410-641-1137 • www.stevensonchurch.org

– Service Also Livestreamed On Facebook

Page 34

Who’s Where When CAPTAIN’S TABLE 410-289-7192 15th St. & Baltimore Ave. In The Courtyard Marriott Fridays: Phil Perdue

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Best Beats

DJ ROBCEE Fager’s Island: Friday, Jan. 7

On The Beach

CRABCAKE FACTORY BAYSIDE 302-988-5000 37314 Lighthouse Rd., Rte. 54 Selbyville, DE Friday, Jan. 7: Bilenko Duo Tuesday, Jan. 11: Taylor Knox Wednesday, Jan. 12: Brian Bishop CRAWL STREET TAVERN 443-373-2756 Wicomico St. Downtown O.C. Friday, Jan. 7: The Bills Saturday, Jan. 8: Deviation By Design Sunday, Jan. 9: Karaoke with Jeremy

January 7, 2022

BEATS BY WAX Pickles Pub: Tuesdays & Thursdays

Pickles Pub: Mondays Karaoke with Wood

ON THE EDGE Ocean Club/Clarion: Friday & Saturday, Jan. 7 & 8 DJ CRUZ Seacrets: Friday, Jan. 7 Saturday, Jan. 8

CORK BAR Saturday, Jan. 8: Trailer Park Romeo FAGER’S ISLAND 410-524-5500 60th St. In The Bay Friday, Jan. 7: DJ Robcee Saturday, Jan. 8: DJ Groove HARBORSIDE 410-213-1846 South Harbor Rd., West O.C. Thursday, Jan. 13: DJ Billy T

Crawl St. Tavern: Karaoke with Jeremy

FULL CIRCLE Seacrets: Saturday, Jan. 8 Thursday, Jan. 13 (Duo)

OCEAN CLUB 410-524-3535 10100 Coastal Hwy. In The Clarion Hotel Friday & Saturday, Jan. 7 & 8: On The Edge PICKLES PUB 410-289-4891 8th St. & Philadelphia Ave. Fridays: Beats By Styler Saturday, Jan. 8: Phantom Limbs Sundays: Beats By Styler Mondays: Karaoke With Wood Tuesdays: Beats By Wax Wednesdays: Beats By Styler Thursdays: Beats By Wax SEACRETS 410-524-4900 49th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, Jan. 7: Element K, DJ Cruz Saturday, Jan. 8: Full Circle, Liquid A, DJ Bobby O, DJ Cruz Thursday, Jan. 13: Full Circle Duo

BEATS BY STYLER Pickles Pub: Fridays, Sundays & Wednesdays

DJ BILLY T Harborside: Thursday, Jan. 13

PHANTOM LIMBS Pickles Pub: Saturday, Jan. 8

DJ GROOVE Fager’s Island: Saturday, Jan. 8

TAYLOR KNOX Crabcake Factory Bayside: Tuesday, Jan. 11

BRIAN BISHOP Crabcake Factory Bayside: Wednesday, Jan. 12

BILENKO DUO Crabcake Factory Bayside: Friday, Jan. 7

THE BILLS Crawl St. Tavern: Friday, Jan. 7

January 7, 2022

Chris Parypa’s Photo Of The Week:

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 35

Each week staff photographer Chris Parypa is tasked with submitting a photo from his vast library to be featured in this space. Above is something you rarely see in Ocean City – a snowman in front of a residence. To purchase any of Parypa’s photos, click over to www.chrisparypa.com. This week's Photo of the Week is sponsored by Ørsted, the world leader in clean energy. Learn more at orsted.com/md-de

OCEAN CITY

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 36

Things I Like...

By Steve Green

Grateful professional athletes

vanishing

January 7, 2022

WITH BUNK MANN

The first sunrise after a snow day Forced optimism of a New Year Cruise control on a road trip

Clothes still warm from the dryer

A hot shower after shoveling snow

Calendars with personalized photos

My kids going back to school this week Looking forward to a vacation A worthwhile iPhone update Waterproof winter gloves

THE DISPATCH Crossword Puzzle

ANSWERS ON PAGE 46

The Ocean City beachfront from Caroline Street to 2nd Street had a much different appearance in 1955 and some of the famous hotels and buildings of that era can be seen in this historic photo.

Pictured, from left, are The Maryland Inn, the Coast Guard Station, the Showell block with Edwards 5 and 10, the Roosevelt Hotel (twin units with black roof in center of picture), the three sections of the old Rideau Hotel, the Essex Hotel, the Baltimorian, the Colonial Hotel and the Plimhimmon with tower.

Four of these buildings were lost to fires in the 1960s and early ‘70s and the rest to modern development in the ‘80s and ‘90s. The only building that exists today is the old Coast Guard Station, which was moved to the Inlet in 1977 and today serves as the Ocean City Life Saving Station Museum.

To purchase one of Bunk Mann's books, click over to www.vanishingPhoto courtesy Jackie Spurrier oc.com.

HOROSCOPES ARIES (March 21 to April 19): A hectic period begins to wind down.

Take time to draw some deep breaths and relax before getting into your next project. A long-absent family member makes contact.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): You're eager to move forward with a new challenge that suddenly dropped in your lap. But you'd be wise to take this one step at a time to allow new developments to come through.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): You're almost ready to make a commitment. A lingering doubt or two, however, should be resolved before you move ahead.

An associate could provide important answers.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22): Caution is still the watchword as you move closer toward a decision about a new situation. If you act too fast, you might miss some vital warning signs.

Go slowly and stay alert.

LEO (July 23 to Aug. 22): Your new goal looks promising, and your golden touch does much to enhance its prospects for success. In your private life, Cupid does his best to make your new relationship special.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 to Sept. 22): That impatient side of yours is looking to goad you into moving before you're ready to take that big step. Stay calm and cool. Let things fall into place before you act.

LIBRA (Sept. 23 to Oct. 22): A legal matter you hoped could finally be

settled could be a pesky problem for a while, until all the parties agree to stop disagreeing with each other. Be patient.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21): Partnerships – personal or professional – which began before the new year take on new importance. They also reveal some previously hidden risks. So be warned.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 to Dec. 21): Your associates are firmly on your side, and that persistent problem that has caused you to delay some activities should soon be resolved to your satisfaction.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19): Favorable changes continue to dominate, and you should be responding positively as they emerge. Someone wants to become more involved in what you're doing.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 to Feb. 18): A friend wants to share a secret that could answer some questions you've wondered about for a long time. Meanwhile, travel aspects continue to be strong.

PISCES (Feb. 19 to March 20): Stay on your new course despite socalled well-meaning efforts to discourage you. Rely on your deep sense of self-awareness to guide you to do what's right for you.

BORN THIS WEEK: You have the capacity to meet challenges that others might find overwhelming, and turn them into successful ventures. (c) 2022 King Features Synd., Inc.

