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Primary Election Decides Local Commissioners, Sheriff Posts See Inside For Coverage File Photo

Captain’s 50-Year Career Honored

See Page 42 • Photo by Charlene Sharpe

New Foal:

Over the weekend, there was a buzz around Assateague Island about the bay colt born on July 13 to Photo by Kim Johnson Photography Johnny’s Star, both pictured above.

Fatal Hit-And-Run Probe Continues

See Page 4 • Submitted Photo

Stacked Parking OK’d For OC Project

Memorial Created: In the days after his death, family and friends of Daniel Hicken created a memorial on the Route 50 Bridge where he passed.

Photo by Campos Media

See Page 30 • Rendering by Becker Morgran

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Family, Restaurant Group Issue Statements In Fatal Probe

Page 4

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

BERLIN – There are still more questions than answers in the tragic hit-andrun collision on Grays Corner Road last week that claimed the life of a local 14year-old, but it appears some of the dots are being connected.

The Maryland State Police (MSP) on Monday announced it had located the vehicle suspected to be involved in the fatal hit-and-run collision that claimed the life of Gavin Knupp, 14, of Ocean Pines, on Grays Corner Road near the Glen Riddle community on July 11. An MSP release announced law enforcement officials located the suspected vehicle, a 2011 black Mercedes, in Worcester County around 1:30 a.m. on Sunday.

On Thursday, the Knupp family through its attorney, Neil Dubobski, who has been retained and specializes in personal injury, released a statement thanking the community for their support and expressing confidence those responsible will be brought to justice. The attorney’s statement was released through family members Ray, Tiffany and Summer Knupp.

“Our hearts are forever broken by the senseless loss of our beautiful son and brother Gavin,” the statement reads.

“While we grieve his death, we have been overwhelmed by the love and support we have received from the community. That has provided strength and comfort during

our darkest days.”

While it appears law enforcement and the judicial system are putting the pieces together in the case, the Knupp family’s statement released through their attorney suggests the family is being patient and letting the investigation run its course.

“We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts,” the statement reads. “We have full trust and confidence in our law enforcement authorities and the justice system to hold accountable all of those responsible.”

It's important to note the MSP Crash Team investigation into the incident is active and ongoing and no persons of interest have been publicly identified.

However, multiple reliable sources have advised the 2011 black Mercedes suspected to be involved in the collision was located in the Ocean Reef community in West Ocean City. A check of court records found one of the individuals connected to the incident through reliable sources reveals prior and recent traffic violations involving a 2011 black Mercedes and an address in the Ocean Reef community.

The investigation is active and ongoing, and no one has been formally charged. However, it appears there is some correlating information based on court records and reliable sources. The preliminary investigation revealed the victim was a pedestrian on Grays Corner Road at Riddle Lane when he was struck by a

July 22, 2022

vehicle traveling east on Gray’s Corner Road. The victim was crossing the roadway to return to a passenger vehicle when he was struck by a motor vehicle, which fled the scene and did not return.

No one has been formally charged in the incident, but a social media post by a local hospitality group owner on Wed-

nesday afternoon appears to provide a little insight. The post’s comments were turned off and ultimately deleted after being heavily criticized through Facebook shares.

Matt Ortt, managing partner of Matt Ortt Companies, posted on social media SEE PAGE 78

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

ple would use that as an example.”

Addis, a newcomer to local politics, challenged Bunting, who’s finishing up his third term as a commissioner, for the District 6 seat. Though he lost, with Bunting receiving 527 votes (59.35%) to his 361 votes, Addis said he learned a lot through the process.

“I knew it’d be tough to win on the first go around,” Addis said, adding that as of now he’s considering another run in four years. “I still have things I’d like to see changed in the county.”

He said he was happy getting 40% of the votes and has now navigated the steep learning curve that comes with running and even simply filing to run for office.

“We tried our best to get our message out,” he said. “I think it worked we just had a lot of people that were comfortable with Commissioner Bunting, and 90% of the time I agree with Jim.” For his part, Bunting thanked voters for giving him the opportunity to represent them for another four years. He said he’d enjoyed talking to Addis at candidate forums and polling places.

“I am humbled that I got reelected for a fourth term,” Bunting said. “I had a good competitor and we got along well.

He ran a good campaign.”

In the adjacent District 5, Bertino, who is finishing up his second term as commissioner, came out ahead of challenger Grant Helvey. Bertino received 508 votes (63.18%) while Helvey received 296 votes.

“I am so humbled to once again have the support of the Ocean Pines community,” Bertino said. “I really do look forward to continuing the work I’ve been doing on their behalf.”

He said he really appreciated the congratulatory phone call he received from Helvey the day after the primary.

“It demonstrates that even in a challenging campaign when it’s all said and done the will of the voters prevails and candidates can work together,” Bertino said.

In District 2, Purnell will retain the seat she’s held since 2014 despite being challenged by Catherine Freeman. Freeman received 64 votes while Purnell received 311. Purnell thanked supporters and said she was eager to continue working for the betterment of the county.

“I’m very pleased my constituents came out and voted,” she said. “I thank them for it.”

Bertino, Bunting, Purnell Cruise In Commissioner Re-Election Bids

STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – A trio of incumbent county commissioners will retain their seats following Tuesday’s primary.

District 2 Commissioner Diana Purnell, District 5 Commissioner Chip Bertino and District 6 Commissioner Jim Bunting received strong voter support in this week’s primary. Candidates, whether they won or not, agreed that one of the biggest takeaways from the primary was how respectfully local politicians campaigned.

“I think the rest of the country should look at how Jim and I opposed each other,” said Richard Addis Jr., Bunting’s challenger. “We did it with civility. We disagreed on policy but we did not degrade each other. I would hope that other peo-

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Tight Contests For Two County Commissioner Seats

July 22, 2022

BY CHARLENE SHARPE STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – Close races for the District 3 and District 4 county commissioner seats could be decided by mail-in ballots.

While candidate Eric Fiori leads District 3 candidates by 34 votes and incumbent Ted Elder leads the District 4 race by 18 votes, mail-in ballots could impact standings. Election officials started canvassing mail ballots Thursday.

“Our final canvass and certification is Friday, July 29,” said Patricia Jackson, election director for the Worcester County Election Office. “If a race is close, it may

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

be the 29th before a winner is declared.”

Fiori Leads In District 3 As expected, four-candidate fields in both districts resulted in relatively close races. In District 3, Fiori, who received 39 votes in early voting, got an additional 254 votes on Tuesday to lead the field with 293 votes. Tim VanVonno, who received 46 early votes, received 213 votes on election day, resulting in a total of 259 votes.

Thomas Gulyas, the former Berlin councilman led in early voting with 49 votes, was sitting in third by the end of Tuesday with a total of 237 votes. Shawn Kotwica rounded out the field with 11 early votes and 102 election day votes.

Fiori said he was cautiously optimistic this week but acknowledged that mail-in ballots were a concern.

“The numbers are close enough it could throw the election,” he said. “I’m cautiously optimistic. We had a hardfought battle.”

He said he’d enjoyed campaigning and thanked his wife and kids, ages 4, 6 and 11, for their help representing him at the polls on Tuesday.

