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Probes Continue In Hit-And-Run Cases

BY STEVE GREEN EDITOR

BERLIN – Two fatal hit-and-run cases from last year remain under active investigation amid a constant swirl of questions, but progress was cited this week in the spirited quest for justice in a local teen’s death.

The higher profile of the two unresolved pedestrian fatalities from 2022 was the first involving Gavin Knupp, who was 14 years old when he was killed crossing Grays Corner Road last summer as a pedestrian returning to a vehicle driven by his sister. Officially, what is known today is what was reported by police hours after the fatal collision. The public comments remain the same. Maryland State Police Office of Media Communications Director Elena Russo confirmed this week that “the case is still active and ongoing.”

Last Thursday, Knupp’s father, Ray, posted on the Do It For Gavin-Justice for Gavin Facebook page, which is a public group with 19,600 followers, “Met with SA (State’s Attorney) today. Won’t be much longer.”

H H H H H H H H H H

Knupp family attorney Neil Dubovsky expanded on that post, saying, “As their investigation works its way to a conclusion, we remain confident that (State’s Attorney) Kris Heiser and her incredible team will secure justice for the Knupp family and the entire community. We remain appreciative of everyone’s encouragement and support.”

Due to the investigation remaining active, Heiser was unable to offer details Friday. “I cannot comment on the Knupp investigation as it is still ongoing, but I can confirm that we do meet with and update victims on cases regularly and that it is our common practice to do so,” she said.

Three months later and a little more than a mile to the east of where Knupp was struck on Grays Corner Road, on Oct. 6, retired local veterinarian Terri Wattay, 59, of Berlin was killed in a hit-andrun crash near her residence.

The preliminary investigation indicated the vehicle was traveling west on Grays Corner Road when it struck Wattay who was on the right side of the roadway. Troopers subsequently located the driver of the vehicle, later identified as Russell Kimball, 62, of Berlin. He told police he swerved to miss a dog. He has not been charged in the case.

“Under active investigation” was the same report from Maryland State Police when asked about the status of the Wattay death this week. Heiser confirmed the investigation remains ongoing and could not comment.

It's not uncommon for motor vehicle fatalities to take many months for charges to be filed, according to recent history. For example, on Dec. 17, 2018, police revealed that a single-vehicle accident in the area of Route 589 near Beauchamp Road claimed the life of a 25-year-old man. According to police, an F-150 pickup truck crashed after the driver, a 30year-old Worcester County man, lost control of the vehicle. The 25-year-old pas-

Council Pauses Corridor Redevelopment Project

BY BETHANY HOOPER STAFF WRITER

OCEAN CITY – With support to pause the Baltimore Avenue redevelopment project, council members this week also agreed to hold off on the first steps of the associated right-of-way abandonment process.

On Tuesday, the council voted unanimously to approve the formal ranking of projects included in the town’s draft capital improvement plan (CIP). While the proposed planning document lists a total of 37 projects ranging from one, critical, to five, for future consideration, a bulk of this week’s discussion centered around a major renovation of the Baltimore Avenue corridor and its placement on the list.

“Before we did the ranking this year, Baltimore Avenue was number one,” Council Secretary Tony DeLuca said. “Now it’s listed as not very important. I’d like to have a discussion on that.”

In recent years, a major renovation of Baltimore Avenue from North Division Street to 15th Street has been on the town’s radar. In addition to widening sidewalks and improving the overall aesthetics of the corridor, the project also includes undergrounding utilities.

Last month, however, the council agreed to split the project in two phases over several years after learning the estimated cost – which would be funded in part by a municipal bond sale and a combination of potential state and federal grants – had more than doubled from $20 million to $44 million.

It also proved to be the reason why town staff and some council members said they had placed the project lower on the CIP rankings list approved Tuesday.

“It was at $20 million, and now it’s more than doubled,” Council President Matt James said.

Councilman John Gehrig said he based his ranking of the project on its ability to generate revenue, as well as its funding sources. He argued that the redevelopment of Baltimore Avenue was wanted, but not needed.

“Baltimore Avenue is totally functional,” he said. “No one ever contacts us and said, ‘I can’t believe I come into town and down Baltimore Avenue and power lines are all over the place.’”

He added that the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) also had plans to pave the Baltimore Avenue corridor this fall. He said it could be an opportunity for the town to focus on smaller projects, such as widening the sidewalks.

“That is an option,” he said. “Before we make a decision that’s tens of millions of dollars, I think we should know all of our options … It’s just a matter of cost.”

DeLuca disagreed, arguing that the longer the town waited, the more expensive the project would be. Councilman Peter Buas added that the town should

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Officials Halt Abandonment Plans

pursue the project sooner rather than later and move the redevelopment of Baltimore Avenue further up the town’s priority list.

“Now is the time to do Baltimore Avenue,” he said, “and I think it should be a very important project.”

Gehrig questioned how the town would pay for the project.

“All of this stuff, and no one has once asked how we are paying for it,” he said. “It’s at least $2.7 million a year in debt service. That’s almost 3 cents on the property tax.”

While he acknowledged that undergrounding utilities along Baltimore Avenue would create a more resilient community in the event of any major storms, Mayor Rick Meehan suggested the project be paused until more discussions could be had on funding opportunities.

“The cost changed the dynamics of this project …,” he said. “Because of that and because there are some unknowns, I think putting it on pause is absolutely the right thing to do. I think it will give us time to answer some of those questions and hopefully be able to move forward at some point.”

City Manager Terry McGean noted that the project ranked lower among staff because of its cost.

“I’m a little more optimistic about trying to get grant funding, but that’s going to take time,” he said.

Buas reiterated his support for the

project and presented a motion to not only move the ranking of the Baltimore Avenue project from important to very important, but to continue with the project schedule as outlined. That motion failed with just Buas, DeLuca and Councilman Frank Knight in support.

Ultimately, the council agreed to keep the Baltimore Avenue redevelopment at its current ranking, but to put a pause on the project until funding opportunities could be explored.

McGean, however, questioned what effect that would have on the abandonment process, in which the town would convey the entire strip of right-of-way to the adjacent property owners along Baltimore Avenue.

“I do need to know from council …,” he said. “Right now, we plan on sending letters out for the right-of-way abandonment tomorrow.”

After further discussion, the council voted unanimously to not send right-ofway letters to property owners along Baltimore Avenue.

“My position would be we are not going to abandon unless we’re doing the road,” Buas said. “They are tied together.”

Public Works Director Hal Adkins also recommended the council pause the project, which would allow SHA to pave Baltimore Avenue this fall. The council voted 5-2, with Knight and Buas opposed, to proceed with the state’s paving schedule along the corridor.

“VANISHING OCEAN CITY”

VANISHING OCEAN CITY

BY HU NTER “BUN K” MANN

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• Revisit the old restaurants and long-vanished hotels, relive summer nights on the Boardwalk, go fishing on the ocean or the bay, and learn about the fires and storms that changed the town forever.

• A “must have” for all who love Ocean City!

Vanishing Ocean City is available for $49.95 at select locations in Ocean City, Berlin, Ocean Pines and Salisbury. It can also be ordered online at vanishingoceancity.com. Visit the website for further information and photos.

Town Council Approves LEOPS For Berlin Police

BY CHARLENE SHARPE STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – Municipal officials voted unanimously this week to enroll in the Law Enforcement Officers Pension System (LEOPS).

In an attempt to improve police recruitment and retention efforts, Berlin officials agreed on Monday to enter into LEOPS. The program will cost more than $300,000 a year but is expected to dramatically increase the town’s ability to keep law enforcement officers on staff.

“To have 100% support is something that makes the officers know they’re being supported,” Police Chief Arnold Downing said. “I think it’s going to be great for retention.”

The Berlin Town Council hosted a work session Monday to discuss plans to enroll in LEOPS, something that’s been discus-

sed in town for years. Kelsey Jensen, the town’s human resources director, told the council at least 60% of the current police force needed to support enrolling in the system in order for the town to do so. She said when the town’s officers had been polled, 100% of them wanted to enroll.

Currently, the town spends about $929,000 in payroll for police each year. State retirement costs for those officers is about $101,000 a year. Moving to LEOPS will cost the town not quite $343,000 a year if it maintains a force of 14 officers. When asked if the number of officers on staff was likely to increase, Downing said he hoped so. He pointed out that changes like a 24-hour Royal Farms and new apartment complexes like Oceans East, there was a greater need for law enforcement.

“Staff growth is dependent on the growth of the town,” Councilman Dean Burrell said.

Downing pointed out that the town used to have 15 officers on staff when its population was less than it is now. When asked how many people would be eligible for retirement once the town moved to LEOPS, Downing said there were five who would be eligible, as those five each have over 25 years of service. He added that the average age of his officers was 47.

Mayor Zack Tyndall said officials needed to decide if they wanted to use annual casino revenues to fund LEOPS. He added that if they did that, however, he thought a LEOPS stabilization fund of $300,000 should also be established in case casino revenue ever dropped.

Though Councilman Jack Orris suggested using some of the money earmarked for capital projects to set up the fund, Tyndall said the town could use the casino revenues that were left over after the town had paid off its new police station.

“That way it’s not coming from capital,” Tyndall said.

Councilman Jay Knerr said he wanted the town to enroll in LEOPS but didn’t want to use casino revenue to fund the program forever. He suggested decreasing the amount of casino revenue used for the annual expense gradually over three years, a concept he said had been proposed by Councilman Steve Green. He said LEOPS should be a general fund expense like payroll. Then casino revenue could be used for a variety of projects throughout town.

“I didn’t want to see us tied up with one specific source,” he said.

Green agreed.

“I like a diversified approach,” he said.

Councilman Dean Burrell echoed the sentiment.

“I don’t believe casino funds should be used in perpetuity,” he said, adding that he did want to see the town enrolled in the program as soon as possible.

Councilwoman Shaneka Nichols said she didn’t think three years was long enough to wean LEOPS away from casino revenues. She pointed out that once LEOPS became a general fund expense, it could contribute to the need for a tax increase.

“Your citizens are going to have a hard

Berlin's police officers on Monday joined town council members and Mayor Zack Tyndall, who signed paperwork enabling the town to enter into the Law Enforcement Officers Pension System.

Photo by Charlene Sharpe

… Program To Address Recruitment, Retention

time swallowing this,” she said, adding that she did support enrollment in LEOPS. Knerr said his proposal was just a concept and could be adjusted.

“It’s not carved in stone,” he said. Green said he was a bit uncomfortable entering into LEOPS without funding identified.

Finance Director Natalie Saleh confirmed that the town had enough leftover casino revenue to fund the LEOPS stabilization and that casino revenues, preferably a portion of them, could be used for LEOPS going forward. Though there is a question of whether the Local Development Council, which approves the use of casino revenues, would approve of the LEOPS expenditure, the town’s attorney said the body was advisory and could not dictate how the town spent its money. Orris pointed out that the funding already earmarked for capital projects could be the backup funding plan for LEOPS.

When the council reconvened in open session immediately following Monday’s work session, Burrell said he was honored to make the motion to enter into LEOPS. The council’s unanimous support of that motion earned applause from the audience, which consisted of all of the town’s current police officers.

In an interview Tuesday, Downing said that in his three decades working in Berlin, he’d worked with 62 officers. While some left law enforcement altogether, 10 are still on staff. Twenty-five, however, left Berlin to join other agencies, primarily the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office. Downing said that under the current retirement system, officers had to work a minimum of 30 years before they could consider retiring. They also have to be a certain age.

With LEOPS, officers will be able to retire after 25 years of service and will get better benefits than those who have worked 30 years under the current system.

“All of the surrounding agencies except Snow Hill have LEOPS or something better,” Downing said.

As a result, Berlin has lost officers, even those who had multi-year contracts in place, to other agencies.

“LEOPS attracts people who have experience and it’s easier to retain people,” he said.

Downing says law enforcement agencies should have a regular flow of officers working up through the ranks, not bottlenecks of older officers who can’t consider retirement until they’d been in place at least 30 years.

“For us as a town, we end up with older officers and have higher workman’s comp and insurance costs,” he said.

Downing is confident moving to LEOPS will enable the town to attract and retain quality officers into the future. He’s more excited about this than the Berlin Police Department’s new station or technology, because this takes care of the officers themselves. He’s grateful for the community, and subsequently council, support that made LEOPS possible for officers in Berlin.

“This is the highlight of my career,” he said. “It’s something I’ve been working toward for over 15 years.”

Where to Next With Oasis?

BLC Urges Cooperation Between Bar, Ocean City Police

BY CHARLENE SHARPE STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – A local board fined an Ocean City bar $2,000 and urged management to start working with local law enforcement to avoid future problems.

The Worcester County Board of License Commissioners (BLC) fined Cowboy Coast $2,000 this week following a noise violation. The decision came after Ocean City Police Department Sgt. Doug Smith said law enforcement needed more cooperation from the business.

“For him to even be here asking for cooperation means in his opinion they’re not

getting it,” said William Esham, BLC chair. “You need to be listening to what he says otherwise you’re going to be in more trouble than you are today.”

Attorney Pete Cosby and Cowboy Coast’s Mark Bogosh told the board during this week’s hearing that the noise issue arose from an attempt to offer electronic dance music. Bogosh said he hadn’t thought about the heavier base associated with the music.

“We were just trying something different,” he said. “I have no further plans to continue that.”

Smith, who said he was attending the hearing to represent the Ocean City Po-

lice Department, said he’d seen many businesses try to offer new types of entertainment to increase business on an off night.

“Certain elements come in with that and certain problems are inevitable with those venues,” he said.

Smith said he’d heard concerns from both his fellow Ocean City officers as well as Maryland State Police officials.

“I know they can’t directly be responsible for something that occurs at the Wawa or the Royal Farms or something like that but when incidents happen and you link it back to a venue and it’s repetitive, you start questioning what’s this venue doing now that they weren’t doing in the past,” he said.

Smith said the noise issue was just the most recent problem officers had with Cowboy Coast.

“I’m here to rep the PD and hopefully build a better working relationship with this establishment,” he said.

Smith said that while a lot of major bars in Ocean City have camera systems, Cowboy Coast did not.

“That’s one issue I would hope maybe moving forward if we’re going to continue to have large events that could potentially have problems maybe think about adding cameras like some of these other establishments have done,” he said.

Large events at Cowboy Coast have required as many as 10 officers to deal with crowds as well as issues like assaults and drug use, according to Smith.

“Their business is right on the highway,” he said. “At Seacrets, they have the entirety of 49th Street, which is a long street,

to get to Coastal Highway so some of those problems are never seen on Coastal Highway. This establishment, as soon as they walk out of the entrance they’re on Coastal Highway and spilling on to Philadelphia Avenue.”

He added that officers have had problems with staff cooperation during incidents there in the past. Smith said OCPD wanted to build a relationship with the bar’s management so that when it was hosting an incident that might attract a large crowd they could work together.

“We feel there’s a little bit of disconnect that could be improved,” he said, adding that he wasn’t trying to single Cowboy Coast out. “Does Seacrets have problems? Absolutely. Does Macky’s have problems? Absolutely. Does Fager’s? Absolutely. When you get a lot of people together, you’re going to have issues.”

Cosby said Bogosh likely wasn’t aware the police had specific concerns about his business. Smith said he was at the hearing to relay the message that police wanted to work more closely with Cowboy Coast.

Esham said the bar was clearly much too loud the night it offered electronic dance music.

“It was loud enough it was rattling the windows at the fire station,” he said.

That, he added, was just the latest issue at Cowboy Coast, as there were noise, fire code, disorderly conduct and even alcohol purchasing violations in the bar’s history. Esham encouraged Bogosh to start improving his relationship with the Ocean City Police Department.

Bus, Tram Fare Increases Advance To Council

BY BETHANY HOOPER STAFF WRITER

OCEAN CITY – Proposed increases to both bus and tram fares will advance to the Mayor and Council with favorable recommendations from a resort committee.

On Tuesday, the Ocean City Transportation Committee voted unanimously to send a favorable recommendation to the Mayor and Council to raise the town’s bus fare to $4, all day, year-round, beginning May 1 or sooner. City Manager Terry McGean said the proposed increase would be the first in more than a decade.

“Honestly, we haven’t increased it since 2011,” he told committee members. “The projected deficit of the transit system is about $2 million … We’ve got to pay drivers more money, and the cost of diesel fuel is significantly higher.”

Officials say raising the bus fare to $4 would result in a revenue increase of

$390,545, assuming bus ridership remains flat.

“In normal times, pre-COVID, when we’d raise the bus fare, we would then assume some decrease in ridership …,” McGean said. “Instead of cutting existing ridership, we’re sort of cutting potential growth.”

Public Works Director Hal Adkins agreed.

“When we raised the fare from $2 to $3 ride all day, we lost about 12% ridership,” he said. “We’re not factoring that in at this time.”

While he said he was reluctant to increase bus fare, Mayor Rick Meehan added he thought it was necessary.

“We have to be realistic,” he said.

With a favorable recommendation from the transportation committee, the issue will advance to the Mayor and Council.

Transit Manager Rob Shearman said the town would need to advertise the pro-

posed change and hold a hearing, if one is requested.

“It should be in place by the beginning of the summer season,” he said.

The transportation committee this week also voted unanimously to forward a favorable recommendation to increase the Boardwalk tram fare from $4 to $5. That change, McGean said, would increase revenues by $94,885.

Meehan said the number of trams operating along the Boardwalk would also impact revenue.

“We’re fortunate enough to have more trams out on the Boardwalk, more often,” he said. “That should increase this. That’s the goal.”

Officials noted the trams would begin their 2023 season on the first day of Springfest, which is scheduled for the first weekend in May. As part of their recommendation, committee members agreed to an implementation date of May 1.

Berlin Council Eyes New Speed Cameras

BY CHARLENE SHARPE STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – Town officials continue to explore the possibility of installing speed cameras in local school zones.

