March 12

March 12, 2021

Priceless

Serving Greater Delmarva Since 1984

www.mdcoastdispatch.com

Resort Prioritizes Future Projects

See Page 4 • Photo by Chris Parypa

Ocean Pines Fire Displaces Family

See Page 8 • Photo by OP Fire Department

Newest Resident: A foal is pictured being cleaned by its mother on Assateague Island last weekend.

Photo by Kim Johnson Photography

The Embers Is No More In Resort

See Page 21 • Photo by Chris Parypa

Cutest Pet Of The Month

March Beach Day: It was warm enough this week for some folks to enjoy some beach time in Ocean City.

Photos by Chris Parypa

The winner of last month’s Cutest Pet of the Month Contest was Tucker, a 1-yearold labradoodle owned by Jackie Rutkowski.

See Page 48 • Submitted Photo

Page 2

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SERVING DELMARVA FOR NEARLY 60 YEARS

March 12, 2021

March 12, 2021

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Page 3

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Ocean City Council Prioritizes Future Capital Projects

Page 4

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – The Ocean City Mayor and Council has narrowed the list of projects deemed critical in the pending capital improvement plan, while agreeing to jumpstart a major renovation of the Baltimore Avenue corridor.

Two weeks ago, Mayor and Council members submitted their own rankings on the vast list of projects included on the proposed capital improvement plan (CIP), and instructed staff, including several department heads, to make their own lists ranking the projects as either critical, very important, important, less important or for future consideration. On Tuesday, City Engineer Terry McGean presented the staff rankings and a comparison with the rankings provided by the Mayor and Council.

McGean explained eight department heads reviewed the list of projects in the proposed CIP and made their own rankings, which largely mirrored the priorities expressed by the Mayor and Council with a couple of exceptions. While the redevelopment of the Baltimore Avenue corridor was the top-ranked project in the CIP for the elected officials, staff ranked it “very important.”

“Staff prioritized taking care of something pressing we have now before adding something new,” said McGean.

“For the staff, for a project to be deemed

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critical, it would have to be funded for public safety reasons, repair failing critical public infrastructure or because the project is already in progress.”

After an hours-long debate, the council ultimately approved a list of projects deemed critical and to be funded in the upcoming fiscal year budget with a price tag of around $1.5 million. Those projects include continued street paving, replacing a section of the Chicago Avenue bulkhead near 4th Street, upgrading the communication system at the Public Safety Building, repairing the elevator at fire department headquarters, continued storm-drain cleaning, replacing the deck at Sunset Park and replacing the gym floor at Northside Park.

Ongoing canal dredging was also included in the short list with an asterisk.

The council agreed to revisit a $400,000 contribution to canal dredging next fall after the impacts of COVID on the general fund balance are realized. It is anticipated COVID impacts will result in budget shortfalls that could be made up by transferring fund balance. If the impacts are not as bad as anticipated, canal dredging could be added to the CIP short list next fall, bringing the total cost of “pay as you go” projects deemed critical to around $1.9 million.

As for Baltimore Avenue, the council continued to press for the reconstruction project from North Division to 15th streets, including undergrounding the

utilities and widening the sidewalks, to be deemed critical. The State Highway Administration (SHA) has been chomping at the bit to repave Baltimore Avenue and bring its sidewalks into Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, but thus far has deferred to the town’s desires for a major renovation of one of the main gateways into the resort marred by countless unsightly utility poles, signs and overhead wires.

The project comes with a steep price tag, however. McGean estimates the project will cost around $20 million, the lion’s share of which will be the undergrounding of the utilities. As such, Baltimore Avenue will likely be included in the town’s next major bond sale. However, on Tuesday, the council voted unanimously to form a resolution authorizing an initial $200,000 expenditure to pay for the various utility companies’ design work for undergrounding the utilities.

Under the plan, the town would be compensated for the $200,000 when the next bond sale is completed. Because of the steep price tag, McGean cautioned against ranking the Baltimore Avenue renovation too high on the CIP’s critical list.

“Baltimore Avenue is going to be paved by State Highway whether we do something or not,” he said. “It’s a $20 million project that would take up a huge part of our bond issuance and limit what

March 12, 2021

we can do with some of these other things.”

There are various sources of funding for projects on the CIP. For example, many are considered “pay as you go” and are paid for from fund balance. Other major projects, such as Baltimore Avenue, the downtown recreation complex, the midtown fire station and the storm-water outfall repairs, for example, can be funded through a bond sale and paid for over time. There are also various grants and other user-fee generated revenue to help pay for some projects in the CIP. The town’s stated policy is to maintain a fund balance at 15% of the general fund budget, but that figure has crept upward in recent years and now hovers over 20%, or about $23 million.

Assuming a contribution will have to be made to cover COVID-related shortfalls in the current fiscal year, that would still leave around $21 million in fund balance. At the stated goal of 15%, the fund balance would need to be around $13 million.

Councilman Tony DeLuca said he liked the plan for funding projects listed in the CIP, but wished Baltimore Avenue was moved further up the list. However, he understood that massive project would be funded through an eventual bond sale and not included as a “pay as you go” project.

SEE PAGE 44

March 12, 2021

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Page 5

Berlin Council Questions Mayor's Proposed Flat Tax Rate

Page 6

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – Council members questioned Mayor Zack Tyndall’s recommendation not to raise taxes this week in light of a projected deficit.

Tyndall on Monday proposed maintaining the town’s current tax rate of $.80 per $100 of assessed value for the coming fiscal year. Council members expressed concern regarding the rate and the associated general fund shortfall.

“I don’t know how this is possible,” Councilman Troy Purnell said of the $.80 rate.

At the first reading of the proposed tax rate Monday, Tyndall said he recommended keeping the rate the same as it was last year, or $.80. He added, however, that revenues were projected at $6.4 million while expenditures were es-

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timated at $6.5 million.

“At this present moment with those rough numbers coming in we do have about a $130,000 deficit between those two numbers,” Tyndall said. “Despite the roughly $130,000 shortfall I’m very confident that we can close that gap without having to increase the tax rate, without anyone being in jeopardy of losing their job and without cutting any of our critical services that we provide to the community.”

Tyndall said the pandemic had been hard on everyone.

“The last thing I would like us to do as a council or governing body is increase that tax rate and provide even more stress on some families and our residents that live in the community,” he said.

Purnell said he didn’t understand how Berlin could maintain the same tax rate

when the town had made significant cuts and held off on capital improvements for the past two years.

“After hearing from (auditing firm) PKS this year, how did you come up with 80 cents?” Purnell said. “I know there’s an awful lot of improvements that still need to be made.”

Tyndall said the projected deficit was partially due to proposed capital expenditures.

“We do have some capital items that are in this budget that have been requested by staff which are in part what’s getting us to that deficit that we’re in, but there’s also a little bit of room for some wiggling to be able to keep us in the confines of that tax rate, to be able to still make some of the investments we need to make,” Tyndall said.

Purnell said he hadn’t seen projections or figures yet.

March 12, 2021

“I’d love to see the facts you used to come up with those numbers if there’s any way you can share those with us,” he said.

Tyndall said he would but added that his meetings with department heads weren’t until later in the week.

“We have a draft of the budget already created that we could share with the council but … you’re going to have to know that’ is very much in its infancy,” he said.

Councilman Jack Orris asked why the council had to set the tax rate so early in the budget process. Finance Director Natalie Saleh said setting the rate early meant revenue projections could be done.

“Knowing the revenue for the general fund is helping us know what capital budget we can structure,” she said.

Councilman Jay Knerr asked Tyndall why he was suggesting maintaining the current rate when it didn’t come with a balanced budget.

“I do have to present a balanced budget to council but that does not have to be done at the time of the tax rate being set,” Tyndall replied.

Knerr went on to ask what the mayor was considering cutting from the proposed budget to eliminate the deficit, but Tyndall said it was too early to say since he hadn’t met with department heads yet.

Saleh said she recommended the town consider incremental tax increases so the council wouldn’t have to focus on making cuts every year.

“When the department heads projected and requested, they’ve been asked to ask for or plan only must have items,” she said. “The draft we have basically is not something where we are toying with ideas. It’s pretty much what’s needed.”

Councilman Dean Burrell asked if the department heads would have input on what items were cut from the budget.

“They’re going to be very integral in that,” Tyndall said. “That’s why I’m also not going to stand here and say we’re going to cut something without having the opportunity to first speak with our department heads.”

He added that he didn’t consider the proposed budget bare bones.

“I wouldn’t be presenting an 80-cent tax rate and keeping that constant if I did not know with some sense of confidence that we can achieve that goal while still making the investments we need to make,” he said.

Town Administrator Jeff Fleetwood said staff began working on the budget a month ago and would be reviewing departmental requests with Tyndall this week. He added needs, not wants, had been included in the spending plan.

“I firmly believe this is a bare bones request from the department heads,” he said.

He added that the tax rate being introduced was not locked in.

“If you at some point decide as a collective body that rate needs to go down or that needs to go up, that’s a decision you’ll have to make,” he said.

A public hearing on the tax rate is set for the March 22 council meeting.

March 12, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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Ocean Pines Home Destroyed In Fire

March 12, 2021

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

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OCEAN PINES – Community members are rallying to help a local family whose home was destroyed in a fire over the weekend.

Just after 7 a.m. on Saturday, the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department was alerted for a residential structure fire in the 100 block of Sandyhook Road.

At the time, Worcester Central advised that the caller stated, “There was a fire on their porch, and it was spreading to the house and that they had three babies inside,” according to a news release. The call was then disconnected.

Paramedics in route to a previously dispatched medical emergency advised that they could see smoke from Ocean Parkway, according to the release.

When Fire Chief Steve Grunewald arrived on the scene and established command, he advised there was heavy fire from the initial residence that had extended to the neighboring house and called for defensive operations. Contact was also made with the caller, who said all seven of their family members had safely evacuated the residence.

Crews from Engines 1101 and 1102 quickly established a water supply and placed multiple attack lines in service before entering each home with additional house lines and tools. In the house of the primary fire, crews were reportedly met with heavy smoke and fire conditions, while fire damage at the neighboring residence was confined to the exterior. With five attack lines in service, crews were able to extinguish the fire and remain on scene for an extended period of time.

It should be noted that one firefighter sustained injuries and was transported to Atlantic General Hospital, according to the release, but they have since been treated and released. The scene was turned over to the Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office for further investigation, and the Red Cross is actively working with the family that has been displaced.

“We know the fire started in the front of the house ...,” Grunewald said this week, though he declined to elaborate further. “Everybody from the house got out safely. One firefighter was injured, but he was treated and released and doing very well.”

In the meantime, a Go Fund Me page has been made to help the family.

As of Wednesday morning, more than $9,200 had been raised through the fundraising website.

“I spoke with the mother and with them losing everything, I just hope they are able to have a little stress lifted and can use the funds to help them start over because that’s really what they are doing,” said organizer Colby Phillips.

While she does not know the family, Phillips said she and community memSEE NEXT PAGE

… Community Stepping Up To Help Family Displaced By Weekend Fire March 12, 2021

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A home on Sandyhook Road is pictured as firefighters arrived on the scene last Saturday morning.

Photos courtesy of the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department

bers were able to help using social media.

“Last year when COVID hit I started a Facebook group called ‘Local Help for You Worcester County’ so people could reach out for their needs and others could step forward and help,” she said.

“I do not know the family, but I have a great outreach on social media and try whenever I can to use that to get the word out to help others. I have found that so many people want to help, but aren’t sure how so I try to take the lead on helping get those things moving.”

So far, Sweet Shack, Aunt Jenny’s Unique Creations, and the Ocean Pines Aquatics Team have stepped up to serve as drop-off locations for clothing items and needs, according to Phillips.

Firefighter Tracey Jones helped collect funds, in addition to the Go Fund Me page and Dot Waters, and the Ocean Pines Platform Group has donated more than $1,000 to help the family.

“I probably sound like a broken record because I say this so much, but this

community is awesome,” she said.

“Worcester County as a whole pulls together when there is a need or crisis. I have been witness to tons of times that people have stepped up to help their neighbor. Truly that’s what life is about, helping others.”

The Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department extended a thank you to neighboring departments who assisted in Saturday’s residential fire and covered its stations during the incident. Responding departments include Showell Volunteer Fire Department, Bishopville Volunteer Fire Department, Ocean City Fire Department, Berlin Fire Company, Selbyville Volunteer Fire Company, Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office and Ocean Pines Police.

“I want to give a huge thank you to our local firefighters,” Phillips added.

“They truly are our heroes. Plus the volunteers who help facilitate when there is a fire, directing traffic and making sure our firefighters are hydrated. We truly are blessed, overall, to live here.”

Firefighters from seven local companies responded to last weekend’s destructive fire.

Page 9

Assateague Island Welcomes Foal

Page 10

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

The newborn filly is pictured alongside 3-year-old mare Linda Rae’s Autumn Glory last week.

Photo by Kim Johnson Photography

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ASSATEAGUE – As if almost on cue with the arrival of March and suddenly warmer weather, a foal was born into the herd of wild horses on the Maryland side of Assateague Island last week.

While the results of November’s pregnancy tests on the eligible mares in the Maryland herd have not been released, one certainty is there will be at least one new addition this year. Early last Thursday morning, three-year-old mare Linda Rae’s Autumn Glory gave birth to an adorable filly and pictures of the new addition began circulating on social media this week.

Little else is known about the new foal and the areas in which her band frequents, and Assateague Island National Seashore staffers prefer it that way. Despite the temptation to visit and take pictures of the new foal, National Park Service officials are reminding residents and visitors everything is new to the foal and are reminded to keep a safe distance from the mare and her offspring.

As a rule of thumb, a safe distance is defined as around 40 feet, or roughly the length of a school bus. That distance is recommended for all of the wild horses on Assateague. However, because the foal is so young, the sch-

March 12, 2021

ool bus rule is particularly encouraged.

The new foal will learn to interact with the environment on the barrier island from other members of the band. During that time, a mare will be very protective of her foal and it is vitally important for their well-being that residents and visitors give them plenty of space.

The birth of the new foal last week comes as Assateague Island National Seashore officials continue the March census of the wild horse population on the Maryland side of the barrier island. The ideal range for the population is 80-100, but that figure has dropped into the 70-range in recent years for a variety of reasons including illness, old age, attrition and even some man-made causes.

Each November, Assateague Island National Seashore biologists conduct pregnancy tests on most of the mares in the Maryland herd to determine how many new foals are expected in the coming year and the results of those tests are not yet known.

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

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A New Book By Hunter “Bunk” Mann, The Author Of “Vanishing Ocean City” Available Online at www.vanishingoc.com

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OC’s Pension Investment Return Questioned, Explained

Page 12

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – After raising concerns about the return on the town’s pension plan investment portfolio in recent years, resort officials this week got a primer on how the process works.

Last year, a decidedly challenging financial year because of COVID-19, Ocean City was able to avoid going to the general fund to cover shortcomings in the combined employee pension funds through some creative financing.

However, concerns were raised on the return on the town’s investments in stocks, mutual funds and other assets which help fuel the pension funds.

Ocean City’s stated target goal for return on investment is 7%, but there have been years recently, especially during

the bustling pre-COVID economy, when the pension fund investments have fallen short of that goal. All in all, there have been years when the investments have exceeded the goal, but for the Mayor and Council, the years when the return falls short of the 7% mark raised concerns.

Last year, during the debate about how to reconcile the town’s contribution to the two pension funds, a general employee fund and a public safety fund, the return-on-investment issue was raised and the Mayor and Council questioned if it was time to shop around for a new investment counselor. On Tuesday, Morgan Stanley Senior Vice President and Senior Investment Counselor David Esham laid out the town’s investment policy and the layers of management that go into the investment strategy.

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It’s complicated to be sure, but in simplest terms, town employees invest in their own retirement pensions through contributions from their salaries over their years of service. The town also contributes to the pension funds each year to ensure the balances are stable enough and strong enough to support the level of funding needed to pay employee pensions over the long haul.

The town’s Pension Committee, or the trustees, make investments from the pension funds to ensure they grow at a rate needed to meet the demand. The pension committee makes assumptions based on market conditions and sets a goal for return on investments in the stock market, for example. That target return on investment rate is set at 7%.

Again, however, there have been years when the town’s pension fund invest-

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March 12, 2021

ments have fallen short of that goal.

Esham pointed out the 7% goal is an average over time and there would naturally be times when the investment returns fall short of the goal and times when they exceed the goal. He suggested the Mayor and Council take a broader look, rather then focusing on a single year, or even one quarter of a single year.

“It’s a set of guidelines the city and its pension trustees have put together,” he said. “We don’t want the market wagging your pension plan, and you don’t want to make emotional decisions either.”

Esham explained the layers involved in the town’s pension investment strategy including the pension committee, or trustees, the investment consultant, and, ultimately the investment managers.

“Together, they gather all of the information and make recommendations to the trustees, then the trustees report to the council,” he said. “In my experience, the town has taken an aggressive approach, but has also been prudent with the budget. It’s a fine line.”

As the town’s investment consultant, Morgan Stanley oversees the investment managers, which make the tough decisions on how to grow and diversify the town’s overall investment portfolio. The hiring and firing of investment managers is all performance-driven, said Esham.

“They determine how to build your portfolio and try to get to your 7% target with the last amount of risk,” he said.

“They try to find asset allocations that get you to that 7% with the least amount of volatility.”

During last year’s debate, some on the council questioned why the town’s investments often fell short of the 7% goal, when their own personal investments were doing so much better.

“The question we often hear is why isn’t this doing as well as my growth fund, or why isn’t this doing as well as the Standard and Poor’s 500?” Esham said. “The problem with these questions is we can’t assume the same amount of risk. We have a balanced portfolio and we don’t have that level of risk.”

Of course, having pension funds at a level of 100% is ideal, but it’s essentially a pipe dream. Instead, municipalities such as Ocean City attempt to nudge as close to that 100% mark as possible. The good news is, in recent years the town has been steadily in the 80% range and the percentage could go higher.

“My guess is we’ll be back in that 90% bucket,” said Esham. “We’re significantly better than most. Most municipalities are in the 70% range.”

Nonetheless, Councilman Mark Paddack continued to hold the consultant’s feet to the fire despite recent growth in the funds.

“You just said the public safety and general employee funds have grown by $50 million,” he said. “How much did we lose in the previous years? There have been times when you guys have never hit the 7% mark. That’s how we got to this point.”

March 12, 2021

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Page 13

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Berlin Park Listening Session Monday

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March 12, 2021

$500K Demolition Grant Not Received

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – Citizens can weigh in on the future of Heron Park Monday as the town considers selling a portion of the property.

The town will host a special listening session via Zoom on Monday to hear suggestions and view presentations regarding the 60-acre property. The meeting comes after the town was approached about selling certain sections of the former chicken processing plant. Town officials also learned this week the state had denied their $500,000 strategic demolition grant request. The funding was being sought to demolish decrepit structures on the properties, including the existing former poultry processing building.

“I am very interested to hear comments from the public regarding the possible sale of parcels 410 and 57 at Heron Park,” Mayor Zack Tyndall said. “The council has an important decision to make about this property’s future and the people in our community should have an opportunity to voice their opinion.”

The session, which is set for 6:30 p.m. March 15, can be accessed via the Zoom link on the agenda on the town’s website. The meeting will also be livestreamed on Facebook, though questions and comments will only be accepted via Zoom. After an introduction from the mayor, presentations will be made by those who have submitted them in advance.

Resident Tony Weeg will share his vision for reconfiguring the existing park parcels to allow the town to sell off some space but retain area that could be used for a skatepark as well as the natural section of the park. He believes the town could ensure a beneficial future use of the parcels to be sold if its gets plans and permitting for them done before transferring ownership.

Resident Ron Cascio plans to propose a similar idea. He’s not opposed to selling a portion of the park but believes the town needs to take a comprehensive look at the entire property first to deter-

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mine exactly which portions it could be beneficial to sell.

“I’m going to suggest that if we do sell that we consider not just lopping off an existing parcel but to first come up with a comprehensive master plan,” he said.

Other presentations on the agenda will come from Live Wire Media (Ann Hillyer and Brad Hoffman) and resident Marie Velong. Velong believes the town should sell portions of the park. She said improving the lots will take more money than the town has. She’s also very concerned about all the hazards on the former industrial site.

“Personally, I think the whole park should be sold, but I do understand the idea of preserving nature in the back parcel,” she said. “My objection to keeping that part is the same as the front parcels. Though the birds and animals adapt to the industrial nature of the land, no one has cleaned up those areas of the many pipes, cement slabs and construction debris that abound in the back part as should have been done before it was purchased for a park.”

Hillyer said she would be talking about a potential public/private partnership.

