Dec. 30

Photos by Chris Parypa

AGH Penguin Swim Returns Jan. 1

BY BETHANY HOOPER STAFF WRITER

OCEAN CITY – The 29th Annual Penguin Swim will return to the beaches of Ocean City on New Year’s Day.

On Sunday, Jan. 1, Atlantic General Hospital (AGH) will host its 29th Annual Penguin Swim at the Princess Royale Oceanfront Hotel on 91st Street. As in years past, hundreds of participants are expected to brave the chilly ocean waters to raise funds for community health care services.

“It’s a great way to cleanse yourself and start the new year fresh while also raising money and awareness for the best community hospital,” said Ryan Kirby, event co-chair. “We’re so lucky to be in an area of this size and have nearly every service available at that hospital.”

The Penguin Swim is one of Atlantic General’s largest fundraisers. Since 1995, the event has grossed roughly $1.4 million in support of the hospital’s mission to provide a coordinated care system with access to quality care, personalized service and education. Kirby noted the community’s support has allowed the hospital to purchase items such as emergency room beds and flat-screen televisions.

“The funding from this event also helps subsidize different community clinics and screenings,” he added. “When you see those free AGH clinics and screenings, a lot of it is paid for from those funds.”

The annual swim has also become a tradition for hundreds of residents and visitors. Last year, for example, the swim attracted 876 swimmers, 62 teams and 61 sponsors.

Local businesses and community groups also join in on the action. Legacy sponsor Bull on the Beach, for example, has raised $662,000 for the community hospital while Ocean City Ravens Roost has raised $153,000.

“We certainly appreciate the community’s support over the years,” Kirby said.

This year, the Bull on the Beach team will kick off the day’s festivities at 11:45 a.m. with a beach parade from 94th Street to the swim area in front of the Princess Royale. The swim will begin at noon, with an awards ceremony taking place in the hotel atrium immediately following the event.

Special recognition awards will be given to Oldest and Youngest Penguins, and the Penguin who traveled the farthest. Trophies for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place will be awarded to those who raise the most money in divisions for: Adults (19 & Over); Youth (18 & Under); Teams/Businesses; Community Groups/Organizations; and Youth/Family. Organizers say this year’s event will also be chock full of fun, family friendly activities, including costume contests, face painting, mermaids and more.

Participants can register either online or in person and check in on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day to receive their

OC Hoping Weather Cooperates For New Year’s Fireworks

BY SHAWN J. SOPER MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Winterfest of Lights has enjoyed another successful holiday run, but resort officials are keeping their fingers crossed for a big finale.

Winterfest of Lights opened the Thursday before Thanksgiving and will close just before midnight with a planned fireworks show to ring in the new year. Winterfest has enjoyed solid visitor numbers this holiday season with only a handful of weather-related hiccups since opening in November.

However, two of those scratches came on back-to-back days last Thursday and Friday, Dec. 22 and Dec. 23, which would traditionally be among the busiest weekend nights for the festival

at Northside Park. The event reaches a crescendo on Saturday, New Year’s Eve, with a Winterfest countdown beginning at 11:30 p.m. followed by a planned fireworks show at midnight to ring in the new year.

Special Events Director Frank Miller said this week last week’s cancellations brought the number of closed days at Winterfest for the entire season to three. However, with a threat of inclement weather on New Year’s Eve, the number could change. Although the temperatures on Saturday are expected to be mild for late December, the forecast is for rain, which could curtail the festivities.

Though no official attendance numbers were available this week, Miller said anecdotally the numbers appear

strong. Miller said resort officials are watching the forecast and keeping their fingers crossed for a strong finish on Saturday.

“Winterfest is doing well, and our guests are still enjoying the walking experience,” he said. “We have lost three days to weather this year and New Year’s Eve is not looking promising but is still too early to tell.”

Like so many other special events in Ocean City, Winterfest continues to evolve for a variety of reasons. Changes borne out of the pandemic have remained in place, resulting in the current pedestrian-only concept, and more modifications are likely in the future. Miller said Business and Tourism Development Director Tom Perlozzo and the staff continue to look for ways to

make Winterfest, and all special events, even more enjoyable for visitors.

“As you know, Tom has brought fresh energy to the tourism effort, and I do see exciting things for our 30-year-old event moving forward,” he said.

Visitors and residents have largely supported the modified walk-through Winterfest of Lights, with its light displays arranged around the roughly halfmile walking path around the lagoon. 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.

Earlier this year, it appeared there would not be a New Year’s Eve fireworks show uptown at Northside Park and Winterfest of Lights. In November, the Mayor and Council approved a contract with Celebrations Fireworks to provide fireworks shows uptown at Northside Park and from the beach downtown on the Fourth of July, along with a fireworks show from the downtown location near the Inlet on New Year’s Eve along with other associated events including drive-in movies.

However, a casualty of that contract with Celebrations was the proposed fireworks show at Northside Park as kind of a crescendo for Winterfest of Lights. Fireworks vendors have had some reservations about shooting the displays from the long pier at the west end of Northside Park and because Winterfest and its displays will still be in place, launching from an adjacent soccer field in the park was deemed to be not an alternative.

However, earlier in December, local resident and promoter Bob Rothermel and TEAM Productions, which produces the fireworks shows at Sundaes in the Park throughout the summer, presented a plan to launch fireworks from the pier at Northside Park on New Year’s Eve and not cause any modifications to Winterfest. The council approved the uptown fireworks show on New Year’s Eve in an arrangement separate from its contract with Celebrations. As a result, there will likely be fireworks at midnight on Saturday provided the weather cooperates.

Downtown, there will be two drive-in movies at the Inlet lot including the children’s show Encanto at 7 p.m. and Top Gun:Maverick at 9:30 p.m. with the grand finale fireworks at midnight to ring in 2023.

As usual, the town is offering free bus service on New Year’s Eve to safely move revelers around. Free bus service will begin a 6 a.m. on Saturday until 3 a.m. on Sunday. Buses will run about every 30 minutes from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and every 15 minutes or so from 6 p.m. on Saturday to 3 a.m. on Sunday. On New Year’s Day, bus service will be available from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. and the fee will be $3 for an all-day pass.

… Awards, Family Activities Planned

FROM PAGE 4

T-shirts and wristbands, which give them access to the swim area. Swimmers are encouraged to come to pre-registration and advance check-in at the Princess Royale from 2-4 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Event day registration and check-in will begin at 9 a.m. and end promptly at 11:30 a.m.

Officials note that participants who register on or before Dec. 10 will receive an official 2023 AGH Penguin Swim

short-sleeve T-shirt for their $25 registration fee. Shirts for participants who register after Dec. 10 will be available while supplies last. Individual participants who raise or donate $100 or more will also be eligible to receive an official 2023 AGH Penguin Swim long-sleeve T-shirt while supplies last.

For more information, or to register for the Penguin Swim, visit www.aghpenguinswim.org. A Cyber Swim will also be offered to those who cannot attend.

Young participants, decked out in their costumes, are pictured exiting the water during the 2022 Penguin Swim.

Photo by Tyler Layton

County Commission President Looks Ahead With Optimism

BY CHARLENE SHARPE STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – While local officials remain committed to ongoing projects such as expanding broadband and developing a fire funding formula, the coming year is expected to bring additional challenges to Worcester County.

Inflation, implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future and a change in administration at the state level are all issues that could impact Worcester County. Nevertheless, Commissioner Chip Bertino, the newly elected president of the board, sees reasons to feel positive as 2023 approaches.

“I think we can be optimistic we have two new energetic, engaged county commissioners bringing a fresh perspective to government,” he said. “I believe we are a well-managed county with good leader-

ship in terms of the chief administrative officer and deputy. I’m very pleased we have the people in place that we do.”

In an interview this week, Bertino, who is in his third term as commissioner and was elected earlier this month to serve as president, outlined the key issues he sees facing Worcester County in 2023. He said it was hard to predict what the change in administration at the state level, as Republican Gov. Larry Hogan is replaced by Democrat Wes Moore, would mean for Worcester.

“We also have a state legislature leaning toward the progressive side with the election of several new delegates and senators,” he said. “A well-managed county such as ours has to be mindful a change in Annapolis could really impact us as far as unfunded mandates and regulation changes. It’s an unknown.”

Legislation already passed that offi-

cials know will bring challenges to Worcester County is the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. The sweeping education reform measures included in the bill are meant to improve and enhance public education in Maryland. The 10-year education plan focuses on five areas — high quality diverse teachers, career and technical education, career and college readiness, early childhood education and resources to ensure all students are successful. Key initiatives listed on the Maryland State Department of Education website include the implementation of a program of study for students who have not met college and career readiness standards by the end of 10th grade as well as a new career ladder system and a requirement the minimum teacher salary must soon be $60,000.

Bertino said Worcester County Public Schools officials would be focused on im-

plementing the required changes but pointed out that the cost of the changes would primarily be borne by Worcester County.

“We provide and allocate a large part — over 80% — of the budget,” he said.

While the changes will be phased in over the next several years, Bertino said officials had to start laying out implementation plans now.

“We’re in a good position because of our close working relationship with the board of education,” he said.

As for county government, Bertino said an area that could see changes is the Worcester County Department of Development Review and Permitting.

“We have work to do in planning and zoning in ensuring our processes are customer oriented, that we’re working on behalf of the people that we represent, but at the same time maintain the aesthetic that makes Worcester County unique,” he said.

In addition, the county’s support of efforts to expand the public’s access to broadband are expected to continue. Bertino said he’s hopeful that work could even be complete this time next year.

“We are making good progress but more needs to be made,” he said.

Another ongoing initiative for Worcester County is the development of a longterm funding solution for fire and EMS services. In addition to increasing annual grants to fire companies and allocating $1.5 million in ARPA funds for their capital needs, the commissioners created a committee in early 2021 to tackle the problem of funding, as fire companies have been struggling in recent years to find funds to cover the services they provide. There are 10 fire companies of varying sizes and needs throughout Worcester County. The county’s committee consists of leadership from those companies as well as some county staff members and county commissioners.

“From its implementation, we recognized this had a long horizon because there’s a lot of issues we need to work through,” Bertino said. “This’ll be an ongoing effort just because of the dynamics.”

Despite the potential hurdles expected in the coming year, Bertino said he is confident in county staff. He noted that amid rising costs tied to inflation and supply chain issues, employees were finding ways to ensure operational needs were still met. The new procurement officer hired in August has also been successful identifying savings in the county’s more than $200 million budget.

“He is doing an outstanding job with our bidding process,” Bertino said. “So far, he’s saved us half a million dollars. He has really hit the ground running and demonstrated that we have opportunities for savings because of the volume we do.”

Bertino is also excited about the addition of two new commissioners to the board. Pocomoke resident Caryn Abbott now represents District 1 while Eric Fiori now represents District 3.

“They really are energized in ways I think will be positive for the county moving forward,” he said. “They ask questions. They do their homework. It leads to better discussion.”

OC Paramedics Now Using Ultrasound To Treat Patients

BY SHAWN J. SOPER MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Ocean City paramedics are now using ultrasound technology in the field to determine the extent of injuries in patients as part of a pilot program.

The cutting-edge technology allows resort paramedics to quickly and accurately assess the severity of injuries, which helps guide treatment and transport decisions in trauma cases. Ocean City Fire Department paramedics and emergency medical technicians have been receiving training on using ultrasound technology on patients in the field.

Faster and more accurate diagnoses in the field allow resort paramedics to make quick decisions on how and where to transport patients with significant injuries or illnesses, according to Ocean City Fire Department Public Information Officer Ryan Whittington. There are multiple indications for the use of ultrasound in the field including abdominal pain, cardiac arrest and a suspected tension pneumothorax.

“We are excited to add ultrasound to our toolbox,” he said. “This technology allows us to make more informed decisions about how best to treat and transport our patients. It also enables us to transport patients to the most appropriate hospital

for further evaluation and treatment.”

Whittington said the use of ultrasound technology by paramedics in the field is a pilot program in Maryland. He said Ocean City was chosen for the program among a handful of other jurisdictions around the state. Due to the location of Ocean City and its proximity to trauma centers, paramedics can use ultrasound to determine if a patient should be transported by aviation to a level 1 trauma center, or by land a local trauma center.

“Having this technology at our fingertips allows us to provide the highest level of care to our patients,” said Whittington. “We are committed to using all available

resources to ensure that our patients receive the best possible care.”

Whittington said the Ocean City Fire Department has worked closely with TidalHealth Peninsula’s Dr. Steve St. Pierre during the initial training with the ultrasound equipment. St. Pierre continues to be part of the quality assurance process for the department in the use of in-field ultrasound equipment for the department.

Ultrasound is not used solely to diagnose conditions. It gives more insight into what is going on with a patient, particularly with a patient’s heart and lungs. It’s a new tool in the toolbox for the resort’s paramedics in addition to traditional methods.

OCEAN PINES – Association members could see another assessment reduction in the coming fiscal year.

This month, the Ocean Pines Association (OPA) released its preliminary budget for fiscal year 2023-2024.

The spending plan proposes police department incentives, increases in payroll and benefits and a $21 assessment reduction for non-waterfront lots.

“The main component of this decrease was the ‘true-up’ component, reflecting

Budget Proposes Assessment Reduction

realized favorability from the prior year and as reported during the monthly [general manager] reports,” the budget summary reads.

Last February, the OPA Board of Directors voted unanimously to adopt an annual budget with a $100 reduction in assessments for non-waterfront lots.

The decrease – only the second reported in the association’s history – was the result of a $650,000 budget surplus.

Continuing that trend, officials submitted a proposed budget this month that calls for another assessment reduction in the coming fiscal year.

The proposed assessment rates include $875 for non-waterfront lots, $1,313 for non-waterfront estate lots, $1,490 for waterfront lots, $2,235 for waterfront estate lots, $965 for waterfront non-bulkhead lots and $1,448 for waterfront nonbulkhead estate lots.

In total, the proposed spending plan reflects total revenues and operating expenses of $14.45 million, bulkhead replacement expenses of $1.15 million, and capital expenditures of $1.02 million.

“The operational departments and amenities saw increases in payroll and benefits, reflecting a statutory wage increase, wage inflation, and the continued increased cost of benefits,” the budget summary reads. “The amenities, led by Golf, continue to show organic growth in revenue, but also reflect price increases as recommended by the Strategic Planning Committee’s guidance.”

It continues, “Within the assessment is a continued increase in infrastructure spending for roads, drainage, mailboxes, deferred maintenance, and new capital project(s) and initiatives.”

The proposed budget also reflects an increase within the aquatics department in an attempt to fill vacant lifeguard positions, as well as an increase in the police department’s 401(k) benefits and salaries.

“Reallocation of prior efficiencies have been allocated to the Police Department to continue to fund the ‘Take Home Car Program,’” the summary reads. “The pro-

posed budget also includes an increase in the police 401(k) benefit contribution and increased salary adjustments, all to help retain and recruit officers.”

Officials say they also continue to review the association’s reserve study, which recommends the necessary level of replacement reserves the community needs based on assets such as buildings, equipment and fixtures.

In this week’s meeting of the Ocean Pines Budget and Finance Committee, Senior Executive Office Manager Linda Martin noted that the reserve schedule for the coming five years had been updated in recent weeks.

“Changes were based on an analysis from department heads and the life expectancies that could be pushed further out,” she said.

Martin explained the timeline for both a golf cart replacement project and administrative building improvements had moved from 2023 and 2025, respectively, to 2022. However, an irrigation project at the golf club had to be pushed back from 2022 to 2024.

