December 6

The Dispatch December 6, 2019

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A Festive Crowd: Berlin entertained a huge crowd last Friday for its annual tree lighting festivities. See page 12 for full story.

Elected Officials Approve, Celebrate Ocean City Pier Franchise Deal

School Report Card Data ‘Cause For Celebration’ In Worcester County

Significant Road Repaving, Sidewalk Project Underway In South Ocean City

Resort To Open New Public Works Building To Improve Operation Efficiency

See Page 4 • Photo by Chris Parypa

See Page 6 • Photo by Shawn Soper

See Page 8 • File Photo

See Page 28 • Photo by Shawn Soper

Photo by Sara Hambury

INSIDE PAGES

Cops & Courts PAGE 24

Editorial PAGE 42

Sports

PAGE 46

Fatherhood PAGE 48

Things I Like

PAGE 49

Community

PAGE 50

Music

PAGE 52

Faces In Places PAGE 56

Business PAGE 58

Things To Do PAGE 61

Classifieds PAGE 62

People In Society PAGE 66

Crossword PAGE 70

Vanishing OC PAGE 70

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SERVING DELMARVA FOR NEARLY 60 YEARS

December 6, 2019

December 6, 2019

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Council Advances OC Pier Deal

Page 4

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

The amusements at the pier are pictured in full swing during a summer night.

Photo by Chris Parypa

OCEAN CITY – Resort officials this week began finalizing the historic Ocean City Pier franchise agreement with the passage on first reading of a pair of ordinances setting the extension in motion.

Last week, Ocean City officials announced it had reached an agreement in principle with Charles “Buddy” Jenkins and his Synepuxent Pier and Improvement Company to extend the franchise agreement for the pier that juts eastward from the Boardwalk at Wicomico Street. On Monday, the Mayor and Council began formalizing the pier franchise extension agreement with the approval of two separate, but related, ordinance changes

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on first reading.

The first piece of the puzzle is an ordinance formalizing the extension of the pier franchise agreement for an additional 25 years beyond the 10 years remaining on the initial agreement reached between the city and Jenkins’ companies in 1978. That ordinance essentially extends the franchise agreement for another 35 years and ensures the iconic amusement pier will remain in its current state for decades to come.

The second ordinance approved on first-reading on Monday restricts, or dedicates, the proceeds of the extended pier franchise agreement to the future repair and replacement of the wooden Boardwalk for the life of the new extension. It is estimated the new pier franchise agreement will generate roughly $9.1 million over the life of the extension and those funds will be dedicated to repairing and replacing the wooden Boardwalk as needed over the next three decades-plus.

It is expected the wooden elements of the Boardwalk will likely need to be replaced roughly four times over the life of the 35-year franchise agreement. Before the agreement was even reached, town officials were working toward the next major re-decking of the Boardwalk, which is expected to begin next fall. City Engineer Terry McGean this week said the new franchise agreement and its dedicated funding source did not mean a sudden influx of cash to immediately jump into the next Boardwalk re-decking. Instead because of the scope of the project, the extensive bidding process and the purchase of lumber, for example, the major project will not begin until next fall as planned. The estimated cost of the project is $1.2 million.

Nonetheless, the benefits of extending the agreement are significant for both parties. For Jenkins, a 25year extension means he can confidently continue to make investments and improvements to the pier and his Jolly Roger amusement park and other amenities.

For the town of Ocean City, the extension ensures continuity for what is arguably the most recognized image of Ocean City. Again, the estimated $9.1 million in revenue over the life of the agreement provides a dedicated funding source for maintaining the wooden Boardwalk, with its nostalgic sounds, feel and smells, for the next three decades-plus.

The agreement was reached after careful negotiations between Jenkins and his staff and a three-member committee of councilmembers including Council Secretary Mary Knight and Councilmen Dennis Dare and John Gehrig. Prior to the vote on the first ordinance on Monday, Councilman Mark Paddack applauded his colleagues on the committee for negotiating a mutually beneficial franchise agreement.

“I’d just like to thank the committee for their assistance in negotiating this contract,” he said. “The council agreed SEE NEXT PAGE

… Unanimous Support For Extension

December 6, 2019

7-0 this was the way to go for our future.”

Dare has been involved with the pier and the franchise agreement for decades, first as city engineer, then as city manager and finally as a councilman. He said the agreement before the council on Monday ensured the pier would remain as is for years to come.

“It’s been 37 years since I first started working on this,” he said. “We are going to ensure we can maintain that family atmosphere on the pier for another 35 years. Everything just kind of fell into place. Not only does this ensure an amusement pier for decades, but it ensures a wooden Boardwalk and a funding source to keep it that way for at least 35 years.”

For her part, Knight said extending the franchise agreement with Jenkins evoked nostalgia for generations of visitors and residents.

“I’m very excited about tonight,” she said. “I spend a lot of time up there in the summer and it’s so exciting to see the families enjoying the games and rides we grew up with all of these years. The best way to describe all of this is nostalgia.”

Mayor Rick Meehan also praised the franchise extension and said it will preserve perhaps the most lasting image of Ocean City for many visitors and residents.

“We have two iconic structures that will be preserved because of this,” he

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

said. “The first is that amusement pier and all of the amenities it offers. The second is that iconic Ferris wheel that everybody looks to see when they come up on the Boardwalk.”

Meehan said Jenkins and his companies have always been great partners with the city in terms of the pier franchise, including repairing and replacing the end of the fishing pier damaged or destroyed during storms at least three times in the last decade.

He also pointed to a different era when the city expressed interest in utilizing part of the pier franchise easement area.

“After Hurricane Gloria in the 1980s, we wanted to move the tram lane around the pier because of all of the congestion at the south end of the Boardwalk,” he said. “Mr. Jenkins stepped right up and made that happen. We have had a great partnership and a good working relationship all of these years.”

The franchise agreement reached with Jenkins and the company includes a one-time, up-front payment of $1 million. In addition, when the new agreement starts in 2030, it will include an annual payment of $250,000 to the town in that first year. In each year after, interest will be compounded annually at 3%, meaning the annual payment to the town will grow exponentially to over $500,000 by the end of the 25-year deal.

Page 5

Major OC Road Repaving, Sidewalk Project Underway

Page 6

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Nearly three months after a contentious debate, the major repaving and sidewalk-widening project on Robin Drive got underway in earnest this week.

Back in September, as part of its ongoing review of infrastructure needs, the Mayor and Council intensely debated several options for milling and repaving Robin Drive, the densely populated corridor that runs east to west from Coastal Highway to the bayside at 28th Street.

While improving Robin Drive was clearly a priority, getting to a final option was difficult. For a span of three weeks in September, the Mayor and Council intensely debated several options on the table, each of which included widening the sidewalks to some degree, making the sidewalks along the corridor ADA-compliant and gaining a shared bicycle lane where possible.

Each of the options on the table included losing at least some on-street parking along the densely-populated corridor, which proved to be the dividing point for the council. The on-street parking issues also rankled many residents in the Robin Drive area concerned over the potential impacts on the neighborhood.

A staging area of equipment for the upcoming reconstruction project is pictured on the bayside.

Photo by Shawn Soper

The divided council ultimately approved Option 3A, which included eightfoot sidewalks on both sides of Robin Drive while expanding the vehicle travel lanes to 12.5-feet, facilitating wider lanes for a shared bicycle path. Three months later, the Robin Drive milling and repaving project began in earnest this week. Materials for the project were staged along the corridor by Tuesday and the actual milling and repaving were set to begin later this week.

The approved Option 3A differed from Option 2A only in that it extended further down Robin Drive from Coastal

Highway including the wider sidewalks. For example, Option 2A would have gained wider sidewalks and wider travel lanes from Coastal Highway to Judlee Road, or a distance of around 380 feet, while extending the project from Coastal Highway to Sparrow Lane under Option 3A will gain the enhancements for a distance of 1,400, essentially tripling the length of the project.

Option 3A does cost around $100,000 more than Option 2A, but gives the most bang for its buck in terms of the total distance of the

December 6, 2019

roadway improved. Nonetheless, the extra $100,000 needed to extend the repaving and sidewalk-widening project was a bone of contention among the councilmembers when the project was approved in September.

With the debate now in the past, the project is now underway in earnest.

Public Works Director Hal Adkins said this week a repaving schedule was laid out to minimize the impact on businesses in the area during the holiday season.

“We’re going to start at Sparrow Lane and work back toward Bayshore Drive first,” he said. “Then, we’ll come back and work from Sparrow back toward Coastal Highway. We want to do that work closest to Coastal Highway in the dead of winter so we don’t impact those businesses on the corner like Dry Dock and Buxy’s during their busy holiday season.”

At the end of the day, Option 3A will impact on-street parking the least, and thus was most palatable to the council, and, perhaps more importantly, the residents along the corridor. Under Option 3A, six on-street spaces adjacent to the mini-golf course close to Coastal Highway will be lost, along with seven other spaces on the south side of Robin Drive. However, 11 new on-street spaces will be created along the curve on the north side of Robin Drive, for a net loss of two spaces.

December 6, 2019

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NEWARK – Data released this week shows that Worcester County schools continue to rank high at the state level.

Maryland Report Card data released Tuesday included ratings for nine Worcester County Schools. Seven of them received four-star ratings while two — Stephen Decatur Middle School and Snow Hill High School — received five-star ratings.

“Worcester County Public Schools is the only school system in the entire state of Maryland to have 100% of eligible schools earning a four-star status or higher,” Superintendent Lou Taylor said. “I am so proud of this school system right now, for what we represent and for our kids. This truly is a cause for celebration.”

The state introduced the Maryland Report Card accountability system last year so that the public could better understand how schools were performing.

The Report Card, which issues schools star ratings, looks at school performance on multiple levels. For elementary and middle schools, the system considers academic achievement, academic progress, progress in achieving English language proficiency and measures of school quality and student success. For high schools, the rating system reviews academic achievement, graduation rate, progress in English language proficiency, readiness for postsecondary success and measures of school quality and student success.

In Worcester County, four-star ratings were given to Buckingham Elementary School, Ocean City Elementary School, Berlin Intermediate School, Pocomoke Middle School, Snow Hill Middle School, Pocomoke High School and Stephen Decatur High School. Stephen Decatur Middle and Snow Hill High received fivestar ratings.

Taylor said he was pleased with Worcester County schools’ performance, particularly considering that two schools had improved to reach fivestar status.

“That we have the highest concentration of four- and five-star schools in the state is further validation of the great work going on in our schools every day,” he said.

Not all Worcester County schools were eligible to receive ratings, as schools not at a certain point level weren’t rated. Pocomoke, Showell and Snow Hill elementary schools didn’t reach the possible point threshold and weren’t rated. Worcester Technical High School and Cedar Chapel Special School also lacked the qualifications needed for a rating.

More information, as well as data from each school district, is available at MdReportCard.org.

Teacher Pay, Small Classes Top Budget Requests

December 6, 2019

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

NEWARK – Requests for competitive teacher salaries, small class sizes and the latest technology highlighted a budget input session hosted by the Worcester County Board of Education.

On Tuesday, the school system hosted its annual public input session for the coming year’s budget. Budget priorities from each school were presented by parents, most of whom said they wanted to see teachers compensated well and class sizes remain small as the fiscal year 2021 budget was developed.

“We know it’s a hard job and it takes a lot of long hours and we do appreciate that,” Stephen Decatur Middle School parent Kate Gaddis said.

While competitive teacher salaries and small class sizes were the most repeated priorities, other common requests included updated technology and additional personnel. Several schools also had capital improvement requests.

At Stephen Decatur High School, parents asked for air conditioning in the gym, where temperatures made it difficult for athletes this fall. At Snow Hill Elementary School, a request was made for a fence around the early childhood playground. At Stephen Decatur Middle, Gaddis said the folding wall between the gym and the cafeteria needed to be replaced.

Superintendent Lou Taylor thanked parents for their input as budget development began.

“Each year, as a I sit in these meetings I am continually overwhelmed by the support we have from our teachers, our administrators at both the school and county level, and the number of parents wishing to lend their voice to the budget discussions,” Taylor said.

He said that the school system’s annual parent survey, conducted in November, showed that there was an “overwhelming request” to ensure teachers were fairly compensated.

“I wholeheartedly agree that the top priority for this budget and every budget should be ensuring that we can attract and retain high quality educators,” he said. “The best way to do this is to remain competitive in terms of compensation and benefits.”

The parent survey also showed that nearly all of the school system’s instructional programs received a favorability rating of 95% or higher. In a write-in section, however, parents did ask—for the fifth year in a row—for an expansion of world languages.

“Additional responses indicated a desire for mental health resources as well as more support for parents to help their children in mathematics,” said Carrie Sterrs, the school system’s

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coordinator of public relations and special programs.

In a presentation on the current year’s budget, Chief Financial Officer Vince Tolbert reported that the school system’s largest expenditure was instructional programs, which accounted for 66% of the $111 million budget. Special education accounts for 15% of expenditures while other costs include transportation, operation of plant, health services, administration and maintenance of plant.

Tolbert estimated that working a step increase, a 1% cost-of-living-adjustment and a 5% increase in health insurance costs into the coming year’s budget would cost $2.5 million.

Beth Shockley-Lynch, president of

the Worcester County Teachers Association, said that Wicomico and Somerset counties — both of which receive significantly more state aid than Worcester — currently paid starting teachers more than Worcester County did.

Shockley-Lynch said new teachers in Wicomico earned $600 more and new teachers in Somerset earned $900 more annually. She also pointed out that educational assistant positions that were cut during budget deliberations several years ago in Worcester County hadn’t yet been restored.

Shockley-Lynch stressed that teachers were as committed to ensuring student success as they’d ever been.

Page 9

“Teachers care about their students and they work every day to give them what they need,” she said. “But they are struggling to make up for the reduced level of resources. They’re using an awful lot of their own money to buy what kids need.”

Bill Gordy, president of the school board, said he was sorry to know there was a $600 difference between Worcester and Wicomico starting teacher salaries but pointed out that Worcester was the only school system in the state that hadn’t had vacancies in recent months.

“If our working environment can be better and more comfortable than others maybe the $600 won’t be the straw that breaks the camel’s back,” he said.

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Shore Gives More Effort Shatters Previous Record

Page 10

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

SALISBURY – The fifth annual Shore Gives More giving campaign raised a record-breaking $218,138 for 102 Lower Shore nonprofits this week, surpassing last year’s previous record amount by 28%.

On Tuesday, more than 2,200 donations generated more than $218,000 for local nonprofits that participated in this year’s Shore Gives More online giving campaign.

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the Tuesday following Thanksgiving.

“Giving Tuesday really allows our local community and nonprofits to shine,” CFES President Erica Joseph said. “As the event grows each year, new nonprofits and donors join in on the celebrations and together, we create a tremendous impact in our corner of the world.”

The Community Foundation launched its Shore Gives More campaign in 2015 and raised nearly $7,500 in its first year. Last year, 99 local nonprofits collected more than $171,000 from approximately 1,500 donors.

Marketing Officer Victoria Kent said this year’s campaign included 102 participating nonprofits. And for the first time, donations exceeded $218,000.

“I think that each year we are increasing the amount of training and resources we make available to the nonprofits,” she said. “And each year, the nonprofits are strategizing more and are better prepared for what to expect on that day.”

More than 50 nonprofits collected $1,000 or more in this year’s Shore Gives More campaign. The nonprofits with the highest donation amounts include the Delmarva Discovery Center &

December 6, 2019

Museum with $16,204, the Art League of Ocean City with $8,879, and the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore with $8,803.

Kent said this year’s record-breaking total highlights the community’s generosity.

“We have people that truly care about and want to invest in their community …,” she said. “I think we have a real sense of pride in our community here, and that’s something you don’t find everywhere. We are very fortunate.”

This year’s campaign received sponsorships from 47 ABC and Shore United Bank, which significantly increased the campaign presence.

In addition to donations, nonprofits could earn incentive grants through contributions made by The Hershey Family Fund and The Perdue Family Fund at The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore.

“Giving Tuesday shows us that donations big and small really add up for our local nonprofits,” Joseph said.

“Your gift can truly make a difference in the work these nonprofits do. Being a philanthropist doesn’t require a large checkbook, it only requires a passionate heart.”

To learn more about the Shore Gives More campaign, visit cfes.org or ShoreGivesMore.org to view individual nonprofit totals.

December 6, 2019

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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Berlin Kicks Off Holiday Season With Big Crowd

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

December 6, 2019

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

After the Berlin tree was officially illuminated, snow from a new machine the town purchased fell on attendees.

Photo by Charlene Sharpe

BERLIN – Unprecedented crowds descended on Berlin last week as the town kicked off the holiday season with its annual tree lighting.

On Friday, shops were open late to entertain hordes of people, locals and visitors alike, who came into town for the annual tree lighting ceremony. The following day, merchants welcomed shoppers as the town promoted Small Business Saturday.

“At least one shop is closed today because they’re almost sold out and they’re restocking their shelves,” said Ivy Wells, the town’s economic and community development director, on Monday.

Wells said the town was forced to close the streets to vehicles earlier than intended Friday as crowds became too large for sidewalks to handle. Visitors filled the streets around the Atlantic Hotel, where Mayor Gee Williams officially lit the town’s tree at 6 p.m. As they admired the tree, onlookers were treated to a surprise snowfall.

“That was fun,” said Wells, who orchestrated the surprise.

She did extensive research on snow machines before selecting what she considered the best environmentally friendly option for the town.

“This was months in the making,” Wells said. “We kept it a secret.”

She noted that this year’s event, in addition to experiencing increased attendance, benefited from more business involvement. The Calvin B. Taylor House Museum joined the festivities for the first time, hosting candlelight tours throughout the evening, while Stevenson United Methodist Church provided musical entertainment with a Christmas carol singalong. As it has in the past, Ocean Downs Casino sponsored an ice carving demonstration on Main Street.

“Everyone had a great time,” Wells said. “What makes the event wonderful is it’s a family reunion for everyone who comes home for the holidays.”

Wells reported that shops stayed busy Saturday, as the town promoted the nationwide shop-local initiative that takes place annually the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

As for upcoming holiday activities in Berlin during the month ahead, after the Christmas parade set for Thursday, free carriage rides will be offered each weekend until Christmas. Most shops will feature extended hours, SEE NEXT PAGE

… Annual Tree Lighting A Success

December 6, 2019

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 13

Ice carver Erik Cantine attracted a crowd to watch him create his Frozen movie-themed sculpture.

Photo by Charlene Sharpe

though they vary by store. Wells encourages visitors to check out the gingerbread houses on display by 28 of the town’s businesses and organizations and vote for their favorite.

Another new addition to Berlin’s holiday lineup is Mistletoe on Main Street, a social media contest being held in partnership with the Atlantic Hotel. Between now and Jan. 1, people are encouraged to take a kissing selfie under the mistletoe hung in var-

ious areas throughout town and share the photo on Instagram and Facebook with the label #GetaRoominBerlin to be entered for a chance to win an overnight stay at the Atlantic Hotel.

“Everybody seems to really like the idea,” Wells said.

The town will end the month with its annual New Year’s Eve Ball Drop, which features a children’s event at 6 p.m. followed by an event for adults at 10 p.m.

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December 6, 2019

Food assistance Grants approved

December 6, 2019

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – The Worcester County Commissioners approved plans to divvy up $100,000 in funding among local food assistance organizations next summer.

After opting not to take part in a state program that would have had limited impact in Worcester County, the commissioners on Tuesday agreed to staff recommendations to provide funding for food to Diakonia, Samaritan Shelter, Snow Hill Ecumenical Food Pantry, Worcester County GOLD and the Worcester County Board of Education in the coming year.

After voicing concerns regarding the state’s Summer SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) proposal at their last meeting, the commissioners agreed to give funding directly to local nonprofits rather than potentially match a state grant. Kathy Whited, the county’s budget officer, said staff had reached out to the five agencies listed in the proposal.

“The SNAP grant was to assist families and children in the upcoming summer months,” Whited said. “Our proposal is to work with the same timeframe.”

She said staff proposed giving the board of education $10,000 now, to allow for a hot meal program at Pocomoke Middle School during winter break, and then to distribute the remaining $90,000 to the five agencies in June to assist with summer meals.

Commissioner Chip Bertino questioned whether the money for the school system would benefit children throughout the entire county.

“The need for the food pantries exists in schools across our system,” he said.

Vince Tolbert, chief financial officer for the board of education, said the funding going to the school system would be used throughout the county, particularly to add additional sites for summer food distribution. The hot meal program over winter break, however, is being piloted this year at Pocomoke Middle School to serve students in that part of the county.

Commissioner Diana Purnell pointed out that many area churches provided meals to those in need.

“Everything right now is just going to these organizations and the schools,” she said. “But what about those kids that do not hit these organizations?”

Tolbert said the school system had 17 summer feeding locations in 2019 and with additional funding that number could be increased next year.

The commissioners voted unanimously to approve the funding distribution as proposed by staff. The board of education will receive $10,000 now to provide hot meals over winter break. In June, the board of education will receive an additional $50,000 while the Samaritan Shelter, Diakonia, Snow Hill Ecumenical Food Pantry and Worcester County GOLD will each receive $10,000 to help provide food to children in need.

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City Seeks Better Beach For Best Day Foundation Event

Page 16

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – While certainly not disagreeing with the event itself, resort officials this week sent a beach special event request back to the drawing board over concerns about the proposed location.

During Monday’s meeting, the Mayor and Council had before them in the consent agenda a request from the Best Day Foundation to hold an event on the beach at 94th Street next June 27-28. Typically, items are placed on the consent agenda because they appear headed toward easy approval with little or no discussion.

Few would argue with the good intentions of the event approval re-

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

quest from the Best Day Foundation, which provides children and young adults with special needs with special days at the beach. Participants enjoy a day at the beach including obstacle courses, surfing and boogie-boarding, for example.

However, before the event could be approved as part of the consent agenda, questions were raised about its proposed timing and location. For example, the event is proposed for the beach at 94th Street on a Saturday and Sunday in late June from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The event would utilize a considerable area of the beach at 94th Street with three tents and an obstacle course. In addition, the beach at 94th Street would be closed to the public for swimming because

the event would be utilizing surfboards and possibly stand-up paddle boards.

Special Events Coordinator Lisa Mitchell explained the event has been held in September in the past when the beach closure was less impactful, but it has run into issues with fall storms in recent years. Last year it was cancelled due to the rough surf.

“While this would be the third year for this event in Ocean City, it would be the first time in June,” she said.

“The last two years, it was held in September. Because of the threat of hurricanes, the organizers have requested to move the event to June.”

However, while supportive of the event for the foundation and its participants, Councilman Dennis Dare

December 6, 2019

questioned the timing and location, particularly because it would require cordoning off a vast section of popular beach in late June.

“That’s one of the busiest beaches,” he said. “There’s a large bayside community in that area. It just seems like the Inlet lot would be better suited for this event.”

Council President Lloyd Martin agreed the location should be revisited.

“I kind of agree with Dennis,” he said. “That’s a busy beach at that time of year. Maybe they should consider a different location.”

The council voted to approve the consent agenda except for the Best Day Foundation event and instructed Mitchell to go back to the promoter to work on a new location.

Wicomico Schools Form New Youth Safety Task Force

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

SALISBURY – Wicomico County Public Schools has joined forces with three agencies to create a new Youth Safety Task Force.