January 7, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 37

The Dispatch Classifieds $15/Week for Minimum of Five Lines • $2 Thereafter Per Line Display Classified Ads: $20/Week Per Column Inch (Contract Discounts Available) Deadline for Insertions, Cancellations & Payment is 3pm Tuesday Pre-Payment is Required. We Accept Visa & MasterCard

HELP WANTED EXPERIENCED CUSTOM PAINTER: Transportation and tools necessary. Call Tom at 443497-0010.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– IMMEDIATE OPENING: For Year Round Help at Harbor Marine, Inc. in West Ocean City. Mechanical ability a plus. Duties include shrink wrapping boats, blocking up boats and assisting technicians.

Call Dennis at Harbor Marine at 410-213-2296.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

CARPENTERS & CARPENTERS HELPERS Must have:

Tools, Transportation, Driver’s License Exp. Required!

PATTERSON & SONS BUILDERS

Call 410-641-9530

SMALL ENGINE MECHANIC: Year Round, Competitive Wages.

443-754-1047.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– SALES ASSOCIATES: Looking for 2 full time and 1 part time positions. 2 shifts, day & night, plus weekends. No Vaccine Mandate Required. Apply in person. Red Light District, 12102 Ocean Gateway, West Ocean City.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– EXPERIENCED LINE COOK: $18/hour. Yellowfins Bar & Grill, Selbyville, DE. Call 302-436-0122.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

CONTACT INFORMATION Phone: 410-641-4563 • Fax: 410-641-0966 Email: classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com Mail: P.O. Box 467, Berlin MD 21811

INDIAN RIVER MARINA IS NOW HIRING! •NIGHTWATCH •BOATYARD •MAINTENANCE

Apply Online at delawarestatejobs.com For additional information, please contact the Marina office at 302.227.3071 AA/EOE

HELP WANTED

CONSERVATION TECHNICIAN/ MARINA TRAVEL LIFT OPERATOR

Position will be responsible for the daily operation and maintenance of the travel lift and forklifts. Duties will include the operation and maintenance of the marine travel lift, proper boat docking and large forklift operation plus daily supervision of the boatyard staff.

Apply online at delawarestatejobs.com

For further assistance, you may contact us by phone at 302.739.5458 or email at jobs@delaware.gov

FRONT DESK ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

NOW HIRING FULL TIME BARTENDER Call 410-726-7061 Or Apply Within at 56th Street

Currently Hiring Manpower For:

Carpenter | Laborer | Painters Stucco & EIFS Mechanics Concrete Work o Experience preferred. o Tools, transportation & valid driver’s license are a plus. o Excellent pay and a competitive benefits package available.

Please Apply Online: https://www.allstatesconst.com/delmarva-renovations-careers

Or Contact Our Office at 410-352-9800

A beautiful award winning community in Ocean View, DE is seeking a self-motivated, driven, and goal-oriented administrative assistant. Must be organized and possess excellent verbal and written communication skills and be computer proficient in MS Office and have the ability to learn a variety of software programs. Excellent customer service skills are a requirement of the position. Previous experience in working with HOAs preferred but not required. Full-time, year-round, 40 hours/week.

Interested candidates should email resume with salary requirements to: Susan.Brewer@casinc.biz or fax 302-537-4075 EOE

Fire Alarm Technician Entry Level Immediate opening.

Good driving record.

Electrical and/or computerrelated experience a plus.

To apply contact us at jobs@firepro-md.com or call 410-213-1880 FIREPRO, INC FULL-TIME PERSONAL BANKER Farmers Bank of Willards has a full-time Personal Banker position available at our West Ocean City location. Looking for professional and motivated individuals with extraordinary customer service skills. Cash handling experience & excellent computer skills a must.

Please send resume to 12641 Ocean Gateway, OC, MD 21842 or email: jennie.rice@fbwbank.com Application cut off is 1-17-2022 “Equal Employment Opportunity-Affirmative Action Employer”

Work With the Best Ocean City has to Offer ...

We Invite You to be a Part of our Family!

Year Round Positions ~SERVER ~ROOM ATTENDANT ~MAINTENANCE ~HOSTESS ~HUMAN RESOURCES ASSISTANT TOP WAGES! EXCELLENT BENEFITS! HOUSING AVAILABLE! FAX RESUME & SALARY REQ. to: 410-723-9109 Online at www.clarionoc.com APPLY IN PERSON Mon-Sat 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

CLARION RESORT FONTAINEBLEAU HOTEL 10100 COASTAL HWY. OCEAN CITY, MD. 21842 EOE M/F/D/V

COMMERCIAL RENTALS

WEEKLY RENTALS Poolfront: $245 Efficiency: $275 2 BR Apartment: $350 3 BR Suite: $425

Burgundy Inn 1210 Philadelphia Ave.

410-289-8581

STORAGE WEST OCEAN CITY: 2 car garage with attached work room. 775 sqft. Call 410-7260075.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– WEST O.C. OFFICE/RETAIL SPACES AVAILABLE: 2 Office/Retail Spaces for Lease.

Plenty of Parking. 443-497-4200.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Commercial Office in Ocean Pines Area Approx. 1000SF Available January 410-977-7254

The Dispatch Is On Facebook, Instagram & Twitter!

Follow Us Today & Get Daily News Updates As They Happen!

LOOKING EVERYWHERE? CHECK HERE FIRST! THE DISPATCH CLASSIFIED PAGES CAN POINT YOU IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION!

Page 38

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch AND WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND MAUREEN L. HOWARTH, COUNTY ATTORNEY GOVERNMENT CENTER, ROOM 1103 1 W. MARKET STREET SNOW HILL, MD 21863

forceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication DECEMBER 31, 2021

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication DECEMBER 31, 2021

JACQUELINE L SOUTHERINGTON Personal Representative

MICHELLE POSTIGLIONE Personal Representative

The Dispatch Legal Notices LEGAL RATES Legal advertising rate is $7 per column inch.

The deadline for all legal advertising is Tuesday at noon.

For more information call 410-641-4563 or email classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com Third Insertion STEVEN W RAKOW, ESQ. 5700 COASTAL HIGHWAY SUITE 305 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19011 To all persons interested in the estate of LISA M MCCAFFREY, ESTATE NO. 19011. Notice is given that PATRICIA GADO, 150 NOTTINGHAM LANE, BERLIN, MD 21811, was on, DECEMBER 09, 2021, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of LISA M MCCAFFREY, who died on AUGUST 12, 2021, without a will.

Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 9TH day of JUNE, 2022.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication DECEMBER 24, 2021 PATRICIA GADO Personal Representative

True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x 12-24, 12-31, 01-07

Second Insertion VICTOR A. LEMBO, ESQ. 658 KENILWORTH DRIVE, #203 TOWSON, MD 21204 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19021 To all persons interested in the estate of RENEE A. PHIPPS AKA: RENEE ANTOINETTE PHIPPS, ESTATE NO. 19021. Notice is given that JACQUELINE L SOUTHERINGTON, 13212 OCEAN DRIVE, OCEAN CITY, MD 21842, was on, DECEMBER 20, 2021, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of RENEE A. PHIPPS, who died on AUGUST 29, 2021, with a will.

Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 20TH day of JUNE, 2022.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unen-

January 7, 2022

of the decedent's death; or

True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x 12-31, 01-07, 01-14

True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x 12-31, 01-07, 01-14

First Insertion Second Insertion JOHN P HOULIHAN, ESQ. JOHN P HOULIHAN, PA 560 RIVERSIDE DRIVE SUITE A201 PO BOX 272 SALISBURY, MD 21803 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19022 To all persons interested in the estate of MARY D NAPOLITANO AKA: MARY DAISY NAPOLITANO AKA: MARY SCOTT NAPOLITANO, ESTATE NO. 19022.

Notice is given that MICHELLE POSTIGLIONE, 35 ESTHER AVENUE, CONGERS, NY 10920, was on, DECEMBER 23, 2021, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of MARY D NAPOLITANO, who died on DECEMBER 16, 2021, with a will.

Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 23RD day of JUNE, 2022.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date

PETER S. BUAS, ESQ. WILLIAMS, MOORE, SHOCKLEY & HARRISON, LLP 3509 COASTAL HIGHWAY OCEAN CITY, MD 21842 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY STATE OF MARYLAND CASE NO. C-23-CV-21-000227 LORI SAVAGE P.O. BOX 231 NELSONIA, VA 23414 Plaintiff vs.

THOMAS J. WALL, JR. 602 DUN SWAMP ROAD POCOMOKE CITY, MD 21851

AND UNKNOWN OWNER OF PROPERTY DESCRIBED AS ITEM NO. 45, ACCOUNT NO. 01024248, PROPERTY DESCRIPTION 55X54 E SIDE 209 SEVENTH ST POCOMOKE, DEED REFERENCE: 04184/00001, ASSESSED TO THOMAS J. WALL, JR. & MAE LYNN WALL, THE UNKNOWN OWNER’S HEIRS, DEVISEES, AND PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES, AND THEIR OR ANY OF THEIR HEIRS, DEVISEES, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, GRANTEES, ASSIGNS OR SUCCESSORS IN RIGHT, TITLE, AND INTEREST AND ALL PERSONS THAT HAVE OR CLAIM TO HAVE ANY INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED AS NO. 45, ACCOUNT NO. 01024248, PROPERTY DESCRIPTION 55X54 E SIDE 209 SEVENTH ST POCOMOKE, DEED REFERENCE: 04184/00001, ASSESSED TO THOMAS J. WALL, JR. & MAE LYNN WALL Defendants ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this proceeding is to secure the foreclosure of all rights of redemption in the following property described below and located in Worcester County, sold by the Collector of Taxes for the County of Worcester and the State of Maryland to the plaintiff in this proceeding:

AND

NO. 45, ACCOUNT NO. 01-024248, PROPERTY DESCRIPTION 55X54 E SIDE 209 SEVENTH ST POCOMOKE, DEED REFERENCE: 04184/00001, ASSESSED TO THOMAS J. WALL, JR. & MAE LYNN WALL

PUSEY RENTALS, INC. MORTGAGE HOLDER 1513 MARKET STREET POCOMOKE CITY, MD 21851

The Complaint states, among other things, that the amounts necessary for redemption have not been paid.

AND MCCREADY FOUNDATION, INC., JUDGEMENT HOLDER 100 E. CAROLINE STREET SALISBURY, MD 21801

It is thereupon this 1st of January, 2022 by the Circuit Court for Worcester County,

AND MAE LYNN WALL 602 DUN SWAMP ROAD POCOMOKE CITY, MD 21851

AND TIDALHEALTH PENINSULA REGIONAL, INC. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS PENINSULA REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER) JUDGEMENT HOLDER 100 EAST CARROLL STREET SALISBURY, MD 21801

ORDERED, That notice be given by the insertion of a copy of this order in some newspaper having a general circulation in Worcester County once a week for three successive weeks, warning all persons interested in the property to appear in this Court by the 4th day of March, 2022, and redeem the property described above and answer the Complaint or thereafter a

final judgement will be entered foreclosing all rights of redemption in the property and vesting in the Plaintiff a title, free and clear of all encumbrances.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication JANUARY 07, 2022 BEAU H. OGLESBY JUDGE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY TRUE TEST COPY SUSAN R. BRANIECKI Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County, MD 3x 01-07, 01-14, 01-21

First Insertion SUSAN S. TILGHMAN SEIDEL, BAKER & TILGHMAN, P.A. 110 NORTH DIVISION STREET SALISBURY, MD 21801 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19024 To all persons interested in the estate of SARAH G. CLARKE, ESTATE NO. 19024. Notice is given that STEVEN R. CLARKE, 109 SUNSET DRIVE, MOUNT HOLLY SPRINGS, PA 17065, was on, DECEMBER 29, 2021, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of SARAH G. CLARKE, who died on DECEMBER 20, 2021, with a will.

Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 29TH day of JUNE, 2022.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

January 7, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

The Dispatch Legal Notices LEGAL RATES Legal advertising rate is $7 per column inch.

The deadline is Tuesday at noon. For more information call 410-641-4563 or email classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication JANUARY 07, 2022 STEVEN R. CLARKE Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x 01-07, 01-14, 01-21

First Insertion SMALL ESTATE NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18991 To all persons interested in the estate of IVA LAVERNE FORD. ESTATE NO. 18991.

Notice is given that GAIL BOBERSKY, 7823 SHALLOWBROOK COURT, SEV-

ERN, MD 21144 was on NOVEMBER 22, 2021, appointed Personal Representative of the SMALL ESTATE of IVA LAVERNE FORD, who died on MAY 20, 2021 without a will.

Page 39

sentative or file them with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Thirty days after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claims will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within thirty days from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Any claim not served or filed within that time, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter.

Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.

All persons having any objection to the appointment shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within 30 days after the date of publication of this Notice.

All persons having any objection to the probate of the will shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within six months after the date of publication of this Notice.

All persons having claims against the decedent must serve their claims on the undersigned personal repre-

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication JANUARY 07, 2022 GAIL BOBERSKY Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 1x 01-07 GET YOUR DAILY BUZZ!

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Casino’s Sports Wagering ‘Well Received’ Page 40

County Judge Rules Against OPA

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

BERLIN – While the numbers aren’t quantified, it’s clear sports wagering that opened in five Maryland casinos last month, including the Ocean Downs Casino in Berlin, is having an impact on the bottom line.

Maryland’s six casinos combined to generate nearly $173 million in gaming revenue, making it the second-best month in the history of the state’s casino program. The total revenue represents an increase of over $53 million statewide over the same month in 2020, or a 45% increase, but that might not be an apples-to-apples comparison because of the COVID capacity restrictions in place in December 2020.