“That was a big hit,” she said.

Next week, the association will kick off its annual review of the proposed budget. The budget and finance committee will hold a review Jan. 4-6, while the board of directors will hold a review Jan. 18-19.

The association’s fiscal year begins on May 1 of each year and ends on April 30 of the next calendar year.

keep oc Firefighters Busy

SHAWN J. SOPER

OCEAN CITY– Persistent frigid temperatures in the area late last week kept the Ocean City Fire Department busy with responses to frozen pipe calls at residential and commercial properties, making for a busy Christmas morning for firefighters.

The winter blast that descended on much of the eastern half of the U.S. dropped temperatures into the teens with much lower “feels like” temperatures because of the gale force winds that accompanied the storm. As a result, the Ocean City Fire Department had its hands full with responses to calls for frozen or busted pipes over the holiday weekend, in addition to their other calls for service.

For example, during a 48-hour period beginning Christmas morning, the OCFD responded to 24 calls for frozen or broken pipes in the resort, according to the Ocean City Fire Marshal’s Office. That’s 12 each day over a two-day period, or one on average about every two hours. It’s not entirely an unusual situation each winter during stretches when the daytime temperatures do not surpass the freezing marks and overnight temperatures dip far below.

With temperatures in the area steadily increasing in the days since, and a forecast for daytime highs in the mid-50s predicted for the weekend, the frozen pipe

situation could only exacerbate. Frozen pipes have a propensity for bursting during the thawing process as well.

Frozen and bursting pipes during a stretch of particularly frigid weather is a problem resulting in a lot of calls for service for the fire department even in occupied properties. However, because of the seasonal nature of the resort area, there is an inordinate number of private residences and commercial properties that are unoccupied during the dead of winter, which only exacerbates the problem.

Many private residences and commercial properties that are closed up during the winter are susceptible because owners did not have the forethought to consider winterizing when they left for the last time during balmy temperatures weeks of months ago. As a result, some frozen or bursting pipe issues go unnoticed until the property owners return.

The Ocean City Fire Department is reminding citizens and property owners to follow a few simple maintenance tips to ensure that pipes and sprinklers do not freeze during stretches of frigid temperatures and low wind chills experienced last week. For example, setting the thermostat at an appropriate temperature is the easiest step in avoiding issues. Of course, if a property is occupied, the thermostats would be set at comfortable levels, but many property owners who travel or close up their seasonal properties for the winter do not consider taking precautions when

they left during balmy temperatures.

In many cases, the living spaces might feel warm, but there are pipes exposed in crawl spaces or in attics where the property owner might not realize the temperature has dropped below the freezing mark for a prolonged period of time.

All sprinklered areas of a building should be checked to make sure the temperature is above freezing. Setting a unit thermostat to keep pipes around at least 40 degrees should keep them from freezing. With regard to dry sprinkler systems, auxiliary condensate drains should be drained by a licensed sprinkler company or person knowledgeable about sprinkler systems.

Emergency contact numbers should be posted on the outside of a vacant building, which can help the fire department contact responsible parties in the event of a pipe break. Also, key lock boxes, which can be purchased from the Ocean City Fire Department headquarters at 15th Street, can allow responders access into a building in the event of an emergency and allow firefighters to turn off water mains and minimize damage within properties.

In addition, the Ocean City Police Department has a free residential check program. Property owners can register their properties if they are going to away from a prolonged period of time and check if there is apparent water leakage or other obvious damage.

Heron Park Negotiations Continue

BY CHARLENE SHARPE STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – A year after the town received a $500,000 demolition grant for Heron Park, little has changed at the former chicken processing plant.

While the town is in negotiations with a potential purchaser and is exploring demolition, the park appears much the same as it did a year ago. Mayor Zack Tyndall said this week a survey of the various lots that make up the property is currently underway.

“We hope to have more information to share with the public soon,” he said.

After considering the sale of at least a part of Heron Park for some time, the town issued a request for proposals (RFP) late last year. In May, the town opted to enter negotiations with Gillis Gilkerson, one of the two entities that responded to the RFP. The Gillis Gilkerson proposal offered the town $1.5 million for three parcels—parcel 410, 57 and 191—and would involve partial demolition of the existing structures to create a commercial project.

The town also still has its strategic demolition grant, received last December from the state, to use for the property. Tyndall said this week the town was still in an extended negotiation period with Gillis Gilkerson and was also planning for demolition.

“The council agreed to set up a subcommittee to negotiate with Gillis Gilkerson several months ago,” Tyndall said. “The subcommittee consists of the mayor, Councilmembers Knerr and Orris, the town administrator and the town attorney.”

In addition, in October the town contracted with EA Engineering to complete a survey of the properties and to help develop a request for proposals (RFP) for demolition of the former chicken processing building. According to Tyndall, the survey is now in draft form but the RFP for demolition is still being developed.

Councilman Jack Orris said the subcommittee has been active and he’s hopeful that negotiations are nearly complete.

“I believe we are close to the other end of the tunnel here and should soon be able to present to the public as well as the entire council the, in my opinion, positive results from the negotiation period,” he said. “We’ve met regularly with Gillis Gilkerson, reviewed plans, asked questions and discussed concerns as well as throwing back to the discussions of the former Berlin Falls Park Advisory Committee. It’s been a lengthy process but looking back through the past year those of us on the council wanted to be deliberate and intentional.”

Body Camera Program Sees Successes, Challenges

BY SHAWN J. SOPER MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – With the clock winding down on 2022, the first year of the Ocean City Police Department’s use of bodyworn cameras has proven to be successful although space and staffing challenges remain.

Earlier this year, the Mayor and Council approved a contract with a private vendor to provide body-worn cameras for the town’s police department officers. Training with the new equipment began in earnest last spring and the body-worn cameras on Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers were fully operational by the start of the summer season.

In 2021, state lawmakers passed legislation mandating law enforcement agencies equip their officers with body-worn cameras by 2025. Ocean City, for a vari-

ety of reasons, chose to move up its own target date for equipping officers with body-worn cameras to 2022.

Although it has not been a full calendar year with the body-worn cameras for the OCPD, the close of 2022 and the pending start of 2023 provides an opportunity to check on the successes and continued challenges for the new body-worn camera system for OCPD officers. The short answer, according to Worcester County State’s Attorney Kris Heiser, is the program has been highly successful and is achieving the desired results. The long answer is, there continues to be space and staffing issues, solutions for which are being explored.

Of course, implementing the body-worn camera system has caused a trickle down of stress with hours and hours of footage needing to be processed, stored and potentially used as evidence in the prosecu-

tion of cases. Earlier this year, the Worcester County Commissioners approved Heiser’s request for 12 new positions, largely due to the resort’s body camera program.

The state’s attorney’s office was prepared for the challenges the new system would create and made appropriate adjustments in advance. Heiser said this week the court system has also made accommodations related to the use of body camera footage.

“The first year of body-worn cameras was certainly challenging, but we had a lot of adjustments in advance to our case management system and upgraded our technology in anticipation of the onslaught of video, and those preparations proved to be effective,” she said. “The district court was also very accommodating as far as consolidating some dockets so that prosecutors have more office time for video re-

view, and I am very grateful for that as well.”

Heiser said she has hired many of the prosecutors and support staff approved by the county commissioners earlier this year but is still looking to fill more vacancies.

“Hiring attorneys and support staff to manage the increased volume is still a challenge,” she said. “Of the 12 positions approved by the commissioners in February, I have hired 10, but I’m still looking for two more attorneys to hire.”

From the beginning, the additional space required to accommodate the bodyworn camera system created challenges. In April, the Town of Ocean City agreed to provide additional space for the state’s attorney’s office in an area of the public safety building complex at 65th Street in anticipation of higher workloads for prosecutors and staff. In addition, Worcester County is also exploring space options for the state’s attorney’s office, according to Heiser.

“There are several options being explored, and I am hopeful that we will hear some good news soon about a permanent space large enough to house all of our staff,” she said. “I literally have people working in the rafters at this point. We are also using the small space in the Ocean City District Courthouse, but that only houses four people at maximum, so that’s not a good solution long-term.”

After another busy summer season in Ocean City and the months that have followed, Heiser’s office has realized early success in the operation of the bodyworn cameras, but the jury is still out, so to speak, without a full year of implementation.

“As far as the body-worn cameras being helpful in prosecution, I think at this point it isn’t enough of a sample size to have accurate data,” she said. “The Maryland State Police and the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office do not yet have body cameras on all police. However, I can tell you anecdotally police opinion is that wearing the body cameras is helpful to them on the street. When people realize they are being recorded, sometimes they modify their behavior accordingly and become more compliant with officer requests. For defense counsel, I think managing client expectations is easier when you have video evidence showing your client committing the crime in some instances, and for prosecutors, that can make appropriate plea agreements easier to reach.”

With the OCPD ahead of the curve in advance of the 2025 mandate for bodyworn cameras, Heiser said some jurisdictions around the state are using Worcester County as a model.

“I think our team has done an admirable job of that, even while being shortstaffed, and I would put our IT collaboration with police agencies up against any other county in the state as far as the efficient transfer of video from law enforcement to prosecutors,” she said. “Other counties have been reaching out to us to use Worcester as a model for case management and information workflow among multiple police agencies, and I think that speaks volumes as to what we’ve accomplished thus far.”

Friends' Christmas Card Tradition At 36 Years And Counting

BY BETHANY HOOPER STAFF WRITER

OCEAN CITY – A 36-year-old holiday card, passed between households in Maryland and Florida, made its way to Ocean City this month as part of a decades-old tradition among friends.

It came as no surprise this year when Ocean City property owner Lorna Pearre went to her mailbox and found a Christmas card in the stack of holiday greetings she typically receives from friends and family. It’s the same Christmas card that’s been passed between her and her Florida-based friend since 1986.

“My friend is in Lakeland, Florida, and she will send it to me one year and I’ll send it to her the next,” she explained. “It’s been going back and forth for over 30 years.”

Pearre, 81, said the tradition started in the late 1980s, when she received a Christmas card in the mail from Mae Cooke, her friend of 60-plus years.

“We worked together at the old Montgomery Ward in Baltimore,” she said. “That’s how we met.”

Inside, the card reads, “Save this card! You can send it to me next Christmas!”

And for the next 30-plus years, that is what the two friends did.

“When we started, we never dreamed it would still be going more than 30 years later,” Pearre said. “As time has gone on, we really had to make sure we kept after it.”

When the card is in her possession, Pearre said she keeps it in a stationery

box.

But she said that hasn’t stopped her from forgetting a time or two.

“Several years, Mae has called me and told me don’t forget it,” she joked. “I don’t usually save cards, but I save this one.”

Both the inside and back of the card

are filled with signatures, locations and dates, and Pearre noted she now writes wherever she can find space. The friends have also started making their own envelopes before sending the Christmas card in the mail.

“The card is so old they don’t even

make these kinds of envelopes anymore,” she said.

But Pearre said it won’t stop them from continuing the annual holiday tradition.

“This is absolutely something we want to continue doing,” she said. “It’s a lot of fun.”

Ocean City resident Lorna Pearre is pictured holding the Christmas card she and friend Mae Cooke, a Florida resident, have mailed every year since 1986.

Photo by Bethany Hooper

BY BETHANY HOOPER STAFF WRITER

OCEAN CITY – A local shelter is seeking volunteers to register and assist guests as winter weather sets in.

On Wednesday, Jan. 4, OCMD Cold Weather Shelter will hold a training session for those interested in volunteering. As temperatures drop, Cold Coordinator Jason Long said the organization is seeking volunteers to check in guests and oversee nighttime shifts when the shelter is open.

“Our guests are so thankful to those of us who are able to donate some of their time and nights to give them a warm place to sleep,” he said. “The more volunteers we have, the less that everyone has to do.”

Since 2014, the Cold Weather Shelter has served men and women seeking a warm place to stay during cold winter nights. Located at 103rd Street, in the retreat center of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, the shelter opens on nights when the temperature drops to 25 degrees with wind chill.

And while the shelter is open annually from Dec. 1 to March 31, Long said the building started taking in guests as early as November this year.

“It may have been done once before, but it’s very rare,” he said, “only when the temps are well below average near the end of November.”

As temperatures continue to plummet, however, Long said volunteers will be needed to welcome and assist guests. While the shelter currently averages 10 to 12 guests each night, the building can serve as many as 24 people.

“We are open 5 p.m. to 7 a.m., with registration volunteers being there from 4:307 p.m. and overnight volunteers being there from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.,” he said. “Every shift needs one male and one female volunteer.”

Once doors open, Long said, volunteers are tasked with welcoming, feeding and monitoring guests.

“The registration volunteers help welcome our guests and sign them in and serve dinner to them,” he explained. “Our overnight volunteers are there to make sure there are no issues overnight and help with laundry services.”

Long noted that while several volunteers are able to assist with dinners, only 15 handle registration and overnight duties.

“Right now, we have many volunteers having to be on shift multiple nights a week,” he said. “The more volunteers we have, the less that everyone has to do. Even once or twice a month would be a huge help.”

To that end, the Cold Weather Shelter will host a training session for prospective volunteers. The event, which begins at 1 p.m., will be held at the shelter.

“Please come if you’d like to learn more about how you could help,” Long said.

For more information, email the shelter at ocmdcoldweathershelter@gmail.com or follow and message the “OCMD Cold Weather Shelter” Facebook page. The shelter accepts men and women, but no children at this time.

School Board Reviews Federal Grant Audit

BY CHARLENE SHARPE STAFF WRITER

NEWARK – Officials reviewed an audit of the school system’s more than $13 million in federal grant funds this month.

The Worcester County Board of Education last week approved a federal programs audit for fiscal year 2022. The audit reviewed the school system’s spending of 87 federal grant awards.

“It was a clean audit,” Chief Financial Officer Vincent Tolbert said. “When you have that much money flowing through the school system and those many different grant awards, to have that clean opinion speaks very highly of our staff.”

Tolbert presented the board with the fiscal year 2022 federal programs audit at last week’s regular meeting. The audit, performed by UHY in Salisbury, revealed no issues or concerns. Tolbert

said the document showed that the school system’s internal controls were good and that it was in compliance with its federal grant awards. He said there were 87 different grant awards totaling $13,991,128. Major grants include Title I funding, which is more than $1 million, as well as special education funding exceeding $1 million. The school system also received $5.4 million in federal grants related to COVID-19 and $3.8 million in federal funds related to school lunch.

Tolbert credited school system staff with ensuring the grants were kept in order. Todd Ferrante, vice president of the school board, echoed that praise.

“We appreciate all the hard work that goes into doing this,” he said.

The board voted 6-0 to approve the federal program audit. School board member Jon Andes, the school system’s

former superintendent, said he wanted the community to understand how closely the school system’s federal funding was monitored.

“The federal dollars are restricted dollars,” Andes said. “That means whatever they’re allocated for we must spend it for. We have no choice, we have absolutely no flexibility, and the federal government only provides about 6% of our total operating budget.”

He said the federal program spending was reviewed during the annual audit and was also looked at by the Maryland State Department of Education. Andes said he just wanted to make sure the public understood the restrictions related to federal funding.

“We can only spend it on certain things,” he said. “We have no flexibility in it and there’s a significant amount of accountability on those federal dollars.”

Berlin Restaurant Week Scheduled For Jan. 9-15

BY CHARLENE SHARPE STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – The town will showcase its variety of dining establishments next month with Berlin Restaurant Week.