Late last month, the leaders of Wicomico County Public Schools, the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Juvenile Services and the Office of the State’s Attorney for Wicomico County formed a task force to identify and address systematic issues involving youth in the community.

The goal of the task force is to quickly and effectively implement solutions to protect the safety and rights of every child, support academic integrity, and build a strong and vital future for all of Wicomico County, according to a press release.

“This purposefully small task force aims to maintain and grow public confidence through the collaboration of top policy and decision makers in agencies that are among those most responsible for our students and youth...,” the statement reads. “Through this forum, members can institute problem-solving solutions quickly, effectively and with the ultimate goal of protecting the safety, rights and academic experience of the entire student body and youth of Wicomico County.”

The newly created task force comes on the heels of several incidents at Wicomico County public schools.

In October, for example, a 13-yearold student was charged with threat of mass violence for her involvement in a bomb threat at James M. Bennett High School. And in November, three teachers at Parkside High School sustained minor injuries following a fight between students.

December 6, 2019

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Sheriff Launches Educational Videos On Opioid Addiction

Page 18

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

BERLIN – The Worcester County Sheriff’s Department is ramping up the battle against opioid addiction with a promised series of videos aimed at ending the scourge and getting help to those who need it the most.

The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office this week released the first of a promised series of videos aimed at eliminating, or at least reducing, the opioid addiction crisis in the local area and throughout the state. In the first video of the series released this week entitled “The Dangers of Addiction,” Sheriff Matt Crisafulli raises awareness of the growing crisis and vows to direct the resources of his department and its allied agencies to end the scourge. In the video, Crisafulli points out more people now die nationwide from opioid-related addiction than in motor vehicle crashes. In 2018, 40,100 people died in vehicle crashes, while 47,600 died from opioid-related causes.

“For the first time on record, the odds of dying from an accidental opioid overdose are greater than those of dying in an automobile accident,” he said. “It’s not just affecting the bad kids. It’s affecting our brothers, our daughters, our leaders and our friends. It’s affecting those from all walks of life.”

A still image from a video, “The Dangers of Addiction,” by Worcester County Sheriff Matt Crisafulli is shown.

File Photo

Crisafulli said the opioid crisis, including heroin and fentanyl, has hit almost every area of Worcester across a broad spectrum of socio-economic groups.

“So many of us know someone who is facing addiction or who has overdosed, but we still think ‘not my kid,’ or ‘my kid would never do that,’” he said.

“The numbers don’t lie. In 2018, over 200 youth under 25 died from heroin or fentanyl-related overdoses in Maryland. That’s 200 of our children, our friend’s children or our future teachers or future nurses and future leaders.

That’s 200 lives lost that could have

been prevented.”

Crisafulli vowed his department would continue to work with allied agencies such as the Worcester County Health Department, social services and allied law enforcement agencies to provide resources to those facing addiction and their loved ones. He said it is a battle that will require all of the county’s resources.

“Parents often think they can handle it on their own, but youth facing opioid addiction critically need professional help,” he said. “Get in touch with your local resources, including the health department and the sheriff’s

December 6, 2019

office to get help. The battle against opioid addiction is a crisis and we are here to help, but we want your help too.”

Crisafulli said in the video there is a stigma attached to addiction that must be overcome if the battle against the opioid crisis is to be won. He urged those facing addiction or loved ones of those facing addiction to reach out to his department and its allied agencies for help.

“Please do not hesitate to contact us in case of an emergency,” he said.

“There is no shame in this battle and there is no shame in seeking help.”

To that end, Crisafulli said the sheriff’s department would be releasing a series of videos in the coming weeks to cast light on the crisis and urge those affected by it to find the resources they need. For example, the second video in the series entitled Hidden in Plain Sight takes viewers into a typical teenager’s bedroom and shows some of the warning signs parents should look for. Future videos will explore every aspect of the ongoing opioid crisis.

“Over the next few weeks, the forces of Worcester County, Md. will be coming together to show you what to watch out for in your homes and in your kids’ lives,” he said. “We are going to provide you with the tools you need to help us fight the opioid epidemic.”

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Worcester’s Concerns Over PMT Implementation Headed To State

December 6, 2019

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – The Worcester County Commissioners agreed to send the state a letter outlining their continued concerns with phosphorous regulations.

As Maryland prepares to move into the next phase of Phosphorous Management Tool (PMT) regulations, the commissioners agreed to send Gov. Larry Hogan a letter of opposition.

“This has true fiscal implications for our farmers and our businesses,” said Bob Mitchell, the county’s director of environmental programs. “It may be best to let the governor know we’re concerned about this and hopefully the executive branch can take notice.”

The PMT was implemented in Maryland in 2015 as a way to identify the risk of phosphorous loss and prevent additional buildup of phosphorous in soils already saturated. The PMT regulations were to be phased in gradually from 2015 to 2022. Mitchell told the commissioners he’d attended a meeting of the state’s PMT Transition Advisory Committee last month. During that meeting, a report from Salisbury’s Business Economic and Community Outreach Net-

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

work (BEACON) was presented that said the industry would need 12-24 months to enter the next phase of PMT regulations, which is scheduled to be implemented in the next growing season.

“I’m not going to throw science in here even though we’ve got a lot of scientific reasons why this tool is not being implemented correctly,” Mitchell said.

“This is about our farmers and our businesses here. We don’t have the fields to relocate the manure. They’re competing with sludge from Baltimore ….”

He added that solar arrays were also taking up field space and that the state didn’t have the funding, trucks or drivers to relocate the expected amount of excess manure to fields with lower nutrient levels.

“We all collectively told the state this five years ago,” Mitchell said.

He said the committee failed to agree on a motion to delay implementation of the regulations but was scheduled to meet again Dec. 13. Mitchell said he recommended sending the governor and the Maryland Department of Agriculture a letter outlining the county’s PMT concerns in the meantime. The commissioners voted unanimously to do so.

Page 19

Steel Sculpture Installation Planned For Salisbury

Page 20

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

SALISBURY – A new public art installation will be unveiled in downtown Salisbury next week.

This week, officials with the Salisbury Arts & Entertainment District announced the installation of a new piece of public art in downtown Salisbury.

The three-piece steel sculpture – created by Salisbury University student Blaine Steiner – will be located along the banks of the Wicomico River, near the intersection of Circle Avenue and West Market Street across from Market Street Restaurant and Pub. Entitled Bloom, the sculpture consists of multiple lighted cast glass elements designed to reference the growth of Downtown Salisbury in recent years.

Steiner, a senior at Salisbury University,

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in fine arts and works as a studio assistant in both the glass blowing and sculpting departments.

“The three elements of the sculpture tie together the present, past and future and speaks to the vitality of our city,” Steiner said. “As the sun moves across the sky, light will shine through the work and create dynamic shadows and the nature of the cast glass elements are such that the work will have a totally different feel depending on if it’s interacting with reflected or transmitted light, creating a dynamic, everchanging work of art depending on time of day and season.”

An unveiling and ribbon cutting ceremony in conjunction with the City of Salisbury Mayor’s Office is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 11, at 4 p.m. Officials said all are welcome to attend.

“We are so thrilled to have Bloom nearing completion,” Salisbury Arts & Entertainment District Executive Director Jamie Heater said. The project was funded in part by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council’s Public Art Program, and matched by the Salisbury Arts & Entertainment District, with in-kind support from Salisbury University.

A call for proposals was publicly advertised last winter. And while multiple proposals were submitted, Salisbury Arts & Entertainment District’s Public Art Committee selected Bloom based on multiple criteria, including creativity, technical viability, and connection to the community.

Bloom is the first project that Salisbury has submitted for the Maryland State Arts Council’s Public Art Grant, but officials say they hope to continue

December 6, 2019

to submit concepts annually.

The newest art installation is just one of several public art pieces on display in downtown Salisbury.

Salisbury Arts & Entertainment District is a nonprofit organization that works in partnership with the City of Salisbury to produce events, public art, and to market arts & entertainment related activities in Downtown Salisbury.

Dodd Ascends To Council President

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

SALISBURY – Councilmen Larry Dodd and John Cannon were appointed to new leadership positions on the Wicomico County Council this week.

On Tuesday, members of the Wicomico County Council elected Dodd to serve as their new president. With no other nominations, he was chosen by acclamation.

“I do want to thank everybody that supported me,” he said. “I plan to work closely with each of you. Anything you want or need, I’ll be glad to work with you.”

Dodd – a former captain with the City of Salisbury Fire Department – first served on the county council from 2002 to 2006. And in November of 2014, he was elected to his first term in office representing District 3.

For the past three years, Dodd has served as the legislative body’s vice president. He will replace Cannon as president.

“I would like to thank Mr. Cannon for his five years of leadership on the county council,” Dodd said. “He’s done a good job and a lot of work. People don’t realize what the council members do and what the president and vice president do. It’s a lot of work and a lot of meetings, and I think he should be applauded for his five years of service.”

Reversing roles this week, Cannon, an at-large member, was elected vice president in a 4-3 vote.

Councilman Joe Holloway nominated Cannon for vice president, while Councilman Josh Hastings nominated Councilman Bill McCain.

The council voted 4-3, with Hastings, McCain and Councilman Ernie Davis opposed, to elect Cannon vice president.

Cannon – the owner of a property management company – was first elected to the county council in 2006 and served as council president for four years. Upon his return to the legislative body in 2014, he was reelected president and maintained that position for the last five years.

“I would like to congratulate President Dodd on his new leadership role with the council …,” Cannon said. “I’d also like to thank the council for their support for the last five years. We’ve done a lot of great work the last five years, and I’m confident we will do more.”

Mitrecic To Serve As President

December 6, 2019

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – The Worcester County Commissioners selected Joe Mitrecic to serve as their president this week.

On Tuesday, during the commissioners’ annual election of officers, Commissioner Bud Church nominated Mitrecic for president. The commissioners voted unanimously in support of the nomination.

“I’d like to thank all the commissioners for their support,” Mitrecic said.

“Sometimes these can be contentious times, I’m glad it went smoothly. My phone is always open to each and every one of you. Anytime you have an issue please feel free to call me.

Anything you want on the agenda, I promise I will get it on there in a timely manner.”

Mitrecic, who spent the past year as vice president of the board, will replace Commissioner Diana Purnell as president. Purnell held the position for the past two years.

“It’s my pleasure to pass the gavel to Joe,” she said.

She thanked the commissioners for allowing her to spend two years as president.

“Thank you for working with me,” she said.

Mitrecic, who was elected in 2014

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County Commissioners Joe Mitrecic and Ted Elder are pictured this week.

Photo by Charlene Sharpe

to represent District 7, owns Mitrecic Builders, a local construction company. Prior to becoming a commissioner he served two and a half terms on the Ocean City Council including a long stint as president.

The commissioners voted unanimously in support of a nomination for Commissioner Ted Elder as vice president. Elder, a longtime school bus contractor, was elected to represent District 4 as a commissioner in 2014.

“I just want to thank the other commissioners for showing their regards to my ability to hold this position,” he said.

Commissioner Josh Nordstrom thanked Purnell for her service as president.

“It’s not an easy place to be,” he said. “I’m sure Commissioner Mitrecic will find that out. Thank you Diana for all your service.”

Page 21

County Approves EDU Policy With One-Year Review

Page 22

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – After months of discussion, the Worcester County Commissioners approved a resolution establishing standard sewer flow calculations.

The commissioners voted 6-1, with Commissioner Jim Bunting opposed, to approve the resolution but to revisit it in a year to see how it’s working out.

“This is not something that’s exactly perfect,” Commissioner Joe Mitrecic said.

The commissioners have spent months discussing the proposed policy, which was drafted by staff as a way to streamline the EDU (equivalent dwelling unit) allocation process. At

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Commissioners Worry Over Staff Deciding Reconsideration

their last meeting, the commissioners advised staff to work an appeal process into the policy, to allow for reconsideration of an initial allocation if a developer could prove they needed fewer EDUs than the county required. Kelly Shannahan, the county’s assistant chief administrative officer, told the commissioners Tuesday that staff had now done so.

“We’ve revised the draft resolution to include provisions which would allow any applicant to dispute the pro-

jected sewer flow and enter into an allocation agreement to monitor the flow for 24 months to determine the actual flow,” he said.

If the applicant presents data that staff agrees supports a lower flow, the initial EDU purchase will be based on the lower flow but may be adjusted at the end of the 24-month monitoring period.

“However, if the applicant presents data which staff does not agree sup-

December 6, 2019

ports a lower flow, the initial purchase of EDUs will be based on the standard sewer flow calculations and may be adjusted at the completion of the 24month monitoring period,” Shannahan said.

Bunting said he didn’t like the process in the policy because all reviews would be done by staff.

“The staff has already said from the beginning they didn’t want any relief in here,” he said, adding that he thought the county should set up a review board.

Commissioner Chip Bertino expressed similar concern.

“It just bothers me that this reconsideration is going back to the same group of people who ultimately said no to begin with,” he said.

Maureen Howarth, the county’s attorney, said she’d drafted the latest version of the policy based on the commissioners’ comments at the last meeting. She said the monitoring period would show what a development’s true water and sewer usage was.

Bunting asked whether a portion of the initial EDU purchase money would be set aside, in case the county had to pay back a developer who’d been required to purchase more sewer capacity than they needed.

“That’s something we’re going to have to start addressing,” Howarth said. “As you all know, there is nothing set aside for this because this would be completely new ... You guys have seen in every single memo it’s a big concern about how to handle those reimbursements but if you guys make the decision we’ve got to figure out how to do it.”

Bertino asked what sort of documentation would be required for developers to show their EDU usage was lower than what the county required.

“How do you define legitimate documentation?” he said.

Shannahan said that would be up to staff. He stressed that any developer could enter into an allocation agreement to have their usage monitored.

“If they don’t think the (allocation) table’s right, they can enter into an allocation agreement and in 24 months we’ll know what the flow is,” he said.

“It trues it up. Every applicant has the right to go the allocation agreement route if they don’t agree with what it was in the table.”

Commissioner Diana Purnell made a motion to approve the resolution.

She said staff had addressed everything the commissioners had asked them to address. Mitrecic, however, asked her to amend the motion to have the commissioners revisit the policy in a year.

“So we can see how it worked and get input from the community on how it’s working out,” he said.

The commissioners voted 6-1, with Bunting opposed, to approve the resolution.

December 6, 2019

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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Page 24

1st Degree Assault Charge For Gun Threat

OCEAN CITY – A Bridgeville, Del. man was arrested on first-degree assault and other charges last week after allegedly pulling a gun on his girlfriend during an argument in a vehicle with her young children inside.

Around 9 p.m. last Friday, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers were dispatched to the area of a hotel at 66th Street for a reported woman attempting to walk across the street with her children, who were crying, according to police reports. OCPD officers met with the visibly upset female victim, who told police she had been in an argument SAWNDALE with her boyfriend, later AUGUSTE identified as Sawndale Auguste, 25, of Bridgeville, while they were returning from a family outing for pizza along with her two children, ages four and eight.

The victim reportedly told police the argument with Auguste turned physical when he grabbed her by the throat in a choke-hold while she was driving.

When the vehicle came to a stop, the victim’s two children were able to get out and run away. However, the victim was able to eventually get out of the vehicle and run after her children.

According to police reports, Auguste then slid over to the driver’s seat and attempted to drive away, but the victim stood in front of the vehicle because she did not want Auguste to drive because he had been drinking, according to police reports. A witness nearby later told police Auguste screamed “get the [expletive deleted] out of the way or I’ll run you over,” according to police reports.

OCPD officers interviewed the eightyear-old child, who reportedly told police Auguste had put the victim in a headlock while she was driving. The young witness told police Auguste then grabbed a pistol and pointed it at the victim’s leg while threatening to kill her, according to police reports. The young witness told police he became scared when Auguste allegedly racked the slide on the handgun, which is when he and his sister ran away from the vehicle.

When interviewed again, the victim reportedly told police Auguste had produced a silver and black handgun and racked the slide, which is when her chil-

Cops & Courts The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

dren ran away from the vehicle. After gaining a consent to search the victim’s vehicle, OCPD officers located a 9milimeter handgun in the center console matching the description provided by the victim and her eight-year-old child.

A search of Auguste’s person revealed a 9mm caliber bullet in his pants pocket matching the type of ammunition found in the handgun. The pistol was loaded with four rounds in the chamber, according to police reports. A background check revealed the weapon had been reported stolen in Delaware.

Witnesses at the hotel corroborated the victim’s story about her children running from the vehicle and the victim standing in front of it to prevent Auguste from running away. During the interview with the victim, OCPD officers learned the argument began because Auguste had named an ex-girlfriend the beneficiary of his benefits.

Based on all of the evidence and the victim and witness testimony, Auguste was arrested and charged with firstand second-degree assault, possession of a handgun in the commission of a felony, reckless endangerment and multiple other counts related to the stolen handgun.

Mouse Trap Ruckus

OCEAN CITY – A Willards man was arrested on multiple charges last week after allegedly causing a scene at a downtown hotel where he worked.

Around 8:30 a.m. last Thursday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer was dispatched to a hotel at 16th Street for a reported employee who was irate and yelling. As the officer arrived, shouting could be heard coming from a 5th-floor balcony and a hotel employee, later identified as Maurice Hodo, 28, of Willards, yelled down, “Oh

“Your Friends At The Beach”

good, I need to talk to you,” before running away, according to police reports.

The OCPD officer entered the hotel lobby and again encountered Hodo, who identified himself as a maintenance worker and was adamant he needed to speak with the officer in the parking lot. According to police reports, Hodo said to the officer, “I can tell by your posture and aura that you’re an intelligent man,” before telling the officer a guest on the fifth floor had observed a mouse trap with a mouse in it and no longer wanted to stay in the hotel.

Hodo reportedly told the officer he got into a verbal argument with the hotel guest to the point he became so mad he punched a cinder block wall out of anger. Hodo showed the officer his hands which were bloodied with the skin torn open from punching the wall, according to police reports.

OCPD officers spoke with the hotel manager, who told police because of Hodo’s agitated state, she wanted him to leave the property for the evening.

When advised of the situation, Hodo reportedly became angrier, shouting at police “I am not leaving,” and “Are you going to drive me to Willards?” and “Are you going to pay my [expletive deleted] bills?”

According to police reports, there was family of four including two young girls in a vehicle parked nearby who were reluctant to leave their vehicle because of Hodo’s tirade, according to police reports.

OCPD officers asked Hodo to calm down and stop yelling because there were families and young children around, but he refused to lower his voice and continued his expletive-laced tirade. By now, Hodo was off hotel property and was now on the ocean block of

December 6, 2019 16th Street, so OCPD officers returned to the lobby to interview the manager.

In the meantime, numerous hotel guests came out on their balconies to observe the ruckus. By now, OCPD officers had been in contact off and on with Hodo for over an hour and his anger had not subsided. As a result, he was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, failure to obey a lawful order and noise violations.

Passed Out In Wrong Unit

OCEAN CITY – A Delaware man was arrested on burglary and other charges last week after allegedly breaking into and sleeping in the wrong midtown condo.

Around 2:45 a.m. last Thursday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer was dispatched to a condo building on 70th Street for a reported breaking and entering in progress. The officer met with a male complainant who told police he was supposed to stay in the condo. The victim told police the unit’s owner had left around 11 p.m., and he had arrived at around 2:45 a.m. after driving from New Hampshire.

The victim told police the unit’s owner had left it unlocked for him and had gone for the night because the victim was scheduled to arrive later.

When the victim entered the unit, he found a suspect later identified as Patrick Feeley, 25, of Wilmington, Del., sleeping on a couch in the living room.

Other OCPD officers arrived and attempted to wake Feeley, according to police reports. When Feeley was awakened, he allegedly tensed up and resisted arrest before complying. According to police reports, Feeley, who was reportedly intoxicated, told the officers he was supposed to be in the unit because he believed it was unit 9, but was actually in unit 8. Feeley was ultimately arrested and charged with burglary and trespassing among other charges.

45 Days For Disorderly Conduct

OCEAN CITY – An Ocean City man, arrested last month on multiple charges after assaulting his girlfriend, swiping a bicycle and scrapping with police officers, pleaded guilty this week to disorderly conduct and was sentenced to 45 days in jail.

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Around 7:25 p.m. on Nov. 2, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers responded to a residence at 14th Street after receiving a call from a man requesting a check on the welfare of his daughter and grandchildren because he had been receiving concerning text messages that the daughter’s boyfriend, later identified as Burt Foskey, 40, of Ocean City was starting to “act up.”

As officers approached the residence, they reportedly heard a woman scream “stop.” When the female victim opened the door, she reportedly yelled to the officers “get him,” and the officers detained Foskey in handcuffs and removed him from the residence. According to police reports, Foskey was combative while officers attempted to detain and question him and launched into an expletive-laced and racial slurlaced tirade at them, informing them he was going to “[expletive deleted] them up,” according to police reports.

The tirades reportedly went on for several minutes as neighbors started coming out of their homes to observe.

At one point, a group of three men walking by told Foskey they were going to intervene if he did not sit down and continued screaming and resisting arrest.

Foskey was ultimately subdued and taken to the Public Safety Building for processing. OCPD officers interviewed the female victim who told police he had been in an argument

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch and that Foskey had yanked her head back by her hair just before police arrived.

OCPD officers also interviewed the victim’s two juvenile daughters who reportedly told police there was bicycle in the kitchen that was stolen. The female victim told police within the last couple of days, Foskey had walked to a liquor store a few blocks away and had returned on a bicycle. The victim told police Foskey bragged about how he had avoided surveillance cameras when he took the bike. Based on the evidence, theft charges were tacked on.

Holiday DUI Initiative Results BERLIN – Allied law enforcement agencies last weekend conducted a DUI enforcement initiative in relation to the Thanksgiving holiday resulting in numerous stops and a handful of arrests.

The Maryland State Police Berlin barrack in partnership with the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, the Berlin Police Department and the Ocean City Police Department conducted the initiative last Friday, November 30, throughout much of northern Worcester County. The initiative targeted Route 50, Route 113, Route 90 and Coastal Highway.

The routes were selected based on historic trends of having a high volume of impaired driving incidents. During the initiative, which ran from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m., a total of 92 traffic stops were conducted, resulting in 71 citations, 62 warnings, nine DUI arrests and one criminal arrest.

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Salisbury Realizes Significant Fiscal Gain

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SALISBURY – Salisbury officials this week announced that the city’s Finance Department has completed financial statements for fiscal year ended 2019 and a significant increase in surplus funds has been realized.

A key barometer of the financial health of the city is the unassigned fund balance, which is the net amount of general fund assets other than non-spendable, assigned, committed or restricted funds. The unassigned fund balance increased from $7.4 million as of June 20, 2018 to $9.8 million as June 30, 2019 for an increase of over $2.4 million.

The city was able to achieve the increase while making significant investments in capital improvements, and without imposing a tax rate increase in fiscal year 2019.

“Careful budgeting has resulted in surplus levels that meet best practices established for local governments,” said Mayor Jake Day. “We continue to seek ways to improve and refine our financial planning, but this increase in our unassigned fund balance shows us that we’re moving in the right direction.”