While the state’s casinos have generally realized steady gains in revenue generated since the inception of the program, the addition of sports wagering has likely contributed to the spike last month. The Maryland General Assembly last year passed legislation allowing sports wagering in the state’s casinos, and after a multi-layered vetting program, sports wagering began at five casinos last month including Ocean Downs. Maryland Lottery and Gaming Director John Martin said it is contributing to the bottom line.

“The combination of the holiday season and the launch of sports wagering at five of the casinos during December

led to great results,” he said. “We congratulate our casino partners for their ongoing success.”

Over at the Ocean Downs Casino, General Manager Bobbi Sample said while the sports wagering revenue can’t be quantified, it is definitely seeing a lot of action. During the month of December, Ocean Downs Casino generated $6.7 million in gaming revenue, representing an increase of roughly $1.6 million, or 32%, over the same month last year.

“Our sports wagering kiosks have been well received by our guests,” said Sample this week. “They are convenient and easy to use.”

Sample said business has been brisk at the sports wagering kiosks at Ocean Downs since opening. She added it has been fueled in part by the waning weeks of the NFL season with the playoffs and Super Bowl looming.

“Business volumes have been good, particularly on Sundays with NFL games, but there has been wagering on almost every sport,” she said. “We expect the NFL playoffs will be popular and we’re pleased we were able to open during the season.”

Maryland’s casinos’ $172.9 million generated in December surpassed the $172.4 million generated in May 2021 to move into second-place all time and trailed only the July 2021 figure of $180 million.

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BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

OCEAN PINES – A Worcester County Circuit judge has ruled in favor of Rick Farr, a disqualified candidate in the 2021 Ocean Pines Association board election.

On Wednesday, Judge Sidney Campen issued his opinion on a complaint filed against the Ocean Pines Association (OPA) and its Board of Directors. In his ruling, issued nearly two months after the trial’s conclusion, the judge granted Farr’s claims for declaratory judgement and ruled him an equitable Pines homeowner and eligible candidate in the 2021 election.

“The Plaintiff, Richard D. Farr, is an equitable owner of the Property, and at all relevant times, was qualified as a candidate for election to the 2021 Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors,” Campen opined, “and The Board of the Ocean Pines Association acted improperly, mistakenly, and without good faith, in contravention of the By-laws, the Charter, and Declarations, by attempting to invalidate Plaintiff Farr’s candidacy, during the 2021 election, after certifying his candidacy and permitting him to be included on all distributed ballots, and after many votes had already been cast and received by the Ocean Pines Association.”

Campen also ordered that the top vote getters, Farr and incumbent Frank

January 7, 2022

Daly, be installed for a term of three years commencing Aug. 15, 2021.

“The 2021 election for the Ocean Pines Board of Directors has taken place,” he wrote in his conclusion. “Despite the unauthorized efforts of the current Board members to influence the outcome of the election, both during and after the final ballots were collected, the Ocean Pines voters have spoken. It is in the best interest of the Association, that the election results stand and the two successful candidates, Richard D. Farr and Frank Daly, are installed as Directors at the next regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors.”

Last summer, four contenders – Daly, Farr, Stuart Lakernick and David Hardy – vied for two seats on the association’s board, though Farr was later disqualified during the voting process after an anonymous tip raised questions about his homeownership status in the Pines.

According to the association’s bylaws, candidates must be a recorded property owner within Ocean Pines on Jan. 1 of the year in which the election is held. The association contends Farr was not an owner of record, but a successor trustee to the property listed on his candidate application. Farr’s attorney, however, asserts he has been the “equitable and beneficial owner” of the property since 2000, based on his status as a beneficiary of the Farr Living Trust.

The matter of Farr’s eligibility made SEE NEXT PAGE

… Decision Clears Farr, Daly To Begin OPA Board Terms January 7, 2022

its way to Worcester County Circuit Court in August, when Farr filed a complaint against the OPA and its Board of Directors. Simply put, the suit challenges the determination on his eligibility and the board’s decision to proceed with the 2021 election and ballot count but to invalidate all votes for Farr. The disqualified candidate was soon joined by several co-plaintiffs alleging they had been disenfranchised after submitting their votes for Farr.

In September, following the expiration of a temporary restraining order halting the election, the Board of Directors voted to proceed with a “redo election” of the three remaining candidates. Two weeks later, however, the court granted Farr a preliminary injunction, effectively putting a stop to the board’s plans, and ordered the association to count the existing ballots, which ultimately revealed Farr and Daly as the top two vote-getters.

Testimony, exhibits and oral arguments were presented to the court in November. And for the last seven weeks, community members have awaited the judge’s ruling.

In an opinion issued Jan. 5, Campen asserted that the association acted in bad faith, highlighting the board’s decisions in the weeks following Farr’s disqualification.

“The OPA directors have not acted in the best interest of the Association, in the view of the court,” the opinion reads,

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

“… the current activities of the OPA Board in an effort to exclude a popular candidate for election to the Board, have been conducted in bad faith, and are therefore not protected by the business judgment rule.”

Campen also asserted the association had “adopted an overly restrictive meaning of the term ‘owners of record.’”

Campen ultimately pointed out the “mistakes” of both the board and board secretary in certifying Farr’s candidacy and then disqualifying him from the race.

In a statement issued Thursday, Farr’s attorney Bruce Bright said he was pleased with the court’s ruling.

“The Court has found that Rick Farr was at all relevant times eligible to run for the Board and to serve as a Board member, under the Bylaws and other governing documents,” he said. “The Court has found that Rick was improperly disqualified as a candidate, and that the Perrone majority’s decision-making in regard to Rick’s candidacy and related election matters lacked good faith, was undertaken to influence the outcome of the election in an unauthorized manner, and was not in the best interests of the OPA membership. The Court has rejected all of the defenses advanced by the Board, including its attempt to insulate the Board’s wrongful decision-making within the so-called ‘Business Judgment Rule.’”

He continued, “In keeping with the

Court’s clearly articulated directives, we expect that the Board will act immediately to formally recognize Rick as a duly elected member of the Board, serving in place of Mr. Brown. We also hope that his status and service as a Board member will not be hampered or interfered with by any ill will or targeting based on having prevailed in this case. And we believe that any further litigation of this matter by the Board, for example an appeal, would be wasteful and counter-productive. Rick is ready to get on with serving the OPA membership as a duly-elected Board member and to work construc-

Page 41

tively with the rest of the Board to get important work done. Hopefully the other Board members will be like-minded.”

Association President Larry Perrone could not be reached for comment this week. In an interview Thursday, however, Director Doug Parks said nothing has been planned at the board level.