The town will host restaurant week Jan. 9-15. Restaurants will offer specials and customers who dine at a participating eatery three times can enter to win a prize.

“We have become a culinary destination and restaurant week offers you the chance to be able to enjoy all the best local flavors of Berlin,” said Ivy Wells, the town’s economic and community development director.

Berlin Restaurant Week was established in 2016, when Bunting Realty’s Cam Bunting put forth the idea of highlighting the town’s array of restaurants during what is typically a slower business season. The event has been held ever since, attracting both residents and visitors to Berlin eateries. For this year’s restaurant week, which runs from Jan. 9-15, customers are encouraged to dine three times for a chance to win a prize consisting of restaurant gift cards as well as $100. Diners can pick up an entry card at the welcome center, dine at three different participating restaurants and get their card stamped. Once customers have their card stamped three times, they can drop it in the entry box in the foyer of the welcome center. There will be a random drawing for the winner once the week is over.

Most participating restaurants will be offering specials or discounts during the week. At Jun & Juice, for example, there will be a special for customers ordering two or more juices. The relatively new shop will also offer a free topping on yogurt bowls.

“We are so excited to participate in our first Berlin Restaurant Week,” said Jun & Juice’s Megan Hines. “It’s a great way for people to check out the specials and hopefully try new spots.”

Laura Stearns, general manager at the Atlantic Hotel, says she believes restaurant week brings new people to town and also encourages locals to eat out.

“I do think it generates business in town,” she said. “If the restaurants are going to offer special people will come and shop while they’re here.”

The Atlantic Hotel will be offering fish and chips with a free dessert during restaurant week.

“Fish and chips is one of our most popular dishes,” Stearns said. “It’s really good, served with hand cut island fries and cole slaw. We’re offering it with a free dessert so we can highlight our new pastry chef, Christina Hurley.”

Businesses participating in Berlin Restaurant Week this year include: 410 Social, Atlantic Hotel Bistro Bar, Baked Dessert Café, Blacksmith Restaurant, boxcar on main, Burley Café, Burn Brick Oven Pizza, Gilbert’s Provisions, Jun & Juice, On What Grounds?, Pop’s Kitchen, Rayne’s Reef, The Globe Gastro Theatre and The Sterling Tavern. For more information, visit the event page on Facebook.

County Recycling Changes Underway

BY CHARLENE SHARPE STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – Worcester County is now accepting additional plastics for recycling.

The county is now accepting plastics labeled one through seven at local recycling bins. Residents will be able to recycle commonly used food grade plastic such as yogurt containers.

“You won’t have to put as much thought into recycling,” said Dallas Baker, the county’s director of public works.

In recent years, the county has only accepted recycling plastics labeled number one or two, which includes soda and water bottles as well as detergent and milk containers. Starting in 2023, however, the county recycling bins will be able to accept materials labeled one through seven. Baker said county staff reached out to its recycling vendor regarding the possibility of expanding the types of acceptable plastic after being contacted by interested citizens. The vendor will now accept plastics one through seven.

“The reality is people have been throwing all kinds of plastics in the bins anyway,” Baker said, “but now the company we sell to will take one through seven. For the people that were actively just giving us their ones and twos, this’ll make it easier for them.”

The change is not expected to have any operational impact for the county

other than the need to update signage at the recycling bins. Baker said the on-site messaging might not be changed until February.

Baker said some recycling locations continue to have issues with trash dumping. The worst of those, however, the Bishopville location, is undergoing improvements that are expected to minimize littering.

“We are actively upgrading that site to have cameras and fencing as well as a concrete pad,” he said.

He said the changes would create a more secure location and that the fence and concrete pad would make cleanup easier when littering did occur.

Baker noted the Snow Hill Homeowner Convenience Center was still closed for upgrades. Crews are currently rebuilding the retaining walls.

The work, which began in early November, is expected to take 90 days.

“I think we’ll hit that 90-day mark,” Baker said, indicating that the project appeared to be moving along on schedule.

For more recycling information, visit the public works page on the county’s website, co.worcester.md.us. Items that cannot be recycled include bulk plastic, plastic bags, vinyl siding, PVC pipe, Styrofoam, plastic wrap, plastic toys, plastic flowerpots, plastic coolers, plastic chairs, mirrors, glass windows, dishes and drinking glasses. Pesticide, antifreeze and oil containers also cannot be recycled.

Worcester County recycling plant employees are pictured in 2018 sorting through items.

File Photo by Charlene Sharpe

Berlin NYE Ball Drop, Laser Show Planned

BY CHARLENE SHARPE STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – The town will resume its tradition of ringing in the new year with a ball drop on Dec. 31.

Berlin will host two New Year’s Eve events, a kids ball drop and a midnight ball drop, to celebrate the arrival of 2023.

“Come on out and have a good time,” said Ivy Wells, the town’s economic and community development director. “We’re ready to ring in 2023 Berlin style.”

Last year, the town canceled its New Year’s Eve event the day before it was set to occur as a result of rising COVID19 cases.

Wells said the town was ready now to host the festivities it wasn’t able to last year.

Families are being welcomed to Main Street at 5 p.m. on Dec. 31 for music, a laser light show and ball drop. The town will be providing children with bubbles, glow sticks and cow bells to ring in the new year at 6 p.m. The laser light show, which is 30 minutes long, is set to music and leads right up to the ball drop.

As many young visitors head home, Callum Toner will be setting up to welcome the town’s later set of guests.

“The Berlin Arts and Entertainment District is sponsoring live music between both events,” Wells said.

The Rogue Citizens will perform later in the evening and the town is set to begin selling beer and wine at 8 p.m. DJ Big Al Reno will help entertain until the 11:15 p.m. laser show that leads into the midnight ball drop.

Wells said the town considered fireworks as New Year’s Eve entertainment but in the end opted to try a laser show as something new this year.

“It adds a little excitement,” she said. “Laser shows are kid and pet friendly.”

Wells stressed that there was no cost to attend the ball drop and no cost to park in Berlin.

There is no shuttle for the event, however, and those who live in town and plan to attend are encouraged to walk.

A variety of food, including popcorn and hot chocolate, will be sold by two food vendors – The Street Kitchen and Sessa’s Vending.

While The Street Kitchen will offer things like blackened tuna, Cajun shrimp, quesadillas and pulled pork, Sessa’s Vending will offer hot dogs, Italian sausage, kielbasa and meatballs.

Wells encourages locals and visitors alike to come enjoy a festive evening in town.

“It’s been a couple of years since we have a New Year’s Eve celebration in Berlin,” she said. “Every year it gets better.”

Wells noted that there was no rain date for the event and said it would be canceled in the event of inclement weather.

OCEAN PINES –Ocean Pines Association staff’s annual holiday giving this year helped feed 20 local families and collected donations for several local nonprofits and charitable organizations.

Michelle Lane-Ross, administrative assistant for the general manager, helped organize staff donations at Ocean Pines’ central office.

She said the Association traditionally donates holiday dinners to 10 local families in need. However, in working with the Worcester County Health Department this year, she said they found seven families in the immediate area, and another 13 in Worcester County.

“We thought we couldn’t just leave 10 families without a holiday meal, so we decided to adopt all 20 families,” LaneRoss said. “It was quite an undertaking, but all employees pitched in. Each department was assigned a certain item and they all delivered.”

Lane-Ross also helped organize an “angel tree” in the administration building, where each angel-shaped ornament represents a gift suggestion for a local family in need.

Once again, the Association worked

Local Holiday Charitable Efforts

with the Health Department.

“It was a single mom with three daughters. Between staff and the Ocean Pines community, we supplied many gifts for the family. I don’t think they will be disappointed on Christmas morning,” Lane-Ross said.

“Every day I would see food being delivered by staff and watching our lobby fill with gifts around the tree and would feel so excited,” Lane-Ross continued. “[On Wednesday] morning, all the items were picked up and I was just so joyful to see that we all came together to make this happen for those less fortunate. I always say that no matter how bad you think things are for yourself or your family, there is always someone else worse off and I am just thrilled that we could help.”

Aquatics Director Kathleen Cook organized a similar angel tree at the Sports Core Pool, sponsoring three families through a local church.

“It went well, as always,” Cook said. “We live in a community that is so loving and generous.”

Cook said the angel tree program means a lot to her and was something

she first did in high school.

“It helped us truly understand how blessed we were and allowed us to see that wasn’t the case for everyone,” she said.

Cook took the concept to a former supervisor several years ago, and it became an annual tradition for the Aquatics Department.

“Once I presented it to my boss, it was agreed that we would develop a similar program,” Cook said. “Now, I get to watch parents take angels with their children, and they are teaching their children the same lessons that we learned in high school.

“I am so humble for the phenomenal support that this community gives to this program,” she added.

Jessica Conaway, an administrative assistant for the Recreation and Parks Department, collaborated with two local charitable campaigns. The department for several years has helped the “Be a Santa to a Senior” program run by Home Instead Senior Care.

“This countrywide program brightens local seniors’ hearts by giving them a gift they otherwise wouldn’t have,” Conaway

said. “Crystal Heiser, coordinator of this program, said that this year almost 800 local seniors received gifts, with close to 200 coming from Ocean Pines area ‘Santas.’

“This cause is important because these seniors are asking for essentials –not for what they want,” she continued.

“And most of the ‘Santas’ that take a tag will tuck in a special treat or item that wasn’t asked for to make the giving more personal.”

Conaway and the Recreation and Parks Department also collected donations for Believe in Tomorrow’s Children’s House by the Sea.

“This program allows families with critically ill children the opportunity to get away, relax, and reconnect together in the midst of a child’s treatment and recovery,” Conaway said. “Donating items such as toys, books and puzzles helps the children feel more normal, at ease and relaxed while they are here at the beach. Wayne Littleton, the coordinator of this program, is very appreciative of the donations the Ocean Pines community gives during the holiday season.”

assateague Foal ‘Tako kichi’

BY SHAWN J. SOPER MANAGING EDITOR

ASSATEAGUE – The last new foal naming rights raffle on Assateague is complete, and the chestnut filly will now be known at “Tako Kichi.”

Each year the Assateague Island Alliance (AIA), the friends group of the Assateague Island National Seashore, which advocates on behalf of the island’s most famed residents, hosts naming rights contests for the foals born into the herd on the Maryland side. Often, the contests are held as eBay auctions or other creative contests such as online raffles conducted through the organization’s website.

Such was the case for the latest foal naming contest, which opened in early December. It was the AIA’s last foal naming contest of the year. The foal was known only as N2BHS-AIOU, but the raffle ticket winner had the opportunity to apply a lasting, creative name on one of the island’s newest arrivals. In the 1970s, the National Park Service began assigning alpha-numeric names to the wild horses on the island to better track their lineage and the areas they tend to frequent.

The foal naming rights raffle ended last weekend and the winner was Maryland resident Jo-Ann Rasmussen, who held the winning ticket. Rasmussen chose the name “Tako Kichi” for its loose Japanese translation meaning “kite crazy” in honor of the kite flying hobby she shares with her spouse, Rich Miller.

“Tako Kichi is a phrase that is used worldwide, especially by those in the international kite flying community, referring to those who are passionate about

kites and kite flying,” said Rasmussen. “My husband and I have been involved in kiting for over 40 years. We describe it as a hobby out of control as it started with just one small kite and grew.”

Rasmussen and Miller have a collection of kites from all over the world, from miniature kites to those that are over 50 feet long. Miller has made the couple’s band of kites they call “Assateague Sky Ponies,” which represent several of the popular Assateague horses on the barrier

island including Annie Laurie, Autumn Glory, Charcoal and Coco, along with a few generic horses, unicorns, Pegasus, and mer-horses. Soon, a new kite named Tako Kichi will be added to the collection.

“We have enjoyed visiting Assateague for several decades, enjoying nature and participating in a variety of activities including kayaking, biking and hiking,” said Rasmussen. “However, Assateague Island National Seashore has become one of our favorite places to fly kites and to share our favorite hobby with others. Talking to other park visitors is one of our favorite things to do while flying kites. Kites are a way to break the ice, meet other people and put a smile on someone’s face. It’s fun to launch a pile of fabric, watch it take shape in the breeze and hear children yelling out with enthusiasm what it is. We hope Tako Kichi will run like the wind as she grows up and lives her life on Assateague Island.”

The naming rights raffle raised more than $3,000 for the AIA. All financial contributions support AIA’s mission to promote the awareness, education and protection of Assateague Island National Seashore’s wildlife and natural resources.

A new foal, pictured on Assateague Island, received the name Tako Kichi as part of a naming rights raffle held by the Assateague Island Alliance. Photo Courtesy of Assateague Island Alliance

People in Society

by Charlene Sharpe

Featuring Those Helping Causes In The

Resort Area

Tim Lawrence of Bikers Without Borders and Sen. Mary Beth Carozza are pictured at a Believe in Tomorrow fundraiser in Ocean City.

Donna Martin, Pat Ludden, Liz Scott and Lybbi Martin paused for a photo during a volunteer event to benefit Town Cats.

William Bivens, Keith Moses and Sonny Nock distributed turkeys at the Spirit Kitchen’s holiday celebration.

Virginia Pappas and Jack Burbage attended the First Friday art opening and Holiday Artisan Fair this month at the Ocean City Center for the Arts.

Chris Martin and Susan Mohler are pictured at an event led by Martin where volunteers made cat shelters to benefit the nonprofit Town Cats.

Vicky Nock and Charlotte Powell helped organize a holiday celebration for the Spirit Kitchen.

Tia and Tuve Tuvesson South Point are pictured during the annual Holiday Artisan Fair at the Ocean City Center for the Arts.

Susan Mohler and Barbara Wasiakowski helped make cat shelters for Town Cats.

Pastor Woody Wilson and Sen. Mary Beth Carozza paused for a photo at Stevenson United Methodist Church during the Spirit Kitchen’s annual holiday lunch.

Danielle Pohland of The Snowball Stand and Amber Fraser of Amberlina’s Adventures are pictured at a holiday event at The Snowball Stand.

Student Group Worked To Help Local Recovery House Guests

BERLIN – Following an assembly at Worcester Preparatory School (WPS) highlighting the negative stigma surrounding recovering addicts, a group of students felt compelled to get involved and focused efforts on granting Christmas wishes to men participating in local recovery housing.

Earlier in the month, WPS hosted representatives from the Art League of Ocean City (ALOC) who presented “Stigma Highlighted: Portraits of Recovery”, an art exhibit addressing negativity towards individuals battling addiction. The project is designed to use artwork and personal stories to challenge misconceptions and negativity towards individuals battling addiction. The program is sponsored by the Giving Spirit Foundation, Worcester County Health Department, Worcester Goes Purple, Talbot Goes Purple and the ALOC.

During the assembly, Hope4Recovery Executive Director Brandon O’Brien spoke. O’Brien is a recovering addict who opened a recovery home, the Douglas K. Hamilton House. Following the assembly, Only Positive Stories founders Dylan and Hunter Simons along with a group of friends felt inspired and wanted to get involved.

The students reached out to Worcester Goes Purple President Debbie Smullen to see how they could help and decided to grant Christmas wishes to

men in local recovery housing.

“Seeing past the stigma and understanding that these are men who are trying to make their life better through recovery has prompted the boys and their classmates to help,” Smullen said. “Our goal is that everyone learns something in the process about stigma, kindness, giving back and making a difference. We hope this encourages younger men to participate and being active in giving back to the community.”

Since being founded by the Simons brothers, Only Positive Stories has partnered with local organizations that share the same goals in hoping to change a life, one person at a time.