“They were troopers, out there all day getting votes for their dad,” he said.

He added that he’d enjoyed campaigning, which primarily involved attending community events and meeting voters

Page 7

one-on-one, and said that he’d been pleased to encounter truly engaged voters during his visits to the polls.

Gulyas congratulated Fiori on social media Wednesday morning and also acknowledged VanVonno and Kotwica.

“Gentlemen,” he wrote. “It was a fun, clean race. I got to know more about all three of you and I’m a better person for it.

We need to embrace Eric’s win and we wish him the best of luck in his political career.”

VanVonno congratulated his peers on their efforts campaigning but noted there were 228 mail-in ballots out in District 3 SEE PAGE 9

Fri-Sun Mon-Thurs

Planners Debate Residential, Commercial Growth

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Resort planners this week renewed the debate about how much residential growth should be allowed in the town’s dwindling commercially zoned areas.

During a spirited public hearing last month, the Ocean City Planning Commission heard from residents and property owners on both sides of the residential versus commercial growth in the town.

Of course, the roughly 10-mile barrier island is nearing buildout, although there have been substantial redevelopment projects in recent years with more in the planning pipeline.

The town’s code is explicit on what types of projects can be developed in

the various zoning distinctions throughout the town, but short of strict enforcement of the code, there have often been condominium projects developed in commercial zones.

The ideal redevelopment includes mixed-use projects that include some residential and some commercial, or retail or service, amenities, and that has been true in many recent redevelopment projects.

However, with residential projects increasingly encroaching on commercially zone properties, the planning commission is considering an amendment to the code that would restrict some residential development and preserve the commercially zoned properties.

It has been said at the planning commission level, and at different levels in

city government, that the increased encroachment on commercially zoned properties is forcing residents and visitors to leave the island to find retail outlets and other services.

Planning and Community Development Director Bill Neville provided an overview of the planning commission’s public hearing from last month.

“My takeaway from reviewing the transcript is the majority of the speakers believed the proposed change was large enough to affect a lot of properties,” he said. “The other thing I though was a benefit was the notion to allow the planning commission to continue to have site plan approval authority.”

Neville outlined the intent of the proposed code changes regarding residential development in the commercial zones. He said the intent was not

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to hamstring a property owner on what they can develop on their property, but rather to find a balance.

“Our role to have a successful town is to have a variety of uses,” he said.

“That’s a really good thing. The conversation we want to have is what tools do we use to achieve that. We don’t want to hamstring property owners. Are we just talking about large properties? How much commercial is ideal for the growth of the town?”

Planning Commission chair Pam Buckley said parking issues would continue to dictate the town’s growth patterns.

“It’s the parking that is the issue,” she said. “There is also the issue of people buying in commercial zones and not realizing it’s commercial. Maybe we can continue along those lines.”

Commissioner Maryellen Rosenblit said finding a balance for a livable, walkable community should be the goal.

“I’m very happy in my residential neighborhood at 14th Street I can walk to CVS if I need to,” she said. “I think everybody desires the same thing. I don’t always have to get in the car and drive across the highway.”

Planning Commissioner Palmer Gillis said there were inherent risks to buying and redeveloping a property, but that was not under the purview of the commission.

“When you have an idea for a property, you spend money and you risk money,” he said. “That’s part of being a developer. When we do projects that are entirely residential, we lose to opportunity to walk where we want and get what we need. The problem is on-street parking for the residents.”

Gillis said the commission should be cognizant of retaining as much commercially zone property as possible while reviewing proposed projects.

“If the whole island is built out, and I don’t agree with that, we should be sending up the red flag and sounding the alarm to save commercial zoning,” he said. “That’s our job. Mixed-use is a good thing. You can make a nice livable, walkable community by doing that. Look at Sunset Island.” .

Gillis said the planning commission has to be cognizant of the citizens it represents when making zoning decisions.

“Our job is to protect the taxpayers and the citizens,” he said. “We are not up here to protect developers. I’m okay with sending this to the Mayor and Council, because it is ultimately their decision.”

He continued, “We don’t want the remainder of the island all residential.

That’s the 3% that’s left. It doesn’t take a lot of creativity to plop down 100 townhouses on a parcel.”

After considerable debate, the commission voted 5-1 with member Joel Brous opposed and members Joe Wilson and Lauren Taylor absent to forward the recommendations to the Mayor and Council for a future public hearing.

… Mail-In Ballots Could Impact Two Commissioner Races

July 22, 2022

FROM PAGE 7 and was not ready to concede until the election was certified.

“I am 34 votes behind Fiori and statistically it’s possible to overcome that,” he said. “There’s also more ballots arriving possibly .... Congratulations to Eric on his current lead and one way or another we will know next week 100%. It’s been a great experience. It’s come down to a really small margin, but I thank everybody in my district that voted.”

According to Jackson, Thursday’s canvass will encompass the majority of received ballots. The office has to hold back 10 ballots of each ballot style, however, for the July 27 and July 29 canvasses, to protect voter privacy in case the office only receives one ballot after Thursday’s canvass. Ballots are accepted if they are postmarked July 19 and received in the office by July 29 (to allow for mailing time and overseas ballots).

Too Close To Call In District 4 The District 4 race was even closer than the District 3 competition by the time polls closed Tuesday. Incumbent Elder, who led with 39 early votes, received 175 votes on election day to end Tuesday with 214 votes. He had a narrow lead over former commissioner Virgil Shockley, who switched to the republican party. Shockley received 25 early votes and 171 election day votes, ending up with a total of 196 — just 18 fewer than Elder. Jeff McMahon, the recently retired Worcester County fire marshal, received 30 early votes and 161 votes on Tuesday, ended with 191 votes

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

— just five fewer than Shockley. Nancy Bradford, who received 33 early votes, got 156 votes on election day to end with a total of 189 votes — just two fewer than McMahon. With mail-in ballots yet to be counted, just 25 votes separate all four candidates.

According to the election office, there were 165 mail-in ballots issued in District 4. The bulk of them, 102, were issued in precinct one, which is the Snow Hill area.

“At this particular moment I think it’s too close to call,” McMahon said Thursday as he prepared to go watch the ballot canvass at the Worcester County Election Office. “If I lose I do plan to call and concede, I just don’t know to who at this point.”

He added that he had encouraged voters to use mail-in ballots if they were going to be out of town.

“Let’s wait and see what the mail-ins bring,” he said.

Elder, recounting a prior conversation in which he’d pointed out that with four candidates District 4 could be won with as little as 27% of votes, said he too was just awaiting the mail-in ballot count.

“It’s crazy,” he said. “Going back through all my races, it's always been close. There was even one time I had a tie in a primary. It's not new but you never get used to it.”

Like all the candidates in this year’s primary, he said he appreciated the respectful campaigning that occurred.

“It was a clean race all the way around,” he said.

He added that he was just waiting for

Page 9

District 3 Commissioner candidate Eric Fiori is pictured at the Ocean City Elementary election site with daughters Elianna, 11, and Lucy, 6.

Submitted Photo

the final ballot count.

“I’m not planning on running any more but I would really like this last term,” he said.

