Feb. 24

Photo by Chris Parypa

Page

• Photo by Bethany Hooper

Page 4 • Photo by Ocean Pines VFD

Photos by Chris Parypa

SERVING DELMARVA FOR 60 YEARS

HOURS

Sunday-Thursday 9am-9pm

Friday-Saturday 9am-10pm

BREAKFAST

Monday-Friday 9-11am

Saturday & Sunday 9am-Noon

OFF SEASON SPECIALS

MEXICO MONDAY: 11a~3p $10 Tacos Of The Day: $10 Beef Taco Duo

5–8p $20 Fajita – Steak Or Seafood• $15 Fajita – Chicken Or Veggie

All Day $5 House Margarita

TUESDAY: 11-Close $10 Philly Cheesesteak w/Chips

$12 Chicken Cheesesteak w/Chips

WEDNESDAY: 11a-3p $10 Half Rack Burley Oak Beer Soaked Ribs w/Fries

5-8p $20 Full Rack Burley Oak Beer Soaked Ribs w/One Side

THURSDAY: 11a – 3p $10 Shaved Prime Rib Sandwich w/Chips

5-8p $18 Queen Cut Prime Rib w/Two Sides

FRIDAY: 11a-3p $10 Fresh Local Rockfish Sandwich w/Chips

DAILY LUNCH & DINNER SPECIALS CHECK OUR FACEBOOK PAGE EVERY DAY!

Happy Hour Specials - Mon.-Fri. • Drinks Noon-5pm | Food 2-5pm

37314 LIGHTHOUSE ROAD | RT. 54, SELBYVILLE, DE • 302-988-5000/302-993-6959

1 Dead, 3 Injured In Pines Home Fire

BY BETHANY HOOPER STAFF WRITER

OCEAN PINES – One man died and three firefighters were injured this week in a house fire in Ocean Pines.

At around 6 p.m. Tuesday, the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department (OPVFD) was alerted to a residential structure fire on Seafarer Lane in north Ocean Pines. Responding units reported significant fire conditions throughout the home with a possible subject trapped inside.

Additional assistance was requested from Ocean City, Showell, Berlin, Bishopville, Selbyville, Roxana, Frankford and Dagsboro fire departments, and crews remained on the scene for roughly four-anda-half hours, according to OPVFD Public Information Officer Joe Enste.

After deteriorating conditions improved, crews ultimately brought the fire under control and located an adult male victim inside the home. The victim has been identified as 62-year-old Timothy Jay Cooper of Ocean Pines.

“The victim unfortunately succumbed to their injuries as a result of the fire,” a statement from the Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office reads. “Three firefighters were also injured battling the fire but only one required transport to a local hospital for a hand injury.”

A joint investigation was conducted by the Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office and the Ocean Pines Police Department. Investigators were assisted by the Ocean City Fire Marshal’s Office, Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office K9 Unit and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

The exact cause of the fire is considered undetermined, officials say, though it is believed the fire originated in the laundry room area of the home. Smoke alarms were present at the time of the fire.

“After a tragic event such as this, we cannot stress enough the importance of having working smoke alarms in your homes,” Enste said. “We firmly believe that you should have smoke alarms in every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement. Smoke alarms should be tested at least once a month using the test button and replaced once they reach 10 years old. Additionally, we encourage families to make a home escape plan. Draw a map of each level of your home. Show all doors and windows. Go to each room and point to the two ways out. Practice the plan with everyone in your household. Doing these simple things can make all the difference during an emergency.”

Enste added the fire department, in collaboration with the Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office, will conduct a “After The Fire Neighborhood Canvass” on Feb. 25, beginning at 11 a.m. Officials will be answering questions, providing fire safety tips and passing out smoke alarms.

According to a Facebook post, Cooper worked as a seasonal maintenance employee at Assateague Island National Seashore, where flags were lowered this week in remembrance.

Firefighters are pictured at the scene of a house fire in Ocean Pines Tuesday evening.

Photo Courtesy of the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department

Eastern Shore Physical Therapy

OC Air Show Adds F-35 Demo Team

BY BETHANY HOOPER STAFF WRITER

OCEAN CITY – The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and a F-35 Lightning II demo team will headline this year’s 16th Annual OC Air Show.

Last week, event promoters announced ticket sales for the 16th annual OC Air Show, which is slated to return to Ocean City June 10-11. This year’s show will feature the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, a F-35 Lightning II demo team and a U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight, among other performers.

“The setting – the Ocean City beach and boardwalk – makes the show incredibly unique,” said Public Relations Director Chris Dirato. “If the weather cooperates, you could not ask for a better backdrop to watch these unbelievably talented pilots.”

This year’s OC Air Show marks the fourth destination of the Air Dot Show Tour, which will visit seven East Coast cities throughout the 2023 season.

Among the featured performers will be the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, which will fly the F-16 Fighting Falcon and perform a combination of formation and solo maneuvers at speeds of up to 1,000 mph.

The demonstration will feature inverted rolls, close-formation flights and more.

The OC Air Show will also feature the F-35 Lightning II demo team.

Flying the advanced stealth fighter jet, the team will demonstrate 12 different maneuvers, some of which will be performed as low as 200 feet off the ground at speeds exceeding 700 mph.

“Both the Thunderbirds and F-35 demo team have performed at the OC Air Show before, but they are fan favorites, which is why they are returning,” Dirato added.

The two teams will also be joined by the U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight. Dirato said the program was created in 1997 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force.

“The Heritage Flight program presents the evolution of USAF air power by flying today's fighter aircraft in close formation with vintage fighter aircraft …,” he explained. “It incorporates fighters from World War II, the Vietnam War, the Korean War and other conflicts in which the USAF has been involved.”

Dirato said this year’s show will take place Saturday, June 10 and Sunday, June 11, with the program beginning at 11:30 a.m. and aerial demonstrations beginning at noon.

He said more performers will be announced in the coming weeks on the show’s website, ocairshow.com. Tickets can also be purchased online.

“Air shows are inherently patriotic in nature, so people should come out and support those who are protecting our freedom every day,” he said. “It’s also a great opportunity for a family oriented event – spend the day at the beach, while watching some exciting demos.”

officials testify on oc promoter’s license

BY BETHANY HOOPER STAFF WRITER

OCEAN CITY – Local officials say a bill making its way through the General Assembly will allow for safer alcohol sales at large special events in Ocean City.

On Monday, officials with the Town of Ocean City and Worcester County Government came before the Economic Matters Committee in Annapolis to show their support for House Bill 113, which would establish a promoter’s license for selling beer, wine and liquor at special events held in the resort. In his testimony this week, Mayor Rick Meehan said the legislation would change the way alcohol could be sold at large festivals and concerts.

“The town strongly desires to continue to grow tourism through its special events and attract first-class performances and festivals to our area,” he said. “The town, however, equally desires to have a vehicle to allow for the service and sale of alcohol in the safest way possible. This bill accomplishes both goals.”

As proposed, House Bill 113 – filed by Del. Wayne Hartman and cross-filed in the Senate by Sen. Mary Beth Carozza – would authorize the Worcester County Board of License Commissioners (BLC) to issue a promoter’s license to for-profit organizations wishing to sell and serve beer, wine and liquor at special events, provided that the event is located within the corporate limits of Ocean City, held on town-owned property and approved by the Ocean City Police Department and the Mayor and Council. The bill also establishes a license fee of $5,000.

“Presently in Ocean City, the only way alcohol can be sold at a special event is to have a local nonprofit organization purchase and serve the alcohol,” Meehan explained. “As the town continues to grow its special events, and as the attendance at these events continues to grow, the current manner in which alcohol can be sold at these events simply is not best practice.”

While the nonprofit model for selling and serving alcohol will continue to be used for small and mid-sized events such as Sunfest, officials say the new promoter’s license would be used at larger events such as the professional bull riding rodeo and the Oceans Calling Festival, which is slated to return this fall.

“This bill ensures that the service and sale of alcohol is conducted in a professional manner through promoters who are accustomed to serving large crowds,” Meehan said. “This bill further allows the Worcester County Board of License Commissioners to adapt further rules and regulations that they may see fit in the issuance of this license.”

City Manager Terry McGean said such licenses are not unique, as Frederick and Alleghany counties and the

City of Baltimore all have similar promoter’s licenses.

“The ability to attract these larger outdoor events is critical to our goal of expanding our season,” he said. “The longer season means more full-time jobs and greater economic impact. We estimated that the Oceans Calling concert alone, which is expected to draw 30,000 visitors per night to Ocean City this October, will generate $32 million in economic impact for the state.”

McGean asked the committee to forward the bill with a favorable report.

“HB 113 is supported by the Worcester County Commissioners and the Worcester Board of License Commissioners,” he added. “It will ensure the safe serving and consumption of alcohol and provide a positive economic impact to the state.”

Worcester County Commissioner Joe Mitrecic noted the difficulties of having nonprofit organizations serve alcohol at larger special events in Ocean City.

“As the events become larger and more frequent, it will be harder and harder for our service club volunteers to man these events,” he said. “As we all know, the average age of these types of nonprofit organizations is not going down. To staff a two-, three- or four-day event that could run 10 to 12 hours each day could take a tremendous amount of man hours and volun-

teers.”

He said the commissioners supported the proposed promoter’s license, as it allowed for the safer sale of alcohol.

“The commissioners also feel moving forward with this bill will enhance safety at these events,” he added. “Professional servers who are TAM-trained will be better suited to recognize patrons who are perhaps underaged, over-inebriated or presenting false identification.”

Mitrecic pointed out such large-scale events within the resort would require the approval of the Mayor and County and Ocean City Police Department, while the proposed promoter’s license would need the approval of the BLC.

“The Worcester County Commissioners feel these types of checks and balances will only enhance Ocean City’s events and attendees’ experiences moving forward,” he said. “Growing tourism and attracting top-notch festivals and performances benefit not only Ocean City economically, but the entire county. This bill will allow alcoholic beverages to be served in the safest manner possible at these events.”

Testimony for the bill will also be heard before the Senate Finance Committee at a hearing scheduled for Feb. 24.

MONDAY: ALL DAY/NIGHT 1/2-Price Wings (Some Flavors

School Board Unanimously Opposed To Health Education Bill

BY CHARLENE SHARPE STAFF WRITER

NEWARK – The Worcester County Board of Education voted unanimously this week to oppose a controversial health education bill.

After hearing from citizens both in support of and against the health education legislation known as House Bill 119, the school board unanimously approved a motion to send a letter of opposition to legislators. While public outcry against the bill has focused on aspects of the health framework itself, school board member Bill Buchanan said his motion for opposition was rooted in the fact curriculum should be set by local school systems.

“I’m in agreement with MABE, the Maryland Association of Boards of Education, stance on this bill that it is unnecessary and that it sets a bad precedent for content standards, curriculum and other in-

structional materials to become the subject of legislation – I’m going to underline – versus the work of local school systems where it belongs,” he said.

Numerous parents and community members attended Tuesday’s Worcester County Board of Education meeting to share their views on House Bill 119, which would require the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) to develop a comprehensive health education framework and would have local school systems develop age-appropriate curriculum consistent with that framework. Opponents of the bill, including the Worcester County Commissioners, have criticized it for pushing gender identification and human sexuality onto students too early.

Parent Kate Hulme told the board she supported the bill and an inclusive curriculum.

“I believe strongly that providing an inclusive health curriculum is crucial to our

students’ wellbeing both physically and mentally,” she said.

Parent Jackie Cutlip said the bill should be rewritten to force parents to opt their children into the instruction if they wanted their kids to learn it. She quoted from and questioned multiple parts of the framework, which identifies health topics to be taught at various age levels.

“My sixth grader 100% does not need to be told or insinuated that her sex assigned at birth could be wrong,” Cutlip said. “This is insane. These are facts. It’s not wrong. She came out a girl. She is a girl. To make her brain think that there’s another option, anywhere under 18, is so wrong.”

Parent Michelle Abu Zaid urged the board to speak out in opposition to the bill.

“Statewide our children are failing core subjects, have an increased dependency on drugs and are developing more behavioral problems,” she said. “This bill will have the effect of leading us further away

from our goals of providing a strong core foundation for our students.”

Dr. Margo Gill told the board she was a family physician with several kids in the school system and had reviewed the framework. She said health education was critical, particularly for kids who might not have regular access to health care.

“I cannot tell you the number of people less than 18 who do not understand their bodies and options and how to protect themselves,” she said. “But those are the kids with access. There are hundreds if not thousands of children in our schools who do not have reliable health care access for prevention, education or testing. If we take apart or remove comprehensive health education, we are discriminating against those that are more, and already, susceptible to harm and marginalization.”

Resident Dennis Evans said the bill was part of a disgusting and outrageous agenda. He said it was a parent’s place to teach children about the issues in the health framework.

In a presentation to the board, Tamara Mills, the school system’s coordinator of instruction, said she wanted to dispel some of the myths and misinformation concerning the bill. She said it was critical for adults to understand the need for comprehensive health education in schools. The state’s latest data shows that 44% of high school students on the Eastern Shore reported having sex in the last three months.

“We were more than double nearly every other region in the state,” she said. “The closest region to us was 22%.”

In Worcester County, though the latest data is from 2019, it shows that central and southern Worcester County have some of the highest rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea in the state. It shows that 40% of Worcester County high school students and 7.3% of the county’s middle school students have had sex.

“Folks that is about one in every 14 middle school students,” Mills said.

Of the students who are sexually active, more than 11% of them reported using no form of birth control.

“This is about education,” Mills said.

She told the board the school system had had sexual health in its curriculum for decades.

“That curriculum was not reflective necessarily of our student population as it is today versus 30 years ago,” she said. “All students have a right to a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. We have an obligation as a school system to ensure this by removing obstacles to health like poverty, access to care, their environment, discrimination.”

In 2019, she said COMAR (Code of Maryland Regulations) changes for comprehensive health education were adopted by the state board of education. In 2021, the state revised and approved the Comprehensive Health Education Framework — the school system’s current standards. COMAR requires that whatever curriculum the school system chooses aligns to that framework.

“Whether the bill is voted down or approved, this is still the framework that COMAR requires us to teach, or our curriculum to align with, I should say,” Mills said.