For more information on Only Positive Stories, visit the website at www.onlypositivestories.com, the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/onlypositivestories or Instagram @onlypositivestories.

Students working with Only Positive Stories and Worcester Goes Purple to grant Christmas wishes to men in local recovery housing were, from left, Landon Schul, Dylan Simons, Luke Hopkins, Max Halle, Connor Ferguson, Ryan Lenox, Aleksey Klimins, Dillon Scopp, Koda Bauer, Cole Myers and Hunter Simons. Submitted Photo

COMMUNITY

News In Photos

The Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines-Ocean City presented an appreciation award to Norbert Violante for his help setting up and transporting tables and chairs whenever needed. Violante, left, is pictured with Bob Wolfing, the club president.

The Community Church at Ocean Pines teamed up with Showell Elementary School to provide a little extra help for those in need this Christmas. The "Angel Tree," located at the church for several weeks, was hung with 198 individual angel name tags with suggested gifts for congregation members to select, purchase and return the week prior to Christmas. Every name on the "Angel Tree" was selected. Shown in photo is Patty Pino, co-chairman of the Angel Tree Project.

The Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines-Ocean City recently presented a check for $500 to the Showell Elementary School Kiwanis K-Kids Club. Students in the club learn about community service during after school meetings with their teacher advisor. Submitted Photos

The Ocean City Lioness Lions Club and the Captain's Table in the Courtyard Marriott hosted the clients from the Worcester County Developmental Center for lunch, a choral performance and a visit from Santa Claus who presented each client with a gift. The choral performance was directed by club member June Todd and Carol Ludwig of the Sweet Adelines. The Ocean City Lioness Lions Club has participated in this project with the Developmental Center for over 35 years.

On December 15, board members of the Republican Women of Worcester County enjoyed a holiday luncheon at the Atlantic Hotel.

The Worcester Technical High School HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) Club donated more than 400 non-perishable food items to the Snow Hill Ecumenical Food Pantry this month. Worcester Tech’s HOSA Club was formed in the fall and made the holiday food drive its first goal.

Program Donation

BERLIN – Last month, the Atlantic General Hospital (AGH) Junior Auxiliary Group (JAG) hosted its annual Tacos, Tiaras and Sombreros FUNdraiser event.

The $5,000 raised from the event was donated to AGH’s upcoming Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program.

The Certified Nursing Assistant Program, which is currently awaiting approval from the Maryland Board of Nursing, was initiated in response to the need for certified nursing assistants in the health care workforce at Atlantic General Hospital.

The program will consist of six students who will apply from the general public. The program is a seven-week training, comprised of classroom, clinical skills lab and hands-on patient care on the Med/Surg inpatient units. The first session is projected to start in April or May of 2023.

This program will be offered cost-free to the student, with an agreement that the student will commit to one year of service as a CNA with Atlantic General Hospital once the program is completed.

Atlantic General Hospital has been providing quality health care to the residents of Worcester, Wicomico, Somerset and Sussex counties since May 1993.

Built by the commitment and generosity of a dedicated community, the hospital’s state-of-the-art facility in Berlin, Md., combines compassion and expertise with the latest in technology and services. Atlantic General Health System, its network of more than 25 primary care provider and specialist offices, cares for residents and visitors throughout the region.

Scholarship Announced

SALISBURY – Tom Draper helped shaped the lives of virtually every resident on the Delmarva Peninsula as the owner of WBOC-TV and other broadcast stations until his sudden death in 2017.

Now, his legacy will continue to shape the lives of Salisbury University students through the newly announced Thomas H. Draper Scholarship. The award is the result of a $125,000 gift from the Draper Holdings Charitable Foundation, an organization created by Draper and his family to support educational, scientific, religious and humanitarian initiatives throughout Delmarva.

“Even those who may not have known Tom Draper by name felt his influence,” said Jason Curtin, vice president of university advancement and external affairs, and executive director of the SU Foundation, Inc. “At SU, that influence was par-

BUSINESS

ready underway, including demolition of roughly 60,000 square feet of unusable space, construction of new offices, installation of new lighting and HVAC, and repairs to the existing equipment.

“This is the largest blighted building Salisbury has ever had, making it our highest priority in revitalizing this community,” says Bret Davis, owner of Davis Strategic Development. “We hope to bring back some of the jobs lost from its closing decades ago.”

The building’s first tenant since 1993 and one of Salisbury’s largest employers, the expansion will allow Chesapeake Shipbuilding to store additional materials, increase their output, and expand their workforce. In the future, they hope to build smaller vessels on site.

“This acquisition is a clear symbol of growth for our City – a 310,000-squarefoot factory, shuttered for nearly three decades, opening its doors once again to a new industry.,” said Mayor Jake Day. “When our homegrown businesses are outgrowing their headquarters, I consider that a sign of success.”

ticularly strong as generations of students went on to work for Mr. Draper and his companies.

Curtin continued, “His broadcast outlets also have been instrumental in promoting SU news and events for more than four decades. This scholarship is a fitting tribute for a man who meant so much to SU and to the greater Delmarva community. Even today, he continues to make a difference in the lives of our students.”

“Our family is honored to continue the partnership that our father started with Salisbury University,” said Draper’s daughter, Mariah Calagione, president of the Draper Holdings Charitable Foundation. “The school has educated many of our past and current employees and has created space for learning, culture and athletics in our community. We are excited that this scholarship will support future students attending the University, knowing that they will certainly enrich our society.”

Draper was raised in Milford, Del., and called the Delmarva Peninsula home for most of his life. After earning his bachelor’s degree at Brown University, where he was named an All-American lacrosse player and inducted into the university’s Athletic Hall of Fame, he returned to Sussex County, Del.

There, in 1967, he began his broadcasting career, purchasing a radio station

and changing its call letters to WTHD — for “Thomas Henry Draper.” In 1973, he added WAFL-FM. Seven years later, in 1980, he purchased WBOC.

The TV station quickly became a cornerstone of Draper Media, a division of the Draper Holdings Business Trust, with later additions including Fox 21, WBOC Classics (Antenna TV), WBOC-FM and WBOC Digital. Shortly before his death, just days after celebrating his 50th year in broadcasting, he was preparing to launch Telemundo Delmarva.

Today, Draper Media also includes WRDE-TV, Delmarva Sports Network and a host of radio stations based on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Other entities in the Draper Holdings Business Trust include the real estate holding company Loblolly, LLC.

Development Nears

SALISBURY – The City of Salisbury and Davis Strategic Development have announce the acquisition and upcoming development of the shuttered Campbell Soup factory at 510 West Rd.

Acquired by Davis Strategic Development in late 2022, the 310,000-squarefoot space will be utilized by a number of local businesses and anchored by Chesapeake Shipbuilding as a secondary location for their building operations, joining their current facility at 710 Fitzwater St.

The first phase of construction is al-

Davis Strategic Development plans to redevelop the site into a mix of housing, retail, community space, and other concepts in about a decade, after a shortterm stabilization plan is completed. In order to ensure the site is being used and not decaying further, initial construction efforts will be completed in the next two to three years.

Lab Accreditation

SALISBURY – The Accreditation Committee of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and the Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies (AABB) have awarded accreditations to TidalHealth Peninsula Regional clinical laboratory based on results of recent onsite inspections as part of the CAP and AABB Accreditation Programs.

“Our laboratory’s accreditation by both organizations puts TidalHealth among the top hospitals in the nation as their requirements are considered the most rigorous,” said Dr. Michael Wagner, laboratory medical director at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional. “I couldn’t be more proud of our staff for all the hard work and effort they put forth every day to provide excellent care for our patients.”

Robin Burns, laboratory senior director, added, “This significant accomplishment by the pathology and laboratory medicine teams earning both CAP and AABB accreditation further demonstrates our commitment to high-quality patient care at TidalHealth.”

The Atlantic General Hospital Junior Auxiliary Group (JAG) is pictured presenting a $5,000 donation to the hospital’s upcoming Certified Nurse Assistant Program. Submitted Photo

Chris Parypa’s Photo Of The Week: Each week staff photographer Chris Parypa is tasked with submitting a photo from his vast library to be featured in this space. Above, Main Street is pictured on the first night of the winter season last week. To purchase any of Parypa’s photos, click over to www.chrisparypa.com.

Resort To Host First Dreamfest

OCEAN CITY – The Town of Ocean City will present the first-ever Dreamfest on Martin Luther King Weekend (Jan. 1315, 2023).

The three-day music event will be held at the Ocean City Performing Arts Center, taking you through the decades of the '50s, '60s, and '70s with musical acts The B.B. King Experience featuring Claudette King, Thomas McClary's the Commodores, and The Spinners.

"We want to celebrate Rhythm and Blues while also honoring the civil rights hero Martin Luther King Jr., along with the history this holiday weekend represents," said Tom Perlozzo, Director of Tourism and Business Development. "Dreamfest will deliver the soulful sounds and rhythm of the voices of the past while also celebrating the dream of the late, great Dr. King."

Friday will kick off the weekend with The B.B. King Experience featuring Claudette King. Then, Saturday will surely get you grooving with the R&B funk of Thomas McClary's The Commodores.

Last but not least, Dreamfest will conclude on Sunday, Jan. 15, with The Spinners. Henry Farmbrough will lead his original Philadelphia group.

Tickets for Dreamfest can be purchased at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center or by visiting https://ocmdperformingartscenter.com.

School Food Drive Held: The annual Student Government Association (SGA) sponsored Food Drive at Worcester Preparatory School last month. The Upper School gathered to sort and divide the collected donations of canned goods and non-perishable food items for distribution to local non-profit organizations. Canned goods and non-perishable food items donated by the students will be disbursed to eight distribution centers throughout Maryland and Delaware, including Diakonia, Inc., Atlantic United Methodist Church, The Joseph House, Stevenson United Methodist Church Spirit Kitchen, The Seaford Community Food Closet, Bethel Mariner Food Bank, Sonrise Church, The Community Church at Ocean Pines and HALO. Above, with students helping to organize the donations were, from left, WPS Assistant Head of School/Head of Upper School Mike Grosso, SGA Faculty Advisor Paul Cyryca,and teachers Madelyn Beebe and Paulette DeRosaMatrona. Submitted Photo

Assault, Trespassing Arrest

OCEAN CITY – A Washington, D.C., man was arrested last weekend after multiple incidents around the midtown area.

Around 9:35 p.m. last Friday, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers were dispatched to a hotel at 21st Street for a report of suspicious circumstances. Staff from the hotel advised an intoxicated male had entered an employeeonly kitchen area and hid behind an oven while smoking a cigarette. Hotel staff were uncertain where the male suspect had gone, but OCPD officers located a fresh cigarette butt and ash outside a room on the sixth floor and could smell the odor of cigarettes being smoked from within the room, according to police reports.

Officers made contact with an occupant of the room, later identified as Johnny Sorto, 31, of Washington, D.C. Staff identified Sorto as the suspect who had entered the kitchen smoking a cigarette while hiding behind an oven. Hotel staff ultimately evicted Sorto from the hotel for the night and he became aggressive with staff and the officers and wanted to escalate the situation, according to police reports.

About two hours later at 11:25 p.m., OCPD officers were dispatched to a hotel at 17th Street for a report of a male in the lobby who was irate and swearing at staff, according to police reports. The description provided matched the description of Sorto, according to police reports. Sorto had already left the area when OCPD officers arrived at 17th Street.

Officers continued to patrol the area and later observed Sorto walking south in the area of 33rd Street and Coastal Highway. Officers reportedly observed Sorto

COPS & COURTS

walk into an amusement part at 29th Street which was well-posted with “no trespassing” signs. The amusement park was also a participant in the OCPD’s Trespass Enforcement Authorization Program (TEAP), which allowed officers do go on the property when it was closed if law enforcement was needed.

OCPD officers entered the park and observed Sorto walking around. Sorto told police he believed the amusement park, which was closed for the winter although it had flashing signs operating, was a 7-Eleven convenience store. He told police he was not from the area and believed the park was a convenience store. He was placed under arrest at that point for trespassing.

According to police reports, the park was closed, but there were flashing billboards along the highway advertising what was in store for the next summer season. Sorto told police he observed the front gate with holiday lights and thought they were beautiful, so he walked inside, according to police reports.

Sorto then began screaming and launched expletives at the arresting officers despite being told to stop screaming and just relax. He reportedly began flailing his body around and kicked his own

feet from underneath himself and an officer had to catch him to keep him from falling to the ground.

Sorto then reportedly began screaming “help” to anyone who was in the area, screams that could easily be heard from beyond 50 feet. Sorto then attempted to kick an arresting officer with both of his feet, according to police reports. He was told again to relax but he kept kicking at officers, tensing his body and screaming expletives, according to police reports.

He was ultimately put into a violent prisoner restraint device. While in the booking facility at around 3:30 a.m., Sorto attempted to cover his cell camera with wet toilet paper, according to police reports.

When officers removed the toilet paper, Sorto was still upset and threatened to fight all of the officers involved in the incident. He also threatened to kill all officers involved in the case multiple times, according to police reports. He was ultimately charged with second-degree assault, resisting arrest and trespassing.

Replica Handgun Arrest

OCEAN CITY – A Delaware man was arrested last weekend after a replica handgun was found in his vehicle during

a routine traffic stop.

Around midnight last Saturday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer patrolling in the downtown area observed a vehicle with an expired registration plate parked in front of an apartment building. The officer stopped and observed a male later identified as Jonathan Wagner, 22, of Seaford, Del., make multiple trips to and from the apartment building to the vehicle. Wagner ultimately entered the vehicle while carrying a brown box and drove toward Philadelphia Avenue.

The officer reportedly followed Wagner’s vehicle. Both vehicles made Uturns on Philadelphia Avenue and headed south. The officer noted in the report he was waiting for Wagner to pass him, but the suspect did not pass despite being able to do so without exceeding the speed limit. Wagner did eventually pass the officer, who activated his lights and conducted a traffic stop, according to police reports.

During the traffic stop, Wagner appeared nervous and made furtive movements while the officer asked for his license and registration. He did present his Delaware driver’s license but could not locate the vehicle’s registration. He was issued five traffic warnings for registration-related issues and was told he was free to go.

Before parting ways, however, the officer asked Wagner if he would consent to a search of his vehicle, and he complied. During the search, OCPD officers located in the center console a tan and silver handgun that was readily accessible to the driver. The handgun turned out SEE NEXT PAGE

to be a replica BB gun that appeared to realistic, according to police reports.

Next to the replica handgun, officers located a metal container of loose marijuana, a glass smoking device and a digital scale, according to police reports.

On the front seat was the brown box Wagner was seen carrying when he entered the vehicle. In the box, officers located a glass bong smoking device with a paper towel shoved in the opening to prevent liquid from leaking out, according to police reports. Wagner was arrested and charged with transporting a replica handgun.

Case Forwarded To Circuit Court

OCEAN CITY – A Davidsonville, Md., man, arrested in October on firstdegree assault and other charges after allegedly beating and strangling his girlfriend at a downtown resort hotel before being stopped while crossing the Route 50 bridge, had his case forwarded to Worcester County Circuit Court last week.

Around 9:55 p.m. on Oct. 29, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers responded to a hotel at 2nd Street for a reported domestic assault. Upon arrival, the officer located a female victim sitting on a bench outside the hotel. According to police reports, the victim was bleeding from her nose and had a swollen upper lip. All of her clothing was covered in blood and she was fighting back tears while grimacing in pain, according to police re-

ports. The victim told police she believed her shoulder was dislocated.