ANNAPOLIS – The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) this week announced the creation of the Maryland Sport Fisheries Achievement Award, a celebration of conservation, education and sportsmanship.

This prestigious honor will recognize an individual who has provided sustained efforts in habitat management, conservation, education, research, or other meaningful contributions that benefit fish and recreational fishing in Maryland.

Nominations for the annual Maryland Sport Fisheries Achievement Award are being accepted now through Jan. 31, 2020.

Recipients will receive a proclamation signed by Governor Larry Hogan, the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio, and the chair of the Sport Fisheries Advisory Commission. A donation will also be made to a fisheries-related organization, designated by the recipient.

Nominations can be made by submitting a detailed essay describing the nominee’s contributions to the state’s recreational fisheries. For more inforSEE NEXT PAGE

... Regional Digest

December 6, 2019

mation, contact Paul Genovese at 410260-8328 or by email to paul.genovese@maryland.gov.

Street Overhaul On Tap In Salisbury SALISBURY – Salisbury officials this week announced work has begun on the $5.5 million overhaul of Fitzwater Street known as one of the city’s most notoriously bumpy and waterlogged thoroughfares.

Beneath the surface, crews will replace sewer lines. At the street level, road grade angle alterations will be implemented to ease ponding issues, and a wastewater pump station will be rebuilt. New streetscaping will follow, bringing curbing, sidewalks, and lighting which will match the look of improvements already happening on Main Street.

As work progresses, drivers can expect to encounter periodic inconveniences which may be caused by the temporary closure of a lane in one direction or the other. However, the contractor does not anticipate any closure which will affect the flow of traffic in both directions simultaneously. As work is getting underway, the westbound lane of Fitzwater, from W. Main to Hill streets, will be impassable to facilitate the emergency replacement of a sewer main which was slated to be replaced later in the project, but failed last week.

This work is expected to be complete by the end of December.

Holiday Blood Drive Now Underway SALISBURY – The Blood Bank of Delmarva (BBD) this week kicked off its annual Holiday Hope campaign to encourage the community to give blood and platelets during the holidays to help ensure individuals can receive the blood and blood products they need throughout the holidays.

The theme for this year’s campaign is “Give the Gift of Hope. Be a Hero to Patients in Need.” The campaign began this week and runs through January. During the holiday season, blood shortages become a serious challenge. Historically, donations decline from Thanksgiving through the New Year as donors become busy with holiday festivities and travel. However, medical treatments and emergencies that require blood don’t stop for the holidays.

“We are in the season of giving,” said BBD Director of Marketing Karesa Fleary. “The best gift ever is the one that doesn’t cost anything but can save up to three lives. As we all get ready to spend time with our family and friends, we ask individuals to keep families and friends in mind who rely on blood and platelet transfusions to live.”

Holiday Hope also shows appreciation for donors that continuously support the BBD’s mission all year round.

Several activities and events are planned in December and January to thank donors. Visit delmarvablood.org/hope to see all planned events for Holiday Hope.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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New Public Works South Operation Will Open Next Week

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

A portion of the new public facility on St. Louis Avenue at 2nd Street is pictured.

Photo by Shawn Soper

OCEAN CITY – Ocean City will cut the ribbon on its sparkling new public works facility along St. Louis Avenue at 2nd Street next week, but a tour this week provided a glimpse of its capabilities before that official ceremony.

Throughout the summer, the vast facility, called for now Public Works South, steadily grew from an old vacant lot to a modern facility. A ribboncutting ceremony will officially open the building next week, but a tour this week revealed its vast capabilities.

Ocean City acquired the property in 2017 for around $2 million for the pur-

December 6, 2019

pose of developing a public works complex in the downtown area. The resort’s existing downtown public works yard known as Whiteside had outlived its usefulness and practicality, necessitating the development of the new facility, which comes in at just over 19,000 square feet with a price tag of about $3.8 million.

The new facility will house the Boardwalk tram operation and each of the town’s eight trams will exit the building every morning during the season and return at night. In addition, the facility will also house the public works department’s beach cleaning operation and everything that entails. Public Works Director Hal Adkins this week provided a tour of the new facility in advance of next week’s ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“It’s a multi-use building with different sections for the different functions we need from it,” he said. “Everything about it is designed and built with the greatest efficiency for all of our operations in the downtown area.”

The aesthetically pleasing facility blends right into the downtown landscape, but inside is a complex maze of huge equipment bays, workshops, storage areas and offices. One of the primary uses of the new facility is housing the Boardwalk tram operation and the huge bay doors on either side of the structure will allow the trams to quickly and efficiently get out on the Boardwalk each day during the summer.

“This facility will house all eight trams and possibly a ninth if it is added,” said Adkins. “In the past, we would have to disconnect the passenger cars from the jeeps at the end of the day and reconnect them at the start of the next day. In this facility, all of them will be stored intact and ready to roll out for the next shift.”

Adkins said the trams will enter the facility through the large bay doors that face 2nd Street at the end of their shifts. They will then exit the large bay doors facing 3rd Street and travel east on 3rd Street, crossing Philadelphia Avenue first and then Baltimore Avenue at the signalized intersection before moving onto the Boardwalk at the ramp on 3rd Street.

In recent years, resort officials have pressed the State Highway Administration (SHA) to add a traffic signal at 3rd Street and Philadelphia Avenue, but SHA’s traffic studies have found a signal at the intersection is not warranted. However, with the trams soon to be housed and operated out of the new facility at 2nd Street, Adkins said he hoped SHA would reconsider.

“I had to figure out how to safely get the trams across Philadelphia Avenue at 3rd Street to get up to the Boardwalk,” he said. “In the short term, we could manually stop traffic in the morning to let the trams cross Philadelphia Avenue, but we really feel this facility is going to drive the need for a signal SEE NEXT PAGE

… Facility Will Boost OC Efficiency

December 6, 2019

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

at 3rd Street.”

In a perfect world, the trams would enter the Boardwalk at the ramp at 3rd Street to start the shifts and leave the Boardwalk at 2nd Street at the end of the day to return to the public works facility along St. Louis Avenue. Currently, the Boardwalk is elevated at 2nd Street, but there have been cursory discussions about adding a ramp there to facilitate the tram operation.

Otherwise, the trams would have to take a roundabout route to get back to the St. Louis Avenue facility.

Not all of the eight trams start the day and end the day at the same times. Instead, they are deployed throughout the day as dictated by demand. Of course, on a Saturday night in the peak of summer, for example, all eight trams are operating on the Boardwalk at the same time, but they are pulled back during the course of the night as demand wanes. In other words, there would not be a parade of trams leaving the 2nd Street facility in the morning, followed by a parade of trams returning at the end of the day.

The Boardwalk tram operation is only one element of the new multi-use facility at 2nd Street. The facility will also house the public works department’s beach and Boardwalk cleaning operations. Large bay doors facing north will allow the massive beach cleaning equipment to exit and enter each day with ease and be stored in-

side and out of the elements.

“This large area will house all of our beach tractors, the sand sanitizers and all of the heavy equipment we use to keep the beach clean at night,” he said.

“It will help create an easier operation to keep the beach clean each and every day. Even the mini-pickup that goes around and collects the trash cans on the Boardwalk will be housed here.”

The 2nd Street facility also includes offices for the tram supervisors and beach cleaning supervisors to coordinate the operations. The facility also includes large storage areas for cleaning supplies, toilet paper and paper towels for the Boardwalk comfort stations, trash can liners and everything else needed to keep the beach and Boardwalk squeaky clean.

“Everything we need to keep that beach and Boardwalk clean every day will be housed and stored here,” he said. “It really will be a one-stop operation. As it stands now, a lot of that stuff is stored in different areas around town.”

The 2nd Street facility also includes a vast workshop to keep the trams and the beach cleaning equipment operational.

“We can work on all of that stuff right here where it is housed,” he said.

“If something breaks down or needs maintenance, we’ll be able to fix it right here and get it back out there as quickly as possible. Everything is designed to keep us up and running as efficiently as possible.”

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STAFF WRITER

OCEAN CITY – Two midtown bars will go head to head this week in a competition to raise money for a beach respite housing program.

On Friday, Dec. 6, Believe in Tomorrow Children’s Foundation will host its first annual Believe in Tomorrow Game of the Week fundraiser.

Program Coordinator Wayne Littleton said two 28th Street sports bars, Pit & Pub and Dry Dock 28/Buxy’s Salty Dog Saloon, will compete against each other to see which establishment can raise the most money for the 2020 Believe in Tomorrow Prom Court.

“All the proceeds benefit the prom court members,” he said. “It eventually comes back to the [Believe in Tomorrow] Children’s House by the Sea.” Each year, a prom court – composed of five men and five women – raises money for the foundation’s Prom Night fundraiser. One dollar equals one vote, and the man and woman with the most votes are declared prom kind and queen.

“It’s our biggest event of the year … ,” Littleton said. “Last year we cleared $129,000.”

Leading up to the Prom Night event on Feb. 1, prom court members will be competing against each other, hosting their own fundraisers and events for the most votes. However, Believe in Tomorrow’s Game of the Week will give all participants an opportunity to raise some additional money for the foundation.

“Whatever amount we make from each place they will get an equal split,” he said.

Littleton noted the competition will be a battle between a Steelers sports bar and a Ravens sports bar.

“At the end of the night, we are going to total up what each place took in for us, and one will be the winner of the competition and will get a trophy for the first year,” he said.

Littleton explained each bar will have the same drink specials, raffles, and same number of auction items and mystery boxes, but the establishment that raises the most money wins.

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There will also be competitions for the most festive bar and the bar with the most team spirit. Individuals who visit both bars can enter into a drawing to win a gift card to each establishment.

“There’s no fee to get in, it’s free admission,” Littleton said. “It’s all about people coming out and having a little fun. Wear your football and Christmas attire.”

To add to the festivities, Littleton said patrons can also support and penalize a bar by purchasing wooden coins.

“For a dollar, people can buy a vote and vote for their favorite place,” he said. “To have more fun, we’re also selling special, yellow coins – or penalty chips – and for $20 you can take 20 votes away from either place.”

Doug Buxbaum, owner of Buxy’s Salty Dog Saloon and Dry Dock 28, said he was eager to support Believe in Tomorrow.

“We did hold a few events for Believe in Tomorrow when we first opened Dry Dock,” he said. “So we figured we’d tie in the Salty Dog and Dry Dock to this event as well, to go against Pit & Pub and have a little fun with it. We’re just staging the show. We’re just here to support Believe in Tomorrow.”

Buxbaum said patrons would not only be supporting a good cause, but bragging rights on 28th Street.

“The competition isn’t just for the prom king and queen, but what side of the street raises more money,” he said.

“If the Ravens beat the Steelers, at least I’ll have something to hang my hat on.”

Believe in Tomorrow’s Game of the Week will take place at both 28th Street bars on Dec. 6 from 6:30-10:30 p.m. For more information, call Wayne Littleton at 410-723-2842 or visit BelieveInTomorrow.org.

Believe in Tomorrow provides hospital and respite housing services for children and their families. This year’s Prom Night event, held on Feb. 1, will raise money for the foundation’s new pediatric housing facility, which will be located next to the Believe In Tomorrow Children’s House By The Sea. “Everything we make this year will go to our new facility that we are hopefully going to break ground on in February at 65th Street,” Littleton said.

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Committee Recommends Engineering Firm For Sidewalks

Page 32

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

FENWICK ISLAND – A proposal to hire an engineering firm for the first phase of a sidewalk construction project will be forwarded to the Fenwick Island Town Council with a favorable recommendation.

On Monday, the Fenwick Island Pedestrian Safety Committee voted unanimously to forward a proposal from Century Engineering to the Fenwick Island Town Council with a favorable recommendation.

The firm’s services will allow the town to move forward with the first phase of a sidewalk construction project along Coastal Highway.

“If this doesn’t work out, and we are unhappy, this is only phase one of a bigger project,” Councilwoman Vicki

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Carmean, chair of the committee, said. “I’m hoping they do a good job.

They have a good reputation.”

Earlier this year, Fenwick Island received $250,000 in the state bond bill to begin the first phase of a sidewalk construction project, which is expected to take place in the five bayside blocks south of James Street.

Instead of pursuing a state-led sidewalk project – which had a cost estimate of roughly $10 million – town officials decided to handle the first phase of the project themselves and worked alongside state legislators to secure the bond bill funding.

Carmean told the committee this week that both Kercher Engineering and Century Engineering submitted proposals to the town. She noted that Century’s proposal would require roughly 39% of the $250,000, while Kercher’s proposal

would require 49% of the $250,000.

“They agreed to a fixed rate plus expenses not to exceed the fee of $97,200 …,” she said. “I feel like Century is the one to go with.”

Committee member Nadia Butler agreed.

“It’s a lower price and more services with a cap,” she said.

Town Manager Terry Tieman noted that Century Engineering often works with the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) on projects and just recently completed the feasibility study on the town’s sidewalk project.

After voting to forward the proposal to the town council with a favorable recommendation, Carmean told the committee she wanted the town to inform property owners of plans to proceed with the project.

“I do think we should meet with the

December 6, 2019

property owners and explain what we are doing,” she said. “I’m hoping we don’t receive any opposition.”

While he agreed property owners should be informed of the town’s plans to pursue a contract with Century Engineering, committee member and Councilman Bill Weistling recommended a meeting with the property owners after plans were completed.

The committee this week also discussed DelDOT’s plans to provide pedestrian signage and improve the crosswalks along Coastal Highway.

Lauren Weaver, executive director of the Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce, also shared efforts to launch a pedestrian safety campaign ahead of next summer.

“We want to make sure the message that we land on is uniform,” she said, “for our J-1 students, our visitors and our residents.”

Weaver explained the Delaware Office of Highway Safety already had pedestrian safety campaigns, including its “Walk Smart” initiative, and had gifted its graphics for each of the towns to use. Funding will also be included for printed promotional materials.

Carmean said the campaign will target rental companies, biking groups, international students and drivers. Officials hope to launch the campaign in April.

“It doesn’t cost the towns anything, but it does save lives,” she said.

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Assateague’s Annual Pregnancy Test Results Expected This Month 36 Mares Evaluated In November

December 6, 2019

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

ASSATEAGUE – While it certainly wasn’t the most glamorous aspect of managing the wild horses on Assateague, National Park Service staffers have completed the annual November pregnancy tests on most of the mares on the barrier island.

Each November, Assateague Island National Seashore biologists conduct pregnancy tests on the mares among the population of wild horses in an attempt to predict how many, if any, new foals are expected to join the herd in the coming year. The size of the wild horse population on the Maryland side of Assateague has dipped to 75, or the low side of the ideal range of 80-100, so the pregnancy tests completed this month will be watched perhaps more closely than in other years.

The pregnancy testing targeted 36 mares between the ages of two and 24, according to Assateague Island National Seashore Chief of Interpretation and Education Liz Davis.

“Of the 53 mares in the current herd, 36 were pregnancy tested,” she said.

“We expect the results to come back by mid-December.”

While the annual pregnancy testing each November is an essential component of the management of the wild horse population on the barrier island, it certainly isn’t the most glamorous. Essentially, staffers follow the mares and wait for them to defecate. The pregnancy testing program began 25 years ago in 1994.

Samples are collected, frozen and sent to a lab to be analyzed to determine if any of the mares will be expecting next year. There could one or two new foals next year, or as many as five or six, or possibly even zero.

For over two decades, Assateague staffers have been monitoring the birthing habits of the island’s most famed residents and the information collected this month, or more specifically the fecal matter, will tell the story for the coming year. It’s important to note the horses on Assateague are indeed wild and are free to roam all over the roughly 27 miles of barrier island.

Assateague staffers know each of the mares in the herd by their alpha-numeric name, their markings, the bands they belong to and the areas of the island they tend to frequent. Although it is not entirely scientific, the pregnancy tests generally serve as a good barometer for the expected foals in the next year.

“GHOSTS IN THE SURF”

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

However, tracking the horse’s whereabouts is not always easy. Some bands tend to congregate around the semi-developed areas of the islands, while others roam freely in the back country.

Again, the ideal population range established by the National Park Service (NPS) is 80-100 and the current population has dipped below that range at 75 due to a variety of factors including old age, illness, injury and even some manmade causes such as horses being struck by vehicles.

There have been years when the population soared past the ideal range, pushing 140 as recently as just a few years ago. In the interest of maintaining a healthy population size, the National Park Service in 1994 began a contraceptive program for the mares in the herd. In almost every year since, selected mares have been injected, or darted more appropriately, with a noninvasive contraceptive called PZP in order to curb sudden baby booms and effectively manage the size of the herd.

However, with the population now at 75, including 53 mares and 22 stallions, the NPS has changed its contraception program from a reduction phase to a adaptive management phase, according to Davis.

“The Assateague Island National Seashore wild horse contraceptive program is an adaptive management phase,” she said. “Mares will have the opportunity to foal until the population approaches the upper end of the established range of 80-100 horses. At that time, contraception will resume in order to stabilize the population.”

It remains uncertain just how many mares on the barrier island are expecting and the results of the recently completed pregnancy tests won’t be known until mid-December. With no mares contracepted last year, there could be a foal boom at Assateague next year and the pregnancy tests will help predict that.

In the meantime, National Park Service staffers will continue to monitor the size of the herd with a full census collected six times per year in February, March, May, July, September and November.

“During each census, horses are identified by their distinguishing characteristics, mapped and counted,” said Davis. “Individual horses that are not observed during multiple census periods are presumed dead. The purpose of the census is to monitor the overall population dynamics of the horse herd in support of the long-term fertility control program that was initiated in 1994.”

Page 33

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BERLIN – Nearly a dozen local children will be the stars in the Ocean Pines Players’ production of Ken Ludwig’s children’s play ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas,” based on the original classic poem.

The play will be performed on Friday, Dec. 13 at St. Peter's Lutheran Church at 10301 Coastal Hwy. in Ocean City, at 7 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 14 and 15, at 2:30 p.m. at the Red Doors Community Center located at 10959 Worcester Highway in Berlin.

The cast of young performers come from Ocean Pines, Ocean City, Selbyville, Berlin and Bishopville.

They were chosen in November after an audition call by the Ocean Pines Players.

This delightful children’s story follows the quest by a spunky little girl named Emily, her friend Amos, a mouse and Calliope, an elf, who want to find out why Santa missed her house the previous year.

The children, ages 9 to 14, who have been cast in the show are Alyssa Clymire of Ocean Pines, who will play Emily; Emma Feagans of Selbyville as Amos the mouse; Emily Backof of Ocean City, playing Calliope the good elf; Kenady Scott of Ocean Pines as Amos of Kansas, a

December 6, 2019

cousin to Amos; Marlie Scott of Ocean Pines as Sir Guy, an evil elf; and Elise Baycura of Bishopville as Mulch, sidekick to Sir Guy. Rounding out the childrens’ cast as elves and reindeer are Amori Purnell, Maheila and Makaiya Robinette and Seamus and Ewan Betz, all from Berlin.

Adult roles in the play will be performed by members of the Ocean Pines Players including Jerry Gietka, who also directs the show, Lee Olsen, and Kathy Wiley. Ocean Pines Players President Karen McClure is the show’s musical director. Andrea Clymire is the assistant director.

Tickets for the play are $15 for adults and $10 for children 3 to 16, payable at the door, although seats can be reserved in advance on the Ocean Pines Players website at www.oceanpinesplayers.com.

The Ocean Pines Players group is also hoping to feature a special presentation by some of the students from the dance classes at the Red Door Community Center at St. Paul's by the Sea. The Ocean Pines Players is a local, all-volunteer, 501 (c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization. For more information, follow the Ocean Pines Players on Facebook and visit www.oceanpinesplayers.org

16 Graduate From Ocean City University

December 6, 2019

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 35

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – A total of 16 new Ocean City University graduates symbolically crossed the stage and collected their diplomas this week after earning degrees through the public education program.

The Ocean City University (OCU) program was created 15 years ago by long-time public servant and former City Clerk Kathy Mathias as a means to educate resort citizens on the workings of their municipal government and help them become more engaged in their community. Throughout the last 10 weeks or so, the 16 “students” learned about all aspects of the city’s government before earning their symbolic diplomas during Monday’s Mayor and Council meeting.

There were no caps and gowns, nor any stage or dean administering diplomas. Instead, City Clerk Diana Chavis announced the graduates’ names and Mayor Rick Meehan presented them with certificates. Nonetheless, the completion of the program was met with same reverence as a typical college graduation.

Chavis explained Mathias started the Ocean City University program in 2004 with an initial class of 17 students. In the 15 years since, hundreds have completed the program and earned their symbolic civic diplomas.

“Including this evening’s 16 students, a total of 275 degrees have been awarded through this brilliant public education program developed

by Kathy Mathias,” she said. “Her love of education and dedication to public service continues to enrich individual and community life in Ocean City.”

All 16 students earned their bachelor’s degree in municipal citizenship, while two also earned a master’s degree for completing the OCU program along with the Citizen’s Police Academy. Those same two- Alicia Gibson and Harriet Pilert- also earned doctorate degrees for completing the OCU program, the Citizen’s Police Academy and the Community Emergency Response Team program.

In addition to Gibson and Pilert, other students earning OCU diplomas this week included Mary Jo Breslin, Ted Brown, Al Cardany, Andrea Creswell, Jacqueline Friedman, Susan Fuson, Barb Hanson, Valerie Herwig, Kathleen Nicholl, Pamela Panizari, Richard Panizari, Connie Podowski, Eric Waterman and Michael Winaker.

Meehan praised the graduates and thanked them for becoming engaged citizens.

“I hope you found the program worth the time and that you really learned about our municipal government,” he said. “It’s nice to see so many participate in this and get involved in the government of their community.”

Members of the Ocean City Mayor and Council are pictured with the most recent graduates of Ocean City University at City Hall.

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Officials Debate County, Utility Easement Agreement

Page 36

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

SALISBURY – Questions surrounding a proposed deed of easement between Wicomico County and Delmarva Power highlighted an open work session this week.

On Tuesday, Assistant Director of Administration Weston Young and Public Works Director Dallas Baker presented the Wicomico County Council with a request to review and accept a deed of easement between the county and Delmarva Power & Light Company

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

for property located on the east side of Walston Switch Road for use as a public utility easement.

Baker said the deed will allow Delmarva Power to construct a U-shaped stone driveway and improve drainage conditions on portions of the county’s property. He said the idea is to improve access to the company’s transmission structures located near the property.

“They have existing equipment out there on Walston Switch Road between Route 50 and Old Ocean City Road,” Baker said. “What they are looking to do is expand that a little bit, so they can

get their equipment in and out easier.”

Councilman Joe Holloway said the parcel referred to in the deed is located in his district. While he agreed improvements should be made for Delmarva Power to access its equipment, he questioned how the company would address the drainage issues.

“It needs to be done because that’s a heavily traveled road …,” he said.

“I’m not sure exactly what they are going to do as far as drainage.”

Baker explained new drainage pipes would be installed with the new driveway.

Council Attorney Bob Taylor said he suggested the deed of easement describe the drainage improvements.

“I think that ought to be particularized in this document, as to exactly what those drainage improvements are going to be …,” he said.

Baker, however, said plans for drainage improvements would be included elsewhere.

“Just to clarify, we do have a full set of site plans, grading plans, erosion and sediment control plans,” he said.