Bradford, a Bank of Ocean City em-

ployee making her first run for commissioner, thanked her supporters on social media as the polls closed Tuesday.

Though technically in fourth place, she sits just 25 votes behind Elder.

“Regardless of the outcome, I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience and getting out to meet those in our community. Thanks again to all of those who supported me in my campaign,” she wrote.

Voter Turnout Totals Worcester County Election Office data shows that voter turnout decreased for the 2022 primary. Of 32,654 registered voters in Worcester County, more than 57% are registered republican. There are 18,802 registered republicans and 13,852 registered democrats.

There were 6,866 ballots cast in the primary, with 4,852 on election day and 1,208 through early voting. Of the ballots cast, 4,852 were republican and 2,014 were democrat.

In total, voter turnout was 21.03%. Previously, for the presidential primary in 2020, voter turnout was 40.31%.

As far as ballots cast, the hotly contested District 3 race saw the most, with 902 — 145 of those were through early voting while 757 ballots were cast election day. In District 4, there were 790 ballots cast — 127 in early voting and 663 on election day. In District 5, which was won by incumbent Commissioner Chip Bertino, there were 804 ballots cast. In District 6, which was won by incumbent Commissioner Jim Bunting, there were 888 ballots cast.

OC Planners Forward Favorable Review For Axe-Throwing Venue

Page 10

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER MANAGING EDITOR

Construction progress on the three-story redevelopment of the former Embers Restaurant is pictured earlier this month.

Photo courtesy of The Embers Facebook page

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OCEAN CITY – Satisfied their safety concerns were allayed, resort planners this week approved a new axe-throwing competition venue as part of the major redevelopment of a historic downtown restaurant.

Last year, the owners of Embers Restaurant, which stood at 23rd Street for decades, and Blu, an outdoor dining facility and bar, began a major redevelopment of the parcel. The new addition closest to Philadelphia Avenue will be three stories with restaurant and bar space throughout, some retail and office space and other amenities.

On Tuesday, the Ocean City Planning Commission had before them a conditional use application to allow for an interior tenant space to be fitted out as an axe-throwing venue. The applicant for years has owned and operated escape rooms in the resort and the axe-throwing venue as part of the larger Embers redevelopment project would be an added amenity. Zoning Administrator Kay Gordy outlined the salient points of the presentation.

“It’s a little different,” she said. “We are all used to the old Embers Restaurant. It’s been home to Embers and Blu, plus the miniature golf. One of this new section is more of a shopping center. I think everybody is excited about it.

There will be a deli and some retail uses on the first floor. On the second floor, there will be some dining area and an arcade and there might be some office uses up there. On the second floor will be the axe-throwing venue, which is the subject of the conditional use request.”

According to the applicant’s narrative describing the business, axe throwing is a safe, fun and interactive activity that has been sweeping North America over the last decade with over 800 locations spread throughout every state in the U.S. and province in Canada.

“Ocean City Axe Throwing will provide a much-needed addition to Ocean City’s lineup of indoor activities,” said Gordy. “Housed in a safe, contained environment and run by attentive and trained professionals, OCAX will be a centrally located destination for families, birthday parties, bachelor and bachelorette parties and corporate events of all types.”

Gordy said the axe-throwing venue at 1,800 square feet would allow for 80 occupants, or 16 parking spaces, according to the formula.

“They are going to get whatever they need for their restaurant and other uses and then we will recalculate the parking,” she said. “As it stands now, they have more than they need for all uses.

It says at a maximum capacity of 80 people, they would need 16 spaces for

July 22, 2022

this use. However, they have assured me they will never have 80 people in there at one time.”

Applicant Shawn Bauer, whose company owns and operates two escape room amusements in the resort, said the intent was to diversify the amusement offerings for residents and visitors.

“The goal is to host families, corporate events, bachelor parties etc.,” he said. “We’ve been in Ocean City for six years. It’s a fun activity on a bad weather day. We’ve partnered with a company in Toronto and they are experienced in this and will do all the training.”

The planning commission asked if there were any age or other qualifications for the employees monitoring the axe-throwing lanes within the venue.

“From our training standpoint, all of the employees will be 18 and older,” he said. “We might have a J-1 a little younger as a hostess or something like that.”

Bauer also addressed some of the other safety concerns of the planning commission. He said there would only be one axe available per group outing.

“There will only be one axe in the room,” he said. “The others will be carefully stored and accounted for. They are incredibly dull to the touch. They are heavy enough that they stick in the board when thrown.”

Planning Commissioner Kevin Rohe pressed the applicant further on the safety issues.

“You will have multiple lanes,” he said. “Who would be there to provide security? You could have someone that needs anger management or has been drinking or using drugs. Who would be the interceptor if there was an incident?”

Bauer said the company has done careful research on the business model and there have been no serious incidents at other locations.

“As part of our research, we’ve been to dozens of axe-throwing venues, and we have never seen one that needed a bouncer. We haven’t considered any stronger security options, so it’s a good question,” Bauer said. “We would have one axe per lane and if there were four people sharing one axe, we would have one trained staffer for every two lanes.

We are comfortable this will be very safe.”

After receiving confident messages on the safety of the axe-throwing business, the planning commission voted unanimously, with commissioners Joe Wilson and Lauren Taylor absent, to approve the conditional use request for the axe-throwing venue. The commission will forward a favorable recommendation to the full Mayor and Council, which will hold a public hearing on the proposal on a future date.

July 22, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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Crisafulli Cruises To 2nd Term As Worcester Sheriff

Page 12

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

Worcester County Sheriff Matt Crisafulli, center, is pictured at the Showell Elementary School polling site with volunteers and Commissioner Chip Bertino, third from left; Senator Mary Beth Carozza, third from right; and Board of Education member Nate Passwaters, second from right.

Submitted Photo

SNOW HILL – Worcester County Sheriff Matt Crisafulli will serve another term following a strong show of voter support in Tuesday’s primary election.

Crisafulli, who was elected to his first term in 2018, defeated challenger Jeffrey Buhrt in Tuesday’s primary. Crisafulli received 4,090 votes while Buhrt received 594 votes.

“I was very happy with the results,” Crisafulli said. “I have worked diligently to be very receptive to the needs of our county residents. Our residents spoke and I am extremely pleased with the results, based on the amount of work that my team puts in to ensure the safety of Worcester County.”

Crisafulli, known well for his years as

July 22, 2022

a Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) instructor, narrowly defeated Mike McDermott in 2018 to take on the position of sheriff. In this year’s election, however, he cruised to an easy win over opponent Buhrt, receiving more than 87% of votes.

Crisafulli said this week his goal for the next four years is to continue to provide the safety and services residents and visitors expect.

“To accomplish this task, we have to be competitive with salaries,” he said.

“Other local agencies are increasing their pay structure, therefore attracting personnel. This will be a fluid process, working with our county commissioners to get our pay structure commensurate with allied agencies. This will take cooperation and work with our county commissioners, moving forward. We appreciate their partnership with us in being part of the solution of keeping Worcester County a safe and attractive location for families and visitors. This partnership is critical for us to be able to attract additional staffing and the maintenance of our current personnel.”

He said another component of protecting Worcester County was supporting the deputies who had their boots on the ground on a daily basis.