Representatives from RedSpeed met with the Berlin Town Council Monday to share information about how speed cameras could benefit the municipality.

“In this day and age automatic traffic controls have become more effective because they’re utilized as a law enforcement multiplier,” RedSpeed’s Kurt Zanelotti said.

Zanelotti, a principal and investor in RedSpeed, told the council the company worked with municipalities in various states to install speed cameras. In Maryland, the state only allows for the installation of cameras within school zones. Where they’re installed, however, Zanelotti said there was typically a significant drop in vehicle speeds.

Zanelotti said that once a town contracted with RedSpeed, company representatives reviewed potential camera locations in town and then set up cameras over a three- or four-day period. Statistics from that brief traffic study give them an idea of how big of a problem speeding is.

“If there’s not a problem it’s not worth us doing, it’s not worth you guys doing,” Zanelotti said.

Assuming there’s enough speeding to merit camera installation, RedSpeed works with the Maryland State Highway Administration for the necessary approvals and then installs the cameras at selected locations.

“It’s actually no cost (to the town) to go ahead and put the cameras in,” Police Chief Arnold Downing said.

While the cameras are on 24/7, Zanelotti said they’d only record violations Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

When a violation occurs, a motorist is issued a $40 ticket. RedSpeed will get about 40% of the revenue collected through the camera program while the town will get about 60%.

When asked what happened when tickets were challenged in court, RedSpeed’s Erwin Lanier said challenges weren’t frequent but that when they occurred he would go to court with the camera’s calibration data and any other supporting documentation.

Zanelotti said because the maximum ticket was $40 most drivers didn’t contest it. He added that when the cameras were first installed, they’d issue only warnings for the first two weeks. That gives local drivers a chance to realize they’re in place.

“Local town people, typically they abide by the law,” Zanelotti said, adding that after the initial two weeks the majority of the people ticketed were tourists unfamiliar with the town.

With no further questions from the council, Mayor Zack Tyndall encouraged Zanelotti and Lanier to communicate with Downing.

“It sounds like our next step would be compiling a list of potential areas and maybe we could have you all come out and survey those with the chief,” Tyndall said.

Harris, OC Call For Moratorium On Offshore Wind

BY SHAWN J. SOPER MANAGING EDITOR

ASSATEAGUE – Two more whale strandings reported in recent weeks, including one in New Jersey and one near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, had federal lawmakers again calling for a moratorium on offshore wind energy development projects.

Over the span of a couple of weeks last month, deceased whales of various sizes and species stranded on the beaches across the mid-Atlantic, largely in New Jersey and New York, but also on Assateague. There, a nearly 34-foot humpback washed up on the beach in the over-sand vehicle (OSV) area.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) conducted a preliminary necropsy of the deceased whale in

conjunction with the National Aquarium, and the initial results revealed a hemorrhage consistent with a boat strike. However, the preliminary results did not conclude if the whale’s injury was caused before or after death.

The nexus between renewable, sustainable offshore wind energy and the sudden rash of whale deaths in the midAtlantic area where the spike has largely occurred cannot be understated and creates a conundrum. Of course, there could be no correlation between the whale deaths and the offshore activity, or the spike in deaths could just be a natural phenomenon related to normal migration patterns.

Nonetheless, the spike in whale deaths continues to prompt finger-pointing between environmental advocacy groups, federal and local government officials,

and other stakeholders.

In the wake of the whale deaths, U.S. Congressman Andy Harris (R-Md.) fired off a strongly worded letter calling for the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to implement an immediate moratorium on all offshore wind energy project development until it can be determined whether or not there is some proximate cause.

After two more reported whale deaths this month, one in New Jersey and one near the mouth of the Chesapeake, Harris renewed his call for a moratorium through a joint letter also authored by U.S. Congressman Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.)

“Over the weekend, the nation watched as two more whales washed up along the East Coast,” said Harris in the letter. “While NOAA insists that they have no scientific evidence pointing to

offshore wind energy projects as the proximate cause of death, they can offer no scientific evidence that these projects are not contributory causes of death. I am renewing my call for a windmill project moratorium until it can be definitively proven that windmill projects are not contributing to the repeated whale deaths we are now witnessing on almost a weekly basis.”

Van Drew also expressed concern but said he was glad the issue was in the public eye now.

“From the beginning, I have expressed concerns and opposition with offshore windfarms moving forward without substantial evidence to show how it will effect our environment, our industries and marine life,” he said. “And now, attention is finally being drawn to the industrialization of our coastline because of these tragic whale deaths.”

However, Van Drew did not miss an attempt to draw attention to his opposite party, calling out Democrats for apparently being slow to react to the whale deaths while continuing to push for offshore wind.

“Not a single concern has been raised by our president or environmentalists after another whale washed ashore yesterday morning, amounting to over a dozen in less than two months,” he said. “Why has there not been an investigation? Why have Democrats been silent on this issue? We must investigate these deaths and get to the bottom if offshore wind activity is the cause. All offshore wind activity must end immediately until proper examinations and investigations are conducted.”

The Town of Ocean City is also calling for a halt to the wind projects.

“Like many other officials along the coast, we believe that development of any energy type within our fragile coastal ecosystem must be done in a responsible manner,” Mayor Rick Meehan said. “Ocean City insists that all approvals and construction of wind farms off our coast be delayed until all environmental issues, economic concerns, and view shed options be fully explored, and these projects are relocated to more suitable lease areas further offshore.”

For their part, the two private-sector companies in the process of developing offshore wind projects off the Maryland and Delaware coasts continued to dismiss any connection between the spike in whale deaths in the mid-Atlantic region and activity off the coast related to wind energy projects.

Both US Wind and Ørsted have said they have not been conducting any sonar or seismic activity or ocean floor exploration since last spring. Both companies have said their activities off the coast are closely monitored by thirdparty, independent observers and scientists who are trained and approved by NOAA to detect protected species such as whales.

For its part, NOAA has said there is no evidence that the whale strandings have anything to do with current offshore wind activity off the coast.

OCPD Continues Hiring Efforts

BY BETHANY HOOPER STAFF WRITER

OCEAN CITY – Officials say they continue to seek applicants for seasonal positions within the Ocean City Police Department.

On Monday, Ocean City Police Department Chief Ross Buzzuro presented members of the Ocean City Police Commission with an update on seasonal recruitment.

For decades, the Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) has enhanced its workforce with seasonal officers and public safety aides (PSA) during the summer months. And while interest in the seasonal program gained some momentum two years ago, Buzzuro told commission members this week recruitment, particularly for PSAs, continues to lag.

“This year we have 17 return public safety aides interested in coming back with seven confirmed,” he explained. “Last year we had 40 interested and 19 confirmed. That’s glaring in terms of where we are heading in 2023.”

Through the end of January, the department reported having 61 seasonal officer applicants, with 19 failures, six conditional hires and 24 candidates remaining in the process. At the same time last year, the department reported having 75 applicants.

“We’re down 14 from last year,” he said. “We did have a [testing date] cancellation last year in January and the

numbers are still somewhat lower this year.”

Buzzuro noted, however, that the police department will hold two more testing dates. He added that 19 return seasonal officers had expressed an interest in coming back, with five confirmed.

“As far as return seasonal officers, we’re pretty much consistent from last year,” he said.

Councilman Peter Buas, commission member, questioned low attendance numbers during the November testing date.

He pointed out the number of applicants had dropped from 22 to six.

“Was there something on that weekend?” he asked.

While he acknowledged the Thanksgiving holiday and bad weather as potential causes, Capt. Mike Colbert said the department liked to hold testing dates during that time.

“We try to do it close to the holidays because people from college are off and they travel,” he explained. “So it’s easier for them to not have classes and come down here to test.”

Under PSA recruitment, the department reported having 28 applicants, with three failures, eight conditional hires and 19 still in the process.

At the same time last year, the department reported having 35 applicants.

“We do have three more testing dates,” Buzzuro said. “Be we are about 25% off.”

Town, Business Owners Discuss Sidewalk Project

BY BETHANY HOOPER STAFF WRITER

FENWICK ISLAND – Officials say commitments from commercial property owners will allow the Town of Fenwick Island to commence a long-awaited sidewalk construction project.

Last week, town officials met with Century Engineering representative Drew Boyce and commercial property owners to discuss an upcoming sidewalk project along Coastal Highway.

With a construction firm selected and design plans approved, Mayor Natalie Magdeburger said the town is now waiting to secure easements from property owners within the five-block project area.

“We have the ability to do five blocks, and we’re asking people to sign temporary and permanent easements,” she explained. “We have to have a commitment of at least three full blocks. Assuming we have that, we can get started. But ideally, I’d like to do all five.”

A town-led sidewalk construction project began in earnest last year, when the Fenwick Island Town Council signed off on a contract with Century Engineering to begin design work for the first phase of construction.

With more than $600,000 set aside, officials say the town will be able to install sidewalks along five bayside blocks from Dagsboro to Indian streets. However, officials say they are currently in

the process of securing easements that will allow contractors to enter neighboring properties to perform the necessary work.

“We’ve got to get these easements in because that’s the last thing holding up the pre-construction meeting we need to have,” Magdeburger told property owners last week. “Once we have that, we can get our contractor committed to this project.”

Magdeburger added the contractor, A-Del Construction, was hoping to complete at least three blocks.

“We’ve got to get three blocks for it to be worth it for them,” she said. “Let’s use every penny we’ve collected and get all of these blocks done.”

During last week’s meeting, Boyce outlined the town’s plans for the sidewalk construction project. The idea, he said, is to complete one block each week. Construction crews will also be tasked with making any necessary adjustments to neighboring commercial properties.

“We will try to limit disturbances,” he said.

Officials say Fenwick Island has waited decades for the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) to complete a sidewalk construction project in town. And while the project is currently listed in the agency’s Consolidated Transportation Plan, officials say it will take years for the project to come to fruition.

“Looking at the schedule, it’s two years of design and two years of working with property owners …,” Boyce explained. “Currently, at least in public documents, there is no funding for construction.”

To that end, Magdeburger said the town is prepared to pay for the first five blocks of sidewalks. She said each block will cost roughly $100,000 to complete.

“I’m pushing the state to do the rest of it, because there are certain things we can’t do,” she said. “They’re just too costly.”

Commercial property owner Tim Collins questioned the benefit of participating in a town-led project.

“What is the downside if you wait for the state to come in?” he asked.

Boyce noted a DelDOT-led project would look different than a town-led project.

“They are going to be looking at access management techniques,” he said. “So they will be looking at all curb cuts, recessing those. In all likelihood, they will be looking to close as many as they can.”

Officials added that the town could better control the timing of the project, and would work with commercial property owners to relocate or reconstruct signage, planter boxes and other items encroaching on the right-of-way.

“The town is coming up and saying they will help with all those things,” Boyce

said. Magdeburger argued the town-led sidewalk project would be beneficial to both pedestrians and commercial property owners, as it would improve access.

The first phase of the project calls for 5-foot-wide, ADA-compliant sidewalks, as well as a buffer area between the sidewalk and neighboring commercial properties.

“All along the idea was to get sidewalks to the more commercial areas of our town so we can make it easier for people to walk there …,” she said. “This is something that is good for the town, good for the businesses, and we want to pay for it. We want to make sure it gets done correctly.”

Magdeburger added that the project could also improve traffic safety along Coastal Highway.

“It will also help to slow down the traffic that comes through town …,” she said. “The whole idea of having pedestrians using walkways, using sidewalks, is another subtle marker to drivers that this is no longer a highway, but a community.”

Magdeburger ultimately argued that the town would install the sidewalks while working with owners to ensure the project would not affect their properties.

“We are ready to go, we just need these easements signed,” she said. “Whatever the issue, we will work with you to make it right.”

Council Raises Pay For Seasonal Officers, Safety Aides

BY BETHANY HOOPER STAFF WRITER

OCEAN CITY – Officials this week voted to increase starting pay for seasonal officers and public safety aides.

In a work session Tuesday, the Council agreed to a favorable recommendation from the Ocean City Police Commission to increase the starting pay rates for seasonal police officers and public safety aides (PSAs) and to implement signing and retention bonuses.

City Manager Terry McGean said the changes were meant to attract more candidates to seasonal positions within the Ocean City Police Department.

“We are still behind where we were last year in recruiting,” he said. “I think it’s very important. If council chooses to approve these rates, I want to do it as quickly as possible, so it has the biggest impact on recruiting.”

As approved, the starting rate for new seasonal officers would increase from $19 an hour to $19.57 an hour, while the rate for return seasonal officers would increase to $19.96 an hour.

“If we have a PSA who comes back in his second year as a seasonal officer, we pay him at the seasonal officer rate of $19.96 an hour,” McGean explained.

He added that the department would also offer a $500 signing bonus upon graduation from the academy and a $500 retention bonus for officers who remain

at the department through the Oceans Calling Festival.

“Officers who fail to graduate will not receive the signing bonus, with the exception a seasonal officer fails to graduate but elects to become a public safety aide,” he noted. “They would receive the public safety aide signing bonus.”

McGean noted the starting rate for PSAs would increase from $15.91 an hour to $17.39 an hour, while the rate for

return PSAs would increase to $17.74. The department would also offer a $250 signing bonus after 80 hours worked and a $250 retention bonus for PSAs who remain through the Oceans Calling event.

“If you look at what other jurisdictions are paying, we are well above everyone else,” he said.

McGean told officials this week he was tasked by the council to work with the police department on a plan to insti-

tute pay raises and incentives with the goal of attracting seasonal candidates. He said officials looked at pay rates in neighboring jurisdictions and developed new pay rates.

“We looked at what all other municipalities and local jurisdictions are paying as close as we can to what’s an equivalent position,” he said. “We’re a little bit unique in that our seasonal police officers have firearms and in a lot of other jurisdictions they do not.”

The results of those discussions were presented on Monday to the police commission, which voted to forward the proposed changes to the Mayor and Council with a favorable recommendation.

Council Secretary Tony DeLuca, however, shared his concerns regarding seasonal officer pay. He noted the new rate represented a 2.9% increase.

“I just think the seasonal officer increase of 2.9% doesn’t seem sufficient,” he said.

McGean agreed but noted that the proposed bonuses would help.

“The idea of the signing bonus essentially does that,” he said. “So a $500 signing bonus is equivalent to about a $1 an hour, and the $500 retention bonus is equivalent to another $1 an hour on top of that.”

After further discussion, the council voted unanimously to increase pay rates for seasonal officers and PSAs and to implement signing and retention bonuses.

The council voted unanimously this week to increase hourly rates for seasonal officers and public safety aides. Above, City Manager Terry McGean is pictured presenting plans to the Mayor and Council.

Photo by Bethany Hooper

Juvenile Linked To Graffiti

OCEAN CITY – The Ocean City Police Department has identified the suspect associated with a series of graffiti taggings discovered in the area of 33rd Street that occurred during the evening hours of January 18, 2023. The suspect has been identified as a 17-year-old juvenile male from Bishopville, Maryland.

On Jan. 19, 2023, officers were dispatched to a hotel in the 33rd Street area in reference to a malicious description of a property call. Graffiti had been spray painted in several spots of the property. During the investigation, officers located matching graffiti at a nearby business. Officers were able to work with local businesses to review video footage which provided officers with a description of the suspect and vehicle involved. Officers

learned that a similar graffiti incident had occurred in Worcester County involving the same suspect.

Officers conducted a detailed investigation and were able to identify the suspect involved. Since the suspect is a juvenile, this case has been referred to the Department of Juvenile Services for charges and restitution.

Graffiti cases can often be overlooked and quickly covered by property owners. However, these cases can cause hundreds or thousands of dollars worth of damage to private and public property.

The Ocean City Police Department encourages the business and residential

community to report any incidents of graffiti to the department. In addition, you can report graffiti incidents online to the Public Works Department at oceancitymd.gov.

Serious Assault Sentence

OCEAN CITY – A Seaford, Del., man, charged with first-degree assault last summer after allegedly stomping his girlfriend in the head while she laid on the ground during a domestic dispute, pleaded guilty this month and was sentenced to 10 years, all but five of which were suspended.

Around 9:30 p.m. last July 23, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers were dispatched to a hotel at 25th Street for a reported assault that had already occurred. Upon arrival, officers located a female victim at 25th Street with a large amount of blood on her. Officers observed the victim had a head wound that had been gushing blood, according to police reports.

Officers also observed a large pool of blood on the pavement in the area where they located the victim. Ocean City EMS was dispatched to treat the victim because of the severe laceration, according to police reports. The victim reportedly told police she had lost consciousness at some point during the altercation and woke up on the ground with blood gushing from her head.

Officers met with a witness who had called 911. The witness reportedly told police he heard two people arguing, which

caused him to walk in the direction of the disturbance. The witness told police he observed a suspect, later identified as Darrin Deshields, 37, of Seaford, Del., kick the female victim while she was already on the ground and then walk away, according to police reports.

Ocean City EMS arrived on the scene and advised the victim’s injuries were not consistent with her falling down, as she originally told officers. When asked what had happened, the victim reportedly told police she was okay and nobody had assaulted her. When pressed further, the victim told officers her boyfriend, later identified as Deshields, had not assaulted her and maybe it was “some other guy,” according to police reports.

The victim reportedly told police Deshields got mad at her because she left the motel room. She reportedly told police she left the room to call a phone repairman who had not fixed her phone to her satisfaction and Deshields became mad because she had left the room and was talking to another male.

While officers were interviewing the victim, they observed Deshields walking through the motel parking lot and detained him. The witness was brought over and positively identified Deshields as the suspect he observed stomping the victim while she was on the ground, according to police reports.

Ocean City EMS advised the victim should be transported to the hospital because of the severity of her injuries, but she denied further treatment. Deshields was arrested and charged with first- and second-degree assault. Along with his sentence, Deshields was also placed on supervised probation for three years.

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Ocean City Police Transition To New Reporting System

BY BETHANY HOOPER STAFF WRITER

OCEAN CITY – The transition to a new reporting system will allow the Ocean City Police Department to provide more information on local crime.