“We just don’t typically show that level of detail on an easement document.”

Holloway highlighted drainage issues near the property. He questioned if the improvements would compound those problems.

“That’s very close to the area of Beaver Run tax ditch where we had all

December 6, 2019

the problems,” he said. “Does the water drain that way, or does it drain to the other branch?”

Baker explained the improvements would not alter the drainage path, but would include a stormwater pond.

“Because they are adding what the state considers impervious area with the gravel driveway, there has to be a small stormwater pond associated with this as well,” he said.

Taylor reiterated that he would like to see drainage improvements referred to in the deed of easement.

“I think the document should limit it to that, so it’s not open-ended,” he said.

Young disagreed. He said Taylor’s proposed changes to the document would deviate from existing deeds of easement between Delmarva Power and the county.

“In a situation where they may want to add a pipe or increase the size of a pipe, that’s going to deviate from the plan,” he said. “So if you get specific – which we are not usually specific in these documents – we are going to have to come back before you so that they can improve the drainage out there.”

After further discussion, the council suggested the proposed changes to the deed be discussed with Delmarva Power.

“I would be very surprised if they had an upset stomach about this,” Taylor said.

Intentional Balloon Releases Banned In Wicomico County

December 6, 2019

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

SALISBURY – Officials in Wicomico voted unanimously this week to pass legislation banning the intentional release of helium balloons.

On Tuesday, the Wicomico County Council voted 7-0 to pass legislation prohibiting the intentional release of non-biodegradable or non-photodegradable balloons into the atmosphere and making any intentional release subject to a civil infraction.

Since County Executive Bob Culver submitted the proposed legislation in September, the council has met with representatives spearheading efforts to implement balloon release bans in counties across the state. And in November, the county council introduced a bill amending the county code to include its own ban.

In a public hearing this week, Kerrie Bunting, a concerned citizen and executive director of the Ocean Pines Chamber of Commerce, thanked the county executive and the county council for considering local legislation.

She noted the bill complements efforts to introduce similar legislation in the upcoming General Assembly session in Annapolis.

“The question was asked last time, ‘Why should individual counties be concerned if it’s going to be brought up at the state level?’” she said. “The point is we don’t know if it’s going to go through at the state level. So if individual counties move to pass legislation it almost forces the state.”

So far, Queen Anne’s County has passed legislation banning the intentional release of Mylar and plastic balloons. But Bunting said other counties are following suit.

“I do believe Montgomery County is moving toward it, and I’m trying to push Worcester County,” she said.

“But Wicomico definitely is further than any other in that process at the moment.”

In Wicomico County, the legislation would not apply to any balloons released by or on behalf of any state or federal agency for scientific or meteorological purposes, hot air balloons that are recovered after launch, or the negligent or unintentional release of any balloons.

The council on Tuesday also amended language in the bill to defer to any state legislation that may be enacted.

“It’s really a technical suggestion,” Council Attorney Bob Taylor said. “It doesn’t change the idea of the language that’s in there now.”

With no further discussion, the council voted unanimously to pass the legislation as amended.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 37

School Projects Top Wicomico Capital Improvement Needs

Page 38

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

SALISBURY – School system leaders, parents and those with the local library came before county officials last month seeking support for various capital projects.

Officials in Wicomico County held a public hearing on the proposed 20212025 Capital Improvement Program (CIP), a planning document that outlines major projects in the coming years.

The plan includes roughly $105 million in funding requests over the next five years, including $31.2 million for the Wicomico County Board of Education, $34 million for the Salisbury airport and nearly $11.8 million for the

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

public library.

In fiscal year 2021, county departments have submitted $32 million in requests, including $11.6 million for the board of education, $10.5 million for the airport and $5.1 million for the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office.

“We’ve already had I think it’s $32 million worth of requests,” County Executive Bob Culver said. “We will probably fund about $9 million to $10 million this year. So there will be a lot of working on this budget. We are not there yet.”

Culver explained to the audience last month the county has to contend with uncertain financial situations as it moves forward in the CIP and budgeting processes.

“We have several elephants in the

room, one of them being the Kirwan Commission …,” he said. “This document, no matter how well we plan for it, will probably take a lot of changes between now and the time the council approves it.”

Assistant Director of Administration Weston Young agreed.

“With some of the pending legislation at the state level we are playing it a little safe,” he said.

In the CIP, education officials have prioritized funding for the replacement of Beaver Run Elementary School, the renovation of Mardela Middle and High School and a roof replacement at Westside Intermediate School.

Superintendent of Schools Donna Hanlin said the three priorities this

December 6, 2019

year align with school system’s goals.

“All of our decisions are made based upon our goal to ensure students not only have access to highquality instructional programming, but that it’s being delivered in adequate facilities,” she said.

Hebron resident Michelle Wright emphasized the need for a renovation and addition at Mardela Middle and High. She said instructional space and safety measures were inadequate and mechanical systems were failing.

“The administrators, the teachers, the staff are not asking for the moon, but for a building that will allow them to prepare students for the future …,” she said. “Our students and parents have been more than patient and our children deserve better and they deserve the best.”

Principal Liza Hastings agreed.

“We all understand a renovation is absolutely needed if we are to provide our children with the same level of safety and academic experiences that the other schools in Wicomico county are able to provide,” she said.

Representatives from Beaver Run Elementary and Westside Intermediate also urged county officials to prioritize their capital requests. Westside Principal Chris Nunzio said maintenance workers at the school were constantly fixing leaks in the roof.

“Our goal is the county funding, in conjunction with the state funding that we hope will come through this year, will be enough to complete this project,” he said.

County leaders also heard from library officials this week. Library Director Ashley Teagle said her requests included funding for a facilities master plan, the refurbishment of the Centre branch, the design and planning process for the Downtown branch, and the replacement of the Pittsville branch.

“The community has been very vocal about wanting a new library …,” she said. “If we are able to obtain land to build a new library that could meet the needs of all residents on the east side of the county.”

Library Board of Trustees member Audrey Orr noted that libraries were a vital part of the community.

“A well-supported library increases property values, it’s a cornerstone for a sense of place, and it provides valuable services for members of our most underserved community and population,” she said, “along with making the county more attractive to residents and businesses, which drives our economic growth.”

Culver said all department requests will be taken into consideration, but not all will be funded.

“The words you’ve spoken tonight are not falling on deaf ears,” he said.

“I wish I had a magic wand and I could go ahead and finance everything, but there will be some cuts and I’m not sure where they are going to be yet.”

Obituaries

December 6, 2019

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 39

Beverly Anne Tran BERLIN – Beverly Anne Tran, age 73, died on Friday, Nov. 29, 2019 at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin.

Raised in Roselle Park, N.J., she was the daughter of the late Paul P. Kukan and Mary Schwartz Kukan.

She is survived by her husband, Alan Tran, and children, Dennis P. Wood and his wife Mariangely, Andrew R. Tran, and Joanne Hollander and her husband Gordon. There BEVERLY ANNE TRAN are two grandchildren, Haley Hollander and Shannon Tran.

Also surviving is a sister, Marlene Mihalik and her husband Robert. She was preceded in death by her brother, Paul P. Kukan, Jr. Mrs. Tran had worked for Supermarkets General Corp - Pathmark, as a telephone analyst for over 20 years. She enjoyed traveling, dancing and restaurants. She especially loved her grandchildren and her grand dogs.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, Dec. 6 at noon at the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin. Friends may call one hour prior to the service. Deacon Charles Weschler will officiate. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. Letters of condolence may be sent via: www.burbagefuneralhome.com.

Thomas Farell Nibblett, Sr. BERLIN – Thomas Farell Nibblett, Sr., 74, died peacefully in Ruskin, Fla., on Saturday Nov, 30, 2019.

Tommy was born in Salisbury, was raised in Berlin but lived most of his life in Florida.

Tommy is proceeded in death by his faTHOMAS FARELL ther, Marion Nibblett; his mother, Mary Nib- NIBBLETT, SR. blett; an infant son, Thomas F. Nibblett Jr.; his wife, Mary Nibblett; and several brothers.

Surviving are four daughters, Lisa Nibblett, Mary Ann Lewis, Angela Odom, and Gloria Nibblett; 12 grandchildren; and eight great grandchildren.

The family will be hold a private celebration of life ceremony.

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Kevin L. Smack BERLIN – The family of Kevin L. Smack extends heartfelt thanks and grateful appreciation for all expressions of love and sympathy shown to us during the passing of our loved one. The cards, phone calls, visits, floral arrangements, food, monKEVIN L. SMACK etary gifts, kind words, deeds and all other thoughtful expressions of sympathy are greatly appreciated.

With warm regards from John Dale and Leola Smack and family.

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Man Charged After Firing Gun In Hunting Dispute

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

December 6, 2019

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

Annual Raffle Raises $6,385:

The 22nd Annual A Perfect Face Day “Pamper For Charity" raffle raised $6,385 for the American Cancer Society, representing a significant increase from the previous year. Above, A Perfect Day Spa owner Carol Withers, right, presents the donation to American Cancer Society district representative Mary Bellis. The raffle is organized each year by Withers to honor her mother, Elizabeth Chaney, who died of breast cancer in 1995.

Submitted Photo

SNOW HILL – A Delaware man was arrested on first-degree assault and other charges last weekend after allegedly firing a warning shot in the direction of another man during a dispute over hunting near Snow Hill.

Last Sunday, Maryland State Police troopers responded to the area of Woodside Lane and Route 113 near Snow Hill for a report of a dispute involving a firearm. The investigation revealed a hunter was exiting the area when he was allegedly confronted by another hunter identified as Wingate Streett, 64, of Wilmington, Del. According to police reports, Streett was exiting his tree stand when he became infuriated at the victim. Streett reportedly continued to yell at the victim as he walked toward the victim and discharged a single round from his hunting rifle. According to police reports, WINGATE the victim observed and STREETT heard the round ricochet off the ground nearby.

Streett reportedly remained in the woods until law enforcement arrived on the scene. After troopers made several attempts to contact Streett, he eventually came out of an adjacent field with no rifle in his possession.

The rifle was later located about 25 yards from Streett’s tree stand in the woods, according to police reports.

Streett was arrested and charged with first- and second-degree assault and reckless endangerment. He was also charged by Maryland Natural Resources Police with negligent hunting.

His rifle and its ammunition were seized.

Streett was held initially without bond last Sunday. Following a bail review hearing on Monday, he was released on recognizance. A preliminary hearing has been set for December 27.

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The Dispatch

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

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

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The Maryland Coast Dispatch (USPS #015125) is an official and legal newspaper for Worcester County. Periodical postage paid at Berlin, Maryland, and additional mailing offices.

The Maryland Coast Dispatch, 10012 Old Ocean City Blvd., Berlin, Md. 21811, is published weekly on Friday mornings, 52 weeks a year.

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

Hospital Capital Campaign A Remarkable Feat The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

December 6, 2019

HOW WE SEE IT

In three years, Atlantic General Hospital was able to raise more than $12 million in its capital campaign geared toward bettering health services in northern Worcester County.

It’s a remarkable feat, one that would have not been possible if it weren’t for an incredibly generous community.

Throughout the campaign, the hospital and its foundation office have been running advertisements spotlighting donors who had given to the effort to date. It’s a veritable who’s who of community stakeholders who gave on various levels, ranging from $4 million (the largest gift ever received by the hospital from the Gudelsky family) to dozens of $10,000 pledges over five years to smaller amounts.

The more than $12 million raised in

the hospital’s Campaign for the Future will result in more than $35 million in capital projects to improve health care and to ease the access to it. The campaign has already resulted in the opening of the Burbage regional cancer care center in Berlin, completion of the women’s health center in West Ocean City, renovation of existing surgical facilities and expansion of emergency services within the hospital. In addition, funds will be used to create a new outpatient surgical center in Ocean Pines north of the casino. Ground on that effort is expected to be broken next year.

A deep sense of gratitude is owed to all the businesses and residents who helped make this campaign a success. At the hospital, there is a troop of paid staff members as well

as volunteers who deserve tremendous kudos for making it a reality.

The winners in all this are the residents and visitors of Worcester County. Health care in the county has come a long way since the hospital first opened its doors in 1993 after a long and difficult fight to fruition.

To think there were many in the community who didn’t recognize the need for the hospital. It’s impossible today to even fathom the logic behind those claims. Today, the hospital employs more than 900 people with more than 40 primary care providers and specialists on hand. The success of this campaign ensures the hospital and its services will continue to grow to meet present and future demands.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Generosity Appreciated Editor: I work full time at a north Ocean City hotel. We always have an employee Christmas party. I had one gift card to a restaurant that I had never been to. It’s more upscale than I am used to. I figured that Thanksgiving would be a perfect opportunity to use it.

I was working the night before and after Thanksgiving my boss was nice enough to let me stay at the hotel so I would have this opportunity. I made a reservation a few weeks in advance. When I made the reservation, I advised the lady at the restaurant that I worked in town and have no immediate family. I went to the restaurant and enjoyed a great Thanksgiving meal. When I was about to leave, my waitress advised me that another guest had paid for my meal and I was good. When I went up front, I wanted to thank them for that. I also checked on the expiration date of my gift card. The manager of the restaurant advised me that it does expire, but I would be able to come back another time and would honor the gift card.

Whoever was in the Bonfire on 71st Street between noon-1:30 p.m. and paid for my meal, I am very grateful to you. I work full-time, pay my bills and try to get by. To whoever you are, thank you for making my Thanksgiving special.

Brian Bedsworth Seaford, Del.

Good Outcome From Accident Editor: There is no such thing as a good accident but, as happened to me re-

cently, there can be good outcomes, a lot having to do with assistance from others. Recently I was entering the four-way stop intersection at Walmart from Route 50 when another driver coming down the service road blew right through at a high speed and removed the front end of my vehicle, causing my airbags to inflate and disabling my vehicle in the middle of the intersection. Both cars were eventually totaled by the insurance company.

The good part is that no one was hurt including, from my inquiry, the other driver. The fortunate part of this accident for both drivers was that Steve Grunewald, the Ocean Pines fire chief, was following within a short distance behind the other driver and called in the accident immediately. He also checked to see if we both were okay. Within minutes Deputy Sheriff Michael Newcomb arrived on the scene whose calm manner and professionalism were comforting. The Berlin Fire Department was also on scene in minutes and fire police handled traffic control at a difficult and busy intersection.

The fire crew had to first assist the other driver who was trapped in the car. While I was waiting, another driver who had witnessed the accident stopped and came over to my car and offered her name and number if needed. Her name was Donna Cornwell, a Walmart employee. I was eventually able to drive my vehicle slowly, with the front fascia hanging, after failing to remove it myself, into the adjacent parking lot.

While there, a young man I only know as Harvey, who worked at the water quality facility in the center, drove over and offered to help me

remove the front fascia so I might be able to drive the vehicle but by then I had called the tow truck. Both Donna and Harvey did not have to stop, take time out of their day and offer assistance but it says a lot about who they are and I certainly appreciate their willingness to do so.

The professionals on the scene were impressive in the handling of their duties which, considering the circumstances, made things go smoothly and safely. A good outcome thanks to a lot of good people.

I have since learned that drivers speeding through the stop sign are not an unusual occurrence at that intersection. As my insurance adjustor stated, “I can’t believe there is a four-way stop at an intersection with five lanes.” Having a red flashing light attached to each stop sign especially on the Samuel Bowen Blvd. service road would be a good start in improving safety. If something is not done to address the problem next time the outcome might not be so good.

Jack Barnes Ocean Pines

631 Thanksgiving Meals Served By Baptist Church Editor: As the pastor of Ocean City Baptist Church, I want to thank the community and my church for all their hard work in serving another great Thanksgiving meal.

On Thanksgiving Day, Ocean City Baptist Church opened its doors and hearts to feed the community. We started this tradition 41 years ago because we felt that nobody should go hungry or be alone for the holiSEE NEXT PAGE

December 6, 2019

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

day. This year’s dinner would not have been possible without the generous donations of the following businesses: American Legion Post 166, Bank of Ocean City, Benchmark Property Services, DiCarlo Printing in Salisbury, Elks Lodge #2645, Humphrey's Foundation Inc., Taylor Bank, the Wednesday Night Ladies' Bowling League and, of course, the members and visitors of OCBC. “Love God, Love Others, Serve at the Beach” is the motto of Ocean City Baptist Church. And it was truly lived out in the 110 volunteers that showed up to help out. This year we served 218 guests that ate in, 238 take outs and 175 deliveries for a total of 631 meals served. A few people need to be thanked for their individual efforts and they are Anne Russo, Paul DeHuarte Sr., Robin Derrickson, Melanie Corbin, Anna Smith, and Lucy Sydnor for their leadership.

All the glory goes to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I am privileged to be part of this annual tradition and we look forward to being part of your next Thanksgiving!

Sean Davis Ocean City

Offshore Wind Would Bring Economic Growth

Editor: Ocean City’s conversation on offshore wind energy misses important facts.

First, to oppose offshore wind in Maryland is to oppose General Electric bringing operations and maintenance jobs to the Lower Shore. That’s because GE Renewables has been selected to provide the turbines for Ørsted’s Skipjack Wind Farm. Ørsted has already committed to locating those operations and maintenance jobs in the Ocean City region. Ocean City shouldn’t be keeping Lower Shore workers from a good-paying jobs with an iconic American employer.

Second, to oppose offshore wind is to oppose new, steady paychecks in our community. That’s because offshore wind development in Maryland is estimated to support more than $1.5 billion in business and worker income in the state of Maryland, according to the Blue-Green Alliance.

To oppose offshore wind is to oppose $140 million local and state tax revenue that could fund better schools, road improvements, and police and fire services.

Lastly, to understand how offshore and tourism co-exist, look north to Block Island, Rhode Island. An independent study found that tourism has increased 18 percent since the Block Island Wind Farm went into operation in 2017.

In order to bring good paying jobs and economic growth back to the Lower Eastern Shore, we must sup-

Between The Lines

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

port offshore wind.

Jared Schablein Pittsville (The writer is the chair of the Lower Shore Progressive Caucus.)

Trump Take Surprising

Editor: I was surprised by the letter from Richard Ruzicka, which appeared in the Nov. 8 edition. Our intelligence agencies were able to track the source of the hack back to Russia. In fact, Mueller indicted several of the Russian intelligence agents who committed the actual hack. Somehow the fact that the Meuller investigation was initiated by a Republican Acting Director of the FBI and that Robert Mueller himself is a lifelong Republican, this is somehow distorted into a plot by Democrats or Never Trumpers, I assume, to take Donald Trump down. And what are the alternative facts as Kellyanne Conway likes to say.

As I understand it, Clinton and/or the Democrats were involved in a conspiracy with folks in Ukraine to hack the Democrat Campaign Committee and distribute the material through Wikileaks. Why would Clinton and/or the Democrats want the Ukrainians to steal their secrets and them broadcast them to the world through Wikileaks? And how would this be harmful to Donald Trump regardless of who did the hacking?

Donald Trump seems to have a talent to get some people to believe really crazy things and to get them to act against their interests. I hate to say this, but our president is nothing but a con man who has been lying and cheating his entire life.

Look at the record. Caught by the Justice Department refusing to allow minorities to rent in his buildings; participating in money laundering with the Russians following his bankruptcies; he was caught and fined doing this at one of his casinos; accused by 21 women of sexual assault; cheated on each of his three wives and paid hush money to a playmate and a porn star to keep this quiet before the 2016 election; created a scam called Trump University to cheat people with a claim they could learn Trump’s magic in real estate and paid $25 million to avoid a larger fine from the Court; and recently got caught dipping his fingers into his charity and using the money for personal use resulting in a $2 million dollar fine and a bar in New York State from serving on the board of any charity.

I have no idea why anyone would think he is an honest man who can be trusted with anything. But unfortunately, he is our president for now and we can only hope he does not damage the country and our relationships in the world more than he already has.

Jim Thomas Silver Spring

Page 43

By Publisher/Editor Steve Green

Though there are reasons to be concerned about affairs in Berlin, like the spring property tax hikes, potential charges for bulk pickup and a looming ban on short-term rentals away from Main Street, it’s impossible to see any sort of measured impact on the town’s popularity among the general public.

Over the last week, the town has hosted thousands of people. First, there was the tree lighting last Friday. There were no heads counted officially, but it’s safe to report there were 3,000 to 4,000 people converged on and around Main Street throughout the night. It was the biggest crowd I have ever seen at the event in the 15 years I have been attending.

Though last night’s Christmas parade was held after the paper went to press, it’s a safe assumption the streets were lined with thousands of people as they always appear to be. At 7:30 a.m. on parade morning, I counted three dozen chairs lining the sidewalk reserving prime spaces for the parade.

On the real estate front, as someone with a home for sale in Berlin, I can report interest remains robust among people wanting to live in Berlin. Are they thrilled taxes went up this year and will be going up next year? No, of course not, but it’s not enough to deter them from wanting to live in town.

The Worcester County Board of License Commissioners was right last week to turn down a beer and wine license request from the Uncle Willie’s convenience store east of Route 113. Store connections must simply accept the denial stems from a long history of problems in that area, and there was no testimony given to confirm a need other than some inconveniences associated with having to drive or walk a distance to make their purchases.

Though not unprecedented, the town’s elected officials testified against allowing beer and wine sales at the store before the license commissioners last week. Mayor Gee Williams and Councilman Elroy Brittingham, who lives in the area, each expressed their concerns. Referring to a history of drug and crime concerns in the immediate area around the store, Williams said, “You can live anywhere in Berlin safely. It doesn’t matter the time of day or night. I think our opposition is because we know how long it’s taken to get here. It wasn’t always that way.” Brittingham added, “We know what it was like before and we don’t want to see it again… We visualize six packs going from the store to the park.” BLC member Marty Pusey chimed in too, saying, “I do recall in the ‘90s the drive-by shootings that were happening,” she said. “The community and the town working together have done an outstanding job making that a better place to be.”

It’s just not worth the risk of seeing that neighborhood return to its former blight.

School systems across Maryland are continuing to decide on when to open for their 2020-21 school years.

Officials in Montgomery and Queen Anne’s counties announced this week intentions to open on Aug. 31, 2020 (the week before Labor Day).

Howard County went a week earlier with the first day set for Aug. 25.

I was a big supporter of Gov. Larry Hogan’s executive order requiring school systems to open after Labor Day. Once it was overturned by the legislature, I assumed nearly all school systems would open in mid-August.

The good news is that’s not happening as it did before the executive order took place. The bad news is it does seem a great majority of public school systems will open before Labor Day for the next school year.

Many are saying the Sept. 8 start date (the day after Labor Day) is just too late. In previous years, the post-Labor Day start date has been earlier. For instance, this year it was Sept. 3.

Meanwhile, in Worcester County, two calendar options are under consideration with the public asked to weigh in this month. Both calendars set the first day as Sept. 8, 2020. The two options mirror each other in many regards with the differences being slight variations to the winter and spring breaks with closing day either June 18 or June 15.

Once all the calendars are ratified, more school systems will open before Labor Day than after, but it’s welcome news for this tourism area to know most are choosing to head back one week before rather than two or three weeks. Frederick County Board of Education President Brad W. Young explained to The Washington Post the reasoning. He said, “Days in June are not as valuable as days in August or September.”

That’s a perplexing comment to me.