“We are moving forward and strengthening our peer support program and providing the necessary mental health resources for our deputies to utilize to help them navigate through critical incidents,” Crisafulli said. “This is also a fluid process and we will continue to adapt, learn, and provide the necessary resources to our deputies, so that they are responding appropriately to all matters that they encounter.”

Crisafulli said as it has been, school safety remains a key priority for his administration.

“We not only have deputies in our schools, but we will also be partnering with local agencies, such as Hardwire, to harden the target per se,” he said. “To further layer the protection of our children as they are garnering their educations. We need to continue to partner with our schools and local agencies to help maximize our children's learning potential by providing safe learning.”

Crisafulli acknowledged that along with these goals, his office will be ensuring it is complying with the additional laws from the state.

“There are several areas where training will be required, such as the changes in use of force statewide,” he said. “This will have a fiscal component, also a manpower component as training takes our resources out of critical areas such as our courts, schools and our field services. We will have to adapt, plan and deliver on these changes to maintain compliance with the Maryland Police Training Commission. We are also implementing the body-worn camera program. This will take time to implement, assess, and correct issues as we navigate this new component of our responsibilities.”

July 22, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 22, 2022

Bridge Memorial:

Wicomico Approves $23M Bond Bill The specific site of a fatal accident on the Route 50 Bridge was made into a memorial this week to honor Daniel Hicken, 33, of Bishopville.

Photo by Campos Media

BY BETHANY HOOPER STAFF WRITER

SALISBURY – County officials this week voted to approve a $23 million bond bill for future capital projects.

On Wednesday, the Wicomico County Council voted unanimously to approve a legislative bill allowing the county to borrow $23,378,386 for the financing of nine capital projects.

Finance Director Pam Oland told council members this week the county is in the process of starting its bond issuance for fiscal year 2023 and that the projects included were also approved in both the capital budget and capital improvement plan.

“This legislation gives us the authority to borrow up to the amount listed,” she explained. If we get to the bond date and find there are other funding sources available to us, we can borrow less than that amount.”

Council President John Cannon questioned the county’s borrowing as interest rates increase.

“How comfortable are we with borrowing with interest rates escalating?” he said.

Oland said the county had accounted for higher interest rates in the bond issuance.

“We anticipated interest rates would go up, so we created our budget with higher interest rates,” she replied.

When asked if the county had considered refinancing prior bond debt, Oland said it was being considered.

“We are looking into that,” she said.

The 2022 bond bill includes $2.6 million for projects at the Old Courthouse in Salisbury – $350,000 for window replacements, $500,000 for exterior masonry repairs and $1.75 million for electrical system upgrades – as well as $1,033,386 for a new Applied Technology Building at Wor-Wic Community College.

The bond bill also includes $1.2 million for the Coulbourn Mill Pond dam project, $10.1 million for a renovation and addition at Mardela Middle and High School and $250,000 in bond contingency.

The bill also features $8.1 million in bonded airport projects, including $5.98 million for a runway extension project, $1.5 million for a car rental car wash and $715,000 for a natural gas line extension.

With no further discussions, the council this week voted unanimously to approve the bond bill.

This week’s approval of the 2022 bond bill follows the issuance of a $51 million bond bill in 2021, which financed the replacement of Beaver Run Elementary School and the construction of a new public safety buildings.

As the county did not go to the bond market in 2020 – the result of conflicts between the legislative and executive branches of government and disagreements over certifying department heads – officials noted the 2021 bond bill was larger than most, but that the county wanted to take advantage of a favorable economic climate.

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Angler Nets $5K For First White Marlin Of Season

July 22, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 15

BY SHAWN J. SOPER MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Resort officials this week awarded the town’s $5,000 check to the angler who caught and released the first official white marlin of the year back on June 7, a familiar name and face who was a first-timer at offshore fishing.

The crew on the Wrecker with Captain Bobby Layton at the helm caught and released the first white marlin of the season early on June 7, a milestone watched closely in the White Marlin Capital of the World. The Wrecker was fishing in the Baltimore Canyon when the white marlin came up in the spread and took a skirted ballyhoo.

Angler Kevin Gibbs, whose family owns and operates the Dough Roller restaurant chain, and who is also the current president of the Ocean City Development Corporation (OCDC), was on the rod and the big white was caught and released quickly.

On Monday, the Mayor and Council awarded Gibbs and the Wrecker crew with the symbolic $5,000 big check from the Town of Ocean City for catching and releasing the first white marlin of the year. All in all, Gibbs and the Wrecker crew will be awarded a combined $17,000 for reaching the milestone.

Each year, the Mayor and Council offers a $5,000 prize for the captain and crew that catches and releases the first official white marlin of the summer season. A few years back during budget deliberations, the town briefly considered eliminating the annual $5,000 prize, but it was quickly reinstated after some outcry from the local fishing community.

In addition, the Wrecker will receive another $5,000 prize from the Ocean City Marlin Club for catching the first white marlin of the season for being a club member. Finally, the Wrecker crew will receive a $7,000 prize package from Fisherman’s United, bringing its total purse to around $17,000.

During that brief time a few years back when the town considered pulling the annual prize, a coalition of local businesses ponied up a $7,000 prize package for the first white marlin of the season and that remains in place. Mayor Rick Meehan presented the ceremonial big check to Gibbs and the Wrecker crew during Monday’s meeting.

“The Town of Ocean City rewards the angler for the first white marlin caught in Ocean City each year,” he said. “I don’t remember how many years we’ve been doing that, but it’s been an awful long time. You know, we are the White Marlin Capital of the World and that is something that is very important to us.”

Meehan pointed out that for Gibbs, it was his first time fishing offshore.

“It’s kind of interesting,” he said. “For the angler who caught the first white marlin, it was his first time deep-sea fishing.

It just goes to show you that you can go out there for the first time and catch the first white marlin of the season.”

Layton explained how the Wrecker crew was fishing for tuna when the white

The Mayor and Council on Monday presented Kevin Gibbs, along with the crew of the Wrecker, with a check for $5,000 for being the angler to catch this season’s first white marlin.

Submitted Photo

marlin came up in the spread.

“We were trolling and a white marlin came up in the spread,” he said. “We all started freaking out because we knew the importance of it. Once it got into everyone’s head, we got it done pretty quickly.”

For his part, Gibbs said he was the unsuspecting angler on the first white marlin of the season.

“There was a significant amount of adrenaline to say the least,” he said. “At

the very beginning, it was a little touchand-go because I didn’t know if I was going to make it. I spoke to the captain and he said ‘we’re going’ and ‘we’ve talked about this for years.’ I was inside when I heard ‘let’s go, you’re next.’ It was a pretty emotional day.”

Historically, there was nothing significant about the date for the first white marlin caught this season. Typically, the first white of the season is caught and released in a window of a-round five

to six days in mid- to late-June, and the June 7 date was right in that window.

Last year, the first white marlin of the season was caught and released on May 23, the earliest date ever recorded since records have been kept by the Ocean City Marlin Club. The latest ever, since records have been kept for 80plus years since the first white marlin was caught off the coast of Ocean City in 1936, was July 20.