“We only found out about it last night, so as of this point nothing has been done,” he said. “The next order of business is to schedule a meeting… We have to make sure we are following protocols, dotting our i’s and crossing our t’s and talking with our legal counsel.”

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(2) Upcoming Auctions at 8000 Esham Road, Parsonsburg, MD: March 16, 2022 - On-Line Only Auction Sale – Parsonsburg, MD! Auction Held Online Only with bids ending: Wednesday March 16th, 2022 Starting at 5PM. Selection of Antique & Modern Furniture, Collectibles, Primitives & more! March 22, 2022 - Spring Decoy & Wildfowl Arts On-Line Only Auction. Online Only Auction - Wednesday March 23, 2022 at 5PM. Original Artwork, Decoys, Primitives, Shotshell Boxes, Oyster Tins, Decoy Related Books & much more! Carvers to include: Ward Brothers, Ira Hudson, Miles Hancock, Doug Jester, Ned Burgess, Cigar Daisey, Mason Factory & many others!

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Page 42

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

STUDENTS In The News

January 7, 2022

Worcester Preparatory Lower School put on a stunning Winter Program for their families to see last month. Talented Lower School music teacher Joanie Brittingham wrote, directed and choreographed the program, encompassing 200 singing and dancing students. Above, the fifth grade is pictured in their last lower school performance. Front row, from left, are Ella Conev, Artemiy Klimins, Drew Bergey, Sam Hafeli, Liam McAllister, Soren Poulsen, Samko Poffenberger, Sophia Nguyen, Remy Leverage-Frye and Emily Hafeli; second row, Kristi Carr, Zane Freih, Ted Timmons, Brax Giardina, John Parker, Abby Ferguson, Madison Andrews, Kylee Hutton, Caroline Burbage and Ella Tull; and, back, Brock Hidell, Colin Hastings, Reed Grinestaff, Elle Wilsey, Sophia Mealy, Kaylin Zervakos, Londyn Davy, Hannah Coyle, Vivian Spraul, Emerson Bofinger, Jack Jarvis, Elliot Mason and Emery Hammond.

Below left, top, are kindergarteners Henry Hudson, Thomas Cason, Sloane Gudelsky, Carly McCallum and Elizabeth Stanevich. Below left, bottom, are third graders, front, Paige Asbill, Madelyn Bobenko, Rodolphe Crevecoeur and Dax Phillips, back, Matthew Evangelista and Rawnak Brar.

Below, first grade angels pictured include Grace Hornung, Landon Moreland, Aryan Verma, Zia Salem Emma Abbott, Connor McCallum, Ben Evangelista, Stella Correa, Michael Bouzaglo, Christina Gjoni and Ethan Arnold. Bottom are, front, Evelyn Smith, Nora Rafinski Carter Harrison, and, back, Ramaiya Boopathi, Cole Bergey, Arian Zheng, Jude Waked, Piper Coyle and Isabella Labin.

January 7, 2022

James E. Eckman BERLIN – James E. Eckman, age 79, of Berlin passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021 at home. He was born in Dundalk and was the son of the late James Robert and Anna Theresa (Bremer) Eckman.

Jim was a barber for many years and owned and operated Jimmy’s Barber Shop in Ocean Pines. He was a member of Bethany United Methodist Church in Berlin.

He is survived by his daughters, Laurie Hoak of York Springs, Pa., Jennifer Garczynski of Glen Arm, Md., Megan Eckman of Salisbury JAMES E. and Jillian Eckman of ECKMAN Parsonsburg; his fiancé, Kay Brittingham of Berlin; a sister, Margaret “Peggy” Hall and husband Jerry of Frankford; two grandchildren, Drake Long and Parker Twilley; and two nieces and a nephew, Denise Dotterweich and husband Joe, Doreen Blaser and Leroy Yegge.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 15 at Bethany United Methodist Church in Berlin.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bethany United Methodist Church, 8648 Stephen Decatur Hwy., Berlin, Md. 21811.

Condolences may be sent by visiting www.bishophastingsfh.com

Howard Leslie Stephens Sr. SALISBURY – Howard Leslie Stephens Sr., age 89, died Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022 at Tidal Health Medical Center in Salisbury with his family by his side.

Born in Selbyville, he was the son of the late Horace Stephens and HOWARD LESLIE Edna Ennis Stephens.

He was preceded in STEPHENS SR. death by his wife, Rosiene Long Stephens.

He is survived by his children, Howard Leslie Stephens Jr. of Snow Hill, Renea Lynch of Newark, Richard (Eva) Stephens of Selbyville, Cindy (Dwayne) Shockley of Snow Hill, and Marvin Stephens of Snow Hill. He was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Suzanne Stephens. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Debi Edmondson, Amanda Jones, David Dellies, Larry Lynch Jr., Kevin Allen Lynch, Richard Stephens Jr., Cory Hitchens, James Stephens, Andrew Hitchens, Jessica Chew, Travis Shockley, Curtis Shockley, Collin Shockley, Jordan Stephens, and Hannah Stephens. There are 22 great-grandchildren. Also surviving is his brother Robert Stephens. He is preceded in death by a brother, Horace Stephens Jr., and a sister, Shirley Bunting.

Mr. Stephens was a graduate of Selbyville High School; he was a United States Army Veteran and worked as a farmer. Howard was a member of Bowen United Methodist in Newark. He enjoyed wood working, building birdhouses and fishing.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

OBITUARIES A private graveside service will be held at Bowen Cemetery in Newark.

Pastor Dan Bradford will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Snow Hill Volunteer Fire Company at P.O. Box 83, Snow Hill, Md. 21863.

Arrangements are in the care of the Burbage Funeral Home; letters of condolence may be sent to the family via burbagefuneralhome.com.

Michael Lojewski CHICAGO – Michael Lojewski, age 51, passed away unexpectedly in Chicago on Dec. 27, 2021.

Michael was born in Chicago, graduated from Gordon Tech HS and attended St. Mary's College in southern Maryland. He is survived by his mother, Dianne Denmark of Ocean City; his

father Lenny Lojewski of Chicago; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. He worked for Higgins Crab House and General's Kitchen for many years. He was a kind soul with many friends, smart and had a great sense of humor. MICHAEL He was very much loved LOJEWSKI by his family and will be truly missed.

Condolences may be sent to dideoc@aol.com

Ruth Virginia Broderick MILLSBORO – Ruth Virginia Broderick, 94, of Millsboro, Del., formerly of Ocean Pines and Frederick, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021 at her home.

Page 43

Ruth was born in Cabin John, Md. on Sept. 29, 1927 daughter of the late John Smith and the late Ida Mae Smith.

She worked at National Geographic as a bookbinder and was known for her green thumb. She loved time spent in her flower garden.

When she was younger, she enjoyed dancing and bowling. She also loved to shop.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, George P. Broderick, Sr., and her son, George P. Broderick, Jr. Ruth is survived by her daughter-inlaw Shirley Broderick; four granddaughters and one great-grandson.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 14, 2022 at the Ocean View Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 38040 Muddy Neck Road, Ocean View, Del. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.melsonfuneralservices.com.