One thing that is known is Worcester County will not be the only school system starting after Labor Day. Baltimore and Anne Arundel counties will open Sept. 8. I agree more with Anne Arundel County Board of Education member Melissa Ellis than Young’s comments. She told The Washington Post in the same article, “A long summer is more beneficial to students than students being out of school for 10 days for spring break, because then we create a greater impact in the middle of the school year to learning.”

Ocean City Christmas Parade Planned For Saturday

Page 44

OCEAN CITY – Ocean City’s 37th Annual Ocean City Christmas Parade will march along Coastal Highway on Saturday, Dec. 7.

The holiday parade starts at 11 a.m. on Old Landing Road and marches northbound in the southbound lanes of Coastal Highway to the judges’ stand at 120th Street. The event will feature more than 60 units, including high school bands, antique cars, colorful holiday floats and more.

“For more than 35 years, this parade has been an iconic event for Ocean City and we are happy to continue a custom that is loved by so many,” said Ocean

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

City Special Events Director Frank Miller.

WMDT television anchor Brooke Butler will be the Master of Ceremony, providing a play by play of the parade for spectators. Professional judges will review bands and other units in nine categories, with trophies being awarded inside the Carousel Hotel following the parade.

The awards presentation is part of a post-parade reception hosted by the Carousel Hotel, bringing additional family fun for participants and patrons alike. Festivities at the hotel will begin immediately after the parade conclu-

sion and will include half-priced ice skating, a DJ playing continuous holiday music and free photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. In addition, complimentary winter refreshments will be available.

“We are really excited to continue the holiday celebrations and long-lived tradition of the Ocean City Christmas Parade,” Miller said. “An extra special thanks goes out to our parade sponsors at Carousel Oceanfront Hotel and Condos, the Gold Coast Merchants Association, Coca-Cola, Dunkin Donuts and Food Lion, for helping us to continue this family tradition in Ocean City.”

December 6, 2019

Spectators will not be permitted to watch the parade from the median area of Coastal Highway. Motorists are reminded that traffic pattern changes will begin at approximately 8 a.m. and traffic congestion and delays should be expected. Also, due to the high volume of pedestrian traffic, everyone is reminded to Walk Smart by using cross walks and crossing with the traffic control signal.

School To Hold Annual Bazaar Santa, pictured with Georgia and Colt Duffie, will be at the WPS Christmas Bazaar for photos from noon-2 p.m.

Submitted Photo

BERLIN – Worcester Preparatory School will host its annual Christmas Bazaar on Sunday, Dec. 8, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Admission is free and the event is open to the public. Held in the WPS Field House, the bazaar is a festive family affair where you may fulfill all your holiday needs and have your photo taken with Santa. Take a stroll through the Christmas Village, which includes one-of-a-kind decorated wreaths and trees, holiday décor, decadent homemade desserts, handmade gifts, local vendors, silent auction items and more.

Children will especially love the Mallard General Store where they can purchase and wrap gifts for their loved ones, enjoy fun games, and visit with Santa who will be in the village from 12-2 p.m.

There is even a Peloton bike raffle and the winner will be drawn the same day. Tickets can be purchased at www.worcesterprep.org/peloton.

December 6, 2019

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 45

Page 46

Sports

Worcester Boys Ready To Get Going

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

BERLIN – After an up-and-down season last year, Worcester Prep’s boys’ varsity basketball is expected to turn a corner this year with a handful of veteran returning players and an enthusiastic batch of newcomers.

The Mallards went just 6-9 last year, but did reach the Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference (ESIAC) championship game before falling to Delmarva Christian. This year, the Mallards seek to improve on that mark with a talented mix of returning upperclassmen and an influx of younger players ready to make their mark on the program.

Coach John Moeser lost eight seniors from last year’s team and will rely heavily on a talented core of returning players including junior Mason Brown, junior Brugh Moore, senior Ryan Cronin and sophomore

In The News

Decatur’s 1990s Team Wins Alumni Classic

Stephen Decatur’s 1990-1999 All-Star team last weekend captured the championship in the annual Alumni Classic Thanksgiving Weekend Holiday Tournament featuring returning players from six decades at the Berlin school.

Submitted photo

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

BERLIN – Six decades of Stephen Decatur High School basketball were on display last Saturday with the annual Thanksgiving weekend alumni basketball tournament won by the 1990s team.

The annual tournament, which has become one of the highlights of the Thanksgiving weekend in the local area, featured four alumni men’s teams and two alumni women’s teams competing for a championship and, perhaps more importantly, bragging rights. Some of Decatur’s top players from 1954 to the present were on hand to celebrate six decades of Sea-

hawk basketball.

In the opening game starting at noon on Saturday, a team of all-stars from 2000 to 2010 took on Decatur’s most recent all-stars from 2011 to 2018. In the second game starting at 1 p.m., a team of all-stars from 1954 to 1989 took on a team of all-stars from 1990 to 1999.

In the end, it was the 1990-1999 team winning the tournament to earn bragging rights for the next year. The 1990-1999 team included former Decatur players Myro Small, Myron TyreMiller, Bangi Brewster, Jeremy Oliver, Kasheem Purnell, Delione Bowen, Durran Whaley, Keith Wise, Larry Tyre, Patrick Crawford, and Terrance Mewborn.

Brice Richins.

Top newcomers expected to make an immediate contribution include junior Cam Carpenter and freshman Griffin Jones. Rounding out the roster are senior Sam Tinkler, juniors Hunter Gentry and Graham McColgan, and sophomores Michael Wehberg and Aidan Hammond. Moeser said he likes what he has seen from his team early thus far this season.

“I feel like our guys this year have really bought in,” he said. “They’re very enthusiastic and I think we can be pretty good. We have good chemistry and we’ll play tough defense.”

The Mallards get it going with the Tip-Off Classic at Delmarva Christian this year featuring the host Royals along with Laurel and Indian River. Looming next week is the ESIAC opener against old rival Saints Peter and Paul at home on Wednesday.

New Coach, Reloaded Mallards Ready

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

BERLIN – With a new coach at the helm, Worcester Prep’s girls’ varsity basketball team is looking to continue the momentum of another outstanding season last year.

Brian McDermott takes over this season as the head coach of Worcester’s girls’ varsity team and comes with a lot of experience. McDermott most recently coached at Salisbury University and his recent past also includes a stint at Sussex Tech in Delaware. He takes over a program that took a substantial hit to the talent and depth pool last year due to graduation, but the Mallards have a solid nucleus of returning veterans and a flock of talented underclassmen ready to step up and make their mark on the program.

Worcester has three seniors on the roster including Emily Copeland, Maddy Shanahan and Carly Hoffman and the trio will serve as cocaptains in the 2019-2020 season.

Also returning is solid contributor

C.C. Lizas, a junior who, along with Hoffman, was named to the Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference (ESIAC) All-Conference team last year.

Junior Sophia Ludt is the only other upperclassman on the varsity team this year. Otherwise, the Mallards will rely on a bevy on sophomores including Lily Baeurle, who played varsity last year, along with Sumira Sehgal, Morgan White, Natalie Brushmiller and Myranda Beebe. Each of the underclassmen play other sports at Worcester and should easily transition to basketball.

The Mallards will compete in the Tip-Off Classic at Delmarva Christian this weekend in a four-team tournament that includes the host along with Delmar and Indian River.

Otherwise, the schedule is heavy with ESIAC foes along with the Governor’s Challenge in Salisbury over the holidays. Last year’s team went 16-4 overall and ran the table in the conference in the regular season before falling in the tournament championship game.

Seahawks Earn Bayside South Honors

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

The Pit-and-Pub Assassins last week captured their seventh straight Ocean City Recreation and Parks Flag Football League championship. Pictured above, the Assassins show off the championship hardware.

Submitted Photo

December 6, 2019

BERLIN – Stephen Decatur’s varsity volleyball team was well-represented when the Bayside South All-Conference teams were announced last week.

The Seahawks went 9-5 in the regular season before falling to Chesapeake of Anne Arundel County in the state 3A-South quarterfinals.

Named to the Bayside South AllConference First Team from Decatur

were Jaclyn Gallagher and Lizzie Meyer. Named to the Bayside South All-Conference Second Team were Brooklyn Pugner and Summer Vorsteg.

Undefeated Bennett swept the conference’s major awards with Morgan Esham and Hannah Mills being named Bayside South CoPlayers of the Year. Bennett’s Irma Munoz was named Bayside South Coach of the Year for the second season in a row.

Decatur Boys Have Big Shoes To Fill

December 6, 2019

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s boys’ varsity basketball team will feature a few new faces and a returning nucleus of key players as it embarks on the 2019-2020 campaign.

Gone from last year’s team are prolific scorer London Drummond and big center Churchill Bounds, who transferred to Bishop Walsh in Cumberland, Md. this year, leaving some big shoes to fill for the Seahawks. However, Decatur does get back do-everything guard Drew Haueisen along with center Gabe Aluma filling the middle, so there is a solid nucleus around which to build

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

heading into the season.

Also returning from last year’s 1210 team are Theo Hobbs, Jalen Planter and Trae Bunting, who are expected to log plenty of valuable minutes for Coach B.J. Johnson’s team. Decatur opened on the road against Kent Island on Thursday in a game played too late to be included in this edition.

The Seahawks open at home against county rival Snow Hill next Tuesday. The schedule features the usual home and away series against the Bayside South. Decatur will go out of conference for the Governor’s Challenge later this month, along with a road game against Indian River in February.

Talented Seahawks Ready For Season

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

BERLIN – With a dynamic group of returning players, Decatur’s girls’ varsity basketball team appears poised to improve on last year’s 118 mark.

The Seahawks went 11-8 last year, but won six of their last seven after scuffling early. Decatur hopes to build on that momentum this season with a core group of returning

players. Sophomore guard Nadia Bullock returns after being named to the Bayside South All-Conference team last year as a freshman.

Also returning from last year’s team are prolific scorer Jessica Janney and Sarah Engle along with Abby Yesko and Summer Vorsteg among others. The Seahawks opened at home yesterday against Kent Island and will hit the road for the first time next Tuesday at Snow Hill.

27th Santa’s Open Set For Saturday

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

BERLIN – The Ocean Pines Golf and Country Club will be the celebratory hosts for the 27th Annual Santa’s Open Charity Golf Tournament on Saturday to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Chesapeake for the Eastern Shore.

The tournament’s cost per person is $75 plus one new unwrapped gift for a child or youth between the ages of 7 and 17. In turn, the cost will cover breakfast, golfing fees, Santa’s cheer cart, contests, gifts and the commemorative post-tournament reception to be held in the clubhouse.

The day will include golf as well as

Mrs. Claus’ Breakfast, Santa’s Cheer Cart, Rudolph’s Reception and contests. Registration will begin at 9 a.m. and the tournament will begin at 10 a.m. with a shotgun start. A reception and awards will follow at 3 p.m.

Awards will include closest to the hole, longest drive, low net and low gross teams. For information about Santa’s Open, call (410) 543-2447, extension 225. All proceeds from this event will be used for the programs and services of the Eastern Shore office of the Big Brothers-Big Sisters of the Greater Chesapeake.

Registration forms are available at OceanPinesGolf.org. Registration may also be completed by calling 410-543-2447.

Jingle Bell 5K Returns On Sunday

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Hundreds of running enthusiasts are expected to descend on the resort area for the 7th annual Winterfest of Lights Jingle Bell 5K on Sunday.

The annual event takes place at the Winterfest of Lights at Northside Park on 125th Street. The twilight race takes runners through the animated

course of dazzling lights and spectacular holiday displays. Participants dressed in the holiday spirit receive an event T-shirt, hot chocolate, cookies and a ride on the Winterfest Express.

The race is scheduled for Sunday, December 8 starting at 5 p.m. at Northside Park. Race packets can be picked up at Abbey Burger Bistro on race day from 3:45 p.m. until 4:40 p.m.

A post-event party is set for the nearby Abbey Burger Bistro.

Page 47

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Puzzle Answers

PUZZLE ON PAGE 70

P

The Adventures Of Fatherhood

By STEVE GREEN

laying is a lot easier than coaching.

The amount of restraint and patience needed with coaching is something I never appreciated while playing sports growing up in recreation leagues, in high school and in college.

When I was an athlete, the perfect coach to me married the appropriate messaging when needed while making the sport fun. A balance existed between being positive and negative.

Praise was welcomed if warranted, but some constructive criticism seemed appropriate when the time was right.

My only expectation as a coach is for each player to give 100% effort.

I’ve learned that’s not always going to happen. When working with pre-teen kids, it would be wrong to assume they will always be entirely focused during practices (and sometimes even games). They will not always try their hardest. Playing hard and exerting maximum effort does not always represent fun to 9- to 12-year-olds. I’ve learned this the hard way and have tried to adjust my expectations.

I have to remember these kids, like adults, have a lot going on in their lives. Coming out to the soccer field or basketball court and working on drills – “boring” in their minds – is not fun. They need to run and get their energy out. Therefore, adjustments to practice routines can sometimes be needed. Rigid is the last quality a coach should have in my opinion.

When tweaks are made, and the same foolishness and lack of effort exists is when I admit to losing my cool.

This is especially the case when I am coaching my own kid. I’m much more patient with other children than my own.

I’ve coached Beckett in lacrosse, soccer and basketball. One challenge is the same. I can’t focus on him. I can’t single him out for dogging a play if I’m not going to do the same for the

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player who is not as good him and not related to me. Internally I can expect more from my kid than the less athletic, but I can’t let that be known.

That’s unfair to both players.

I underwent a certification last summer with U.S. Soccer. A key point from one of the programs involved selfishness and coaching.

“You have to completely reverse your perspective. To some degree, all players have to think selfishly. You are taught to focus on your own performance and what you can control. As a coach, it’s the complete opposite, and you need to move the focus from yourself to the team,” the literature read.

“You need to try to understand what your players are thinking and feeling, and you need to anticipate how they will react and respond to adversity. Keeping your players confident and motivated is a very important part of your job.”

It continued, “The game will slow down for you, and you’ll be able to see the bigger picture when your players will only be able to see the game from their own perspectives. Plays that seem simple to you may be much more difficult than they appear. It’s important to be patient with players and make sure you are giving them the support and preparation they need so that the game can slow down for them too.”

This is, of course, more easily said than done. Coaches need to set an example. I’m super competitive in sports and work life, but some kids are not.

Some youth players are simply on the field or court because their parents make them. They need to lose a few pounds or simply require some balance in their lives from video games after school. There may be parent aspirations about their son or daughter being a high school star and even playing in college. It’s easy to see.

In six years of coaching different sports, I doubt I have coached a future collegiate athlete yet. I have

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he cock read 2:01 a.m. when I awoke to the familiar sound of Carson running from his room.

It’s not unusual for Carson to jump in our bed in the middle of the night, but this was different.

He came to my side, grabbed my hand and put something in it. He put a tooth in my hand and ran back to his room.

When Pam rolled over to find out what was up, I said he brought me a tooth that fell out. “That’s sweet,” she said before rolling back over.

We all then went back to sleep.

The tooth fairy would have to pay him a visit the next night.

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

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maybe seen a handful in competition around here. The local youth sports scene is not full of future superstars.

The challenge for many parents is a moderation of expectations. Some just can’t do it. These are their prides and joy and they want the best for them.

They see them as better than they are in reality. Their love blinds them.

This is what I remember when I hear from an irate parent about a child’s playing time or treatment. The argument was this parent’s child is better than so and so on our team. I understand the concerns, but most of the time I wish they were articulated to me privately rather than screamed across the court or field in the middle of the game.

It all comes back to restraint, which parents and coaches must always keep in mind. It’s difficult because it’s tough to be objective with our kids.

Love rules our emotions, but it’s important to set a good example because the kids are watching and learning from us.

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December 6, 2019

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 49

Things I Like ...

By Steve Green

Buying on Shop Small Saturday No buying on Cyber Monday An elaborate tree house

Justin Tucker’s reliability

Thanksgiving leftovers for a couple days Surveys with a high sample The song, “Tiny Dancer”

School nights with no homework Chili on a rainy game day

Learning new things from my kids When being polite counts

WEST OCEAN CITY

NORTH OCEAN CITY

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$1.25 CRUNCHY TACOS (Beef, Bean, Chicken Or Pork)

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$3 SOFT TACOS

$3 SOFT FISH TACOS

(Mahi Or Rock)

(Fried Rockfish Or Grilled Mahi)

$5 HOUSE MARGARITAS $3 TECATE AND TECATE LIGHT

$5 MINI NACHOS (Beef, Chicken, Pork, Bean Or Chili)

$7 TRIPLE SAMPLER SUNDAY FUN DAY ALL DAY FOOD AND DRINKS

MONDAY TACO NIGHT 5 P.M.-10 P.M.

TUESDAY FAJITA NIGHT 5 P.M.-10 P.M.

WEDNESDAY BURRITO NIGHT 5 P.M.-10 P.M.

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MONTEGO BAY SHOPPING CENTER 130TH ST., OCEAN CITY, MD. 410-250-4424 • www.octequila.com Reservation For Parties Of 8 Or More

Community

Page 50

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

December 6, 2019

News In Photos

The Ocean City Jeep Club held its 3rd Annual Toys For Tots Beach Crawl to The Kite Loft on Nov. 23 with more than 30 jeeps participating and dozens of toys being collected for the good cause.

In recognition of the more than 85 volunteers who participated in the Berlin Clean-Up Day as part of Comcast Cares Day, a check for $1,689 was recently presented by Comcast to Worcester Youth and Family Counseling (WYFC). Pictured, from left, Mary Bohlen, Berlin deputy town administrator; Mike Wiley, chair of the Berlin Parks Commission; Steve Taylor, WYFC executive director; Chris Comer, director, Government & Regulatory Affairs, Comcast Beltway Region; and Karen Clayland, Xfinity Communities account executive Comcast Beltway Submitted Photos Region.

A class reunion for the Stephen Decatur High School Class of 1958 was recently held at Doyle’s Restaurant. Pictured, seated from left, are Virginia Jacobs Barrett, Iris Hudson Phillips, Sharon Quillin Bowden, Bonnie Hudson Gray, Joyce Smith Daisey and Margaret Parsons Bunting; and, standing, Bill Shockley, Rick Savage, Wayne Bennett, Roland Hall, Ron Carstens, Ted Eschenburg, Buzz Taylor, John Williams, Allen Baker and Gerald Brittingham.

The Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines-Ocean City supports the Kiwanis Student Leadership Program known as "Builders Club" at the Berlin Intermediate School. Above, Kiwanis Club advisor to the Builders Club Skip McComas presented a $500 check at the BIS club's November meeting.

The Aktion Club, located in the Worcester County Developmental Center (WCDC) in Newark, is a service club for adults with disabilities. The club recently received its $500 annual check from the parent sponsoring Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines-Ocean City. Pictured, from left, are Jack Ferry, executive director of Worcester County Development Center; Valerie Reed, vice president of the Aktion Club; Steve Cohen, Aktion Club advisor; and Donte Smith, president of the Aktion Club.

Resort Falls Short Of Bicycle Honor

December 6, 2019

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

OCEAN CITY – Ocean City did not receive a Bicycle Friendly Community designation this year, but earned an honorable mention for its efforts.

In August, the town submitted its application to become a Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC), a national designation program spearheaded by the League of American Bicyclists (LAB) to honor cities and towns taking steps to develop bikeable communities.

Late last month, however, officials in Ocean City learned the town did not secure a Bicycle Friendly Community designation in the Fall 2019 cohort. Instead, the resort earned an honorable mention for its efforts.

Communities that earn an honorable mention are recognized for starting efforts to address the need of bicyclists in their community, according to the League’s website. They often have popular shared-use paths, community-wide bicycling events, or recent bicycle planning processes.

Over 100 communities that originally earned an honorable mention have gone on to be awarded a bronze designation or better in the BFC program.

Paul Mauser, president of the resort’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, said the League will issue a report card that will provide action steps the town will need to complete to receive a BFC designation.

“Out of the 12 first-time applicants in the Fall 2019 round, only 5 received a Bicycle Friendly Community Award all at the Bronze level,” he wrote. “The Town plans to review the ‘Report Card’ that will be provided by the League of American Bicyclists (LAB) and take the necessary steps to improve and become recognized as a BFC.” For Ocean City, the BFC designation aligns with its efforts to establish a continual bike route along the resort’s side streets and minimize the need for bicycles to interact with vehicles on major roadways throughout town.

Since Mauser first presented the program to resort leaders last year, officials have taken necessary steps to achieve the BFC designation. They argued the designation could enhance the town’s ability to secure grants for bike-friendly projects, as well as benefit tourism and the town’s reputation as a green community.

But gaining entrance into the program is challenging. Since the creation of the BFC program in 1995, the league has processed more than 1,500 community applications. To date, 488 have been recognized as Bicycle Friendly Communities and nearly 100 have earned an honorable mention.

Mauser said he is hoping the report card will be released ahead of the next Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee meeting on Dec. 11 so members can discuss the results.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 51

Blondee’s Express

Page 52

Best Beats

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

www.blondee-express.com

CHRISTMAS IN NEW YORK CITY

Dec. 14 Departing 5:30 a.m. From Walmart Call For Seat $55

CHRISTMAS IN MYRTLE BEACH

Dec. 18-21 Oceanfront Suites, 3 Full Breakfasts, 3 Fabulous Dinners, Carolina Opry, Alabama Theatre & Legends + Tour & Lunch At A Plantation $625

HARRINGTON CASINO Dec. 11 & Jan. 8 $20

Charter Your Next Trip With Blondee’s Express: 410-641-0130

December 6, 2019

on the beach

Who’s Where When 28Th/127Th ST. PIT & PuB 410-289-2020 • 443-664-7482 28Th ST. & COASTAL hWy. & 127Th ST. & COASTAL hWy. Wednesdays: DJ Wax (28th St.) ATLAnTIC hOTeL 410-641-3589 2 nOrTh mAIn ST., BerLIn Friday, Dec. 6: Zander Jett Mondays: Earl Beardsley Tuesdays: Bob Miller on Piano

OTTO GrunDmAn Crabcake Factory: Thursdays

DJ rOBCee Fager’s Island: Friday, Dec. 6

DJ DuSTy Clarion/Ocean Club: every Friday & Saturday

Buxy’S SALTy DOG/ Dry DOCk 28 410-289-0973 28Th ST. & COASTAL hWy. Friday, Dec. 6: DJ Wax CLArIOn hOTeL 410-524-3535 10100 COASTAL hWy. Ocean Club: Friday & Saturday, Dec. 6 & 7: First Class Fridays & Saturdays: DJ Dusty

CrABCAke FACTOry BAySIDe 302-988-5000 rT. 54 FenWICk ISLAnD, De Friday, Dec. 6: Rick & Regina Wednesday, Dec. 4: Rick & Lennon LaRicci

FAGer’S ISLAnD 410-524-5500 60Th ST. In The BAy Friday, Dec. 6: DJ Greg, DJ RobCee, Saturday, Dec. 7: DJ Groove Monday, Dec. 9: Bryan Clark Wednesday, Dec. 11: Kevin Poole & The Gang

Greene TurTLe nOrTh 410-723-2120 11601 COASTAL hWy. Friday, Dec. 6: DJ BK, 10 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 7: The Bills Greene TurTLe WeST 410-213-1500 rTe. 611, WeST OC Sunday, Dec. 8: DJ BK

hArBOrSIDe 410-213-1846 SOuTh hArBOr rOAD, WeST OC

SeAn LOOmIS Pickles Pub: Saturday, Dec. 7

DJ Bk Greene Turtle north: Friday, Dec. 6 Greene Turtle West: Sunday, Dec. 8

DJ BILLy T harborside: Fridays

BryAn CLArk Fager’s Island: monday, Dec.9

DAve ShermAn harpoon hanna’s: Saturday, Dec. 7

rAnDy Lee AShCrAFT & SWC Johnny’s Pizza & Pub: Wednesdays Smitty mcGee’s: Thursdays & Fridays BeATS By WAx Buxy’s Salty Dog: Friday, Dec. 6 28th St. Pit & Pub: Wednesdays Pickles Pub: Thursdays

December 6, 2019

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 53

Who’s Where When Fridays: DJ Billy T Saturday, Dec. 7: Chris Button/ Side Project, DJ Jeremy Sunday, Dec. 8: Opposite Directions, 2 p.m., Chuck D, 7 p.m.