“For the first meeting our basic goal is to provide the town a vision of what Heron Park could be,” she said. “We believe that the park could provide a lot of different uses for town residents while beginning to generate revenue through concerts, concessions, etc. I doubt any of the ideas are new but I think our approach as a public/private partnership is new.”

Another individual expected to speak at the meeting is Mark Stevanus, operator of Heavy Metal Playground. Stevanus has been trying to set up a second location of his business, which lets people play with construction equipment, in Worcester County since last year.

Following the presentations, members of the public will have the opportunity to share their thoughts regarding the potential disposition of parcels 410 and 57.

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OC Council Approves Plan Extending Fire Apparatus Life

March 12, 2021

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – A plan to get more longevity out of the Ocean City Fire Department’s apparatus was approved this week along with a detail schematic on how to fund replacements in the longterm.

Last year, after a couple of unanticipated expenditures for fire department apparatus repairs, the Mayor and Council instructed Chief Richie Bowers and his staff to conduct a detailed study of the department’s fleet of apparatus and come up with a plan for how to replace it over the next few years. On Tuesday, Bowers presented the plan, which has been extended from five years to 10 to the Mayor and Council.

“Our leadership met last year to look at the plan,” he said. “That was something the council asked us to do. We made some significant adjustments in terms of the length of service for some of the apparatus. We had a five-year plan, but it extended it out to 10 years.”

For some of the larger vehicles, such as fire engines and tower trucks, Bowers said tough decisions were made about getting more life out of them.

“We made some decisions as an executive team to delay the purchase of engines and towers for an additional five years,” he said. “As a result, the engines will be replaced at 20 years instead of 15 years, and the towers will be replaced at 25 years instead of 20 years.”

There are some challenges with eking out more miles out of the older equipment.

“There are some concerns about the availability of parts, but I believe, based on conversations with my contacts in manufacturing, we can sustain this over that five to 10-year period at least,” he said. “We are also fortunate to have two great mechanics that are aggressive in getting the parts for the apparatus as they get older. There are other concerns about the possible impacts of the apparatus not having new safety components or new technology.”

Budget Manager Jennie Knapp laid out a finance plan to go along with the now-10-year fire apparatus replacement strategy. She said in a typical year, the town has been making a $400,000 contribution to the fire apparatus fund, but that number is expected to swell in the upcoming budget cycle.

“We looked at this and saw that would jump to $670,000 in fiscal year 2022,” she said. “That’s a big number, but I have two options. One option is to transfer some of that from this year, so we can bring that number down a little bit.”

Knapp said the annual county fire grant was about $53,000 over estimate and that could be transferred from the current fiscal year budget. In addition, the town also funded an elevator repair at fire headquarters at $170,000, and that project will not be completed in the current budget cycle.

The town did contract with an engineering consultant to determine whether

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Officials Pass Funding Approach

the elevator can be repaired or needs to be replaced at a cost of $15,000 and estimates are forthcoming. With the $53,000 from the county fire grant overage, and the $155,000 from the elevator repair allocation, the fiscal year 2021 contribution could be raised to $608,000.

Also under option one, in fiscal year 2022, the town would budget $461,000 instead of $400,000, with the $61,000 coming from the anticipated overage in the county fire grant. In fiscal years 2023 to 2025, the town’s contribution would increase gradually to $500,000, and to $550,000 in fiscal years 2026 to 2029.

Under option two, the same adjust-

ments from the current fiscal year would be made, bringing the total contribution in fiscal year 2021 to $608,000. In the upcoming budget cycle, the contribution would be $517,000.

“If we’re able to do that, we could smooth out our contribution in the next six fiscal years at $520,000,” said Knapp.

“Option two is my preference because we could have something to count on from fiscal year 2023 through fiscal year 2029.”

Councilman Lloyd Martin said he preferred option two and made a motion to approve the 10-year apparatus plan and its spending strategy.

Page 15

“I know last year you replaced three motors on apparatus and it was a good investment,” he said. “That seems to be working out well. Longevity of the equipment is something we always want to look at. Our fire department is very important to us and we don’t want anything out of service for a period of time.”

Councilman Tony DeLuca also supported option two and seconded Martin’s motion.

“I like the fact there are no additional costs initially for the town because it comes out of the grants,” he said. “It seems like there are no surprises with this plan. There is no sudden ‘we need an ambulance.’ It’s a well thought-out five- to 10-year plan.”

The council voted unanimously to approve the extended 10-year plan and the option two strategy for how to pay for it.

Berlin returning to In-person meetings this month

Page 16

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – The town’s boards and commissions will return to in-person meetings this week while the town council is set to resume meeting together March 22.

Elected officials agreed during a Zoom meeting this week to resume in-person meetings once they’d held the March 15 Heron Park listening session, which likely will exceed in-person attendance limits.

The council will hold the regularly scheduled March 22 meeting in person at town hall.

Debbie Bennington

“The sooner the better,” Councilman Troy Purnell said.

In November, the council began meeting via Zoom as COVID-19 rates were on the rise. With the positivity rate now below 5% in the state and county, Mayor Zack Tyndall asked the council to share their thoughts regarding resuming meeting in-person. He said one option was to resume live meetings at town hall with limited attendance, as the council did during the fall.

“With this option we'd switch away from being on Zoom and it’d go back to being Facebook streamed only,” he said.

The other option he suggested was to

March 12, 2021

continue with Zoom meetings through the budget process.

Council members said they did not mind returning to in-person meetings.

“I think if we have staff, public and boards and commissions in person I think the elected body should probably come back in person as well,” Councilman Jack Orris said.

Tyndall said he recommended resuming in-person meetings April 1 because the town had the Heron Park special meeting March 15. He said that would likely draw more than the 16 people physical distancing allowed in the audience in the council chambers.

“Logistically I think it's better to keep that Zoom,” he said.

When asked why the town couldn’t use Zoom to broadcast the entire room, staff said it would take specialized equipment the town didn’t have.

While Orris suggested returning to inperson meetings March 22, Councilmembers Dean Burrell and Shaneka Nichols said they didn’t mind waiting until April 1.

“For me the sooner the better,” Councilman Jay Knerr said. “I think we should be doing in-person.”

With Purnell’s agreement, it was decided that the council would meet in-person March 22.

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County Library Branches ‘Inching Toward Opening’

March 12, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 17

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STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – A discussion on branch reopenings and staff vaccinations highlighted a library board meeting this week.

On Tuesday, Library Director Jennifer Ranck told members of the Worcester County Library Board of Trustees that branches would soon reopen to the public. She said plans would be announced after an upcoming meeting with library staff.

“The Maryland courts are starting to come back and schools are back,” she said, “so we are on that same path.”

Ranck told board members this week branch managers met the last two weeks to finalize reopening plans. She said she wanted to consult with staff before making any announcements.

“It sounds like most people are ready to jump into it,” she said.

Ranck said the library would continue to offer a curbside pickup program once branches reopen but would not take appointments for meeting space, as the rooms would continue to be used for quarantining materials.

“I feel like we’ve done a great job at providing services during this very unusual time …,” she said, “but I know people are missing the flexibility of coming in without making an appointment.”

Ranck said plans for reopening come as the county reports improvements in its positivity and case rates.

“We are in really good shape in Worcester,” she said. “I think we are right there.”

When asked how many librarians had been vaccinated, Ranck estimated at least 30% of staff had received the COVID-19 vaccine.

“Anybody who’s been able to get the vaccine has gone forward with it …,” she said. “The county is trying to get their employees vaccinated, and we are grouped in with that.”

Board member Jeff Smith noted that while librarians may qualify to receive the vaccine, supply continued to be a challenge.

“Not all are successful in getting their vaccine under continuity of government …,” he said. “It’s about figuring a way to fit librarians into the system that currently exists, and having enough vaccines to get it.”

Ranck noted that staff are signing up for the county’s central waiting list. She added that the Ocean Pines branch was assisting the Worcester County Health Department by taking calls and adding people to the list.

“I can get an update and see where things stand with the county,” she said.

Ranck told board members more information on the library’s reopening would be announced at a later date.

In the meantime, she said, the library continues to offer appointments, virtual programs and to-go services for its patrons.

“We are inching toward opening,” she said.

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Page 18

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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SALISBURY – As hybrid in-person learning continues in Wicomico County, some parents are calling on school system leaders to have students return to the classroom full time.

More than 100 people attended a virtual school board meeting Tuesday, where parents of Wicomico County Public Schools (WCPS) students urged officials to return to traditional instruction.

“We’re pleading with you to open five days a week,” parent Andrew Hade said.

“That’s what we want. We won’t accept anything less than that. We’re not going to go away. Our kids deserve it.”

In February, Wicomico County students transitioned back to hybrid inperson learning – with two days of inperson instruction and two days of virtual learning – as part of the school system’s Return to School Action Plan.

But as school systems in surrounding counties return to full-time, in-person instruction, some WCPS parents urged officials this week to follow suit.

“We are at a point right now, between CDC guidelines and our local health department, to open our schools full time, five days a week,” parent Darren Lombardo said.

Parent Melissa Stover agreed. She pointed out that her son’s classroom had no more than five students in attendance during days of in-person instruction.

“If that few kids are participating in inperson learning, why aren’t we given the choice to go four days instead of just two? And when will we get to five days of instruction?” she said. “To this date, students have missed 23 days of instruction for the school year, and I know my child is not the only child in the county that has suffered academically, emotionally, physically and mentally.”

Parent Eden Hade, representing a countywide parent advocacy group, called for the school board to immediately release its reopening plan for the spring and fall semesters and to return students to school for five days of instruction. She argued virtual instruction did not work for students and working parents.

“They’ve witnessed WCPS schools remain closed, in spite of the millions of CARES dollars that were funneled into WCPS to help finance the safe reopening and recovery plans,” she said. “Virtual learning is, and continues to be, discriminatory against working parents who had to find childcare accommodations while they worked in industries that are open while schools remain closed.”

Hade, a high school educator, also urged school leaders to offer milestone events for this year’s graduating class.

She noted Gov. Larry Hogan’s recent announcement increasing capacity at indoor and outdoor venues made it possible to offer in-person activities.

“Today WCPS’s senior students and parents had a glimmer of hope for a chance at normalcy …,” she said. “Please give these seniors the remainder of their senior year. Please give these seniors their grand march, their senior proms, spectators at their games, Rock and Roll Revival, and in-person graduation, and all those things that left large voids in their young lives.”

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Donna Hanlin told community members this week two school systems – Worcester and Somerset – had returned to five days of in-person learning. But she noted that Wicomico was not yet ready to do the same.

“Believe me we want to be there,” she said, “but we are going to do it safely, and we are going to do it according to CDC guidelines.”

Hanlin noted the challenges of returning to five days of instruction in Wicomico, which she noted had a larger student population. Worcester County has about 6,650 students enrolled in public schools, while Somerset serves approximately 2,800 students.

“The reason Worcester and Somerset, and to some extent Garrett, has been able to do what they are doing with five days a week, doesn’t have to do with any additional planning or any harder work on their part. It has to do with their small enrollment, their small class sizes, and their larger classrooms,” she said. “We have 15,000 students in our system, and we have the responsibility to not only educate them but keep them safe. We fully recognize face-to-face learning is the optimal way for students to learn, and we want that to happen, but we just have to make sure we do it safely.”

Hanlin said the school system hopes to return to traditional learning in the fall, though officials are planning for all scenarios. She added that in-person graduation ceremonies would likely occur this spring, though plans for prom are still being discussed.

“With the governor’s new executive order, with 50% capacity whether it’s inside or outside, we are very confident we will hold traditional graduations this year,” she said. “We are finalizing whether that will be inside or outside … but we are considering all options because we still have the civic center reserved.”

March 12, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 19

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SNOW HILL – A property on Route 589 is moving closer to development following a vote by the Worcester County Planning Commission.

The commission last week voted 6-0 to reclassify the water and sewer planning area for a property on Route 589 north of Gum Point Road. The parcel, which had no planned service, is now designated for service within two years. The Worcester County Commissioners will soon be tasked with determining if the parcel should be added to the Ocean Pines Sanitary Service Area.

“The county commissioners will hold a public hearing and take action on the proposal,” said Jerry Barbierri, chair of the commission.

Attorney Hugh Cropper told the commission he was seeking the change in sewer designation and would also be pursuing an amendment to the county’s water and sewer plan that would move the property to the Ocean Pines Sanitary Service Area. He said there was adequate capacity in Ocean Pines to serve the property and that the land around was already in the Ocean Pines Sanitary Service Area.

“It’s really a left-out piece in a puzzle as you can see, all around it is in,” Cropper said.

He added that the property was al-

March 12, 2021

ready commercially zoned.

“This is a developable piece of property,” he said.

Bob Mitchell, the county’s director of environmental programs, said the project appeared to be consistent with existing zoning and the county’s comprehensive plan.

“This proposal, while expanding the original service area, does not require an expansion of water sewer treatment facilities,” he said.

Commission member Ken Church brought up the issue of allowing similar adjustments in other service areas, such as in West Ocean City. Mitchell said that wouldn’t be possible because there weren’t many EDUs (equivalent dwelling units) left in those areas.

“How much extra do you think you have (in Ocean Pines)?” Church said.

“Obviously that corridor is pretty populated.”

Mitchell said there were more than 100 EDUs available in the Ocean Pines Sanitary Service Area.

“Ocean Pines plant, the average flow is under a million gallons a day,” Mitchell said. “They have a 2.5 million gallon per day plant so they have adequate capacity.”

According to Mitchell the proposed commercial development on the 11.5acre site will consist of a restaurant, a car wash, office, retail and contractor shops.

March 12, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 21

The Embers No More:

It was the end of an era in Ocean City this week as Absolute Demolition began removing the building home to The Embers for decades. In January, the Taustin family announced plans to raze the structure and rebuild as a new entity for 2022. In 1985, the Embers Restaurant became an All-You-Can-Eat Seafood and Prime Rib Buffet, making it the first of its kind in Ocean City. “We are turning the page once again after a long and successful chapter in our history at the beach,” said Taustin Group CEO Cole Taustin. “The Embers will transform during this period, and all of us are very excited for you to see what is next.” The BLU Crabhouse & Raw Bar and Embers Island Miniature Golf will remain for this season.

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Lookout Lounge Latest Revitalization To 45th Street Village

Page 22

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

March 12, 2021

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

OCEAN CITY – A rooftop lounge featuring handcrafted cocktails, fine dining and bayside views is coming to midtown Ocean City.

Located at the 45th Street Village, 38.37°-75.07° Lookout Lounge is the newest addition to the 45th Street Taphouse.

With elevated food creations, drinks and views overlooking the bay, owner and operator Zev Sibony said Lookout Lounge will be the first outdoor fine-dining experience of its kind in Ocean City.

“At the end of the day, we want a fine-dining atmosphere,” he said. “We want something where – A. we can flex our culinary muscles and, B. we want to bring something to Ocean City that people haven’t really seen.”

Early last year, crews began construction on a second-floor, open-air lounge in the building formerly occupied by OC Steamers and OC Barbeque. The renovation included removing walls, installing a new roof and adding an exterior staircase, among many other things.

“It’s a complete refit of the space,” Sibony said. “We gutted everything.”

And while construction came to a halt at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sibony said crews are now back to work. Lookout Lounge is slated to open

Pictured, from left, with the elevated bayfront view from the new 38.37°-75.07° Lookout Lounge Village behind them are Executive Chef Joe Bianca, Owner/Operator Zev Sibony, General Manager Tammy Fultz.

Photo by Bethany Hooper

in late April, depending on weather conditions and construction schedules.

“This has been two-plus years in the making,” he said.

In addition to renovations, Sibony noted he has worked alongside Executive Chef Joe Bianca and Executive Sous Chefs RJ Stargel and Anthony Eppolite to create a menu featuring handcrafted cocktails, a robust wine list and unique food creations.

“The food that’s going to be coming out of this kitchen is something people

don’t see in Ocean City,” he added.

Menu items include charcuterie boards, beef Wellington bites, a deconstructed caprese featuring heirloom cherry tomato nectar pods, balsamic caviar, fresh mozzarella pearls and basil oil powder and a raw surf and turf featuring scallop ceviche, beef tartare and sourdough crackers. The lounge will also have a wood-fired oven for cooking pizzas, hot oysters, cacio e pepe, and brie with carbonated blueberries.

Everything on the menu is made from scratch, Sibony said, down to the syrups used for the restaurant’s signature cocktails.

“We’re going to be turning some heads,” he said. “We’re going to be using newer techniques to turn the food more into art … When food is your life, it already is an art. Now we just have to basically put our art on display for people to see.”

Sibony said the Lookout Lounge is designed to be the fine-dining portion of the Taphouse, adding to the vast array of eating experiences at the 45th Street property.

For more than a decade, the Sibony family has grown the Taphouse brand to include four locations in Ocean City.

And in recent years, they have trans-

formed the 45th Street Village into a one-stop destination for residents and visitors. What was once a shopping center has since been replaced by a multi-use site featuring a hotel, dining, a candy shop and mini golf.

“This is kind of like the last modification to home base,” Sibony said of the Lookout Lounge. “We’re going to continue to make the 45th Street Village be what it used to be. Everyone used to know it, 20 or 30 years ago, as this hub in Ocean City. Over the past decade, we’ve been working to revitalize this area …”

Sibony said Lookout Lounge will open daily for dinner, April through October. For more information, visit www.octaphouses.com or the “38.37-75.07 Lookout Lounge” Facebook page. All Taphouse locations will also be open for the summer season.

“For the past nine summers we’ve made a good name for ourselves in town at the Taphouse, and I think the people in town are craving something a little different,” he said. “I feel as time has progressed, people coming to town are willing to go and spend the money on a great meal if the food is worth it … and I know we can provide the right atmosphere, the right service and definitely the right food.”

March 12, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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Loaded Handgun, Drugs Seized OCEAN CITY – A Virginia man was arrested on various charges last weekend after being found in the downtown area with a loaded handgun, which he reportedly claimed he was using for the creation of a rap video on the Boardwalk.

Around 8:10 p.m. last Sunday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer patrolling in the area of Somerset Street and Baltimore Avenue observed four males and a female gathered around a vehicle. One of the males, later identified as Eddie Davila, 25, of Cape Charles, Va., was consuming alcohol from a bottle of wine, according to police reports. The female in the group also was observed urinating in a parking lot.

Two OCPD officers approached the group, which, by now, had crossed Baltimore Avenue. According to police reports, the group became hostile by screaming at the officers and failing to obey simple orders. Davila, for example, was asked to sit down on the curb, but reportedly refused.

Cops & Courts The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Davila reportedly began to reach under his coat and the officers told him to stop. Davila reportedly told the officers he was only retrieving a bottle and produced an open bottle of wine. When Davila continued to refuse to sit down and remained uncooperative, he was detained in handcuffs and was placed under arrest.

According to police reports, Davila told the officers he had a handgun and the officers retrieved a Glock 9mm handgun from Davila’s waistband. There was no round chambered, but the handgun was loaded with a magazine containing

10 rounds. There was also an identical magazine containing 10 rounds in his pocket, according to police reports.

A further search of Davila also produced two plastic zipper baggies, one of which contained the remnants of a substance and the other contained a tablet strip with Xanax written on it.

During the trip to police headquarters, Davila reportedly told officers he knew he should not have brought the handgun from Virginia into Maryland, and that he was using it for the creation of a rap music video on the Boardwalk, according to

March 12, 2021 police reports. Other members of the group all stated they were about to film a rap music video prior to being stopped and the officers only stopped them to stop the creation of the video, an assertion the officers denied.

Another Loaded Gun Arrest OCEAN CITY – A District Heights, Md., man was arrested on weapons charges last week after a loaded handgun was found during a traffic stop.

Around 8:20 p.m. last Wednesday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle stopped in front of a hotel at 25th Street, which was in the travel lane and blocking the hotel’s driveway. The driver approached and reportedly observed the front seat passenger, later identified as Brian Redding, 35, of District Heights, Md., sitting extremely still with his hands in his lap, while refusing to make eye contact with the officer.

The driver reportedly asked Redding to open the glove box and retrieve the vehicle’s registration for the officer, but Redding struggled to open the glove box.

He finally opened the glove box carefully and very slowly and meticulously moved items around. When the initial officer went back to his vehicle to complete the traffic stop, another officer on the scene yelled “gun” and drew her service revolver. The initial officer also drew his weapon.

The officers retrieved a .38 caliber handgun from the pocket attached to the rear of the front passenger seat.