She added that the bill was written in

County To Seek Bids For Ice Rink

BY CHARLENE SHARPE STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – Officials agreed this week to seek bids for Worcester County’s synthetic ice rink.

The Worcester County Commissioners voted 4-3 on Tuesday to solicit bids for the ice rink. The decision came after a motion to donate the rink failed.

“The county taxpayers paid for this and if we are going to dispose of it I think they have an expectation, or should have an expectation, that they’re going to be reimbursed somewhat, if not for the whole amount, but that some of the money should come back to the county treasury since it was taxpayer money,” Commissioner Chip Bertino said.

Last month, the commissioners agreed to cease operations and dispose of the ice rink the county purchased for about $70,000 in 2019. They cited the expense of setting it up, as it takes eight employees four hours to put it up, and the fact that it was underutilized. Procurement Officer Nicholas Rice told the commissioners Tuesday they could get rid of the rink through the auction site govdeals.com, solicit bids for it or could donate it. Interest in the rink has been expressed by Ocean City Tourism, the Town of Berlin, City of Salisbury, the Town of Ridgely, the Ocean City Development Corporation, Jolly Rogers and the Town of Snow Hill.

Commissioner Joe Mitrecic said the ice rink had been paid for by the citizens of Worcester County and that he felt it should be given to a Worcester County entity. He made a motion to have interested parties submit narratives regarding their plans for the ice rink.

“We should accept a narrative of what the people that are interested in Worcester County would do with it, how they would utilize it, and decide what the best use would be moving forward and donate it,” Mitrecic said.

Bertino said that because it had been purchased with taxpayer dollars it should be sold so that funding could be at least partially reimbursed.

Mitrecic said the ice rink was bought for the benefit of the taxpayers.

“The county commissioners are the ones taking it away,” he said. “If we were concerned about the county taxpayers we should just keep the ice rink and let the county people use it. At least if we donate it to a county entity it will be used by county people moving forward.”

Mitrecic’s motion, however, failed, with just three votes in support. A subsequent motion by Commissioner Caryn Abbott to get bids for the ice rink passed 4-3. Mitrecic, Commissioner Ted Elder and Commissioner Diana Purnell voted in opposition.

Parents Express Mixed Views On Health Curriculum

FROM PAGE 8

a confusing manner, as the introduction stated that it “would require” school systems to adopt the framework.

“It’s been done since 2021,” she said. “That’s already been done.”

School board member Bill Gordy said that if the framework was already in COMAR it was already in place. Mills agreed and said the bill was simply legislative insurance.

“It would codify what is already educational law,” confirmed Annette Wallace, chief safety and academic officer for grades nine through 12.

School board member Katie Addis said

she did not agree with the bill at all.

“We need to continuously ask ourselves who are the parents?” she said. “This is in their wheelhouse, not ours as educators. We need to stick to the reading, the writing, the arithmetic, the science, the history. This is a home base project for at home. There is no reason we need to be talking about oral, vaginal, anal sex in school. There’s no reason for it. None.”

She added that she felt parents should have to opt their children into the program, not opt out as currently proposed.

“Opting out is not really a choice because it puts the entire burden on the parents to make sure they are opting their

child out,” she said. “We all know that paperwork comes home, those robocalls are made and life happens and life gets in the way and they forget to do that. And then meanwhile their child is still opted into this program they might not agree with.

Addis said she believed the board needed to listen to county residents.

“I can tell you when I walked and knocked on close to 1,000 doors last year this is an incredibly hot topic and this was something a lot of people in my district were very upset about,” she said.

Buchanan said the board of education was nonpartisan.

“When you speak of argument for or against something, and you’re using ‘my opinion,’ ‘I,’ you’re kind of doing a disservice to the seven of us that are here who make decisions for this county and for the students using research, presentations that give us information,” he said. “We discuss it. We form a consensus … I went to these schools. My daughters went to Worcester County schools. My grandchildren are in these schools. So I try to look at issues like this and to think not my opinion, not my personal agenda, but what is right for all kids through consensus.”

Buchanan made a motion to join MABE’s efforts in opposing the legislation, as it set a bad precedent for curriculum to become the subject of legislation rather than a school system concern. The motion passed unanimously, drawing applause from the audience.

“I would also like to make a motion to

include in that letter that if that legislation passes that we as Worcester County opt ourselves out of it,” Addis said.

Mills said that was not possible, as it was addressed by COMAR.

Officials thanked Mills for her presentation. School board members Bill Gordy noted that Addis referenced science as something that should be a focus in school.

“Listening to this presentation, I believe much of that framework, if not every ounce of the framework, is based on science,” he said. “There’s a lot of work in that framework. This is not some voodoo. This is not something somebody just made up because they had idle time. That’s based on science.”

School board member Jon Andes told the audience that he was Worcester County’s liaison for the MABE legislative committee and as a member had voted Feb. 13 to oppose House Bill 119. He noted that though the Worcester County Commissioners had voiced their opposition, and asked for the school board’s opposition, to the bill earlier this month, the board couldn’t consider the issue until its monthly meeting on Tuesday.

“Curriculum decisions should be made by local boards of education, and we need as much flexibility as we can to implement the curriculum that makes sense for our students,” Andes said. “What might work in Howard County or Baltimore County or Baltimore City may not work in Worcester County in delivering instruction.”

Berlin To Discuss Casino Revenue Spending Plan

BY CHARLENE SHARPE STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – Elected officials are expected to begin discussing ways to spend the town’s casino revenue next week.

On Monday, the town will host a work session to discuss development of a multiyear plan for the use of casino revenues. While discussion will take place, Mayor Zack Tyndall said this week the actual spending plan would need to be developed during the budget process, once the town had projections for revenues and expenditures for the coming year.

“The goal would be before the end of this fiscal year to have a multi-year plan,” Tyndall said.

On Feb. 13, town officials agreed to enroll in the Law Enforcement Officers Pension System (LEOPS). They did not, however, determine what portion of the town’s annual local impact grant—casino revenues—would be used to cover the more than $300,000 annual expense. At the Feb. 13 meeting, 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. He said LEOPS should be a general fund expense like

payroll. Then casino revenue—which up until now was used to pay off the cost of the town’s new police station—could be used for a variety of projects throughout town. Projections show the town receiving more than $418,000 in casino revenue in fiscal year 2024, $458,284 in fiscal year 2025 and $502,279 in fiscal year 2026.

Potential uses for the funding that were brought up at that meeting included LEOPS, a community center, capital improvements, infrastructure upgrades, capital reserve funding for fire and EMS, automated external defibrillators, radios and GIS.

“As far as what makes the final cut, we will be working through that,” Tyndall said. “I think the biggest takeaway is we need to look at it in conjunction with the fiscal year 2024 budget.”

A general fund budget work session is set for April 3, followed by a work session for the enterprise funds later that month. Tyndall is hopeful the council will finalize a multi-year casino revenue spending plan in May.

“Once we have the multi-year plan constructed we’d send that to the Local Development Council for review,” he said.

The Local Development Council, an advisory body, reviews the use of local impact grants by the municipalities that receive casino revenue each year.

Utility Worker Recognized: The Berlin Mayor and Council honored employee Caleb Hunter earlier this month for his completion of an extensive four-year lineman apprentice program. Hunter, center, is pictured with Utility Director Tim Lawrence and Mayor Zack Tyndall. Photo by Charlene Sharpe

OPA Budget Approved With $13 Assessment Reduction

BY BETHANY HOOPER STAFF WRITER

OCEAN PINES – Officials in Ocean Pines last week voted to approve a budget that features a $13 assessment reduction.

Last Saturday, the Ocean Pines Association (OPA) Board of Directors voted 52, with Directors Frank Daly and Colette Horn opposed, to approve the budget for fiscal year 2023-2024. The spending plan – which reflects total revenues and operating expenses of $14.4 million, bulkhead replacement expenses of $1.1 million and capital expenditures of $1million – also features a base assessment of $883, reflecting a $13 reduction from the current year’s fee.

“The budget was modified following a presentation to the membership at the public hearing on February 1, 2023 …,” said Director Monica Rakowski, treasurer. “Approval of the motion will allow us to use the funds, as noted, for operating and capital expenses associated with general operations of the association.”

Added to last Saturday’s agenda, the approval of the budget did not come without extensive debate over the aquatics department, which is projecting a $100,000 operating loss in the coming year. Horn noted that while the original budget featured an increase in membership fees, the one proposed last week did not.

“I want to point out to the membership this is not the original budget that was proposed by the operations team and vetted by B&F,” she said. “The originally proposed budget recommended some modest increases in amenity use and membership fees, and projected no subsidy for racquet sports operations, but some subsidy for aquatics.”

Horn added that the aquatics fees also features a new membership for couples.

“I want an explanation to the membership about how many couples memberships will be sold and how that will affect aquatics revenue and how that will affect the total subsidy for aquatics if we approve this proposal,” she said.

General Manager John Viola explained that the budget included a subsidy for aquatics. And while the new couples membership would reduce projected revenues by $12,000, he said officials were able to reduce the assessment by making adjustments in other departments, particularly police and public works.

“Our governing documents require that our amenities be run so that they pay for their own operation,” Horn said. “So I’m concerned about anything that reduces revenue projections while we’re still subsidizing our amenities.”

She added that responses from the community’s strategic plan prioritized public safety.

“The fire department, we’re being told it will have to move to an all-paid force. And then we also talked about our benefits package in our police service to try to be able to recruit and retain officers,” she said. “Those are very high-dollar items.

I’m concerned about using any of our retained earnings to support our amenities when the membership has told us the priority of our spending is public safety.”

Director Stuart Lakernick argued keeping amenity fees flat, while introducing a new couples membership, would benefit association members.

“Folks, we’re in an inflationary period where our members are getting squeezed …,” he said. “They are on fixed budgets. This is important. We have a surplus. We can do this.”

Director Steve Jacobs said that while he would support the budget, he wanted officials to review financials and pricing structures at a later date.

Daly, however, said he would not support the proposed spending plan, as the projected shortfall in aquatics added $5 to the assessment, which is paid for by

all association members, including those who do not use the community’s pools.

“I’m opposed to subsidizing aquatics because we have tangible evidence that it’s penalizing just as many people as it’s helping …,” he said. “You can’t deny not everybody in Ocean Pines uses our aquatics. Every single person that’s not using it is getting saddled with $5 extra, which is counterproductive to what we’re trying to do.”

Horn agreed.

“We need to cover the cost of aquatics …,” she said. “I see that as not only taking out of the pockets of non-users of the pool, but it’s also taking money away from public safety, which is our primary concern.”

While he noted the importance of covering amenity costs, Association President Doug Parks said the budget met the

community’s needs and residents’ desires for a lower assessment.

“At the end of the day, I agree we have to run the amenities in a business-like manner,” he said. “However, at the end of the day, we’re looking at all these categories, and what’s the bottom line? The $883 assessment allowed us to be not in the red.”

Director Rick Farr agreed.

“Where we’re at right now, the cost of living is affecting people in Ocean Pines …,” he said. “I think this is the right thing to do, taking care of our association members at this particular time. I will support this budget moving forward.”

After further discussion, the board voted 5-2 to approve the budget. The association’s fiscal year begins on May 1 of each year and ends on April 30 of the next calendar year.

County Approves BZA Notification Changes

BY CHARLENE SHARPE STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – Worcester County officials agreed to change notification procedures this week to ensure adjacent property owners are aware of potential zoning changes in their neighborhoods.

The Worcester County Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to begin using certified mail to send public notices regarding cases being heard by the Worcester County Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA).

“If there’s a major commercial or residential project in somebody’s backyard and they didn’t receive the notice, I don’t think that’s fair to the adjoining property owners,” Commissioner Eric Fiori said.

Jennifer Keener, director of development review and permitting, told the commissioners this week that there were various notification methods used when prop-

erty owners were seeking approval of changes from the BZA. She said her department put the notification in two different newspapers twice.

“The property itself is posted with a notice, a bright orange sign describes the case, the request, the date and the time of the hearing, and we also send the adjoiner notices,” she said. “Those are sent by standard first class mail.”

Those notices are sent to properties that touch the property in question, as well as those across from it and even those across a water body from it, she said.

In 2022, her department sent “well over” 400 notifications associated with BZA cases. Keener said using certified mail to send the notices would increase costs and that increase would have to be borne by the applicants. She added that BZA application fees were increased $50 last year because of the rising cost of advertising.

“We really don’t get too many people

complaining they haven’t received their mail,” she said. “My recommendation is to keep it the way it is.”

She confirmed that while switching to certified mail wouldn’t cost the county anything, as the added cost would be passed on to the applicant, she worried there was potential for delays associated with certified mail.

“They have to be available to sign for something,” she said.

Commissioner Jim Bunting, who previously served on the BZA, said he had heard people complain about not receiving notices regarding changes in the past. Fiori said switching to certified mail would put the burden of proof on the post office rather than the county.

“I think that could keep us out of some legal issues later down the road,” Fiori said.

The commissioners voted unanimously to begin using certified mail with electronic delivery confirmation for BZA notifications.

School Board OK’s 2023-2024 Calendar

BY CHARLENE SHARPE STAFF WRITER

NEWARK – Officials this week approved a calendar for the 2023-2024 school year.

The Worcester County Board of Education voted unanimously this week to approve dates for the coming school year. The approved calendar starts the year on Sept. 5 and sets the last day of school as June 12.

“As you look at the calendar, you’ll see it closely reflects the structure we’ve implemented in the past with the September 5 start date, over a week for winter break, which now begins with a half day on Thursday Dec. 21, a spring break that now begins with a half day on Wednesday, March 27 followed by closures that Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Monday,” said Carrie Sterrs, the school system’s director of public relations and special programs. “The calendar concludes with a tentative last day of school on June 12.”

Sterrs told the school board this week that three potential calendar proposals were shared with the public in November. A survey was conducted from Nov. 16 to Dec. 21 to gather stakeholder input.

She said the survey received 1,502 responses, which was 378 more than last year, and was primarily completed by parents and employees.

“Student participation continues to grow with over 9% identifying themselves as students,” Sterrs said. “In just two years student participation has doubled.”