Incumbent, Two Political Newcomers File For OC Council

Page 16

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – As the 2022 primary election was behind held on Tuesday locally and all over the state, there was a little activity in the pending Ocean City municipal election this fall.

Three city council seats will be up for grabs during the municipal election on Nov. 8, along with the mayor’s position.

Ocean City council elections are staggered in the interest of continuity and to avoid a significant turnover in the town’s elected officials in a single election cycle.

This year, the three council seats currently occupied by Council President Matt James, and Councilmen Lloyd Martin and Mark Paddack are up for re-election, along with Mayor Rick Meehan’s position. The mayor’s position comes up for election every two years.

While the local and state primary elections this week garnered much of the attention, there were some filings for the Ocean City council seats to be contested in November.

Local Realtor Carol Proctor with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services was the first to file for one of the three counCAROL cil seats open in Ocean PROCTOR City in November. Proctor filed for election about two weeks ago. Proctor’s filing

July 22, 2022

Realtor, Business Owner Enter Race

was early considering the filing deadline is set for Oct. 11.

Also throwing his hat in the ring for re-election last week was James, who will be seeking his third term on the council. James was first elected to the council in 2014, becoming the youngest ever to win a seat at the time. James MATT JAMES was re-elected in 2018 and was appointed council president in 2020 following the last municipal election.

James has worked in the hospitality industry for several years and holds a management position with the Carousel Group, where he oversees multiple hotels and is primarily responsible for operations, capital projects and overall financial performance of the hotels under his direction. James is also an active volunteer with the Ocean City Fire Department since beginning as a cadet in 2006 and currently holds the rank of lieutenant.

Another new, but familiar, name that has thrown his hat into the ring for one of the three contested council seats this fall is Will Savage III. Savage grew up in downtown Ocean City across from his

family’s business, the oceanfront Majestic Hotel, and started working at the establishment when he was around eight years old.

He worked his way through the ranks at the family business, helping to shepherd the historic hotel into the modern era with many innovations. In April, the family sold the hotel to pursue other interests. In 1993 at the age of 14, Savage joined the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company (OCVFD) as a cadet and has been an active member ever since.

In his nearly 29 years of service with the OCVFD, according to a press release announcing his candidacy, Savage has held multiple operational and administrative ranks, including treasurer for four terms, lieutenant for six years and assistant chief for eight terms. During his time as assistant fire chief, Savage was the incident commander for several major incidents and was the divisional commander during Hurricane Sandy. He was received numerous awards and commendations during his time with the OCVFD including Firefighter of the Year.

Savage and his wife, Candace, a county government employee, currently operate two Boardwalk businesses,

Down Under Sunglasses and Boardwalk Convenience Store. In his press release, Savage said he is committed, “to improving the overall quality of life for residents, while maintaining sensible government and a consistent tax rate. He further pledges to promote the town and all its businesses in a positive, pro- WILL SAVAGE fessional manner to spur sustainable tourism growth and keep Ocean City a world class destination.”

With James, Proctor and Savage throwing their hats in the ring for the three contested council spots in November, it remains to be seen if incumbents Martin, who has been on the council since 2002 and served many years as president and secretary of the body, and Paddack, elected in 2018, will file for reelection. The other four current council positions occupied by Council Secretary Tony DeLuca, and Councilmen John Gehrig, Frank Knight and Peter Buas will not come up for re-election until the next cycle in 2024.

While he hasn’t formally filed with the filing deadline still months away, the presumption is Meehan will seek to retain his position. Meehan was first elected to the city council in 1985 and served for 14 years as council president. He was appointed mayor in 2006 and has held the position ever since.

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Council Approves Bulk Pickup Fee Increase

July 22, 2022

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – With little discussion, resort officials this week approved on first reading an ordinance that will increase the town’s bulk pickup fees for the first time in nearly a decade.

The Mayor and Council had before them on first reading an ordinance that will, if approved, raise the town’s bulk pickup rates for the first time since 2013. Resort residents can currently call the city’s public works department to pick up discarded items such as old furniture, appliances or even large tree trimmings, for example. There are also private sector businesses that also provide the service, but the price is often higher than what the city charges.

Last week, the Mayor and Council agreed to advance the proposed ordinance to Monday night’s meeting for a first reading of the ordinance. The ordinance ultimately approved unanimously by the council would increase the fee for a single item to be picked up to $40. The fee would be $75 for up to three items, and another $10 for each item over three. Last week, Deputy Public Works Director Woody Vickers explained to the council the reason for the proposed hike in the bulk pickup fees.

Vickers told the council the increased fees were not meant to be an increased revenue source, but rather a balancing of the town’s fees versus the fees charged by the private sector companies that offer the same service.

Vickers said the intent of the ordinance was to avoid residents simply dumping large bulk pickup items on the sidewalk or in vacant lots or other areas around town.

Vickers said the town’s public works department is currently handling a backlog of requests from residents to pickup and dispose of bulk items appropriately.

He said the waiting list to have an item or items picked up was currently running around two weeks.

It was clarified the bulk pickup program is for residential use only and not commercial properties, which generally contract with a private sector company to pick up discarded bulk items for appropriate disposal. The program was created decades ago to avoid residents simply dumping large bulk items in the street or in a vacant lot somewhere in town. It was learned the public works department has known trouble spots around town where solid waste bulk pickup items are often dumped without residents taking advantage of the town’s relatively inexpensive bulk item pickup fee schedule.

With no further discussion, the council voted 6-0 with Councilman Frank Knight absent to approve the bulk pickup fee increase ordinance on first reading.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 17

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New Candidates File In Council Race

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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STAFF WRITER

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BERLIN – This fall’s municipal election will feature at least two contested races, as two more candidates have filed in recent weeks.

Last week, incumbent Berlin Councilman Dean Burrell filed to retain his District 4 seat. In June, Adrian Bowen filed for the at-large position. They join a growing list of candidates — Steve Green in District 1 (incumbent Councilman Troy Purnell is not seeking re-election), Burrell and Tony Weeg in District 4, and Bowen and Councilman Jay Knerr in the at-large district — eager to represent the town.

The filing deadline for the Oct. 4 election is Sept. 2.

Burrell, who has served 28 years on the council, believes now is an important time for Berlin.

“Berlin is getting ready to enter its renaissance, its rebirth, and I really want to be a part of that rebirth,” he said.

Burrell said there were several things that have been underway that he wants to see completed. He wants the town to ensure it has the necessary reserve policies and is able to put funds away for infrastructure and utility needs. He’s also focused on seeing the long-awaited community center on Flower Street built, equitable funding provided to the fire company and thoughtful development planned out for the Heron Park property.

“I don’t want the development of Heron Park to be at the expense of downtown,” he said.

July 22, 2022

Bowen, known for his involvement with the local nonprofit We Heart Berlin and its revitalization of the Henry Park basketball courts, said running for office is an idea he’s considered for some time and is finally acting on.

“I have always thought about being part of the town council, but I am now determined to put that thought into action by becoming part of something great,” Bowen said. “Berlin is a beautiful town that is full of beautiful people who have ideas and concerns that deserve to be heard.