The handgun was fully loaded with five rounds, including one round in the chamber ready to fire, according to police reports. Redding was taken into custody and refused to speak with police without an attorney, but then freely admitted the gun was his and did not belong to his aunt, who was driving the vehicle. He was arrested and charged with illegal possession of a handgun.

Cab Driver Assault OCEAN CITY – A Pasadena, Md., man was arrested on assault charges last weekend after allegedly attacking a cab driver while the taxi was in motion.

Around 7:45 p.m. last Saturday, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers were dispatched to the area of 45th Street for a reported assault on a taxi cab driver.

Upon arrival, officers reportedly observed the taxi driver standing outside his parked vehicle and yelling at the passenger to stay inside.

According to police reports, the passenger, later identified as Raymond Welzel, 47, of Pasadena, was screaming at the driver and threatening him. Welzel was reportedly clenching his fists and raising them at the driver, who was shielding behind the officer to avoid being assaulted. The driver had reportedly called Ocean City Communications because he was being assaulted prior to the officer’s arrival. According to police reports, prior to the officer’s arrival, the driver was transporting Welzel from a downtown bar back to his hotel.

The driver reportedly told police Welzel randomly attacked him and punched him in the side of the head while he was driving the cab. The driver told police Welzel continued to punch him as he drove the cab and he was able to push Welzel off of him, stop the cab and get out to call the police. Welzel was placed SEE NEXT PAGE

... Cops & Courts

March 12, 2021

under arrest for second-degree assault and disorderly conduct.

Traffic Stop Leads To Drugs OCEAN CITY – An Ocean City man was arrested on drug possession charges last week after a routine traffic stop for equipment violations.

Around 10:45 a.m. last Thursday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer was patrolling in the area of 123rd Street when he observed a vehicle with its suspension lowered and its wheels cambered. According to police reports, the officer heard an overly loud noise from the vehicle’s exhaust system, which had been altered, as it accelerated and drove south.

The officer stopped the vehicle at 116th Street and identified the driver as Corey Van Keuren, 35, of Ocean City. Van Keuren reportedly told the officer he did not have his driver’s license on him and told the officer his Hawaii driver’s license was suspended in 2019. The officer at least 10 times attempted to verify identification and its variations and was unable to find a record of Van Keuren’s Hawaii driver’s license or a Maryland identification card.

Van Keuren had stopped in a tow-away zone and the registered owner was not present, so the officer had the vehicle towed. During an inventory of the vehicle’s contents before it was towed, a black backpack was found in the trunk. In the top exterior zipper pouch, OCPD officers found hard case for glasses. Inside the case, officers located a broken glass

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch smoking pipe, one cut portion of an orange straw, and one cut portion of a green straw.

Officers also located four small ziplocked baggies. The straws and the baggies reportedly contained powder cocaine residue and there was burned cocaine residue in the bowl portion of the glass smoking pipe, according to police reports.

In the glove box, officers reportedly found a blue bottle with a dark object inside it, but did not open the bottle at the scene.

Van Keuren reportedly told to officers the bottle belonged to his girlfriend, who was also the registered owner of the vehicle. OCPD officers transported Van Keuren to the Public Safety Building and contacted his girlfriend via phone. The girlfriend reportedly told police she was his girlfriend and that he drove the vehicle regularly. The girlfriend confirmed the backpack in the trunk belonged to Van Keuren as did the bottle found in the glove compartment.

OCPD officers opened the pill bottle and found a large chunk of crystallized methamphetamine. There was also a glass smoking device concealed in a sock inside the bottle. Van Keuren was charged with possession of cocaine, possession of methamphetamine and possession of paraphernalia.

Probation For Weed, Weapon OCEAN CITY – A Nottingham, Md., man arrested in December on marijuana possession and weapons charges after a routine traffic stop pleaded guilty this week to possession of a spring-assisted knife and was placed on probation for one year.

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City Police Department (OCPD) officer pulled over a vehicle on Philadelphia Avenue at 22nd Street for a routine traffic stop. While speaking with the driver, the officer detected a strong odor of raw marijuana coming from the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

In the back seat, the officer observed a male occupant of the vehicle later identified as Corey Wright, 18, of Nottingham, Md., holding a backpack between his legs. The officer had all of the occupants exit the vehicle and began a search for the source of the raw marijuana odor.

In the backpack, the officer located a sealed bag containing roughly 20 grams of marijuana, according to police reports.

The officer also located four cylindrical containers of various sizes, one of which contained roughly 10 grams of marijuana, another with about 12 grams and yet an-

other with 16 grams. All in all, the officer located roughly 57 grams of raw marijuana.

The officer also located two metal grinders, a smoking bowl and a scale, according to police reports. The officer also located a switchblade-style knife in the backpack that had been between Wright’s legs.

When interviewed, Wright reportedly told the officer the marijuana was for personal use. When asked if he shared it with the other occupants of the vehicle, he replied “No, it’s just for me,” according to police reports. When asked where he bought the marijuana, Wright reportedly told the officer he bought it in Baltimore.

When asked if he remembered how much marijuana he was carrying, Wright reportedly said, “Ha, a lot. I don’t know, about 28 grams.”

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Public Works Campus Ribbon Cutting Set

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

March 12, 2021

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

Ocean City Public Works Director Hal Adkins led a tour this week of the city’s new public works campus.

Photo by Shawn Soper

OCEAN CITY – Resort officials this week got their first look at the town’s new state-of-the-art, $25 million public works campus at 65th Street with a walking tour in advance of next week’s formal ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Following Tuesday’s Transportation Committee meeting, Public Works Director Hal Adkins led a thorough walking tour of the new facility on the bayside roughly between 64th and 65th streets adjacent to the Public Safety Building. Adkins and the public works department have been working for a decade on the plan to substantially expand and upgrade the midtown campus, the centerpiece of which is the hub for the transit department.

After roughly a decade, the public works department has recently started to move into its new digs and the complex was a hub of activity on Tuesday morning. The project came with an estimated price tag of around $25 million, of which the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) was on the hook for about $14 million, with the town responsible for the remaining $11 million, although there were some change orders and other adjustments along the way.

What was not included, however, was the multi-story parking garage on a parcel just to the north of the Public Safety Building. The garage would have supplied parking to the many employees at the complex with an air bridge connecting along with a midtown helipad. When the bids for that portion came in much higher than anticipated, the portion of the project was scrapped, but could be added at a later date.

Otherwise, the midtown public works campus will house the town’s entire bus system. There is an entry area where municipal buses returning from their shifts can be cleaned and serviced and the money collected deposited in a secure area. From there the buses will move into a vast garage roughly an acre in size where they will be lined up for future deployment.

There is also a huge garage for the town’s buses, police cars, public works vehicles, trash trucks and other vehicles for repairs. The vast complex also includes satellite areas for the police department, a midtown location for the beach patrol, an area for emergency services and other departments. It also includes a holding area for use by the Department of Juvenile Services for juveniles who find themselves in trouble and cannot be mixed with the adult population in the cell areas of the Public Safety Building.

An official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new facility is scheduled for next week with Governor Larry Hogan, highranking state transportation officials and local officials expected to be in attendance.

March 12, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Wicomico Will Open Schools After Labor Day

March 12, 2021

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

Cabin Fever Release:

With sunny skies and warm temperatures, there were plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors this week, including some play time on the beach in Ocean City for this family.

Photo by Chris Parypa

SALISBURY – School officials this week approved a post-Labor Day calendar for the 2021-2022 academic year.

In a virtual meeting on Tuesday, the Wicomico County Board of Education approved on second reading the 20212022 school calendar, which features a start date of Sept. 7 and an end date of June 14.

Assistant Superintendent of Student and Family Services Kim Miles told board members this week the recommendation for a post-Labor Day start reflected the results of a school calendar survey, which was posted on the school system’s website.

The adopted school calendar includes a winter break from Dec. 23 through Jan. 2, a spring break from April 14-18 and inclement weather makeup days of Dec. 20, April 14 and June 15.

“We did previously submit a preLabor Day calendar and a post-Labor Day calendar,” she said. “We opened up public comments, receiving over 970 responses, and 76% of the respondents preferred the post-Labor Day calendar we have presented for adoption by our board this evening.”

Last month, Miles presented the school board with both a post-Labor Day calendar and pre-Labor Day calendar for the next school year. The first calendar featured a post-Labor Day start of Sept. 7 and an end date of June 14, while the second calendar featured a pre-Labor Day start of Aug. 30 and an end date of June 8.

In addition to the start and end dates, the two calendars varied in the timing of professional days.

“The changes that are noted in relation to ending dates for marking terms will be the professional days that follow those end term dates,” Miles said at the time. “Another change from the past is our professional days following a marking term will be planned at this point as virtual learning in the morning with professional development in the afternoon.

We believe there is great benefit for students and for staff. It’s definitely a time saver.”

The board this week also approved a revision to the 2020-2021 school calendar.

“The change that is made here is relevant to April 9 …,” Miles said. “Previously, part of the day was instruction and part of the day was a professional day. We are going to transition to making that a full day of instruction, and we will have time on April 7 for professional day activities.”

March 12, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 29

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Governor Eases Capacity Limits

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Gov. Larry Hogan’s lifting of certain COVID-related restrictions this week is welcome news, but many of the measures, including mask requirements and social distancing mandates, remain in place.

There is little doubt Hogan’s announcement regarding the easing of certain COVID-19 restrictions on capacity for restaurants, retail stores and gyms and post-travel measures is welcome news for many businesses that continue to struggle during the pandemic. About this same week last year, Hogan directed businesses to shutter for the most part and implemented stay-at-home orders for most Marylanders.

Over the many months since, despite a few peaks and valleys along the way in key COVID health metrics in Maryland, the state has been on a slow, but steady, pace to recovery.

The pace quickened somewhat this week with the governor’s easing of more restrictions, but other key requirements including the wearing of masks and the crucial six-foot social distancing remain in place.

Key among the announcements made by the governor this week effective at 5 p.m. on Friday is the lifting of the 50% capacity limits on indoor and outdoor dining at restaurants and bars, retail businesses, religious facilities, fitness centers, casinos, personal services and recreational establishments, for example. However, masking, physical distancing and distanced service only will remain in place.

Restaurants and bars will be able to allow seating at adjacent booths as long as a physical barrier separates them and prevents individuals from any physical contact. Tables must continue to be spaced six feet apart, but the capacity limit for a household or a group seated together will be increased from six to 10. There will still be no standing or crowding allowed in restaurants and bars and masks will continue to be required until seated, for example.

Capacity limitations for retail establishments and other businesses will be lifted, but the wearing of masks and social distancing must continue to be observed. Large outdoor and indoor venues, such as theaters, concert, convention and wedding venues, for example, may begin operating at 50%, but again, social distancing must be observed and masks will continue to be required.

Hogan said on Tuesday the continued decline in the state’s key COVID health metrics, combined with a slow, but steady vaccination rate in Maryland, have made taking the next step in the recovery plan possible.

“With the pace of vaccinations rap-

March 12, 2021

idly rising and our health metrics steadily improving, the lifting of these restrictions is a prudent, positive step in the right direction and an important part of our economic recovery,” he said. “These steps are made possible because of Marylanders wearing masks, washing their hands, keeping their distance and following the public health advice, and because our businesses have carefully followed safe reopening practices and public health guidelines in order to keep their employees and customers safe.”

Hogan cautioned despite the easing of some of the restrictions, the crisis is far from over.

“After over a year with grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, each day brings us closer to seeing a light at the end of this very long tunnel,” he said. “The critical mission to stamp out this pandemic is far from over.

However, all of our vaccine programs along with all of our sustained positive improvements have enabled us to be able today to take these significant steps to further ease more of the mitigation measures currently in place.”

For those reasons, the governor urged Marylanders to continue to observe health safety practices.

“The sun is shining, spring is coming and the weather is getting warmer,” he said. “I want to make clear this virus is still with us and it continues to remain important to take precautions to stay safe.”

The irony of the timing of Tuesday’s announcements was not lost on the governor. Last year, with state COVID numbers soaring, Hogan, after a weekend of reveling in St. Patrick’s Day celebrations around the state, and the day before the actual holiday, issued the first of many restrictions including the shuttering of businesses and stay-at-home orders.

“Over the last few weeks as we marked one year of grappling with this deadly virus, many of us have been recalling our ‘lasts,’” he said.

“The last time we ate inside at a restaurant, the last time we celebrated a big occasion with family and friends, the last time we went to a ballgame, the last time we took a family vacation. In the weeks and months ahead, with continued vigilance, together we can instead begin to mark new firsts.

Everything won’t look exactly the same yet and we need to continue to do the things that keep us safe, but there can be no doubt that we are closer to the light at the end of that tunnel and a return to some sense of normalcy in our lives.”

When graduation season near, Hogan was asked by a reporter if schools should make typical plans this spring.

“I think as long as we follow all the health advice and we do masking and distancing, then we should be able to get back to some of those normal things in life,” said Hogan.

Berlin Historic Commission Approvals

March 12, 2021

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – The Berlin Historic District Commission approved signs for new shops, the addition of a flower cart to Bay Street and extensive renovations to a well-known Main Street home this week.

Highlighting the meeting was discussion of the renovation of the 19th century home at 200 South Main St. Commission members praised efforts to refurbish the home.

“It needed some love and care,” commission member Mary Moore said of the house, which was built in 1893.

Homeowner Glenn Davis told the commission he and his wife were pursuing the renovation after exploring the history of the Queen Anne style home.

Beachwood Inc.’s Robert Purcell presented examples of the windows, shingles and railings proposed to replace those that were being removed. He said the work was proving more extensive than expected.

“We’re finding stuff we have to fix along the way,” he said. “You open up a ceiling, rot. You open up a floor, rot.”

Commission member Laura Stearns questioned the columns proposed for the house, which differed from what had been there.

“That’s going to change the look of the house,” she said.

Davis agreed but said the square columns had been selected because

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

they had a more substantial look.

“The square columns I think are more appealing in it mirrors that same angular look the house already has,” he said.

Carol Rose, chair of the commission, encouraged Davis to contact the planning department if any changes were needed as the project went forward.

“We’re very willing to work with you,” she said, offering praise for the project.

“This is huge. I’m excited.”

The commission on Wednesday also approved signs for two new shops, the Rusty Anchor Seafood Market, to be located at 8 Pitts St., and the Mermaid Museum, to be located above Dream Weaver. Plans for a flower cart on Bay Street, where the old PNC Bank drive thru was, were also approved. Applicant Hunter Smith said she essentially wanted to put a farm stand in the drive thru space.

“It’s more of a mobile retail space,” she said, adding that it would sell flowers and produce.

Moore said she loved the idea of bringing greenery downtown.

“It gives you the vision of a little park,” she said.

Rose also expressed excitement for the concept, which she compared to a French flower mart.

“I think it’s ideal for that location,” she said.

Smith added that in an effort not to compete with the town’s popular farmers market, she would only be open in the afternoon on Sundays.

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A major reconstruction of the home at the corner of Main and Washington streets is currently underway.

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Whether A Bowl Or Wrap, ‘Fresh And Delicious’ Is The Goal

Page 32

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

March 12, 2021

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

OCEAN CITY – A healthier alternative to fast food.

It’s what brothers Jason and Stephen Pappas say makes their new carryout business, Pack Da Bowl, unique.

“We’ve lived here our while lives, but up in north Ocean City the past four or five years,” Jason said. “There’s just not many great places to get something quick and healthy … We had this space that hasn’t been used since COVID last year. We decided let’s do it, let’s make it ourselves.”

Located at 116th Street, Pack Da Bowl is the newest addition to Ocean City’s Oyster Bay shopping village. The carryout restaurant features handcrafted salads and grain bowls, served in either a bowl or wrap.

“It’s fresh and delicious,” Stephen said.

Menu items include a chimichurri steak grain bowl with white rice, chimichurri marinated steak, edamame, sautéed peppers and onions goat cheese and chimichurri sauce, street corn salad with power slaw, quinoa,

Pack Da Bowl proprietors Jason and Stephen Pappas are pictured inside their new business located in north Ocean City.

Photo by Bethany Hooper

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“The menu is a small, compact, fast menu,” Jason said. “There are 10 signature items. Five are grain bowls and five are salad bases.”

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The owners noted that Pack Da Bowl offers menu items for everyone, including vegan, gluten-free and diabeticfriendly options.

The carryout restaurant is also partnering with two women-owned businesses. In addition to its bowls and wraps, Pack Da Bowl is also selling Crunchy Hydration’s sparking CBD herbal water and Real Raw Organics’ kombucha.

“It’s easy because people can either walk in or order online …,” Stephen said. “They can grab their snacks and drinks while we bag their food and take it all to go.”

Jason and Stephen encouraged everyone to try Pack Da Bowl.

For more information, or for employment opportunities, visit packdabowl.square.site or Pack Da Bowl’s Facebook or Instagram accounts.

Pack Da Bowl is currently open Thursday through Sunday. However, the owners say they are looking to expand hours of operation in the near future.

“We’ll be open year-round, at least on the weekends …,” Jason added.

“We don’t want it to be just a summertime place. We also want to serve the people that live here.”

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200-Foot Barge Sunk To Grow Offshore Artificial Reef System

March 12, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Against the backdrop of crystal blue skies and clean, clear water, Ocean City Reef Foundation crews on Wednesday sunk a 200foot barge loaded with concrete pipes about nine miles off the resort coast.

After months of preparation and planning, the Ocean City Reef Foundation (OCRF) on Wednesday afternoon sunk the barge, which began its trip to its final destination on Monday from Curtis Bay in Baltimore. The 200-foot hopper barge was previously in the service of McLean Marine Contracting. It was generously donated to the OCRF by Dan and Laura Crocker of Sage Financial, although many of the foundation’s contributors pitched in on what was an expensive project.

The barge was towed from Curtis Bay on Monday through the C&D Canal and to Ocean City, where it arrived on Wednesday. It was loaded with 220 tons of concrete pipe, which will crust over and create a great addition to the Bass Grounds and the growing artificial reef system off the coast of Ocean City.

OCRF crews anchored the barge a-

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bout nine miles offshore with four 100pound anchors. It put up a good fight for a while, but the ocean started washing over her around 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday. Shortly after 4 p.m., the barge succumbed to the ocean floor after being filled by Maryland Coast Towing’s pumps.

For the last 20 years, the Ocean City Reef Foundation has been steadily expanding the artificial reef system off the coast of the resort with eight sites ranging from as close to shore as one mile to as far as 20 miles. In that span, the foundation has submerged tons of pieces of material, from old boats to retired military equipment to discarded construction material, enhancing habitat for fish and other sea creatures, which, in turn, has improved offshore fishing for recreational anglers and created new opportunities for diving enthusiasts.

Among the foundation’s larger projects was the acquisition and subsequent sinking of dozens of retired New York City subway cars in 2008. Throughout the year, the foundation continues to add tons of new material to the growing artificial reef network off Ocean City’s coast.

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

March 12, 2021

News In Photos

At their meeting Tuesday, the Worcester County Commissioners presented a proclamation recognizing March as Professional Social Work Month to, front from left, Sandy Kerrigan and Mike Trader of the Health Department and Adult Services Supervisor Monica Martin and Tammy Jones, Acting Assistant Director of Services for the Department of Social Services (DSS). The proclamation was intended to honor social workers for striving to improve lives locally.

The Ocean City Lions Club joined Hope4Recovery in supporting the Worcester Goes Purple Shoe Campaign. More than 100 bags were filled with donated shoes.

Funds collected will help individuals get into recovery, reduce the stigma of addiction and educate the public. Pictured, front from left, are Ocean City Lions President Mike Hooper, 2nd Vice President Bill Christmas, Director Doug Parks, Sam Davis, Barbara McMillan and Secretary Steve McMillan; and, back, WGP Against Addiction Director Debbie Smullen, Hope4Recovery Executive Director Brandon O'Brien, Hope 4 Recovery founder Tish Ottey and OC Lions Past President John Topfer.

Submitted Photos

The Republican Women of Worcester County recently held its general meeting last month at The Dunes Manor, Ocean City. Pictured, from left, are RWWC First Vice President Sandy Zitzer, guest speaker Delaware GOP Director Jane Brady and guest Sheriff Matt Crisafulli.

The Worcester County Commissioners presented a proclamation this week recognizing March as Women’s History Month to members of the Commission for Women (CFW), honoring the contributions of these and other exemplary women to the economic, cultural and social well-being of Worcester County.

Those pictured include, front from left, Terri Shockley, Co-Chair Liz Mumford, and Kim List; and Commissioners Chip Bertino, Jim Bunting, Josh Nordstrom, Joe Mitrecic, Ted Elder, Bud Church and Diana Purnell.

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More Boardwalk Bike Time Proposed

March 12, 2021

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – A later start time for the Boardwalk tram this summer will, in turn, add a little more time for bikes, resort officials decided this week.