She said most respondent subgroups preferred the school system’s third calendar proposal, which was a moderately balanced calendar as opposed to the early release option or the longer breaks option. Sterrs said the moderate proposal received 805 votes, or 53.6%. As a result, she said the superintendent recommended the board adopt a modified version of that proposal.

“The biggest change from the original proposal was how we approach half days for professional learning,” Sterrs said. “Our survey data indicated that our families would like for them to not be quite as random and for our purposes, moving them away from Fridays will help alleviate some dips in attendance that we’ve observed.”

To accomplish that the calendar was adjusted to set early dismissal professional learning days on the second Wednesday of the month.

“You can see it doesn’t occur every month and this is by design,” Sterrs said. “In September we’ve obviously just returned so we’re not going to do that in September. Both December and June are shorter months for attendance. Otherwise it provides a regular cadence for these early dismissal days.”

Annette Wallace, the school system’s chief safety and academic officer for grades nine through 12, thanked Sterrs for the change, which she said would pay dividends, as teachers are constantly requesting more high-quality professional development opportunities.

“We obviously want to have the most beneficial professional learning that our teachers can have,” Sterrs said.

HOME OF THE ORIGINAL FRESH -SQUEEZED “ORANGE CRUSH”

OVER A MILLION SOLD!

SPECIALS

FRIDAY: ALL DAY: Oyster Frenzy

SUNDAY: ALL DAY: 50% Off All Entrees

NEW!

Pines Board Debates Voting System

BY BETHANY HOOPER STAFF WRITER

OCEAN PINES – Discussions on the use of online voting highlighted a recent presentation to the Ocean Pines board.

MONDAY: 4 p.m. 50% Off Entrees

Last Saturday, Ocean Pines Elections Committee Chair Tom Piatti presented the Ocean Pines Board of Directors with an update on the status of an investigation into the association’s voting system.

$5.50

TUESDAY: ALL DAY: $9.99 Build-Your-Own Burgers & Chicken Breast Sandwiches

WEDNESDAY: ALL DAY: Fiesta

$3 Off Margaritas, 1/2 Off Tacos, Quesadillas & More

THURSDAY: 3 P.M.: $23.99 AYCE

Ribs & Steamed Shrimp

ENTERTAINMENT

Specials are not to be combined with any other offer, discount or coupon. Some restrictions apply. No substitutions, dine in only. Excludes holidays & holiday weekends. SUNDAY:

Since the new committee was formed last fall, Piatti said members have worked with association staff and contractors to identify the source of voting discrepancies in the 2022 election. He told the board last week that while changes should be made to the association’s scanning software and paper ballots, the committee determined that the use of online voting had complicated the group’s work and had the potential to compromise personal data.

“We conclude that we don’t want to do online voting,” he said. “It doesn’t work.”

Results from the 2022 board election were first called into question last September, when a hand count of votes revealed significant discrepancies in vote totals. Five of the six candidates had between 100 and 300 less votes than originally reported. The difference between the third- and fourth- place candidates had also narrowed from 152 votes to 15 votes, and the total number of votes had decreased from 9,053 to 8,113.

“This hand count also verified that the

tabulation program needs to be investigated to identify the reason for the reporting an excess of votes, above the maximum number of paper ballots, that were scanned on 8/11/22,” a report from the former committee chair, Carol Ludwig, reads. “The failure to verify the information generated by the tabulation program resulted in an inaccurate report of results by Elections Committee Chair.”

Following the resignation of elections committee members, the board last October voted to appoint five new volunteers, who have since been tasked with investigating discrepancies in the voting process.

Piatti told board members last week the new committee was first tasked with evaluating the ballot scanning process to determine why there was a 940-vote error. The board also directed the group to do a deep dive into the voting issue with a Dec. 1 deadline.

“Keep in mind, none of us on the elections committee had served on the committee prior to that,” he said. “We had to dig in and do a lot of research.”

Piatti said discussions with the association’s IT department revealed the scanner that was used in the counting process was programmed to scan both sides of the ballot, though the back side was left blank. When that scan was uploaded, the software system would sometimes count ballot marks that had bled through the paper. He also highlighted problems with

… Officials Question Election Findings

the community’s scanning software, Snap Survey, and the use of new ballot paper, which was both larger and thinner than the cardstock that was used in previous elections.

“We held multiple work sessions, we went through the file cabinets in the admin building, looked at the ballots, looked at previous ballots, and we also talked to the printing contractor that has been doing this for 20 years,” he said. “And he pointed out that some of the changes we made were not good.”

A recent committee report, Piatti added, also highlighted issues with online voting, which was used for the first time during the 2022 election. He said not only did the contractors have to confirm that lot owners did not vote twice – once through mail and once online – but that the process could also have potential security issues.

“There was a potential of a problem of spillage of personal data …,” he said. “That is why this committee has concluded we should not do online voting.”

Piatti suggested the association could implement new counting software, change its paper ballots and outsource its election process. He added that the most recent election disenfranchised multiple-lot owners.

“We have 213 multiple-property owners for a total of 479 properties …,” he explained. “Therefore, if they vote electronically, the way they voted was weighed against all the properties. If they voted manually, they got one vote, unless they came back and asked for envelopes for their other properties. That didn’t work out too well in my view. That’s why we want an envelope for each property someone owns.”

Director Frank Daly said he understood the committee’s concerns, but questioned if the group had determined the number of lot owners that voted in the 2022 election.

“Issuing the number of lots that voted would make a lot of the skepticism go away,” he said. “To me, that’s the whole issue.”

Director Colette Horn said she disagreed with the committee’s stance on online voting. She argued the group had provided nothing in its report to show there was an error in online voting.

“What I’m hearing was the source of the errors was in the paper ballot vote, and you’re saying the improvement of paper and scanning equipment is going to solve that,” she said.

Director Steve Jacobs agreed, arguing that while there were valid concerns about the use of online voting, nothing was done to address those concerns or prove that it was the source of tabulation errors in the 2022 election.

“To turn around and say we should eliminate electronic voting, when no problem has been identified with electronic voting, would disenfranchise around 811 ballots and 2,341 votes out of the 8,113 that were cast in 2022,” he said.

Association President Doug Parks said he still had questions about the process of weighing online votes for multiple-lot owners. He suggested the association address scanning issues and return to mail-in voting until concerns about online

voting could be addressed.

“My whole point is, while I believe there is room for online voting at some point, I would also offer that it’s now February,” he said. “And unless the committee says we need to move forward and make this change, I don’t see any real problem with going back to a known commodity, which would be the way we did it.”

Both Horn and Jacobs said the board was still left with questions regarding the 2022 election.

“What we asked to have done was not done by this committee,” Horn said. “We asked to have an examination of all voting options that were used in that election, what the source of the error actually was, and, if there were sources of error, what are possible solutions. We’ve got nothing.”

Daly said he also had questions about the most recent election.

“The critical thing in an election is that every legitimate vote is counted and every legitimate vote is counted properly,” he said. “And clearly that didn’t happen in the last election. So the real question is what are we going to do in the upcoming election to make sure of that.”

After further discussion, Parks suggested the board hold off on any motion until the elections committee submitted its recommendations.

“I think we do need to get some recommendation from the elections committee on how to proceed with this election, whether or not it includes electronic voting,” he said.

Taylor House Museum Promotes New Historian Program

BY CHARLENE SHARPE STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – A new program at the Calvin B. Taylor House Museum is using historic artifacts to engage local children.

Junior Historians, a program started in late 2022 at the Taylor House Museum, was created as a way to both take advantage of the array of artifacts within the facility and inspire an interest in it among area children. As officials continue to organize and review museum collections, they’re continually finding interesting artifacts. Not all of the items can be on display all the time. Junior Historians is giving local kids a chance to get an up-close look at some of those artifacts.

“We don’t want them just sitting on a shelf,” said Melissa Reid, president of the museum. “If we’re not presenting them back to the community what’s the point?”

Junior Historians, which is held roughly once a month, was created late last year after the Taylor House received a $12,000 grant from the Miller History Fund administered by the Maryland Center for History and Culture.

“We were one of the select museums on the receiving end of this money,” Reid said.

Because the museum offers story time for young kids, Reid said officials wanted to use the grant to create some programming for older kids, those in the 7- to 15year-old range. Last year, Junior Historians let them explore iron gall ink. They observed historic documents and then prac-

ticed writing with quills. This month, they pored over the museum’s old maps and even examined the survey tools used by William Pitts.

“We talked about the compass rose and they went outside and made a map of the property,” Reid said.

Next month, the Junior Historians program will give kids a chance to use the ice cream maker that was included in the

Serving most states

museum’s inventory and talk about other foods from the 1800s. In April, they’ll get to make rag rugs and talk about historic textiles.

“You didn’t just go to Walmart,” Reid said.

She said each session gives kids a chance to look at the museum’s artifacts but also includes a hands-on activity.

“If we share something and they make

a craft it’s rooted more in their brain because of the experience,” she said. “We’re hoping it’s inspiring another generation to appreciate history.”

While the museum’s regular season doesn’t begin until May, volunteers are staying busy enhancing exhibits and exploring ways to make the facility even more visitor friendly. Reid said one project underway was an effort to gather and preserve more information about Calvin B. Taylor. While some of the artifacts on display are his, Reid said the idea was to create more of a specific exhibit. “People know of him because of the bank but he was really a beloved figure in Berlin,” she said, adding that he had been involved in the community as a teacher and lawyer as well. “Like Rev. Tindley he’s a good example of the best of Berlin.”

Another project underway is an initiative to create QR codes for particular aspects of the museum. Officials would like to see one QR code that could provide a link to information regarding the museum’s furniture, for example, while another could provide a link to information regarding the Covington family.

“QR codes are a way for people to tailor a tour to their own interests,” Reid said, adding that it would also supplement the information docents could provide. “We’re going to pilot that program this summer with a few QR codes.”

For more information about the museum and a full schedule of this year’s events, visit its website, taylorhousemuseum.org.

The Calvin B. Taylor House Museum has launched a new Junior Historians program. Above, local children are pictured participating in a recent program event. Submitted Photo

Berlin To Seek $700K County Grant Flower Street Roundabout Discussed

BY CHARLENE SHARPE STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – Town officials will seek a $703,000 grant from Worcester County for the coming fiscal year.

Berlin elected officials last week reviewed a draft letter to be sent to the Worcester County Commissioners as this year’s budget development process begins. County municipalities and Ocean Pines are expected to present their budget requests to the commissioners at the March 7 meeting.

The town will seek $703,013 to support a Rails to Trails project, traffic improvements on Flower Street and public safety costs. Mayor Zack Tyndall said there was nothing new in the request.

“I’ve met with some of the commissioners,” he said. “I get the sense there’s not a large appetite to increase the level of funding we may be getting next year.”

Tyndall said the town would ask for $116,013 in Rails to Trails application funding. The county awarded the town grant funding to apply for the program in fiscal year 2022 and fiscal year 2023. Those applications weren’t successful, however, so the town is hoping to hold on to the funding to reapply. Officials are working with the Maryland Department of Transportation to determine ways to strengthen the town’s Rails to Trails application.

Along those same lines, Tyndall said the commissioners had given the town $122,000 toward a roundabout for Flower Street last year. Tyndall hopes the town can hang on to that funding.

“It’s nice to keep and retain that dollar value there,” he said.

The rest of the grant, $465,000, would be used to support public safety funding for police, fire and EMS services.

Councilman Dean Burrell asked when the council had decided to pursue a roundabout on Flower Street. Tyndall said it was a way to slow traffic down.

Councilwoman Shaneka Nichols said officials had shared their concerns with the proposal already.

Tyndall said that was why he was including in the letter to the commissioners assurances that the town would communicate with them if the project changed.

“I don’t know if a roundabout on Flower Street is the best way to address a speed issue,” Burrell said. “I’ve always been under the impression a roundabout was used to facilitate the flow of traffic.”

He added that a traffic circle would be viewed negatively by community members. He said it would be perceived as another inconvenience foist-

ed on them because of the school traffic.

Tyndall maintained that speed was an issue on the road and he thought a roundabout could be a solution. He said the town could also explore other ideas but that the request to retain the funding should still be made.

“I think it’s important to protect the integrity of the amount so we don’t lose that as a town,” he said.

When Councilman Jay Knerr suggested the council discuss other ways the money could be used to benefit the community, Tyndall said there wouldn’t be time before the grant request had to be submitted.

Nichols suggested the letter’s language be updated to ask that the $122,000 be retained to focus on improving traffic safety on Flower Street.

“I don’t think the roundabout should happen,” she said. “This verbiage has never sat well with me. I’ve made that clear.”

Tyndall agreed to adjust the wording but to still seek $703,013 in funding from Worcester County during the upcoming budget process.

Felony Charge For Cop Assault

BERLIN – A Willards woman is facing a felony assault charge after allegedly injuring a police officer last Saturday.

Chelsea Ehrisman, 33, of Willards, was pulled over for driving 51 mph in a 25 mph zone on westbound Route 50 near the bridge in West Ocean City around 10 p.m. on Feb. 18.

After being pulled over, Ehrisman became physically combative with the officer as well as damaging the responding Maryland State Police trooper’s patrol vehicle while in handcuffs. The vehicle’s front windshield was broken in the tirade, according to police reports. During the skirmish, a Worcester County Sheriff’s deputy was injured enough to require a visit to Atlantic General Hospital. No major injuries were reported, however.

Due to the officer assault, Ehrisman was charged with felony second degree assault against a law enforcement officer. In addition to the speeding and other related traffic charges, Ehrisman was charged with impaired driving under the influence of alcohol, second degree as-

sault, disorderly conduct, and malicious destruction of property value under $1,000. Ehrisman was arrested and released on $5,000 unsecured bond.

Hit-And-Run Leads To Assault

OCEAN CITY – While being questioned over a reported vehicle hit-andrun that had occurred, a local woman resisted arrest and assaulted a police officer.

Ocean City Communications received a call Feb. 9 at 4:45 p.m. alerting to a hitand-run incident that had occurred on Bayshore Drive. According to witnesses, a parked car was struck from behind and damaged by a passenger car that never stopped until it reached its destination

further down the road. The motorist, later identified as Danielle M. Gallagher, 55, of Ocean City, was observed by a witness entering a residence nearby.