When asked who had caused her injuries, the victim told police it was her boyfriend, whom she identified only as Benjamin and did not provide a last name. The suspect was later identified as Benjamin Bray, 38, of Davidsonville, Md. The victim reportedly told officers she had been with Bray at a Boardwalk bar and Bray left with her purse and wallet, according to police reports.

The victim reportedly told police she had not seen Bray for about an hour and became upset because he had her belongings, and she couldn’t pay her bar tab. When the couple reconvened at their hotel room, the victim told police she was upset because he had left her at the bar and began cussing out Bray and packing her belongings to leave, according to police reports.

The victim reportedly told police Bray became angry and began beating her, first fish-hooking her cheek and then pinning her to the bed and strangling her.

When asked if she feared for her life, the victim told police she did. When asked how long Bray had allegedly strangled her, the victim told police she was not certain, but she nearly blacked out. According to police reports, the victim had multiple abrasions on her throat, corroborating her story. The victim told officers Bray had punched her multiple times prior to strangling her and that she believed she dislocated her shoulder while attempting to get away from him.

The victim gave officers consent to search the hotel room and the officers observed extensive blood spattering on the walls, floor, sheets, pillows and couch.

According to police reports, it was clear the victim had been assaulted in various areas of the hotel room.

A short time later, Ocean City Communications advised Maryland State Police troopers had conducted a traffic stop for speeding on the Route 50 bridge and the driver matched the description of the suspect wanted in connection with the assault in the downtown Ocean City hotel room. The trooper had observed Bray run through a red traffic signal and reach speeds of over 60 mph in the 35 mph zone on the bridge.

The OCPD officer responded and placed Bray under arrest. During a search of Bray’s wallet, the officer located two labeled suboxone strips, a scheduled controlled dangerous substance. Bray was not able to provide proof he had a prescription for the suboxone. Bray’s truck

was impounded and during an inventory of its contents, officers located a fixedblade knife in the pocket of a shirt on the front seat, according to police reports.

A background check revealed Bray had been arrested roughly 14 times prior to the Oct. 29 incident. He was previously sentenced to eight years for distributing heroin, and oxycodone and possession of a pipe bomb. He also had a conviction in Anne Arundel County for second-degree assault for which he served 136 days.

For the Ocean City incident, Bray was charged with first- and second-degree assault, possession of suboxone and possession of a dangerous weapon. Because of his criminal past and for the safety of the victim, he was ordered to be held without bond. Last week, his case was forwarded to circuit court. His trial is tentatively set for May 2.

Best Beats

On The Beach

Who’s Where When

BUXY’S SALTY DOG 410-289-0973 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, Dec. 30: TBA

COINS PUB 410-289-3100 28th St. Plaza On Coastal Hwy. Saturday, Dec. 31: First Class

CORK BAR Saturday, Dec. 31: TBA

CRABCAKE FACTORY BAYSIDE 302-988-5000 37314 Lighthouse Rd., Rte. 54 Selbyville, DE Friday, Dec. 30: Jason Lee Saturday, Dec. 31: Kevin Poole Wednesday, Jan. 4: Brian Bishop

CRAWL STREET TAVERN 443-373-2756 Wicomico St., Downtown O.C. Friday, Dec. 30: Fuzzbox Piranha Saturday, Dec. 31: DJ Willdabeast

FAGER’S ISLAND 410-524-5500 60th St. In The Bay Friday, Dec. 30: DJ Greg, DJ RobCee, Hydrafx Saturday, Dec. 31: Everett Spells, Hit Parade, DJ Groove Sunday, Jan, 1: Sons Of Pirates

GREENE TURTLE WEST 410-213-1500 Rt. 611, West O.C. Saturday, Dec. 31: Rogue Citizens

DJ ROBCEE Fager’s Island: Friday, Dec. 30

EVERETT SPELLS Fager’s Island: Saturday, Dec. 31

DJ BILLY T Harborside: Friday & Saturday, Dec. 30 & 31

BEATS BY DEOGEE

KEVIN POOLE Crabcake Factory Bayside: Saturday, Dec. 31

Who’s

HARBORSIDE

410-213-1846

South Harbor Rd., West O.C.

Fridays: DJ Billy T Saturday, Dec. 31: DJ Billy T Sunday, Jan. 1: Opposite Directions

PICKLES PUB

410-289-4891

8th St. & Philadelphia Ave. Fridays: Beats By Deogee Saturday, Dec. 31: Beats By Styler Sundays: Beats By Deogee Mondays: Karaoke with Wood Tuesdays: Beats By Wax Wednesdays: Beats By Deogee Thursdays: Beats By Wax

SEACRETS

410-524-4900

49th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, Dec. 30: DJ Tuff, DJ Bobby O, Late Last Night Duo, The Malones Saturday, Dec. 31: Late Last Night, Band Of Make Believe, Full Circle, Triple Rail Turn, The Malones, DJ Cruz, DJ Tuff, DJ Bobby O Saunday, Jan. 1: Late Last Night, DJ Bobby O Thursday, Jan. 5: Opposite Directions

FUZZBOX PIRANHA Crawl St. Tavern: Friday, Dec. 30

ROGUE CITIZENS

Greene Turtle West: Saturday, Dec. 31

HIT PARADE Fager’s Island: Saturday, Dec. 31 (NYE)

VERTIGO RED

GRASPING AT STRAWS

Greene Turtle North: Saturday Dec. 31

HYDRAFX Fager’s Island: Friday, Dec. 30

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 Monday: Acapella Chorus

All ladies who love to sing are invited to the Delmarva Woman’s Acapella Chorus, Ocean Pines Community Center, 239 Ocean Parkway, 6-8 p.m. Contact Mary 410-629-9383 or Carol 302-2427062.

Every Monday: Bridge Games

Are you interested in joining others for a game of Bridge at the Ocean City 50+ Senior Center? If so, please call or text Tish at 410-804-3971.

Every Tuesday: TOPS Meeting

Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a weekly support and education group promoting weight loss and a healthy lifestyle. Meetings are held at the Worcester County Berlin Health Department at 9730 Healthway Drive, Berlin from 3:304:30 p.m. every Tuesday. 410-2894725.

Every Tuesday: Dancing

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

Every Tuesday: Beach Cleanup

Beach Heroes, a volunteer Ocean City group, holds cleanups 9-10 a.m. yearround. Trash bags, grippers and gloves provided. Check the Facebook page "Beach Heroes-OC" for weekly meeting locations. All are welcome.

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. 410-2502645.

Every Thursday: Beach Singles

Join the club, 55 plus, at Harpoon Hanna’s in Fenwick Island, 4-6 p.m. 302-436-9577 or BeachSingles.org.

Dec. 30: Mayor’s New Year Event

Live music at 7 p.m. at the Ocean City Performing Arts Center, featuring the Greatest Piano Men celebrating the songs of Beethoven, Billy Joel, Elton John, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder and more. Tickets at www.ocperformingartscenter.com.

Dec.

30, Jan. 6, 13: Bingo

Knights of Columbus Bingo on Friday nights at 9901 Coastal Highway, Ocean City. Building behind St. Luke's Church. Refreshments for Sale Doors open at 5 p.m.; games begin at 6:30 p.m. 410524-7994.

Dec. 31: Winterfest of Lights

The 2022 Winterfest of Lights will be an expanded walking tour that takes you through thousands of sparkling holiday lights and many animated light displays

Things To Do

located along a paved path in Northside Park. Sip hot chocolate, take a photo with Santa, visit our gift shop and enjoy the array of holiday exhibits – including many surprises. Come see the 50-foot Christmas tree put on a show for you and soak up all of the holiday spirit at Winterfest of Lights.

Dec.

31: OC Fireworks

Bundle up and enjoy New Year’s Eve fireworks on the beach at N. Division Street.

Dec.

31: NYE Ball Drop In Berlin

5 p.m.-midnight. Laser light shows 5:15 p.m. and 11 p.m. Kids ball drop at 6 p.m. Live music, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Dance party, 10 p.m.-midnight. Ball drop midnight. www.berlinmainstreet.com.

Dec.

31: OC NYE Events

North Ocean City residents and visitors can enjoy Winterfest of Lights, with a countdown and fireworks at midnight. Taking place downtown, visitors can relive the enjoyment of drive-in movies at the Ocean City Inlet Parking lot. The doubleheader movies include a children's show, Encanto, at 7 p.m., followed by a kid-friendly countdown at 9 p.m. Immediately after the children's film, visitors can enjoy Top Gun: Maverick at 9:30 p.m. with the grand finale fireworks at midnight to ring in 2023. Refreshments will be available for purchase from local vendors and food trucks.

Dec.

31: Breakfast Buffet

AUCE Breakfast Buffet at the Whaleyville United Methodist Church located at 11716 Sheppards Crossing Road from 7-10 a.m. Cost is $8/adult and $4/child. Buffet will include pancakes, bacon, sausage, scrapple, scrambled eggs, chipped beef, hash brown potatoes, toast, fruit and assorted beverages.

Jan. 1: Beach Walk, Clean-Up

Assateague Coastal Trust New Year's Day Beach Memorial Walk and Coastal Clean-Up will take place from 10 a.m.noon. Meet at Assateague State Park, Day-Use Lot. The walk will be led by the Assateague Coastkeeper and partnered with Assateague State Park employees, with details and history about Assateague Island. Hot chocolate will be served. You may participate in the clean-up if you wish. Please bring work gloves or just hike and partake in the beauty and splendor of the Island. No registry required and please dress according to the weather. If you have any additional questions, please contact Debbi Dean at outreach@actforbays.org or 443-856-9309.

Jan. 1: AGH Penguin Swim

The 29th Annual Penguin Swim will take place once again on the beach at

The Princess Royale Oceanfront Hotel at 91st Street in Ocean City. Individuals and teams are invited to join in the fundraising. Participants can register online now to start collecting donations. Participants are eligible to receive an official 2023 AGH Penguin Swim shortsleeve t-shirt for their registration fee, while supplies last. Individual participants who raise or donate $100 or more will also be eligible to receive an official 2023 AGH Penguin Swim longsleeve T-shirt, while supplies last. The registration fee is $25 per person if registering on or before Dec. 30. The registration fee will be $30 per person on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. All participants are required to register either online or in person and check in on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day to receive a wristband to gain access to the swim area. Participants are encouraged to come to pre-registration and advance check-in at the Princess Royale from 2 - 4 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Avoid long lines on event day and pick up wristbands and shirts early! Participants will also receive an additional Penguin Swim item during advance check-in. Event day registration and check-in will begin at 9 a.m., ending promptly at 11:30 a.m., with the main event at noon on the beach at 91st street.

Jan. 6: CASH Bingo

The Bishopville Volunteer Fire Dept. Auxiliary will be holding its annual CASH Bingo on at the main station. $30 in advance or $35 at the door. Four early bird games (beginning at 5:45 p.m.), 20 regular cash games, two specials, jackpot, 50/50. Doors open at 5 p.m. and early bird begins at 5:45 p.m. Food and beverage available for purchase. Call 619-922-9950 for early reservations.

Jan. 6-7: Moana Production

The Ocean Pines Children’s Theater announces its upcoming production of the musical, “Disney’s Moana, Jr.,-The Musical” to be performed in the Performing Arts Center, located in the Ocean City Convention Center on 40th Street on Friday, Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 7 at 3 p.m. Tickets ($15 each) may be purchased online at https://ocmdperformingartscenter.com/upcoming-events or at the Ocean City Convention Welcome Center, Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Jan. 9-15: Berlin Restaurant Week

Dine three times for a chance to win restaurant gift cards and $100. Pick up an entry card at the Berlin Welcome Center, dine at three different participating restaurants and get your card stamped. Drop off card in the entry box at the Berlin Welcome Center. Random drawing for the winner. Participating restaurants will be 410 Social, Atlantic Hotel Bistro Bar, Baked

Dessert Café, Berlin Pizza, Blacksmith Restaurant, Boxcar on Main, Burley Cafè, Burn Brick Oven Pizza, Gilbert's Provisions, J&M Meat Market & Grille, Jun & Juice, Mandala Pies, On What Grounds?, Pop's Kitchen, Rayne's Reef, The Globe Gastro Theatre, Rusty Anchor Seafood & Sushi and The Sterling Tavern.

Jan. 11: AARP Meeting

Ocean City AARP Chapter 1917 will meet at 10 a.m. in the Ocean City Senior Center located on 41st Street and Coastal Highway. Please arrive early at 9:30 for a social half-hour and refreshments. Guest speaker will discuss diabetes. New members are welcome.

Jan 12: Luncheon Meeting

The Republican Women of Worcester County announce its first luncheon meeting of the new year at the Ocean City Golf Club. Guest speakers will be new Worcester County Commissioners Caryn Abbott and Eric Fiori. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. and the meeting begins at 11 a.m. To make a reservation or for more information email gopwomenofwc@gmail.com.

Jan. 13-15: OC Dreamfest

The three-day music event will be held at the Ocean City Performing Arts Center, taking guests through the decades of the '50s, '60s and '70s with musical acts The B.B. King Experience featuring Claudette King, Thomas McClary's the Commodores, and The Spinners. Tickets for Dreamfest can be purchased at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center or by visiting https://ocmdperformingartscenter.com.

HOROSCOPES

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): Start preparing now to make sure you get the credit you're due for all the effort you put in to get a project off the ground. A new challenge emerges in a few weeks.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): You're charging full steam ahead on the job -- and that's fine. But take time to bask in the excitement of a new year, and be grateful for all you accomplished during this one.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): A former detractor resists joining your ranks just yet. Give them time to learn more about what you're doing. Meanwhile, devote more time to friends and family.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22): Be careful not to be goaded into a tiff by someone who might be looking for a fight. Remain cool as you make your exit. Be assured that others will rally to your support.

LEO (July 23 to Aug. 22): Kudos on getting the well-deserved Lion's share of the rewards for a job welldone. Now you can take a breather from your workaday duties and spend time with your family.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 to Sept. 22): You enjoy a quick spurt of renewed energy just in time to meet that upcoming deadline. A potentially romantic situation looms. How it develops will be up to you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23 to Oct. 22): Watch out for distractions that could cause

delays and leave you running twice as fast to finish your work. Then go ahead and have fun. You deserve it.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21): You might prefer to work on current tasks on your own. But be open to a potentially useful suggestion from someone who admires you and wants to help.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 to Dec. 21): Avoid rushing full gallop into that volunteer project without knowing what's expected of you. Take things a step at a time as you begin to find your way.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19): Good news: You should begin to feel more comfortable expressing your emotions. This will go a long way in helping you with that personal situation.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 to Feb. 18): An old friend gives confusing signals. Best advice: Don't assume that things will necessarily work themselves out. Ask questions and demand straight answers.

PISCES (Feb. 19 to March 20):

A new relationship needs time to develop. Be careful not to let your emotions flood your natural sense of caution. Meanwhile, check out that new job offer.

BORN THIS WEEK: Your sense of right and wrong sometimes causes you to come into conflict with others. But you invariably come out ahead.

© 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

vanishing vanishing OCEAN CITY

By Steve Green

WITH BUNK MANN

The Ocean City beachfront has changed dramatically over the past 65 years. In this picture (circa 1955) taken from a balcony at the old Commander Hotel, the narrowness of the beach in that era is evident, and the photo was taken on low tide.

The placement of the umbrellas suggests a windy day and an old wooden jetty can be seen stretching from the umbrella line into the breakers. All the umbrellas in the ‘50s were rented from beach stands as few had private beach equipment in those days. The Boardwalk was narrow with no seawall to protect it. The seawall would not be completed until 1991 as part of the beach replenishment project.