During Tuesday’s Transportation Committee meeting, moving back the daily start time for the Boardwalk tram was discussed. Last year, because of COVID, the tram did not operate. This year, it will return to normal operations on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend. Through text messages and emails, Mayor Rick Meehan suggested moving the daily start time back to noon, according to Public Works Director Hal Adkins.

“The mayor desires changing the deployment schedule to start to the trams at noon,” he said. “We don’t track revenue on an hourly basis, but in consultation with the senior staff, we don’t make enough revenue from 11 a.m. to noon to cover the operating expenses.”

The committee agreed to recommend the noon start time for the trams, with a few exceptions. On certain special event weekends, the tram operation will begin at 10 a.m. because of the demand, according to Adkins.

“On Springfest and Sunfest, he still suggests starting at 10 a.m.,” he said.

“Any special events that are Boardwalk or beach-related, we should start at 10 a.m. There is more ridership during those events, and probably the air show.”

In a typical year, the trams start running at 11 a.m. and bicycles are supposed to be off the Boardwalk by 11 a.m. The transition can often be challenging with the trams interacting with bikes still on the Boardwalk. Adkins suggested a noon start time for the trams could ease that transition.

“That’s what the bike rules currently say,” he said. “All summer, they’re supposed to be off the Boardwalk by 11 a.m. You may want to allow the bikes to stay out there until noon, or you might want to have that one-hour transition time.”

Councilman Tony DeLuca said he often rides his bicycle on the Boardwalk and the mid-morning transition time creates challenges.

“I’m out there often,” he said.

“Sometimes, trying to get off there at 11 a.m. with the trams coming down is a little hairy.”

The transportation committee discussed keeping the 11 a.m. stop time for bikes on the Boardwalk, or allowing them to remain out there until noon, or some sort of compromise.

On Wednesday, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee voted to send a favorable recommendation to the Mayor and Council for an 11:30 a.m. stop time for bikes, allowing them enough time to clear off before the trams start running at noon.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Sticking with trams, Meehan, who was not present at the meeting, but had communicated with DeLuca and Adkins, suggested altering the start time deployment for the trams so one does not run empty to the north terminal. With the completion of the public works complex at 2nd Street, the trams will now enter the Boardwalk at the ramp at 3rd Street, with one heading north to 27th Street and one heading south to the terminal at the Inlet.

After the first two trams enter the Boardwalk, more trams are added at intervals throughout the day until full deployment is reached. Operations Manager Steve Bartlett suggested not tampering with a system that works well.

“No matter what time we start, the deployment will be the same,” he said. “It’s an orchestrated dance.

One goes south, and one goes north dead-headed. We better have one north and one south at the start of the day because that’s how it’s advertised. Then, we’re set for the day.”

Finally, the discussion about tram operations turned to advertising.

There are six advertising panels on each tram, including four on the sides and one each on the back and front.

The town sells the advertising panels to a wide variety of local and regional business, colleges and universities and even local health departments, etc. Administrative Transit Manager Brian Connor said the advertising panels are just now starting to fill up for the season.

“Of no surprise, last year without running the tram system, there were some challenges,” he said. “This year, some people went out of business and some people moved their advertising budgets to other parts of their business. We’re still doing pretty well with the advertising.”

Connor said thus far 69% of the tram advertising panels have been sold, while 31% remain empty. He said a new trend is a “tram takeover,” where a single entity will buy all six panels on a single tram. Connor said if all the panels aren’t sold, the town can utilize the empty spaces.

“We do have some town messaging we can use to fill the empty spaces,” he said. “We can work with special events and get their messages out there. We don’t want to run with empty panels. If someone comes along and wants to pay, that would be a priority.”

DeLuca, who chairs the Coastal Resources Legislative Committee, or Green Team, said those empty panels could be used to advertise the town’s new Litter Free OC campaign.

“We’ll do as many panels as you have empty,” he said. “If we can get some messages out there about cigarettes and butt huts, we can get grant money to pay for them,” he said. “’Keep America Beautiful’ will pay for it.”

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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NEWARK – Worcester County Public Schools is now offering COVID-19 testing to students and staff at all 14 schools.

The school system this week announced that a new school-based testing program would be offered to participating students and staff. The program is intended to allow those who become ill during the school day to be tested for COVID-19.

“It’s another tool to keep people safe,” said Lauren Williams, coordinator of school health services.

With the new testing program, students and staff who become sick during the school day with symptoms of COVID-19-like illness can be tested in the school nurse’s suite. Williams said nurses have been trained to administer both the rapid and PCR test. She said the testing, which is entirely free, came as a result of the K-12 testing program announced by Gov. Larry Hogan last month.

“We were very excited at the opportunity to add another tool to our toolbox to keep staff and students safe,” Williams said.

March 12, 2021

In order for a child to be tested at school, parents need to complete and return an opt-in form. Officials are asking parents to return forms as soon as possible so that they’re already on file if a child needs to be tested. The threshold for testing will be in line with the school system’s COVID-like illness workflow chart. COVID-like illness is defined as a cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, new loss of taste or smell, or any two of the following: fever of 100.4 or higher, chills, muscle aches, headache, sore throat, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, congestion or runny nose.

Another situation in which a student can be tested at school is if they find out during the school day that they’re a close contact of someone with COVID-19.

Williams said the rapid test would be used first. If it returns a negative result, the PCR test, which is more sensitive, will be administered. Williams says the program will allow the school system to notify close contacts of someone with COVID-19 as quickly as possible.

“It’s just another way to get that diagnostic information,” she said.

For more information on the program or to opt-in, parents are advised to contact their child’s school nurse.

New Lease Eyed For OC Post Office

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – While its future recently appeared in doubt, the downtown U.S. Postal Service (USPS) branch at 5th Street will remain in place for a while after resort officials this week agreed to renew the lease.

The Town of Ocean City purchased the property the downtown post office sits on at 5th Street in 2016 for $1.3 million. The property was eyed as a future expansion of the adjacent municipal parking lot at 4th Street, or even a south-end transit station, providing a turnaround for the municipal buses.

However, when the town purchased the property, the USPS still had a fiveyear lease. Ocean City picked up the lease, which pays the town roughly $90,000 each year. That lease is set to expire in April 2022, leaving the town with a decision to make, City Engineer Terry McGean told the Mayor and Council on Tuesday.

“When the town purchased the property, you inherited an obligation to the U.S. Postal Service to lease the property until 2022,” he said. “The question now is, do you want to renew the lease? We need a little guidance to proceed. The options are to sell the property for a profit, expand the parking lot at 4th Street or begin negotiations with the USPS on a lease renewal.”

Councilman Lloyd Martin was in favor of renewing the lease without an immediate need for the property.

“We’ve almost assembled a whole block downtown,” he said. “We should keep it on our radar, especially if we want to reconfigure our downtown transit operation at some point. I’m in favor of renewing the lease without a longterm commitment.”

While plans for a downtown transit station have been discussed, Martin said that project is not on the town’s radar immediately.

“I don’t think, in the eyes of the council, we’re going to do a transit station there any time soon,” he said.

“It could be essential down the road, though. I’d be in favor of a five-year lease with options.”

Council Secretary Tony DeLuca said he believed the plan all along was to extend the lease with the USPS. “I thought we always said if the post office wanted to stay there, we would renew the lease if we didn’t have an immediate need,” he said.

Councilman Mark Paddack said despite the larger, newer post office up north, the 5th Street USPS branch was still a hub for downtown residents.

“It could be both parking and a transit station, but that is not in our immediate plan,” he said. “The downtown community gravitates around that post office and it provides a service. I’m in favor of renewing the lease. If we need it down the road, we can negotiate that.”

The council voted unanimously to begin negotiations to renew the lease with the USPS.

Berlin Secures $50K Façade Grant Funds

March 12, 2021

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – Businesses in downtown Berlin will continue to have access to façade improvement funds thanks to a grant from the state.

The town received $50,000 in façade improvement funding from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development this week. Shop owners who want to enhance their storefronts can apply for up to $10,000 in funding through the program.

“The program was so popular we literally ran out of money,” said Ivy Wells, the town’s economic and community development director.

Façade grants, which range from $500 to $10,000, can be used to pay for any sort of exterior improvements. Wells said the program helped merchants in the historic district make what could sometimes be costly upgrades to their facades. Each grant application is reviewed by the Maryland Historic Trust.

“It’s so important because when you have a business in the historic district, there are standards you have to abide by that sometimes cost more,” she said.

In order to apply for the grant, merchants have to submit an application and then have the improvements made.

They can submit receipts for 50% reimbursement — not to exceed $10,000 — once the work is done.

There is no due date for applications, as the town will offer the program until funds run out.

Planning Director Dave Engelhart said the façade grants had helped many downtown shops in recent years. He said the replacement of the entrance at the Church Mouse was a great example.

“To me that was a small grant but it made a huge difference for that building,” he said.

Wells said some merchants had previously submitted applications and had been waiting for the town to receive more façade funds.

“They’d love to be able to take advantage of this program,” she said, adding that it could be used for things like awnings, signage and even curbside pickup windows.

Funding for some similar projects is also being sought from Berlin’s Main Street program, which has $194,113 to provide grants to businesses impacted

by COVID-19. Wells said businesses could apply for grants through both programs, though applications for the Main Street program have to be in by March 19. Wells said 30 applications had been received so far.

In other grant news, the town did not receive the $500,000 strategic demolition grant from the state it applied for.

Wells said much of the available funding went to Ellicott City.

“We knew it was a longshot,” Wells said. “There were only 11 projects throughout the entire state that received that grant.”

Proposed Reserve Policy Provides Town Goals The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – Elected officials in Berlin are expected to consider adopting a reserve policy later this month.

On Monday, the Berlin Town Council discussed a reserve policy drafted by town staff. They’re expected to review a final version of the policy at their next meeting.

“It is a guide,” Town Administrator Jeff Fleetwood said. “It’s not edict. It’s not law. It’s framework to get to what we think makes good sense.”

The town’s auditing firm has recommended Berlin implement a reserve policy for the past several years. Though a draft policy was presented to the council last year, Fleetwood said there was concern expressed because it was too wordy. Staff in the months since have

tweaked the proposed policy.

“What you’re looking at tonight is fairly straightforward,” he said.

Finance Director Natalie Saleh said the policy was meant to set up reserve goals for the town.

“I think we need it to improve the resilience of the town,” she said. “We need to have this to mitigate revenue shortfall and ensure that we can continue service in case of emergency.”

The policy, which addresses the town’s restricted, committed, assigned and unassigned funds, calls for a stabilization reserve fund of 20% of the town’s general fund operating budget, which at this point would be roughly $1.1 million.

The policy calls for the town to maintain a health insurance fund balance of 40% of the average of the last three years’ premiums as well as a disaster recovery fund of $250,000 and a capital reserve of

Page 37

$100,000. The policy also calls for the town to keep a debt service balance equal to one year of general fund debt service.

Saleh stressed the proposed amounts were figures the town could work toward.

“That’s the goal we will try to achieve,” she said. “Once they’re achieved and in place, it’s a good foundation not to rely on tax increase, not to rely on cutting capital projects.”

Mayor Zack Tyndall offered similar comments.

“This policy and the goals set out within it are not designed to be prescriptive, they’re not designed to have an answer for every issue, but it’s designed to help us be able to buy time to react to whatever’s taking place,” he said.

The council is expected to be presented with a final draft of the policy at the March 22 meeting.

Obituaries

Page 38

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Anthony Albert DeCesaris, Sr. FENWICK ISLAND – Anthony Albert DeCesaris, Sr., aged 88, of Fenwick Island, Del., passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his family.

He is survived by his most beloved and devoted wife of 67 years, Josephine E. DeCesaris of Fenwick Island; their children, Rose Marie Murphy (Steve Long) of Bishopville, Annette DeCesaris (Jeffrey Steinour) of Lothian, Md., Mary Ann DeCesaris Twohig (Fran) of Selbyville, and Anthony A. DeCesaris, Jr. (Kelly) of Lothian, ANTHONY ALBERT DE- Md.; one brother, Albert CESARIS, SR. G. DeCesaris (Rosemary) of Edgewater, Md.; 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Anthony was preceded in death by his son, Marco A. DeCesaris, Sr. Anthony was born in Philadelphia, Pa. to the late Marco DeCesaris, Sr. and Ida (Janetti) DeCesaris and he had eight siblings who have predeceased him.

Anthony served in the United States Navy; he was a master bricklayer and owned and operated residential construction businesses.

Anthony was a member of St. Luke Catholic Church, American Legion Post 166, and the Sons of Italy.

A private viewing for the immediate family was held on March 4, 2021; and a Christian Burial Mass was held to cel-

ebrate Anthony on March 5, 2021, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Ocean City. All COVID protocols were followed and space was limited.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to St. Luke Catholic Church, 9903 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, Md. 21842 (www.stlukeoc.com) or the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 417005, Boston, Mass. 02241 (www.heart.org).

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

Irma Hudson Holloway BERLIN – Irma Hudson Holloway, age 90, passed away on Thursday, March 4, 2021 at the home of her daughter.

Born in Ocean City, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Katie (Palmer) Hudson. She was preceded in death by her husband, Vincent Holloway, Sr. Surviving, are her children, Vince Holloway, Jr. (Elsie), Charles Holloway (Gail), Bill Holloway (Judy) and Richard Holloway (Dawn), all of Berlin and Calvin Holloway (Sue) of Whaleyville, Gloria Smith of Willards and Sandy Duncan (Duane) of Berlin. Also surviving is her sister, Rosalie Ketterman of Salisbury. There are 13 grandchildren, Sheila Jones (Michael), Jamie Smith

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(Dawn), David Smith (Jamie), Crystal Bunting (Mike), Jackie Church (Phillip), Vince Holloway, III (April), Chuck Holloway, Jennifer Holloway, Tracy Holloway, Cal Holloway (Susanne), Kerri Holloway (Devon), Billy Holloway, and Logan Duncan (Brian), and several great and great-great-grandchildren.

Irma had been employed as a school bus driver for the Worcester County Board of Education for 40 years. She was a member of Whaleyville United Methodist Church, the American Legion Post 123 Auxiliary, the Worcester County Farm Bureau, and the Berlin/Ocean City Moose Lodge # 1638.

Mrs. Holloway was a loving wife and mother who devoted herself to her family. Her greatest joys were spending time in her home town of Ocean City where she was born and raised, and sharing her joy of her large family.

A graveside service was held on Saturday, March 6 at Evergreen Cemetery near Berlin. Rev. Terry Fort officiated. A donation in her memory may be made to Whaleyville United Methodist Church, 11716 Sheppard’s Crossing Rd., Whaleyville, Md. 21872, or Coastal Hospice, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, Md. 21804. Letters of condolence may be sent via www.burbagefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin.

Sylvia Mace Tyler OCEAN CITY – Sylvia Mace Tyler, 88, of Ocean City, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 3, 2021.

Born in Cambridge, she was the daughter of the late J. Ralph Mace and Louise Tubman Mace. She was preceded in death by her husband, W. Kenneth Tyler, Sr. and her sister Dorothy Pusey. Sylvia is survived by her sons, Chris Tyler (Polly) and W. Kenneth Tyler, Jr. (Barbara); daughters SYLVIA MACE TYLER Robin Tyler Bunting and Theodora Ann Tyler; sister, Mary Scarborough (Bunky); 10 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Sylvia was the co-owner of the retail store, Bo-Ty Botyk in Shanty Town and 45th Street Village for over 20 years. As a dedicated member of St. Paul’s bythe-Sea Episcopal Church, she served in countless capacities such as editor of the Chimes Newsletter, and as a member of the Altar Guild and Vestry to name a few. In addition, Sylvia was a Realtor in Ocean City working with her husband at Ken Tyler Real Estate.

No matter what she answered to: ‘Sylvia’, ‘Mom’, ‘Mom Mom’, ‘Aunt Bibi’

March 12, 2021

or ‘Aunt Sylvia’, those that knew her well will remember all the fun times lovingly planned and shared each holiday season, especially Christmas. In addition, lazy days spent around the pool, swinging on the porch swing, toast made for the grandchildren “with LOVE” and so much more, are her legacy. She was a wonderful, creative and compassionate woman who made everyone feel loved and important. In her later years, Sylvia felt blessed to receive kind and loving care from the dedicated staff at Wicomico Nursing Home.

A celebration of her life will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Paul’s by the Sea Episcopal Church Altar Guild and/or the Memorial Fund 302 N. Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, Md. 21842.

Arrangements are in the care of Holloway Funeral Home, PA, 501 Snow Hill Road, Salisbury, Md. 21804. Please visit www.hollowayfh.com to express condolences to the family.

John B. Riser Sr. OCEAN PINES – John B. Riser Sr. passed away peacefully at home on Feb. 21, 2021, at the age of 85.

Born and raised in Glen Burnie, Md., he served in the US Navy and worked as a pipe fitter at “the soap house” (Lever Brothers) in Baltimore until his retirement.

John is survived by his wife of 29 years, Erma Theiss Riser; a son John “Jack” B. Riser Jr. and his wife Maribeth of JOHN B. Ellicott City, Md.; and a RISER SR. daughter Helane Riser-Rapsas, her husband Thomas, and a beloved granddaughter, Jade, of Toms River, New Jersey.

He was a long-standing member of the Elks Club of Ocean City and volunteered his time to many charitable causes. He also worked part-time at Eagles Landing golf course for many years, first as the Director of Cart Distribution before being promoted to Marshall. He also enjoyed the time he spent with the staff and his buddies at cardiac rehab.

John talked frequently about the other three Johns who influenced his life -- Johnny Unitas, Johnny Cash and John Wayne and was known by some as John Unitas Cash Wayne Riser, the legend. His favorite was Johnny U, and he could always be spotted by the #19 pin he wore on his shirt or eyepatch.

You could also recognize him by his favorite expression: “Whoa Nelly!”

Anywhere John went he made a new friend and is now reunited with many old ones. Now that you’ve gone over the hill John/Dad/Grandaddy, we’re sure you’ve found that the steamed crabs are hot and the beer is cold.

Obituaries cost $50 to appear in The Dispatch and photos are no extra charge. Direct all inquiries to editor@mdcoastdispatch.com, fax to 410-641-0966 or mail to P.O. Box 467, Berlin, Md. 21811.

March 12, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 39

Three Seniors Sign To Play College Sports

Page 40

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

March 12, 2021

Pictured, seated from left, are soccer trainer Chase Humphrey, Vincent Petrera and retired WPS soccer coach Terry Underkoffler; standing, from left, are Head of School Dr. John McDonald, Dr. Pasquale Petrera (father), Kathleen Petrera (mother), Director of Athletics Matt McGinnis and Director of College Counseling Vickie Garner.

Pictured, seated from left, are WPS Girls lacrosse head coach Chris Williams (father), Claire Williams and Kelly Williams (mother). Standing, from left, are Head of School Dr. John McDonald, Director of College Counseling Vickie Garner and Director of Athletics Mr. Matt McGinnis.

Submitted Photos

On March 5, three Worcester Preparatory School (WPS) senior student-athletes, Vincent Petrera of Salisbury, Claire Williams of Berlin, and Hunter Gentry of Selbyville, signed their Letters of Commitment to play sports in college. Vincent Petrera signed his Letter of Commitment to play Division I men’s soccer at Villanova in Pennsylvania. Claire Williams signed her Letter of Commitment to play Division III women’s lacrosse at Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania. Hunter Gentry signed his Letter of Commitment to play Division III men’s lacrosse at St. John Fisher College in New York.

this week’s

Pictured, seated from left, are Gary Gentry (father), Hunter Gentry and Leesa Gentry; standing, from left, are Director of Athletics Matt McGinnis, Austin Gentry (brother, WPS ’23), Director of College Counseling Vickie Garner and Head of School Dr. John McDonald.

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March 12, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 41

In The News

Dressed in athletic wear, kindergarteners at Worcester Preparatory School participated in “100 Ways to Move” games and activities. Above, teacher Heather Dennis races to the finish line with kindergarteners Margot Hidell and Emery Anthony.

The Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines-Ocean City sponsors five Kiwanis Student Leadership Clubs (SLC) in Northern Worcester County. The clubs learn about community services and how to do them. Each club has advisors. One is from the school and the other is from the parent club. Buckingham Elementary School is a club for young students with other clubs available as the students matriculate through the school system. Pictured are Buckingham Elementary School K-Kids members with club teacher advisor Tonya Jones. The club's project is making baskets for residents of the Berlin Nursing Home containing hand painted mug, cozy socks, handmade ornament, tie dyed mask and cards.