Upon contact with Gallagher, police observed she had been drinking and began yelling at officers during questioning and slapped an officer’s hand with her own hand in an intentional manner. She resisted the officer’s attempt to put her in handcuffs and continued to scream profanities. She was later found at police headquarters to have an alcohol concentration well over the legal driving limit.

Gallagher was charged with disturbing the peace, second degree assault, resisting arrest and public intoxication.

Weapons Charges

OCEAN CITY – A Silver Spring man had weapons charges filed against him after a traffic stop in north Ocean City last Sunday.

Ocean City police pulled over a Nissan with Maryland tags about 9:48 p.m. Feb. 19 because it was discovered the license plates belonged to another vehicle of a different make and model. Police initiated a traffic stop under the suspicion of an illegally transferred tag.

An odor of marijuana was detected by police, and the driver, Alan D. Menezes, admitted it was from a joint. Menezes and three other occupants were asked to exit the vehicle. Menezes told police there were no other drugs in the vehicle but admitted to having a switchblade knife in his back pocket and a “BB gun” in a backpack. Police located a loaded replica Glock handgun with a magazine full of copper colored, metal pellets.

Menezes was charged with transporting a replica handgun and possession of a spring assisted knife along with knowingly driving an uninsured vehicle, operating an unregistered vehicle and unauthorized display and use of a registration plate.

Armed Robbery Suspect Sought

SHOWELL – Maryland State Police are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect wanted in an armed robbery that occurred Feb. 11 in Worcester County.

The suspect is described as a black male, 6-foot to 6 feet 2 inches tall, approximately 50 to 60 years old with a gray beard and a thin build. He was last seen wearing a multi-colored sweatshirt, a black knit hat, dark-colored sweatpants, white and black Nike shoes and black gloves.

According to a preliminary investigation the suspect entered Smith Market, located on the 11700 block of Worcester Highway in Showell, shortly before 9:35 a.m. on Feb. 11. He approached the cashier, displayed a handgun and obtained an undisclosed amount of money from multiple cash registers. The suspect is believed to have fled the area in a white Honda Accord and was last seen traveling northbound on Worcester Highway.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact Maryland State Police Berlin Barrack at 410-641-3101.

The suspect is pictured on a surveillance camera at Smith Market in Showell.

Historic OC Church Features New Light Display

BY BETHANY HOOPER STAFF WRITER

OCEAN CITY – New lighting, landscaping and audio capabilities highlight recent changes at a historic Ocean City church.

In recent months, officials at St. Paul’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church have been hard at work making changes to the historic building. In addition to new landscaping and fencing, the property also features an automated bell system and new lighting, which will be changed for various holidays.

“It’s very fulfilling to know that the church congregation is supportive and wants to preserve the church for the next generation,” said Junior Warden Bob Rothermel. “That’s what we’re trying to do, make sure the church stays around for future generations.”

Rothermel said improvements at the church began in earnest two years ago. During the height of the COVID pandemic, he said, the church installed cameras to livestream services and monitors to display hymns and readings. Since that time, officials have put together a capital improvement program that incorporated changes to the building’s exterior.

“We were looking to do a makeover of

the curb appeal of the church,” he said, noting that the building was constructed more than 120 years ago. “It takes a lot to maintain it, and we thought it might be time to give it a fresh update.”

With financial support from Mann Properties, Polynesian Condominium, the O-

cean City Development Corporation and the Ruggerio Foundation, as well as donations from the congregation, Rothermel said St. Paul’s was able to install lighting on the church’s exterior. He said light colors will change for various holidays.

“It will augment the season,” he said.

“We had red lights for Valentine’s Day and blue and yellow lights for the first anniversary of the war in Ukraine. The lights will also change for St. Patrick’s Day and the Fourth of July.”

Rothermel added that the illuminated steeple also features a new audio system, which will broadcast the church’s bell chimes every day at noon.

“We thought that if the steeple was 120 years old and the bells are 120 years old, maybe we should put speakers in the bell tower and extend the life of the infrastructure,” he explained. “So we hired a company to record our bells.”

Rothermel said recent improvements at the church were completed with the help of local companies, including Royal Plus, Mid South Audio and Chesapeake Landscaping.

He noted the changes are not necessarily a rebranding effort, but a reminder of the church’s presence within the community.

“We wanted to take the steps necessary to ingratiate ourselves and stay connected with the community,” he said. “We also want to preserve the history of our church and continue to stay there for years to come.”

New lighting can be seen at the historic St. Paul’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in downtown Ocean City.

Jeep club Helps shelter: Last Saturday the Ocean City Jeep Club, with more than 57 members, held its 7th Annual Worcester County Humane Society supply run. Club members delivered hundreds of needed supplies to allow the humane society to care for the animals and keep the facility clean. Submitted Photo

Freeman Arts Pavilion Announces First Slate Of Performers

SELBYVILLE –Freeman Arts Pavilion has announced the first set of performances of its 2023 summer concert series.

The outdoor venue — a program of the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation, a fundraising arts nonprofit, located in Selbyville — will present its 16th season with a mix of dance, theatre, children’s performances and live music.

The first set of performances announced include The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System on June 2; Styx on June 3; Grammy Award-winning Carly Pearce on June 4; BAM Percussion on June 8; Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue on June 9; Kashmir: The Live Led Zeppelin Show on June 10; comedian Brian Regan on June 15; Darius Rucker on June 16; Keb’ Mo’ on June 17; Rebelution with Iration, The Expendables, Passafire on June 23; Grand Funk Railroad on June 24; 287th Army Band: “The Governor’s Own” on July 1; The Head and The Heart and

The Revivalists on July 5; Rain: A Tribute to The Beatles on July 12; The Mavericks on July 30; Sons of Mystro on Aug. 3; Jason Mraz and His SuperBand on Aug. 8; Diana Krall on Aug. 11; and Lady A on Aug. 25.

Tickets for these performances went on sale to the public Thursday, Feb. 23 and again on Friday, Feb. 24, at freemanarts.org. On-sale times will vary throughout the day and interested attendees should check individual event pages for exact times.

Performances will be announced continually this spring as shows are confirmed, said Patti Grimes, executive director.

“We anticipate this season featuring more than 65 diverse performances,” she said. “The variety of genres we are presenting provides the opportunity for all to enjoy arts performances all summer longer.”

As an arts nonprofit, Freeman Arts can offer performances for all ages to enjoy with the support of local organizations, such as its Season Sponsors, who include Sara Chase Carlson of Sodoka, Inc., Schell Brothers and Preston Automotive Group. For more information, visit freemanarts.org.

Freeman Arts Pavilion is a program of the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation, with a purpose of creating experiences that elevate the human spirit. This program is made possible, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency dedicated to nurturing and supporting the arts in Delaware, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts.

Among the acts announced for the Freeman Arts Pavilion this summer were Darius Rucker, who will return to Selbyville June 16, and Carly Pearce, who will perform June 4. Submitted Photos

People in Society

by Charlene Sharpe

Featuring Those Helping Causes In The Resort Area

George Solyak, Russ Roberts, Stan Randall and Bill Thomson are pictured at the Seaside Boat Show.

Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club members Bill Brown, Charles Smith and Charlie Dorman welcomed guests to the 40th Annual Seaside Boat Show.

Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club members Charlie Diehl and Les McKee welcomed visitors to the 40th Annual Seaside Boat Show.

Jeannie Powell and Donna Kupec volunteered at the 40th Annual Seaside Boat Show.

Maryland Coastal Bays Program’s Billy Weiland and Sandi Smith attended the Great Backyard Bird Count at Heron Park.

Archer Larned and Kim Abplanalp led the Great Backyard Bird Count at Heron Park hosted by the Maryland Coastal Bays Program.

Debbi and Kaya Dean attended the 26th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count at Heron Park.

Sen. Mary Beth Carozza is pictured with Wade and Allison Pusey at the Showell Volunteer Fire Department’s Oyster Roast.

Trevor Hanley and Jake Ginther are pictured at the Seaside Boat Show.

Noreen Clyne and Nancy Jones volunteered at the Seaside Boat Show.

STUDENTS In The News

Worcester Prep’s Lower School celebrated Valentine’s Day. Before dismissal each class celebrated with a party, where students shared cards and treats with their classmates, or spent the time giving to a good cause. Worcester Prep’s fifth grade class, along with the help of homeroom moms Jenna Hoch and Kim Kappes, spent their Valentine’s party building “Warrior Care Packages” by bundling infant blankets and books to be donated to Wyatt’s Warriors Foundation, created in honor of Wyatt Mercer Shipe who was born with congenital heart defects. Above is Camille Jenkins’s class. Below are kindergartners Tenley Brittingham, Savannah Baker, Romie Crevecoeur and Rosie Lane exchanging Valentine’s cards during their party.

Submitted Photos

Students in Brian Mills' kindergarten class at Ocean City Elementary recently made New Year's resolutions for 2023. The students learned how people around the world celebrate the holiday by thinking of ways they can better their bodies and souls in the coming year. The students' resolutions ranged from learning to play piano to being kinder to friends and family. Pictured, back from left, are Bradley Heckscher, Wesley Workman, Axel Metcalf and Jaxson Byrom; and, front, Liam Campbell, Sonny Gill, Emersyn Englar and Ansley Duff.

COMMUNITY News In Photos

Students from all four Worcester County high schools received awards in the annual art competition sponsored by the Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club. Pictured are: first row, Sandy Glassman, judge, Kady Haley, Christina Dolomount Brown, president of the Optimist Club, Makayla Murphy, Anisha Batra and Alexia Shepherd. Second row, Tamara Mills, coordinator of instruction for Worcester County Public Schools, Olivia Brink, Payton Carlile, Karen Ciancitto, art teacher, Alexa Arnold, George Zaiser, art teacher, Luke Laeser, Izzy Huber and Jacob Payne. Submitted Photos

The Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines-Ocean City recently presented a $1,000 donation to 4STEPS, which offers therapeutic riding, equestrian-assisted activities and special programs. Kiwanis Club President Bob Wolfing is pictured presenting the check to Sandy Winter, 4STEPS founder and director.

Germantown School Community Heritage Center welcomed area residents on Feb. 18 for a talk by Dr. Clara Small, history professor emeritus of Salisbury University. Small is pictured discussing the many contributions of African Americans on Delmarva.

The Worcester County Garden Club’s 2023-2025 officers were recently installed during a meeting and luncheon in the clubhouse at the Ocean City Golf Club. Pictured in the front row is President Suzy Young. Pictured in the back row, from left to right, are Jeanne Bernard, director for the Federated Garden Clubs of Maryland District 1, and officers Joan LaHayne, Jan King, Mary Ellen Jefferson, Rebecca Galyon, Martha Bennett and Ellen Howse.

At their Feb. 7 meeting, the Worcester County Commissioners presented a proclamation to Worcester County NAACP President Ivory Smith recognizing February as Black History Month. The commissioners also paid tribute to a number of historic figures whose contributions helped to shape Worcester County, including former slave Isaiah “Uncle Zear” Fassett, the Rev. Charles A. Tindley, Leola Smack and James Purnell Jr.

Two new members were installed at a recent meeting of the Ocean City Lioness Lions Club. Pictured, from left, are Past District Governor Norman Cathell, sponsor Susan Mohler, Barbara Wasiakowski, Michelle Lewis, sponsor Faye Cathell and President Bev Topfer.

Partnership Announced

SALISBURY – Your Doc’s In (YDI), a provider of urgent and immediate care on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and TidalHealth, a 125-year-old health system based in Salisbury, announced a new collaboration with TidalHealth purchasing a 50% share of the Your Doc’s In franchise. Peninsula Health Ventures, an existing company of TidalHealth, is providing administrative oversight for the 50/50 partnership.

“TidalHealth’s goal is to improve access and reduce the cost of care while decreasing the strain on our emergency departments. Urgent or immediate care is an essential component of that commitment and synergy,” said Steve Leonard, Ph.D., MBA, FACHE and president/CEO of TidalHealth. “Combined with TidalHealth’s immediate Care locations in Laurel and Seaford, Delaware, the YDI partnership ensures our ability to provide residents with the right care at the right time and in the right location across Delmarva.”

As part of the agreement, the urgent care practices will continue to operate under the Your Doc’s In brand, and Walter Gianelle, MD, will remain as the corporation’s CEO and medical director. The outstanding and existing team of Your Doc’s In providers and support staff will still handle the day-to-day care.

TidalHealth and Your Doc’s In have been in partnership since 2016 at the South Salisbury practice located on business Route 13 across from Salisbury University. The agreement gives TidalHealth half ownership in the other YDI locations in North Salisbury, Easton, Cambridge, Pocomoke City and West Ocean City, Md.

All practices have extended hours and are equipped with digital X-rays and onsite labs to diagnose and treat patients who have illnesses, injuries from work or motor vehicle accidents, provide occupational health services and everything in between.

“This is an extension and natural progression of that single location relationship to be more closely aligned across the Delmarva Peninsula,” said Gianelle. “This collaboration ensures that TidalHealth and YDI remain partners in care, committed to the integration of services and focused on providing the best access to care at both emergent and urgent locations based on the proper delivery of that care.”

A team of board-certified physicians and medical specialists, ensuring a professional, compassionate and individualized approach to treating patients, leads each award-winning YDI clinic. With a noappointment-necessary policy, Your Doc’s

BUSINESS And Real Estate News

March concert cycle. Written in 1932, the piece was Price's first full-scale orchestral composition and was the first symphony by a Black woman to be performed by a major American orchestra (Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 1933).

MSO Board President Jeffrey Parker said, “The MSO Board of Directors is elated at the news of Michael Repper’s Grammy win that further acknowledges the incredible talent and vision of our new music director.”

Partnership Announced

SALISBURY – Preparing career-ready graduates is a top priority for Salisbury University’s College of Health and Human Services.

At the Richard A. Henson Medical Simulation Center, this has included students retrieving simulated patient information and documenting their care in an imitation electronic health record (EHR) system since access to a real EHR was not available.

In is committed to convenience, comfort and care.

“This validates the importance of urgent and immediate care in TidalHealth’s mission to improve the health of the communities it serves,” added Leonard.

Job Fair Scheduled

OCEAN PINES – The Ocean Pines Chamber of Commerce will host a Seasonal Job and Resource Fair on March 18, 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-OP 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.