The town limits ended at 26th Street for most of the 1950s. They would be extended to 41st Street in 1957 and to the Delaware line in 1965.

To purchase one of Bunk Mann’s books, click over to www.vanishingoc.com.

Photo courtesy John Hurlock

EXPERIENCED CUSTOM

PAINTER: Transportation and tools necessary. Call Tom at 443497-0010.

SMALL ENGINE MECHANIC:

Small Engine mechanic, Year round, Competitive Wages. Call 443-754-1047.

Happy Holidays

NOW HIRING CURRICULUM COORDINATOR

The Curriculum Coordinator will be responsible for organizing, implementing, and supervising curricula and educational programs. The Curriculum Coordinator will examine the current course offerings and work closely with department chairs to ensure the Worcester Preparatory School is maintaining the highest quality curriculum in order to meet its college preparatory mission.

The applicant must have a master's degree or higher, preferably in administration, supervision, or curriculum and instruction. A minimum of 5 years teaching experience, ideally in an independent school, is required. Employee must be legally qualified to work in the United States. Employees must pass a background check.

Worcester Preparatory School is a Pre-K-12 independent school located on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, just miles from the resort town of Ocean City. Founded in 1970, Worcester Prep has a proud history of providing a rigorous and high-quality college preparatory education to students from Maryland, Delaware and Virginia.

Email resume to: Lwatson@worcesterprep.org

MONEY TO BE MADE!

German•American•Mexican Cuisine Bakery / Kitchen / Caterer / Eatery / Franchise or Food Production Facility near Ocean City Maryland Contact: donjonfoods@yahoo.com 443-475-9183

ACRE FOR SALE:

Beautiful parcel Safe, quiet area. Minutes from everything, OC & DE beaches! Zoned A-1. Build or mobile/modular. Well & septic in place. Griffin Rd, Berlin, MD. Call for more info & price. 410-726-6387.

AYRIKA FLETCHER, ESQ. IN-HOUSE COUNSEL BAY CLUB TIME-SHARE ASSOCIATES, INC. P.O. BOX 3307 OCEAN CITY, MD 21843-3307

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, STATE OF MARYLAND CASE NO. C-23-CV-22-000161

BAY CLUB TIME-SHARE OWNERS ASSOCIATES, INC. P.O. BOX 3307 OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND 21843-3307

Plaintiff vs.

NORMAN ELLIS, et al. Defendants

ORDERED, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland this 8TH day of DECEMBER, 2022, that the foreclosure sale of the properties mentioned in these proceedings,made and reported by Ayrika Fletcher, Trustee, be RATIFIED AND CONFIRMED, unless cause to the contrary thereof be shown on or before the 9TH day of JANUARY, 2023 provided a copy of this Order be inserted in some daily newspaper printed in Worcester County, Maryland once in each of three successive weeks, before the 2ND day of JANUARY, 2023.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication DECEMBER 16, 2022

TRUE TEST COPY SUSAN R. BRANIECKI Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County, MD 3x 12-16, 12-23, 12-30

BRADFORD I. WEBB,

ROOM SET FOR SALE

Holiday Dinners Coming Soon! Beautiful solid wood dining set. Table seats 8-10 with two leaves. Lighted China Cabinet with glass shelving. (Chairs not incl’d.) Selling because moved & too big for dining area. Must see! $575. Berlin. 443-880-8885

The Report of Sale filed in the above case states the amount of the sales to be as indicated below for the referenced time-share interval:

TIMESHARES SOLD:

BC = BAY CLUB TIME SHARE OWNERS ASSOCIATES, INC.

DBC= DELMARVA BEACH CLUB, LLC

The

Legal Notices

CONTACT INFORMATION

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

firmed, unless cause to the contrary thereof be shown on or before the 9th day of January, 2023 provided, a copy of this notice be inserted in some newspaper published in said county, once in each of three successive weeks, before the 2nd day of January, 2023 .

The Report of Sale states the amount of sale to be One Hundred Nine Thousand Three Hundred Fifty-Seven Dollars and No Cents ($109,357.00).

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication DECEMBER 16, 2022

True Test Copy

fore the earlier of the following dates: 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 23, 2022

decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 15TH day of JUNE, 2023.

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:

of JACQUELINE S. LANDON, who died on DECEMBER 04, 2022, 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.

FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ESTATE NO. 19491

MARIANNA BATIE, ESQ. LAW OFFICE OF MARIANNA BATIE 9748 STEPHEN DECATUR HIGHWAY SUITE 112 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

ESTATE NO. 19496

To all persons interested in the estate of PATRICIA ANN GREINER,Estate No.19496. Notice is given that JOHN FRANCIS GREINER, 318 NORWOOD AVENUE, NEWTOWN, PA 18940, was on DECEMBER 16, 2022, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of PATRICIA ANN GREINER, who died on SEPTEMBER 06, 2022, 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 16TH day of JUNE, 2023.

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 be-

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 3x 12-23, 12-30, 01-06

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 23, 2022

ALI ONDER DENIZ AKCAM Personal Representative True Test Copy

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 19TH day of jUNE, 2023.

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: 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.

Notice is given that the ORPHANS COURT of YORK COUNTY, PA, appointed DANIEL L. HYATT, 5136 GLENVILLE ROAD, GLEN ROCK, PA 17327, as the EXECUTOR of the Estate of JACKIE A. HYATT, who died on DECEMBER 20, 2021, domiciled in YORK COUNTY, Pennsylvania, USA. The Maryland resident agent for service of process is KATHRYN A. WHITEHEAD, 109 CAMDEN AVENUE, SALISBURY, MD 21801. At the time of death, the decedent owned real or leasehold property in the following MARYLAND counties: WORCESTER.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, STATE OF MARYLAND CASE NO. C-23-CV-22-000280

BAY CLUB TIME-SHARE OWNERS ASSOCIATES, INC. P.O. BOX 3307 OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND 21843-3307 Plaintiff vs. POORMAN TIMESHARE SERVICES, LLC, et al. Defendants

TRUSTEE’S SALE OF TIME SHARE INTERVALS IN BAY CLUB CONDOMINIUM, OCEAN CITY, MD

NICOLE R. HEWITT, ESQ. HWK LAW GROUP, LLC 1447 YORK ROAD SUITE 800 LUTHERVILLE, MD 21093

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

ESTATE NO. 19494

To all persons interested in the estate of BETUL AKCAM,Estate No.19494. Notice is given that ALI ONDER DENIZ ACKAM, 12 STILLWOOD CIRCLE, NOTTINGHAM, MD 21236, was on DECEMBER 15, 2022, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of BETUL AKCAM, who died JUNE 13, 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

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County

ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 3x 12-23, 12-30, 01-06

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication DECEMBER 23, 2022

All persons having claims against the decedent must file their claims with the Register of Wills for Worcester County with a copy to the foreign personal representative on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the foreign 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. Claims filed after that date or after a date extended by law will be barred.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication DECEMBER 23, 2022

By virtue of a certain Claim of Lien recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland, and pursuant to the Order of the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, Case No. C-23-CV-22-000280 the undersigned Trustee will offer for sale at public auction at the entrance of the BAY CLUB RESORT, located at 302 32ND STREET, OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND 21842, the following described property located in Ocean City, Worcester County, Maryland, on Saturday, January 14, 2023, 11:00 AM, the following timeshare intervals:

REENA J. PATEL. ESQ 9748 STEPHEN DECATUR HWY SUITE 112 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19497

To all persons interested in the estate of JACQUELINE S. LANDON,Estate No.19497. Notice is given that RICHARD HARRISON LANDON, 28 HARLAN TRACE, BERLIN, MD 21811, was on DECEMBER 19, 2022, appointed Personal Representative of the estate

DANIEL L. HYATT Personal Representative True Test Copy

TERRI WESTOCTT

Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x

Each time interval being one week per year in the corresponding unit, each unit being part of the Bay Club Condominium, including an undivided interest in the common elements thereof, as established pursuant to a Declaration of Condominium and Timeshare recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland and subsequent Declarations of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions, as to each condominium unit and recorded among the aforesaid Land Records.

The property will be sold in

Susan R. Braniecki Clerk Circuit Court for Worcester County 3x 12-16, 12-23, 12-30

JOHN FRANCIS GREINER Personal Representative True Test Copy

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 fax 410-641-0966.

an “as is” condition and subject to conditions, restrictions and agreements of record affecting the same, if any, and with no warranties and guarantees. A secured party may bid and shall be excused from deposit requirements. The Trustee reserves the right to withdraw any interval from the sale and/or to reject any and all bids.

Terms of Sale: A deposit in the full amount of the sales price per time interval will be required at the time of sale, such deposit to be in cash or check. Cost of all documentary stamps, transfer taxes, 2023 maintenance fees and all other settlement costs shall be borne by the purchaser. The date of settlement shall be within fifteen (15) days after final ratification by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, time being of the essence; otherwise, the deposit will be forfeited and the property will be resold at the risk and expense of the defaulting purchaser, or in any manner designated by the Trustee; or, without forfeiting deposit, the Seller may exercise any of its legal or equitable rights against the defaulting purchaser. For more information, call: Ayrika Fletcher, Esq., Trustee, at 443.672.8107. NAME OF NEWSPAPER

8684 SPUR LANE, EASTON, MD 21601, was on DECEMBER 22, 2022, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of EUNICE S. POGUE who died on MAY 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 22ND day of JUNE, 2023.

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: 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

HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19484

To all persons interested in the estate of BARBARA HAINES,Estate No.19484. Notice is given that NANCY MOORE, 3019 ACTON ROAD, BALTIMORE, MD 21234, was on DECEMBER 21, 2022, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of BARBARA HAINES, who died on NOVEMBER 05, 2022, 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 21ST day of JUNE, 2023.

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:

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 30, 2022

NANCY MOORE

Personal Representative True Test Copy

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County

ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 3x 12-30, 01-06, 01-13

CONTACT INFORMATION

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

New Study Highlights Benefits Of Offshore Wind

BY SHAWN J. SOPER MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – A new independent study conducted by a private-sector research group released earlier this month extols the potential of offshore wind off the coast of Ocean City but cautions cost estimates are difficult to pin down at this stage in the approval and implementation phase.

Earlier this month, the results of an independent study conducted by Gabel Associates and commissioned by the Chesapeake Climate Action Network were released publicly. The comprehensive study takes a deeper dive into a handful of approved offshore wind energy projects off the resort coast and attempts to analyze the potential environmental and economic benefits. The weighty tome is full of technical charts and graphs outlining the potential costs to implement wind energy farms off Maryland’s cost along with potential positive and negative impacts on the state’s electric energy ratepayers, and weighs those against the positive environmental benefits of helping the state reach its ambitious renewable energy goals.

According to the study, Maryland has established an ambitious target to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions by 60% from 2006 levels by 2031. The longrange goal is to achieve net zero emissions by 2045. Ambitious goals to be

sure, but the Gabel study concludes they can be met with an expedited approval and implementation process for the projects already in the pipeline.

With few offshore wind energy farms in operation off the coast of the U.S., the Gabel report suggests cost estimates for those projects in the existing planning pipeline are just that—estimates.

“Publicly available cost data for offshore wind projects in the U.S. is limited,” the report reads. “The available cost data is constantly changing due to macroeconomic drivers like inflation and supply chain issues. Additionally, costs have generally been declining because of advances in technology, engineering design and manufacturing processes.”

Because the projects approved off the coast of Maryland are not yet through the various approval phases, the study concludes it is difficult to pin down cost estimates for the finished product. However, the Gabel study asserts the eventual cost of the project for the state’s ratepayers will be offset by the environmental benefits, emissions reductions and job creation, for example.

“Given these evolving factors, this report uses a conservative approach to estimate the coast of offshore win using a range of sources, while considering the uncertainties,” the report reads. “This is not intended to provide a reasonable estimate for calculating costs and benefits

of additional offshore wind energy development. Cost estimates for new offshore win in Maryland in 2028 are based on publicly available cost projections. The cost projections vary because of different assumptions. We relied on a range of potential estimates to forecast the cost in Maryland.”

While the report focuses on the anticipated benefits of offshore wind energy farms off the resort’s coast, the projects have not been without their detractors. Recreational and commercial fishermen have railed against the potential impact of ever-growing turbine fields off the coast on their industries. On land, the Town of Ocean City officials from the beginning have said they support wind farms and sustainable, renewable energy, but have pushed state and federal officials to have the massive turbines further off the coast to the point they are invisible from the shore, to no avail.

In an editorial published by Maryland Matters, professional engineer and chair of the Future of Energy Initiative Alex Pavlak said despite some of the rosy estimates on the benefits of offshore wind in Maryland by the Gabel Associates study, the proposed projects are not without inherent problems.

“The fatal problem with offshore wind is the cost of managing large-scale intermittency on clean systems with no cheap fossil fuel backup,” Pavlak wrote. “There

is no simple solution. The more offshore wind, the less fossil fuels, the more expensive the backup. Halfway to zero emissions, ratepayers are likely to rebel over high electricity prices and Maryland gets stuck with an expensive, dirty system, just like Germany.”

However, environmental groups and renewable energy advocates have praised the study’s findings. Mike Tidwell of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, which commissioned the Gabel study, said its findings conclude offshore wind is a reliable way to help Maryland reach its zero emission, renewable energy goals.

“Offshore wind is Maryland’s greatest energy resource, and these numbers show how beneficial these projects will be for Marylanders,” he said. “We have emission reduction goals we need to meet, and we have rising energy prices. Here, we can see that we have the answer to both in offshore wind energy.”

Gabel Associates’ Isaac Gabel-Frank agreed the proposed wind energy farms off the coast of Ocean City have the potential to meet the state’s goals while providing a benefit to the state’s citizens in a variety of ways.

“Our report shows the potential for offshore wind to act as a key resource in meeting Maryland’s emissions goals, while providing significant benefits to customers,” he said.

Pocomoke Students Spotlight Hometown Tourism

BY CHARLENE SHARPE STAFF WRITER

NEWARK – A group of Pocomoke students highlighted their hometown with a series of tourism projects they shared with education officials this month.

Representatives of Pocomoke Middle School attended last week’s Worcester County Board of Education meeting to showcase the variety of ways students in Jennifer Beach’s enrichment group came up with to promote their town. They created postcards, videos, pod-

casts and even a Pocomoke themed Monopoly game.

“This is such an amazing project,” Pocomoke Middle School Principal Melissa Freistat said.

Beach, the school’s media specialist and gifted and talented teacher, said she wanted her fourth- and fifth-grade enrichment group to become more familiar with the variety of Apple and other apps available to them. They started the school year using technology to share stories about themselves.

“Quickly we moved on to looking outside of our own little bubble,” she said. “We looked at the town of Pocomoke.”

They looked at what municipalities issued in terms of tourism and marketing materials and started working on their own Pocomoke promotional products. While some students created videos

showcasing popular community spaces, such as Cypress Park and the Mar-Va Theater, others put together podcasts. “We talked about what needed to be included in a podcast and what kind of apps we could use,” Beach said.

That led to the idea of “app smashing,” which is when students use multiple apps to create a final project. Students used apps like Canva to create cover art and then made their recordings with the GarageBand app. Others used Canva and Keynote for their projects.

Not all students wanted to use technology, however. Beach said one girl had seen an Eastern Shore themed Monopoly game and wanted to create a Pocomoke version.