On Monday, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) Chief Ross Buzzuro and Capt. Mike Colbert presented members of the Ocean City Police Commission with an update on the department’s transition to the National Incident-Based Reporting System, or NIBRS.

While law enforcement agencies across the country have used the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program for decades, Colbert said the shift to NIBRS will provide more useful statistics on crime within the community.

“What this means is we will start capturing more crime than we have in the past and reporting more incidents,” he said.

Simply put, Colbert said NIBRS captures every separate offense that occurred during each crime incident, while UCR collects more limited information.

“The Uniform Crime Reporting is the way the federal government, since the 1930s, has tried to capture crime that is occurring in the United States …,” he explained. “A lot of people don’t realize that the Uniform Crime Report they put out is a summary report, so it wasn’t counting every single crime. It was looking at the most serious crime in a single event.”

To that end, Buzzuro told commission members the police department would transition to NIBRS beginning in March.

“This will be a departure for us …,” he said. “It’s going to be a different way crime is reported. It’s going to be more comprehensive.”

Officials say the new reporting system will also result in higher crime numbers when compared to UCR.

“We’re trying to get everyone prepared that you may see some changes in the numbers,” Colbert said, “and a lot of that is the way we are reporting.”

Council President Matt James, commission member, agreed.

“So our numbers will be higher on paper because we’re not comparing apples to apples,” he said.

Buzzuro said crime will appear to increase, as more offenses will be reported through NIBRS. He noted, however, that it will allow police departments to get a better understanding of crime incidents.

“There is an advantage to law enforcement by using this new system,” he said. “It’s a better, more effective way to score crime.”

Colbert added that it will also assist state and federal agencies.

“The federal government and the state government will use it to better allocate resources to different locations and will have a better picture of what types of crime are happening where,” he said.

Dismissal Sought In Umbrella Impalement Case

BY SHAWN J. SOPER MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – The remaining defendant in a civil suit filed in federal court by a plaintiff impaled in the chest by a flying umbrella on the beach in June 2018 this week filed a motion to dismiss the case.

In July 2018, Pennsylvania resident Jill Mendygral was impaled in the chest by a rented beach umbrella that had become dislodged from the sand and thrown through the air by a wind gust. In June, Mendygral, through her attorneys, filed a civil suit in U.S. District Court alleging negligence against the two named defendants, the Town of Ocean City and the beach equipment rental company 85 N Sunny, LLC, referred to simply as “Sunny” in court documents. The suit seeks damages in

excess of $75,000 against each of the named defendants.

Last year, however, a U.S. District Court judge granted the Town of Ocean City’s motion to dismiss the case against city, leaving the beach rental franchisee was the only remaining defendant. Last week, 85 N’ Sunny, through its attorneys, filed a motion to dismiss the case entirely, pointing to a couple of pillars in the plaintiff’s case.

“The plaintiff cannot meet her burden of proof to show negligence on the part of 85 N’ Sunny,” the motion reads. “To meet her burden of proof, the plaintiff must show 85 N’ Sunny’s actions, or inactions, were the proximate cause of her injuries. There is no evidence in the record to establish by a preponderance of the evidence why the umbrella came out of the sand, which is critical to the

analysis of causation.”

The defendant’s motion to dismiss asserts there is no evidence to support the umbrella that impaled the plaintiff was installed improperly.

“The operator’s employee testified she properly installed the umbrella hours before the incident,” the motion reads. “No other witnesses testified as to the umbrella installation. In fact, no one else witnessed the umbrella installation. As such, plaintiff cannot meet her burden to prove the umbrella was improperly installed.”

Perhaps the most critically, the defendant asserts in the motion to dismiss the franchisee was never under any advisement of a wind advisory which would lead the operator to close all umbrellas. According to the motion to dismiss filed this week, the plaintiff’s friends who accom-

panied her on the beach that day described the conditions as “breezy” and “nothing out of the ordinary.”

“Further, 85 N’ Sunny was not on notice of any dangerous condition that would have caused the umbrella to become dislodged from the sand,” the motion reads. “The crux of the plaintiff’s claims, according to the amended complaint, is there was a wind advisory in effect at the same time of the incident and, as a result, 85 N’ Sunny failed to appreciate the wind conditions and failed to close the beach umbrella that struck the plaintiff. There is no evidence there was a wind advisory in effect at the time of the incident that would have required the operator to close beach umbrellas.”

The motion points out employees and 85 N’ Sunny, and most of the beach rental franchisees, undergo 15 hours of training before starting the job, including 12 classroom hours and three on the beach. Employees, including the one on the beach on the day of the incident, have been properly trained in how best to plant umbrellas securely in the sand. They are also taught to learn the particular traits of the beach on which they will work and to consult regularly with the Beach Patrol on changing conditions.

According to the motion to dismiss, in a typical scenario, after a customer rents an umbrella and the attendant installs it, the attendant is responsible for monitoring it and advising customers not to move it without assistance. However, customers often move the umbrellas themselves throughout the day. The attendant is also responsible for removing unattended umbrellas when he or she notices they are unattended. On busy summer days, the attendant will likely rerent the umbrellas still out on the beach to another customer.

Around 3:15 p.m. on July 22, 2018, Ocean City first responders were dispatched to the beach at 54th Street after a gust of wind dislodged an unattended rental umbrella and sent it tumbling down the beach where it impaled Mendygral. The point of the wood-shaft umbrella hit the victim, who was sitting in a beach chair, and pierced her skin in the upper left chest below the collarbone. Ocean City Beach Patrol Surf Rescue Technicians (SRTs) quickly responded and, with the help of bystanders, secured the blowing umbrella while the first SRT on the scene began rendering aid.

Ocean City Fire Department personnel cut the umbrella’s wooden pole to facilitate taking the victim from the beach to awaiting paramedics. The victim was transported from the beach by Ocean City EMS and was transported to a designated medevac pad at 32nd Street via ambulance.

She was transferred to the Maryland State Police medevac helicopter and taken to now-TidalHealth Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury, where she underwent emergency surgery. The suit outlines the timeline of the incident and the injuries and suffering Mendygral allegedly did and continues to endure.

Committee Advances Fenwick Parking Changes To Council

BY BETHANY HOOPER STAFF WRITER

FENWICK ISLAND – Proposed changes to the town’s commercial parking ratios will return to the Fenwick Island Town Council with a favorable recommendation from a resort committee.

Last Friday, the Fenwick Island Charter and Ordinance Committee voted 5-1, with member Ben Waide opposed, to accept the December first reading of proposed commercial parking changes and to recommend the town council adopt the changes as written.

While he acknowledged ongoing parking concerns, Waide said he couldn’t support an ordinance that was not supported by members of the business community.

“When you have a business community that is vehemently against it, something is wrong and there is some work that needs to be done moving forward,” he said.

Last month, members of the town council had before them a proposed second reading of an ordinance amendment pertaining to off-street parking in the commercial district. However, officials ultimately agreed to refer the ordinance to the town’s charter and ordinance committee for further review.

In last week’s special meeting, Mayor Natalie Magdeburger, committee chair, said the proposed changes would address a growing parking problem in Fenwick. She noted that changes made in 2013 had eroded the town’s parking space requirements to the point they no longer met the needs of the business community.

“When this change was made in 2013, it ultimately became a 65% reduction of required parking from the ordinance that existed from 1973 to 1995 …,” she said. “A restaurant that would have had 59 parking spaces required in 1973 to 1995 only has to have 29 parking spaces now. And that’s how you can get a restaurant that has a capacity of 212 people and 20 employees and only 29 parking spaces.”

Last spring, officials introduced an ordinance amendment that would allow for new, more stringent parking ratios on new and redeveloped commercial properties. As written, the proposed ordinance amendment would change, among other things, restaurant parking ratios from one parking space per 100 square feet of patron area to one per 50 square feet of patron area, and retail parking ratios from one per 300 square feet of floor area to one per 250 square feet of floor area. New ratios are also being proposed for hotels.

Magdeburger said the new parking ratios were similar to ratios found in Sussex County and Ocean View and would restore some of the town’s past parking requirements.

“I think these changes we are proposing in the ordinance will prevent future difficulties,” she said, “and I believe they are absolutely necessary.”

For his part, however, Waide said he

Business Community Opposes Ordinance

did not want to see the proposed ordinance affect redevelopment in Fenwick Island.

“I’m a big proponent of Fenwick Island being a quiet resort, but I don’t want it to be a sleepy resort,” he said. “I think continued reinvestment is an important part of our growth.”

Waide argued against parking ratios that would restrict businesses.

“A restaurant in our town is not going to build a restaurant where customers can’t find a place to park …,” he said. “It’s not the council’s responsibility to put a constraint on a businessperson. They need to put that constraint on themselves.”

Committee member Jay Ryan said he supported the proposed changes, as they would address a parking problem in town. He also pointed to the Fenwick Shores hotel, which recently purchased a residential property in Fenwick to accommodate their parking needs.

“The hotel paid $525,000 for that cottage at 2 West Houston Street,” he said. “If a business is going to invest over a half million dollars in a residential district to resolve their parking problem, they have an acute parking problem. We need to address it.”

Councilwoman Jacque Napolitano,

committee member, agreed. She said she not only supported the ordinance changes, but a proposed Business to Business initiative, in which business owners would work together to share unused parking spaces.

“I think going forward this is the best way to handle it …,” she said. “Something has to be done.”

Committee member Ann Riley said the proposed ordinance amendment represented a compromise, as it would no longer restrict parking in the commercial setbacks or require designated delivery zones and would include accommodations for shared parking. She noted, however, that the proposed parking ratios did not address the different types of operations, particularly in mixed-used buildings.

“I do think we could do something for strip or multi-use centers that would make sense,” she said.

Magdeburger noted that commercial property owners seeking a reduction of required parking spaces for operations that do not generate as much parking use could come before the town’s board of adjustment.

“Any of our ordinances or requirements for residential or business, they have a right to go to the board of adjust-

ment with what they think is a hardship,” she said.

During public comments, commercial property owner Tim Collins came before the committee to oppose the legislation. He highlighted a real estate company’s efforts to redevelop the former Dairy Queen property to make his point.

“It’s on three commercial lots,” he said. “When you can’t take that building and rehab it using the footprint that is there, and do that under this ordinance, then something is wrong,” he said.

Commercial property owner Kinsley Hazel said she not only had concerns about the proposed ratios, but accommodations within the ordinance that would allow for shared parking. She argued the ordinance amendment would not solve the town’s current parking problems.

“I don’t see how this is going to do anything but diminish the commercial district in Fenwick Island,” she said.

Warren’s Station owner Scott Mumford agreed.

“If this was a good ordinance, the business community would be more supportive, because we would see the bigger picture,” he said. “But the business community is against this ordinance, plain and simple.”

After further discussion, the committee voted 5-1, with Waide opposed, to accept the proposed ordinance amendment and to recommend the council adopt the changes.

Surplus Properties Sales Planned

BY CHARLENE SHARPE STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – Worcester County officials are moving forward with the sale of two surplus properties in Snow Hill.

The county is now seeking bids for two properties — the former liquor control warehouse and the economic development building on Pearl Street. The Worcester Commissioners last week agreed to declare them surplus and approved plans to request bids.

The former liquor control warehouse, located on Snow Hill Road west of town, is a nearly eight-acre site with a 47,575square-foot warehouse building. The economic development building, located at 100 Pearl St., is a three-story, 4,554-squarefoot commercial structure.

“We’re selling it as is,” Chief Administrative Officer Weston Young said of the more than 100-year-old building.

Flower St. School Memorabilia Sought

He said the bid documents for the building required interested parties to provide a narrative regarding their plans for the space. That narrative is expected to allow officials to determine the best future use for the historic building.

As far as the warehouse space, Talkie, the company working with Worcester County to expand broadband, has been leasing the property on a month-to-month basis.

Commissioner Joe Mitrecic pointed out the county had tried to sell the warehouse before unsuccessfully.

“There’s interest by the tenant to buy it and there’s also been some sales of properties in that area,” Young said. “The real estate market has been a bit volatile and it’s changed drastically since when it was previously attempted.”

The commissioners voted 6-0 to move forward with selling the properties, which are posted on the county’s website.

BY CHARLENE SHARPE STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – A local advisory group is seeking photos, newspaper clippings and any other memorabilia tied to the Flower Street School.

Members of the Berlin Community Center Advisory Board are hoping area residents will share their relics from the African American school that in the first part of the 20th century educated so many local children. The plea for mementos of the school comes as the town prepares to build a community center on the site where the institution once stood.

“We’ve got a short period of time we can capture that history,” Mayor Zack Tyndall said.

The advisory board in a meeting last week reviewed a handful of newspaper clippings provided by Tyndall that mentioned the Flower Street School. He said

little information related to the school was available in the archives he’d searched.

Councilman Dean Burrell, who is also a member of the advisory board, said local artist Patrick Henry had plenty of photos and information about the school. Henry, whose advocacy efforts helped spur the most recent push for a community center, attended the school as a child and both of his parents had ties to the property.

Worcester County Commissioner Diana Purnell added that Dr. Clara Small also had information, as did former teacher Josephine Anderson. She pointed out that the community had done a lot to save the history of the nearby Germantown School and felt that there would be plenty of support for chronicling the history of Flower Street School.

Tyndall encouraged board members to reach out to whoever they could think of so that the town could preserve the history of the site as it moved closer to redevelopment. He said that he also hoped board members could arrange interviews with community members who had memories of the school so those could be recorded.

Board member DJ Lockwood agreed that it was important to collect information and ensure people understood the historical value of the property that will one day house a community center. He said there was a chance that once are residents heard the town was looking for memories of the school the board would be inundated with information.

“It’ll start to get interesting once we start asking around,” he said.

Resort Supports Legislation For 12-Month Exhibition Driving Charge Mayor Testifies In Support In Annapolis

BY BETHANY HOOPER STAFF WRITER

OCEAN CITY – Officials say proposed legislation making its way through the Maryland General Assembly could allow the Town of Ocean City to enforce exhibition driving violations year-round.

Last month, Mayor Rick Meehan, Ocean City Police Department Chief Ross Buzzuro, City Solicitor Heather Stansbury and other officials with the Town of Ocean City came before the Judicial Proceedings Committee in Annapolis to show their support for Senate Bill 147. During an Ocean City Police Commission meeting this week, Meehan said the legislation would essentially incorporate the town’s special event zone laws into Maryland law on a year-round basis.

“In other words, it wouldn’t have to be a special event zone,” he said, “and the definitions and penalties for reckless and demonstration driving would now become Maryland law.”

Simply put, Senate Bill 147 – filed by Sen. Pamela Beidle and cross-filed in the House by Del. Mary Lehman – would prohibit a person from engaging in exhibition driving, authorize the towing or impounding of vehicles involved in such violations, and provide penalties of up to one year of imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000, or both in the event of bodily injury.

In last month’s hearing in Annapolis, Meehan testified that the legislation had been effective in curbing illegal behavior associated with the unsanctioned pop-up car rally in town.

By way of background, town officials came before the state legislature in 2018 seeking a special event zone in Ocean City during select motorized events, including the unsanctioned pop-up event. The special event zone – which included reduced speed limits, higher fines and altered traffic patterns – was later amended to include the infraction of exhibition driving.

“This made a difference …,” he said. “That first year after the bill was passed, we cited less than 23 violators. The second year, we cited or arrested 56 violators. The third year, we arrested or cited two violators. The legislation discouraged this behavior in Ocean City and absolutely reduced the number of arrests and violations.”

Meehan also told members of the Judicial Proceedings Committee that the legislation had been effective in moving the event from Ocean City to Wildwood, N.J.

“This legislation is important and necessary,” he said. “These vehicles become weapons, seriously jeopardiz-

ing the safety of other vehicles, pedestrians, and citizens of the state of Maryland.”

In an update this week, Meehan told police commission members he’d hoped his testimony would encourage the General Assembly to adopt the bill. He noted the bill was vetoed last year over amendments to certain definitions.

“We have asked for a favorable recommendation without changes, and I think that’s what we’re going to get,” he said.

When asked if the legislation would still give the town the ability to adjust speed limits, Meehan said it would.

“We can still do the special event zone,” he said. “It doesn’t take that away at all.”

Buzzuro added that it would allow the town to enforce laws associated with exhibition driving at any time.

“It doesn’t have to be for a special event zone …,” he said. “We’ll be able to enforce exhibition driving day to day, on an hour-by-hour basis, if we need to. That gives us an extra ability.”

Super Bowl Fun:

Worcester Preparatory School held “Super Bowl Friday” last week. For a $2 donation to Catch a Lift (CAL), students and staff were able to wear their favorite team’s jersey or colors. CAL enables veterans to recover and rehab both physically and mentally through physical fitness programs. CAL was founded in memory of Army Cpl. Chris Coffland, who lost his life in Afghanistan while serving in Operation Enduring Freedom in November 2009. Coffland’s niece, Tony Phillips, graduated from WPS in 2005. Coffland was also a teammate and roommate to Head of School Dr. John McDonald while attending Washington and Lee University. Above left, McDonald is pictured with Wesley Wisniewski, McKenna DePalma and Vivien Ruggerio. Above, front from left, are seventh graders Scarlett Shimko, Rani Yonker and Harper Hertrich; and, back, Samantha Kuon, Nora Gorfinkel and Vivien Ruggerio. At left, Philadelphia Eagles fans included Assistant Head of School/Head of Upper School Mike Grosso and students Sadie Kremer, Isabella Rice, Will Johnson, CJ Labin, Luca DiFebo, Landon Carmean, Soloman Prosser, Dominic Capello, Tobi Blaska, Robert Hidell, Maverick Pyne, Freddy Hertrich, Allie Kuon, Remy Hertrich and Isabella Labin. Submitted Photos

new Running Festival With Four Distances Planned For

OCEAN CITY – Corrigan Sports Enterprises (CSE) has announced the creation of the Ocean City Running Festival. The event will feature a full marathon, half marathon, 8k and 5k race distances Oct. 28. This event will fall between the Corrigan Sports-established Baltimore Running Festival and Bay Bridge Run.