Information about the Ocean Pines Chamber of Commerce and annual dues and benefits can be found on the chamber’s website.

Music Director Honored

BERLIN – The Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is pleased to announce that Michael Repper, MSO’s music direc-

tor and conductor, received a Grammy at the recent 2023 Grammy Awards ceremony held in Los Angeles.

Repper and the New York Youth Symphony were honored with their first Grammy award for their recording “Works By Florence Price, Jessie Montgomery, Valerie Coleman.” This CD, which features four works by three female African American composers, was particularly notable because it was recorded during the COVID-19 shutdown.

Repper and the New York Youth Symphony were nominated in the “Best Orchestral Performance” category in which the award is presented to the conductor and to the orchestra. Repper, 31, and the young musicians of the New York Youth Symphony bested world-renowned conductors and orchestras such as Gustavo Dudamel with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and John Williams with the Berliner Philharmoniker.

Upon receiving the award, Repper said “I want to simply express my gratitude for having been able to share such amazing music with the tremendous young musicians of the New York Youth Symphony.”

Now Maestro Repper is looking forward to conducting the MSO when the orchestra performs Florence Price’s Symphony No. 1 in E Minor during the MSO’s

Thanks to a partnership with TidalHealth Peninsula Regional, this soon will change. SU faculty, center staff, and TidalHealth Peninsula Regional experts have been working together for over a year to provide access to Epic electronic medical record software in a training, or “sandbox,” mode for center users. Epic is used throughout the TidalHealth system and supports functions related to patient care; clinical systems for doctors, nurses, emergency personnel, and other care providers; systems for lab technologists, pharmacists and radiologists; and billing systems for insurers.

“This innovative opportunity is an advantage for SU students, who will receive training that simulates real-life experiences and will also benefit TidalHealth and its patients by providing students and graduates that are better trained and prepared for careers in health care,” said Dr. Mark Weisman, TidalHealth vice president of information technology and chief medical information officer, who has spearheaded the efforts to share this important resource.

Key members of his staff, like Corinne Corkran, have devoted countless hours to programming 32 versions of simulated patient scenarios across five different environments. Zack Tyndall, SU simulation technologies coordinator, Drs. Lisa Seldomridge, the center’s founding director, and Kevin Glover, center director, have been working through the logistics and technical issues with Weisman and his team. They anticipate full deployment in the next few months.

The Berlin Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed Beach Gypsy to its new location. The shop, which once operated on William Street, reopened in a new location on Main Street in Berlin. Above, Berlin Chamber of Commerce representatives, town officials, and proprietors Christina Mullaney and Christine Carpenter are pictured at a ribbon cutting ceremony for Beach Gypsy. Submitted Photo

The

Who’s Where When

Tuesday

Wednesday

Friday,

Saturday, Feb. 25: First Class

Saturday, Feb. 26: Rogue Citizens Duo

Friday, Feb. 24: Carley Twigg

Sunday, Feb. 26: Fil Rhythm

Wicomico St., Downtown O.C.

Friday, Feb. 24: Black Dog Alley

Saturday, Feb. 25: Tonight’s Crush

Who’s Where When

HARBORSIDE

410-213-1846

South Harbor Rd., West O.C.

Thursdays & Fridays: DJ Billy T

Saturday, Feb. 25: Dust N Bones, DJ Jeremy

Sunday, Feb. 26: Pickin’ Party

PICKLES PUB

410-289-4891

8th St. & Philadelphia Ave.

Fridays:

Beats By Deogee

Saturday, Feb. 25: Rogue Citizens

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. 24: DJ Tuff, Pop Stereo

Saturday, Feb. 25: DJ Bobby O, DJ Cruz, Finnegan’s Wake, Justin Taylor Band, The Event Horizon

Thursday, March 2: DJ Connair, Full Circle Duo

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

HYDRAFX Fager’s Island: Saturday, Feb. 25

BLACK DOG ALLEY Crawl St. Tavern: Friday, Feb. 24

POP STEREO Seacrets: Friday, Feb. 24

TONIGHT’S CRUSH Crawl Street Tavern: Saturday, Feb. 25

FULL CIRCLE DUO Seacrets: Thursday, March 2

FIRST CLASS Coins Pub: Saturday, Feb. 25

ROGUE CITIZENS

Cork Bar: Saturday, Feb. 25 • 4 p.m. (duo) Pickles Pub: Saturday, Feb. 25 • 9:30 p.m.

PICKIN’ PARTY Harborside: Sunday, Feb. 26

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, a gorgeous blue-sky summer day in 2021 is made even more beautiful by some cloud cover. To purchase any of Parypa’s photos, click over to www.chrisparypa.com.

Every Monday: TOPS Meeting

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

Every Monday: Acapella Chorus

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

Every Monday: Bridge Games

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

Every Tuesday: TOPS Meeting

Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a weekly support and education group promoting weight loss and a healthy lifestyle. Meetings are held at the Worcester County Berlin Health Department at 9730 Healthway Drive, Berlin from 3:30-4:30 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. 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/musical-tickets. 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

Things To Do

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 p.m. 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.

Feb. 25: Bingo Fundraiser

Sponsored by the Ocean City Berlin Rotary Club from 1-4 p.m. at the Ocean City American Legion, 2308 Philadelphia Ave., Ocean City. Tickets online at ocberlinrotary.com or at the door.

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 4: Sports Day At The Beach

From 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at the Westside Route 50 Shopping Center next to Hooper’s. Buy, sell, trade sports cards, supplies, autographs, collectibles, jerseys, silent auction, raffles, 50/50. Admission $5; under 10, $2. Vendor space available by calling Wayne Littleton 443-978-0680 or email littletonwayne@yahoo.com.

March 5: Blues & BBQ Fundraiser

Randy’s Crew Blues & BBQ Fundraiser from 1-4 p.m. at Pit & Pub. All-you-caneat buffet for $15/person at the door plus happy hour prices, mystery boxes, silent auction, raffles and more. Proceeds benefit Worcester County Humane Society and Town Cats.

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 410-935-4807, or Email: CGAUXOC@Gmail.com.

March 8: AARP Meeting

Ocean City AARP Chapter 1917 will meet at 10 a.m. in the Ocean City 50Plus Center located on 41st St. and Coastal Highway). Please arrive early at 9:30 for a social half-hour and refreshments. Guest speaker will be from the Register of Wills office in Snow Hill. New members are welcome. 410-250-0980.

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 10: Vegas Style Fundraiser

Entertainer Tony Pace will headline a charity event for the Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation at the Ocean Pines Yacht Club. Pace is known as “The Man with the voice … who just happens to be funny,” and is a 40-year veteran of the entertainment industry, frequently seen performing in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. He’s been compared to a combination of Andrea Bocelli, Billy Crystal, and Sammy Davis Jr. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. and a buffet dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. The show will start at 7 p.m. Tickets are $70 and a cash bar will be provided. Checks may be sent to WCVMF, PO Box 1576, Ocean Pines, Md. 21811. Tickets are limited and no tickets will be sold at the door. Single tickets are available, or tables of 10 can be purchased. All proceeds benefit the Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation. For more information call Sharyn O’Hare at 410-603-4777 or sharynop@gmail.com.

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 preorders.

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 nonOcean 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.oceanpines-chamber.org.

March 18: St. Joseph’s Festival

The 11th Annual St. Joseph’s Festival will open its doors at St. Andrew’s Hall, Sinepuxent Avenue and 144th Street, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free. The festival is sponsored by the Ocean City Lodge of the Sons and Daughters of Italy and proceeds are used to fund scholarships and charitable causes. Visitors will be greeted by the aroma of homecooked Italian foods, including pasta and meatballs and sausages, fried dough specialties, and baked goods, breads, cakes, muffins and more. The St. Joseph’s Festival will feature raffles for over-stuffed gift baskets, silent auctions with local bargains from restaurants, local stores and grocery stores, the sale of specialty Italian items, and St. Joseph religious articles for sale. Also available to bid on will be tickets from professional sports teams, as well as teamthemed gift baskets. All of this will come with a backdrop of Italian music.

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.

March 25: Carryout Dinner

The Bishopville Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary will be holding a chicken and dumpling carryout from noon-2 p.m. at the main station. Chicken, dumplings, green beans and sweet potatoes. $15 per dinner. Extra pint of dumplings is $8 per pint. Call 619-9229950 to reserve your dinner and pint before March 20.

March 25: Chicken Platters

Calvary United Methodist Church, 8607 Ironshire Station Road, Berlin, will host Fried/ Baked Chicken Platters to go sale for $10, from 10:30 a.m. until sold out. Platters comes with two sides and roll.

April 12: AARP Meeting

Ocean City AARP Chapter 1917 will meet at 10 a.m. in the Ocean City 50Plus Center located on 41st St. and Coastal Highway. Please arrive early at 9:30 for a social half-hour and refreshments. Guest speaker will be the new Atlantic General Hospital CEO Donald Owrey. New members are welcome. 410-250-0980.

May 10: AARP Meeting

Ocean City AARP Chapter 1917 will meet at 10 a.m. in the Ocean City 50Plus Center located on 41st St. and Coastal Highway. Please arrive early at 9:30 for a social half-hour and refreshments. Guest speaker will discuss new advances in orthopedic surgery. New members are welcome. 410-250-0980.

June 14: AARP Meeting

Ocean City AARP Chapter 1917 will meet at 10 a.m. in the Ocean City 50Plus Center located on 41st St. and Coastal Highway. Please arrive early at 9:30 for a social half-hour and refreshments. Guest speaker will be from the Burbage Funeral Home. New members are welcome. 410250-0980.

Things I Like...

By Steve Green

A puppy’s clumsiness

Finding my teenager reading

Listening to old John Madden calls

A hot tub after skiing all day

Driving east across the Bay Bridge

Sincerity

Walking the halls of a school in session

A young kid with an old soul

No heat this time of year

Friendly bank tellers

Following sports columnists

vanishing vanishing OCEAN CITYWITH BUNK

MANN

Ocean City’s original Pier building was completed in 1907 on the Boardwalk at Wicomico Street. In addition to shops and a dancing pavilion, it also featured a theatre and several refreshment stands. It also served as the entrance to the Ocean City Fishing Pier.

The building was raised 10 feet above the beach and built on wooden pilings. Part of it actually extended over the water as the beach was very narrow in that era.

The original Pier building had its share of misfortune. In 1918, a snowstorm caused its roof to collapse and the theatre was replaced by a bowling alley. On Dec. 29, 1925, the ill-fated building burned down and was replaced by the current Pier building in 1929.

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

THE DISPATCH Crossword Puzzle HOROSCOPES

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): Sometimes a setback gives you a chance to get a sharper perspective on the situation at hand. Your cheerful nature will help you override this temporary disappointment. What you learn from this pays off soon.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): Be careful not to charge into something you don't fully understand. Being asked to act on trust might be all right, as long as you can trust the one who asks.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): A chance for romance beckons from someone you thought was far out of reach. But Cupid can always come up with a shortcut. How you respond to the situation determines how the relationship develops.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22): A career move seems more likely now than when you first considered it. Some of your plans will need readjusting as new facts emerge. Be careful that you don't allow jealousy to create an unnecessary obstacle.

LEO (July 23 to Aug. 22): Your love for beautiful things is part of what makes you the fine feline you are. But a little caution is advisable for a while. Resist the urge to splurge until your money signs look a little better.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 to Sept. 22): A coworker could be trying to undermine you. Resist the temptation to retaliate. Instead, keep careful records of what you do so that you'll be ready to present a strong position when the time comes.

LIBRA (Sept. 23 to Oct. 22): Family problems have been simmering for a while and could soon boil over. Avoid taking sides. There are many facts you don't

know yet. Meanwhile, a business decision proves to be more complicated than you expected.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21): Cupid's arrow can pierce hearts, but it can't open tight lips. Only you can do that. That special someone you've been silently pining for all this time would love to hear you express those feelings.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 to Dec. 21): Well-meaning friends might try to persuade you to give up on that project that seems to have hit a dead end. Someone will take notice, and your persistence will pay off.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19): It's one thing to make a difficult decision, but you also have to stick with it, despite any pressures to get you to change your mind. You need to reassure someone you care for that you can keep your commitments.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 to Feb. 18): This is a good time for you to remember to be good to yourself. A trip to a place that was once very special in your life reawakens many precious memories, and soon leads to making new ones.

PISCES (Feb. 19 to March 20): An old health problem flares up and needs attention. Also, a chilly reaction from a oncewarm friend needs to be confronted. Set the record straight before it's too late to save the friendship.

BORN THIS WEEK: You enjoy helping others. You have a taste for life's luxuries and will take risks to get what you want. In matters of amour, you love deeply, and you expect your amorous intensity to be returned in kind.

© 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

ANSWERS ON PAGE 46

The Dispatch Classifieds

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

Email: classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com

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

PURPLE MOOSE SALOON: Hiring a sound/production person and security positions. Apply in person. Located on the boardwalk between Talbot and Caroline Streets.

HELP WANTED: BOAT BOTTOM

PAINTER FOR WEST OCEAN CITY BOAT YARD. CALL 410-2132296.

SECURITY POSITIONS: Positions in Salisbury, Ocean City & Berlin. Must be reliable. Call 443-5134198 or email: abcoinvestigations@yahoo.com

TRUCK DRIVERS WANTED: CLASS B, CDL. FT/YR. Local Routes. Good pay & benefits pkg. Kelly Foods. Call 410-641-0331.

SMALL ENGINE MECHANIC: Small Engine mechanic, Year round, Competitive Wages. Call 443-754-1047.

EXPERIENCED MAINTENANCE

TECH: needed for two apartment complexes in Pittsville, MD. 410835-3560 Equal Employment Opportunity.

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

ALL POSITIONS

Worcester County Health Department ACCOUNTANT II

Full Time, State Benefits. This position assists and supports the Accountant Supervisor with the day-to-day operations of the Worcester County Health Department. This requires an advanced level of examining, analyzing and interpreting accounting systems, records and reports by applying generally accepted accounting principles in order to maintain health department accounting systems and prepare financial reports/statements. This also includes the preparation and management of budgets, management of the agency’s corporate purchasing card program and management of inventory. Background check required. APPLY ONLINE at www.jobapscloud.com/md by March 02, 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.

o Experience preferred.

o Tools, transportation & valid driver’s license are a plus.

o Excellent pay and a competitive benefits package available.