Thursdays: Opposite Directions

FIRST CLASS Clarion/Ocean Club: Friday & Saturday, Dec. 6 & 7

POOLE & THE GANG Fager’s Island: Wednesday, Dec. 11

HARPOON HANNA’S 302-539-3095 RT. 54 & THE BAY, FENWICK ISLAND, DE Friday, Dec. 6: Dave Hawkins, Tranzfusion Saturday, Dec. 7: Dave Sherman Thursday, Dec. 12: Kevin Poole HOOTERS 410-213-1841 12513 OCEAN GATEWAY, RTE. 50, WEST OC Friday, Dec. 6: DJ BK

OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS Harborside: Sundays & Thursdays

JOHNNY’S PIZZA & PUB 410-723-5600 RT. 54 FENWICK ISLAND, DE Wednesdays: Randy Lee Ashcraft & The Saltwater Cowboys

STEAL THE SKY Seacrets:Saturday, Dec. 7

PICKLES PUB 410-289-4891 8TH ST. & PHILADELPHIA AVE. Friday, Dec. 6: Beats By Jeremy Saturday, Dec. 7: Sean Loomis Mondays: Karaoke W/ Jeremy Tuesdays: Beats By Adam Dutch Thursdays: Beats By Wax

TRANZFUSION Harpoon Hanna’s: Friday, Dec. 6

THE BILLS Greene Turtle North: Saturday, Dec. 7

RICK & REGINA Crabcake Factory Bayside: Friday, Dec. 6

SMITTY MCGEE’S 302-436-4716 37234 LIGHTHOUSE RD., WEST FENWICK IRELAND, DE Thursdays & Fridays: Randy Lee Ashcraft & The Saltwater Cowboys SEACRETS 410-524-4900 49TH ST. & COASTAL HWY. Friday, Dec. 6: DJ Tuff, Full Circle Duo, Lima Bean Riot Saturday, Dec. 7: Feel Free, Steal The Sky, DJ Bobby O, DJ Cruz

FULL CIRCLE DUO Seacrets: Friday, Dec. 6

NOW TAKING TRANSFER STUDENTS

Page 54

Students

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

December 6, 2019

In The News

To celebrate American Education Week, the Stephen Decatur High School National Honor Society sponsored its annual faculty breakfast, serving up goodies for over 150 staff members. Greeting the faculty were members Macy Dietrich, Maxwell Ewancio, Prutha Patel, Richard Poist, Kiley Hamby, Caroline Gardner, Gabby Izzett, Zehra Mirza, Madison Birckett, Sydney Boger and Mikayla Denault.

During American Education Week, parents visiting Mrs. Miller’s fifth grade class at Berlin Intermediate school had the opportunity to join their children in a Breakout.Edu locked box challenge. The topic was “Mission: Nutrition” and participants worked out clues to find the combination to each of the five locks keeping them from opening the boxes in the challenge.

Submitted Photos

Kathy Huyett's PreK-4 class from Ocean City Elementary celebrated Thanksgiving with a special classroom feast. Dressed as pilgrims and native Americans, students feasted on turkey and all the trimmings, talked about family traditions, sung festive songs and reflected on the many things for which they are thankful.

In honor of Veterans Day, Stephen Decatur High School students donated 38 packed boxes of toiletries and other goods, a monetary donation and handwritten thank you cards to the troops. The annual drive was coordinated by Connections Advisor Laurie Chetelat with the American Legion Post #166. Pictured, back from left, are Chetelat, Lauren Kennard, Gabby Izzett, Hunter Selzer, Mae Purnell, Isy Kristick, American Legion Post #166 member Sarge Garlitz, Sydney Boger and Mary Fogle; and, front, Elizabeth Meyer, Ellie Dutton, Malery Andrews, Danielle Consigli and Macy Dill.

Ocean City Elementary held its third annual Pajama Drive Oct. 28-Nov. 7. Students were encouraged to bring in a brand new pair of pajamas to donate to the Pajama Program, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides new, warm pajamas and books to children in need. OCES students, faculty and staff collected 132 pairs of pajamas.

Seaside Christian Academy students enjoyed a school wide Thanksgiving Dinner for lunch last week.

Showell Elementary kindergarten students Lochlan Weems and Gavin Daisey chose to finish their partner reading instead of playing at centers during a recent school day.

Cirque Musica Coming To Salisbury

December 6, 2019

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Tickets are currently on the sale for the Dec. 12 performance.

SALISBURY – Cirque Musica presents Holiday Wishes at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center on Thursday, Dec. 12. The show begins at 7 p.m.

Cirque Musica presents Holiday Wishes brings a holiday story to life in a full theatrical cirque event featuring a world-renowned cast and your favorite holiday hits performed live by a full symphony orchestra.

Audiences will be amazed by the acrobats, aerialists, hilarious hi-jinks and holiday cheer. The show, which has been brought to Salisbury by Ocean En-

Submitted Photo

tertainment Group, blends the spellbinding grace and daredevil athleticism of today’s greatest circus performers with the sensory majesty of a symphony orchestra.

Cirque Musica presents Holiday Wishes is the perfect opportunity for the entire family to experience great holiday music while enjoying an edge of your seat circus experience.

Tickets are on sale now at www.WicomicoCivicCenter.org, by phone at 410548-4911 or in person at the box office (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.).

Worcester County Humane Society Thrift Store

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10% OFF ENTIRE ORDER WITH THIS COUPON • MCD

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AT WCHS THRIFT STORE FOR WEEKLY SALES & NEW DONATIONS

Page 55

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

December 6, 2019

What a fun Thanksgiving weekend it was around the area, especially at Fager’s Island’s Baltimore Brewers Fest as well as Lobster Shanty and Nantuckets. I also stopped in General’s Kitchen’s last weekend of the season.

The Staff at Nantucket’s Wish Everyone Happy Holidays.

They’re Open Through January 1.

By Terri French

Faces

SPOTLIGHT ON THE REGIONAL RESTAURANT AND BAR SCENE

Fager’s Island Brewers Fest Coordinators: Frank Cascio, Willie Rogers, Owner-John Fager and Phil Cropper

In Places

General’s Kitchen Crew: Jonathan Harmon, Aaron Campbell, Linwood Harmon, Mary Gallagher, Ashley Taylor, Lana Rakutsis, GM-Law Adkins and Owner Bob Noll

Lobster Shanty: Patti & Debi Curd, Mary Ruffner, Kim Fackett and Fred Ruffner

Fager’s Island Sisters: Annie Buxbaum and Rita Laddbush. Happy Birthday Annie!

Lobster Shanty Staffers: Kyle Stevens, Ellen Ruby, Santa Claus, Kris Sheppach and Jenn Helfer

Lobster Shanty: Chris Mills and Tim Carven

Fager’s Island Bartenders: Emilio DaLisa and Jess Malicki

General’s Kitchen Kitchen Crew: Justin “Jenkins” Walters, Marie Holt and Jose Granados

Nantucket’s: Delaney Twining and Dave Nayden

December 6, 2019

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 57

Business

Page 58

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

December 6, 2019

And Real Estate News New Dental Office Opens

Office Building Sold

BERLIN – Aspen Dental celebrated the grand opening of its new location on Route 50 this week.

The new office, at 11349 Samuel Bowen Boulevard, has convenient parking and features many amenities designed to make a patient’s visit as easy and comfortable as possible. In addition, the office is open extended hours on weekdays and on select Saturdays. Walk-in and emergency patients are welcomed.

Dr. Ekaterina Spirina, who received her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the Howard University College of Dentistry, leads the new practice. The doctor and her team will provide a range of dental services, including dentures, preventive care and restoration.

SALISBURY – Principal Bradley Gillis and Advisor Christian Phillips recently closed a deal on 200 East Church Street in downtown Salisbury.

The freestanding 4,700-square-foot office building is located at the Baptist Street intersection of Route 50, a main entrance into the heart of downtown.

Although the historic building underwent a complete renovation in 2009, purchaser Bret Davis of Davis Strategic Development intends to make additional updates to reintroduce the property into the area’s revitalization.

“Another smooth transaction where competing companies are able to work together to achieve a common goal,” said Davis. “We appreciate all the hard work Christian did to help us

The Coastal Association of REALTORS® recently installed its 2019-2020 Board of Directors. Joe Wilson, a REALTOR® and broker of Coastal Life Realty Group in Ocean City, was installed as president of the association’s board. Pictured, back from left, are Steve Parsons, Austin Whitehead, Wilson, Grant Fritschle, Brandon Johnson and Jackson St. Jean; and front, Joni Williamson, Bernie Flax, Brigit Taylor, Cameron Drew and Grace Masten.

Submitted Photo

close this deal.”

Bank Donates To Charities BERLIN – In recognition of Giving Tuesday, Shore United Bank has donated over $7,000 to 23 different nonprofit organizations.

For the past few months, employees have been selling Shore United Bank cookbooks to raise money to donate in honor of Giving Tuesday, a global giving movement where companies come together to give back to

the communities they serve.

Each location chose a non-profit organization to donate their cookbook proceeds to this month.

“We are excited to be a part of the Giving Tuesday initiative and even more proud of the employees for their hard work in selling the cookbooks.

Giving Tuesday is a great initiative that we encourage the public to participate in if they are able,” said Deb Rich, chief marketing and project officer of Shore United Bank.

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Deciding Between Custom Or Off-The-Shelf Software

December 6, 2019

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 59

Q&A WITH SAM CARD

BERLIN – This week we look into best practices regarding custom software vs. off-the-shelf software.

Q: Why would a business decide to purchase off-the-shelf software?

A: It usually doesn’t make sense to reinvent the wheel. It’s faster to buy offthe-shelf software because it can take months, even years, to develop custom software. Because commercial software is mass produced, it costs less and, from a security perspective, it’s been hardened and tested against security threats, and most vendors continue to upgrade security along with other features so you know you are protected against the latest cyberthreats.

Q: How can customized software or ERPs benefit a business?

A: When we talk about customized software, an ERP or “enterprise resource planning” platform is used.

ERPs are common in the manufacturing and wholesale distribution industries.

Custom software can give you a competitive advantage because, obviously, your competitors won’t have the same software capabilities that you

have. ERP platforms allow you to purchase the modules your business needs and then a developer creates your customized solutions from there.

The downside is your investment in customized software can be quite high, and it SAM CARD takes longer to roll out.

Q: Is there a threshold or specific decision-making criteria for when a business should think about cus-

tomized software?

A: It makes sense to buy custom software when your company has reached a certain level of revenue and/or a high number of employees. Some off-theshelf software programs have limitations on the amount of revenue they can manage or the number of users.

When a business has a large number of employees or there are multiple companies under one parent company umbrella, you probably need custom software so you can manage

all of your business needs.

Q: How does Cards work with companies that use customized software?

A: We look to understand how their software works, how they use it, what the security implications are. We learn the specifics about managing the software so they can use it to its fullest potential.

(The writer can be reached at SCard@cardstech.com. To learn more about Cards Technology, visit www.cards-tech.com.)

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Page 60

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

CHRISTMAS DAY PLAY FREE AT 68TH STREET 11AM-4PM

Horoscopes

December 6, 2019

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): That change in holiday travel plans might be more vexing than you'd expected. But try to take it in stride. Also, it couldn't hurt to use that Aries charm to coax out some helpful cooperation.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): Your Bovine determination helps you deal with an unforeseen complication.

And, as usual, you prove that when it comes to a challenge, you have what it takes to take it on.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): Although a romantic theme dominates much of the week, all those warm and fuzzy feelings don't interfere with the more pragmatic matters you need to take care of.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22): Best not to ignore those doubts about an upcoming decision. Instead, recheck the facts you were given to make sure nothing important was left out. A weekend surprise awaits you.

LEO (July 23 to Aug. 22): No time for a catnap -- yet. You might still have to straighten out one or two factors so that you can finally assure yourself of the truth about a troubling workplace situation. Stay with it.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 Sept. 22): News from an old friend could lead to an unexpected (but nonetheless welcome) reunion with someone who had once been very special in your life. Be open to the possibilities.

LIBRA (Sept. 23 to Oct. 22): It might be time for a family council. The sooner those problems are resolved, the sooner you can move ahead with your holiday preparations. Don't let the opportunity pass you by.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21): Take some time out to give more attention to a personal relationship that seems to be suffering from a sense of emotional neglect. Provide that muchneeded reassurance.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 to Dec. 21): Cheer up. That unusual circumstance that might faze most people can be handled pretty well by the savvy Sagittarian. Look at it as an opportunity rather than an obstacle.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19): Someone you believe has hurt you in the past might now need your help. Reaching out could be difficult.

But the generous Goat will be able to do the right thing, as always.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 to Feb. 18): Prioritizing is an important part of your pre-holiday scheduling. Try to give time both to your workday responsibilities and those personal matters you might have neglected.

PISCES (Feb. 19 to March 20): With the vestiges of your anger about that painful incident fading, you can now focus all your energy on the more positive aspects of your life, including that personal situation.

BORN THIS WEEK: You have a way of bringing your own strong sense of reassurance to others and encouraging them to hope. Š 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.

December 6, 2019

Every Monday: TOPS Meeting 5:30-6:30 p.m. Atlantic General Hospital, Berlin. Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a support group promoting weight loss and maintaining a healthy life-style.410-641-0157.

Every Monday: Delmarva Chorus Meeting 7 p.m. Ocean Pines Community Center.

Women of all ages invited to sing with the group. 410-641-6876.

Second Monday Of Month: Ocean Pines Camera Club 7 p.m. Ocean Pines branch library. Monthly get-together to share photos, tips, programs.

Group goes on a photo shoot the Saturday following meeting and hosts a hands-on workshop the last Thursday of each month.

Professional and amateur photographers and new members welcome. Meets second Monday of each month.

Every Tuesday: TOPS Meeting 5:30-7 p.m. Worcester County Health Center, 9730 Healthway Dr., Berlin. Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a support and educational group promoting weight loss and healthy lifestyle. jeanduck47@gmail.com.

Second Tuesday of Month: Eastern Shore Stamp Club Meeting 6 p.m. Salisbury branch, Wicomico County Library. Meetings held in basement.

Every Wednesday: Delmarva Hand Dance Club Dance To Sounds of ’50s And ’60s Music 5:30-9 p.m. Ocean City Elks Lodge, 13708 Sinepuxent Ave. $5 donation per person to benefit veterans and local charities in the Delmarva region. Members and guests welcome. dance@delmarvahanddancing.com or http://delmarvahanddancing.com. 410208-1151.

Every Wednesday: Rotary Club The Ocean City-Berlin Rotary Club meets Wednesdays on a weekly basis at the Residence Inn in Ocean City at 6 p.m.

Second Wednesday: Polish American Club Of Delmarva Meeting 2-4 p.m. Columbus Hall. Anyone of Polish or Slavic descent is welcome. No meetings June, July, August. 410-723-2639 or 410250-2548.

Every Thursday: Beach Singles 45 Plus, happy hour 4-7 p.m., Clarion Hotel, 10100 Coastal Hwy., Ocean City. 302-4369577, 410-524-0649, beachsingles.org.

Things To Do The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Second Thursday: Ocean Pines Garden Club 10 a.m. Ocean Pines Community Center.

Visitors and new members welcome.

Every Friday: Knights Of Columbus #9053 Bingo Doors open at 5 p.m., bingo at 6:30 p.m.

9901 Coastal Hwy., Ocean City. Possible to win the $1,000 big jackpot each week.

410-524-7994.

Every Friday: FORGE Contemporary Youth And Family Ministry 6:30-8:30 p.m. FORGE Center, 7804 Gumboro Rd., Pittsville. Designed for kids ages 5-65, the program provides a meal, music, games, activities and a life lesson that can be of use to anyone. Christian-based program but does not require the practice of faith to attend. 443-366-2813.

First Saturday Of Month: Writers Group 10 a.m.-noon. Berlin branch, Worcester County Library. Anyone interested in writing is invited to join the group and share a story, poem or essay or just come and enjoy listening to others. This is a free activity. New members are always welcome.

The group is comprised of amateur as well as professional, published writers willing to share their knowledge and offer tips on being creative with words.

December 6: Chicken, Fish Sandwich Sale St. Paul United Methodist Church at 405 Flower Street will host 11 a.m.-until. Fried chicken sandwich, $5; fried fish sandwich, $7.

December 6: Friday Night Dinner Selbyville Elks Lodge will host from 6-8 p.m. featuring grilled Italian chicken breast and smoked mozzarella sandwiches, Zuppa Toscana soup and dessert. Cocktails, soda and beer available. Public welcome. 410352-3445

December 7: Christmas Bazaar A Christmas Bazaar to fund the Grace Center for Maternal and Women’s Health at Most Blessed Sacrament School from

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Local crafters, raffle table and baked goods on hand. Homemade food will be available for purchase all day.

Eat-in or carry-out. 443-690-6913.

December 7: Church Bazaar Stevenson United Methodist Church’s Christmas Bazaar will be held 10 a.m.-2 p.m. with multiple vendors, silent auction and white elephant sale. Soup, sandwiches and baked goods, eat in or carryout.

December 7: Breakfast With Santa Breakfast buffet with Santa from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at Buckingham Presbyterian Church.

Cost for adults, $10; kids ages 3-10, $5; and kids 2 and under, free. Tickets available at door. Reservations recommended for large groups at 8:30 a.m. 410-641-0234.

December 7: Fresh Sausage Sale From 9-11 a.m. pickup at the Bishopville Volunteer Fire Department.

December 7: Annual Yard Sale From 8 a.m.-noon at the Bishopville Volunteer Fire Department. Breakfast sandwiches available. Tables $15 each or two for $25.

Call 619-922-9950 to reserve.

December 7: Fried Chicken Buffet All-you-can-eat at Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church in Willards from 11 a.m.-until.

Adults, $14; children, $7; under 6 free. Bake table and carryouts.

December 7: Breakfast With Santa From 8-11 a.m. at Dry Dock 28 in Ocean City featuring live music, Santa and a breakfast buffet. Tickets at the door. Adult, $10; 612 years old, $5; and under 5, free.

December 7: Berlin Holiday Studio Tour From noon-6 p.m., 10 studios will be open for browsing for no charge. It’s a wonderful chance to meet the painters, jewelers, woodworkers, metal crafters and printmakers. Maps available at the Berlin Visitors Center and Baked Desserts Café. Artists

Page 61 include Lynne Lockhart, Kirk McBride, Barbara Scheihing, CDF Fine Jewelry, Henry Fine Arts Gallery, Berlin Printery, Wooden Octopus, Tim Thompson, Deb Rolig, Austin Widdowson and Patti Backer at The Dusty Lamb.

December 7, 14 And 21: Advent Organ Recital Series Organ concerts at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in downtown Salisbury at 4 p.m. each day. Admission is free. 410-742-5118.

December 13: Christmas Concert A Christmas Concert, benefiting the CASA program, will be held at Stevenson United Methodist Church 7-8:30 p.m. Local musicians and children performing favorite holiday tunes as well as the Stevenson UMC hand bell choir and director and organist Ty Thompson.

December 13: Christmas Concert Pines Tones Chorus will perform at 7:30 p.m. at Atlantic United Methodist Church.

Admission is free. An offering will be received. Refreshments after in the church hall. All welcome.

December 13-15: Children’s Play Ocean Pines Players will perform ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas Friday, Dec. 13 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church at 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 14-15 at 2:30 p.m. at the Red Doors Community Center. Tickets for the play are $15 for adults and $10 for children 3 to 16, payable at the door, although seats can be reserved in advance on the Ocean Pines Players website at www.oceanpinesplayers.com.

December 14: Shoppers Bazaar Salisbury Elks Lodge #817 holding from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Forty local vendors and family-friendly event with Santa’s Workshop, gift wrapping, refreshments and prizes.

December 16: Holiday Lunch The Ocean City Senior Center will hold at 11 a.m., sponsored by the Bank of Ocean City. RSVP by Dec. 9 to Laura at 410-2890824 or laura.madara@worcoa.org

January 3: Cash Bingo Doors open at the Bishopville Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary at 5 p.m. with game beginning at 5:45 p.m. $25 in advance; $30 at the door. Call 619-922-9950 to reserve ticket.

RACETRACK AUTO SALES

WE PAY CASH!

We Buy Like-New And Used Cars, Trucks, Trailers

(410) 641-4600

The Dispatch Classifieds

Page 62

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

$15/Week For Minimum Of Five Lines • $2 Thereafter Per Line Display Classified Ads: $20/Week Per Column Inch (Contract Discounts Available)

Hiring for all positions.

For Both Locations Apply Online www.mygcjob.com

HELP WANTED CENTURY TAXI: Now hiring Taxi Driver. 443-235-5664.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– RENTAL ASSISTANT: Must have good customer service skills. Good benefits. Knowledge of Ccean City a must. Send resume to: keti@shorepro.com.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– SOUTHSIDE GRILL WOC: Hiring Line Cooks, Kitchen Help, Dishwashers. YR, FT or PT. Ambitious, willing to work individuals only. Pay neg. based on performance. 9923 Stephen Decatur Hy. 410-2131572.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– GO-CART SMALL ENGINE MECHANIC NEEDED: FT/YR. Call 410-289-4902 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––

TEA ROOM-BERLIN

Owner needs PT ASSISTANT

410-641-4000

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM AIDE Worcester Preparatory School, a coeducational college preparatory day school serving over 500 students in grades PK-12, is currently seeking an PT Aide for the After School Program. This person will assist with the supervision of children in grades PK-6 including homework help and activities. Previous child care experience a plus. CJIS Background Screening required.

Contact: Heather Parsons 410-641-3575 or hparsons@worcesterprep.org

YR,SERVERS LOOKING EVERYWHERE? CHECK HERE FIRST!

Real Estate Agents

Training / Technology / Culture

Don’t Settle for Average

Century 21 New Horizon 410-723-4500 EXT 758

Currently hiring manpower for

•STUCCO & EIFS MECHANICS • CARPENTERS •CONCRETE BLOCK • FLAT CONCRETE •CONCRETE REPAIRS •COMMERCIAL CAULKING •COATINGS SPECIALISTS •DELIVERY DRIVER •WINDOW & DOOR INSTALLERS Experience Preferred. Tools, transportation & a valid driver’s license are a plus.Competitive benefit package available.