Page 44

In-School Instruction Dedication Laudable The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

The Dispatch Forever In Memory Of Our Founder, Dick Lohmeyer (May 25, 1927-May 5, 2005) The Dispatch, Serving Greater Ocean City Since 1984, Is Published By Maryland Coast Dispatch Inc. Weekly On Friday Mornings MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 467, Berlin, Md. 21811 PHYSICAL ADDRESS: 10012 Old Ocean City Blvd.

Berlin, Md. 21811 PHONE: 410-641-4561 FAX: 410-641-0966 ONLINE WEBSITES: mdcoastdispatch.com facebook.com/thedispatchoc twitter.com/thedispatchocmd instagram.com/thedispatchocmd J. STEVEN GREEN Publisher/Editor editor@mdcoastdispatch.com

NEWS DEPARTMENT SHAWN J. SOPER Managing Editor ssoper@mdcoastdispatch.com CHARLENE SHARPE Staff Writer/Copy Editor csharpe@mdcoastdispatch.com BETHANY HOOPER Staff Writer bhooper@mdcoastdispatch.com CHRIS PARYPA Photographer

SALES DEPARTMENT TERRI FRENCH Account Executive Entertainment Editor terri@mdcoastdispatch.com JEANETTE DESKIEWICZ Account Executive jeanette@mdcoastdispatch.com

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BUSINESS OFFICE PAMELA GREEN Bookkeeper/Classifieds Manager classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com

The Maryland Coast Dispatch (USPS #015125) is an official and legal newspaper for Worcester County. Periodical postage paid at Berlin, Maryland, and additional mailing offices. The Maryland Coast Dispatch, 10012 Old Ocean City Blvd., Berlin, Md. 21811, is published weekly on Friday mornings, 52 weeks a year. Subscription rates are $260 per year.

POSTMASTER: Please send change of address to Maryland Coast Dispatch, P.O. Box 467, Berlin, Maryland 21811. Maryland Coast Dispatch offices are located at Route 346 and Graham Avenue, Berlin, Maryland.

January 7, 2022

How We See It

With soaring positivity rates and increased hospitalizations, it often seems like we are regressing with the pandemic. Indeed, the last couple months have been frustrating for progress seekers, but there is one bright light in this ongoing journey with the coronavirus.

Significant steps in the right direction have been made by many school officials when it comes to the importance of in-person learning, while some are lagging behind. This became clear over the last week as the holidays were wrapping up and concerns surfaced about whether school systems or individual schools would need to revert to virtual learning. Sensing the trend toward reducing in-person learning due to positive case increases among teachers and students, the Maryland Department of Education issued a blunt directive for school systems to push forward despite health metric concerns.

“Across the state, we must keep schools open for in-person instruction to ensure excellent educational opportunities and strong outcomes for all students, especially those who have been historically underserved and most impacted by the suspension of in-person

learning,” said State Superintendent of Schools Mohammed Choudhury.

“There is strong consensus from researchers that schools can and should stay open for in-person instruction and that school leaders must use every tool at their disposal to do so given the adverse effects closures have on students and their families. We have seen the devastating impact of school closures and long-term virtual instruction on student learning here in Maryland and across the country. When COVID19 transmission increases and health measures become a necessity, schools must be the last places to close. With unprecedented federal and State resources and tools, we can keep schools safely open for in-person, full-time learning.”

Choudhury said he would not hesitate to take action if any school system kept a school closed for in-person learning for over two weeks. Days after that announcement, Montgomery County reverted 11 schools to virtual learning for two weeks. More schools could be added if 5% of the students and staff test positive. This means if 50 individuals in a school of 1,000 combined students

and staff test positive virtual learning is needed. This is an absurd way to manage learning and the exact opposite of how school systems should approach the virus. We must press ahead. There are numerous avenues to take to keep kids in school, and Worcester County with its “test to stay” approach is a shining example.

It’s time to be aggressive and push forward with a concentration on in-person learning at all times. Fortunately, those of us in Worcester County public schools know full well retaining in-person instruction is the focus here. Like in many other areas, there was concern Worcester may need to go virtual this week due to elevated case rates among its teachers. On New Year’s Day, communication came schools would reopen with some cautionary literature posted online to remind families of current protocols. The information presented confirms the current concerns, but officials showed courage and understanding in moving ahead. It was the right decision.

We believe the focused approach on keeping kids in school is supported by a majority of school-aged families. It must remain the intent moving forward.

Letters To The Editor Flawed Room Tax Ordinance Editor: The Mayor & City Council (M&CC) of the Town of Ocean City recently adopted Ordinance 2021-24 which directs the expenditure of money derived from the Hotel Rental Tax, otherwise known as the Room Tax. This new ordinance replaces an earlier one passed in 2007, which was flawed from the outset. The old ordinance was supposed to dedicate one-half percent of the room tax to advertising. However, instead it dedicated an amount equal to 2% of gross room revenue to advertising.

This resulted in an enormous increase in the amount of money being spent to promote the town. In Fiscal Year (FY) 07, the Town's advertising budget was just over $1.76 million. By FY21, it grew to over $7.46 million.

By way of comparison, From FY07 to FY21, property tax revenue grew 17%, while room tax revenue grew 80%. As the room tax dramatically grew, funds from that revenue source to the General Fund for such essential services as police payroll and overtime, and additional EMS shifts, only grew by 30%, while funds from the Room Tax for advertising increased 324%.

This caused a major imbalance in the budget.

Rather than correcting the problem, the M&CC have passed a worse ordinance to replace a bad ordinance. The

new ordinance exasperates the situation by increasing the advertising budget even more. Based on the trend of room tax increases over many years, and based on the increased formula found in the new ordinance, a conservative estimate is that funds dedicated to the broad category of "destination marketing" which includes advertising will be in excess of $8.7 million in FY24 and over $9.5 million in FY25.

Short of an outright repeal of Ordinance 2021-24 by the M&CC, the only way to stop this financial irresponsibility is to petition the ordinance to referendum. That is exactly what I am doing.

Vincent dePaul Gisriel, Jr. Ocean City

Roadmap For $6B Surplus Editor: Maryland has an extra $6 billion in its bank and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to invest in meaningful, life-changing ways that deliver immediate results for our citizens. With rising COVID cases, we must use our historic surplus to help fellow Marylanders who continue to struggle, while also investing wisely for the future by bolstering our Rainy Day Fund and paying for critical infrastructure projects.

At last month’s Board of Revenue Estimates meeting, I joined fellow board members Budget Secretary David Brinkley and then-Treasurer Nancy Kopp in approving an increase to Maryland’s

revenue projections for the current and following fiscal years by a total of $1 billion. This comes on the heels of the Board’s actions in September, when we increased our projections by $2 billion, and several days earlier, when I announced the state closed Fiscal Year 2021 with a surplus of $2.5 billion. All told, the State has an eye-popping $6 billion in unexpected, one-time revenue.