I'd be honored to be the person who makes sure those voices are heard. My experience as a basketball coach, an educator, and a team leader has equipped me with a greater understanding of what it takes to bring people together to reach a common goal. I'm looking forward to earning the support of our community in the days to come.”

Berlin’s 2022 election is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 4. While the at-large, District 1 and District 4 seats are up for grabs this year, terms for the position of mayor and the District 2 and District 3 seats aren’t up until 2024.

The town’s board of elections met last week, before Burrell filed, and certified the candidates who had filed up to that point. According to Mary Bohlen, acting town administrator, the board will certify Burrell when they meet again on Sept. 6.

The standard filing deadline for candidates is Sept. 2 while the write-in deadline is Sept. 27. The voter registration deadline is Sept. 2. For information on the town’s election, visit berlinmd.gov.

Charges For Replica Gun Threat

BY SHAWN J. SOPER MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – A Salisbury man was arrested on first-degree assault and other charges last week after allegedly threatening a couple on the Route 90 bridge with what turned out to be a replica handgun.

Around 4:15 p.m. last Thursday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer patrolling in the midtown area received an alert advising to be on the lookout for teal-colored pickup truck driven by a suspect later identified as Michael McGowan, 63, of Salisbury, who had allegedly pulled a gun out on a couple, according to police reports. OCPD officers observed the vehicle driving north on Coastal Highway and pulled behind him as he entered the parking lot of the Gold Coast Mall.

McGowan eluded police uptown and drove south again on Coastal Highway.

At 62nd Street, OCPD officers conducted a high-risk stop on McGowan’s vehicle.

While being detained, McGowan reported told police, “It’s a replica,” asserting the weapon he pointed at the two individuals in another vehicle was not an actual firearm.

OCPD officers searched the vehicle and found in a zipped bag on the front seat a snub-nose revolver BB or pellet gun that was incredibly realistic to a real Smith and Wesson snub-nose revolver, according to police reports. In the same

bag with the gun replica, OCPD officers located an electronic weapon that looked like a large tactical flashlight. However, when activated, the weapon emitted a loud electrical arcing noise and a brilliant white light of arcing between two metal prongs of the flashlight near the lens, according to police reports.

Under the front edge of the front bench seat of the truck, OCPD officers reportedly found a sheathed tactical tomahawk axe, according to police reports. Also under the front bench seat of the truck, officers located a machete. OCPD officers also located in the vehicle fragments of tablets identified as methadone hydrochloride.

OCPD officers interviewed the couple.

The male victim reportedly told police he was driving across the Route 90 bridge with his fiancé as a passenger when McGowan rapidly approached their vehicle from the rear and began making shooting “gun finger” gestures toward them, according to police reports.

Shortly thereafter, McGowan pulled alongside the couple’s vehicle and targeted them with what appeared to be an authentic .357 Magnum. The couple told police they completely believed the gun was real and began praying, according to police reports. McGowan was ultimately arrested and charged with first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and other weapons and drug charges.

Committee Eyes Bike Rack Program

July 22, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 19

BY BETHANY HOOPER STAFF WRITER

OCEAN CITY – A resort committee awaits approval to implement a pilot program for new Boardwalk bike racks.

Last week, members of the Ocean City Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee discussed potential plans for a bike rack pilot program along the Boardwalk. As the city looks to replace 47 aging racks along the boards, City Engineer Paul Mauser, committee president, said officials await the council’s approval to test one location for a bike rack dedication program.

“The plan for that is for Tony [Deluca, council secretary] to discuss it with the town council,” he said.

In January, Council Secretary Tony DeLuca, committee liaison, presented BPAC members with a proposal to replace 47 aging bike racks along the Boardwalk. While BPAC members have spent recent years identifying locations to add bike racks near the oceanfront street ends, DeLuca noted the idea of replacing the Boardwalk bike racks came forward as part of those discussions.

With options for replacement racks narrowed down, committee members began looking at ways to fund the potential project. While there has been some discussion of purchasing the racks with leftover funds from the Boardwalk re-decking project, Ocean City Development Corporation (OCDC) Executive Director Glenn Irwin also presented the idea of a bike rack dedication program.

Officials said the potential funding mechanism would be similar to the town’s Boardwalk bench dedication program, in which benches are purchased by families and dedicated to loved ones. In recent years, however, the bench dedication initiative has garnered so much interest that hundreds of people are now on a waiting list.

“It was wildly successful, and we’ve got a waiting list right now of over 800 people wanting to purchase benches,” Public Works Director Hal Adkins told members last week. “We just don’t have any locations for them.”

To that end, the committee recommended a bike rack dedication program.

While the replacement racks are expected to cost roughly $1,700, the cost of a dedication plaque and installation would bring the total to around $2,000.

“The idea was to order one, put it somewhere and see what it looks like before you buy 47 of them,” said committee member Joe Marx. “Like the benches, people could sponsor a bike rack.”

Mauser noted that there were complications in operating the bench dedication program. Adkins added that there were also issues surrounding maintenance.

“All I’m saying is if we go into the direction of a dedicated bicycle rack program, we need to do it very cautiously,” he said.

Committee members ultimately agreed to discuss the pilot program at its next meeting.

An example of an existing bike rack is pictured at right on the Boardwalk during the spring kite festival.

Photo by Chris Parypa

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 22, 2022

July 22, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Laundromat Assault Alleged OCEAN CITY – A Princess Anne man was arrested last weekend after allegedly assaulting a woman in a downtown laundromat.

Around 3:35 a.m. last Saturday, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers were dispatched to a downtown motel for a reported sexual assault that had already occurred. The officers met with a female victim who advised she had been doing laundry at a 24-hour facility at 28th Street by herself around 1:40 a.m., according to police reports.

The victim reportedly told police she was in the laundromat when she was approached by a male, later identified as Jayden Jones, 20, of Princess Anne, Md., who asked her what time it was, according to police reports. The victim said at first she made polite conversation with Jones, but he began to make sporadic utterances to himself and started to get close to her as she was doing her laundry, according to police reports.

Jones reportedly grabbed the victim’s phone, which was unlocked, and typed in

COPS & COURTS an address in Princess Anne and told her he wanted to have sex and make her a real Marylander, according to police reports.

Jones then continued to make sexual advances toward the female victim, according to police reports. The victim reportedly told Jones his advances were unwanted and that she had a boyfriend who was going to pick her up.

The victim then left the laundromat and began walking to meet her boyfriend, but Jones grabbed a bag of her laundry and followed her, insisting he was coming with her, according to police reports. The boyfriend arrived to pick up the victim and Jones reportedly jumped into the vehicle with the couple, despite being told he was not wanted. After arguing for several minutes, Jones did get out of the vehicle and the couple drove back to their motel where they called 911, according to police reports.

Around 5 a.m., OCPD officers ob-

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served Jones riding a bicycle in the area of 33rd Street and detained him. Jones admitted meeting a female at the laundromat earlier that morning and that they had a friendly conversation. When asked if he had pressed his private parts against the victim’s buttocks, Jones told officers he did, and she let him do it, according to police reports. Jones changed his story multiple times during the interview, according to police reports. In the end, he was arrested and charged with second-degree assault, a fourth-degree sexual offense and indecent exposure among other charges.