Please Apply Online: https://www.allstatesconst.com/delmarva-renovations-careers Or Contact Our Office at 410-352-9800

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

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

CYNTHIA B. MACDONALD, ESQ. 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

JEANNE SPOERER THOMPSON

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

sented 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

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

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication

FEBRUARY 17, 2023

DENISE MARIE ROMANO Personal Representative True Test Copy

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 218631074 3x 2-17, 2-24, 3-03

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 (2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not pre-

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. 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

(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.

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

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 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.

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.

Date of Publication

FEBRUARY 17, 2023

PAMELA L. CUDDY

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

Second Insertion

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

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 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

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

sure 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

SALISBURY, MD 21804

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19423

CONTACT INFORMATION

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

Email: classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com

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

SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074

3x 2-24, 3-03, 3-10

MARIANNA BATIE, ESQ.

LAW OFFICE OF MARIANNA BATIE

FEBRUARY 24, 2023

MICHELE MARIE NEVINS Personal Representative True Test Copy

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, Last known Resident Agent and Member I0221 Montgomery Avenue Kensington, Maryland 20895 and THE COUNTY OF WORCESTER SERVE ON:

ROSCOE LESLIE COUNTY ATTORNEY 1 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

OF PUBLiCATION

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

FEBRUARY 17, 2023

BEAU H. OGLESBY JUDGE

To all persons interested in the estate of WANDA JEAN COHEN, Estate No. 19423. Notice is given that MERYL COHEN, 27421 JOHN J. WILLIAM HWY, MILLSBORO, DE 19966, was on FEBRUARY 16, 2023, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of WANDA JEAN COHEN, who died on OCTOBER 09, 2021, without a will. Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 16TH 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 24, 2023

MERYL COHEN

Personal Representative True Test Copy

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET

9748 STEPHEN DECATUR HIGHWAY SUITE 112

OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19593

To all persons interested in the estate of MARGARET MARY NEVINS Estate No. 19593. Notice is given that MICHELE MARIE NEVINS, 877 FERN ROAD, WARMINSTER, PA 18974, was on FEBRUARY 16, 2023, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of MARGARET MARY NEVINS, who died on JANUARY 30, 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 16TH 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

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

3x 2-24, 3-03, 3-10

First Insertion

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

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19594

To all persons interested in the estate of OLIVE G. BAKER, Estate No. 19594. Notice is given that BRIAN J. MURTAGH, 12406 STARLIGHT LANE, BOWIE MD 20715, was on FEBRUARY 16, 2023, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of OLIVE G. BAKER, who died on JANUARY 01, 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 16TH 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

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.

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 24, 2023

BRIAN J. MURTAGH

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 2-24, 3-03, 3-10

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

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ESTATE NO. 19592

Notice is given that the REGISTER OF WILLS COURT of YORK COUNTY, PA, appointed DEBORAH ANN LAU, 149 E. MARKET STREET, YORK, PA 17401, as the PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE of the Estate of RONNY KAY PLATTS, who died on NOVEMBER 12, 2022, domiciled in Pennsylvania, USA. The Maryland resident agent for service of process is B. RANDALL COATES, ESQ, whose address is 204 W. GREEN STREET, SNOW HILL, MD 21863. At the time of death, the decedent owned real or leasehold property in the following MARYLAND counties: WORCESTER.

All persons having claims against the decedent must file their claims with the Register of Wills for Worcester County with a copy to the foreign personal representative on or before the earlier of the following dates:

(1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine months from the date of the decedent's death; or

(2) Two months after the for-

eign personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Claims filed after that date or after a date extended by law will be barred.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch

Date of Publication

FEBRUARY 24, 2023

DEBORAH ANN LAU Personal Representative True Test Copy

TERRI WESTCOTT

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

3x 2-24, 3-03, 3-10

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-22-000284

WILBARGER, LLC P.O. BOX 2367 DENVER, COLORADO 80201 Plaintiff

vs. GEORGE ISLAND LANDING, LLC

C/OILENE SHULMAN, Last known Resident Agent and Member

I0221 Montgomery Avenue Kensington, Maryland 20895 and THE COUNTY OF WORCESTER SERVE ON: ROSCOE LESLIE COUNTY ATTORNEY

1 W. MARKET STREET, ROOM 1103

SNOW HILL, MARYLAND 21863 AND ALL OTHER PER-

STOCKTON, DISTRICT 08, ACCOUNT NUMBER 008663

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 008663, 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 008663

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 008663, 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

FEBRUARY 24, 2023

BEAU H. OGLESBY JUDGE

TRUE TEST COPY

SUSAN R. BRANIECKI CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT WORCESTER COUNTY, MD

THOMAS K. COATES ESQ COATES,COATES & COATES, P.A.

6200 COASTAL HIGHWAY, SUITE 300 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19363

To all persons interested in the estate of CHRISTINE CROPPER RAYNE, Estate No. 19363. Notice is given that WILLIAM TIMOTHY RAYNE, JR., 11730 MANKLIN CREEK ROAD BERLIN, MD 21811, was on FEBRUARY 21, 2023, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of CHRISTINE CROPPER RAYNE, who died on MAY 28, 2022, with a will.

CONTACT INFORMATION

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

Email: classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com

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

Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney. All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 21ST day of 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 24, 2023

WILLIAMTIMOTHY RAYNE, JR. 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 2-24, 3-03, 3-10

SPORTS In The News Conference Holds First Swim Meet

Six Wrestlers Win Bayside Titles

Stephen Decatur High School’s wrestling team continued its winning ways last week, winning the Bayside Championship with six wrestlers capturing individual Bayside Conference titles. In total, Decatur had nine finalists with 11 wrestlers placing in the top three of their weight divisions and all 13 finishing in the top five. Winning individual Bayside titles were, from left, Gavin Solito, Reid Caimi, Elijah Collick, Kole Kohut, Parker Intrieri and Logan Intrieri. The six wrestlers have advanced to the 2A regional tournament. Earlier this month Decatur won its fourth consecutive state 2A championship. Submitted Photo

BERLIN

– Worcester Preparatory

School’s first swim team in history made its debut this month at the Varsity Swimming Inaugural ESIAC Conference Meet, where the team performed well.

The inaugural Mallards Swim Team consists of senior Meeta Agarwal, sophomore Will Wells, freshmen Jude Damouni and Lena Parker and eighth graders Gabriella Damouni, Bella Fernley, Mia Jaoude, Jacob Lev and Jack Wells. The girls' team finished third out of six teams. The boys' team finished second out of six teams.

Kristina Watts, who is in her first year teaching middle school math at WPS, has signed on to be the Mallards swim coach. Watts swam for 10 years on the Eagle Swim Team in Baltimore County and four years at Salisbury University. She has coached swimming for 14 years for four different teams, consisting of all ages from 6 years old up to collegiate level, including high school teams that were conference champions, and swimmers who have placed top eight in the state of Maryland throughout her career.

The swimmers' results were as follows:

Girls 200 Medley Relay First Place: Mia Jaoude, Meeta Agarwal, Gabi Damouni and Lena Parker

Girls 200 Free First Place: Gabi Damouni

Girls 100 Free First Place: Gabi Damouni

Girls 100 Fly First Place: Mia Jaoude

Girls 100 Back First Place: Mia Jaoude

Boys 200 Free First Place: Jude Damouni

Boys 50 Free First Place: Jack Wells

Boys 200 Free First Place: Will Wells, Jack Wells, Jacob Lev and Jude Damouni.

WPS swim team members, pictured at the Varsity Swimming Inaugural ESIAC Conference Meet, include, front from left, Mia Jaoude, Jack Wells, Lena Parker, Gabriella Damouni, Meeta Agarwal and WPS Swim Coach Kristina Watts; back, WPS Athletics Director Matt McGinnis, Jude Damouni, Will Wells, Jacob Lev and Bella Fernley. Submitted Photo

Shawn Joseph Soper

BERLIN – Shawn Joseph Soper, age 59, of Ocean City, passed away suddenly on Feb. 15, 2023, at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore after a brief illness.

Born in Towson in Baltimore County, Shawn was the son of the late Granville O. Soper and Judith Elizabeth Soper (McGinn). Shawn was a graduate of the Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Baynesville where he and his family were active parish members. Shawn graduated from Loch Raven High School in 1981 and thereafter attended Towson State University where in 1985 he graduated with degrees in Mass Communications and History.

Immediately thereafter, Shawn relocated to Ocean City, a natural move for him given his long-held love of the town and all of its charms. Shawn became engaged in the restaurant business and worked at a number of establishments including the old Crisfield II restaurant on Coastal Highway and the Marlin Moon Grill. At one time, Shawn and a couple of friends even opened their own restaurant in West Ocean City, Sausilito’s. It was during this period that Shawn cultivated his skill at making friends and endearing people to him. He was easy to like: a conscientious worker, a witty and heartfelt friend with a foundation of sincerity and honesty.

In year 2000, Shawn’s life took an upward swing when he met the love of his life, his best friend, Tricia. This is also the

OBITUARIES

time when Shawn was hired by The Dispatch as a reporter to cover the BerlinWorcester County beat. Though he had a natural love of the hospitality business, Shawn always aspired to be a journalist and The Dispatch job was a dream come true for him. Shawn excelled in this work and soon became a fixture in Ocean City and in Worcester County: well-known and recognized for his excellent reporting. His publisher, Steve Green, has remarked that Shawn authored more than 20,000 articles in his career there which included a rise to the News Editor position several years ago. Shawn also carried on his hospitality work as a weekend figure at the Reel Inn Restaurant and Dock Bar in Ocean City.

An accomplished lacrosse player in high school and a rugby player afterwards, Shawn had a love of all sports especially baseball and his beloved Orioles. Shawn had a strong sense of play in the best meaning of that word: the pun, the witty turn of phrase, a sense of the game and all of its hidden meanings. Shawn excelled at making friends which served him well throughout his life.

Shawn is survived by his wife, Patricia M. Martin; his mother, Judith E. Soper; brother Kevin M. Soper and his wife, Elizabeth; sister Elizabeth O. Andrews and her fiancé Leo Daly; father-in-law Dick Martin and mother-in-law, Delores Martin; brothers-in-law Michael Martin, Steven Martin (Eileen), Christopher Martin, Robert Martin (Penny) and Joseph

Martin (Emily); as well as by a number of nieces and nephews, Colin J. Soper, Christopher M. Soper, Paige E. Soper, Jenna Andrews, Matthew Martin, Natalie Martin and Amelia Martin.

The family received friends at The Burbage Funeral Home, located at 108 William Street, Berlin, Md., on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Feb. 24, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Holy Savior Catholic Church, 1705 Philadelphia Avenue in Ocean City. Letters of condolence can be sent to the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of The Burbage Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Shawn’s name to Diakonia Emergency Shelter and Food Pantry in Ocean City, info@diakoniaoc.org, or to the Humane Society, savinganimals@worcestercountyhumanesocietyorg.

Peter M. Fox

OCEAN PINES – Peter M. Fox “Pete” passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Feb. 9, 2023.

He was born on Dec. 2, 1940, in West Reading, Pa. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Renee, and his four children, Peter Fox, Jr., Dr. Jennifer Reinhart (David), Michele Padovani and Dr. Becky Fox. He is also survived by seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Peter is predeceased by his first wife, Dolores Fox, and his son, Scott Szymanski. Pete was a “small town” guy, influenced by his Pennsylvania Dutch and Berks County upbringing. He was friendly to everyone, loyal, humorous, and the rock of the family. His pure love for others was evident as a son, husband, father, friend, family member and to everyone he encountered. He wanted nothing more than to see everyone happy. Peter graduated from Governor Mifflin High School in 1958 and was a member of the reunion committee ever since. While working for the Metropolitan Edison Company as a lineman and later in management, he lived in Exeter Township, Pa. and then in Wyomissing, Pa. Pete was a 32nd Degree Mason with the Chandler Lodge No. 227 and later with the Evergreen Lodge No. 153.

Pete enjoyed being on the water, whether canoeing at Blue Marsh Lake or on his boat in the Chesapeake Bay and Assawoman Bay in Maryland. After moving to Ocean Pines, he earned his Captain’s License and became active in the Ocean City Power Squadron, creating their first website and serving in many capacities, including Commander in 2001. He remained on their Executive Committee until his passing. Pete enjoyed learning and teaching others. When his children entered college, so did Pete. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Alvernia College in 1995. He went on to teach computer classes for senior citizens at Wor-Wic Community College.

He supported the community by volunteering for the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department, assisting with boater

safety checks, and as a poll worker on election day. Anyone who met Pete would describe him as a kind, caring person with a great sense of humor. He told jokes in a way that always left you wondering if what he was saying was true, especially when he claimed to be Amish. Pete loved playing games and was good natured about beating everyone he played with! He enjoyed going out to breakfast, whether that was with his kids before school, or with the ROMEO group on Wednesday mornings.

A celebration of life will be held at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, 11021 Worcester Highway, Berlin, on March 11, 2023, at noon. A reception will follow. Interment will be held at the Laureldale Cemetery, 4631 Pottsville Pike, Reading, Pa., on March 17, 2023, 11:45 a.m., with a service led by the Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania, Chandler Lodge 227.

Arrangements are in the care of Eastern Shore Cremation and Funeral Service, 504 Franklin Avenue, Berlin, Md. 21811. To send condolences to the family, please visit www.easternshorecremation.com.

John Edward Walsh

BISHOPVILLE – John Edward Walsh, age 80, passed away at his home in Bishopville on Friday, Feb. 17, 2023.

Born on All Saints Day in 1942 in Trenton, N.J. he was the son of the late John Walsh and Alice Winder.