Although our state’s economy appears to be on the road to recovery, the pandemic continues to prolong our rebound while taking its toll on the health and welfare of our citizens. The Governor and General Assembly – after depositing $2 billion in our Rainy Day Fund to help protect us during future economic downturns – must be deliberative in how to spend the remaining surplus.

Over the past 20 months, the state’s top earners – billionaires, millionaires and business executives – are more likely to have come out ahead, while the bottom half of earners bore the brunt of the pandemic’s financial impact. Our lower-wage workers and those who lost their jobs through no fault of their own experienced a multitude of challenges that still prevents them from returning to the workforce. Delayed or denied unemployment checks and slow-to-arrive rent relief wiped out the fragile financial security that so many were already struggling to maintain. There are too SEE NEXT PAGE

January 7, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Letters To The Editor few high-paying jobs that can restore financial independence, and, to make matters worse, the shortage of affordable child care has prevented so many of our fellow Marylanders, particularly women, from returning to the workforce.

With the uncertainty of the Omicron Variant, the Governor and our state lawmakers must seize this historic opportunity to take action now to help our most vulnerable and protect our emergency reserves. Here’s what I believe they should do.

First, the State should immediately enact another round of economic survival payments for the most financially insecure, but this time, increase the amount to $2,000. I advocated for this proposal last year, but opponents said we couldn’t afford it and capped checks at $500 per household. Now we know that we can and tens of thousands of Marylanders still need our help. Price tag: $1 billion.

Second, we must provide immediate financial support to our child care industry. Over the past 20 months, more than 750 child care providers in Maryland have closed due in large part to the government’s inability to distribute promised financial assistance in a timely manner. Without reliable, accessible and affordable child care, our economic recovery will be stunted. A portion of our surplus should be set aside for the child care industry, incentivizing shuttered operators to re-open, hiring qualified staff at higher wages and following the federal government’s lead by subsidizing the cost of child care for families that can’t afford it. Price tag: $500 million.

Third, we should support the momand-pop stores that represent the beating heart of the state’s economy by providing direct financial relief to small businesses. They’re still struggling to keep the lights on, and now they face another decline in sales as customers scale back their in-person shopping due to Omicron. This relief needs to be immediate and target small businesses in hard-hit industries, particularly our minority-owned and women-owned entities. Our MBEs and WBEs bore the disproportionate brunt of the economic impact of COVID. We must remedy that injustice, and we can do so with a new round of economic relief. Price tag: $500 million.

Fourth, the state should shore up our Rainy Day Fund. COVID-19 caught us flat-footed; we must do a much better job at financially preparing for the next economic crisis. There will be another, it’s just a matter of when. So let’s get ahead of the curve and allocate one-third of this historic surplus into our reserves. This action strengthens our ability to adjust for future economic downturns without the need for painful budget cuts, allow swifter and more robust disbursement of economic aid, and reduce disruptions in core government services. Price tag: $2 billion.

Lastly, the state should allocate the remaining $2 billion to fund its share of high-priority infrastructure projects that will have lasting, meaningful impact.

Specifically, the state should invest in three critical infrastructure areas: Baltimore City’s Red Line, green energy projects that will allow the state to transition to 100% renewable energy by 2030, and high speed internet connectivity for all Marylanders. These infrastructure priorities reflect the one-time nature of this surplus. We can and must invest in projects that help tackle critical issues like climate change and mass transportation, while creating high paying jobs and generating significant and sustained economic activity.

This ambitious proposal for economic relief and investment isn’t cheap, but it’s a good problem to have to figure out.

While $6 billion may seem like a lot of money, the truth is our inaction – or failure to meet this crisis with a proportionate response – will have far more devastating financial consequences.

This road map allows our state to strengthen its finances, invest in consequential infrastructure projects, and provide support to those small businesses and state residents who have been hit hardest by the pandemic. We can’t Build Back Better if everyone doesn’t have the opportunity to share in the prosperity of this economic recovery.

Peter Franchot Annapolis (The writer has served as comptroller since 2007.)

Government Hurting Us Editor First, I completely agree with the article on what masks are doing to our children and their ability to get a proper education. Talking with my grandchildren has reinforced his assertions.

This is a response to the gentlemen who was outspoken about the Build Back Better bill before the Senate. It appears Governor Hogan is looking out for his constituents, which is more than the present administration. Nothing in his bill will benefit the Americans who go out every day working hard providing for his or her family. We as Americans need to really delve into the programs that this bill will actually eliminate.

We do not need government to continue to pass bills that only hurt the average American worker and benefit our politicians and their donors. During the pandemic, when we were all locked down, big businesses flourished while Mom and Pops declined, why? Until this government stops borrowing money and balances the budget there will always be increases in taxes and everything you buy. There has never been a program enacted that the government has managed well, just check history.

Again, this government was put in place to protect the American citizens not hurt them and I don't see that being done.

We don't need big government. We need more control brought back to the states so the citizens can have more input. Just remember, nothing is free.

Someone has to pay for it and it usually falls on the average American.

Joann Roland Berlin

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Between The Lines

by Publisher/Editor Steve Green Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan held a couple press conferences this week, and concerns before each gathering were whether Hogan would follow a few other states with reinstituting a mask mandate for indoor places. Hogan did announce a new requirement for facial coverings in all state buildings, but he was clear he will not be extending the mandate to private businesses.

The Republican was asked by a reporter after Tuesday’s press conference whether he was considering requiring masks once again. Hogan is on record as committed to not implementing another mask mandate.

“Our real focus is on keeping people out of the hospital and preventing deaths … [a mask mandate] sometimes has the opposite effect. I’m not sure the people who are refusing to wear a mask are going to wear one anyway,” Hogan said Tuesday. “We don’t have the ability to enforce it, so we are just strongly encouraging people to wear the damn mask. We don’t need a mandate to force businesses to do that. We are encouraging them to do so.”

The best aspects of our small community often shine when a beloved educator passes away. It was touching to read all the personal accounts posted online and in this paper this week after Peter Mundrick’s sudden passing was confirmed. The former music and band teacher at Stephen Decatur Middle School clearly influenced many young lives. Mundrick was a familiar site at the annual parades in the area as he walked the routes encouraging his middle school band along the way.

Former student Nick French put it well, saying, “Peter Mundrick will be missed tremendously. He was one of my top teachers throughout my grade school years; always pushing me to my full potential. He always made sure I was working and practicing my craft to the best of my ability.

He has inspired me, as he has so many others. He cared so much for music and his pupils that cared for their own craft themselves. I was so shocked I really didn't believe that he passed away. I am just at a loss for words. Mr. Mundrick will be missed by so many, including myself, and I wouldn't be the musician I am if it weren't for that man.”