Please apply in person at 11935 Hammer Rd, Bishopville, MD, or apply online: http://allstatesconst.com/delmarva-renovations-careers

NOW HIRING!

We’re hiring for multiple positions in our OC, MD office.

Including:

OPS PROJECT MANAGER LOW VOLTAGE SERVICE TECH Openings to start ASAP! Must have exp! Pay DOE & position. www.arksysinc.com or call 410.995.1220 ask for HR Work With the Best Ocean City has to Offer ...

We Invite You to be a Part of our Family!

WAREHOUSE / RECEIVING CLERK We are currently hiring a full time, year round warehouse / receiving clerk for our busy hotel. Responsibilities include maintaining inventories, and product distribution to internal outlets. Moderate to heavy lifting required. Must have excellent references.

Excellent benefits package.

Please apply within or send resume to:

CLARION RESORT FONTAINEBLEAU HOTEL 10100 COASTAL HIGHWAY OCEAN CITY, MD. 21842 Phone: 410-524-3535 Fax: 410-723-9109

EOE M/F/D/V

CLEANING SPECIALIST Part-time

Sea Play Homes is currently hiring for year round, part-time cleaning specialists in Ocean City, Berlin, and lower Delaware. • No experi-

ence necessary, will train. Be a part of a great team with an established, fast growing company • Top pay with opportunities for advancement..

• Must be flexible and dependable.

• Must have reliable transportation & cell phone.

• Background check & drug testing required.

Please send resumes to info@seaplayhomes.com or call 302-317-1390.

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

We Invite You to be a Part of our Family!

Now hiring ALEX’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT APPLY IN PERSON Rt 50 in West OC

PUT YOUR LOGO IN COLOR FOR JUST $10

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

Deadline For Insertions, Cancellations And Payment Is 3 p.m. Tuesday.

Pre-Payment Is Required. We Accept Visa & MasterCard.

Selbyville Goose Creek Fenwick Goose Creek

December 6, 2019

Assawoman Ale Shoppe Hiring for all positions.

Apply within store.

52nd Street, Bayside, OC.

1st Service Company has current openings for: Experienced HVAC Service Technicians Lead Installer Exp. installers Retro installations. Basic Trade hand tools required, all other tools of the trade, power and testing tools provided. Everything needed to perform quality work. Specialized training, monthly tool allowance, on call duty pay, uniforms including boots and outerwear, vacation and holiday pay, bonuses and other incentives. High paying positions.

This is an opportunity to work with a great team.

SIGN ON BONUS FOR QUALIFIED PERSON! To apply and Interview, call 410-208-3220 or 866-990-4822 Send resumes to: office@1stservicehvacr.com

DINING ROOM MANAGER We are currently recruiting an experienced Dining Room Manager to oversee and be responsible for our busy dining room & convention center. Must have strong management experience in a large restaurant, banquet and/or convention services experience, ability to train staff, excellent communication skills and ability to solve problems. Must be able to work a flexible schedule including weekends and holidays.

Our current F&B Manager is retiring after 26 years.

Excellent salary and benefits package.

Send resume and salary requirements to:

CLARION RESORT FONTAINEBLEAU HOTEL 10100 COASTAL HIGHWAY OCEAN CITY, MD. 21842

EOE M/F/D/V

Phone: 410-524-3535 Fax: 410-723-9109

The Dispatch Classifieds

December 6, 2019

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

$15/Week For Minimum Of Five Lines • $2 Thereafter Per Line Display Classified Ads: $20/Week Per Column Inch (Contract Discounts Available)

Year Round - Full/Part Time ~HOST/HOSTESS ~BANQUET SERVER ~SERVER ~BARTENDER ~BUSSER ~FOOD RUNNER ~LINE COOKS ~FRONT DESK ~LOBBY ATTENDANT ~POOL ATTENDANTS ~MAINTENANCE ~SECURITY GUARDS ~WASH ROOM ~HOUSESTAFF ~ROOM ATTENDANTS

FREE EMPLOYEE MEALS AND EXCELLENT BENEFITS! FAX RESUME & SALARY REQ. to: 410-723-9109 Online at www.clarionoc.com APPLY IN PERSON Mon-Sat 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

CLARION RESORT FONTAINEBLEAU HOTEL 10100 COASTAL HWY. OCEAN CITY, MD. 21842

RENTALS

WEEKLY RENTALS Pool Front Room $199 Family Room $235 2 BR Apartment $315.

3 BR Suite $400.

Burgundy Inn 1210 Philadelphia Ave.

410-289-8581 YEAR ROUND TOWNHOUSE: 3BR 2.5 BA, Furn. Modern appl’s, W/D, 117th ST. Bayside on canal. $1500. per mo. No pets, call 410-848-1767. dougherty35@aol.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– EFFICIENCY APT FOR RENT: 1BR, 1BA. $650 per mo. + util.’s & sec. dep.

Near Casino. Call Steve 410-2513412.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– NORTH OC: Spacious 4BR, 2BA. Unfurn. Lrg. Kitch., LR, florida Rm. New Appl’s. On water. $1600 per mo. + util.’s No pets. 443-856-5693 (text only) or 718-986-7382.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– FURNISHED WINTER RENTALS 2BR, 1BA Bayshore Dr. $900 per mo.

3BR, 2BA Jamestown Rd. $1,100 per mo. Tenant pays elec. & cable. 410202-2632 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

The Dispatch EOE M/F/D/V

LEGAL RATES: Legal advertising rate is $7 per column

inch. Deadline for all legal advertising is Tuesday at noon. For more information, call 410-641-4563 or fax 410-641-0966.

THIRD INSERTION KENNETH L HOOPER ESQ 126 EAST MAIN STREET P.O. BOX 138 SALISBURY, MD 21803 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18062

To all persons interested in the estate of FRANKLIN M. COSTON, SR. ESTATE NO. 18062. Notice is given that FLORETTA D. COSTON SR., 5686 CASTLE HILL ROAD, SNOW HILL, MD 21863, and FRANKLIN M. COSTON JR., 523 MAXWELTON CIRCLE, HINESVILLE, GA 31313, was on NOVEMBER 13, 2019, appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of FRANKLIN M. COSTON SR., who died on DECEMBER 25, 2018, without a will.

PUT YOUR LOGO IN COLOR FOR JUST $10

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

Deadline For Insertions, Cancellations And Payment Is 3 p.m. Tuesday.

Pre-Payment Is Required. We Accept Visa & MasterCard.

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

We Invite You to be a Part of our Family!

Page 63

WEEKLY RENTAL:4BR, 2 1/2BA. Fully furnished. W/D, Pool, Tennis court. Quiet community. 7 miles from the beach. $2,500 per wk. Call Mike for details. 410-877-3894.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

ROOMMATES ROOMS FOR RENT: Downtown, Good location. $350 & $375. Females only, prefer 20-30 yr olds to share Apt with other females. No drugs, no pets. 202-641-6166.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ROOM FOR RENT: Ocean Pines, single occupancy. 1 mi. from North gate. NON SMOKER. $600 per mo. + $500 sec. dep. 267-7842588.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– YR OR SEASONAL ROOMMATES: North OC. Looking for female roommates to share 3BR, 2BA Condo. Call Tricia 443-6104665.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

REAL ESTATE

Baybridge Construction, LLC.

COMMERCIAL WEST O.C. OFFICE/RETAIL SPACES AVAILABLE: 1 OfficeRetail and 1 Warehouses. Plenty of Parking. 443-497-4200.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

OCEANFRONT STORE FOR LEASE 1,100 sq. ft. with patio Space is immaculate!

7th St. & Bdwlk.

Avail. now or for 2020 season

443-880-5323

SERVICES J-N-J PAINTING: Free estimates.

Residential and light commercial.

Joe 443-610-4644.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Ceja’s Landscaping & More!

•YARD MAINTENANCE •PAINTING •POWER WASHING 410-251-3425 410-202-2545

ROOFING SIDING GUTTERS

Affordable pricing!

MHIC #132729.

Call 410-430-5907

FOR SALE FIREWOOD: Seasoned, split hardwood. $150/cord + delivery.

410-726-2887. Please lv. message ––––––––––––––––––––––––––– A/C WINDOW UNITS : 3 available (2 5000 BTU, 1 8000 BTU). GE Brand. Good working condition. $50/each. Will make deal on all 3.

302-270-3653.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– VINTAGE MAGAZINES: 50’s & 60’s magazines. Great/good condition. Most kept in sleeves. Life, Look, Womans Day, Good Housekeeping, Playboy and many more.

Call for more info. 410-251-1098.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

NEED EXTRA $$$$ FOR THE HOLIDAY’S? SELL YOUR STUFF HERE! 410-641-4561

Legal Notices

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 13th day of MAY, 2020.

FSBO-LOT-FENWICK AREAKEENWICK SOUND: Lot on Roy Creek, adjacent to golf course.

Water & sewer. $89,900. Call 302270-1894.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death, 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 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 NOVEMBER 22, 2019 FLORETTA D. COSTON SR. FRANKLIN M. COSTON

The Dispatch

Page 64

LEGAL RATES: Legal advertising rate is $7 per column

inch. Deadline for all legal advertising is Tuesday at noon. For more information, call 410-641-4563 or fax 410-641-0966.

JR. Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x 11-22, 11-29, 12-06

THIRD INSERTION JAMES R. SHOEMAKER 201 THOMAS JOHNSON DRIVE FREDERICK, MD 21702 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18034 To all persons interested in the estate of MARILYN ELIZABETH GALLAGHER, ESTATE 18034. Notice is given that WILLIAM R. GALLAGHER, 9505 PRINCE HARRY DRIVE, ORLANDO, FL 32836, was on NOVEMBER 15, 2019, appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of MARILYN ELIZABETH GALLAGHER, who died on AUGUST 18, 2019, 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 15th day of MAY, 2020.

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

Legal Notices

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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 tha 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 NOVEMBER 22, 2019 WILLIAM R. GALLAGHER Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x 11-22, 11-29, 12-06

SECOND INSERTION

MICHAEL B MATHERS ESQ WEBB, CORNBROOKS, WILBER, VORHIS, DOUSE & LESLIE, LLP PO BOX 910 115 BROAD STREET SALISBURY, MD 21803-0910 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18071 To all persons interested in the estate of ROSEMARY CAROLYN PEARSON, aka: ROSEMARY C. PEARSON, ESTATE 18071. Notice is given that FRANCES CAROLINE PEARSON, 18839 BIRDSEYE DRIVE, GERMANTOWN, MD 20874, was on NOVEMBER 21ST, 2019, appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of ROSEMARY CAROLYN PEARSON, who died on OCTOBER 4, 2019, 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 MAY, 2020.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death, 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 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 tha 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 NOVEMBER 29, 2019 FRANCES CAROLINE PEARSON Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x 11-29, 12-06, 12-13

SECOND INSERTION RAYMOND D. COATES JR, ESQ COATES,COATES, & COATES, P.A. 6200 COASTAL HIGHWAY, SUITE 300 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18074

To all persons interested in the estate of ALEXANDER V. ROSELLINI, ESTATE 18074.

Notice is given that JOANN C. ROSELLINI, 704 TWIN TREE ROAD, OCEAN CITY, MD 21842, was on NOVEMBER 22, 2019, appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of ALEXANDER V. ROSELLINI, who died on MAY 29, 2019, 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 MAY, 2020.

December 6, 2019

Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x 11-29, 12-06, 12-13

SECOND INSERTION THOMAS K. COATES, ESQ COATES,COATES, & COATES, P.A. 6200 COASTAL HIGHWAY, SUITE 300 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine months from the date of the decedent's death; or

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.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication NOVEMBER 29, 2019 JOANN C. ROSELLINI Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication NOVEMBER 29, 2019 CRAIG STEVEN SIMPSON DAVID WILLIAM SIMPSON Personal Representative

ESTATE NO. 18028 To all persons interested in the estate of MILDRED M SIMPSON, ESTATE 18028.

Notice is given that CRAIG STEVEN SIMPSON, 401 SUMMIT LANE, MIDDLETOWN, DE 19709 and DAVID WILLIAM SIMPSON, 405 21ST AVENUE NE, ST. PETERSBURG, FL 33704, were on NOVEMBER 22, 2019, appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of MILDRED M SIMPSON, who died on OCTOBER 5, 2019, with a will.

(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 tha date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before tha date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

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 MAY, 2020.

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

True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x 11-29, 12-06, 12-13

FIRST INSERTION

MARIANNA BATIE, ESQ LAW OFFICE OF MARIANNA BATIE 9748 STEPHEN DECATUR HIGHWAY STE 112 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842 SMALL ESTATE NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18039 To all persons interested in the estate of JOAN L. SCHAEFER, AKA: JOAN LINDSAY SCHAEFER. Notice is given that CHERYL DANEEN DOTTERWEICH, 512 TEAKWOOD DRIVE, LANOKA HARBOR, NJ 08734 and KATHARINE L. SCHAEFER, 19 BRITTANY LANE, BERLIN, MD 21811, were on DECEMBER 03, 2019, appointed Personal Representatives of the SMALL ESTATE of: JOAN L. SCHAEFER, who died on AUGUST 4, 2019 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 shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within 30 days after the date of publication of this Notice. All persons having any objection to the appoint-

The Dispatch

December 6, 2019

LEGAL RATES: Legal advertising rate is $7 per column

inch. Deadline for all legal advertising is Tuesday at noon. For more information, call 410-641-4563 or fax 410-641-0966.

ment shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within 30 days after the date of publication of this Notice.

All persons having claims against the decedent must serve their claims on the undersigned personal representative or file them with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Thirty days after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claims will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within thirty days from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Any claim not served or filed within that time, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication DECEMBER 06, 2019 CHERYL DANEEN DOTTERWEICH KATHARINE L. SCHAEFER Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 1x 12-06

Legal Notices

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

FIRST INSERTION SMALL ESTATE NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18075 To all persons interested in the estate of JOSEPH ALEXANDER ZAY, JR, AKA: JOSEPH A. ZAY. Notice is given that DEBORAH M. ZAY, 13487 BELLA VISTA LANE, UNIT 19, OCEAN CITY, MD 21843, was on NOVEMBER 25, 2019, appointed Personal Representative of the SMALL ESTATE of: JOSEPH ALEXANDER ZAY, JR, who died on FEBRUARY 14, 2014 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 shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within 30 days after the date of publication of this Notice. All persons having any objection to the appointment shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within 30 days after the date of publication of this Notice.

All persons having claims against the decedent must serve their claims on the undersigned personal representative or file them with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:

HELP AN ABUSED OR NEGLECTED CHILD.

BECOME A COURT APPOINTED CHILD ADVOCATE (CASA)

(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) Thirty days after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claims will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within thirty days from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Any claim not served or filed within that time, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication DECEMBER 06, 2019 DEBORAH M. ZAY Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 1x 12-06

FIRST INSERTION

HEATHER R. KONYAR, ESQ. 313 LEMMON HILL LANE SALISBURY, MD 21801 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18082 To all persons interested in

the estate of CHRISTOPHER M. TRIMPER. ESTATE NO. 18082. Notice is given that MICHELLE A. TRIMPER, 10708 PAR 5 LANE, BERLIN, MD 21811, was on NOVEMBER 27, 2019, appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of CHRISTOPHER M. TRIMPER, who died on OCTOBER 24, 2019, 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 27th day of MAY, 2020.

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

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sented or filed on or before tha 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 06, 2019 MICHELLE A. TRIMPER Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x 12-06, 12-13, 12-20

FIRST INSERTION

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18078 To all persons interested in the estate of JOSEPH H. MAYCOCK, ESTATE NO. 18078. Notice is given that WILLIAM E. MAYCOCK, 31901 SHAVOX RD, SALISBURY, MD 21804, was on NOVEMBER 25, 2019, appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of JOSEPH H. MAYCOCK, who died on OCTOBER 26, 2019, 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 25th day of MAY, 2020.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death, 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 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 tha 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 06, 2019 WILLIAM E. MAYCOCK Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x 12-06, 12-13, 12-20

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED! SIGN-UP TODAY!

Contact us to join our next training session: (410) 641-4598, www.gowoyo.org

1 IN 3 GIRLS AND 1 IN 7 BOYS WILL BE SEXUALLY ABUSED BEFORE THEY REACH THE AGE OF 18.

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Helping out with food and beverage service were Sam Wiley, Phyllis Grimes, Joe Verdura, and Mary Herl at the American Legion Post 166 Early Bird Membership Renewal Dinner.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

People

By Jeanette Deskiewicz

FEATURING THOSE HELPING CAUSES IN THE RESORT AREA

Members of the Delmarva Chorus, Carol Ludwig, Catherine Walker, Jean Frank and Barb Dau, were looking for new recruits to join their group at the Ocean Pines Senior Living Expo.

In Society

December 6, 2019

During the Ocean Pines Senior Living Expo, Janet Mengel and Ellen Krawczak, got the word out about the work they do at Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services.

Co-chairs of the Young Professionals of Ocean City 2019 Wine Tasting Fundraiser Ashley Rodriguez and Jason D’amore thanked Clint Dempsey of Southern Glazers (center) for his services at the event.

In addition to selling raffle tickets at the Ocean Pines Senior Living Expo, Marie and Bob Gilmore hoped to find some patriotic people to assist them at the Worcester County Veterans Memorial.

Veterans John Bussard and Nelson Kelly checked attendees in to the Early Bird Membership Renewal Dinner at American Legion Post 166.

Eastern Shore Cremation and Funeral Services’ Kathleen Morton Jones and Nicole Thornes provided information on their services during the Senior Living Expo at the Ocean Pines Community Center.

Karen Tomasello and Rachel Peck welcomed in the Young Professionals of Ocean City to Sello’s for a wine tasting benefitting the 2019 Christmas Spirit Campaign.

American Legion Post 166 rewarded its members who renewed early this year with a free dinner including Cindy (Auxiliary) and Harold Evans (Legionnaire).

Happy to support a good cause were Young Professionals Theoni Rapo and Stephanie Seibert at the 2019 Christmas Spirit Campaign Wine Tasting Fundraiser.

Cold Stun Season Reminders Issued

December 6, 2019

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Despite relatively mild air temperatures recently, water temperatures continue to drop, increasing the possibility of cold-stunning for sea turtles and marine mammals.

According to a Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) report, water temperatures have started to decline, opening the possibility of hypothermia, or cold-stunning, for many marine mammals and sea turtles. Each year, hundreds of sea turtles and other marina animals strand on the beaches up and down the midAtlantic region and end up at the National Aquarium and other similar rehabilitation facilities.

In many cases, the cold-stunned creatures are successfully rehabilitated and later released back into the wild, but in other cases, the effects can be lethal.

In either case, the DNR this week is advising local mariners and beachgoers to be on the lookout for marine creatures affected by the phenomenon.

“Cold-stunning to sea turtles and marine mammals can occur from late October to early winter,” said Maryland Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Response Program Coordinator Amanda Weschler this week. “While cold-stunning is a natural occurrence, it’s very important to report any sightings to the department.”

During the late fall and early winter, sea turtles hit patches of extremely cold water during their typical migration patterns to warmer climates and the cold water literally stuns them to the point their bodies start to shut down. Unable to swim and navigate, the disabled sea turtles are at whims of the tides and often strand on area beaches.

The immediate impacts can cause some species to become slow and unresponsive, making them dangerous to themselves and boaters. Last year alone, marine animal rescue organizations responded to nearly 1,000 coldstunned animals on beaches up and down the east coast.

Again, it’s important to get coldstunned marine creatures the help they need before it often becomes too late. Anyone who sees an unresponsive sea turtle or marine mammal in the water or on the beach is urged to contact the Maryland Marine Mammal Stranding Hotline at 800-628-9944.

The hotline is manned 24 hours a day all year-round.

As a reminder, marine mammals are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, while sea turtles are protected under the Endangered Species Act. Anyone who comes in contact with a cold-stunned marina animal is encouraged to contact the stranding hotline, but not to touch, collect, feed or otherwise harass the creatures.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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WeSt OCeaN City-BerliN-OCeaN PiNeS aSSateague DiNer rte. 611 & Sunset ave., West Ocean City 443-664-8158 www.assateaguedinerandbar.com Inspired by a classic diner culture, this new hotspot offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. The menu here features classic comfort foods prepared and executed with a modern coastal trust.

Be sure to check out the exceptional coffee program and the Westside Bar within features delicious craft cocktails throughout the day.

BlaCKSmitH reStauraNt & Bar 104 Pitts St., Berlin • 410-973-2102 Located in the heart of America’s Coolest Small Town, Berlin, Md., Blacksmith has established itself as one the area’s most loved dining and drinking destinations for foodies and wine, spirt and craft beer enthusiasts. Chef owned and locally sourced, Blacksmith keeps the main focus on Eastern Shore tradition. Everything here is homemade and handmade. Cakes and baked goods are delivered daily from down the street.

Cozy and modern, traditional and on trend; Blacksmith has risen to the ranks of the area’s finest casual eating and drinking establishments.

Visit and see why folks from Baltimore, D.C., Chincoteague and locals alike think Blacksmith is worth the trip. Open daily at 11:30 a.m. for lunch, dinner and bar snacks. Closed Sunday.

BreaKfaSt Cafe Of OCeaN City 12736 Ocean gateway, West Ocean City 410-213-1804 Open 7 days a week between Sunsations & Starbucks, across from Outback, come join us at the “Breakfast Cafe” (formerly Rambler Coffee Shop) we are a family-friendly restaurant that’s been family owned for 30 years passed from mother to son in 2001. We believe that fair pricing, putting out quality food as fresh as we can make it and a nice atmosphere makes a meal. I like to think we have many “House Specialties” which include our Crab Omelet, real crab meat, cheddar cheese and mushrooms, our Sunfest Omelet, Swiss cheese, ham and mushrooms; Cafe or French Sampler, pancakes or French toast, with eggs, bacon and sausage.

Homemade creamed chipped beef on toast and sausage gravy on biscuits with browned potato home fries, with onion, excellent cheesesteak subs and fries and more! We use Rapa Scrapple fried on the grill the way you like it for all our breakfasts, sandwiches and sides. Summer hours, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Come enjoy!

CariBBeaN jOe’S Bar & grille 12614 Ocean gateway Next to alamo Hotel 443-664-8509 Completely renovated and under new ownership, we are proudly located at the first ever motel in Ocean City, “The Alamo.” You truly will not believe what we’ve done! Thursday we have fresh 1/2-lb. burgers served on a delicious Hawaiian Roll for only $5. Wash it down with a natural light for only $1. We also have tender pulled-pork sandwiches and unique chicken salad to die for. We’re open 7 days a week when the season kicks in. Come see our Caribbean atmosphere, 7 flat-screen TVs and the coolest pool bar in Ocean City.