“We’re constantly looking to grow our footprint throughout the mid-Atlantic region and Ocean City has always been a location of interest to us,” said Lee Corrigan, president of Corrigan Sports. “I’d like to thank Tom Perlozzo with Ocean City Tourism for his commitment to make this event happen, along with our team who’s been working behind the scenes for months to roll out this new property!”

CSE hopes to surpass the 3,500runner mark in year one with some authentic Ocean City premium items, along with Ocean City themed race medals for all finishers. The full marathon,

8K and 5K will start and finish in the Inlet parking lot just south of the Ferris wheel.

Full marathoners will have the opportunity to run through Assateague Island National Seashore before returning to Ocean City proper. Half marathoners will be shuttled to start at Assateague Island and finish coming down the award-winning Boardwalk, where they will finish in the Inlet parking lot overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

“We’re excited to be partnering with Corrigan Sports Enterprises to bring the Ocean City Running Festival to life this year and invite runners to our beautiful coastal city to experience everything our destination has to offer,” said Perlozzo, director of tourism and business development for Ocean City Maryland Tourism. “In addition to the running festival, we invite attendees to explore our beautiful beaches, entertainment options, incredible cuisine and so much more.”

shelter Donation: The Farmers Bank of Willards recently donated $2,500 to the Worcester County Humane Society. Above, Farmers Bank Loan Officer Kelly Drexel and Vice President/Loan Officer Celeste Rayne presented the check to Elena Gowe, executive director of Worcester County Humane Society. The bank staff raised funds in 2022 for the humane society in three different counties. Submitted Photo

COMMUNITY News In Photos

Whiting-Turner Construction recently donated $5,000 to the Worcester County Education Foundation (WCEF). Pictured from left to right are Ray Thompson, WCEF board chairman, Lindsey Hill, project manager for Whiting-Turner, Scott Saxman, vice president of Whiting-Turner, Olivia Momme, WCEF manager of operations and community relations, and Lou Taylor, Worcester County Public Schools superintendent and WCEF board member.

Submitted Photos

Worcester County students have active student leadership clubs supported by the Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines-Ocean City in five schools from elementary through high school. Each school receives $500 a year in support of the student club. Last week, the check presentation was made at Berlin Intermediate School. Pictured, from left, are BIS Assistant Principal Dr. David M. Gell, Builders Club Teacher advisor Donna Krajewski, Builders Club Teacher Advisor Jane Slotter, Kiwanis Club President Bob Wolfing, Kiwanis Club Advisor to the BIS Builders Club Sue Wineke and BIS Principal Dr. Amy Gallagher.

The Ocean City Berlin Rotary Club was awarded the second-place prize from the Berlin Chamber of Commerce for selling tickets at the Berlin Oktoberfest. Pictured, from left, are Gina Shaffer, club vice president, Ryan Nellans, executive director of the Berlin Chamber of Commerce, and Heather Godwin, club member.

During the week of Jan. 16-21, in honor of Betty White’s Birthday, Berlin Auto Wash donated $5 from every car wash to the Worcester County Humane Society. A total of $5,000 was donated to the no kill shelter. Pictured from left to right are Jason Simms, Sandy Summers (WCHS board member) and John Simms.

Worcester County Commissioner Jim Bunting, left, presents a retirement commendation to Plant Operator III Bernard Bowen to honor him for 24 years of dedicated service to the Water and Wastewater Division of Worcester County Public Works.

The Ocean City Lions Club supports the Blood Bank of Delmarva. Serving 19 hospitals across the peninsula, the Blood Bank saves over 20,000 lives each year. Pictured are OC Lions Club President Norm Cathell, left, and Bryan Shepherd, Blood Bank accounts manager.

Annual Finnegans’ Wake Set For Next Weekend In OC

OCEAN CITY – Traditionally, an Irish Wake marks the end of someone’s life, but this year in Ocean City it marks the start of the lively and rousing St. Patrick’s festivities when the Friends of WCDC holds its 9th annual Finnegan’s Wake Saturday, Feb. 25, in Seacrets Morley Hall.

The event is a mock Irish funeral inspired by the traditional Irish song of the same name. The doors to Morley Hall open at 5 p.m. and the evening’s festivities will commence at 5:30 p.m. with the funeral procession winding its way through Morley Hall led by the Ocean City Pipes and Drums. Included in the cortege will be St. Patrick, clergy members, mourners, pall bearers and a leprechaun or two.

Music is an integral part of an Irish wake, and back again by popular demand are The Folk Heroes. The Folk Heroes have dedicated themselves to preserving Irish culture and history through folk and nationalistic music.

A wake requires a bagpipe, and this wake has much more. Area legends The Ocean City Pipes and Drums will not only lead the funeral procession, but they will also perform flawless sets of Highland and military songs that will make this an unforgettable evening.

Audience participation will be encouraged throughout the evening. Audience members will have a chance to become part of the show when viewing Tim Finnegan. If you can raise Finnegan from the dead by telling him a joke and making him laugh, you win a beverage. Those with strong voices can enter the Keening contest. Wealthy Irish would hire professional mourners called Keeners to cry for their dearly departed. Contestants will be judged on volume, style and feeling as they compete for cash prizes.

Admission is $20. Happy hour prices will be available at the bar and the Seacrets kitchen will be offering an Irish menu.

Event sponsors are Robert Nock Insurance, Cheers of Berlin, Robin Dannelly, Vicky Tillery and John Falcone. The entertainment is sponsored by Malvern Collision Service, Michael Gallagher Family, Apple Drugs and the John Ferry family.

All money raised from this event will go toward supporting adults with intellectual disabilities who attend the Worcester County Developmental Center (WCDC). WCDC provides employment opportunities, art-based day services, residential services and community-based supports for adults who live with an intellectual disability in Worcester, Somerset and Wicomico Counties. WCDC is a member of the United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore, and the Ocean City, Berlin, Ocean Pines and Snow Hill Chambers of Commerce.

WHOLE HOUSE ELECTRICAL ASSESSMENT & SAFETY INSPECTION A $249

• Check the electrical service panel and wiring

• Tighten screws and lugs on circuit breakers to ensure proper functioning

• Apply Noalox on branch circuits’ aluminum wires

• Check all outlets with tester for loose connections, open grounds, neutral wires, proper polarity

• Test/inspect GFCI outlets and breakers

• Check for double tapped breakers to eliminate overloading a circuit breaker

• Survey for proper surge protection

• Check smoke detectors and make recommendations for compliance with local electrical codes

BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE NEWS

Board President Named

SALISBURY – J. Michael Riemann, PE, principal with Becker Morgan Group, was recently selected by the Builders and Remodelers Association of Delaware (BRAD) to serve as president of the Executive Board for 2023.

“I am honored to be entrusted to lead such a great organization as BRAD, which works diligently to support the housing industry in Delaware. It is rewarding to be involved in an industry with such a positive impact on the overall economy and society,” Riemann said.

Riemann has been a member of the BRAD Board of Directors since 2011 and served as co-chair of the Government Affairs Committee.

Using his vast knowledge of civil site design and Delaware code, he works closely with regulators to advocate for sustainable and beneficial residential development in the first state.

In further recognition of his leadership skills, BRAD also selected Riemann as Associate of the Year for 2022 for his advocacy work on behalf of the residential construction industry.

“Developing strong partnerships with approving agencies is key to sustainable growth and economic prosperity,” said Riemann.

The award was presented during a ceremony at the organization’s annual Casino Night fundraiser in December.

Anniversary Celebration

SALISBURY – The principals of Gillis Gilkerson (GGI) have launched a yearlong anniversary campaign designed to commemorate 40 years in the commercial construction and real estate development business.

Featuring nods to Gillis Gilkerson’s rich history, the campaign will largely center around the firm’s backbone – its people, from leadership to office and field staff.

Since inception in 1983, Gillis Gilkerson has grown to become one of the largest, most trusted and versatile firms of its kind on the Delmarva Peninsula. With an extensive portfolio of transformative projects, GGI is known for its ability to deliver exceptional service and quality builds to the Eastern Shore community.

For nearly 20 years (2004-2022), GGI has been led by Dwight Miller, now exec-

Perdue Farms, through a $10,000 grant funded by the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, recently helped Diakonia emergency shelter purchase a new security camera system at its Ocean City, Md., facility. The funds from Perdue’s charitable giving arm are part of the company’s Delivering Hope to Our Neighbors outreach to improve quality of life and build strong communities.

Health’s inaugural class of general surgery residents begins this summer.

Dudas has also dedicated many hours each year to teaching budding young musicians at local schools.

Healy was selected for his outstanding work with the hospitalist team at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional. The hospital has received several positive patient experience letters from patients not only commending his competent care but also his caring demeanor. Healy has also been instrumental in the development of TidalHealth Peninsula Regional’s APP Council and coordinates its educational seminars.

Advisor Welcomed

SALISBURY – Meredith Mears, senior advisor with SVN Miller Commercial Real Estate, joined SVN National Self Storage Team.

utive consultant. As president, Miller spearheaded much of the firm’s growth over the past two decades. In January 2023, GGI announced the promotion of Tyler Barnes from vice president to president of construction operations. Together in their new roles, Miller and Barnes will steer the firm as it continues to adapt and evolve with the times.

Rounding out Gillis Gilkerson’s leadership team are Principals Brad Gillis, Joey Gilkerson and Chris Gilkerson, sons of founders Palmer Gillis and Tony Gilkerson. As second-generation leaders, the trio have a lifetime of involvement in real estate development and investing. Widely recognized by some of their more notable projects, including The Powell Building, 600 Glen Avenue (home to Pure Fitness, CubeSmart and more), Riverview Commons, and the Salisbury Fire Department headquarters (former home to Headquarters Live and The Daily Times), Brad Gillis, Chris Gilkerson and Joey Gilkerson have a knack for community revitalization.

“When Palmer and Tony founded Gillis Gilkerson nearly four decades ago, they had a clear vision. They aimed to have a lasting impact on their community through each of their various projects,” explained Barnes. “All these years later and our vision remains the same. ‘Building Community for Generations’ is more than a tagline

Submitted Photo

Above, Kim Nechay, executive director of the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, presents a $10,000 check to Ken Argot, executive director of Diakonia Inc., for the new security system.

to our team; it’s a daily motivator. The same projects we completed yesterday are the very schools, restaurants, banks, apartments, and office buildings our friends and neighbors frequent today. The work that we do quite literally builds our community and that is something that we take immense pride in as an organization.”

The team plans to celebrate the firm’s 40-year milestone with a celebration hosted in conjunction with the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce. The event will be held at their office in downtown Salisbury in early August 2023.

Physicians Recognized

SALISBURY – TidalHealth Peninsula Regional have announced 2022 Physician and Advanced Practice Provider (APP) of the Year – Dr. Nicholas Dudas of TidalHealth General Surgery and Kevin Healya hospitalist at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional.

Dudas was selected for his medical work combined with his community service with local youth. In addition to seeing patients at TidalHealth General Surgery and the TidalHealth Breast Center, Dudas has been busy preparing to teach the next generation of surgeons as Tidal-

Mears is the mid-Atlantic representative for the national team and is focused regionally but works across the United States to position and sell self-storage assets.

The SVN National Self Storage Team specializes in the brokerage, valuation analysis, marketing, financing, and development of self-storage assets across the United States. The seasoned team of commercial real estate investment brokers is focused exclusively on self-storage and specializes in recognizing self-storage investment opportunities for their clients, from locating sites for new build construction to ground up development, joint ventures, delivery of certificate of occupancy deals, and listing and disposition of stabilized assets.

With a strong background in brokerage and property development, Mears is working with the nation’s largest buyers of selfstorage properties, including REITs in the space. With brokers in major markets from coast to coast, SVN’s clients benefit from the unique combination of SVN’s robust national platform and local market expertise to provide buyers and sellers with the latest, most critical information in a rapidly evolving market. This local market knowledge is key to optimize the transaction process and deliver an equitable deal for all parties.

SALES ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

The Dispatch, a weekly newspaper since 1984, is seeking a full-time account executive to manage existing advertising sales accounts, seek new business and be a team player in a busy office setting. Previous newspaper experience will be rewarded with offer. Sales experience a must. Salary plus commissions, individual health insurance, two weeks paid vacation each year. Work week: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Email resume to Steve Green’s attention at editor@mdcoastdispatch.com

NICHOLAS DUDAS

MEREDITH MEARS

J. MICHAEL RIEMANN

KEVIN HEALY

Seaside Boat Show Returns For 40th Anniversary Event

BY BETHANY HOOPER STAFF WRITER

OCEAN CITY – A boat show to benefit local youth will return to Ocean City this weekend.

Starting Friday and running through Sunday, the Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club will host its 40th annual Seaside Boat Show at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center. Dubbed “the boat show that works for kids,” the annual fundraiser provides the Optimist Club with funds to support local youth programs.

“We try to help everybody the best we can,” said Publicity Chair Charles Smith. Held each year on Presidents Day weekend, the Seaside Boat Show attracts thousands of water and boating enthusiasts to view and purchase the newest and most popular boat models and water-related items. With more than 350 boats, 150 exhibitors and 50 boat dealers, it’s become one of the most popular boat shows on the east coast.

“We have sold out the boat show every year for the last 35 or so years … and we get around 15,000 people that come each year,” Smith said. “It’s a big show.”

Organizers say visitors will have an opportunity to see an array of sport cruisers, sport fishing, performance and “super boats,” and browse marine electronics, trailers, canvas tops, motors, jewelry, art and fishing gear. Financing and insurance companies will also be on hand to facilitate boat purchases.

“Every one of these dealers has the

most current electronics and the newest boats and Sea-Doos,” Smith said.

He added that one of the biggest attractions is the boat show’s door prize. Each person who purchases an admission ticket has a chance to win a pontoon boat and motor, courtesy of North Bay Marina owners Scott and Mary McCurdy.

“North Bay Marina is providing the Optimist with a boat and motor, and they’ve been doing that for the last 35 years,” he said. “That’s really helped us. It’s a really

big draw.”

Smith said proceeds raised from the annual event allow the Optimist Club to support local youth through contests, awards banquets, recreational and sports activities, scholarships and more. For example, the organization has contributed roughly $2.8 million in scholarships to Pocomoke, Snow Hill and Stephen Decatur high schools over the last 30 years.

“We do whatever we can to support the kids,” he said. “We also have reading programs at Ocean City Elementary School,

Berlin Intermediate School and Stephen Decatur Middle School, and we have also put $25,000 into Head Start programs this year.”

Show hours are Friday and Saturday, Feb. 17-18, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets will be available for purchase at the convention center, and admission is $10 for adults, $1 for kids and $15 for a weekend pass.

For more information on the Seaside Boat Show, visit ocboatshow.com.

About 200 exhibitors and dealers will be on hand at this weekend’s Seaside Boat Show. File Photo

People in Society

by Charlene Sharpe

Featuring Those Helping Causes In The Resort Area

Representatives of the First State Detachment of the Marine Corps League are pictured at American Legion Post 166 for a Valentine’s Day dinner.

Don and Sandy Yoder, center, are pictured at the Valentine’s Day dinner with Matty and Louisa Mateleska.

Ryan Nellans, Helen Wiley, and Je’Seka Tucker are pictured at the ribbon cutting for Beach Gypsy.

Robin Raszewski served drinks at American Legion Post 166 during the Valentine’s Day dinner.

Dave and Elaine Kline are pictured at the Valentine’s Day dinner at American Legion Post 166.

Rita and Bob Broderick are pictured at American Legion Post 166 for a Valentine’s Day dinner.

Tina Preziotti and Alicia Muir helped out at the American Legion’s Valentine’s Day dinner.

Donna Compher, Cheri Stambaugh and Mimi Harkins attended the Beach Gypsy ribbon cutting.

Christina Mullaney and Christine Carpenter of Beach Gypsy are pictured at the shop’s ribbon cutting.

Bob Paul and Ray Kudobeck checked in guests for the Valentine’s Day dinner at American Legion Post 166 in Ocean City.

Chris Parypa’s Photo Of The Week: Each week staff photographer Chris Parypa is tasked with submitting a photo from his vast library to be featured in this space. Above is a photo from 2016 of a Boardwalk parade during the spring Cruisin event. To purchase any of Parypa’s photos, click over to www.chrisparypa.com.

THE DISPATCH Crossword Puzzle

ANSWERS ON PAGE 46

HOROSCOPES

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): The changes you've waited to see in your work situation might not be happening quite as quickly as you hoped. Although the pace is slow, it's ongoing. Expect to hear news soon.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): You should be feeling very proud of the fine effort you've made to get that important project done. Now take some time out to celebrate with family and friends. You've earned it.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): You're close to reaching your objectives. That's the good news. But be careful: Your aspects show lots of potential distractions looming. Stay focused and keep your eyes fixed on your goals.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22): Be careful not to let that suspicious Cancerian mind create a problem where none exists. What you might believe is an act of betrayal could be nothing more than a misunderstanding.

LEO (July 23 to Aug. 22): Your Lion's heart overflows with self-confidence. All you need to do is tap into it, and you'll be able to handle any change that must be made regarding that recent surprise development.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 to Sept. 22): The need to watch what you say becomes increasingly crucial this week. Be as temperate as you can with your comments and avoid arguments for the sake of controversy.

LIBRA (Sept. 23 to Oct. 22): A longtime family problem presents new de-

mands. But this time, you won't have to go it alone: Someone else is asking to help share your responsibilities. Let it happen.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21): A period of feeling vulnerable is about to give way to a stronger, more-self-confident aspect. Use this new strength to reaffirm promises you've made to others and yourself.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 to Dec. 21): A creative dilemma stalls your progress. Instead of letting it raise your ire, use the time to re-examine your aims and perhaps come up with a new target.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19): Your nimble will might find a way for you to work out those newly emerged problems plaguing your new project. Stay with it. The results will be well worth your efforts.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 to Feb. 18): You might feel overwhelmed with having to decide which new opportunity you should follow. Best advice: Check them all out and see which offers what you really want.