Affectionately known as Jack, he graduated from Hamilton High School East. He honorably served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Valley Forge LPH-8 in the South Pacific. He attended RCA Electronics Institute in New York, N.Y. Jack married Lucy Zanelotti on Sept. 13, 1975, and they were happily married for 47 years. He was a member of the American Legion Post #166, Happy Valley Reunion Club, Knights of Columbus #5547, Telecom Pioneers, and the CWA Local Member Chapter 2108. He worked as a Systems Technician Engineer for Dow Jones Inc., C&P Telephone Company, Bell Atlantic, and Verizon where he retired after 35 years of service. He was a devout Catholic committed to his faith. He enjoyed walking in the Pines, boating, and a glass of Merlot at Taylor’s. Jack was kind and loved his family above all, he will be deeply missed.

He is survived by his wife, Lucy, two sons, John A. Walsh (Alicia), and Justin A. Walsh (Megan), two daughters, Lena A. Leone (Jeffrey), and Mary C. Sprague (Andrew), a sister Margaret Shubnell, and a brother, James W. Walsh (Monica). He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Gabriel, William, Aine, Mia, Ava, Noelle, Adelaide, Max, and Ace.

A visitation was held at Burbage Funeral Home on Thursday, February 23, 2023. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Ocean Pines on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023 at 1:30 p.m. Inurnment will take place at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Dagsboro, Delaware at a later date. Letters of condolence can be sent to the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com.

NEXT PAGE

SHAWN SOPER

JOHN WALSH

PETE FOX

... OBITUARIES

Arrangements are in the care of Burbage Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Coastal Hospice or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Michael Sean Hegarty Sr.

OCEAN PINES – Michael Sean Hegarty Sr., age 82, of Ocean Pines, passed away on Feb. 18, 2023 at his home. Mike was the loving husband of 40 years to Sharon Hegarty.

Along with his wife, Mike is survived by three sons and two daughters, Kevin Hegarty, wife Toni of Davidsonville, Md., Michael Hegarty Jr, partner Rick Perez of Parrish, Fla., Sean Hegarty, wife Kerry of Bradenton, Fla., Kathy Stewart, husband Bill of Delmar and Kelly Williams, husband Chris of Berlin. He is also survived by sisters Monica Lee and Husband Tom, Maridella Hegarty and Brother Patrick Hegarty and wife Elaine. Also surviving are his pride and joy – his grandchildren: Shane Hegarty (Alex), Kieran Hegarty (Spenser), Dillon Hegarty, Red Hegarty, Cailey Smith (Darren), Zachary Cordovilla, Claire Williams, Caitlin Williams, Misha Williams, Benjamin Williams and Rachel Williams, great-grandchildren: Brayden Hegarty, Carsen Cordovilla, Declan Hegarty and Brynlie Hegarty.

Mike was born on Aug. 10, 1940 in Washington D.C. He was the son of the late Willett Joseph Hegarty and Monica Alice Hegarty. During and after World War II, the family moved from Washington, D.C. to New York, then to San Francisco, Mobile and on to Chattanooga where Mike attended and graduated from Notre Dame High School. As a teenager Mike became a Boy Scout and achieved the lauded rank of Eagle Scout. He was also very athletic and loved sports, including swimming. In fact, Mike was recognized by the City of Chattanooga for saving a young boy from drowning at Camp Columbus on the Tennessee River and also received, for that action, a National Award signed by then President Eisenhower.

When the family moved to Maryland in 1958, Mike enrolled at the University of Maryland. After a year in attendance, he chose a different path and took a job with NASA. Finding the desk job too confining, Mike extended his love of cars and mechanics by opening his own speed shop in Beltsville. He loved drag racing and became the NHRA National Champion for the B Stock class with his 1966 Pontiac GTO, well known as “Honest Injun”. He later ran a series of cars in the Ultra Class, a precursor to today’s Pro Stock, and finally campaigned an alcohol dragster. Young adults from all over the Washington metropolitan area brought their GTOs, Chevelles, and other muscle cars to Mike to make them as fast as possible. And that was pretty darn fast. With a “need for speed”, Mike also enjoyed riding jet skis and snowmobiles well into his later years. Hitting middle age, Mike switched to construction creating a name known for the quality of

workmanship and the timeliness of the projects. He continued working right up until his final days and always proudly stated, “Work was his favorite hobby”. Mike was a lifelong fan of Washington football and the Nationals baseball and enjoyed following both teams.

Mike was well liked by all who got to know him and was extremely well respected for his knowledge of mechanics and construction. He will be missed by a great many people. We love him.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday March 6, 2023 at 11 a.m. at St. John Neumann Church located at 11211 Beauchamp Rd, Berlin, Md. 21811. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Jimmy Fund at www.Jimmyfund.org.

Arrangements are in the care of Eastern Shore Cremation and Funeral Service, 504 Franklin Avenue, Berlin, Maryland 21811. To send condolences to the family, please visit www.easternshorecremation.com.

Paul Gwynne Fischer

OCEAN CITY – Paul Gwynne Fischer

58 years old, passed on Feb. 14, 2023, surrounded by love and comfort.

“Barefoot” or “Fish” were his nicknames known by many in the Ocean City community and beyond. “Barefoot” was not only his auto mechanic name, but his lifestyle. His distaste for shoes meant you rarely found him wearing them, whether he was working on cars or gallivanting around Ocean City all summer long. “Fish” was not only short for his last name Fischer, but because one of his favorite pastimes was fishing — from winning fishing tournaments, to chilling on the beach while surf fishing, or simply catching some out on the boat. These nick names are significant because they are a huge part of what defined him as a person. He left his footprint on this town through not only these two things, but because of his unique personality. He was a colorful character and most importantly a friend to all. Whether it was a random conversation with a stranger, or with a friend, laughs would be shared.

Battling many health hardships throughout the years, one thing he never lost was his special sense of humor, along with putting up a fight. Additionally, he never lost his sense of self or the love he had for others. As time went by, he told others “I still have a lot of fight left in me, I’m not going anywhere without a fight, giddy up or giddy out.” Cancer did not win, he did. He lived a life, though cut short, not many ever get to experience. He followed his passions and never looked back nor cared about what others thought of him. He was a magnet, drawing so many people to him and together with his outgoing personality.

He considered various individuals his family, surviving by him is his son Jordan Curlett, his daughter Rachel Hreshko, his loving father “Tink,” and too many others to mention such as his “hoochies” and almost the entire Ocean City community. Gone but never forgotten, we will see his reflection again through tomorrow’s sunrise and tomorrow’s sunset.

Charlotte Kathryn Kuti

WILLARDS – Charlotte Kathryn Kuti, age 64, of Willards, died Monday, Feb. 20, 2023 at home.

She was born in Baltimore and was the daughter of the late Ira and Helen (Ulrich) Phelps.

Charlotte was the proud and dedicated former owner of Coins Pub, where she dedicated many years of her life to doing what she loved. During those years she touched many lives. She was always available for advice, support, and helping whoever she could. She was the brightest of lights in the darkest of rooms. She will be missed by all that knew her.

She is survived by a daughter, Crystal Langdon and husband Derek of Willards; a son, Dennis Keener and wife Jen of Pittsville; three sisters, Valerie Kraft of Goldsboro, Md., Laura Johnson of Franklin, Ind. and Mala Marine of Longs, S.C.; and five grandchildren, Kaiden, Kalan, Quinn, Vayda and Tavey.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023 at Bishop-Hastings Funeral Home in Selbyville. Friends may visit an hour before the service. Entombment will be in Granite Memorial Mausoleum in Bishopville.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Worcester County Humane Society, P.O. Box 48, Berlin, Md. 21811.

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

Gail Tingle Wainwright

BERLIN – Gail Tingle Wainwright, age 84, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin.

Born in Philadelphia, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Oliver and Ruth Day Tingle.

She is survived by her husband, Norman Ellis Wainwright, and her son, Troy Ellis Wainwright (Noelle) of Gambrills, Md. There are two grandsons, Callus and Finnen Wainwright. Also surviving is a brother, Weldon Tingle (Joann) of Florida; nephews, Ronald Rickards, Craig Wainwright, Dean Long (Dawn Messick); and niece Kim Griffith.

Mrs. Wainwright was a graduate of Stephen Decatur High School class of 1956, was employed with Calvin B. Taylor Bank for 36 years, was a member of Friendship United Methodist Church, and chair of United Methodist Women. A funeral service will be held on Feb.24, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Friendship United Methodist Church, 10537 Friendship Road, Berlin, Md. Friends may call one hour prior. Rev. Pam Ward will officiate. Entombment will follow at Granite Memorial Mausoleum, 12840 Worcester Hwy. Bishopville, Md. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Friendship United Methodist Church.

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

PAUL FISCHER

CHARLOTTE KUTI

GAIL WAINWRIGHT

MICHAEL HEGARTY SR.

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 On Friday Mornings

MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 467, Berlin, Md. 21811

PHYSICAL ADDRESS: 10012 Old Ocean City Blvd. Berlin, Md. 21811

PHONE: 410-641-4561

FAX: 410-641-0966

ONLINE WEBSITES: mdcoastdispatch.com facebook.com/thedispatchoc twitter.com/thedispatchocmd instagram.com/thedispatchocmd

J. STEVEN GREEN

Publisher/Editor editor@mdcoastdispatch.com

NEWS DEPARTMENT

CHARLENE SHARPE

Staff Writer/Copy Editor csharpe@mdcoastdispatch.com

BETHANY HOOPER Staff Writer/Copy Editor bhooper@mdcoastdispatch.com

CHRIS PARYPA Photographer

SALES DEPARTMENT

TERRI FRENCH Account Executive Entertainment Editor terri@mdcoastdispatch.com

ART DEPARTMENT

COLE GIBSON Art Director cole@mdcoastdispatch.com

DAVID HOOKS

Graphic Artist dhooks@mdcoastdispatch.com

PAUL HALLAM

Graphic Artist/Webmaster phallam@mdcoastdispatch.com

BUSINESS OFFICE

PAMELA GREEN

Bookkeeper/Classifieds Manager classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com

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

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

How We See It

Ocean City Bus, Tram Fee Increases Justified

Though it never sits well with consumers to pay more, the concept of increasing user fees in Ocean City for the bus and Boardwalk tram makes sense. The majority of the cost to provide the customer service needs to be funded by the users.

Under review and ultimately receiving a favorable recommendation from the Ocean City Transportation Committee last week was a proposal from staff to increase the fares for the bus and trams to help offset rising expenses being felt with fuel and employment. The proposal will now go to the full Mayor and Council for adoption before the season at a future meeting.

The committee last week reviewed the increases. The all-day bus fare – the

first increase since 2011 – would jump 33% from $3 to $4. The change would bring in an additional $390,545 if ridership remains flat. The last time the rider fee was increased in 2011 ridership dropped 12%, but the chances are the decrease in volume will not be as pronounced because it remains a value in Ocean City.

The 25% tram increase would take the per-ride fee from $4 to $5, increasing revenues by about $95,000 under a flat ridership model.

Ocean City’s transportation system has been stressed in recent years because of the pandemic and related economic factors. The biggest issue remains a shortage of drivers, requiring the city to increase hourly pay significantly as

well as boosting incentives such as signing bonuses. Compounding the problem is the astronomical fuel prices that have stabilized but show no signs of returning to the lower prices under the former federal administration.

It will be an unpopular decision but increasing the bus and tram fees will largely impact tourists who expect to pay a reasonable rate for a service that’s rooted in convenience. Even with the proposed increases, the fees remain reasonable.

We think the council should move this recommendation forward to ease the gap between revenues and expenditures, while giving some consideration to sheltering locals from the brunt of the bus fare increase where possible.

Letters To The Editor

Remembering Shawn Soper

Editor:

The man in the little dark blue truck. Dependable. Genuine. Trustworthy. Built tough, but humble both the man, and his old Ford Ranger. He was the Cal Ripken Jr. of community journalism.

For more than two decades Shawn J. Soper roamed the Greater Worcester County area with pen and notepad in hand looking for the next big scoop, providing accurate and timely prose published each week in The Dispatch

I had the privilege of working with Shawn for several years as a staff writer at this very paper. Almost 20 years ago, a newbie to the newsroom, fresh out of college and still wet behind the ears, I was grateful for the opportunity to write for my hometown newspaper. I learned so much by watching Shawn’s work ethic and dedication to his craft, lessons that have remained with me throughout my professional, and personal life.

When I first heard of Shawn’s sudden passing last week, one of the first things that came to mind was his beat up little blue pick-up truck. When we were crossing paths on the beat or racing towards a hot lead something about the big man in that small truck was reassuring, comforting. No matter how early I arrived at The Dispatch offices for work each day, or how late I stayed in the evenings trying to impress the boss, that truck would often be the first one in the parking lot, and the last to leave at night.

No frills, no complaints, just show up and put in the work. I admired that about Shawn. He was the consummate professional. He will be sorely missed.

Jacob D. Cook Berlin

Respect For Soper

Editor:

I write to share with you the profound sorrow we feel at the National Aquarium over the untimely passing of Shawn Soper. I follow the news of the Eastern Shore avidly (mostly via The Dispatch), and hardly a week goes by that doesn’t include an informative, well-written and well-re-

searched article by Shawn. From our marine animal stranding team right up to my office, many of us, staff and volunteer alike, will miss his byline and his insights.

Personally, I have always looked forward to Shawn’s coverage of our work on marine animal strandings, rescues and releases. As Editor Steve Green noted in his touching eulogy, he was a professional, thorough reporter and a talented writer. His coverage was always balanced, meticulous and fair, demonstrating a deep understanding of the community that few could match.

Despite many trips to Ocean City through the years, I never found time to meet Shawn personally. Last fall, I asked a member of my staff to arrange such a meeting this spring. Now I deeply regret not having acted on that intention more promptly. I speak for all of us here when I say our hearts ache for Shawn’s family and friends at the loss of a good man; a loss that will be felt most acutely in Ocean City, but also in Baltimore, throughout Maryland and across the Mid-Atlantic region — and even more importantly, to the profession of journalism, which he made better by being the person he was. We won’t soon forget Shawn at the National Aquarium.

John Racanelli Baltimore

(The writer is the president/CEO of the National Aquarium.)

Honoring A Legacy

Editor:

It is with a heavy heart that I write this letter to honor the life and work of Shawn J. Soper, a news journalist for the Maryland Coast Dispatch. Shawn was a dear friend to many, including the firefighters and paramedics of the Ocean City Fire Department, and his passing has left a profound impact on our community.