Fifth graders celebrated the 100th Day of in-person learning at Worcester Prep with a “Pajama-Comfy-Thon” where, in addition to coming to school in their pajamas, they donated 100 new comfort wear items to those in need at Diakonia.

Pictured with some donations are Luke Mize, John Lynch, Eva Tekmen, Ruya Kucuk, Ryan Shipp, Gracie Holloway, Arianna Dorfler, Emma Brooks, Sarah Williams, Harper Hertrich, Vivien Ruggerio, Nora Gorfinkel, Elena Gjoni, Samantha Kuon and teacher Lisa Rill.

Announcements

Submitted Photos

BERLIN – The following is a collection of press releases sent to this publication on student achievements.

•The University of Hartford has announced Lily Belle Baker of Berlin has been named to its President's Honors List for Fall 2020. The President's Honors List students must earn a grade point average of 3.75 or higher in the semester. This is the GPA that must be sustained over a full undergraduate career to qualify for a degree summa cum laude.

•Jillian Griggs of Berlin has been named to Adelphi University's fall 2020 Dean's List. Griggs was among a select group of outstanding students recognized by Adelphi's deans of Arts and Sciences, Education and Health Science, Business, Nursing and Public Health, Social Work and Psychology for superior academic performance. The list comprises full-time students-registered for 12 or more credits-who have completed at least nine graded credits and achieved a GPA of 3.5 or above for the semester.

•Drew Haueisen, a first-year quantitative economics and mathematics major at Dickinson College, has been named to the dean's list for the fall 2020 semester. A graduate of Stephen Deca-

tur High School, he is the son of Craig and Amy Haueisen of Snow Hill.

•Kathleen Emche of Berlin was named to the President's List at Cabrini University for the fall 2020 semester.

Dean's List recipients have achieved a GPA of 3.5-3.89 for coursework completed at Cabrini University with a minimum of 12 credits.

•Audrey Stearns of Berlin has been placed on the Deans' Commendation List for outstanding academic achievement in the Fall 2020 semester at Gettysburg College.

•Concordia University Wisconsin officials have released the Fall Honors List for the 2020-2021 academic year. Ocean City resident Jacob Leitner was among the students honored.

•Lindsey Lea Swontek, who is seeking degrees in Early Childhood and Special Education/Urban, has been named to the fall 2020 dean’s list at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Students achieve this status when they are fulltime with a grade point average of 3.25 or higher.

•Among the students graduating from Indiana University of Pennsylvania was Rehoboth Beach resident Tracy J. Sullivan, who received her doctorate in School Psychology.

Worcester Prep fourth graders Liam McAllister, John Parker and Vivian Spraul show off their messages of kindness T-shirts and their class’s decorated homeroom door of colorful rainbow post-it notes displaying their 100 Random Acts of Kindness.

Each pre-kindergartener at Worcester Prep brought in 10 cups to create and design a building of their imagination. Following completion, the students (pictured with teachers Erika Phillips and Jennifer Hoen) rotated around the room completing 10 different exercises, 10 times each, until they reached 100.

Pines Golf Offers Launch Monitor To Help With Club Fittings

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BERLIN – Individual instruction and club fittings at Ocean Pines Golf Club with PGA General Manager of Golf John Malinowski now feature the Foresight GCQuad Launch Monitor.

This state-of-the-art technology can be used to help personally fit clubs to an individual's swing by ensuring the correct loft, life and shaft. It is compatible with Ocean Pines Golf Club's TaylorMade club fitting system and other golf club manufacturers.

Professional club fittings ensure that the purchase of a new set of clubs is a worthwhile investment.

“Every golfer is built differently and has different swing characteristics, which is why it is so important for golfers to have clubs that are fit specifically for them," Malinowski said. "Properly fit clubs will help the golfers play and make better contact with the ball, which will ultimately help them to score better.”

The price for a full club fitting, which includes irons, woods and putter, is $50.

A fitting for irons only is $40. A woods fitting is $30, and a putter fitting is $20.

The new launch monitor can also be used in private golf lessons for all ages by determining club path, face angle at impact, club head speed, distance, and point of contact on the clubface to enhance the personalization of instruction.

A 30-minute lesson for ages 14 and under is $20. Adult lessons are $40 for 30 minutes and $70 for 60 minutes.

“The indoor hitting bay can also be

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

March 12, 2021

A new launch monitor is now available to help with club fitting and lessons through the Ocean Pines Golf Club.

Submitted Photo

used for lessons in cold and inclement weather without the need for rescheduling or wearing bulky clothing or jackets," Malinowski said. "This time of year, it al-

lows golfers to get professional instruction to help make their game better now, instead of waiting several months for the weather to improve.”

Appointments for private lessons or club fittings can be made by calling the Golf Shop at 410-641-6057 or emailing jmalinowski@oceanpinesgolf.org.

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Volunteers Sought For Local Wall That Heals Event

March 12, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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Memorial Replica In Area Next Month

BERLIN – The Wall That Heals, a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., will be hosted in Ocean Pines by the Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation from April 22-25 at 1 p.m.

The wall will be set up in Memorial Park in Ocean Pines over the long weekend.

The Worcester County Veterans Memorial committee, which overseeing the event, is seeking volunteers, who will each be trained to guide visitors through the exhibit.

“This is a historic opportunity for our area, and we’re asking for volunteers to help make the experience memorable for our visitors,” Veterans Memorial Foundation President Marie Gilmore said. “Anyone who volunteers will also have the unique opportunity of being a vital part of this once-in-a-lifetime exhibit, which honors the sacrifice of our Vietnam Veterans.”

The committee needs volunteers from Wednesday, April 21 at 2 p.m., through Sunday, April 25 at 1 p.m. Some overnight shifts may also be available.

Most volunteer shifts are for four hours -- 8 a.m. to noon, noon to 4 p.m., and 4-8 p.m.

To be a part of this historic experience, contact Frank Bolen, volunteer coordinator, at 302-245-5216 or email frankieb@mchsi.com.

For more information on the Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation or the Wall That Heals exhibit, visit www.opvets.org.

Check Out The Dispatch On The Web

www.mdcoastdispatch.com

Attendees are pictured in observation during a previous stop of the Wall That Heals, a traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

File Photo

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… Baltimore Avenue Reconstruction A Major Talking Point

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FROM PAGE 4 “I love the strategic financial plan,” he said. “There are at least four projects on the list that we all agree are critical. If I draw a line across Baltimore Avenue on this list, that’s at least 13 projects and I’d like to add a 14th, but we’re only really concerned with fiscal year 2022 right now.”

DeLuca said ranking the projects for inclusion in the upcoming fiscal year budget boiled down to a few simple questions.

“What can we afford?” he said. “What can we plan for? I’d really like to see Baltimore Avenue moved up. We need to start on that now and there are things we can get started on with design work.”

McGean said staff understood the council’s desire to get moving on the Baltimore Avenue project.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

“We heard loud and clear how important that project is to you,” he said.

“When this process is over, we’re going to be coming back to you with estimates for design. Our list of one to six projects are the ones that are critical and need to be done now.”

Public Works Director Hal Adkins said the design work for undergrounding the utilities on Baltimore Avenue was a necessary first step in the process.

“If the council is dedicated to that project, we can move forward almost immediately with design for the undergrounding,” he said. “That’s going to be the biggest challenge for us in terms of the timeline.”

McGean presented a chart representing the town’s projected debt service over the next several years. According to the chart, the debt service would

peak in the next few years, especially with the addition of the bond sale for Baltimore Avenue and other major projects, but would begin to drop off in out years as some of the current debt is erased.

However, he cautioned Baltimore Avenue could put limitations on which projects that town could take on in future years.

“The debt service projection jumps up in 2024 with the Baltimore Avenue project,” he said. “That’s a $2 million addition each year for the general fund.

That’s going above and beyond what we’re paying now for debt service and takes us to 2027 before we can do anything else.”

However, Councilman John Gehrig said the town should consider taking advantage of the historically-low interest rates right now.

March 12, 2021

“If we’re going to borrow money, let’s not drag our feet,” he said. “We’re playing with fire with the interest rates.

They’re only going to go up.”

There are certain sacred cows in every CIP for Ocean City including, for example, street paving, canal dredging and storm-drain cleaning. Gehrig questioned why those projects are not considered ongoing maintenance projects and included as line items in the general fund budget each year. However, it was explained those critical projects had to be included in the CIP in order to identify a dedicated funding source.

In terms of canal dredging, McGean explained it has been a top priority for a number of years, which is why it is always included in the CIP as a critical project. However, he said the town has made significant headway on canal dredging in recent years.

“If you asked me five years ago, I would say it was critical,” he said.

“We’ve done a great job with clearing most of the navigational channels and it is not as critical now. At this point, I don’t have any canals I consider critical.

Could we take a break for a year? I think so.”

McGean said canal dredging could be added back to the list next fall when the fiscal year 2021 picture becomes clearer.

“We can’t do any dredging during the season anyway,” he said. “We can see how the summer goes with fund balance and have everything ready to go with permitting next fall if you want to add canal dredging to the critical list.”

Replacing or moving the midtown fire station at 74th Street has long been on the town’s radar, but the Mayor and Council ranked the project as less important and the staff ranked it as very important. McGean explained it probably should be added to the critical list soon.

“With the midtown fire station, there was a significant discrepancy between the Mayor and Council and the staff rankings,” he said. “We honestly believe it getting to be critical and the chief will tell you that. That existing building is obsolete.”

After considerable debate, DeLuca made a motion to include the list of projects deemed critical with a price tag of around $1.5 million in the fiscal year 2022 CIP, with a provision to add canal dredging back into the plan next fall if funding allows, for a potential total expenditure of $1.9 million. Some on the council questioned if Baltimore Avenue should be included on the short list.

However, Councilman Peter Buas said Baltimore Avenue is a separate issue.

“We can prepare a resolution to fund the $200,000 for Baltimore Avenue design work from fund balance and recompensate the town from the eventual bond sale,” he said. “That does not have to be part of this motion.”

The council voted unanimously to approve the list of projects deemed critical for fiscal year 2022 at a price tag around $1.5 million, with the contingency to add canal dredging if funding allows after a review of the current fiscal year.

March 12, 2021

Chris Parypa’s Photo Of The Week:

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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Each week staff photographer Chris Parypa is tasked with submitting a photo from his vast library to be featured in this space. Above the white marlin statue at the base of the Route 50 Bridge in Ocean City is pictured. To purchase any of Parypa’s photos, click over to www.chrisparypa.com.

The Dispatch

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

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

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

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

Subscription rates are $75 per year, $55 for six months.

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.

Lifting Capacity Limits Confirms Progress The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

March 12, 2021

HOW WE SEE IT

This week’s announcement rolling back capacity limits and other restrictions is more about symbolism than pragmatism. Loosening the restrictions represents progress, but it comes with complications as far as a realistic impact on improving life within the hospitality industry.

As he has been prone to do over the last year, Gov. Larry Hogan dropped a surprise Tuesday on the state when he rolled back capacity restrictions on most public places, including restaurants and retail stores, effective Friday, March 12. There were no indications this was coming, especially in front of what is essentially a holiday weekend for the local restaurant and bar scene.

The timing of this move can not be ignored for a couple reasons. This week’s random announcement came almost one year ago to the day after Maryland effectively shut down businesses. After announcing some minor restrictions a few days before, the day before St. Patrick’s Day in 2020 the governor made bars and restaurants carry-out only to prevent crowds of revelers. It was a massive move full of untold financial consequences, all in the name of health and welfare amid a rapidly contagious and growing virus.

Flip the calendar ahead one year

and he has given the green light for establishments to move forward. However, the practical realities are he really did nothing for most businesses this week because the lifting of the 50% capacity rule comes with an obligation to maintain the six-foot physical distancing rule. It’s a mixed message and seems largely semantics and symbolic.

On the local front, there was little reason to celebrate for most operators.

Immediate concerns were how to adequately inform customers not much has changed in the face of news spreading that seemingly should be good news. For instance, people still cannot come into a bar and stand to watch a basketball game. While customers can now sit 10 to a table, they are still supposed to be from the same household. It’s basically much of the same for now.

The distancing requirement has always been the issue for restaurants specifically. Even if a 100-seat restaurant does not have to adhere to half capacity rules, the limits remain in place essentially because of the six feet of distance in between tables. It’s a square footage formula problem for many small and moderate sized businesses.

There was good news in the legis-

lation, as buffets are now allowed, post-travel quarantine and testing requirements are done and retail stores do not need to monitor their foot traffic to the degree they did last week. However, there is little to celebrate among the business community this week., as this grand announcement has little impact on how they can operate.

This reality is why many have righty questioned Hogan’s motives with the surprise announcement. Cynics may say he wants to keep up with other states who are opening up more and easing government mandates. We think there is some truth to that due to the odd timing of the move on the eve of a heavy weekend.

No matter the cynicism behind the motives, this week’s decision to roll back restrictions is likely a sign of what’s to come. In that regard, it should be embraced as good news.

There will surely be more restrictions lifted in the weeks ahead so long as metrics trend as they have and eventually the physical distancing requirement of six feet will likely be scaled back to four feet for public places and schools.

Until then, businesses need to embrace the rollbacks this week as a positive trend toward fully reopening in the near future.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Worcester’s Economic Future Hinges On Broadband Network Editor: Limitations in Worcester County’s broadband infrastructure were readily evident as individuals, educators, students, health care providers, businesses and remote workers confronted and struggled with the realities of pandemic work-at-home orders, remote learning, virtual meetings and medical consultations and just staying in touch with family and friends.

Our experiences during the past year have compressed and sharply brought into focus what we have learned about the importance of having in place broadband accessibility for all Worcester County residents and the consequences of not having it.

There are great swaths of our county, particularly the rural areas, where broadband accessibility hardly exists or is not available at all. Our residents, whether they live in Bishopville or outside Pocomoke, whether they live on a farm in Stockton or along the Pocomoke River, must have access to the internet like those living in the more

concentrated population areas of our county.

Broadband connectivity is not a luxury nor should it be viewed as such.

There are multiple internet carriers doing business within our county. But their economic viability models focus on population density. They are businesses focused on maximizing their bottom lines. The reality is that much of our county is not densely populated and as such these areas are less attractive to providers who cannot justify the return on infrastructure investment.

We are in the third decade of the 21st century. Access to broadband is a necessity and must be made available to every home and business within our county. For this reason, this is a narrowly defined circumstance when government has a responsibility to bridge the chasm created when business is unable to fulfill the needs of our residents, homeowners and business owners.

No different than our road system, water and sewer systems and the electrical grid, broadband is an infrastructure capital asset that must be in place to meet the needs of Worcester County residents now and in the fu-

ture.

Universal access to broadband will ignite and sustain economic development and opportunity within our county not just today but for many tomorrows to come. When all homes and businesses have access to reliable internet, Worcester County will be attractive to the individuals and businesses who will continue to work remotely, even after COVID subsides. By all accounts, the pandemic has spurred a lasting demographic shift away from metropolitan areas in favor of more desirable locales. Remote work decouples the link between where a person works and where a person lives. Remote working allows individuals and families to choose where they want to live based on their needs and desires.

Why shouldn’t Worcester be a beneficiary of this reality.

Broadband accessibility will energize our communities and local businesses that for generations has been sustained by agriculture and tourism.

Investment in countywide broadband infrastructure will improve the quality of life of our residents as well as the learning experience our of students. It SEE NEXT PAGE

March 12, 2021

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR will lure workers whose jobs allow them to work remotely. Worcester County will benefit greatly when we, as a county, invest in needed broadband infrastructure. Also, the positive financial impact on business will have no bounds.

The many natural assets that make Worcester County a desirable place to live, work and play are complemented by an exceptional school system, a proliferating health care system and a populace imbued with an indominable entrepreneurial, we-can-do-anythingwe-set-our-minds-to spirit.

Building the necessary broadband infrastructure so that every home and business in Worcester County can have access is a challenge worthy of our pursuits as a community and a county government.

Chip Bertino Ocean City (The writer is a Worcester County Commissioner.)

PPP Is Strengthening America’s Economy Editor: The Paycheck Protection Program numbers show that this is not only the largest, but the most effective American relief program ever signed into law. As small businesses continue to struggle with dwindling demand, workforce shortages, and struggling supply lines, the U.S. Small Business Administration-administered PPP is giving business owners and their employees a much-needed cash infusion to overcome these difficult times.

In the latest Paycheck Protection Program Report, with approvals as of March 7, 2021, we see the SBA guaranteed more than 7.55-plus million PPP loans, totaling more than $687.3 billion since 2020. In the newest round of funding, which began Jan. 11, 2021, the SBA guaranteed over 2.4 million PPP loans for more than $156.2 billion. This represents an increase of more than 200,000 guarantees over the last week, with an almost $9 billion increase in net dollars approved during the same time frame.

Daily, SBA staff field thousands of phone calls and emails from applicants seeking information regarding the status of their PPP loan. I’d like to remind these borrowers that the PPP legislation gives SBA-approved lenders Delegated Authority to act as the SBA’s agent, meaning the lenders determine which applications to process and when to submit them. Therefore, any questions or concerns regarding individual PPP loan applications should be directed to the lender. Similarly, for those unsure about their PPP loan status, or if a PPP loan application is flagged due to data anomalies, the lender will have more information.

Borrowers whose application is already submitted to SBA by their lender can create an account in the SBA Capital Access Financial System to moni-

Between The Lines

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

tor their loan status.

PPP isn’t the only way the SBA is helping the small business economy.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans, the upcoming Small Venue Operators Grant, Express Bridge Loan, and Debt Relief programs are all options impacted small business owners should consider depending on their needs and qualifications. Additionally, each of our 68 District Offices and hundreds of Resource Partners around the country provide guidance and assistance, including counseling, mentoring, and training for entrepreneurs.

Use SBA’s Local Assistance Directory to locate the SBA District Office or Resource Partner service location nearest you.

The SBA has stood side by side with small businesses for nearly 70 years. Whether you need capital, advice or access to new markets, we’re here for you. Visit www.sba.gov to start your journey of success.

John Fleming Washington, DC (The writer is the acting Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator for the Small Business Administration.)

Salute To Rec Department Editor: Thank you to Ocean City Recreation & Parks for providing a wonderful basketball season for the youth in our community. Anna, Kim and the staff did an amazing job keeping the season going when public pressure could’ve easily cut it short. They took every precaution to keep the kids safe and parents comfortable to keep bringing back their kids.

Like many things, it was a very different and shortened season. However, it provided a lot of joy and normalcy, at a time, when the athletes were still Zoom schooling.

Additional thanks to the referees, scorers and, of course, the parents.

Without your support, we wouldn’t have had enough players to compete.

The Ocean City Recreation & Parks has gone above and beyond to maintain activities for the community and we are lucky to have such a wonderful and dedicated staff.

Ryan Kirby Ocean City

To Our Readers: The Dispatch welcomes any and all letters from our readers. All letters are encouraged typed, but not required, and we reserve the right to edit each letter for clarity, accuracy and brevity. Letters should include writer’s name, address and day and evening telephone numbers. If we are unable to reach the writer, we will have to withhold the letter. Due to space restraints, letters under 500 words in length will be given top priority.

Letters can be mailed to The Dispatch, P.O. Box 467, Berlin, Md. 21811, emailed to editor@mdcoastdispatch.com or faxed to 410-641-0966.

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By Publisher/Editor Steve Green

It appears Worcester County is effectively being penalized for doing too well with its efficient vaccination distribution. Several health officials have been discussing the fact the county’s vaccine supply vs. demand issues are likely to get worse in the short term. It seems the state is going to cut, or at least not increase as it should, Worcester County’s weekly allocation severely because its vaccination percentage is outstripping other jurisdictions. The concept is Worcester County can’t do too well because it skews the distribution model.

There was a story on this topic this week in The Baltimore Sun, headlined, “Many of Maryland’s biggest counties got smaller per capita shares of COVID vaccines over first 11 weeks.” For example, using a formula derived from doses per 1,000 residents, it appears numerous shore counties have higher doses per 1,000 rates than much larger counties like Montgomery. Metropolitan areas are crying foul over the distribution model, saying it’s unfair for Montgomery County to have a dose per 1,000 rate of 106 with a total allocation of 111,687 doses compared to Worcester County’s doses per 1,000 rate of 202 with a total allocation of 10,575. That’s right, health officials are saying counties like Montgomery need to be receiving far higher dose allocations, despite receiving 11 times more in volume.