“We didn’t realize what a labor-intensive project this was going to be,”

Beach said, adding that in addition to creating the properties the student had to create relevant “Chance” and “Community Chest” cards. “She also printed out houses and hotels and playing pieces on our 3D printer. It was a very unique idea.”

The students were even able to share their projects with Pocomoke City Mayor Susan Harrison, who visited at the completion of the unit.

Annette Wallace, the school system’s chief operating and academic officer for grades 9-12, said she was impressed with the project and the fact that kids were making use of the array of technology available to them.

“It was a labor-intensive unit but my kids loved it,” Beach said. “They loved the opportunity to be creative and choose their own path.”

BY BETHANY HOOPER STAFF WRITER

FENWICK ISLAND – Officials in Fenwick Island will begin exploring a new policy to address short-term rentals.

Last week, the Fenwick Island Town Council voted unanimously to forward suggestions relating to short-term rentals to the town’s charter and ordinance committee. Councilwoman Janice Bortner, chair of the Fenwick Island Residential Concerns Committee, said the goal of the proposed policy is to establish regulations that protect the town’s residents.

“Members of the residential concerns committee have reviewed residential rental policies of other communities in the area and have developed a list of suggestions to maintain the culture of our safe community …,” she said. “I move that we send the suggestions to the charter and ordinance committee for consideration and action.”

This week, Mayor Natalie Magdeburger said the council’s referral will allow the charter and ordinance committee to study potential ordinance changes for the implementation of a short-term rental policy. She noted that the policy would be similar to ones found in Dewey and Lewes, which enacted regulations earlier this year in an effort to address the growing number of short-term rentals and their impacts on the community.

With no further discussion, the town council last week voted 7-0 to refer the matter to the charter and ordinance committee. Councilman Paul Breger also recognized Bortner for her efforts to address short-term rentals in town.

“Thank you for doing all that work,” he said.

Since October of 2021, members of the town’s residential concerns committee have focused their efforts on projects that enhance quality of life for Fenwick Island residents. In recent months, for example, committee members have discussed the creation of rental packets to inform landlords and renters about town trash schedules and rules about issues such as trash and noise.

SPORTS In The News

Where Are They Now? Nadia Bullock

BY SHAWN J. SOPER MANAGING EDITOR

The following is the latest installment in an occasional series about the progress of local student-athletes who have gone on to succeed at the next level in their college careers.

BERLIN – Former Stephen Decatur girls’ varsity basketball standout Nadia Bullock is excelling in her

freshman year at Salisbury University.

Bullock, a former All-Bayside South Player of the Year recipient at Decatur led the Seahawks to the state regional semifinals as a senior last year. At Salisbury University, Bullock is averaging nearly 10 points per game as a freshman and has led the Gulls in scoring in three of its eight first games of the year.

Decatur Boys Fall In Governor’s Challenge

BY SHAWN J. SOPER MANAGING EDITOR

BERLIN – Stephen Decatur’s boys’ varsity basketball team fell in its Governor’s Challenge opener to Dover this week, 71-54, in its return to the annual showcase tournament paused for two years because of the pandemic.

The 40th Annual Governor’s Challenge holiday basketball tournament got underway this week after two years of cancellations due to COVID. The Decatur boys opened their two-game Governor’s Challenge slate with a 71-54 loss to Dover. The Seahawks will face another tough Delaware team, Seaford, on Friday evening at the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center. With the loss in the opener on Monday, the Decatur boys’ record on the early season now stands at 4-3.

Seahawks Solid In Pat Russo Meet

BY SHAWN J. SOPER MANAGING EDITOR

BERLIN – Stephen Decatur’s varsity indoor track teams turned in solid performances last week in the Pat Russo Invitational, an annual holiday meet named for the program’s longtime coach featuring teams from across Delmarva.

This year marked the ninth annual Pat Russo Invitational, named for the Decatur track coach and legend who ran the program for 41 years before retiring. On the girls’ side, Macy Woroniecki finished fourth in the 3,200. Sauna Vick was 17th in the 300 and 22nd in the 55-meter dash. Tiara McDonald was 12th in the 500 and 19th in the 300. Kyleigh Powell was 35th in the 55-meter dash, while Ellie Cheynet was 13th in the 500 and 17th in the 800. Alessandra Fernandez was 25th in the 1,600.

On the boys’ side, A.J. Kolb was third in the 55-meter dash, while Waylon Hobgood was 12th and Jaden Holland was 33rd. Riley Calloway was 25th in the 300. Ethan Cowder was 28th in the 300, while Alex Ward was 30th. Ward was also 19th in the 500, while Brandon Fitzgerald was 20th.

Former Stephen Decatur standout Nadia Bullock is off to a fast start as a freshman at Salisbury University. Pictured above, Bullock drives to the basket in a recent game.

Photo courtesy of SU Athletics

Blaine A. Bunting

BISHOPVILLE – Blaine A. Bunting, age 85, of Bishopville, died Friday, Dec. 16, 2022. He was born and raised in Selbyville, DE, and was the son of the late William and Delia Bunting.

Blaine graduated from Goldey- Beacom College, where he met his wife Joanna and later moved to Bishopville to start a family.

He is survived by his wife, Joanna Bunting; son, Blaine Bunting of Ocean City; son, Garet Bunting and wife Lisa of Bishopville; daughter, Allison Seth and husband Scot of Bishopville; brother, William Bunting and wife Jane of Berlin; and grandsons Dalton Bunting, Hayden Bunting, Holden Bunting, Wyatt Seth and Trevor Seth.

Blaine was a nurseryman for the former Buntings’ Nurseries and founder of Buntings’ Landscaping. He was a member of Showell United Methodist Church; Maryland Nursery, Landscape and Greenhouse Association; Plant Propagators Society; and AMSA.

Blaine A. Bunting was a man who loved his faith, family and friends. He enjoyed the beach and the Eastern Shore way of life. He will be greatly missed, but his memories will live on forever.

A private graveside service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Showell United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 55, Showell, Md. 21862.

Condolences may be sent by visiting www.bishophastingsfh.com.

Andrei Michael Olson

BRADENTON, Fla. – Andrei Michael Olson, born Jan. 8, 1997, unexpectedly passed in a tragic motorcycle accident along with his girlfriend Hope Adams on Nov. 26, 2022.

Andrei was blessed and so were his parents when he was adopted at six months old from Samara, Russia in July of 1997. God had a perfect plan for them all. They always said Andrei hit the lottery and so did his parents.

Andrei lived in many places until his passing. He grew up in White Haven, Pa., then moved to Orlando, Fla., Ocean City, Waynesboro, Pa., then to Bradenton, Fla. where he resided till his passing.

He attended Crestwood High School in Mountain Top, Pa. where he graduated and played on the high school golf team. He also spent many years playing baseball with his beloved coaches and team mates on the Ugly Mug in White Haven, Pa.

Andrei loved people and helping people. He pursued jobs mainly in the food industry. He worked at Applebees in Waynesboro, Pa. and Alley Oops and Ropewalk in Ocean City. His last job as a waiter was at Cha Cha Coconuts on St. Armands Circle in Sarasota, Fla. where he was called their “Golden Boy.” He loved all his coworkers there and felt such love from many of them and his managers. He recently changed jobs in October to Turner Pest Control where we were told he was a dedicated employee and loved by all in the short time he worked there.

OBITUARIES

Andrei had a heart of gold, made friends everywhere he went, and lite up the room with his smile. His biggest attribute was that his glass was always half full, and he would give his shirt off his back to anyone in need. He was loved and adored by so many family and friends. We as a family had always known this about him; he was truly special and after his passing it all came even more to light. He made so many friends in his motorcycle community, and we were told story after story about how he helped countless people in accidents and with their mental health struggles. He is an angel now but was already an angel walking among us on earth. He had found a community that loved and respected him for whom he was as a person. He was so happy and content. He had recently discovered his passion for motorcycles and said riding made him forget all the daily problems in life and made him feel so free.

His other passions were his family, his sister Maria, and his beloved Cincinnati Bengals, Tampa Bay Lightning and the Rays. He loved fishing and relaxing at his parent’s cabin in Warren, Pa. and swimming and resting at his grandparent’s lake house in Smith Mountain Lake, Va. He enjoyed snowboarding and had recently taken a dream vacation to Colorado with his best friend Brett who he talked about often. Andrei had just gotten back from an incredible long bike ride to Miami and Daytona Beach with his girlfriend Hope, best friend Caysen and other friends.

Andrei is survived by his parents, James V. and Vicki Blair Olson; his sister Maria Olson; his grandparents, John and Paula Blair; and grandmother, Frances Olson. He is also survived by Uncle David Blair and Aunt Kelly Blair, cousins Brandon and Briana Blair, Uncle Donald Olson and Aunt Connie Olson and cousins Ryan Olson and wife Brittaney and his cousin Lindsay Olson.

He will be honored, loved and deeply missed by all. His life was taken away too quickly as we are sure he had so much more to give so many more people to help and so much more to do in this world that desperately needs it.

Come back Andrei, if only in a shadow, if only in a dream.

You can donate in Andrei’s honor and legacy to Bikerdown.org, an organization that helps bikers families whom have passed on or have been injured. They also do many organized workshops, etc. to educate motorcycle safety and riding safety.

Gloria Crocker Moyer

Born in Kingston, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Jack and Alice Crocker. She is survived by her daughter, Sandi Crothers (Dave); son, Mark Moyer (Kerri); sisters Nancy Arrington and Jackie Mattson McGaha; five grandchildren, Kylie (Devin), Kristina (Greg), Kelsey (Erich), Alex (Amanda) and Danielle (Matt); as well as multiple

nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl Moyer, and sister, Judy Holmes.

Gloria grew up in Washington, D.C., where she started working for the federal government after graduating from high school. While working in D.C., she met her late husband Earl in a local coffee shop. They married on July 22, 1961 and were married for 57 wonderful years until Earl passed. They spent over 25 years living in Silver Spring, where Gloria spent the majority of the years caring for her children until she started working for the Prince George’s County Health Department in the mid-1980’s. During this time, she enjoyed many treasured family vacations at Cocoa Beach, Fla. and traveling the world with Earl.

In 2000, Gloria and Earl moved to Ocean Pines where they quickly developed a large network of friends. Gloria was involved in many activities that she loved including Women’s Club of Ocean Pines, Republican Women of Worcester County, Monday bowling league as well as various book clubs, other clubs and playing trivia each week. She also enjoyed dining out with her friends and family, shopping, traveling, and spending time with the people she loved. She was an active member of the Community Church at Ocean Pines.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, Jan. 6, 2023, at 11 a.m. at the Community Church at Ocean Pines. Visitation with family and friends will be held one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to Coastal Hospice at P.O. Box 1733 Salisbury, Md. 21802. Arrangements are in the care of the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin. Letters of condolence may be sent to the family at www.burbagefuneralhome.com.

William David Carper

OCEAN PINES – William “Bill” David Carper, age 89, passed away peacefully at his home in Ocean Pines surrounded by loved ones on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022. Born in Washington, DC, he was the son of the late Wilbur Smith Carper and Marie Wagner Utz Carper.

Bill attended Eastern High School in Washington, DC and was a veteran of the United States Army where he served as a Wheel and Track Mechanic during the Korean War. In the Army, he developed training aids as Company artist, was an instructor for automotive mechanics classes, and entertained the troops with his mental telepathy skills.

Bill raised his family in Lanham, Md. and was a member of the Elks Lodge in Riverdale, Md. He worked for 42 years with Amecom, Litton Systems, Inc. (acquired by Northrop Grumman Corp.) in College Park, Md. Bill was a trained commercial artist through the Corcoran School of Art and worked as an illustrator and industrial artist, progressing to Computer Aided Design Specialist as technology evolved, and was also a photographic/lithographic services specialist. He was known for his “Creative Genius” at Litton and created caricatures to celebrate

staff milestone anniversaries and retirements.

After retiring from Litton in 2002, Bill and his wife, Mary Lou, moved to Ocean Pines where Bill was one of the founding members of the Corvettes of Ocean Pines. Bill and Mary Lou were also members of the Delmarva Hand Dancing Club and were previous “Jarvis Jewels” ballroom dancers.

Bill was a supportive and positive person who made a friend in everyone he met. He had an amazing memory and would entertain all with engaging and humorous stories. Bill made an impact on the many communities he was involved in, including the Taylorville Christian Church in Berlin.

Always a creative force, Bill dabbled as an inventor designing and creating marketing packages and developing prototypes for toys, games, and patent drawings. All the neighborhood children enjoyed testing out the newest inventions.

Creating continued to be a focal point in Bill’s life as he was the designated event photographer and was always working on projects for friends and family in his garage. One of his last projects was a custom designed wooden snowman to watch over Mary Lou and him in the Taylorville Christian Church cemetery.

Bill will be greatly missed, but all can find comfort in knowing that he is once again joined with the love of his life, Mary Lou, for all eternity.

He is survived by his son, Christopher “Chris” F. Carper (Kim) of Colorado Springs, Colo.; daughter, Laura “Lori” M. Magoon (John) of Ellicott City, Md.; and three grandchildren who he adored, Emily Magoon, Dawson Carper and Toby Carper.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 59 years, Mary Lou Carper; his brother, Phillip Carper; and sister, Crystal Lynn.

A memorial service will be held in March 2023. Information will be available at a later date. Letters of condolence can be sent to the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of The Burbage Funeral Home.

Jordan Barrett Kennell

OCEAN CITY – On Nov. 23, 2022, Jordan Barrett Kennell, born on July 30, 1982, passed away peacefully at Hospice By The Lake with his loved one Tara Vendetti by his side.

Jordan was born in Cumberland, Md. and moved to Ocean City at age 16 to be with his girlfriend Danielle Chandler. Later on, they had two beautiful children, Ava and Chase Kennell, whom Jordan loved and adored. He also adopted Danielle’s brother Austin Birch that he called his son. Jordan was very like-able and never lost his sense of humor. He had a passion for music. Jordan loved being with baby Luxx and our dog Paco. In addition to his love one Tara, ex-wife Danielle, Ava, Chase, and Austin, Jordan is survived by his brother, Tyler Kennell, and his father-in-law, Eddie Chandler. Also, Frank and Debra Vendetti who he called mom and dad. Tara’s daughters Brooke and Justine Bialozynski and grandchildren Luxx Mann, Kayleigh and Brynlee Stabb who know Jordan as pop. Jordan chose to be cremated. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

OCEAN PINES – Gloria Crocker Moyer, age 82, passed away on Monday, Dec. 26, 2022 at her home in Ocean Pines.

GLORIA C. MOYER

WILLIAM D. CARPER

JORDAN B. KENNELL

BLAINE A. BUNTING

ANDREI M. OLSON

Branding Concerns Echoed

Editor:

I would like to address the letter from Eric Waterman, Dec. 2, “Branding Concerns.”

After reading his letter and going through Winterfest of Lights that weekend I have to agree with him. My wife and I saw the Smiley Face and if this is the best they can come up with they need to hire a 10-year-old with an imagination.

Ocean City does have a lot to offer (excluding the crime on the Boardwalk and other places) such as great hotels, eateries, putt-putt courses galore, shops, huge beach, arcades, all kinds of water rides, etc. They put absolutely no thought into this branding of a great resort town. Wasted time and money, not their own.

John Gondeck Denton

What Type Of Resort Should Ocean City Be?

Editor:

I’ve read your articles regarding the promoting of more “family unfriendly” events and I just had to sound off. If you have any contact with those making these decisions, please send my comments along to them.