As the President of the Ocean City Firefighters Union, I had the pleasure of working closely with Shawn over the years. He was a consummate professional, always committed to reporting the news accurately and in a way that would benefit the community. But more than that, he was a friend who genuinely cared about our work

and the impact we had on the people we served.

Shawn's passion for local news and his dedication to his craft were matched only by his commitment to the people he wrote about. He always took the time to understand exactly what we did, how we did it, and the benefits we brought to the community. His reporting was always fair, accurate, and highlighted the positive impact that all members of public safety had on the people of Ocean City.

It is a testament to Shawn's character that he was so well-regarded and respected by his peers and the community he served. His legacy as a journalist and community advocate will not be forgotten. We extend our deepest sympathies to his lovely wife Trish, his family, friends, and colleagues at the Maryland Coast Dispatch during this difficult time.

Rest in peace, Shawn. You will be dearly missed.

Ryan Whittington

Ocean City

(The writer is the president of the Ocean City Firefighters Union.)

A Great Loss For Many

Editor:

It was with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Shawn Soper.

I had the pleasure of serving as the City Manager for the Town of Ocean City for six years. As such I worked with Shawn a great deal as he covered most of our meetings. He was a man of the highest integrity, and his reporting was second to none. He was hard working, fair and accurate; if Shawn wrote it, you could believe it.

Shawn’s family, friends and co-workers have suffered a great loss. I would also say that the Ocean City community has lost a great professional reporter who strived to keep them informed of what their government was doing. He will be missed on all fronts.

Doug Miller Ocean City

Issues Need Full Evaluation

Editor:

Letters To The Editor

I'd like to applaud local, state, and federal officials for the recent impassioned pleas made on behalf of whale health uncertainties and how they might relate to offshore wind explorations. The immediate call for extensive and thorough study to determine the full range of impacts of these projects is to be commended. I was thrilled to know that so many local officials share a thirst for knowledge before action as this type of approach typically lends itself to sound data-driven decision-making that ensures we are always acting on behalf of science and evidentiary-based study. With such a logical, forward-thinking atmosphere established, I thought it might be a good time to make some suggestions to these officials for additional impassioned pleas we might as a community make to ensure we as a region are leading on local, state, and national issues by pausing to fully study such issues and make sure legislation is following the data wisely. In no particular order, I offer the following additional impassioned pleas to be adopted:

While we study the whale mortality related to offshore wind projects, let us also investigate more fully the offshore traffic and speed issues that NOAA most recently proposed to truly make sure these whales are protected to the full extent that we wish them to be, from wind farms and fisheries.

As we look to our surrounding waters and discuss the health of the ecosystems supported there, let us more fully study the impacts of our actions on the land and the pollution that we produce, where it comes from, what operations are contributing more, and how we might implore them to better protect our waters from the degraded runoff that they produce.

As we think about the land, the people that inhabit it, and the economies that take place on it, let us more fully study the use of temporary foreign worker visas in our communities in light of certain bordertightening, America-first attitudes. Let's study our role in these issues and how we might contribute to more sustainable local economies by producing more stable year-round employment opportunities where we live that could more fully support citizens or immigrants looking for a better life. Let's also review our local housing markets and practices to see if there are incentives that could contribute more to affordable year-round housing to support these jobs instead of a glut of residences vacant for the majority of the year.

As we move about our communities, let's fully study local transportation laws and infrastructure in relation to walkability, safety, and mixed modes of transportation. Let's conduct a focused investigation of ADA laws to ensure e-bikes really do need to be accommodated on the boardwalk. Let's look at all modes of transportation, study community wants and needs, and prescribe a holistic overhaul of how people move about our community, how they wish that to look like for shared positive and safe experiences, and how we can build our Cities in that vision for safety and enjoyment, not just for cars to move freely and unabated.

As we relate to one another and confront the good and the bad of coexistence, let's fully study the proliferation of gun-associated crime and violence instead of just accepting thoughts and prayers for

another mass-shooting while gun shop commercials play on our local TV stations and radio shows. If we want to fully understand why these occurrences are globally an American issue, we need to understand why they occur and provide sensible limits that can address them that do not infringe upon antiquated rights while offering common sense safety nets that are up-to-date with modern firearm technologies. Let's study this more fully. Why not?

These are just a few topics we face as a community and society today that really do deserve the full extent of attention and study to make sure we can improve things moving forward. With the data hungry atmosphere that I see in our local lawmakers, I am sure these impassioned pleas can be addressed as well while we look to data, science, and further study to really understand what the best solutions can be moving forward. I hope they will be taken as seriously as the impassioned pleas to halt offshore wind studies in deference to the whales that have been made as of late.

Thom Epps

Embrace Health Education

Editor:

Please consider sharing my opinion on the article “Commissioners Object To Proposed School Health Education Changes; Bertino: ‘This Is Abhorrent To All Of Us Who Live In Worcester County…” by Staff Writer Charlene Sharpe.

I am shocked at the responses I read in this article from our “leaders.” As a parent, I understand wanting choice, and believing that I should be my child’s teacherespecially about difficult or uncomfortable subject material. I also believe that the Maryland State Departments’ of Education and Health are a positive partnership to provide a framework and guidance for information that many may not be knowledgeable of or comfortable with. If you have a pre-kindergarten student, you may not want them to learn about subjects like gender identity. But if that child has a friend who has same sex parents- think of the opportunity it would provide to allow this child [in an age-appropriate way] to understand that some children have two dads. This education isn’t asking you to agree with material, simply provide grace and respect to allow for differences and understand them.

As for Mr. Bunting’s interesting description of what seventh graders will be learning. I’m pretty sure we all had sex education in middle school. And I’m pretty sure teaching children ways in which people engage in sex could prevent quite a few young people from making poor decisions based on what they learned from friends, instead of facts from reputable sources.

I think our commissioners should embrace health in a forward and open way that builds a bridge for parents, children and the school to grow and understand this extremely complicated world. Maybe, just maybe we’d decrease suicide rates among youth and decrease opioid use if we actually talked about difficult topics openly in a safe space. Or, maybe it's time for new leadership.

Mary Leonardi LaCasse Berlin

Between The Lines

by Publisher/Editor Steve Green

There was an interesting discussion on pending health curriculum legislation in Newark this week at the Worcester County Board of Education meeting, with comments made from parents, school administrators and elected school board members. It’s safe to say there are a broad range of opinions on what students should be taught in schools when it comes to sex education specifically. It seems, however, there is also much misinformation circulating about the subject.

House Bill 119, under consideration in Annapolis, would mandate all school systems to adopt a comprehensive health education framework for all public schools in Maryland. The rub is this curriculum has essentially already been in place in most counties, but the legislation just makes it law officially.

A bit of balance and perspective is needed on this discussion. Most of the specific concerns about the health education topics being addressed by bill opponents and supporters are already part of health education in local schools. As Annette Wallace, chief safety and academic officer for grades nine through 12, said this week, the bill “would codify what is already educational law.” In her presentation before the school board Tuesday, Tamara Mills, the school system’s coordinator of instruction, aimed to address a whirlwind of misinformation about the bill and what exactly is already being taught in school classrooms. Sweeping changes to health education were made back in 2019 by the state. In 2021, the state revised and approved the current health education framework being used in the school system. Mills said the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) COMAR then required whatever curriculum the school system chooses align to that framework. “Whether the bill is voted down or approved this is still the framework that COMAR requires us to teach, or our curriculum to align with, I should say,” Mills said. Mills admitted the heartburn over the proposed legislation is understandable to a degree because it’s confusing, stating it “would require” school systems to adopt curriculum. The reality is, “It’s been done since 2021. That’s already been done,” according to Mills. The basic premise behind the opposition from most local elected officials is the concept of the state once again dictating with a broad policy reach how each jurisdiction should teach its kids. This is understandable, but the beef is mistimed, and the bill is caught in the crosshairs too late. The bill is largely inconsequential. Nonetheless, I agree wholeheartedly with the concept of the state overstepping and trumping local rule. Former Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jon Andes, a current school board member and the county’s liaison to Maryland Association of Boards of Education, put it best when he said, “Curriculum decisions should be made by local boards of education, and we need as much flexibility as we can to implement the curriculum that makes sense for our students. What might work in Howard County or Baltimore County or Baltimore City may not work in Worcester County in delivering instruction.”

A call to action was made this week by the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce regarding Senate Bill 803 and House Bill 1256. The legislation provides a phase-out of the state’s tip credit and would mandate Maryland restaurants pay a minimum wage of $15/hour rather than the current $3.63/hour. The tip credit elimination has been targeted for years in Maryland and across the country but most restaurant operators and employees themselves do not support the change. It’s another example of government trying to fix something that is not broken.

The call to action involves an email campaign to legislators. The letter writing effort states, “the average server earns $27 an hour with their tips. And in the case that a tipped employee did not make enough tips to earn at least minimum wage, then the employer must make up the difference. Like all other employees, tipped employees are guaranteed by law to make at least minimum wage – so there is no such thing as a “subminimum wage”. … Servers want to be Servers because of the high earning potential, otherwise they would choose to work in other restaurant positions. Servers should not be forced to earn less money because lawmakers took their tips away. Act now and contact your legislators. Tell them that keeping the tip credit means keeping high paying Server jobs.”

A public hearing will be held March 2 on the legislation.

Incredible is the only way to describe the outpouring of love and support sent our way after the sudden passing of long-time staff member Shawn Soper last week. Shawn was widely revered and the volume of emails, texts, flowers and letters highlighted what a special person he was to many. It has been special to read all the comments and salutes.

Worcester County Commission President Chip Bertino took a moment before the commissioners’ meeting prayer to recognize Shawn’s work. His comments were much appreciated. He said, “those of us who read local journalism on a regular basis were saddened by the news of the passing of Shawn Soper of the Coast Dispatch. He practiced his craft well. He was objective. He was unbiased. He was truthful and he had a hell of a lot of integrity. It was a sad day and a tragic time for his family, his friends and colleagues at The Dispatch and all of us in this community. For those who have or still do work with a reporter’s notebook or labor over a deadline, Shawn Soper made the journalism profession in this community much better, and he will be missed. May he rest in peace.”

Puzzle Answers

by Steve Green

Life at home with 14- and 13year-old sons is a lot of things, the least of which is dull. Maybe your house is the same, depending on the age of the kids. The younger the kids are the more chaotic and busy the household. As the kids get older, it remains hectic, but the cerebral concerns take over as life becomes more complex and challenging.

It’s interesting to take a snapshot in time of life with the kids, and here’s a look at some of the current observations of Beckett, 14, and Carson, 13.

•Teens try to sound stupid when they speak.

As I sat in my truck last Saturday night waiting for a school dance to end, the language and ignorance I overhead from the kids walking past was ridiculous. Most of the kids I have known for years, and I was astounded by how uneducated they wanted to sound. The only comfort I found was I didn’t hear any of the foolishness from my kid, but I am guessing he, too, thinks it’s cool to speak in a way altogether different than how he has been raised and educated.

I asked Beckett about this observation later, and he said something along the lines of that’s just how kids work these days. I wondered why there would be any reason to intentionally speak in a poor way when all these kids knew better and were smarter than they seemed. He said they probably think it sounds cool and quickly changed the topic, “oh along those lines, got anything good to eat?”

This is how conversations with teens go it seems.

•Carson, 13, has found a new favorite show, The Simpsons. His mom, on the other hand, loathes the show. He gets a kick out of the fact she doesn’t like it. Therefore, whenever he is done watching television, he likes to leave it on the show for her. For example, before school each morning, he usually

has about 20 minutes or so to watch a show before school. When I tell him it’s time to get rolling, Carson usually leaves the television on an episode of The Simpsons. He oftentimes even pauses it on a part he knows his mom will not find appropriate or funny.

This week I turned him on to something else his mom does not enjoy. I encouraged him to turn on a sports talk show where middle-age former athletes sit around and discuss sports headlines. Poor Pam never knows what she’s going to walk into, but she can count on it being something she would never watch or turn on for herself.

The game gets played back on me as well, however, as the mother-andson team conspire to leave a home improvement show or the Home Shopping Network on for me whenever I am not in the room.

•Multiple times every day I see Beckett, 14, walking around the house with his shirt off looking at himself in mirrors. I notice he also is usually perspiring a bit as well.

Most of the time I don’t even bother digging into the why of what I am seeing. Other times the image is too much to pass up. A case in point would be one night this week when he randomly decided to take a shower and water was literally dripping down his back from his wet hair. He seemed to be looking at himself in the mirror to see what he looked like from behind dripping wet. It turns out he wanted to see what his back muscles would look like this summer getting out of the pool.

It’s February but okay. Vanity is starting to become a thing it seems.

•Two of Carson’s favorite things currently are salads and hooded sweatshirts.

On salads, all the credit for this goes to his mom. I would have never imagined Carson would dig salads because he’s not a huge vegetable guy. His brother never eats salads, and he would view

it as an extreme punishment if forced. For Carson, he really likes them and gets them as a side while out to eat.

After an eye appointment in Baltimore this week, we told him to order anything he wants off the menu at a restaurant in Kent Narrows. He pointed to a salad. When Pam asked him if he wanted anything on top of it, Carson pointed to grilled chicken. It was amazing, and he ate every single bite. He now views a big salad as a special treat. We have done something right on that front.

On hooded sweatshirts, there’s something about the weight and feel that brings him comfort. Some hoodies he will not wear and others – after he pulls out the drawstring – he loves to the point he doesn’t want to wear anything else.

I am worried about warm weather arriving. There’s something in his Autism brain that’s connected to wearing hoodies. In fact, on Thursday when it was expected to be a warm day, I told him a T-shirt is all he needs today. In an act of defiance, he put on a T-shirt with two heavy hooded sweatshirts over top. I could see at 6:31 a.m. this was going to be an issue, but I was hoping he would change his mind once he walked outside.

I have accepted there are times when his special needs win. The fact it was going to be a warm day seemed to trigger stubbornness. When we pulled into school, I asked him one more time about taking off the hooded sweatshirts. I was hoping he was shed at least one. He refused and I could see the fight was not going to be worth starting his day on the wrong foot. So, on a day when it was in the mid-70s, he wore two sweatshirts.

(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 36