Dozens of similar comments from former students and colleagues can be found summarizing his impact.

Compared to similar efforts in the past, former Ocean City Councilman Vince Gisriel picked a good time to launch a petition to referendum. Since the last election in 2020 featured paltry turnout with only 1,528 voters turning out, Gisriel needs to only obtain 612 signatures from registered property owners to get the recent room tax ordinance placed before voters in November. In contrast, an unsuccessful petition effort against the city’s midtown gym property purchase in 2016 faced a much tougher haul, requiring 1,027 signatures based on the previous election featuring 2,566 voters.

I offer two predictions on this matter. First, Gisriel will easily get the required signatures. He knows from past experience how to organize successful petition drives. Despite the winter season, I suspect he will be successful in bringing the ordinance to referendum. He is well-known and respected throughout town and a familiar face and name to many based on his 14 years of serving as a councilman. Secondly, on that front, I expect to see Gisriel file for the council election this year. Back in 2016, a grassroots effort was led to get Gisriel elected as a write-in candidate. Though unsuccessful ultimately, Gisriel said at the time, “Having been in politics, every time the deadline approaches I get those pangs to run again, but I didn’t consider it in this cycle. All of a sudden this (write-in campaign) kind of presented itself and we’ll see how it plays out. Again, frankly I’m flattered and I’d be honored to serve.”

The cancellation of events due to the ongoing pandemic is a controversial thing. The latest example was Berlin’s New Year’s Eve festivities, which were ultimately canned the day before the two ball drop events were to be held. Unlike last year when it was obvious the event should not be held, there was excitement ahead of this year’s New Year’s Eve events, particularly among families for the kids’ ball drop early in the night.

The biggest issue here with the decision was the timing. Two days before the planned event was to be held, Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall said the party would go on as the health department was not asking for events to be canceled, requesting instead for masking and social distance to be followed even if outside. In a post last Thursday, the town announced the events were canceled due to rising health metrics and vendors opting out while encouraging folks through a listing to frequent the restaurants open for New Year’s Eve. It turns out there were also town staff members who were sick and unable to work, making it a logistical impossibility for the town to host the event and the crowds it brings to town.

As expected and understandably, business owners in Berlin cried foul once the announcement was made. The decision crippled their operations with restaurants reporting canceled reservations almost immediately after the announcement was posted. In fact, the Atlantic Hotel reported losing over half of its hotel and restaurant reservations once the ball drop event was nixed. It was an unfortunate way to end 2021, a rebound year for many in Berlin after a dismal 2020.

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S

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January 7, 2022

The Adventures of Fatherhood

by Steve Green

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omedays I think parenting my teen is the challenge of my life.

Perhaps a bit of hyperbole at play here, but the struggle is real to remain composed, patient and balanced when it comes to our 13-year-old. Some days I fluctuate between thinking we are failing as parents to wondering what we did to this kid to get so much attitude and pushback daily. One thing is for sure there are many instances when I just must walk away from him because I don’t have the fight in me.

I overthink everything including my kids. One thing I have found recently with my neurotypical teen Beckett is I don’t understand him. I struggle to identify with him during times of peak frustration. Ironically, my autistic son Carson is easier to connect with these days. Life is more black and white with him. It’s a sea of gray with Beckett most of the time.

Scrolling through articles this week I came across one headlined, “Dear Teenagers, I’m Sorry if I Don’t ‘Get It.’ I Was Raised in a Different Time.” I read it with interest, as it addresses many recent conversations I have had with parents struggling with getting along with their teens.

Rather than paraphrasing it, here are some excerpts from the online article from RaisingTeens.com.

When my kids hit the teen years, I thought I was ready. After all, I was a teenager once. I recall exactly what it felt like to deal with crazy, unpredictable hormonal swings, embarrassing acne, the desire to fit in with the crowd and the yearning to break free from any hint of control. … I’m here to tell you, it doesn’t work that way…

My kids’ day-to-day lives, the academic rigor they’re challenged to keep pace with and the social pressure they have to endure is nothing like my life

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was when I was growing up. Sure, there are a few commonalities that help me navigate my way through these years with my kids, but for the most part, it’s a different time and a very different world.

When I was a teenager, I ran around the neighborhood until midnight with my friends (in the summer, anyway) and my parents didn’t give it a second thought. I was gone for 10 hours at a stretch (without a cell phone) and, again, my parents didn’t think twice about it.

If I got a “C” on a test, my parents patted me on the back with a big smile and said “great job” because they had the comfort of knowing I was average, which was the best they could hope for. … Life didn’t revolve around us.

Our parents were busy. They had lives outside of raising a family. Sure, they loved us, but they didn’t spend their every waking moment thinking and worrying about our grades, who we were hanging out with or what we were doing every moment of the day.

They weren’t so hyper-focused on whether we were spending too much time watching TV, whether we had what it took to get into college or whether we could land a full-ride scholarship to cover the cost an over-priced education that would otherwise take decades to pay off.

Today, the fast-paced world of instant messaging, the massive influence of social media, relentless academic pressure that starts too early, less downtime (for both our kids and us), the pressure to be good at absolutely everything, the pervasiveness of drugs and the power of celebrity influence has put our kids and us into overdrive. … The harsh reality is that nearly every teen I know is maxed out. From the time they wake up in the morning, to the time they go to bed, nearly every moment is accounted for. Their sched-

ule is packed with school, studying, sports, extracurricular activities, clubs, volunteering, internships, and a job.

And, somewhere in the midst of their busy schedule, they’re expected to build meaningful relationships with their parents and friends, and somehow squeeze in much-needed downtime.

There’s little time to get bored or be lazy and certainly not enough time in the day to ponder and dream about the future. … The pressure of perfectionism that our teens have to endure is building over time.

Years ago, I didn’t start the day with the fear that one wrong move in school, one slip up, could make me the focus of social ridicule with one hit of the share button. If I bottomed out on a test, missed a goal or didn’t land the part in the play, I never felt as though I let anyone down. … I know that under the cloak of pressure, stress, and anxiety that burdens you at times, you’re still a teenager like I was who longs for carefree fun and freedom.

As parents, all we can do is help our kids feel that freedom, to let them fumble, fall and learn how to get back up, to help them find out who they are and work alongside them to peel back the layers of angst and uncertainty and help them put things into perspective so they can breathe and smile and laugh and be silly like teenagers should.

Mostly, we need to love them unconditionally, support them, offer guidance when they need it and a shoulder to lean on when they’re weary. We won’t always be able to make things easier for our kids, but the weight of this world won’t be quite so heavy if we help our kids and carry it together.

(The writer is the publisher and editor of The Dispatch. He and his wife, Pamela, are proud parents of two boys. This weekly column examines their transition into parenthood and all that goes along with it. E-mail any thoughts to editor@mdcoastdispatch.com.)

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January 7, 2022