My family and I have been coming to Ocean City almost since its inception.

Letters To The Editor

We are also property owners here and love coming down from May through the end of October to enjoy the beautiful ocean/beaches and all that this “fun family resort” has to offer. However, I am in shock that our town needs money so desperately that we now have to bring in gun shows and rodeos to seek our additional monies. As a taxpayer, I find it unimaginable that our town is unable to thrive without constant loud motor events and other questionable “fun family beach” events.

As one who cares about our environment and animal welfare, I do not agree with our tax dollars supporting such events. I have yet to speak to any OC homeowner who supports these two additional, unnecessary events.

As many of us see it, the high beach season (considered Memorial Day through Labor Day) are supposed to be for those who enjoy the ocean and its beaches. It’s bad enough that all the young families that used to come in September no longer come down because of all the loud motor events and all the chaos that ensues during the Fall.

As I mentioned to our town council members over 10 years ago, this town is at a precipice. We can keep the reputation as a “fun family beach resort” or we can turn it into a “Pottersville” (like in the classic movie, It’s A Wonderful Life with Jimmy Stewart). Which kind of

resort do we really want Ocean City to be?

Many are beginning to wonder why so many other Seaside towns are able to survive without all of these types of events? The beach movies, Northside Park events, Springfest/Sunfestthese are the types of events we should be promoting, not bull riding, gun shows and loud car/bike events that promote drinking and bad behavior.

Supposedly Ocean City can’t afford recycling, but yet it can afford the millions of dollars it takes to clean and police those, often times, dangerous events. Cruisin used to be a nice, relatively small event 20 years ago. Where do you think the H20’ers got the idea it was okay to drag race down our streets while drinking beer at 10 a.m. standing on the side of the highway?

Bike Week has gotten so loud that you can barely hear the ocean while sitting on the beach, just a matter of time before Sturgis comes and we end up managing rival biker gangs who decide to come. These types of events have gotten too big and more unmanageable each year.

I realize the restaurant/hotel/motel association’s primary responsibilities is to bring in as many people to the beach as possible, but not every event is worth its revenue and could very well erode the town’s reputation.

I am hopeful the council members

will consider being a bit more reflective when considering who they choose to “welcome” to our beach town with our taxes and how its choices will ultimately impact our town’s future.

The Lee Family Winter Beach Ideas

Editor:

I've been thinking of the concept of “winterfun” as a competitive answer to Schellville.

The most common complaints that I hear in my community about OC winter activities are: walking at Winterfest lights, can't do it; parking, can't find it; Winter guest invitation mission/goals, Transportation, parking and comfort.

Some thoughts:

Specific Holiday bus transportation on decked out school buses.

Run ticketed paid bus service to awesome venues and enjoy holiday decorations on the way.

Bus stops, West Ocean City, Inlet, convention center, northside park.

Encourage boat lighting on the West OC corridor. Give a big prize.

Have bus runs through the Northside Park light displays. Families stay inside warm this makes viewing for handicap accessible guests comfortable.

Family: Team this up with dinner at Harrison’s and perhaps a drone light show outside at the Inlet.

Adults only: Team this up with dinner and drinks at Spain Wine Bar with a drone show outside at the Route 50 Bridge.

Add a boat lights parade to either on the first week of Dec. Make a big deal of it with a big prize from a marine center/supplier.

Daytime family run: Lunch with Santa at the Dunes then bus up to Schellville.

Create an indoor Christmas village of train garden enthusiasts at the convention center. Sell wine in a craft making village, appeal to crafters.

Pick and pay craft: to make cards, paint glass mugs or decorate a dozen cookies. Add a craft beer brew village, invite four or five vendors and holiday baked goods pretzels, hot sauces, sell wings, adults only.

Have a holiday kid friendly play at the convention center, Scrooge, Grinch, anything kid friendly.

Have a holiday music event at the convention center. Sell a souvenir dated mug fill it with cookies and candy canes or sell Fisher's Popcorn small bags with a holiday flavor peppermint?

And for February Valentines weekend: Ice sculptures and ice skating ice bar at the inlet.

Get engaged in OCMD: Get married in OCMD, DJ sponsored dance at the convention center! Make telescope pics available

Selfie stations everywhere.

Kathy Kreft Selbyville, Del.

The Dispatch

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How We See It

2022’s Top 5 Stories

Rather than bore our readers with a deep dive into a year-in-review this week, here’s a look at the top five news stories of the year in our estimation.

No. 1: Knupp tragedy: In July, 14-yearold Gavin Knupp was killed on Grey’s Corner Road in a hit-and-run case that has brought no charges to date. The community came together and rallied around the Knupp family in tremendous shows of support including a beach celebration of life.

Though the Knupp case got the most coverage, in the same week of the summer another well-known local, 33-yearold Daniel Hicken, was struck and killed crossing the Route 90 Bridge. In October, 59-year-old Terri Wattay was killed in another hit and run accident. A common denominator in these cases is no charges have been filed in either death.

No. 2: Mother Nature: It was the year of cancelation due to weather. The unlucky streak began in March with the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade being called off due to the weather. The event has not been held 2019. The bad luck continued with Springfest in May being cut short due to high winds and flooding. The Ocean City Air Show in June dealt with a wet Sunday forcing some schedule changes. The unfortunate weather impacts hit again in late September canceling the Oceans Calling Festival. Sunfest had a glorious three-day run with crowds enjoying lovely fall weather Thursday through Saturday but was canceled Sunday.

For 2022, it’s fitting this weekend’s New Year’s Eve festivities hang in limbo as of deadline with a wet, soggy forecast.

No. 3: Election: While each local election is important, the results for the seven Worcester County Commissioners seats were paramount on the local front. Between the primary in July and the general election in November, a major shift has taken place with two new faces elected –Eric Fiori and Caryn Abbott – and a new president – Chip Bertino. Time will tell how different this body governs, but it’s clear two meetings in a major shift has occurred.

No. 4: Sports complex: A prime example of the philosophical change in Snow Hill came when the new commissioners voted in their first meeting to end the land purchase contract for a sports complex. The project is dead as far as the county is concerned. Seven months earlier, the previous set of commissioners voted 4-3 to proceed with a $7 million land buy for sports fields.

No. 5: Pandemic: Recency bias leads us to forget one year ago today masks were mandatory in all public places, including in schools. The decision to lift mandatory masking policies was a huge one in the first quarter of the year. Despite inevitable surges in cases, the days of requiring masks appear to be behind us.

Honorable mentions: the Assateague beach summer closure, ongoing workforce housing issues, July 4 fireworks being canceled again, the Sunfest date change, new chief executives in Ocean City and Berlin, the Hilliard shooting and criminal charges filed against former Berlin town administrator.

Between The Lines

by Publisher/Editor Steve Green

With this being the last issue of 2022, it’s time to look ahead and make some predictions for what will make news in 2023. Here’s some thoughts:

•The second time will be the charm, as Mother Nature will cooperate and allow a wildly successful Oceans Calling Festival to take place in Ocean City.

•A single charge of leaving the scene of a fatal accident will finally be filed in 14-year-old Gavin Knupp’s case. A plea deal will be reached with the 22-yearold suspect, resulting in one year of jail time.

•A new liquor distillery and a new beer brewery will open in Berlin before the summer season.

•Former Maryland Republican Gov. Larry Hogan will announce plans to run for president, but the presumptive favorite to challenge Biden will be Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

•With the county abandoning the effort altogether, the Town of Ocean City will pick up the sports complex concept as a priority item, hosting the Maryland Stadium Authority in the early part of the year for an informational session to review the recent study conducted and discuss funding support. Ocean City will buy the property on Route 50 from the Harrison family west of the schools and proceed with the development process.

•A large seasonal housing facility in West Ocean City along Route 50 will be in the news. What will begin as a public-private partnership will fizzle out in exchange for property tax credits granted to a private developer.

•Retirements will sweep through Ocean City department head ranks, notably Police Chief Ross Buzzuro announcing his intentions after being named the city’s police chief in 2013 after 28-plus years previously with Baltimore City.

•The county’s room tax will be increased by half of a percent.

•Berlin will move forward with the proposed sale of parcels at the Heron Park property.

•Following a process similar to Showell Elementary, reconstruction will be the favored option for Buckingham Elementary School with the new building being built behind the current facility, which will be razed once construction is completed.

•For the first time, body camera footage will be critical in presenting the facts surrounding a controversial case involving abuse allegations against Ocean City police officers.

•Despite sportfishing industry concerns, NOAA will implement a 10-knot speed limit change on recreational and commercial vessels to help the right whale population.

•In the only true bad weather impact of the year, tropical activity will force Sunfest to be canceled in October.

•For the first time in four years, Ocean City will have fireworks on the Fourth of July.

•Following on the heels of Luke Mergott, Decatur’s Brycen Coleman will announce his intention to play Division I college football during a signing day ceremony.

•The interests behind the proposed 265-room, three-restaurant Margaritaville project spend most of the year clearing regulatory hurdles with a groundbreaking ceremony set for early 2024.

•Plak That will announce mixed-use redevelopment plans for a two-acre parcel east of Cheers! in Berlin.

•Bunk Mann’s third book detailing Ocean City’s history will be published in the spring.

•Due to rising costs, a recession and practical concerns, no serious developments occur in 2023 on the proposed wind farm projects off Ocean City’s coast.

•After efforts fizzled out in Ocean Pines, the Gavin Knupp Foundation makes a sizeable donation to the Berlin Skate Park development project.

•Though the project remains the county’s top roadway project, nothing new happens with the Route 90 widening in the new calendar year.

•Through a referendum vote, Ocean Pines property owners will approve short-term rental regulations.

•Fenwick Island will approve a ban on short-term rentals.

•With another no-show event in late September, it seems the pop-up rally havoc raised for numerous years is no longer an issue for Ocean City.

•A dead whale washes ashore creating quite a stir in Ocean City on a summer afternoon, requiring crews to clear a few oceanfront blocks to handle the matter.

•Speed cameras will be authorized for two locations in Berlin near schools.

•In an attempt to address staffing concerns, the Ocean City Mayor and Council will approve a staff request to significantly increase the hourly rate for beach patrol members.

•Largely a result of the increased funding needed to meet the school system’s needs due to the new Blueprint for Maryland, the Worcester County Commissioners will approve a two-cent property tax rate increase next spring.

•Stephen Decatur High School will unveil during the fall sports season a new, state-of-the-art scoreboard at its football stadium.

•In a disturbing repeat of last summer, access is again restricted on portions of Assateague’s beach at the height of the summer due to military ordnances being discovered.

•The Cincinnati Bengals will defeat the Philadelphia Eagles to win the Super Bowl.

Puzzle Answers

PUZZLE ON PAGE 39

The Adventures of Fatherhood

by Steve Green

It was a different Christmas this year.

Our family hit the road to New York for the weekend to celebrate with family.

Pam and I are grandparents (young ones at that, of course). Pam has an adult son from a previous marriage who lives in New York with his family, including two daughters who are 3 years old and 1 year old, respectively.

We spent three days with them including Christmas Day. It was a lot of fun to see the excitement of the season through these little girls’ sincere faces and innocent reactions.

With our boys now 14 and 13 years old, respectively, Christmas has changed. It’s different now with both teens fully understanding of the season’s magic and meaning. This is all okay because it’s natural. We have tremendous memories of their Christmas days as toddlers and the excitement that came with all the hysteria. I will cherish those memories forever.

It was good for the boys to spend their first Christmas away from home with their little nieces. They got to experience it through their eyes and see many of our family traditions shared with them, such as matching Christmas pajamas magically appearing on the front porch on Christmas Eve. It’s Santa and the reindeer who drop the pajamas from the sleigh high above while making the rounds to other parts of the world. My boys were good sports and played along throughout our silliness.

This was only my second Christmas ever away from home. The first being as a teen about my sons’ ages at Disney World. It was different and special, and I had two takeaways.

First, I enjoy spending Christmas in my own home. Secondly, I forget how exhausting it is to be around young kids and how wonderful the feeling is when they go to sleep for the night.

Every Christmas there’s always some

reference to our most memorable Christmas morning.

It was back in 2009 when Beckett was 19 months old and Carson just seven weeks old. Beckett was standing on a Diego potty Santa brought him clapping his hands over doing his business on this new trainer. At some point he started jumping, falling backwards, hitting the corner of a wall with his head. It was a direct hit, splitting open his head with a sizable gash.

Unfortunately, a few seconds after the fall, I turned him so my wife could look at the back of his head and she noticed he was bleeding heavily. A few minutes later, we were on our way to AGH.

This incident marked the second ER visit for Beckett in the last two months. That initial stop was a completely different experience from the one on Christmas. The previous encounter was highly concerning because he was vomiting and suffering from extreme dehydration. We were worried and troubled over his welfare at the time.

The Christmas Day visit was not quite as disturbing. Perhaps it was Beckett’s silly demeanor in the hospital or maybe just the fact it was the second experience.

With this ER experience, there was not as much stress because we knew this was just a minor injury, one that we would later discover needed only two stitches to heal.

It’s simple now after many years to make light of the situation, but there were certainly some uncomfortable moments at the time. It’s always tortuous to witness my kid be manhandled by strangers, even if it’s for his own good. It’s extremely difficult to watch and I do not see myself ever being able to handle that well.

In this case in the ER, Beckett, again a toddler, had to be placed face first on the bed because the cut was on the back of his head. While a burly male nurse pinned him down, the physician

stitched him up. Beckett, of course, wailed the entire time, while Pam sang a rendition of “Wheels on the Bus” to try and distract him.

As quickly as this incident happened, my kid was over it. He had no problem putting the incident behind him. So much so that the moment we walked in the door at home he went straight for that Diego potty and tried to get atop it again. That box was soon out of the house.

Tis the season for New Year’s resolutions. I have a handful for my personal priority list, but I came across a funny list of New Year’s resolutions from a mom on the Raising Teens Today website worthy of sharing.

No. 1: Buy a new phone charger and hide it so my kids can’t find it.

No. 2: Donate my son’s coats to kids who will actually wear them.

No. 3: Vow to close my teen’s bedroom door instead of nagging them about the mess.

No. 4: Stop taking their “offishness” so damn personally.

No. 5: Buy a dog so someone is happy to see me when I get home.

No. 6: Buy new forks and spoons and hide them so my kids can’t steal them.

No. 7: Stop making impossible New Year’s resolutions (see No. 4)

No. 8: Stop getting so worked up about the small stuff.

No. 9: Find the humor in it all, ‘cus this won’t last forever.

No. 10: Find ways to let my kids know they’re loved every single day.

Numbers eight and nine are what I will work to improve on. I will enter 2023 with the goals of not sweating everything and laughing more at the silly teenager antics of the house. It’s worth a shot.

(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.)

Holiday Decorating Winners: The winners of The Dispatch’s 1st Annual Holiday Decorating Contest were announced this week. The contest was limited to municipal Berlin residences and businesses. The winners were divided into four categories. Above, The Buddy Hobbs (Most Creative): 322 William Street, left, first place; 128 Austin Circle (a salute to local law enforcement), second place. Below, The Cousin Eddie (Brightest): 204 Bay Street, left, first place; 114 Maple Drive, second place. Photos by Chris Parypa

Above, The Ralphie (Best Overall): 200 S. Main Street, left, first place; 120 Cedar Avenue, second place. Below, The Bailey Building & Loan (Best Commercial): Atlantic Hotel, left, first place; Sterling Tavern, second place. All winners will receive high-resolution photos of their homes and businesses through email.

Photos by Chris Parypa