PISCES (Feb. 19 to March 20): Continue to tread water before you even consider plunging into something that never seemed quite right. Some facts will emerge soon that can help you make a decision.

BORN THIS WEEK: You are a natural-born peacemaker. You value truth and have little patience with those who lie to you for their own purposes.

ANSWERS ON PAGE 46

© 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

Things I Like...

By Steve Green

Close Super Bowl games

Easy conversations

Jalen Hurts’s story

Planets clearly seen in the night sky

Driveways with basketball hoops

Teenagers who enjoy reading

Photos of a snowy beach

A tie with a windsor knot

Waterproof gloves when shoveling snow

Low-budget movies that are great

Smell of a good coffee shop

vanishing vanishing OCEAN CITY

WITH BUNK MANN

Eunice Q. Sorin (1924-2011) was a fun-loving free spirit whose generosity and zest for life will long be remembered in Ocean City.

A resident of Berlin and an award-winning hair stylist, Eunice and her husband, Herman Sorin, built the Nassau Motel on 61st Street (now the site of the Meridian Condominium) in 1966. The Nassau was considered “far up the beach” in the years before the construction of the Route 90 Bridge and the development of North Ocean City and the Sorins were considered pioneers of the local motel industry.

Following her husband’s death in 1984, Eunice became a leader in Ocean City’s business community and her record of volunteer service and philanthropy has seldom been equaled. In 2006, she was named Ocean City’s Citizen of the Year.

Eunice’s philanthropic contributions to local charities and civic organizations are legendary and today the Visitor Center at the Chamber of Commerce building on Route 50 is named in her honor.

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

Photo courtesy of the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce

Every Monday: TOPS Meeting

5-6:30 p.m. Atlantic General Hospital, Berlin. Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a support group promoting weight loss and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Call Rose 443880-8444.

Every Monday: Acapella Chorus

All ladies who love to sing are invited to the Delmarva Woman’s Acapella Chorus, Ocean Pines Community Center, 239 Ocean Parkway, 6-8 p.m. Contact Mary 410-629-9383 or Carol 302-242-7062.

Every Monday: Bridge Games

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

Every Tuesday: TOPS Meeting

Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a weekly support and education group promoting weight loss and a healthy lifestyle. Meetings are held at the Worcester County Berlin Health Department at 9730 Healthway Drive, Berlin from 3:30-4:30 p.m. every Tuesday. 410-289-4725.

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

Every Wednesday: Bingo Elks Lodge 2645, corner of Sinepuxent Avenue and 138th Street in Ocean City. Has bingo all year. Doors open 4:30 p.m. with first game sharply at 6:30 p.m. Kitchen open for light fare. 410-250-2645.

Every Thursday: Beach Singles

Join the club, 55 plus, at Harpoon Hanna’s in Fenwick Island, 4-6 p.m. 302-4369577 or BeachSingles.org.

2nd and 4th Thursdays: Caregiver Support Meeting

The Caregiver Support Group will continue to meet on the second and fourth Thursdays in the Ocean Pines Library. Meetings will run from 3-4:30 p.m. The meetings are private and confidential.

Feb. 17-19: Rock & Roll Revival

The James M. Bennett High School Rock & Roll Revival is back for the 24th year with another musical extravaganza that will play to packed houses Feb. 10-12 and 16-19. Friday, Feb. 10 (7 p.m.), two shows on Saturday, Feb. 11 (2 p.m., 7 p.m.); and Sunday, Feb. 12 (2 p.m.). Shows are Thursday, Feb. 16, Friday, Feb. 17 and Saturday, Feb. 18 (all 7 p.m.) and Sunday, Feb. 19 (2 p.m.). All seats are reserved this year. Tickets are available to purchase online, and the best selection of seats is available right now. Tickets are $20, search rock and roll revival at Eventbrite.com.

Feb. 17: Fish Dinner

Bowen Church in Newark is having a fish dinner from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Dinners are $10 each and include flounder filet, green beans, mac and cheese, corn bread and dessert. For those who eat in, price includes beverage.

Feb 17-19: Seaside Boat Show

Over 350 boats and associated dealers will be on hand for the 40th annual event at the Ocean City convention center. Ad-

Things To Do

mission. Adults $10; under 14, $1; and weekend pass $15. Hours are Friday and Saturday, Feb. 17-18, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 19, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. ocboatshow.com.

Feb. 18: Delmarva Discussion

Join Dr. Clara Small, History Professor Emeritus of Salisbury University, from 10 a.m.-noon at the Germantown School on Trappe Road as she discusses the contributions of African Americans on Delmarva. The discussion by Dr. Small is free and open to the public. Seating will be limited. To register by email germantownschool@gmail.com or call Karen Prengaman (443-235-9803). For more information, visit the Germantown School Facebook page.

Feb. 18: Fried Chicken Dinner

New Hope United Methodist Church in Willards will host all you can eat fried chicken dinner from 11 a.m. until sold out. Cost is $15 for adults. Carry out available. Dinner includes vegetables, beverage and dessert.

Feb. 20: Town Cats Benefit

From 6-9 p.m. at Burley Oak Brewing Company with music, 50/50 and silent auction.

Feb. 20: Speaker Meeting

Democratic Women’s Club of Worcester County will host social hour, 9:30 a.m. followed by a speaker and meeting, 10 a.m. at Ocean Pines Community Center, Assateague Room. Speaker will be Dr. Nicole Hollywood, board president of Salisbury PFLAG, a non-profit coalition of LGBTQ+ persons, their families, friends, and allies who provide support, education, referral and advocacy services for the entire LGBTQ+ community.

Feb. 21: Hospice Presentation

An informative session on “Providing Care and Comfort at the End of Life” presented by Arnold Bienstock, Chaplain of Coastal Hospice. Presentation given at Community Church at Ocean Pines at 6 p.m. 410-6415433.

Feb. 21: Pancake Supper

St. Paul's Episcopal Church on 3 Church

St. in Berlin is having a Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper from 5-7 p.m. A free will offering is suggested.

Feb. 21: Shrove Tuesday

Stevenson United Methodist Church will host an all-you-can-eat pancake and sausage dinner from 4:30-6:30 for Shrove Tuesday. Carryout available. Cost is $7, adults; $5, children; and free, 5 and under. Proceeds support Stevenson’s children and youth.

Feb. 21: Pancake Supper

From 5:30-7 p.m. St. Peter's Lutheran Church on 103rd Street will hold a Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, hosted by Pastors Frank Harpster and Harry Biles and Deacon Sharey Biles. Proceeds go to the Sanctuary Roof Replacement fund. Everyone is welcome.

Feb. 22: Ash Wednesday

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church’s Father Carl

Mosley will be distributing ashes in front of Church Mouse Thrift Store at 101 N. Main Street in downtown Berlin from noon to 1 p.m. Stop in your car or walk by and get your ashes. An Ash Wednesday Service will be held at the church at 7 p.m. All are welcome.

Feb. 22: Sip & Science Series

Assateague Coastal Trust presents Sip and Science Series –"Wa$te to WealthThe Power of Compo$ting" & Soil Analysis Paired up with a Murder Mystery Tasting. Go Green OC will present the basics of composting in your home and ACT will demonstrate a hands-on soil analysis. A test kit will be included for every participant to take home and analyze their soil. Assateague Coastal Trust is located at 10959 Worcester Hwy., Berlin. Registration is required at actforbays.org. $25 per person (includes both workshops, soil test kit and a tasting.) BYOB. Debbi Dean @ outreach@actforbays.org or 443-856-9309.

Feb. 24: Oyster Fritter Sandwich

The Sons of the American Legion Post 123 on Old Ocean City Blvd. in Berlin is hosting its oyster fritter sandwich sale 2 p.m.-’til. $10.

Feb. 24-25: WPS Musical

Worcester Preparatory School presents

The Lion King Jr. at 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 24, and 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25. Doors will open 30 minutes before the show. Tickets available for purchase at www.worcesterprep.org/arts/musicaltickets. Tickets purchased online will be available at will-call the day of the show. All tickets purchased in advance are $18 per person for all ages. Tickets sold at the door are $20.

Feb. 25: Breakfast Buffet

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

Feb. 25: Finnegan’s Wake

The Friends of WCDC holds its 9th annual Finnegan’s Wake in Seacrets Morley Hall at 5 p.m. The evening’s festivities will commence at 5:30 PM with the funeral procession winding its way through Morley Hall led by the Ocean City Pipes and Drums. Admission is $20.00. Happy Hour prices will be available at the bar and the Seacrets kitchen will be offering an Irish menu. All money raised from this event will go towards supporting adults with intellectual disabilities who attend the Worcester County Developmental Center.

March 1, 8, 15, 22: Square Dance Lessons

Free square dance lessons from 7-8:45 p.m. at the Ocean Pines Community Center.

March 3: Meet & Greet

The Republican Women of Worcester

County invite you to a Meet & Greet Happy Hour at Fager's Island from 5-7 p.m. Cash Bar. Come meet and socialize with other Republicans and bring a friend. All are welcome.

March 4: Seafood Boil

American Legions Riders Post #123 will host at Berlin location at 10111 Old Ocean City Boulevard. Only 60 tickets available. $40 each gets a pot for two featuring shrimp, potatoes, mussels, clams, corn and sausage. Get tickets at the bar or see Buster at 443-235-8344.

March 7-9: Safe Boating Course

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is offering the Maryland Safe Boating Course at the Ocean Pines Library, 11107 Cathell Rd., Berlin Md. 21811 from 6-9 p.m. Cost is $20 for all three evenings. Register or get more information by calling Barry Cohen at 410935-4807, or Email: CGAUXOC@Gmail.com.

March 8: AARP Meeting

Ocean City AARP Chapter 1917 will meet at 10 am. in the Ocean City 50Plus Center located on 41st St. and Coastal Highway). Please arrive early at 9:30 for a social halfhour and refreshments. Guest speaker will be from the Register of Wills office in Snow Hill. New members are welcome. 410-2500980.

March 10-11, 17-18: Pines Players Show

The Ocean Pines Players is poised to get you rolling in the aisles with laughter with performances of “Four Old Broads.” The production by Leslie Kimbell and directed by Ed Guinan is a hysterical mystery. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Ocean City. Tickets are available at: https://oceanpinesplayers.org. All tickets are reserved seating so it’s best to buy early and ensure you get the seats you want.

March 18: Drive Thru Church Lunch

From 10 a.m.-until sold out at the Powellville UM Church located at 35606 Mount Hermon Road, Powellville. Features oyster fritter sandwiches, homemade chicken salad, homemade soups including peas and dumplings, and vegetable beef. Bake sale items will be available. No pre-orders.

March 18: Job, Resource Fair

The Ocean Pines Chamber of Commerce will host a Seasonal Job and Resource Fair from 9 a.m. until noon at the Princess Royale Ocean Front Resort located at 9100 Coastal Hwy in Ocean City. Spaces are available for $150 for current chamber partners and $200 for business non-Ocean Pines Chamber partners. Along with hundreds of seasonal employment opportunities, the fair will also feature resources from Ocean City such as housing assistance, transportation information, legal aid providers, safety information, urgent care facilities, and more. Employers, reserve your space ASAP at business.oceanpineschamber.org.

March 23: Card, Game Party

The Republican Women of Worcester County will be hosting a Card and Game Party Luncheon from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at The Grand Hotel Terrace Room, 2100 Baltimore Ave., Ocean City. Cost is $30 per person. Please call Merilee Horvat at 410-641-6110 to make your luncheon selection and for more information.

The

Who’s Where When

410-289-3100 28th St. Plaza On Coastal Hwy.

Friday, Feb. 17: No More Whiskey

Saturday, Feb. 18: Rockoholics

Saturday, Feb. 18: Going Coastal

302-988-5000

37314 Lighthouse Rd., Rte. 54 Selbyville, DE

Friday, Feb. 17: Fil Rhythm

Wednesday, Feb. 22: Tear The Roof Off CRAWL

443-373-2756

Wicomico St., Downtown O.C.

Friday, Feb. 17: Kavoossi

Saturday, Feb. 18: Rogue Citizens

FAGER’S ISLAND

Friday, Feb. 17: DJ RobCee

Saturday, Feb. 18: DJ Hook, Blue Miracle, No Go Romeo

Monday, Feb. 20: Bryan Clark GREENE

Who’s Where When

HARBORSIDE

410-213-1846

South Harbor Rd., West O.C.

Thursdays & Fridays: DJ Billy T

Saturday, Feb. 18: Grasping At Straws, DJ Jeremy

Sunday, Feb. 19: Opposite Directions

PICKLES PUB

410-289-4891

8th St. & Philadelphia Ave.

Fridays: Beats By Deogee

Saturday, Feb. 18:

Runner Ups

Sundays: Beats By Deogee

Mondays: Karaoke with Wood

Tuesdays: Beats By Wax

Wednesdays: Beats By Deogee

Thursdays: Beats By Wax

SEACRETS

410-524-4900

49th St. & Coastal Hwy.

Friday, Feb. 17: DJ Tuff, John McNutt Duo, Benefit For Therapy Dog Max w/Blake Haley, Cellar Sessions

Saturday, Feb. 18: DJ Bobby O, DJ Cruz, JohnMcNutt Band, Coming Alive

Sunday, Feb. 19: Element K Trio, DJ Bobby O

Thursday, Feb. 23: Opposite Directions

BLUE MIRACLE Fager’s Island: Saturday, Feb. 18

KAVOOSSI Crawl St. Tavern: Friday, Feb. 17

GRASPING AT STRAWS Harborside: Saturday, Feb. 18

ROGUE CITIZENS Crawl Street Tavern: Saturday, Feb. 18

GOING COASTAL Cork Bar: Saturday, Feb. 18

ROCKOHOLICS Coins Pub: Saturday, Feb. 18

THE RUNNER UPS Pickles Pub: Saturday, Feb. 18

OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS Harborside: Sunday, Feb. 19 Seacrets: Thursday, Feb. 23

STUDENTS In The News

Pocomoke Elementary kindergarteners celebrated the 100th Day of School this week by writing 100 Valentines, which were delivered to the Hartley Hall Nursing Home and the 50Plus Center in Pocomoke.

Submitted Photos

The annual Junior Ring Ceremony took place at Worcester Preparatory School (WPS) this month. It is tradition that seniors present the juniors with their rings along with a few insightful comments as to why the recipient is special to them. The Ring Ceremony is always an inspiring event showing the bond and friendship between peers. Above, members of the junior class gathered together following the ceremony for a group photo. Below, from left, are Mason Williams, and standing above him is his mother Meg Williams ’90; Cole Campbell with his mother Erika Campbell ’88; Lebby Becker with with her mother Tara Becker ’91, who handed her ring down to Lebby; and Baylor Hoen with his father Chris Hoen ’90.

Ocean City Elementary school students recently participated in the Valentines for Veterans program. The cards will be sent to Perry Point Veterans Hospital, Charlotte Hall Veterans Hospital, Baltimore Rehab, and Baltimore VA Medical Center. With their beautifully designed cards are students from Robyn Diesel's first grade class.

Ocean City Elementary celebrated Disney/Cartoon Spirit Day last month. Pictured showing their school spirit are Pre-4 teacher Kathy Huyett, educational assistant Sally-Ann Messick and their class.

Worcester Prep senior Harrison Humes presented junior Carson Rayne with his class ring. Below, good friends Hunter Simons, Luke Hopkins and Dylan Simons proudly display their new class rings.

The Dispatch Classifieds

CONTACT INFORMATION

Phone: 410-641-4563 • Fax: 410-641-0966

Email: classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com

& MasterCard

Worcester County Health Department ACCOUNT SUPERVISOR i

Full Time, State Benefits.

FULL-TIME UPPER SCHOOL MATH TEACHER.

Worcester Preparatory School seeks an experienced fulltime Upper School Math teacher. This position reports to both the Head of Upper School and the Head of Middle School. Candidates for this position should possess a BS degree in Mathematics, with the demonstrated ability to teach Algebra at the above referenced level. Previous experience teaching middle and upper school students is desirable. State certification is not required. Candidates with the experience and interest to coach are desirable.

Located on Maryland’s Eastern Shore in Berlin just fifteen minutes from the Ocean City beaches, Worcester Preparatory School is a co-ed independent day school of over 500 students in grades pre-K -12. The school has comprehensive facilities on a 45-acre campus just a mile from the vibrant town center in Berlin. Governed by an independent board of trustees, WPS was founded in 1970 and enjoyed rapid growth in the decades that followed. It is the premier independent school on the Eastern Shore, drawing students from Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware; some travelling over an hour to reach campus.

AII graduates matriculate to four-year colleges or universities, many among the most selective in the nation. Worcester Preparatory School is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion. gender, national 0rigin, age, disability. veteran status, or any other status protected by law.

Compensation and benefits are competitive with other area private schools and are adjusted based on experience level and credentials.

Interested persons should send a letter of interest, employment application. resume, and educational philosophy (if available) to Linda Watson, Director of Human Resources, at lwatson@worcesterprep.org

This position is responsible for preparing and managing the operating budget for the Worcester County Health Department. Duties include, but are not limited to managing the accounting, financial and statistical data for the presentation of budgets to upper management, as well as managing and performing all accounting functions in accordance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures. This position creates, monitors and manages internal controls for the department. Background check required. APPLY ONLINE at www.jobapscloud.com/md by February 27, 2023.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or disability.Appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request by calling 410-632-1100 ext. 1221.