CraB alley golf Course rd., West Ocean City Head Of Commercial fishing Harbor 410-213-7800 • www.craballey.com Just close enough to be out of the way-located at the head of the commercial fishing harbor in West Ocean City, Crab Alley has it all! Spectacular view, casual and fun atmosphere, super service and mouth-watering food combine to make “The Alley” a true locals’ favorite. Enjoy our light fare and full menu of unbelievably fresh seafood, chicken and steaks indoors or on our upper deck. We offer appetizers, sandwiches and a children’s menu too. Our name says it all -”crack’em and attack ‘em”. Big Fat Crabs both by the dozen and all you can enjoy specials. Check out our website for our fantastic happy hour food and drink specials or find us on Facebook. Having a special affair? We can handle your group, large party or special occasion. Make Crab Alley your first stop! tHe DOugH rOller West Ocean City, 410-213-7655 S. Division St. & Boardwalk, 410-289-3501

Dining Out The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

3rd St. & Boardwalk 410-289-2599 41st St. & Coastal Hwy • 410-524-9254 70th St. & Coastal Hwy • 410-524-7981 Ocean City’s favorite family restaurant for 40 years! Open 8 a.m. breakfast, lunch and dinner, great kid’s menu. Breakfast and lunch specials offered during the week at WOC, 41st Street and 70th Street locations. At same locations, Tuesdays are half-price pizza nights; Wednesdays are Dollar Days with special offers for breakfast and dinner. Thursdays are half-price Italian dinner nights. Order online DoughRollerRestaurants.com

DumSer’S DairylaND West Ocean City, Boardwalk locations, 501 S. Philadelphia ave., 49th St. & 123rd St. www.dumsersdairyland.com This classic ice cream shop is a tradition for many families. Voted O.C.'s “Best Ice Cream” for the past 20 years, Dumser's is celebrating 80 years of serving the shore, and the ‘40sstyle décor takes you back in time. With locations throughout Ocean City, treating your tastebuds to this signature homemade ice cream is easy. The 49th and 124th streets locations offer vast lunch and dinner menus (breakfast too at 124th) in addition to a wide variety of ice cream treats. You’ll find an impressive array of kid-favorites, along with fried chicken and seafood options, wraps, subs, sandwiches, salads and sides like sweet potato fries and mac-and-cheese wedges. fOx’S Pizza DeN 11328 Samuel Bowen Blvd., West Ocean City 410-600-1020 • www.foxpizzamd.com Enjoy a brand new, spacious dining room.

Happy hour every day from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. with $5 food specials and awesome drink specials. Enjoy incredible weekly chef specials along with our extensive regular menu. Check out foxspizzamd.com for a list of our regular menu items

full mOON SalOON 12702 Old Bridge rd., West Ocean City 443-664-5317 Locally owned and operated, this moderately priced casual restaurant/bar has freshly caught seafood, BBQ, and pork entrees, giant sandwiches as well as a variety of homemade soups.

Locally we are known for our jumbo lump crab cakes, pork and beef BBQ, cream of crab soup, and 100% angus burgers as well as a variety of other sandwiches and entrees that are cooked with a local flair. Open daily at 11 a.m. for lunch and open until midnight. Sundays breakfast offered 8 a.m.-noon. Fifteen televisions and a big screen available for all sports events.

greeNe turtle-WeSt rte. 611, West Ocean City • 410-213-1500 Visit Maryland’s No. 1 Sports Pub and Rest-aurant, the World-Famous Greene Turtle. Proudly serving West Ocean City since January 1999, The Greene Turtle features a beautiful 80-seat dining room, large bar area with 54 TVs with stereo sound and game room with pool tables.

With an exciting menu, The Greene Turtle is sure to please with delicious sizzling steaks, jumbo lump crab cakes, raw bar, homemade salads and more. Live entertainment, Keno, Turtle apparel, kids menu, carry-out. Something for everyone! Voted best sports bar, wings and burgers in West OC. Great happy hour and plenty of parking.

HarBOrSiDe Bar & grill South Harbor rd. • 410-213-1846 They take their mantra, “Where You Always Get Your Money’s Worth,” seriously here with daily food and drink specials during happy hour as you watch the boats come in from a day offshore. Delicious daily chef specials are always worth a try or stay with any of the house favorites, such as the calamari and ahi bruschetta for appetizers or any of the homemade tacos and fresh off the dock seafood selections as

sandwiches or entrees. It’s the home of the original fresh-squeezed orange crush, of course.

HOOterS reStauraNt rt. 50 & Keyser Point rd., West Ocean City 410-213-1841 • www.hootersofoc.com New mouthwatering smoked wings with half the calories. Traditional wings and boneless wings with 12 sauce selections. Burgers, quesadillas, tacos, and healthy salads. Extensive seafood selections with raw bar and Alaskan crab legs.

Children's menu and game room. Apparel and souvenir shop. Sports packages on a ton of TVs and live entertainment. Wing-fest every Tuesday from 6 to 8 with 50 cent wings. And of course, the world famous Hooters Girls. Large parties welcome. Call for private party planning.

ligHtHOuSe SOuND St. martin’s Neck rd. • 410-352-5250 Enjoy the best views of Ocean City at the newly renovated, Lighthouse Sound. Come relax and dine overlooking the bay and the beautiful Ocean City skyline. Savor entrees such as local rockfish, tempura-battered soft shell crabs, char-grilled filet mignon and jumbo lump crabcakes. Open to the public, we serve Sunday brunch, lunch and dinner. One mile west of Ocean City, Md., just off Route 90 on St. Martin’s Neck Road. Reservations recommended. rutH’S CHriS Within the glenriddle Community 410-213-9444 • www.ruthschris.com Ruth’s Chris specializes in the finest customaged Midwestern beef. We broil it exactly the way you like it at 1,800 degrees to lock in the corn-fed flavor. Then we serve your steak sizzling on a heated plate so that it stays hot throughout your meal. Many of our recipes were developed by Ruth, favorites such as shrimp Remoulade, Crabtini and Ruth’s chop salad. Located five miles west of Ocean City in the GlenRiddle Golf clubhouse. Extensive wine list. Reservations recommended.

tHe SHarK ON tHe HarBOr 12924 Sunset ave., West Ocean City 410-213-0924 • ocshark.com We make real food from scratch. We believe that great food and healthful ingredients are not mutually exclusive of each other. Featuring local organic produce and seafood. All natural products – clear of preservatives and antibiotics. Whole grains and whole foods are used in the preparation of our menu – which our chefs write twice daily, based on what's fresh, available and delicious. Fresh. Local. Organic.

Taste the difference. Open Daily Year Round, Monday through Saturday for Lunch & Dinner and Sundays for Brunch, Lunch & Dinner.

Reservations suggested. iNlet tO 94tH Street

28tH St. Pit & PuB 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. 410-289-2020 • www.pitandpub.com Ocean City’s home of Pulled Pork and the finest barbecue, the legendary 28th Street Pit & Pub is known for serving up delicious smokehouse specialties. Grab a brew and enjoy the live sports action on one of the big screen TVs. Happy Hour daily, 3-6 p.m. Family friendly atmosphere. Weekend entertainment.

32 Palm 32nd St. Oceanside in the Hilton 410-289-2525 • www.32palm.com Executive Chef Rick Goodwin has introduced an exciting new menu. A favorite among many is the Bermuda Triangle, featuring cinnamon seared scallops finished with an ancho mango coulis along with house broiled crabcake with a sweet chili remoulade and finally, applewood smoked bacon wrapped around jumbo shrimp, grilled to perfection with jalapeno barbecue

December 6, 2019 sauce. Other wonderfully delicious dishes cover the land and sea as well and each have a special touch that makes this restaurant unique among its peers. Children’s menu available.

Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

45tH Street taPHOuSe 45th St. & the Bay • 443-664-2201 At the newly remodeled 45th Street Taphouse, the best views of bayside Ocean City, MD are the backdrop where craft beer meets Maryland cuisine. This is vacation done right, all year long.

Wash down a Crabby Pretzel or homemade crabcakes with one of our 35+ craft beers on tap, all made right here in the USA. Not feeling crabby?

Pair your craft brew with our award-winning wings or even our brand new breakfast menu. Anyway it’s served, come get tapped with us.

BONfire 71st St. & Coastal Hwy. • 410-524-7171 www.thebonfirerestaurant.com 150 ft. Seafood & Prime Rib Buffet. A famous Ocean City Restaurant for 37 years. It’s all here.

The service, the atmosphere and the finest, freshest food available. Fresh seafood, snow crab legs, prime rib, BBQ ribs, raw oysters, raw clams, steamed shrimp, fish, homemade soups & salads. Decadent dessert selection – homemade donuts & bread pudding, soft serve ice cream with hot fudge topping and lots more!

Large selection of children’s favorites – chicken tenders, hot dogs, burgers, macaroni & cheese and pizza. A la carte menu available featuring fresh cut steaks and seafood. Open MondayFriday at 4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, at 3 p.m.

Plenty of free parking.

Buxy’S Salty DOg 28th St. • 410-289-0973 • www.buxys.com Destiny has a new home in Ocean City. From the ‘burgh to the beach, Buxy’s is your home away from Pittsburgh. Come see what all the locals already know and have known – Buxy’s is the place to come to meet friends, relax and be social with no attitudes. House specialties include “The” Cheesesteak Sub, Primanti-styled sandwiches, piero-gis,egg-rolls and homemade crab dip. Don’t miss our daily specials.

COiNS PuB & reStauraNt 28th St. Plaza • 410-289-3100 Great mid-town location offering a complete dinner menu, lunch and lite fare. Coins features the freshest seafood, shrimp, scallops, clams, fresh catch and lobster plus the best crab cake in Maryland, hand cut steaks cook-ed to your liking, succulent veal and chicken dishes. Also authentic pasta selections. Enjoy live entertainment and dancing in the lounge nightly. Happy hour daily 3-6 p.m. Casual dining in a relaxed atmosphere.

Special kids menu. Lots of free parking.

Dry 85 OC 12 48th St. • 443-664-8989 • dry85.com Steps from the beach. Gourmet "stick to your ribs" Lowcountry cuisine. A made-from-scratch kitchen with every sauce and every dressing hand crafted. It's that attention to detail that takes the concept of burgers, fries, ribs and wings and turns them completely on their head. Charcuterie boards. Late night bar. 120+ Whiskies. Craft beer. Artisanal craft cocktails. Seasonal outdoor seating. Named one of the Top 40 Whiskey Bars in America by Whiskey Advocate.

Dry DOCK 28 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. • 410-289-0973 The new kid on the dining scene in Ocean City features eclectic pizzas, delicious sandwiches, soups, salads and hot steamers in a modern, nautical themed atmosphere. A beautiful boat bar is featured inside and features craft cocktails and brews. Outdoor seating is available. Carry out available and beer and wine to go. Live music is also offered in this kid-friendly establishment. fager’S iSlaND reStauraNt & Bar 201 60th St. On the Bay 410-524-5500 • www.fagers.com Fager’s Island is an award-winning popular bay-front restaurant where lunch is a forgivable habit, dinner an event and sunsets unforgettable. Lite fare lunch served from 11 a.m.-9 p.m., dinner from 5 p.m., famous raw bar, festive Sunday Jazz Brunch, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and children’s menu. Complete house wine list and award-winning proprietor’s list available upon request. Outdoor decks and bar. Nightly enterSee Next Page

Dining Out The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

December 6, 2019

tainment in-season, Friday-Saturday, off-season. Open every day, year-round. A Fun Place!

HOOTERS RESTAURANT 5th St. & The Boardwalk Ocean City 410-289-2690 • www.hootersofoc.com Mouthwatering traditional and boneless wings with 12 sauce selections. Burgers, quesadillas, tacos, and healthy salads. Extensive seafood selections with Alaskan snow crab legs and Maryland steam pots. Kids’ menu. Pet-friendly oceanfront patio. Official Hooters merchandise and of course, the world-famous Hooters Girls.

JOHNNY'S PIZZA & SPORTS PUB 56th St. & Coastal Hwy. 410-723-5600 • www.johnnyspizzapub.com The Official Pizza of OC, Johnny's Pizza & Sports Pub serves families throughout Ocean City and its surrounding communities 365 days a year. Eat in, carry out or have it delivered right to your doorstep. Our comfortable dining room features ample seating for small groups or large parties and our speedy delivery service will deliver your hot, delicious pizza right to your home, hotel or condo for your added convenience. From steaming homemade pizzas to lightly tossed salads and fiery hot wings, we have something for everyone. Live entertainment every weekend all winter and live entertainment four nights in the summer.

MARLIN MOON RESTAURANT 33rd St. in the DoubleTree Oceanfront 410-289-1201 • www.marlinmoonocmd.com Eat where the locals eat. Marlin Moon is back in town with the talented Executive Chef, Gary Beach, creating his legendary food magic. Marlin Moon combines an eclectic atmosphere of ocean views and a fresh vibe with creative seafood and steak dishes you won’t forget. Winner of the Maryland People’s Choice Award, Marlin Moon delivers the culinary combinations you’re craving and uses only locally sourced seafood, meats and vegetables. Some of the original classics, such as Mom’s Shrimp and Freddy’s Seafood Pasta, are back as well as a raw bar, small plate appetizers, fresh salads and entrees sure to satisfy any food mood. Open daily serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner from 7 a.m.-11 p.m.

RED RED WINE BAR OC 12 48th St. • 443-664-6801 • redredwinebar.com Steps from the beach. Fresh coastal cuisine with a focus on locally sourced seafood and hand tossed pizzas. Artisanal cheeseboards. 35+ Wines By the Glass. Full bar. Craft beer. Late night bar. Luxurious colors and custom built couches. Casual atmosphere. Seasonal outdoor seating. Named Best Wine and Beverage Program in Maryland by the Restaurant Association.

PICKLES PUB 8th St., Ocean City • 410-289-4891 It’s pub food with a twist and a special emphasis put on quality and large portions. The big juicy burgers and oven baked wedge sandwiches are locals’ favorites as are the pub wings (in a variety of styles) and tacos (choose from thai pulled pork, grilled chicken and blacked ahi avocado).

There are numerous unique craft pizza options to choose from as well with the house favorite here being the blackened shrimp and arugula.

SEACRETS • On The Bay At 49th St.

410-524-4900 • www.seacrets.com We are Jamaica USA! Serving our world famous jerk chicken, along with a full menu of appetizers, soups, sandwiches, salads, entrees, desserts and a children's menu. Enjoy happy hour drink prices everyday until 7 p.m.and live entertainment in a tropical atmosphere. Please check our website www.sea-crets.com for a complete list of live bands and daily food and drink specials or call 410-524-4900. Find us and get lost!

94TH ST. NORTH-FENWICK-BETHANY

ABBEY BURGER BISTRO 410-250-2333 • 12601 Coastal Hiwy.

An enticing selection of flavors are offered for any burger palate, from rotating exotic meats like antelope to locally raised Dry Aged Black Angus to Delicious Handmade Vegetarians and even Vegan options. All are hand-pattied and made to order. If you’re feeling creative, you can build your own using our signature ‘Build A Burger’ checklist, or simply choose one of the tested and proven classics and leave it to the chef. A wide selection of local, domestic, and imported beers and micro-brews as well as an expansive bar are featured. Also offered are adult and children’s arcade games as well as a children’s play area.

CAROUSEL OCEANFRONT HOTEL & CONDOS 118th St. & the Beach • 410-524-1000 Reef 118 Oceanfront Restaurant located in the Carousel Hotel offers beautiful oceanfront dining in a casual atmosphere. Enjoy a hearty breakfast buffet or try one of our specialty omelets including lump crab and asparagus. Our menu offers a wide variety of Succulent Seafood along with steaks, pastas & ribs. $5.95 kids’ menu available. Stop by the Bamboo Lounge serving happy hour daily 4-6 p.m. with super drink prices and $4.95 food specials. Visit the Carousel and get served by the friendliest staff in OC! THE CRABCAKE FACTORY USA 120th St./Beachside (Serene Hotel) 410-250-4900 Voted “Best Crabcakes in Maryland, DC and Virginia” by The Washington Post. Full-service family restaurant, carry-out and sports bar.

Outside seating available. Menu selections include prime rib, chicken Chesapeake, steamed shrimp, beer battered fish, real Philly cheesesteaks, burgers, and a kids menu. Casual attire, full liquor bar, no reservations. Open Year Round. The Crabcake Factory started out as a breakfast house in 1996 and still serves one of the best and most creative breakfast menus in Ocean City. Try Eastern Shore favorites prepared daily by Chef-Owner John Brooks including a chipped beef, skillets, omelettes and their famous lump crab creations. World-Famous

Come Join Us On Sunday

UPCOMING EVENTS Saturday, December 7, Christmas Bazaar 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Friday, December 13, Christmas Concert benefiting C.A.S.A. 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Stevenson United Methodist Church

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

EVERY SUNDAY

8:30 a.m.: Fellowship 9:00 a.m.: Worship Service 9:30 a.m.: Sunday School

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Crabcakes are served all day starting at 8 a.m. and can be packed on ice for you while you are eating breakfast. Try Sue’s Spicy Bloody Marys to start the day with a kick. Full breakfast menu available for carry-out. Online at: www.CrabcakeFactory-USA.com. See other listing (Crabcake Factory USA). Open year-round.

CRABCAKE FACTORY BAYSIDE Rt. 54, Selbyville, DE • 302-988-5000 Under new ownership but SAME award-winning crab cakes and bloody marys! Enjoy WATERFRONT dining. Full-service family restaurant, carry-out & sports bar. Outside seating available.

Open daily at 9 a.m. YEAR ROUND. Menu selections include crab cakes, prime rib, Philly-style cheese steaks, various seafood, kids menu plus full breakfast menu. visit us online at crabcakefactory-online.com or on our Facebook page. Casual dress, full liquor bar, no reservations.

FENWICK CRAB HOUSE 100 Coastal Hwy., Fenwick Island, DE 302-539-2500 Along with all-you-can-eat crabs every day, the full menu is available daily for eating in or eating out. Daily dinner specials are offered along with favorites such as fried chicken and baby back ribs. Check out the new lunch menu, which is available until 3 p.m. daily. A fun and popular happy hour is also offered daily until 6 p.m. with food and drink specials.

GREENE TURTLE-NORTH 116th St. & Coastal Hwy • 410-723-2120 www.facebook.com/OriginalGreeneTurtle This is the Original Greene Turtle, an Ocean City Tradition, since 1976! A fun and friendly Sports Bar & Grille, where every seat is a great spot to watch sports with 50+ High Def. TVs up & downstairs! Menu favorites include homemade crab cakes, kids’ menu, salads, burgers, wings and more! Join them for weekday lunch specials 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and happy hour 3-7 p.m. Popular features are game room, gift shop, carry-out, party trays, nightly drink specials, MD Lottery-Keno, Powerball and DJs with dance floor. Something for everyone! Open 11 a.m-2 a.m., year-round.

HARPOON HANNA’S RESTAURANT & BAR Rte. 54 & The Bay, Fenwick Island, DE www.harpoonhannasrestaurant.com 302-539-3095 No reservations required. Harpoon Hanna’s features a children’s menu & full bar. We are a casual waterfront restaurant serving lunch & dinner including fesh fish, seafood, steaks, sandwiches and all-you-can-eat Alaskan crab legs. Open year-round.

HORIZONS OCEANFRONT RESTAURANT Located Inside The Clarion Resort 101st St., Ocean City • 410-524-3535

1 OFF

$ 00

Horizons Oceanfront Restaurant is proud to have Chef Rob Sosnovich creating beach-inspired dishes in both our oceanfront restaurants, Horizons and Breaker’s Pub. Our new all day menu, available 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m., features many of your favorites and some exciting new creations with a local flare – from Lite Bites to Big Bites and everything in between. Our deluxe Sunday breakfast buffet is open year-round and our “famous” all-you-can-eat prime rib, crab legs and seafood buffet is available most weekends throughout the year and daily in season. The Ocean Club Nightclub features top-40 dance music every weekend and nightly this summer. We’ve added some popular local bands to our lineup, so come join us “where the big kids play!” Lenny’s Beach Bar & Grill: enjoy surf, sun and live entertainment 7 days a week on the deck, from Memorial day through Labor Day during our afternoon beach parties. Enjoy something to eat or drink from our extensive menu. Try our “Bucket of Fun”, or a fresh “Orange Crush”–two of our favorites!

LIGHTHOUSE SOUND RESTAURANT 12723 St. Martin’s Neck Road, Bishopville, MD • 410-641-1199 Join us for dinner tonight and enjoy the best views of Ocean City, overlooking the Assawoman Bay and the Ocean City skyline. We feature our signature crab cakes, sizzling steaks and fresh fish entrees. Join us for lunch, dinner or Sunday brunch. Specializing in weddings and banquets. For more info visit www.lighthousesoundrestaurant.com or call 410-641-1199.

NANTUCKETS Rte. 1, Fenwick Island • 302-539-2607 Serving the beach great food and spirits for over 20 years. David and Janet Twining will wow you with the finest foods and drinks in the area. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by what one of the coast’s finest dining establishments has in store for guests. Everything here is a house specialty. There’s the memorable steaks, fresh seafood, famous quahog chowder and the chef’s daily specials, just to name a few.

SMITTY MCGEE’S Rte. 54-West Fenwick Ireland 302-436-4716 • www.smittymcgees.com Smitty McGee’s is the place to be for fun. Best wings on the beach for 28 years and counting.

Enjoy great food and drink specials in a casual atmosphere. Happy hour daily. Come enjoy the live entertainment Thursday and Friday. Full menu served unil 1 a.m. Banquet facilities available. Open seven days a week. We never close!

SURF’S EDGE DELI & PIZZERIA 100 Coastal Hwy., Fenwick Island 302-537-5565 Best Salads award by Coastal Style 4 years in a row. Healthy, casual dining featuring homemade salads, fresh salads, subs, paninis, sandwiches and pizza. Open for lunch and dinner.

Children’s menu, take-out and delivery available.

TWINING’S LOBSTER SHANTY Rte. 54, Fenwick Island • 302-436-2305 www.twiningshanty.com “A funky little place at the edge of town.” Classic New England Fare, Lobsters, Steaks & Burgers, Children’s menu. Bird watching, magical sunsets await. Open for lunch and dinner. Reservations are suggested.

Any 3-, 4-, 5-Litre Wine

Not Valid With Other Offers Or Discounts Exp. 12-31-19 • MCD

15% OFF Any Case Of Wine

Not Valid With Other Offers Or Discounts Exp. 12-31-19 • MCD

10% OFF

750 ml/1.5 L Bottle Of Wine Not Valid With Other Offers Or Discounts Exp. 12-31-19 • MCD

Cheers!

BEER • WINE • SODA Open 7 Days A Week

Mon.-Thurs., 7 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 7 a.m.-10 p.m. & Sun., 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

Gas • Ice Cigarettes

410-641-2366 • Main St. & Old O.C. Blvd., Berlin, Md.

Page 70

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

The Dispatch Crossword Puzzle

ANSWERS ON PAGE 48

OCEAN CITY vanishing

December 6, 2019

WITH BUNK MANN

The Stowaway Motel was built by Bill Carrier in 1956 and occupied the entire ocean block between 21st and 22nd streets. It was the largest motel in Ocean City in the 1960s with 120 units spread throughout three sections. Home to the biggest pool on Motel Row (local kids would sneak in to swim in the summer) and the famous Hide-A-Way Lounge, the Stowaway was a popular place for 30 years.

The Stowaway Motel was torn down following the 1995 season and was replaced after several long construction delays by the 12-story Grand Hotel in 2001.

To purchase one of Bunk Mann's books, click over to www.vanishinPostcard from Bunk Mann goc.com.

December 6, 2019

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

December 6, 2019