Hit-and-Run, Cop Assault OCEAN CITY – A Baltimore man was arrested last week after two alleged hitand-run incidents while intoxicated and later scrapping with cops trying to arrest him.

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July 22, 2022 Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer responded to a hotel at 36th Street for a reported hit-and-run. The caller advised police a vehicle driven by a driver later identified as Reginald Callaway, 34, of Baltimore, had crashed into a wall at a hotel and left the scene. Another witness reported observing Callaway crash into a fence at the hotel at 36th Street and continue driving, according to police reports.

An OCPD officer first on the scene located Callaway sitting in his vehicle in a parking spot on 35th Street with his feet out of the car and onto the street, according to police reports. The officer reported Callaway appeared to be slumped over and exhibited signs of intoxication, according to police reports. The officer reportedly asked Callaway if he would consent to field sobriety tests, but Callaway told police he would not because of his injured leg and that he used a cane, according to police reports. A witness identified Callaway as the driver and he was placed under arrest at that point for hit-and-run.

While searching Callaway, officers attempted to take his car keys from him, but he refused to give them up for several minutes, according to police reports. When OCPD officers attempted to walk Callaway to a transport vehicle, he reportedly refused to walk or even move, according to police reports.

When he continued to refuse to move, officers had to physically carry Callaway to a transport van. Once at the transport van, Callaway had to be physically pulled into the vehicle, but still tried to shimmy his way back out of it, according to police reports. During the process, he kicked at least three police officers. He was ultimately placed in a violent person restraining device and was transported for booking.

Once at the booking facility, Callaway continued to be uncooperative and screamed and yelled. He was ultimately secured in a cell. OCPD officers went back to Callaway’s vehicle to secure it and a search revealed a small baseball bat, a spring-assisted knife, a small amount of marijuana and an open container of alcohol. Callaway was charged with multiple counts of assault on police officers, hitand-run, driving under the influence, resisting arrest and other charges.

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OCEAN CITY – Two Pennsylvania women were arrested on assault charges last week for an alleged physical fight on the public beach downtown.

Around 7:30 p.m. last Wednesday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer patrolling on the Boardwalk in the area of 7th Street was alerted by several citizens that there was an active fight between two females on the beach. The officer directed his attention to the beach and observed two females, identified as Monica Clapper, 26, of Cooks Forest, Pa., and Kendra McNaughton, 33, of Rimersburg, Pa., actively engaged in a fight on the beach at 7th Street, according to police reports.

The officer reportedly observed the two suspects on the ground on the beach slapping each other with open palms. The officer reportedly heard Clapper vowing to kill McNaughton, according to police reports. There were reportedly numerous families on the beach with young children at the time of the altercation. Clapper and McNaughton were each arrested and SEE NEXT PAGE

July 22, 2022

... COPS & COURTS charged with second-degree assault and affray.

Punched Out While Driving OCEAN CITY – An Owings Mills, Md., woman was arrested last week after allegedly punching out her boyfriend while he was driving a vehicle and then providing false identification information to police.

Around 8:45 p.m. last Wednesday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer patrolling in the downtown area conducted a routine traffic stop in the area of 1st Street. As the officer approached the vehicle, he detected an odor of alcoholic beverage coming from the passenger compartment, according to police reports.

The officer interviewed the driver, who reportedly told police he had two cocktails over the course of about two hours at a downtown bayfront bar. The officer asked if the driver would consent to field sobriety tests and he complied, ultimately passing the tests to the officer’s satisfaction, according to police reports.

The officer observed swelling and redness on the driver’s face, according to police reports, and the officer asked the driver about his injuries. The driver agreed to speak with the officer and told police he had been at the downtown bayfront bar with his female acquaintance, identified as Tanya Avery, 37, of Owings Mills, Md. The driver reportedly told the officer he and Avery began arguing during dinner and the argument continued when the couple got in their vehicle, according to

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch police reports.

The driver reportedly told police the couple had been staying at a hotel in Cambridge and came to Ocean City for the evening. When the argument continued in the vehicle, the driver told officers Avery began shouting profanities at the driver and began to strike him in the face with a series of closed-fist strikes as least four times according to police reports.

OCPD officers interviewed Avery, who corroborated a similar version of the incident. OCPD officers reportedly observed an open container of alcohol in the console of the vehicle, which reportedly belonged to Avery. During the interview, Avery identified herself as Keisha Avery and said she had no middle name, according to police reports. Based on the evidence and testimony, Avery was arrested and charged with second-degree assault, making a false statement to police and an open container violation.

Suspended Sentence For Trashing Residence OCEAN CITY – A local man, arrested in April after trashing a residence from which he was being evicted and stealing items from the residence, pleaded guilty last week to malicious destruction of property and was sentenced to 30 days, all of which was suspended.

Around 5 p.m. on April 7, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer responded to a residence on 33rd Street for a reported theft that had occurred. The officer reportedly met with the female complainant, who advised she was in the court process of evicting her tenant, identified as Robert Hill, 71, of Berlin.

The property owner provided paper-

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Page 23

work stating Hill had to be off the property

by April 7, according to court reports. The victim said she went with her friends to the residence to clean it up, but noticed Hill had not yet vacated the premises. The victim told Hill to pack his things and leave, and Hill reportedly packed a backpack and left.

The victim invited OCPD officers into the unit to show them the damage and advise what items had been stolen. The victim told police that Hill had previously admitted breaking into a nearby restaurant and stealing two bottles of liquor, according to a supplemental police report.

The victim showed the officers a back room that she had kept locked to hold other personal items. The door had a big hole in it and the door knob was broken, according to police reports. The victim provided police with a detailed account

of everything that had been damaged or stolen, including a picture frame, the broken bedroom door, an oak kitchen table that had been left out in the elements, a refrigerator with chipped paint and all of the shelves missing, two closet doors missing, and a bunk bed mattress missing, among other things.

The victim also told police she had an antique wooden clock in the unit that Hill allegedly stole. The victim was able to provide evidence that Hill had attempted to sell the antique clock on Facebook Marketplace. OCPD officers located Hill a short time later in the area of Worcester Street and placed him under arrest for theft and malicious destruction of property. Last Friday, in addition to the suspended sentence after the guilty plea, Hill was also placed on probation for 18 months.

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 22, 2022

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aGh program earns Grant:

The Coastal Association of Realtors (CAR) Foundation recently gathered representatives from local community-driven organizations to present grants for their respective programs. In attendance were representatives from Atlantic General’s Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) program, which received a $250 grant.

These funds will go toward the training of more certified SAFE nurses who provide vital services to abuse victims in the community. Above, CAR members and grant recipients are pictured. At right, AGH Clinical Nurse Manager Laura Sturla and SAFE nurse Sarah Esh describe the SAFE program to their fellow grant recipients.

Wicomico superintendent reviews entry plan Submitted Photos

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

SALISBURY – In his first board meeting as the school system’s new leader, Superintendent Dr. Micah Stauffer announced the selection of a new chief finance and operations officer.

In last week’s school board meeting, Stauffer introduced the community to Dr. Brian Raygor, who will leave his role as the curriculum, instructional resources and professional development director at Wicomico County Public Schools (WCPS) to fill the vacancy created by Stauffer’s promotion.