It appears no matter where you live in Maryland nobody is happy with the distributions. The state is currently using a three-category distribution model: counties with less than 100,000 receive about 300 doses a week; counties with 100,000 to 200,000 doses gets at least 700 doses; and counties over 200,000 citizens are allocated at least 975 doses. The result of this formula has some of the more populated jurisdictions crying foul. The numbers do in fact confirm they have a point because the percentage of vaccinated individuals in each jurisdiction confirms the smaller counties, like Worcester, are doing a much better and efficient job with their administration of doses.

According to Wednesday’s figures, 24.2% of Worcester County’s population has received the first dose (ranking second in the state behind only to Talbot County and crushing the state’s 16.5% average). As far as second doses, Worcester County leads the state with 15.2% of population vaccinated (tops in the state and far above the state average of 9.1%). As a comparison, only 18% of Montgomery County’s one million residents have received the first vaccine and just 8.8% have been given the second dose.

Closer to home, 17.5% of Wicomico’s 103,609 citizens have received the first dose and 11.9% the second dose.

The state has made it clear to local health officials this trend of Worcester County outpacing other counties will not be allowed to continue. Therefore, drastic cuts in doses are now expected locally until the other jurisdictions across the state catch up. It’s a flawed process without question.

One of the positives from the pandemic was a shift in planning and thinking last spring during graduation season, including the local public school system’s Boardwalk procession for high school seniors. It was a fun and festive scene as hundreds of graduates were driven down the boards by their families and friends and celebrated in grand fashion.

As was expected, it appears the Boardwalk Procession (as it’s being officially called) will evidently remain a part of the graduation calendar of events for at least Stephen Decatur High School. Officials released their graduation plans this week, including a Senior Awards Night at the football stadium on May 18, the Boardwalk parade on May 25, baccalaureate in the football stadium May 27 and graduation in the stadium June 2.

Parents, understandably so, want to know how many guests will be able to attend the affairs. School officials say that will be determined closer to the dates of the event as the situation is clearly fluid. During his press conference this week, Gov. Larry Hogan was asked whether schools should proceed with prom and graduation plans by a reporter. He said, “I think as long as we follow all the health advice and we do masking and distancing, then we should be able to get back to some of those normal things in life.”

For years there was only one official job fair in Ocean City. A quick look around this week indicates there are currently about a dozen different versions of coordinated job fairs planned for this weekend and the coming weeks. It’s clear employment is very much on the minds of business operators. A few businesses I spoke with this week said they are “hoping for the best, expecting the worst,” when it comes to the foreign workers who have been critical for many years.

It appears applicants through the Summer Work Travel program will beginning next month start submitting their applications once former President Trump’s Proclamation 10052 expires March 31, allowing citizens of other countries to come to the U.S. to work and learn the culture.

The newspaper received an email this week from a 19-year-old man named Aldi, who lives in Bulgaria and plans to submit his application as soon as allowed on May 1 for a five-month stay here through September.

He was looking for housing information for himself and five “university mates,” and I directed him to the appropriate places. He said the interest is there, but they are unaware if their applications will be processed quickly enough. This uncertainty leaves his need for housing to be a hypothetical.

It’s a familiar situation leaving renters in a tough spot.

THE DISPATCH’S PETS OF THE MONTH

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Pet’s Name: Winnie Pet’s Age/Breed: 3-year-old golden retriever Pet’s Owner: Gina Gartin

Pet’s Name: Brutus Pet’s Age/Breed: 5-year-old American pitbull Pet’s Owner: Hunter Simon

March 12, 2021

Pet’s Name: Gemini Pet’s Age/Breed: 11-month-old rescue pup Pet’s Owners: Kim & Daniel Patrick

Pet’s Name: Daisy Pet’s Age/Breed: 14-year-old miniature pinscher Pet’s Owners: Rita & Mark Tennant

EDITOR

STEVE GREEN The Dispatch presents the latest edition of its Pets of the Month Contest.

Each month one special animal, or two, in some cases, is picked as the cutest photo of the bunch through a private vote of our staff. Here we present this month’s pets, submitted by our readers.

On the front page is last month’s winning entry, Tucker, owned by Jackie Rutkowski.

Those interested in participating in future months’ contests are invited to send their lovable pet photo to us at editor@mdcoastdispatch.com (preferred) or to P.O. Box 467, Berlin, Md. 21811 or drop it off at our office in Berlin at 10012 Old Ocean City Blvd.

Please be sure it’s a high-quality photo suitable for reproduction and to include your mailing address, the pet’s name, age and breed and the owner’s first and last name. The next series will appear in this space on April 9.

ADOPT A PET FROM THE SHELTER

Pet’s Name: Sadie Pet’s Age/Breed: 11-year-old American bulldog Pet’s Owners: Tyler Stetz & Allyson Knight

Pet’s Name: Luna Pet’s Age/Breed: 4-month-old Yorkshire terrier Pet’s Owner: Norma Jean Curreri

These Loving Animals, Sponsored Each Month By Local Businesses, Are Available For Adoption At The Ocean City Humane Society: 410-213-0146.

To Sponsor A Pet, Call 410-641-4561 • Annually, 10% Of The Proceeds From This Page Are Donated To The Shelter The Humane Society Desperately Needs Volunteers To Help Care For The Cats And Dogs. Any Amount Of Time You Can Spare Will Be Appreciated.

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Bank Of Ocean City Ocean Pines 410-208-9380

Taylor Bank Main Street, Berlin, Md. 410-641-1700

Casual Designs Rte. 54, Fenwick 302-436-8224 Rte. 50, Berlin 410-629-1717

Shore Results Realty Kim McGuigan, Broker, OC 443-992-4990

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Officials Discuss Bills To Address Wicomico’s Septic Concerns

March 12, 2021

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

SALISBURY – It was a lengthy discussion on short- and long-term solutions last week as state, county and municipal representatives convened a virtual town hall to address Wicomico’s septic issues.

Last Thursday, the Coastal Association of Realtors (CAR) held a virtual town hall meeting with a panel of state, county and municipal officials to discuss the importance of septic and wastewater systems in Wicomico.

“Over the past few years, the process for replacing and repairing septic systems in Wicomico County has become an extremely lengthy process, and in many cases very costly,” said CAR President Joni Williamson. “We have seen home sales suffer because of these delays, and by tackling this problem head on we hope to prevent a future decline in property values.”

Property owners, real estate agents and developers that participated in last week’s Zoom meeting highlighted the challenges with septic systems in Wicomico. They noted staffing shortages at the county health department have led to months-long permitting delays, and state regulations and soil standards have made it difficult and costly to install and replace systems.

Pat Schrawder, district representative for Sen. Mary Beth Carozza, said two bills in the legislature would address both delays and installation costs. One bill, she noted, established state licensing requirements for septic inspectors, while another allowed the utilization of Bay Restoration Funds to pay the cost of repairing and replacing failing systems.

Officials noted another solution was to tie into municipal water and sewer services.

“Whoever is seeking water and sewer service must extend the services to their property,” said Salisbury Infrastructure and Development Director Amanda Pollack. “The one seeking it would have to sign an annexation or pre-annexation agreement and then pay for the extension of services.”

Councilman Bill McCain told community members that the county is working with George, Miles & Burh (GMB) to complete a countywide water and sewer study. He said it would act as a roadmap to provide sewer to residents outside the municipalities.

“The quickest solution is being able to use sewer capacity that the city has, but we’ve got to get that figured out between the city and the county …,” he said. “Reaching areas that are 10 miles outside the municipalities is going to be a different story, and that’s going to have to be a county system. What that looks like is what they (GMB) will be giving us a roadmap of.”

Julia Glanz, Salisbury’s acting mayor, said the municipality was eager to work with the county.

“The city is a willing partner,” she

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Study Hopes To Provide County Roadmap

said. “We want to be part of the solution and that we have to be part of the solution.”

Del. Carl Anderton agreed it needed to be an “all-hands-on-deck” approach.

“The county needs to be partnering with its municipalities …,” he said. “All options should be on the table.”

Greater Salisbury Committee’s Mike Dunn encouraged community members to focus on the bigger picture. He said public infrastructure would allow for new development in Wicomico County.

“A long-term solution here is not septic systems,” he said. “A long-term solution and why Wicomico County is not competing successfully with its neighbor

to the north and its neighbor to the east has nothing to do with failing septic systems. It has everything to do with the fact that those counties – Sussex and Worcester – have figured out something that works in terms of a public sewer and water system.”

GMB’s Pete Bozick said Wicomico was the only county not directly involved in the water and sewer business. He noted, however, that the county should view it as a positive and not so much as a negative.

“We want the county to enter into the water and sewer business in the right way,” he said, “taking advantage of the new technologies and taking advantage

Page 49

of collaboration and partnerships with the municipalities.”

County and municipal representatives said they were eager to begin the process of establishing a countywide water and sewer system. Councilman John Cannon, however, said there still needed to be some short-term solutions as it relates to permitting and regulations.

“What’s really important today is to try and look at what we can do to get our health department as efficient as possible right now …,” he said, adding that community concerns should be directed to the Maryland Department of the Environment and the local health department. “I have letters from two years ago with the exact same concerns we have today. It’s two years old. So we need to have a solution.”

Young Seal Learning Survival Skills At National Aquarium

Page 50

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

March 12, 2021

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – A grey seal pup rescued from the beach in neighboring Delaware is on the mend at the National Aquarium and could soon be released back into the wild.

On Feb. 12, a grey seal pup now known affectionately as Eloise, in keeping with the National Aquarium’s theme this year of naming rescued marine mammals after famous storybook characters, was recovered from the beach in nearby Cape Henlopen. Eloise was initially triaged at the Marine Education Research and Rehabilitation Institute (MERR) and was transported to the National Aquarium’s Animal Care and Rescue Center on Feb. 14 for rehabilitation.

Animal Care and Rescue Center staff determined Eloise was malnourished with a few lacerations on her neck. Eloise was initially hydrated and nourished through an oral feeding tube, but has since progressed to the next stage of her rehabilitation. Due to the seal’s young age, she is still considered a maternally-dependent pup, meaning if she

The rescued seal, named Eloise by aquarium officials, is pictured getting a bubble bath of sorts last week.

Submitted Photo

was still in her natural habitat, she would be relying on her mother for milk.

For that reason, Eloise’s rehabilitation thus far has focused on teaching her how to eat fish, a skill she would normally learn from her mother. Despite the challenges of being a maternally-de-

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HERE’S MY CARD For More Information, Contact Pamela Green PHONE: 410-641-4561 • FAX: 410-641-0966 EMAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@MDCOASTDISPATCH.COM

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The National Aquarium’s Animal Health and Rescue team has limited experience in rehabilitating a seal pup.

Last year, the team rehabilitated its first maternally-dependent pup named Pippi Longstocking, in keeping with the theme. Pippi Longstocking was rescued from the beach in Delaware and rehabilitated at the aquarium before being released back into the wild on Assateague Island. The young seal had to have surgery to remove her ear canal and a portion of her ear’s bony structure.

“Pippi and Eloise are unique cases for the mid-Atlantic because they have stranded when they are still young enough to be maternally-dependent,” said National Aquarium Animal Rescue Director Jennifer Dittmar. “There could have been many reasons for this happening, including storms, a possible human interaction that scared off the mom, maternal instincts that haven’t kicked in or birthing complications.”

Eloise currently weighs just 28 pounds. She will need to at least double her weight before she is eligible to be released.

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Sidney Beckstead Scholarship For The Arts Announced

March 12, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

OCEAN CITY — The Art League of Ocean City announced a new scholarship funded by the recently-created Sidney M. Beckstead Scholarship for the Arts that will be awarded annually to a local art student.

For the inaugural year of 2021, the Beckstead scholarship will award $5,000 to one art student from Worcester County. In subsequent years, the fund has committed to a minimum of $2,500 each year for five years. Taylor Bank, where the fund is held, is contributing $500 toward the Beckstead scholarship fund, and additional donations are being accepted.

The deadline for students to apply for the $5,000 scholarship is May 8, 2021. Students must be graduating high school seniors who are residents of Worcester County, Md., including public and private school students and homeschoolers. The scholarship recipient must be pursuing a higher education in the creative arts from an accredited institution.

Applications are available at www.ArtLeagueofOceanCity.org/scholarship.

With the one application, the Art League will consider students for both the Beckstead and the annual $1,000 Katherine Ellen Brown art scholarships funded through the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore.

The Art League scholarship programs adhere to a nondiscrimination policy, in both principle and practice, and will not discriminate against candidates on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or physical challenge.

Sidney Merrill Beckstead, who passed away on Dec. 26, 2020, was an entrepreneur and artist, painting in watercolors and oils and sketching in pen and ink. He conceptualized jewelry designs for his clients at Liljenquist & Beckstead Jewelers and Lenkersdorfer Fine Jewelers, designing engagement rings, sketching a keepsake of a friend’s dog, or recreating a basket of zinnias that marked a special holiday.

“Not only did he paint a beautiful life full of love, laughter, compassion, and giving, he created exquisite artworks inspired by the simple wonders he saw

Page 51

around him,” said Sherrie Beckstead, Sidney Beckstead’s wife of 35 years.

“Through his art, Sid captured the ordinary and important moments of life, so people could continue to find joy in those memories.”

She continued, “It is with great humility and honor that we want to celebrate Sid’s creative gifts by creating a scholarship in his name. We are honored to have the scholarship offered through The Art League of Ocean City. Sid began his career in the jewelry inSIDNEY dustry in Ocean City, BECKSTEAD Md. We are grateful that the scholarship fund is held at Taylor Bank, one of the first banks to support Sid’s jewelry venture in Ocean City. We know that Sid would have loved to give back to the community that nurtured him. Thank you for allowing us to honor our dear Sid through this art scholarship. To know that more beauty will be created, more special moments captured through art, brings us immense joy and solace.”

HERE’S MY CARD

Rina Thaler, executive director of the Art League, acknowledged Sidney Beckstead’s legacy and the impact it will have on future generations.

“On behalf of the Art League of Ocean City, we extend our condolences to the Beckstead family on Sid's passing, and appreciate their desire to give back to the community through this scholarship,” she said. “It is a lasting legacy to Sid and how he lived his life, and will also be life changing to students setting out to get an art degree. The Art League is committed to stewarding this fund, as part of our mission to promote artistic appreciation of the creative arts, and growing the fund to make a degree in the arts accessible to more Worcester County youth.”

Donations to the Sidney M. Beckstead Scholarship for the Arts fund can be made on the Art League’s website, www.ArtLeagueofOceanCity.org, by mailing a check to the Art League at PO Box 3503, Ocean City, Md. 21043, by calling 410-524-9433, or in person at the Ocean City Center for the Arts, 502 94th St. bayside, Ocean City.

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Page 52

Who’s Where When 45TH STREET TAPHOUSE 443-664-2201 4507 Coastal Hwy. Saturday, March 13: Colossal Fossil Sauce & Trailer Park Romeo, 1 p.m.

Tuesdays: Aaron Howell Wednesdays: Aaron Howell (137th St. Tavern) ATLANTIC HOTEL 410-641-3589 2 North Main St., Berlin Mondays: Earl Beardsley BUXY’S SALTY DOG DRY DOCK 28 410-289-0973 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Saturday, March 13: Aaron Howell Duo, 2 p.m.

DJ BK, 6 p.m.

COINS PUB 410-289-3100 28th St. Plaza On Coastal Hwy. Saturday, March 13: Full Circle Duo, 1 p.m.

Wednesday, March 17: DJ Wax, 8 p.m.

CRAWL ST. TAVERN 443-373-2756 Wicomico St. Downtown O.C. Friday, March 12: Natalie Davis Band, 9 p.m.

Saturday, March 13: DJ Wax, 11 a.m., Skid Lid, 4 p.m.

Fuzzbox Piranha, 9 p.m.

Sunday, March 14: Anna Burgess, 3 p.m.

DJ Wax, 10 p.m.

Wednesday, March 17: DJ RobCee, 10 p.m.

FAGER’S ISLAND 410-524-5500 60th St. in the Bay Friday, March 12: DJ Greg, 5 p.m., DJ RobCee, 9 p.m., Saturday, March 13: Less Than 3, Noon, DJ Greg, 5 p.m., DJ Groove, 9 p.m.

Best Beats The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

on the beach

March 12, 2021

DJ ROBCEE Fager’s Island: Friday, March 12 Crawl St. Tavern: Wednesday, March 17

BEATS BY WAX Crawl St. Tavern: Sunday, March 14 Pickles Pub: Tuesdays & Thursdays Coins Pub: Wednesday, March 17

DJ BK Buxy’s Salty Dog: Saturday, March 13

NATALIE DAVIS BAND Crawl Street Tavern: Friday, March 13

BEATS BY ADAM DUTCH Purple Moose: Friday & Saturday, March 12 & 13, 2 p.m.

Pickles Pub: Saturday March 13, 9:30 p.m.

BLAKE HALEY Greene Turtle West: Tuesdays

VERTIGO RED Purple Moose Saloon: Friday & Saturday, March 12 & 13

BEATS BY STYLER Pickles Pub: Fridays, Saturdays & Wednesdays

DJ TUFF Crabcake Factory Bayside: Wednesday, March 17

LIME GREEN BAND Greene Turtle West: Saturday, March 13

KARAOKE W/WOOD Pickles Pub: Mondays

AARON HOWELL 45th St.Taphouse: Tuesdays Taphouse Tavern: Wednesdays

DJ GROOVE Fager’s Island: Saturday, March 13

FUZZBOX PIRANHA Crawl St. Tavern: Saturday, March 13

March 12, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 53

Who’s Where When

AARON HOWELL DUO Buxy’s Salty Dog: Saturday, March 13

FULL CIRCLE DUO Coins Pub: Friday & Saturday, March 12 & 13

SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE DUO Seacrets: Saturday, March 13

OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS Seacrets: Thursday, March 18

COLOSSAL FOSSIL SAUCE 45th St. Taphouse: Saturday, March 13

LIMA BEAN RIOT DUO Seacrets: Friday & Saturday, March 12 & 13

SKIDLID Crawl St. Tavern: Saturday, March 13

BENDERZ DUO Seacrets: Friday, March 12

KONO NATION DUO Seacrets: Saturday, March 13

HIGH FIVE SWAN DIVE DUO Seacrets: Saturday, March 13

GREENE TURTLE WEST 410-213-1500 Rte. 611, West OC Saturday, March 13: Lime Green Band, 4 p.m.

Tuesdays: Bingo with Blake Haley HOOTERS 410-289-2690 5th Street & Boardwalk Saturday, March 13: O.C. Pipes & Drums PICKLES PUB 410-289-4891 8th St. & Philadelphia Ave. Friday, March 12: Beats By Styler, 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 13: Beats By Styler 1 p.m., Casper 5:30 p.m., Adam Dutch, 9:30 p.m.

Mondays: Karaoke With Wood Tuesdays: Beats By Wax Wednesdays: Beats By Styler Thursdays: Beats By Wax PURPLE MOOSE 410-289-6953 Between Caroline & Talbot Streets On The Boardwalk Friday & Saturday, March 12 & 13: DJ Adam Dutch, 2 p.m.

Vertigo Red, 9 p.m.

SEACRETS 410-524-4900 49th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, March 12: Benderz Duo, 5 p.m., Lima Bean Riot Duo, 5 p.m.

Saturday, March 13: High Five Swan Dive Duo, Noon, Stealing Savannah Duo, 1 p.m., Lima Bean Riot Duo, 5 p.m.

Kono Nation Duo, 5:30 p.m.

Shake Shake Shake Duo, 10 p.m.

Wednesday, March 17: Jimi & Jeff, 6 p.m.

Thursday, March 18: Opposite Directions

Page 54

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Ocean Pines Farmers Market Open Saturdays

March 12, 2021

BERLIN – With the arrival of spring, the Ocean Pines Farmers and Artisans Market is ready to celebrate the end of an unforgiving winter and roll out the red carpet for springtime.

At the market shop of Longridge Gardens, signs of spring have been popping up for several weeks. Terry Jordan, owner of the floral stand, has just begun harvesting blooms from the more than 80,000 daffodil bulbs sown on her Wicomico County homestead.

Jordan gets a head start on spring by filling her market shop with forced seasonal blooms.

"Last fall, we planted thousands of tulips in our greenhouse, so the flowers would be blossoming earlier than those grown in the gardens,” Jordan said.

During the late months of winter, the avid gardener prunes budding spring branches from her property. Jordan then introduces branches of springblooming shrubs like pussy willow and forsythia to a warmer environment in the greenhouse, encouraging them to bloom for use in her floral arrangements.

Craig Brady of Stag Run Farm is also busy pruning branches. He regularly prunes the apple trees on his farm's orchards during the late winter and early spring, to help keep the trees healthy and prevent overcrowding of the fruit bared later in the summer.