NOW HIRING MAINTENANCE POSITIONS SECURITY GUARDS

Maintenanceand security guard positions available at local high rise condominium.Part time and/or full time. Good starting pay with salary increases and bonuses available annually. Send resume to apurnell@legumnorman.com

Mail: P.O. Box 467, Berlin MD 21811

INSURANCE CAREER OPPORTUNITY Entry Level Data Processing

Learn the insurance business with opportunity for career advancement.

Please send your resume to David@wilgusassociates.com

EXPERIENCED TEACHERS

Worcester Preparatory School is seeking experienced teachers.

Candidates for this position should possess a degree in education. Previous experience teaching lower, middle and upper school students is desirable. State certification is not required.

Candidates with experience and an interest in coaching are desirable.

Located on Maryland’s Eastern Shore in Berlin just fifteen minutes from the Ocean City beaches, Worcester Preparatory School is a co-ed independent day school of over 500 students in grades pre-K -12. The school has comprehensive facilities on a 45-acre campus just a mile from the vibrant town center in Berlin. Governed by an independent board of trustees, WPS was founded in 1970 and enjoyed rapid growth in the decades that followed. It is the premier independent school on the Eastern Shore, drawing students from Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware; some travelling over an hour to reach campus. AII graduates matriculate to four-year colleges or universities, many among the most selective in the nation. Worcester Preparatory School is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion. gender, national 0rigin, age, disability. veteran status, or any other status protected by law.

Compensation and benefits are competitive with other area private schools and are adjusted based on experience level and credentials.

Interested persons should send a letter of interest, employment application. resume, and educational philosophy (if available) to Linda Watson, Director of Human Resources, at lwatson@worcesterprep.org

NOW HIRING PROFESSIONAL SERVERS APPLY IN PERSON IN THE OF FENWICK Y

The Dispatch Classifieds

$15/Week for Minimum of Five Lines • $2 Thereafter Per Line

RENTALS

WINTER RENTAL: 3BR/2BA. 117th St. $1350 per mo.

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 COURT HOUSE

SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074

3x 2-03, 2-10, 2-17

Third Insertion

BRIAN P. COSBY, ESQ. PO BOX 600 OCEAN CITY, MD 21843

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19551

Third Insertion

PHILIP C. WIDDOWSON, ESQ.

PHILIP C. WIDDOWSON, PA 11791 SOMERSET AVENUE

PRINCESS ANNE, MD 21853

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19560

PRAY FOR UKRAINE

Forgiveness, Faith, Love!

To all persons interested in the estate of GARY EDWARD RAUB, Estate No.19551. Notice is given that KELLY L. DEAN, 11735 BACK STREET, WHALEYVILLE, MD 21872, was on JANUARY 25, 2023, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of GARY EDWARD RAUB, who died on DECEMBER 19, 2022, with a will. Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney. All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 25TH day of JULY, 2023.

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

Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or

The Dispatch Legal Notices

LEGAL RATES

Legal advertising rate is $7 per column inch. The deadline for all legal advertising is Tuesday at noon. For more information call 410-641-4563 or fax 410-641-0966.

Third Insertion

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19522

To all persons interested in the estate of ROY DALE POWELL,Estate No.19522. Notice is given that BETTY R. POWELL, 8629 LANGMAID ROAD, NEWARK, MD, 21841, was on JANUARY 09, 2023, appointed Personal Representative of the estate

of ROY DALE POWELL, who died on DECEMBER 27, 2022, without a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 9TH day of JULY, 2023.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must

CONTACT INFORMATION

Phone: 410-641-4563 • Fax: 410-641-0966

Email: classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com

Mail: P.O. Box 467, Berlin MD 21811

present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:

Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or

(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the

mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch

Date of Publication

FEBRUARY 03, 2023

BETTY R. POWELL Personal Representative

To all persons interested in the estate of LEROY E. JOHNSON, Estate No.19560. Notice is given that JULIE BETH JOHNSON, 1407 W. OCEAN VIEW AVENUE APT E, NORFOLK, VA 23503 and CARLISLE TODD WIDDOWSON, 33259 WEST POST OFFICE ROAD, PRINCESS ANNE, MD 21853 were on JANUARY 30, 2023, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of LEROY E. JOHNSON, who died on NOVEMBER 25, 2022, with a will. Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney. All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 30TH day of JULY, 2023.

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

Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or

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

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication FEBRUARY 03, 2023

KELLY L. DEAN

Personal Representative True Test Copy

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 3x 2-03, 2-10, 2-17

(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

FEBRUARY 03, 2023

JULIE BETH JOHNSON Personal Representative True Test Copy

Second Insertion

The Dispatch Legal Notices

LEGAL RATES

Legal advertising rate is $7 per column inch. The deadline for all legal advertising is Tuesday at noon. For more information call 410-641-4563 or fax 410-641-0966.

208 CALVERT ST. PO BOX 33 SALISBURY, MD 21803

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19558

To all persons interested in the estate of CHARLES SPOERER, III, Estate No. 19558. Notice is given that JEANNE SPOERER THOMPSON, 13224 SHANNONDELL DRIVE, AUDUBON, PA 19403 was on FEBRUARY 07, 2023, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of CHARLES SPOERER, III, who died on JANUARY 18, 2023, 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 7TH day of AUGUST, 2023.

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

Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or

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

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch

Date of Publication

FEBRUARY 10, 2023

ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074

3x 2-10, 2-17, 2-24

B. RANDALL COATES, ESQ. COATES, COATES & COATES 204 WEST GREEN STREET P O BOX 293 SNOW HILL, MD 21863

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19570

To all persons interested in the estate of SYLVESTER L LOCKWOOD, Estate No. 19570. Notice is given that VERDELL IRIS SHAW, 8827 MARSHALL CREEK ROAD, NEWARK, MD 21841, was on FEBRUARY 07, 2023, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of SYLVESTER L LOCKWOOD, who died on NOVEMBER 9, 2010, 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 7TH day of AUGUST, 2023.

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

Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or

Maryland Coast Dispatch

Date of Publication

FEBRUARY 10, 2023

VERDELL IRIS SHAW

Personal Representative True Test Copy

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074

3x 2-10, 2-17, 2-24

tor 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 FEBRUARY 17, 2023

DENISE MARIE ROMANO Personal Representative True Test Copy

CONTACT INFORMATION

Phone: 410-641-4563 • Fax: 410-641-0966

Email: classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com

Mail: P.O. Box 467, Berlin MD 21811

to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:

Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or

RAYMOND D COATES, JR., ESQ.

6200 COASTAL HIGHWAY, SUITE 300, OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19573

To all persons interested in the estate of JOSEPH F. MALONE, Estate No. 19573. Notice is given that DENISE MARIE ROMANO, 5529 BEDNARIK PLACE, THE VILLAGES, FLORIDA 32163, was on FEBRUARY 08, 2023, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of JOSEPH F. MALONE, who died on JANUARY 21, 2023, 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.

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 3x 2-17, 2-24, 3-03

(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 FEBRUARY 17, 2023

PAMELA L. CUDDY

Personal Representative True Test Copy

against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:

Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or

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

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication FEBRUARY 17, 2023

MICHAEL B. MATHERS, ESQ. WEBB. CORNBROOKS, WILBER, VORHIS DOUSE & MATHERS, LLP PO BOX 910 115 BROAD STREET SALISBURY, MD 218030910

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19579

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 3x 2-17, 2-24, 3-03

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ROBERT C. ACKERSON Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 3x 2-17, 2-24, 3-03

First Insertion

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 8TH day of AUGUST, 2023.

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

Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or

Test Copy

JEANNE SPOERER THOMPSON Personal Representative True

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County

(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:

(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 credi-

To all persons interested in the estate of WILLIAM H. CUDDY, III, Estate No. 19579. Notice is given that PAMELA L. CUDDY, 10850 CATHELL ROAD, BERLIN, MD 21811 was on FEBRUARY 09, 2023, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of WILLIAM H. CUDDY, III, who died on DECEMBER 27, 2022, without a will. Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 9TH day of AUGUST, 2023.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19569

To all persons interested in the estate of GERDA MARLENA STOVER, Estate No. 19569. Notice is given that ROBERT C. ACKERSON, 36857 JAHNIGEN DRIVE, FRANKFORD, DE 19945, was on FEBRUARY 07, 2023, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of GERDA MARLENE STOVER, who died on JANUARY 02, 2023, 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 7TH day of AUGUST, 2023.

Any person having a claim

KIRK G. SIMPKINS, ESQ. SIMPKINS & SIMPKINS, PA PO BOX 550 PRINCESS ANNE, MD 21853

SMALL ESTATE NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19587

To all persons interested in the estate of EILEEN F. ROTHSCHILD, Estate No. 19587. Notice is given that VERNON ROTHSCHILD, 20 LESLIE MEWS, BERLIN, MD 21811, was on FEBRUARY 10, 2023 appointed personal representative(s) of the small estate of EILEEN F. ROTHSCHILD,who died on DECEMBER 30, 2022with a will.

Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the

The Dispatch Legal Notices

LEGAL RATES

Legal advertising rate is $7 per column inch.

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

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

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

FEBRUARY 17, 2023

VERNON ROTHSCHILD 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

I. WILLIAM CHASE, ESQ.

1190 W. NORTHERN PARKWAY, APT. 124 BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21210

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY CASE NO. C-23-CV-22-000283

WILBARGER, LLC

P.O. BOX 2367 DENVER, COLORADO 80201 Plaintiff vs. GEORGE ISLAND LANDING, LLC C/OILENE SHULMAN,

CONTACT INFORMATION

Phone: 410-641-4563 • Fax: 410-641-0966

Email: classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com

Mail: P.O. Box 467, Berlin MD 21811

Last known Resident Agent and Member

I0221 Montgomery Avenue Kensington, Maryland 20895

and THE COUNTY OF WORCESTER SERVE ON: ROSCOE LESLIE COUNTY ATTORNEY

I W. MARKET STREET, ROOM 1103 SNOW HILL, MARYLAND 21863 AND ALL OTHER PERSONS HAVING OR CLAIMING TO HAVE AN INTEREST IN LOT GEORGE ISLAND

LANDING ROAD, SE OF STOCKTON, DISTRICT 08, ACCOUNT NUMBER 008655

Defendants

ORDER OF PUBLiCATION

The object of this proceeding is to secure the foreclosure of all rights of redemption in the following property Lot George Island Landing Road, SE of Stockton, District 08, Account Number 008655, assessed to the George Island Landing, LLC, and sold by the Collector of Taxes for the County of Worcester and the State of Maryland to the Plaintiffs in these proceedings:

Lot George Island Landing Road, SE of Stockton District 08, Account Number 008655

The complaint states, among other things, that the amounts necessary for redemption have not been paid, although the required time for filing a Complaint has elapsed.

It is thereupon, this 8th of February, 2023, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, ORDERED, that notice be given by the insertion of a copy of this Order in some newspaper having a general circulation once a week for three successive weeks, before the 9th day of April, 2023, warning all persons interested in said property to be and appear in this Court by the 9th day of April, 2023, to redeem the property, Lot George Island Landing Road, SE of Stockton, District 08, Account Number 008655, and answer the Complaint of or thereafter a final decree will be rendered foreclosing all rights of redemption in the property and vesting in the Plaintiff, WILBARGER, LLC, a title free and clear of all encumbrances, except forground rents.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication

Knupp Family ‘Confident’ For Justice As Probe Continues

FROM PAGE 4

senger was partially ejected and suffered fatal injuries. According to police reports, troopers on the scene observed significant signs of impairment exhibited by the driver.

In February of 2020, 14 months after the fatal accident, Bryan Wersten, 32, was convicted of homicide by motor vehicle while under the influence of controlled dangerous substances and sentencing was deferred. Wersten was the driver of a vehicle that claimed the life of his passenger, identified as Michael Hernandez, also of Berlin. Wersten was sentenced in July of 2020 to 10 years in jail, all but four of which were suspended. He was also placed on supervised probation for five years following his release.

As far as the Knupp case, back on July 11, a black Mercedes was driving eastbound on Grays Corner Road between Glen Riddle Lane and Route 589. The vehicle struck and killed Knupp, a pedestrian on the road returning to a nearby vehicle when the collision took place. The vehicle fled the scene and did not return.

Six days after the incident, the Mercedes identified as the vehicle in the collision was seized from a home in the Ocean Reef community. The vehicle, which reportedly matched the suspected damages sustained in the collision, was towed to the Maryland State Police Berlin Barrack for further processing.

From the beginning, the family’s official statements through their attorney have maintained the high road and been supportive of authorities. In other interviews, the family has admitted candidly the investigation has taken a toll and patience is wearing thin.

Most recently, Gavin’s mom, Tiffany, was on Ocean 98.1 WOCM last month discussing the foundation as well as making another plea for witnesses with knowledge about her son’s death to do the right thing and come forward. “There are people in this community who absolutely know. There are eyewitnesses who have not come forward that just won’t speak. I don’t know why. I just want them to come forward and we are begging them to come forward,” she said. “… I am not backing down … I am ready for justice for my son. … We do get briefed on the case. Every two weeks our attorney gets briefed by the state’s attorney’s office. He talks to us about it. It’s progressing. We do trust in the system and the process. It’s just my patience is done. I’ve had enough. It’s six months. I’m done. We are ready for some movement. I want an arrest. I want this justice. We should not be fighting this hard for justice.”

Summer Knupp, Gavin’s older sister, was driving Gavin the night her brother was struck and killed as a pedestrian. She was on the local radio show with her mom. “Patience is gone. It feels like it’s yesterday but when you do realize it’s been six months …,” she said. “We’ve been waiting for six months. I’ve been told since July 12, the day after, he would be arrested soon and six months later I’m still waiting. It’s getting tiring.”

Time will tell what justice looks like in this specific case, and the worry for many is justice will not be the reality because of

the long investigation. Charges could ultimately be filed against the motorist but whether they bring the consequences many seek for a lost young life remains unclear. A potential charge against the motorist who struck and killed Knupp and fled the scene could be leaving the scene of a fatal accident. State code says, “A person who violates § 20-102 of this article (“Driver to remain at scene — Accident resulting in bodily injury or death”) and who knew or reasonably should have known that the accident might result in the death of another person and death actually occurred to another person, is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment for not more than 10 years or a fine of not more than $10,000 or both.”

Over the course of the many months since the incident, the Knupp family has remained committed to supporting police

and the investigation underway. In October of 2022, the Knupp family appeared on local news stations in touching features. Armed with details about the investigation that could not be shared publicly, the family was at peace with how law enforcement was handling the investigation.

On WBOC’s interview with Steve Hammond, Tiffany Knupp said, “We know that the police department and everybody is working overtime. And we have complete faith in them and we know how hard they’re working and we saw that from the beginning. The fact that it’s taking a while is a good thing. They’re getting everything right so we trust in that … You think of death and mourning and that totally cripples us, trust me all day long. But there’s also this level of strength that we have and I totally, firmly believe it’s Gavin just kind of pushing us along because he would not want us to be upset. That’s not

his personality. He would want us to fight for him and we are for sure.”

During the same interview, sister Summer Knupp showed poise, saying, “Naturally everyone’s going to be frustrated with how long. Time is a frustrating thing, but we are more worried about having a conviction and having an outcome we want than how long it takes. We don’t want to rush something and then get it wrong and then we’re upset about that for years and years to come.”

In September of 2022, Dubovsky issued a statement, saying, “Having had the opportunity to meet with the State’s Attorney and others in her office, we believe more strongly than ever that those responsible for Gavin’s death will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. We thank Kris Heiser, her team and law enforcement for all their hard work to that end.”

HAPPINESS

library shares plans For pocomoke Facility

BY BETHANY HOOPER STAFF WRITER

POCOMOKE – Community members gathered at the Pocomoke library this week to learn more about a new facility that is being proposed on the former armory site.

On Monday, officials with the Worcester County Library held an information session to give community members a chance to see design concepts for a new branch in downtown Pocomoke. Library Director Jennifer Ranck said the project could begin as soon as this year.

“If everything goes according to plan, we could have shovels in the ground this fall,” she said.

As proposed, the new library would be constructed on a parcel of land currently occupied by the old armory and other neighboring buildings. Once the structures are demolished, a 13,000-squarefoot facility will be built.

Designer Jeff Schoellkopf said the new library includes plans for children’s and young adult areas, meeting rooms, a small maker’s space and a large community room, which can be accessed during and after library hours. While a second floor would house mechanical equipment, he noted that all programs would be placed on one story.

“The library staff and trustees asked us to try and do this on one story,” he explained. “I think in Berlin, the two stories work really well, but it takes additional staffing.”

He added that the facility would also

feature a children’s porch and enclosed yard.

“Please see all of this as a pretty welldeveloped concept, but not something that’s ready to be built next week …,” he said. “We have generalized plans for all of these things.”

When asked about computer space within the library, Schoellkopf noted there would be computers in the children’s, young adults, and adult sections, but that there would be less than what is currently found at the Pocomoke branch.

“There’s a lot of people using laptops now,” he said, “so the seating is designed to have outlets and there is WiFi throughout.”

Ranck noted that the library is projected to cost $9,325,000, though the governor’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2024 includes $2.2 million for the project. The remaining $7 million, she said, would be paid for by the county, fundraising campaigns and potential Maryland State Public Library Capital Grant Program funding.

“The program allows us to apply for up to 50% of the cost of the project …,” she explained. When the Ocean City library was built, the local contribution was $6.3 million. And when the Berlin library was built, the local contribution was $4.8 million. So 10 years later, and we’re paying $1.5 million less for that new Berlin library, and I think we can do that for Pocomoke as well.”

Pocomoke resident Monda Marsh said she thought a new library would benefit the community but questioned the town’s

role in its development.

“What is the bottom line?” she said. “What will Pocomoke contribute to this?”

City Manager Jeremy Mason said the town would be donating the land on which the library would be built. Officials noted the city had purchased the site for roughly $130,000 and had received a $300,000 loan from the county to demolish the old buildings.

“What we have to do is demolish all of it,” he explained. “We have multiple bids from different companies and we are zeroing in on that.”