Spring is also the time when he applies a coat of protective paint to the base of the apple trees, preventing sunburn to the tree trunks during the summer.

Salad greens and herbs will be ready for transplanting into the fields in a few short weeks. The Georgetown, Delaware farm is also the largest grower of asparagus in southern Delaware, and the perennial crop is a sure sign that the local growing season has begun.

"We have seeded our lettuce and basil crops in our propagation greenhouse,” Brady said.

Next month, the Ocean Pines market will host its annual Easter Holiday market on April 3. Many of the market's bakers will offer spring sweet treats, including Del Vecchio's Bakery, which features traditional baked goods.

"We will be taking special orders to ensure everyone can get the items they want for their holiday table," Jackie McKenzie, who manages the Del Vecchio's stand, said.

Through the end of March, the market runs Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at its White Horse Park location. The market returns to in-season hours of 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., starting on the first Saturday in April.

The Dispatch Classifieds

March 12, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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

NOW HIRING

TECHNICIANS

HELP WANTED LANDSCAPE WORKERS NEEDED: Must have valid DL. Reliable transportation to work. Call 410-641-2177. The Moore Companies, Berlin, MD. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––– CONDO CLEANERS: Clean condos in Ocean City. Spring, Summer, and Fall. Lisa’s Cleaning Service. 443-783-5033.

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

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– FULL MOON SALOON: Now hiring a full time server. Apply within at 12702 Old Bridge Road, WOC. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Now Hiring

• DELIVERY DRIVERS Make Up To $20/Hour Full-Time or Part-Time Call 443-856-5652 or Apply In Person Downtown Location 710 N. Philadelphia Ave.

Call 410-352-5252

CARPENTERS & CARPENTERS HELPERS

Must have: Tools, Transportation, Driver’s License

Exp. Required!

PATTERSON & SONS BUILDERS

Call 410-641-9530

Now Hiring •ALL KITCHEN POSITIONS

Apply in Person IN THE OF FENWICK

THE SPINNAKER NOW HIRING FULL-TIME SEASONAL: FRONT DESK HOUSEKEEPING MAINTENANCE/ BELLMAN Daytime & Evening Positions Available

APPLY IN PERSON 1800 Baltimore Avenue Monday-Friday 11am-4pm

HIRING AT BOTH LOCATIONS ALL POSITIONS INCLUDING MANAGEMENT

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APPLY IN PERSON South Location 31st St. Coastal Hwy. 410-289-2581 North Location 128th St. Coastal Hwy. 410-250-2304

PUT YOUR LOGO IN COLOR FOR JUST $10

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

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

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

Peninsula Irrigation, Inc. is expanding & currently seeking exp. installation & service technicians.

Exp. pref., but will train right person.

Must be self-motivated, have drivers license & transportation.

Page 55

AWESOME PEOPLE

Holding open interviews

NOW HIRING - YEAR ROUND EXPERIENCED BARTENDER Call 410-726-7061 for Interview

I NDI A N RI VER MA R INA NOW HI R ING SUMMER POSI TI ONS!

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Year Round Positions ~ROOM ATTENDANT ~LAUNDRY ~LOBBY ATTENDANT ~OVERNIGHT CLEANER ~HOUSEKEEPING SUPERVISOR ~FRONT DESK AGENT ~NIGHT AUDIT ~RESERVATIONS ~PAINTER ~FRONT DESK SUPERVISOR Seasonal Positions ~SERVER ~BARTENDER ~HOSTESS/HOST ~BUSSER ~FOOD RUNNERS ~POOL ATTENDANT ~WAREHOUSE CLERK ~GRILL COOKS ~BEACH STAND ~SECURITY EXCELLENT BENEFITS! FAX RESUME & SALARY REQ. to: 410-723-9109 Online at www.clarionoc.com APPLY IN PERSON Mon-Sat 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

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

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Greene Turtle West, Rt. 611, West OC 410-213-1500

The Dispatch

Classifieds

Page 56

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

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

RESTAURANT ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT POSITION Seeking a highly organized detailed individual to support management team with accounting operations.

Strong bookkeeping and restaurant payroll skills a must.

Experience with POS systems, HR, food and beverage inventory and costing, managing day to day cash, posting to accounts, as well as various other office duties.

Familiarity with industry specifics.

Please send resume to wmspds@aol.com

Please send resume and cover letter by March 17, 2021 to Bart Dorsch, 13070 St. Martin's Neck, Bishopville, MD 21813, e-mail bart.dorsch@maryland.gov or fax to 410-352-3369 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.

FULL TIME OPERATIONS MANAGER BAY FOREST COMMUNITY, OCEAN VIEW, DE Bay Forest Community, a fast growing Homeowners Association, in Ocean View, Delaware, is looking for a full time Operations Manager who must demonstrate proficiency in some or all of the following areas: grounds management, facilities management, and community operations. Operations Manager must exhibit good interpersonal skills, have good written and oral communication skills, basic computer knowledge, and ability to perform small repairs and maintenance. If you are a team player, looking for a challenging yet rewarding position, please send resume to Stefanie.Minemier@casinc.biz by April 1, 2021. Salary dependant on experience.

Currently hiring manpower for

•STUCCO & EIFS MECHANICS •CARPENTERS •CONCRETE BLOCK •COATINGS SPECIALISTS •FLAT CONCRETE •CONCRETE REPAIRS •PT WELDER •COMMERCIAL CAULKING •WINDOW & DOOR INSTALLERS •WAREHOUSE HELP (DRIVER’S LICENSE REQ’D) Experience Preferred. Tools, transportation & a valid driver’s license are a plus. Competitive benefit package available.

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

PART-TIME FRONTLINE ASSOCIATE Farmers Bank of Willards has a Part-Time Frontline Associate position available at the Talbot Branch, Ocean City location. Looking for professional and motivated individuals with extraordinary customer service skills. Cash handling experience & excellent computer skills a must.

Please send resume to 12641 Ocean Gateway, OC, MD 21842 or email: jennie.rice@fbwbank.com Application cut off is 03-22-2021 “Equal Employment Opportunity-Affirmative Action Employer”

RETRO-FITTING LIGHTING ASSISTANT

Looking for assistant to help with Retro-Fitting Lighting. Electrical knowledge a plus, but not necessary. Part-time to start, but could turn into full-time. Must have own transportation.

Call 410-212-3507 for more information.

I NDI A N R I V ER MA R I NA I S NO W HI R I NG! •MAINTENANCE •NIGHT WATCH 3PM-11PM SHIFT

WORCESTER COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT SEASONAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AIDE Duties include conducting water quality analysis at public swimming pools/spas in Ocean City, Maryland. Some evening and weekend work a possibility. Applicant must be a high school graduate or possess a GED. Valid driver’s license required. Pool Operator Certification preferred. Background check is required.

March 12, 2021

NOW HIRING - YEAR ROUND COOK OCEAN PINES LOCATION

Call 410-726-7061 for Interview

AUTOMOTIVE GREAT OPPORTUNITIES! Large automotive center with auto parts/ marine store, service centers, and used car dealership, is now hiring for: ~Service Parts & Advisors ~Experienced Tow Truck Drivers ~Technicians ~Maryland State Inspector Excellent Pay and Benefits.

Call: 302-344-9846

The Castle in the Sand Hotel and The Barefoot Mailman are currently seeking applicants for the following positions for the 2021 season.

FRONT DESK ATTENDANTS CERTIFIED LIFEGUARDS HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES FOOD & BEVERAGE STAFF Experienced applicants are preferred, but not required. We require a satisfactory pre-employment background check by all applicants. Please contact Bob at 410-2896846 for further information or to schedule an interview.

Come Join Our Winning Team!

Now accepting applications for the following positions!

Reservationist Over Night Front Desk Front Desk Room Attendant Houseperson Laundry Attendant Room Inspectors Maintenance Server Cashier Barista Looking for experienced personnel with customer service skills. Must be flexible with hours. Email resume to jobs@carouselhotel.com or stop by and complete an application at the Front Desk.

We require satisfactory pre-employment drug testing and background check.

Carousel Resort Hotel & Condominiums 11700 Coastal Highway Ocean City, MD 21842 EOE

•GENERAL CLERICAL

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

FULL-TIME PERSONAL BANKER Farmers Bank of Willards has a Full-Time Personal Banker position available at the North Ocean City location. Looking for professional and motivated individuals with extraordinary customer service skills. Cash handling experience & excellent computer skills a must.

Please email your resume to kelly.drexel@fbwbank.com or call Kelly Drexel at 410-250-1512 Application cut off is 03-22-2021 “Equal Employment Opportunity-Affirmative Action Employer”

RENTALS

COMMERCIAL

WINTER RENTAL: 122nd St., ocean side, 1BR, 1BA condo.

Clean, Cozy, Furnished. Non smoking. $700/mo + elec. & sec. dep. Water incl. 443-373-5638.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– YEAR ROUND: 70th St., OC, MD. Avail. in April. Y/R 2nd flr, unfurnished apt., 1 block from ocean.

2BR/1BA, W/D. $1800/mo + util. + 1 mon. sec. dep. req’d. Application and background check performed.

Call Denice 443-497-0140.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

FOR LEASE: Retail Banking Center with drive thru. Contact Brian Gamm. 443-880-2225.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– UPSCALE MIDTOWN OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT: 2,130 sq.ft.

No CAM fees. 443-880-2225.

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

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

WEEKLY RENTALS Poolfront Room $215.

Efficiency Room $245.

2 BR Apartment $350.

3 BR Suite $400.

Burgundy Inn 1210 Philadelphia Ave.

BOATS PONTOON BOAT WANTED: 27’ Tri-Hull with Trailer. Ocean Pines or surrounding areas. 410-8323824.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

The Dispatch Is On Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

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Follow Us Today And Get The Daily News Updates As They Happen!

The Dispatch

Classifieds

March 12, 2021

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

Ceja’s Landscaping & More!

SERVICES NEED KINDLING?: I will crack it at your house. $25/hour. Call Bill at 443-717-1635.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– OUTDOOR STEP SERVICES: Nonskid tape application. Step painting. Cement steps/stoops upkept. Colored cement plastering.

Curve repairs. 717-680-1948 or 410-212-6255.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

•YARD MAINTENANCE •PAINTING •POWER WASHING 410-251-3425 410-202-2545

GET YOUR DAILY BUZZ!

The Dispatch

mdcoastdispatch.com

Legal Notices

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

THIRD INSERTION JAMES A. LIST, ESQ. THE LAW OFFICES OF JAMES A. LIST 5700 COASTAL HIGHWAY, SUITE 100 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

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:

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18610

(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

To all persons interested in the estate of JEANNE I. DONOVAN, ESTATE NO. 18610. Notice is given that LESLIE E. DONOVAN, 2403 NORMANDY SQUARE PLACE #E, SILVER SPRING, MD 20906 was on, FEBRUARY 18, 2021, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of JEANNE I. DONOVAN, who died on JANUARY 16, 2021, with a will.

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

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 18th day of AUGUST, 2021.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication FEBRUARY 26, 2021 LESLIE E. DONOVAN Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x, 02-26, 03-05, 03-12

THIRD INSERTION

LAW OFFICE OF MARIANNA BATIE MARIANNA BATIE ESQ 9748 STEPHEN DECATUR HIGHWAY, SUITE 112 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ESTATE NO. 18611 Notice is given that the ORPHANS’ COURT of LANCASTER COUNTY, PA, appointed DEBORAH A. MILES, 1405 PENNSCOTT DRIVE, LANDISVILLE, PA 17538 as the EXCUTRIX of the Estate of ROBERT LEE SMITH, who died on OCTOBER 27, 2020, domiciled in PENNSYLVANIA, USA. The Maryland resident agent for service of process is MARIANNA BATIE ESQ, whose address is 9748 STEPHEN DECATUR HWY. STE 112, OCEAN CITY, MD 21842.

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 foreign personal representative mails or 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 claim 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.

THE LAW OFFICES OF JAMES A. LIST 5700 COASTAL HIGHWAY, SUITE 100 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18617 To all persons interested in the estate of SAM B. SMITH JR., ESTATE NO. 18617. Notice is given that FRANCES A. ZIMMERMAN, 12321 FALLS ROAD, COCKEYSVILLE, MD 21030 was on, FEBRUARY 24, 2021, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of SAM B. SMITH, who died on JANUARY 23, 2021, with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 24th day of AUGUST, 2021.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication FEBRUARY 26, 2021

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication MARCH 05, 2021

DEBORAH A. MILES Foreign Personal Representative

FRANCES A. ZIMMERMAN 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, 02-26, 03-05, 03-12

SECOND INSERTION JAMES A. LIST, ESQ.

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, 03-05, 03-12, 03-19

SECOND INSERTION

B. RANDALL COATES ESQ. COATES, COATES, &

Page 57 COATES 204 WEST GREEN STREET SNOW HILL, MD 21863

LLP 3509 COASTAL HIGHWAY OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18621

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18622

To all persons interested in the estate of EUGENIA HICKMAN PERDUE, ESTATE NO. 18621. Notice is given that JOHN AVERY PERDUE, 6618 SNOW HILL ROAD, SNOW HILL, MD 21863 was on, FEBRUARY 26, 2021, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of EUGENIA HICKMAN PERDUE, who died on JANUARY 30, 2021, with a will.

To all persons interested in the estate of SANDRA M. QUILLIN, ESTATE NO. 18622. Notice is given that JEHU DIRICKSON QUILLIN III, 11107 CHARLIE DRIVE, BISHOPVILLE, MD 21813 was on, FEBRUARY 26, 2021, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of SANDRA M. QUILLIN, who died on DECEMBER 22, 2020, 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.

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 26th day of AUGUST, 2021.

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 26th day of AUGUST, 2021.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication MARCH 05, 2021 JOHN AVERY PERDUE 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, 03-05, 03-12, 03-19

SECOND INSERTION

REGAN J. R. SMITH ESQ. WILLIAMS, MOORE, SHOCKLEY & HARRISON

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication MARCH 05, 2021 JEHU DIRICKSON QUILLIN III 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, 03-05, 03-12, 03-19

SECOND INSERTION

MARK H. WITTSTADT, ESQ. JUSTIN HOY, ESQ. QUINTAIROS, PRIETO WOOD & BOYER, PA

The Dispatch

Page 58

Legal Notices

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

1966 GREENSPRING DRIVE, SUITE LL2 LUTHERVILLE-TIMONIUM, MD 21093

thereon being known as 409 Bonneville Avenue, Pocomoke City, Maryland 21851.

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE’S SALE OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY

The property is residential and is believed to be improved by a dwelling. The information contained herein was obtained from sources deemed to be reliable but is offered for informational purposes only.

Neither the auctioneer, the Trustee nor their agents or attorneys make any representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy of the information.

Prospective purchasers are urged to perform their own due diligence with respect to the property and the uses thereof, prior to the foreclosure auction.

409 BONNEVILLE AVENUE POCOMOKE CITY, MARYLAND 21851 By virtue of a power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust from PRLAP, Inc. to Ernest J. Barnes dated April 20, 2005 and recorded in Liber 4449, Folio 392 in the Land Records for Worcester County, Maryland, default having occurred under the terms thereof, the undersigned Trustee will offer for sale at public auction, at the Circuit Court for Worcester County, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, MD 21863, (Sale will be held at the courthouse door), on MARCH 25, 2021 AT 1:00 PM All that lot or parcel of land situate, lying and being in the Town of Pocomoke, in the Election District, Worcester County, State of Maryland, and BEGINNING for the same on the Northeasterly side of Bonneville Avenue at the line of the property now or formerly of Lewis Gunby, and running thence by and with said Bonneville Avenue in a Southeasterly direction a distance of 47 feet and 6 inches the line of the property now or formerly of George H. Long, which was conveyed to him by deed from Quince Ashburn and wife; thence running in a Northeasterly direction by and with said Long land a distance of 85 feet to the line of a certain Johns Sidney Collins to a point a distance of 102 feet from an iron pin driven in the ground on the inside of the sidewalk on Fifth Street, said iron pin being a boundary between the property now or formerly of the said John Sidney Collins and the property now or formerly of Harrison Hargis; thence running in a Northwesterly direction by and with the line of the said Collins property a distance of 47 feet and 6 inches to the line of the property now or formerly of Lewis Gunby; thence running in a Southwesterly direction by and with the line of the said Gunby land a distance of 85 feet to the place of beginning; The improvements

The property will be sold in an "as is" condition and subject to conditions, restrictions and agreements of record affecting the same, if any and with no warranty of any kind.

Terms of Sale: A deposit of $2,345.00 in the form of certified check or cashier’s check will be required of the purchaser at time and place of sale. Balance of the purchase price to be paid in cash within 10 days of final ratification of the sale by the Circuit Court for Worcester County. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE. If the purchaser fails to settle within the aforesaid ten (10) days of ratification, the purchaser relinquishes their deposit, and the Trustee may file an appropriate motion with the court to resell the property.

Purchaser waives personal service of any paper filed with the Court in connection with such motion and any Show Cause Order issued by the Court and expressly agrees to accept service of any such paper or Order by certified mail and regular mail sent to the address provided by the purchaser and as recorded on the documents executed by the purchaser at the time of the sale. Service shall be deemed effective upon the purchaser 3 days after postmarked by the United States Post Office. It is expressly agreed by the purchaser that actual receipt of the certified mail is not required for service to be effective. If the purchaser fails to go to settlement the deposit shall be forfeited to the Trustee and all expenses of this sale (including attorney fees and full commission on the gross sales price of the

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

March 12, 2021

sale) shall be charged against and paid from the forfeited deposit. In the event of resale the defaulting purchaser shall not be entitled to any surplus proceeds or profits resulting from any resale of the property regardless of any improvements made to the real property. Interest is to be paid on the unpaid purchase money at the rate of 6.375% per annum from the date of sale to the date the funds are received in the office of the Trustee. Taxes, ground rent, water rent, condominium fees and/or homeowner association dues, all public charges/assessments payable on an annual basis, including sanitary and/or metropolitan district charges, if applicable, to be adjusted for the current year to date of sale and assumed thereafter by the purchaser. Purchaser shall be responsible for the costs of all transfer taxes, (including agricultural transfer taxes, if applicable), documentary stamps and all other costs incident to settlement. Purchaser shall be responsible for physical possession of the property.

Purchaser assumes the risk of loss from the date of sale forward. If the Trustee is unable to convey either insurable or good and marketable title, or the sale is not ratified for any reason by the Circuit Court including errors made by the Trustee, the purchaser’s sole remedy at law or in equity shall be limited to a refund of the deposit without any interest.

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 1ST day of SEPTEMBER, 2021.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication MARCH 05, 2021

LESLIE SHRIEVES 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, 03-12, 03-19, 03-26

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, 03-12, 03-19, 03-26

WILLIAM E. ESHAM III ESQ. AYRES, JENKINS, GORDY & ALMAND, PA 6200 COASTAL HIGHWAY SUITE 200 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

MARK H. WITTSTADT SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE JUSTIN HOY SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE AUCTION.COM 1 MAUCHLY, IRVINE, CA 92618 3x, 03-05, 03-12, 03-19

FIRST INSERTION

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18605 To all persons interested in the estate of JESSIE CAUSEY, ESTATE NO. 18605. Notice is given that WANDA GORDY, P.O. BOX 45, FRUITLAND, MD 21826 and LESLIE SHRIEVES, 1691 ST. LUKES ROAD, SALISBURY, MD 21804 was on, MARCH 01, 2021, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of JESSIE CAUSEY, who died on JANUARY 13, 2021, with a will.

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

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication MARCH 12, 2021 WANDA GORDY Personal Representative

FIRST INSERTION

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18626 To all persons interested in the estate of RALPH THOMAS PHILLIPS , ESTATE NO. 18626. Notice is given that RALPH PHILLIPS JR., P.O. BOX 1695, BERLIN, MD 21811 was on, MARCH 02, 2021, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of RALPH THOMAS PHILLIPS, who died on NOVEMBER 9, 2020, 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 be-

fore the 2ND day of SEPTEMBER, 2021.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication MARCH 12, 2021 RALPH PHILLIPS JR. Personal Representative

FIRST INSERTION

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18633 To all persons interested in the estate of PEGGY SHARP PITMAN, ESTATE NO. 18633. Notice is given that SANDRA BEATTY, 221 VIRGINIA AVENUE, ST CLOUD, FL 34769 and LAWRENCE C PITMAN JR, 10521 FOXBERRYPARK COURT, RENO, NV 89521 was on, MARCH 04, 2021, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of PEGGY SHARP PITMAN, who died on OCTOBER 20, 2020, 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 4TH day of SEPTEMBER, 2021.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication MARCH 12, 2021 SANDRA BEATTY Personal Representative LAWRENCE C PITMAN JR Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x, 03-12, 03-19, 03-26

FIRST INSERTION

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18634 To all persons interested in the estate of ROBERT FRANCIS GRADY, ESTATE NO. 18634. Notice is given that KATHLEEN DOROTHY FOWLER, 64 WATERTOWN ROAD, OCEAN PINES, MD 21811 was on, MARCH 04, 2021, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of ROBERT FRANCIS GRADY, who died on FEBRUARY 27, 2021, with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 4TH day of SEPTEMBER, 2021.

Any person having a claim

The Dispatch

March 12, 2021

Legal Notices

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

against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

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

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch 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 SEPTEMBER, 2021.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine months from the date of the decedent's death; or

(2) Two months after the foreign personal representative mails or 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 claim 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.

(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 MARCH 12, 2021

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication MARCH 12, 2021

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication MARCH 12, 2021

KATHLEEN DOROTHY FOWLER Personal Representative

KAREN MOTON Foreign Personal Representative

JEFFREY L STEVENS 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, 03-12, 03-19, 03-26

FIRST INSERTION

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ESTATE NO. 18637 Notice is given that the PROBATE COURT of SUSSEX COUNTY, DE, appointed KAREN MOTON, 22 S. MAIN STREET, SELBYVILLE, DE 19975 as the EXCUTRIX of the Estate of CHARLES D. MOTON, who died on DECEMBER 13, 2019, domiciled in DELAWARE, USA. The Maryland resident agent for service of process is DOROTHY SWIMM, whose address is 3 SILVERWOOD CIRCLE #3, ANNAPOLIS, MD 21403.

At the time of death, the decedent owned real or leasehold property in the

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, 03-12, 03-19, 03-26

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. 18646 To all persons interested in the estate of JEANNE MARIE STEVENS, ESTATE NO. 18646. Notice is given that JEFFREY L STEVENS, 17 70TH STREET 23, OCEAN CITY, MD 21842 was on, MARCH 08, 2021, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of JEANNE MARIE STEVENS, who died on DECEMBER 29, 2020, without a will.

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, 03-12, 03-19, 03-26

FIRST INSERTION

LESLIE LOBOS, ESQ. IN-HOUSE COUNSEL PINES PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, INC. 11029 CATHELL ROAD BERLIN, MD 21811 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND CASE NO. C-23-CV-21-000028 VILLAS OF OCEAN PINES BORDERLINKS TIMESHARE OWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC. 11029 CATHELL ROAD BERLIN, MD 21811 Plaintiff v.

LOLITA F. MAXWELL, ET AL. Defendants

Page 59

TRUSTEE’S SALE OF TIME SHARE INTERVALS IN THE VILLAS OF OCEAN PINES, BORDERLINKS CONDOMINIUM, OCEAN PINES, MD By virtue of a certain Claim of Lien recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland, and pursuant to the Order of the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, Case No. C-23-CV-21-000028, the undersigned Trustee, will offer for sale at public auction at the entrance of the Villas of Ocean Pines, located at, 438 Ocean Parkway, Ocean Pines, Maryland, the following described property located in Ocean Pines, Worcester County, Maryland, on Monday, March 29, 2021 at 11:00 a.m., the following timeshare intervals: Condomimium Unit Bq43 Ag7

Time Interval 3 43

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

The property will be sold in an “as is” condition and subject to conditions, restrictions and agreements of record affecting the same, if any, and with no warranties and guarantees.

A secured party may bid and shall be excused from deposit requirements. The Trustee reserves the right to withdraw any interval from the sale and/or to reject any and all bids.

Terms of Sale: A deposit in the full amount of the sales price per time interval will be required at the time of sale, such deposit to be in cash or check. Cost of all documentary stamps, transfer taxes, 2021 maintenance fees and all other settlement costs shall be borne by the purchaser. The date of set-

tlement shall be within fifteen (15) days after final ratification by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, time being of the essence; otherwise the deposit will be forfeited and the property will be resold at the risk and expense of the defaulting purchaser, or in any manner designated by the Trustee; or, without forfeiting deposit, the Seller may exercise any of its legal or equitable rights against the defaulting purchaser.

For more information, call: Leslie Lobos, Esq., Trustee, at 240-449-8862.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication MARCH 12, 2021 3x, 03-12, 03-19, 03-26

NOTICE NOTICE OF APPLICATION TO ESTABLISH A BRANCH OF A STATE MEMBER BANK Shore United Bank, 18 E. Dover Street, Easton, Maryland intends to apply to the Federal Reserve Board for permission to establish a branch at 3409 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, Maryland 21842.

The Federal Reserve considers a number of factors in deciding whether to approve the application including the record of performance of applicant banks in helping to meet local credit needs.

You are invited to submit comments in writing on this application to the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, P.O. Box 27622, Richmond, VA 23261. Comments can also be sent electronically to comments.applications@rich.frb.org. The comment period will not end before April 2, 2021. The Board’s procedures for processing applications may be found at 12 C.F.R. Part 262. Procedures for processing protested applications may be found at 12 C.F.R. 262.25. To obtain a copy of the Federal Reserve Board’s procedures, or if you need more information about how to submit your comments on the application, contact Adam M. Drimer, Assistant Vice President, at (804) 697-8980. The Federal Reserve will consider your comments and any request for a public meeting or formal hearing on the application if they are received in writing by the Reserve Bank on or before the last day of the comment period.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication MARCH 12, 2021 1x 3-12

Business

Page 60

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

March 12, 2021

And Real Estate News Tourney Benefits AGH

BERLIN – Sunset Marina and Grille’s Towers and Tails Rena Bishop Broadbill Bash fishing tournament has generously donated $33,606 to the Atlantic General Hospital John H. ‘Jack’ Burbage, Jr. Regional Cancer Care Center.

In early 2020, beloved Sunset Grille employee Rena Bishop was diagnosed with stage 4 triple negative metastatic breast cancer. In extreme attempts to broadcast the most genuine meaning behind "fight with all of your might," the Rena Bishop Inaugural Broadbill Bash was founded.

The three-day tournament hosted by Sunset Marina and Sunset Grille was created in an effort to couple Bishop’s love for the Ocean City community and passion for offshore fishing, while bringing local fishermen together to raise funds and awareness for Atlantic General Hospital and the John H. ‘Jack’ Burbage, Jr. Regional Cancer Center.

"My mission in founding this tournament is to express the importance in fighting to live, instead of living to die,” said Bishop. “Everyone in life serves a purpose, and I do not plan to leave this Earth without serving mine. This is my next chapter, my chance to remind peo-

ple to give it all you have. Keep smiling, I always have been and always will be no matter where I end up.”

Public Works Head Welcomed BERLIN – The Town of Berlin welcomed a new public works superintendent last month as a longtime official prepares to retire.

As the retirement of Dave Wheaton, the town’s public works superintendent, approaches, the municipality in February hired new employee James (Jimmy) Charles to take over the role. Charles will work with Wheaton until he officially steps down April 1.

“Jimmy brings a wealth of experience,” said Town Administrator Jeff Fleetwood. “I think the citizens of this town will be well served by him.”

Charles, a native of Lancaster, Pa., said he moved to the Eastern JIMMY Shore 11 years ago. He CHARLES worked with Somerset County Roads and then the City of Crisfield as public works supervisor before applying for the position in Berlin.

“It’s a great opportunity to work with the Town of Berlin,” he said. “Everyone

Rena Bishop is pictured with a big check representing the $33,606 raised during a fishing tournament in her honor last year to benefit the AGH John H. ‘Jack’ Burbage, Jr. Regional Cancer Care Center.

Submitted Photo

has been very welcoming, and I am very much looking forward to working with the town, especially all the great events the town has to offer.”

Charles said he was open to hearing any ideas his department could use to help improve the town.

“The town is progressing, and I look forward to being a part of the town’s growth,” he said. “I also look forward to meeting the community as I will be out and about the town looking to see what needs to be done.”

Wheaton, who has worked for the town since 2004, will retire April 1.

“Dave Wheaton is going to be sorely missed,” Fleetwood said. “I wish him the best, with a happy and health retirement. Dave has been a good friend and a consummate professional.”

Bank Announces Promotion SALISBURY – The Bank of Delmarva President and CEO John W. Breda recently announced Wynter Taylor was promoted within the corporation.

Taylor joined the bank in 2016. She was recently promoted to the role of business analyst and assistant cashier officer for their Northwood Drive Administrative Office. Wynter previously served as the overdraft administrator and accounting clerk.

WYNTER TAYLOR In addition, Taylor recently participated in Leadership Delmarva, an internal leadership program providing an opportunity to learn more about the banking industry and challenging participants to grow both personally and professionally.

Seminar Attended OCEAN CITY – Igor Conev, vice president of Mann Properties Inc. of Ocean City, recently attended the Community Associations Institute’s (CAI) Annual Law Seminar.

IGOR CONEV The CAI Law Seminar event is an SEE NEXT PAGE

. . Business News

March 12, 2021

annual educational, networking and leadership experience organized and managed by experts in community association law and insurance and risk management. The 2021 Community Associations Virtual Law Seminar is a one-of-a-kind gathering for attorneys, insurance professionals, and other industry leaders that examines emerging trends and legislative issues important to the practice of community association law.

Participants reviewed and discussed the latest developments on critical topics, including fair housing laws, case law analysis, legislative trends, insurance and risk management, and ethics.

Conev said he believes professional development is the single most important investment for any company. His theory is that even the most successful companies in the world must constantly endeavor to improve themselves. This is based on the idea that someone is always trying to be the best. As such, complacency is a guaranteed sentence of failure.

“The only way to ensure failure is to do nothing,” Conev said. “I have always been motivated to try anything and everything I can to get ahead. My management team and I are applying this idea to the company. We want to make sure our branding specialists are always working on new skills so that we can constantly improve the services we provide.”

Realtor Earns Recognition SALISBURY – The long awaited national awards for RE/MAX were announced this month, and Pam Price ranked in the top 100 of real estate agents in the entire United States.

This is such a huge honor and I just want to PAM PRICE say thank you to all my clients and friends for putting their trust in me and choosing me to represent them for their real estate needs,” said Price. “2020 was a challenging year for everyone and I could not have made it through without all of you.”

OPA Restructures BERLIN – Because of recent events, the Ocean Pines Association has realigned the management organizational chart.

Changes to the organizational chart include the following positions: Aquatics Director Kathleen Cook is now responsible for beach parking, in addition to the aquatics department.

She will now report directly to General Manager John Viola.

Recreation and Parks Director Debbie Donahue is now responsible for racquet sports, in addition to the Recreation and Parks Department and the marinas. She also is now leading the beautification projects. Racquet Sports Manager and Tennis Pro Terry Underkoffler and Racquet Sports Program Coordinator Tim McMullen will report directly to Donahue. Donahue will con-

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch tinue to report to Viola.

Public Works Director Eddie Wells and Public Works Manager Nobie Violante are now responsible for the oversight and coordination of the Bainbridge Pond drainage project, of which they were already key team members. That is in addition to their existing responsibilities running the Public Works Department. Wells will report to Viola, and Violante will report to Wells.

Director of Finance/Controller Steve Phillips will lead the strategic planning effort, in addition to his existing responsibilities of Finance, Membership, IT and Human Resources. Phillips will continue to report to Viola.

For customer service issues, Public Works Office Manager Linda Martin and Marketing Coordinator Julie Malinowski are now “Level 1” responders, with all department heads acting as “Level 2” responders and Viola as the “Level 3” responder. Martin reports to Viola and Malinowski reports to Director of Public Relations and Marketing Josh Davis.

“This process has been my vision to simplify and ensure quality customer service,” Viola said. “This will now give us proper tracking abilities and metric comparisons. Please join me in wishing the team continued success.”

Job Fair Planned In OC OCEAN CITY – Jolly Roger® Amusement Parks have teamed up with other resort businesses for the first-ever Jolly Roger Job Fair in Ocean City on Saturday, March 13, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Guest Services Building at Jolly Roger® 30th Street where indoor and outdoor booths will be set up.

“We’re getting ready for summer. We can’t wait to open back up and welcome guests back to Ocean City for the summer that they deserve. We want to help get the town fully staffed and ready, said Chris Richardson of Jolly Roger Parks.

Spend your summer having fun in the sun by working, playing, and enjoying everything that an Ocean City summer job has to offer. Enjoy your summer

Page 61 “office-views” with lots of sunshine and relaxing, beach town vibes. Hiring on the spot!

Search jobs available from Boardwalk Hotel Groups Howard Johnson Inn, Boardwalk Hotel Group’s Howard Johnson Plaza, Boardwalk Hotel Group’s Days Inn, Ocean Bites, Kohr Bros, Thrasher’s® Fries, Ripleys Believe It Or Not, and all Jolly Roger® Amusement Parks, including Jolly Roger® Amusement Park, Jolly Roger® at the Pier, SpeedWorld®, Splash Mountain Water Park, and both Jolly Roger® Miniature Golf Courses.

Attendees are asked to fill out the online questionnaire at https://jollyrogerpark.com/jolly-roger-job-fair/ so representatives can match them up with the perfect position. Please also bring two forms of identification.

If this weekend does not work for your schedule, Jolly Roger is holding a second job fair on March 27, from 10 a.m. -4 p.m. at the Guest Services Building, Jolly Roger® 30th Street.

Page 62

Puzzle Answers

PUZZLE ON PAGE 63

St. Paul’s

Episcopal Church 3 Church Street Berlin MD 410~641~4066

JOIN US FOR LIVESTREAM WORSHIP SUNDAYS At 10:30 a.m. On Our Facebook Page St. Paul’s Epsicopal Church - Berlin, MD

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

The Adventures Of Fatherhood

By STEVE GREEN

s a follow-up to last week’s rambling about the wonders of raising teens, and specifically getting them to do homework without brawling, a friend sent me a snip of an image that hit home. Thanks to Ryan Kirby for sending it my way courtesy of @raisingteenstoday.

The image contained the following text: “How A Teenager Does Homework Goes to their bedroom, opens laptop Decides they want a snack Spends 16 minutes staring in the fridge Goes back to bedroom with a piece of cheese Scrolls through Instagram for 15 minutes Watches 42 YouTube videos Does 2 freaking math problems Texts their friends to tell them math sucks Facetimes a friend so they can work on homework together Gossips with friend about everything under the sun Goes to bed at midnight because they’re tired of doing homework Repeat.”

Rather than work on something involving a deadline or a matter of importance, this message inspired me to look around for some other silly memes and takes on homework, parenting and raising teens. These are challenging times for us with our middle school kid. It seems things are either a fight or smooth sailing. Both are unsettling because we never know what we are going to get.

One day he comes home from school, tells us he has a lot of homework, but he will gladly give up Facetime with friends later to get it done so he can play outside until dark. Another day he mopes in the house fretting over two tests the next day, informing us they are going to keep him from concentrating on the pickup football game he wants to play

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There are complex moods and attitudes that go beyond comprehension.

Along those lines, here are some results of my research, some are funny and some meaningful.

•Me at 16: I’m never going to be like my parents.

Me at 45: Why the hell is every light on in the damn house?

•The great thing about raising teenagers is seeing how sweet and kind they can be … to every person that isn’t you.

•When your kids become teenagers buy Alexa so someone listens to you.

Added bonus: Alexa never rolls her eyes.

•I thought raising teeangers would be like those goofy old Brady Brunch episodes about curfews, acne and dating.

It’s not.

It’s more like Survivor meets Dateline – hang in there and don’t murder anyone.

•Teenager: Yes Dad I understand for the 20th time.

Teenager: (Five minutes later)Wait, what did he want me to do again?

•I used to make fun of my parents for going to bed at 9:30 … now I wonder how they stayed up so late.

•Our parents really used to drop us off at the skating rink with money and leave.

•Being a parent of teenagers is so hard But boy, oh boy, being a teenager is hard, too.

If we can just step back a moment to remember what it felt like to be in their shoes, maybe it would help us parent with a little more grace and understanding.

•Mom: Clean you room, family is coming over Teenager: Oh I’m sorry I didn’t realize the gathering would be held in my bedroom.

•There are times as a parent where I

have to ask myself a very important question: Is this just adolescence or am I just amazing at raising an &%#&5@#?

•Teenager: noun 1. Someone who is ready for the zombie apocalypse but not ready for the math test tomorrow.

•The Teen Years .. one giant facepalm for parents.

•Raising a boy is pretty much Fortnite, Roblox, Pizza, Noodles and begging them to take a shower and brush their teeth.

•Dad: Did you brush your teeth? It doesn’t seem like it Teen: Yes why don’t you trust me?

Dad: Because the toothbrush is dry.

Teen: That’s because I brushed my teeth in the shower Dad: Oh, got it.

•I don’t always know when my kids’ projects are due, but when I do you can bet your &%# it’s tomorrow.

•Yes please get a new cup every time you need a drink of water, I love doing dishes… said no mother ever •Mom: How come this sweatshirt is in the dirty clothes again?

Teen: I wore it after school.

Mom: yeah for a few hours inside Teen: Are we that poor, I can’t wear a different hoodie tomorrow?

•Growing up, my mom used to say that she was okay with the fact that I didn’t like her sometimes, and I never truly understood it until I became the parents of teenagers.

•My daughter: Can I go to my friend’s house?

Mom: Take your phone and text me every 20 minutes to tell me you’re okay Mom at 10 years old: I’m off to the abandoned quarry with my pals.

Her Mom: Dinner’s at 5.

•Definitely have kids because adulting isn’t hard enough already and free time is stupid.

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

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March 12, 2021

Horoscopes

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): Consider moving beyond the usual methods to find a more creative means of handling a difficult on-the-job situation.

Avoid confrontation and, instead, aim for cooperation.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): Seasonal change creates a new look for the outdoors. It also inspires Taureans to redo their own environments, and this is a good week to start redoing both your home and workplace. Enjoy.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): A misunderstanding needs to be straightened out so the wrong impression isn't allowed to stand. If necessary, offer to support the use of a third party to act as an impartial arbitrator.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22): A career change offering what you want in money and responsibilities could involve moving to a new location. Discuss this with family members before making a decision.

LEO (July 23 to Aug. 22): Feeling miffed over how you believe you were treated is understandable. But before you decide to "set things straight," make sure the whole thing wasn't just a misinterpretation of the facts.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 to Sept. 22): Showing you care makes it easier to build trust and gain an advantage in handling a delicate situation. What you learn from this experience also will help you understand yourself better.

LIBRA (Sept. 23 to Oct. 22): Planning for the future is fine, especially if

OCEAN CITY vanishing

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

you include the roles that family members may be asked to play. Don't be surprised if some hidden emotions are revealed in the process.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21): Making choices highlights much of the week, and you have a head start here, thanks to your ability to grasp the facts of a situation and interpret them in a clear-cut manner.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 to Dec. 21): Carrying a torch can be a two-way situation: It can either keep you tied to the past or help light your way to the future. The choice, as always, has to be yours.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19): Your watchwords this week are: "Focus." "Focus." "Focus." Don't let yourself be distracted from what you set out to do. There'll be time later to look over other possibilities.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 to Feb. 18): A workplace opportunity might require changes you're not keen on making.

Discuss the plusses and minuses with someone familiar with the situation before you make a decision.

PISCES (Feb. 19 to March 20): Love and romance are strong in your aspect this week. If you've already met the right person, expect your relationship to grow. And if you're still looking, odds are you'll soon be finding it.

BORN THIS WEEK: You approach life in a wise and measured manner, which gives you an edge in many areas. © 2021 King Features Synd., Inc.

Things I Like ...

Page 63

WITH BUNK MANN

One of the biggest events of the season in the 1980s and 1990s was Oceana Magazine’s “Waiter and Waitress Cup.” Held in the convention center’s parking lot, it featured intense competition between employees of local restaurants and bars who raced through an obstacle course while balancing a bottle and glass on a cocktail tray.

The prize package for the winners was outstanding. In addition to cash and bragging rights, it included gift certificates from nearly every restaurant in Ocean City.

Many bars and restaurants had to close that day for lack of help as many of their employees took vacation time or called in sick so they could attend the races. It was one of the most popular events all summer for the town’s college-age workforce.

To purchase one of Bunk Mann's books, click over to www.vanishPhoto by Gregory Poulos ingoc.com.

The Dispatch Crossword Puzzle

By Steve Green

Music playing in a house Streaming live television

Watching kids playing in our yard The efficiency of Zoom meetings Oprah’s interview style

Reading my kids’ body language

Public schools playing sports again

Saving money through a self-repair When government helps people

Short poems with deep meanings Sleeping through a storm

ANSWERS ON PAGE 62

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

March 12, 2021