City Councilman Todd Nock said his biggest concern was the $300,000 loan the city would use to clean up the site.

“I believe it’s going to be a great project if it comes to fruition,” he said. “I just have an issue with the fact that we are taking a $300,000 interest-free loan from the county, only to tear those buildings down and turn the property over to them.”

One resident, however, argued the project was a good investment.

“Anybody that would turn down an investment of $300,000 to $500,000 to get $9 million back is crazy,” he said.

Worcester County Commissioner Diana Purnell noted the library would spur economic development in town.

“Pocomoke sits as a jewel in Worcester County …,” she said. “You have to figure out a way to stop people when they come through, so they can come to your town. The library is one of the first things you can do.”

Others agreed.

““This serves the children in this community in the huge way …,” one resident said. “This space serves our community. We build it, and they will come.”

Several community members said they liked plans for the new library but argued they would rather see the town prioritize other issues, such as water quality and infrastructure.

“This library becomes an oasis surrounded by a bunch of things that aren’t done …,” one resident said. “I want to see improvements for the general population and for them to be things that are most needed.”

Commissioner Chip Bertino pointed out that projects involving water, sidewalks and other infrastructure were the responsibility of the town. He noted the library project was a county-funded project.

“This town is broken,” he said. “Until recently, there has been absolutely no planning for the past 40 years to handle infrastructure, to pay for water and sewer lines, and that is not the responsibility of the county. That is the responsibility of your town council who has skin in the game. I mean no disrespect to the elected officials down here because I think that they are doing the best they can, but it also takes a group effort, an engaged community and accountability.”

He continued, “We recognize there is an opportunity here in Pocomoke City that has for too long been ignored. And for way too long, quite truthfully, your own elected officials, your own community has not stepped up to the plate and done what is necessary. The county is doing what it can.”

Nock noted that concerns shared by residents were issues the city council was working to address. He encouraged community to get involved.

North OC Restaurant Fined $3K For Liquor Purchase

BY CHARLENE SHARPE STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – A north Ocean City restaurant faces a substantial fine after failing to adhere to liquor purchasing regulations.

The Worcester County Board of License Commissioners (BLC) fined Sophia’s Italian Restaurant, located at 11405 Coastal Highway, $3,000 and issued a seven-day suspension after state investigators determined the owner had purchased liquor not from the requisite wholesaler but from a nearby liquor store. Officials said the suspension would be abated if the restaurant’s connections cooperated with investigators going forward.

“You should have known you couldn’t purchase from a retail outlet,” said William Esham, BLC chair.

The BLC hosted a hearing this week with Christopher and Sophia Christian of Sophia’s Italian Restaurant after investigators from the Maryland Alcohol and Tobacco Commission found nearly 40 bottles of liquor in the restaurant that were purchased at a retail location. Licensees are required to purchase from wholesale companies and are not allowed to purchase from retail establishments.

According to Sophia Christian, who also owns the nearby Nori Sushi, she got the liquor license for Sophia’s Italian Restaurant last May. She said when she initially reached out to wholesale companies, representatives didn’t want to talk to her until the license transfer was complete. When she found a representative willing to work

with her, she said he also mentioned that he would install a window screen on the glass at the front of the restaurant.

While waiting for him to set a date to deliver the restaurant’s alcohol and install the screen, Christian decided the bar looked empty. She went down to the liquor store five stores over and purchased dozens of bottles of alcohol.

“We were waiting for him to come back,” she said. “It was just to have something on the bar…It was more for aesthetics.”

The bottles were discovered when an investigator from the Alcohol and Tobacco Commission was in Ocean City doing tobacco and alcohol inspections. She told the board she didn’t receive a tip but rather walked into the restaurant to look at its license and request its purchase receipts. It was on that visit that Christian advised her most of the bottles at the bar had been purchased from the liquor store.

“I admitted I bought the product from there,” Christian said. “I don’t have anything to lie about.”

The Alcohol and Tobacco Commission investigation identified 40 bottles that were inappropriately purchased. While Christian was subsequently able to provide receipts proving three had come from a distributor, there were still 37 bottles that hadn’t been bought appropriately.

BLC member Charles Nichols pointed out that Christian received a book of rules and regulations when she’d gotten the restaurant’s liquor license last year. He read the portion that stated that no license holder should purchase from a retail store

“It’s clearly stated in the rules,” he said.

Christian’s husband said the issue had occurred primarily because the restaurant had tried to be loyal to the initial representative who’d agreed to work with them. The couple apologized. Sophia Christian assured the board she’d never make the same mistake again.

BLC members pointed out that the Christians also operated Nori Sushi and had done so since 2018. They said the Christians should have known they couldn’t purchase from a retail location.

“I didn’t even think about it,” Sophia Christian said.

After closing the meeting to consult with

9

the BLC attorney, the BLC reopened the hearing and Nichols made a motion to fine Sophia’s Italian Restaurant $3,000 and suspend its license for seven days. The board’s attorney said the suspension would be abated as long as the restaurant’s connections cooperated with the Alcohol and Tobacco Commission going forward. The motion passed unanimously.

The board went on to fine the Christians $1,000 for Nori Sushi, as a few of the bottles located in Sophia’s Restaurant were from Nori.

“You’re not allowed to let liquor off your premises,” said Tom Coates, the board’s attorney.

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Personal Property Preview: Tuesday February 21st from 4 PM – 6 PM

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Auction Held Online Only w/Bidding ending Wed. March 1st, 2023 Starting at 5 PM!

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Personal Property Preview: Monday February 27th from 5 PM – 6 PM

On-Line Only Auction Sale – Parsonsburg, MD!

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Items located @ the A&M Auction Facility, 8000 Esham Road, Parsonsburg, MD

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Personal Property Preview: Mon. March 6th from 5 PM – 7 PM

Important “deGavre Family” Online Estate Auction – Onancock, VA!

A&M Auctions if honored to sell for the Estate of General Chester “Chet” deGavre and Teresa Cameron deGavre!

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Auction Held Online Only w/Bidding ending Wed. March 15th, 2023 Starting at 5 PM

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Senator Speaks Out Against Health Bill At Committee Hearing

BY CHARLENE SHARPE STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – Legislation that would establish a comprehensive health education framework continues to draw criticism from local elected officials.

Last week, the Worcester County Commissioners voiced sharp objections to a state bill regarding health education that they said would force issues like gender identification and human sexuality onto students far too early. Just a day later, Sen. Mary Beth Carozza shared her concerns about the bill, which she strongly opposes, during a hearing of the

Senate Education, Energy and Environment Committee.

“For the life of me I still cannot figure out why we need this bill,” Carozza said.

The bill, HB 119 in the House and SB 199 in the Senate, would require the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) to develop a comprehensive health education framework and would have local school systems develop ageappropriate curriculum consistent with that framework. Sen. Clarence Lam, one of the bill’s sponsors, told the committee the bill was generally misunderstood. He said MSDE developed the framework in 2019 and that counties had been devel-

oping their curriculums in accordance with that framework. With recent concerns that some counties were moving away from that framework, he said he wanted to see it codified. Maryland State Superintendent Mohammed Choudhury agreed and said the legislation would simply ensure the framework remained in place.

Carozza said she’d received countless calls and emails about the bill.

“My first reaction was this can’t be right because we would leave this up to local school districts,” she said during the committee hearing.

She said she didn’t understand why the bill was needed, particularly as the state was implementing the wide-ranging Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. She said superintendents had been reporting the array of aspects to the Blueprint were already taking up all of their time.

“That doesn’t even get into the funding challenges,” she said.

With that in mind she said she’d read SB 199 and the associated testimony very closely. While Lam touted the “opt out” measures included in the bill, which would let parents opt their children out of the instruction, Carozza indicated that didn’t ease her concerns. She said there were multiple examples of failed opt-out provisions where parents never even knew that option was available to them.

“There’s a disconnect there, which is why some believe opt-in would be better if this bill ends up passing,” she said.

Carozza said she respected Choudhury, who has spent a fair amount of time on the Eastern Shore, but didn’t understand why he was supporting the legislation.

“You have the superintendents that are opposing this, you have the boards of education that are opposing this, you’ve got hundreds of thousands of emails from parents, and so we look at this and it’s like, why?” she said. “Where’s the need and where’s the good? I understand the background but I guess I want to better understand why we would not listen to our superintendents and our boards of education and our parents on this one.”

Choudhury said that that while some parents were opposed to the framework there were many who supported it. He said the bill had been turned into a controversial topic when it shouldn’t be one.

Carozza said officials were spending too much time talking about the health education framework when Blueprint implementation should be the focus. She said that when officials were hearing from superintendents, school boards and parents — who don’t have lobbyists or associations to represent them — they had to consider those voices.

“I just want you to know we have the same shared goal about our students’ education but when something like this comes up, it just takes us off our game and delays us moving forward,” Carozza said. “I’d ask you to reconsider this.”

Storytellers, BES Students Celebrate Black History Month

BY CHARLENE SHARPE STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – Students at Buckingham Elementary School are celebrating Black History Month through the arts of storytelling.

Throughout February, various storytellers, whether they communicate through music, words or images, are visiting Buckingham to share their craft with students. Jay Coleman, the artist who painted the town’s Charles Albert Tindley mural, and Daniel Bowen, the musician and composer behind Symphony 21, visited last week.

Author Carole B. Weatherford, who wrote about Tindley’s life in “By and By,” and Bryan Collier, the illustrator who worked with her on “By and By,” are set to visit in the coming days as well.

“We wanted to show our kids that each person has a story to tell and there are different ways to tell those stories,” said Melissa Reid, art teacher at Buckingham.

Reid said that she worked with Caitlin Bunting, the school’s media specialist, to build on a Black History Month program launched last year. While the students last year focused on learning about Tindley, as work was underway to create a mural in Berlin in his honor, this year the school has expanded the program to focus on African American storytellers. Coleman showed students his vibrant paintings and how he comes up with them while Bowen visited Friday and demonstrated to kids how he uses music

to evoke feelings and tell stories.

Reid said Bowen, who attended Buckingham as a child, showed students how different music triggered different feelings. He even drew a picture and showed how different sounds could be used to depict what was in the illustration.

“He was great because he pulled various storytelling aspects together,” Reid said.

The next two guests include Collier, a Pocomoke native whose illustrations have earned numerous awards, and Weatherford, who has written more than 60 books and is a Coretta Scott King Award winner, a Newbery Honor winner and a two-time NAACP Image Award winner.

“It’s great for kids to see you can make a living writing books, making paintings, creating music,” Reid said.

With guest speakers who are known for telling the stories of famous historical figures but also have noteworthy backgrounds themselves, educators are hoping to show students that everyone has a story.

Throughout the month, students are working with Reid and Bunting on telling and illustrating their own stories. Reid says she tells students something as simple as a tale about recess could prove informative to people a hundred years from now.

“We’re trying to bring home the point everyone’s life is a story and is going to have some historical value one day,” she said.

Buckingham Elementary School is celebrating Black History Month through the arts of storytelling. Above, Daniel Bowen of Symphony 21 is pictured last week teaching students how music can be used to evoke feelings and tell stories.

Photo by Charlene Sharpe

State Champs: Stephen Decatur High School’s varsity wrestling team won its fourth straight state championship last week, defeating Middletown, 33-25, in the semi-finals and top-seeded Sparrows Point, 49-18. The team, under the leadership of first-year head coach Josh August, is pictured above celebrating the achievement.

Submitted Photo

SPORTS In The News

Middle School Honorees:

All-State Players:

The Maryland Association of Coaches of Soccer last week announced the All-State High School teams for the 2022 season and Stephen Decatur’s boys’ and girls’ varsity teams were well represented. Named to the MACS Boy’s All-State Second Team from Decatur was Brogan Eastlack, center. Named to the MACS All-State Girls’ Second Team was Mia Kemp, right. Named to the MACS All-State Honorable Mention Girls’ Team from Decatur was Hannah Dang, left.

Submitted Photo

At the conclusion of the winter season, Worcester Prep recognized top middle school athletes. Above, front from left, are boys winners Jack Tunnell, seventh grade coach’s award; Chase Thompson, seventh grade most improved player; Mac Miller, seventh grade most outstanding teammate; and Johnny Crossett, seventh grade MVP; and, standing from left, Anthony Ziman, eighth grade MVP; Caleb Walston, eighth grade coach’s award; Dade Kappes, eighth grade most improved player; and Jack Adkins, eighth grade most outstanding teammate. Below, girls winners are Rani Yonker, seventh grade most outstanding teammate; Brooke and Blair Moore, seventh grade coach’s award; Scarlett Shimko, seventh grade MVP; standing, from left, Ariana Cornescu, seventh grade most improved player; Cora Conway, eighth grade coach’s award; Olivia Soares, eighth grade most improved player; Bella Fernley, eighth grade most outstanding teammate; and Laney Hoch, eighth grade MVP. Also recognized, not pictured, were cheerleaders Addyson Wisniewski, MVP; Emma Brooks, coach’s award; Abby Ferguson, most improved player; and Ava Holland, most outstanding teammate.

Submitted Photos

Clarence Ebe Hudson

BISHOPVILLE – On Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023, Clarence Ebe Hudson, loving husband and father, was called home at the age of 86.

Born Aug. 22, 1936, Clarence was a member of the first graduating class of Stephen Decatur High School in 1955, making him the first in his family to graduate high school.

Clarence spent most of his career working with his brother Bob Hudson building homes in Ocean City and the surrounding areas, finishing his carpentry career at the age of 76 working for Kenny Baker and daughter, Anne Marie at the Francis Scott Key Motel.

He spent all of his life around the water. Clarence was an avid hunter and fisherman spending most of his youth combing the shores of the river for soft shells, fishing nets and crab pots with his father, and building truck bodies in the family barn. Clarence met the love of his life Barbara at the age of 21. He won Barbara’s heart with his blue eyes, Bishopville charm, and smooth dance moves.

Clarence and Barbara spent their weekends with their children and friends camping at Tom’s Cove Campground in Chincoteague, Virginia. All Clarence and Barbara had to do was show up at the Clubhouse and the band would play WipeOut to get the party started. Later in life, Barbara and Clarence returned to camping with their daughters and grandkids. He spent many hours with his family fishing on his boat or surf fishing on Assateague Island. Clarence loved his family. He taught his family so much during his lifetime; the importance of hard work and determination, fearlessness; and never letting age stop you from enjoying life. As his grandkids and Clarence would say “He was the best.”

Clarence is survived by his wife of 63 years, Barbara; his daughter Brenda, widow of Dean Wooten of Bishopville; his daughter Terry and Patrick Townsend of Parsonsburg; his grandchildren Megan and husband Michael Clifford, Gabrielle Wooten, Taylor Townsend, Ryan Townsend; numerous nieces and nephews; and his beloved dog, Bentley.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, Archie and Mary Hudson of Bishopville; his daughter, Margaret Ann; his siblings Bob, Grace, Jack, and Elsie; his beloved dog Pudge; and his cat Spotty.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Feb. 21, 2023, at Bishop-Hastings Funeral Home, 19 South Main Street, Selbyville, Del. Friends and family are invited to visit from 12 to 1 p.m. Flowers are welcomed or donations can be made to Assateague Mobile Sportfishermen’s Association, where Clarence was a lifetime member, P.O. Box 106, Berlin, Md. 21811.

Condolences may be sent by visiting

www.bishophastingsfh.com.

Dr. Melvin Friedman

OCEAN CITY – Dr. Melvin “Maish” Friedman passed away in the comfort of his home in Ocean City surrounded by family on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023 at the age of 86.

Melvin was universally liked and revered by his community. He lived a life filled with love, generosity, and kindness, always putting others before himself. He was a true friend to all who knew him.

He graduated on the Dean’s List from the University of Maryland’s School of Pharmacy despite having a severe hearing impairment. Melvin, commonly referred to as Doc, was a hard-working, successful, businessman who owned Linden Pharmacy in Baltimore before moving to Ocean City, where he owned businesses for over 30 years. Following his retirement, he was the Chairman of the Ocean City Community Health Fair in partnership with AARP for over 17 years. As a bilateral recipient of Cochlear implants, he was an ambassador for new patients seeking implant surgery.

After only six months of knowing each other, he married the love of his life, Jackie Friedman (nee Hoffman). For the next 61 years, they were always by each other's side enjoying the simple pleasures of life and remaining devoted to one another. Together, they had four children, Jill (Ernest) Slovon, Steven (Sandra) Friedman, Brian (Lisa) Friedman and Barry (Kim) Friedman, and nine grandchildren, Stephanie (Jeff) Adler, Erin Slovon, Abby Friedman, Mattie Friedman, Halle Friedman, Reese Friedman, Bryce Friedman, Brandon Friedman, and Sydney Friedman. His family will forever cherish the memories they shared with their Pop Pop.

Maish was born and raised in a tightknit Jewish community in Baltimore where traditions and values were passed down from generation to generation. He was predeceased by his siblings, Kenneth Friedman, Shirley Sohmer, and Irving Friedman, and his loving parents, Lena and Samuel Friedman. His family was everything to him, and he made sure to stay connected over the years. Melvin will be deeply missed by his family and friends, who will always remember his warm smile, intelligence, silly antics, determination, and unwavering spirit – he was a true mensch. His legacy of love and kindness will continue to live on through the countless lives he touched.

Services were held at Sol Levinson's Chapel, 8900 Reisterstown Rd, Pikesville, Md. 21208, on Feb. 13, 2023. Interment was in Shaarei Tfiloh Cemetery. Please omit flowers. Contributions in his memory may be sent to Cochlear Implant Awareness Foundation (http://www.ciafonline.org/). Please refer to Sol

Levinson's website for additional shiva dates and times.

Charles Lewis Maxwell, V MILTON, Del. – Charles Lewis Maxwell V, affectionately known as Bubby, 20, of Milton, passed unexpectedly the morning of Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. He was born July 13, 2002, in Philadelphia, Pa., son of Charles IV and Lauri Maxwell.

Charles graduated from Cape Henlopen High School in 2020. He was a life member of Bethany St. John’s United Methodist Church in Pleasantville, N.J. While growing up, he was an active member of Air Force JROTC at Atlantic County Institute of Technology in Mays Landing, N.J., 4-H of Atlantic County, N.J., and Boy Scouts of America Troop 126 in Mays Landing. Charles was passionate about his family, friends, job, and his daily Dunkin’ ritual, as well as photography, fashion, nature, helping others, and loving his cat, Missy. Most importantly, even from a young age, Charles was confident and passionate about being exactly who he was, despite what others may have thought or said; even then, he would go out of his way to help anyone and boost their esteem. He also lit up every room which was graced with his hair and signature grin. Charles loved working as a server at Big Fish Grill in Rehoboth, alongside what he considered his second family, especially being the bar back for his girls. Anyone who knew Charles knew that he was happily independent, fiercely loyal, unapologetically honest, a constant source of positivity, was always ready to make memories with the people he held close, and never met a stranger.

Charles was predeceased by his grandfathers, Charles Conover Maxwell III and Edward James McClafferty. He is survived by his parents, Charles and Lauri Maxwell; his siblings, Dylan Rosenberg, Olivia Kelly, Adam Kelly, Emma Maxwell and Charlotte Maxwell; his grandparents: Patricia McClafferty, Nancy Maxwell and Ken Salsgiver; and his many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m., on Earth Day Saturday, April 22, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Hwy., Lewes, where friends may visit beginning at 10 a.m. Additionally, a visitation will be held at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m., the night prior, Friday, April 21. At the family's request, do not wear black or ties. Immediately following the services, the family would like to invite all to join them in gathering at Milton Memorial Park in Milton to enjoy the company of loved ones in planting a tree in Charles’ honor.

A second celebration of life will be held in New Jersey at a later date.

Details regarding contributions in memory of Charles will be announced at a later time.

Martha Townsend Wilkins

OCEAN CITY – Martha Townsend Wilkins, age 76, passed away Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin.

Born in Berlin, Martha was the daughter of the late Charles Townsend and Elsie Warrington Townsend. She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, William Gordon Wilkins, in July of 2022.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Wendy Di Buo and James A. Di Buo of Bishopville, and her son, William G. Wilkins, II of Ocean City. She is also survived by her brother, Charles Townsend and wife Joan of Berlin, and her grandchildren, James, Mark, Thomas, Madison, Gabrielle, Gavin, Nathan, Tony, Gunnar, and Candace as well as great-grandchildren, Kehlani, Emma, Antonio, Zooey and Mariah, also surviving are a nephew, Michael, and nieces, Cheryl, Tiffany and Kandis.

Mrs. Wilkins graduated with honors from the Stephen Decatur High School Class of 1964 and traveled to North Dakota where she joined her husband who was serving in the United States Airforce. When her children were young, she worked at Ocean City Elementary School before taking over the family business. Gordon and Martha owned and operated the Cork Bar in Ocean City for many years. They actively supported The Autistic Children’s Support Group of Worcester County, through their CAN CAMPAIGN. Both Martha and her husband were also staunch supporters of the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Department. Most of all, for Martha, her family always came first.

Those who knew Martha, also know that through the miracles of medical science and caring and talented people, Martha survived 8 ½ years after receiving a kidney transplant. She was a highrisk patient and overcame many obstacles to be able to enjoy her golden years with her family and friends.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023, at 1 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Park in Berlin.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in memory of Martha Wilkins to the Johns Hopkins Department of Surgery in support of Surgery ICU, Hopkins Transplant Research. Please make checks payable to Johns Hopkins University and forward to: Fund for Johns Hopkins Medicine, Department of Surgery, 550 North Broadway, Suite 722, Baltimore, Md. 21205. To make an online gift via credit card, please visit: https://secure.jhu.edu/form/surgery.

Letters of condolence can be sent to the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of The Burbage Funeral Home.

Visit Charles’ Life Memorial webpage and sign his virtual guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.

CHARLES LEWIS MAXWELL, V

DR. MELVIN FRIEDMAN

MARTHA TOWNSEND WILKINS

Letters To The Editor

Small-Minded Officials

Editor:

It is 2023 and elected officials should not be referring to health and sex education as “smut.”

The Worcester County Commissioners really embarrassed themselves by airing their grievances with the modern world

I, myself, attended private school and we had sex education in fifth grade. So no one knows what Jim Bunting is talking about when he says he would work three jobs in order to pull his kids out of public school. Having sex ed in seventh grade seems like nothing more than a bone thrown to these people who are now complaining.

Perhaps if these commissioners had experienced a more well-rounded education on health and sex they could lead in a mature way on these issues. To be so repressed and to put on such a spectacle surely 60 years too late at least is just sad. The county has distilleries, breweries, dispensaries, untold liquor licenses and one of the state’s largest nightclubs. All of that needed these same commissioners. One cannot help but call this political in the worst way.

Teen pregnancies, teen drug use, teen suicide and the teen dropout rate are all components of our American teens’ health. It is a shame our commissioners are all so small minded. Our county and our country no longer think like this, and this is really disgraceful.

Gregory Gunther Snow Hill

Support For Blueprint

Editor:

Worcester County Public Schools are now in the process of writing their implementation plan for the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future and Strong Schools Worcester County stands ready to support this exciting endeavor.

The Blueprint is designed to transform public education in Maryland into a worldclass education system that is both excellent and fair. The Kirwin Report says:

“Excellence is defined as globally competitive student performance. Equity means ensuring every student, no matter their family income, race, ethnicity or physical, intellectual, and emotional challenges, has the resources to be successful.”

To achieve this the blueprint will increase education funding by the state each year for 10 years, accelerate student outcomes, and improve the quality of education for all children in Maryland, including the historically underserved.

Some of the Kirwin Commission’s findings include the following:

Maryland has severe teacher shortage and retention problems.

Maryland has unacceptably large achievement gaps based on race and income.

Maryland is a regressive state in terms of school funding, depriving the very populations in greatest need the resources required for success.

As the population becomes even more diverse and there is an ever-growing need for a well-trained, highly educated workforce--Maryland needs to address

the commission’s findings. To create a world class school system, we need these new state funds that are invested in proven strategies.

The commission identified five major policy areas that must be addressed: early childhood education; preparation of high quality and diverse teachers; rigorous college and career pathways; equitable funding to ensure that all students are successful; and effective governance and accountability.

These are the five pillars of the blueprint, and we know that the WCPS administration is hard at work creating the implementation plans for each of these.

Taken together, these actions will dramatically improve the quality of Maryland’s education system. We are glad that the administration and the board support the development of our local plan and we are excited to stand in support of this effort.

Gail Jankowski Berlin

Following County Ramp Usage

Editor:

At Tuesday’s County Commissioners meeting (Feb. 7), we finally heard the Recreation and Parks Department's proposal for opening our public recreational boat ramps to commercial users and creating a fee-based permit system for all users of the public boat ramps throughout the county. This is becoming a divisive issue, but it shouldn’t be.

Parking, and opening the recreational boat ramps to commercial use, are separate issues and should remain separate.

Parking at the West Ocean City commercial harbor and other popular recreational ramps can be difficult during peak weekends, occasionally leading to confrontations and calls for police intervention. Whatever the solution is for managing overflow parking at the commercial harbor and our most heavily used recreational boat ramps, we should not ignore public safety considerations. More commercial vehicle traffic speeding to get to a ramp and more overflow parking on narrow residential roads serving more rural boat ramps are not solutions. They would be a public safety problem.

Much of this discussion is being driven by one attorney representing one commercial operator whose annual special permits to take clients out to shoot cow nose rays are expiring. We should let them expire. He can operate without opening the recreational boat ramps to commercial users, as the staff is advocating.

Commissioner Bunting knows how popular our boat ramps are among recreational users — he hears the complaints due to overcrowded parking lots and roads clogged by out-of-state boat trailers. He suggested the staff focus on nonresident parking and not bow to the legal pressure to open recreational ramps up more to commercial users, who he said should obtain special use permits limited to specific, short-term activities. We’ll see how the staff responds at the next meeting of the commissioners.

Stephen Katsanos South Point

The Dispatch

Forever In Memory

Of Our Founder, Dick Lohmeyer (May 25, 1927-May 5, 2005)

“Iron Man” Shawn Soper (July 24, 1963-February 15, 2023)

The Dispatch, Serving Greater Ocean City Since 1984, Is Published By Maryland Coast Dispatch Inc. Weekly

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How We See It In Memoriam: Community Loses Respected Journalist

The greater Ocean City region lost a special community member Wednesday evening. For us at The Dispatch, we lost a beloved colleague.

Shawn J. Soper died Wednesday at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore after being initially hospitalized Saturday evening at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin with a health emergency. He was 59 years old.

Growing up in the Baltimore area, graduating from Loch Raven High School in 1981, Shawn always loved the beach resort area. He spent a lot of time in Ocean City throughout his early years, remarking it was his home away from home for many years and during the summer months. After graduating from Towson State University in 1985 with degrees in mass communication and history, Shawn moved full-time to Ocean City. He enjoyed working in the restaurant industry and made an ocean of friends who became extended family, spending many years at former Crisfield II. Later, he would open his own restaurant Sausalito’s in West Ocean City with friends.

In 2000, Shawn was hired to cover the Berlin-Worcester County beat for The Dispatch. A few years later, he would marry his love Tricia surrounded by his family and hundreds of friends. His beat would later change to Ocean City and continued up until last week.

To many, Shawn Soper was a friend, a kind-hearted guy with a great sense of humor. He had the respect of many because of his sincerity, humble ways, willingness to help anyone and compassion. He was a professional journalist who was able to navigate the minefield that is community journalism. Oftentimes, the subjects of stories are people we know well. The job often takes on difficulties and pressures unique to the industry. His goal was to simply report what happens without a slant. Shawn was able to gain respect and admiration because he was fair and accurate. He wanted to be right more than first. If he erred, which was rare, he owned it and made it right.

To me, Shawn was a valued member of my family for the last 23 years. I love the guy and am going to miss him on many levels. I valued him personally and professionally. I shared many laughs with him over the years we worked together, and I will never forget his wit, love of history and sports, local memory of significant events and places, his incredible work ethic, his commitment to this newspaper and his big heart. I have so many stories to share of the guy. We have been through a lot together personally and professionally.

On a Thursday morning in 2008, I got a call at my desk that my wife and I’s first son was to be born in Pennsylvania through our adoption journey. The timing could not have been worse for

our deadline day, but I needed to roll immediately if we were to make the birth. I was rushing through with him what needed to be done to meet deadline. He stopped me, saying, “man I got this, go make your family. Don’t’ worry about a thing. I got it.” This was Shawn and his way. Nineteen months later, a similar scenario played out with the birth of my second son, again on a deadline day. He was there for me whenever I needed him. He just got it. He was all heart, driven by a desire to serve and connect. Shawn was our “Iron Man” for more than two decades. I estimate that during his 23 years with the newspaper he wrote more than 20,000 articles.

Shawn had a tough week on the health front last week. He missed some time, which rarely happened, but he still got his workload done although clearly not well. On Friday, he texted me from home, like he did often, he had seen his doctor and was getting some bloodwork done. He said he could use more space for some stories he had planned. Nothing personifies his work ethic more than the fact there are stories in the paper this week with his byline, despite incredible health issues plaguing him. He was as devoted as it gets. A part of his text I wanted to share. He wrote, “I apologize a million times over for this week. I never want to let you down. Thank you for your love and support my friend. I will be back in Monday ready to roll.” It’s so tough to read today because he didn’t make it in, but the approach defines Shawn in many ways.

At the end of Tuesday’s government meeting at City Hall, Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan made mention of Shawn’s absence, which I sincerely appreciated.

“I just wanted to say one thing that has nothing to do with the meeting today, but if you look out into the audience there was somebody who’s missing today that’s always here and that’s Shawn

Soper … let’s all send our thoughts and prayers to Shawn and his family, but it’s really different to look out here and not see Shawn in the audience,” he said. As I look across the way to his office, I feel it, too.

Throughout his health emergency this week, I was in contact with his wife Tricia and family members. I mentioned to Tricia about a Facebook post for prayers careful not to infringe on privacy. Once it was learned of Shawn’s ailments, the result was expected with an outpouring of sincere comments of support and love. Here’s a sampling:

•“Shawn is an amazing guy and we are keeping him and Trish in our thoughts and prayers”

•“Oh my goodness, he is truly one of my favorite people … praying for Shawn and Trish”

•“Oh wow, so sorry to hear this. Shawn has touched so many of us through his written words. Wishing him the very best on his journey to recovery.”

•“I am so sorry to hear this and will be keeping him in my thoughts. His impact on the community is immeasurable.”

When news spread of his death online, the outpouring of love and support reached overflow capacity. It’s strange in death there is comfort found in shared compassion and memories. As his official boss, I am so proud of what has been said about his ethics, morals and professionalism. I have laughed and cried reading personal reflections.

In an effort to memorialize Shawn’s contributions to this paper and the impact on the community, we are adding his name on our masthead below a forever tribute to our founding publisher. I think he would like the “Iron Man” reference as he loved all things Baltimore Orioles and Hall of Famer Cal Ripken.

As we move forward, I found comfort Thursday as we worked through our deadline with heavy hearts. We always marveled over the irony of news breaking within hours of the printed product needing to hit deadline. Shawn’s passing the night before deadline qualifies as big news worthy of pivoting and adjusting. We adjusted as best as we could without him.

It’s an unimaginable feeling of shock and loss today. It’s going to be the prevailing feeling for a long time for all of us. Shawn’s death stings and it will be some time before the ache in my heart eases. I will continue to turn his light on in his office each morning for the foreseeable future as I have for the last 23 years. He will stay in my heart forever and memories will serve me well. I hope everyone else in the community and his family finds a similar peace in time. Rest in peace Shawn and I pray you realize how much you were loved and what a difference you made for this community.

Tricia and Shawn Soper celebrated their 19th anniversary in December.

File Photo

Puzzle Answers

The Adventures of Fatherhood

by Steve Green

B(Editor’s Note: The following is a reprint from a March of 2016 column.) efore we left on our first Disney cruise last week, I was warned by friends who had gone previously be prepared for your kids not wanting to hang out with you.

Nonetheless, I was still surprised when after one day that turned out to be the case. On the second day of our cruise, after a few hours of water slides and pool fun on the ship, my boys both wanted to head inside to the kids club for games, activities and great fun. That left Pam and I with a few hours to ourselves and that’s how each day played out on the best family vacation we have ever had.

On previous vacations, such as Disney World last year, the four of us spent just about every minute together. That’s a good thing (most of the time), considering these are family vacations, but it’s exhausting and there is a lot to be said for actually getting some rest and being given some time to miss your little ones.

The masterminds at Disney get this, of course. They know if they provide fun entertainment for the children their parents will be ecstatic and probably be more prone to indulge in all the other experiences available on the ship for adults only.

Some highlights of the trip included:

•When I thought Disney cruise beforehand, I assumed the kids were going to love it and have the time of their lives. That happened for sure. However, I wasn’t prepared for how wonderful it is for the adults as well.

As parents, seeing your kids amazed at the sights and sounds of the entire experience (as well as having their food cut up each night by the servers) is special. I figured the boys were going to be in for some special thrills and they were indeed. After all,

what’s not to love about a water slide coaster that runs the perimeter of the boat, watching Disney classics on a huge movie screen while hanging outside in a pool, a pirate party complete with fireworks, visiting new islands they had never seen before and all-youcan-eat ice cream all day.

Beckett’s favorite part of the trip was by far the kids club because they just played games all day, and the kids club employees’ main job was to make sure the children had fun. They did that extremely well.

•I will never forget the boys’ first snorkeling experience because it didn’t go so well.

While at St. Thomas, one of our ports of call, we took an excursion catamaran trip to St. John. It included sightseeing, beach time and snorkeling. The catamaran anchored about 60 yards off the beach and the idea was we would snorkel from the boat to shore.

Well, neither kid picked it up quickly, leaving Pam and me to basically snorkel with a kid on our back. On the way to shore, I had Carson, who seemed content getting the free ride to the beach. Whenever I saw something noteworthy, I would tap Carson and he would place his head in the water with his mask on. He was fine with it.

On the way back to the boat after some time on the beach, I had Beckett, who preferred to try and surf on my back while I snorkeled. He said that was so none of the fish would get him.

We will try this again someday.

•The characters were everywhere. One of the highlights of the trip for me was the kids’ reactions when we turned a corner and standing there was Goofy or any other character with arms extended inviting the kids in for a hug. We have hundreds of photos to show for it, too.

•The only bummer was Carson getting sick early on in the trip. As was the case in Disney World last year, he got an ear infection and ran a high fever for a day, but thanks to the onboard medical center we were able to get an antibiotic and he was good to go within a day or two. He was never quite 100 percent the rest of the time but he didn’t let it slow him down.

•The Disney private island – Castaway Cay in the Bahamas – was quite the delight. This is an island made for tourists, particularly children.

From character dance parties, great snorkeling amid manmade shipwrecks and Disney character statues underwater to the large island slide in the middle of the water, the short walk from the trip to the beach and all the Disney hospitality everywhere, it was a spectacle to behold.

While Beckett enjoyed the characters, Carson is the one who really lights up when they were around. His favorite is Goofy and he basically spent the week signing, “where is Goofy?”

On the Disney island, he had practically a private dance party with Goofy and Minnie.

His infatuation with Goofy runs deep and as the party ended Carson followed Goofy around to the point his handler let me know he needed to turn around because it was a cast-only area. When I told Carson to stop and that Goofy had to go now, we turned to head away from him. All of a sudden Goofy tapped him on the shoulder and asked for another hug in his typically jocular fashion.

That smile on Carson’s surprised face is a keepsake I will hold dear forever.

(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.)

PUZZLE ON PAGE 35