“Since filling the role of superintendent, it has left a vacancy in the role of chief finance and operations officer,” Stauffer said. “So I am excited to say that the last few weeks that we have posted this position, we have had a number of qualified applicants, both internally within our system as well as those who have applied externally.”

He continued, “We were able to conduct interviews through our senior leadership team and all of the directors among the division of business and operations … We were able to talk with top candidates yesterday and finalize our decision, so it is my pleasure to announce the new chief finance and operations officer for Wicomico County Public Schools, Dr. Brian Raygor.”

Raygor, the school system’s curriculum, instructional resources and professional development director, started his career in education in 1994, working as a biology teacher at James M. Bennett High School. While there, he was recognized with the National Association of Biology Teachers’ Outstanding Biology Teacher Award and the Wicomico County Teacher of the Year Award.

In 2007, Raygor advanced within the school system to become supervisor of science, a position he held until becoming director in 2021.

In addition to announcing Raygor’s appointment, Stauffer last week reviewed his first days on the job as superintendent.

Stauffer, the school system’s chief finance and operations officer, began his role as WCPS’s new superintendent on July 1. The prior superintendent, Dr. Donna Hanlin, retired on June 30.

“I want to thank the board members and all of those around the community that have supported me as I have entered this new role,” he said. “I would also be remiss if I did not acknowledge the great team that I work with each and every day … It is truly a team effort, and I’m very humbled and honored to be a part of that.”

Stauffer said his first days on the job have been filled with visits to each of the new school principals, administrators

and school system staff. He added that he has also attended speaking engagements, conferences, luncheons and community events.

“We’ve been doing a good job I think of getting out into the community,” he said. “My goal over the next four months is to do just that, to make as many connections as I can, learn as much as I can from our community members as possible, and bring that back to the work we do around our school system.”

Stauffer also encouraged community members and WCPS families to visit the school system’s website to view the superintendent’s entry plan.

“It talks about the foundation we currently have, our vision and our mission with Wicomico County Public Schools,” he said.

Broken into two phases, Stauffer’s entry plan details a timeline for community engagement, strategic planning and reporting.

The new superintendent will be meeting with community members, elected officials, administrators, staff and students – among other groups – in the coming months as he makes his transition. Input from the community will then be used as the school system implements the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future – educational legislation passed in 2021 – and initiates the strategic planning process.

Pocket Park Planned Near Mural

July 22, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

The town plans to create a pocket park where two trees were taken down in front of the new mural on Commerce Street.

Photo by Charlene Sharpe

BY CHARLENE SHARPE STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – With the addition of the Rev. Dr. Charles Albert Tindley mural to a Commerce Street building, plans are now in the works to create a pocket park in the vicinity.

Benches, landscaping, new lampposts and even an electric vehicle charging station will soon be coming to the parking lot on Commerce Street in front of the Tindley mural.

“We’re going to try to do these improvements first and then in the next few years probably look at repaving that lot,” Mayor Zack Tyndall said.

In early June, artist Jay Coleman visited Berlin to paint the mural depicting the born-in-Berlin gospel music icon Tindley.

Though the community celebrated completion of the long-discussed piece of public art, some residents couldn’t help but lament the loss of the trees at the front of the parking lot. Town officials said the trees were in poor condition and their removal allows the mural to be seen by more people.

“I believe they were Bradford pear trees and were no longer in good condition,” Tyndall said. “There are two more in that parking lot that might come down.”

He stressed that the Berlin Beautification Committee would be using some of the landscaping funds incorporated in the budget to add plantings to the area previously occupied by the trees. He said there were also plans to install benches and informative signage advising visitors of Tindley and his work.

While those improvements should come soon, Tyndall said the addition of Victorian lampposts and an electric vehicle charging station are planned for the future. Officials are also in the process of developing an honorary street name to be installed under the Commerce Street sign that would pay homage to Tindley.

Eventually, the town will apply for a streetscape grant through the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development that would help fund the undergrounding of utilities and the installation of Victorian lampposts on Commerce Street, according to Tyndall. He’s hoping there could be funding opportunities through the Maryland Energy Ad-

ministration for electric vehicle charging stations. In the meantime, he said both residents and visitors appeared to be enjoying the addition of the mural to Commerce Street.

“It’s so cool to be at that intersection of Commerce and Main Street and look over and see Tindley’s face looking over Main Street,” he said. “I’ve heard a lot of positive things about the mural.”

He's thrilled with the recent uptick in public art in Berlin and wants to see even more of it moving forward.

“It radiates,” he said. “People connect with it. We’re trying to find ways to incorporate more of that in Berlin.”

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Foundation Gives $10K Donation To Berlin Skatepark

July 22, 2022

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

CFES President Erica Joseph is pictured presenting a $10,000 check to We Heart Berlin President Tony Weeg at a potential site for a skate park off Route 113 near Henry Park.

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BERLIN – A $10,000 donation from the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore is the latest show of support for efforts to bring a skatepark to Berlin.

Last week the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore (CFES) presented a $10,000 check to We Heart Berlin to assist in the nonprofit’s efforts to establish a skatepark in Berlin. The funding will go toward park design.

“The Community Foundation recognizes that sustainable and vibrant communities require healthy recreational outlets that bring us together,” said Erica Joseph, president of the foundation. “By investing in our youth today through projects such as the skate park, we are investing in the future leaders of our community. This effort by the community and for the community was a perfect opportunity for us to help make a difference.”

Though We Heart Berlin organized the revitalization of the basketball courts at Henry Park last year and installed ping pong tables at Burbage Park this year, the nonprofit’s long-term goal has been and continues to be bringing a bike and skate park to Berlin. Tony Weeg, founder and president of the nonprofit, said the donation from CFES could put We Heart Berlin closer to other funding sources.

“The Community Foundation donation is big because it gets another group of donors and people aware of our project,” he said. “It opens the door to other things.”

With the $10,000, the nonprofit now has $26,000 of the roughly $60,000 needed for the initial planning and design phase of the skatepark. Weeg said We Heart Berlin is in the process of pursuing funding from the Humphreys Foundation as well. Though there was hope of some Program Open Space funds for the project, Weeg is concerned that the town’s recent reprioritization of park projects—which put new playground equipment above a skatepark— could hurt that possibility. Earlier this month, Mayor Zack Tyndall asked the Berlin Parks Commission to make inclusive playground equipment the top item on the town’s priority list as it seeks grant funding.

“It was a bit disconcerting to see the skatepark dropped down a level at the mayor’s behest,” Weeg said. “While we’re all for a remake of the park, seeing it railroaded through was a bit disconcerting.”

Nevertheless, members of We Heart Berlin are confident a skatepark is needed and wanted in Berlin. Weeg said the feasibility study completed this spring by Salisbury University’s BEACON (BusiSEE NEXT PAGE

14th Berlin Peach Festival Date Set

BERLIN – The 14th Annual Berlin Peach Festival will be held Saturday, Aug. 6, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., on the grounds of the Calvin B. Taylor House Museum, 208 North Main Street. Admission is free.

Mayor Zack Tyndall will officially open the festival and Duncan Showell American Legion Post will present the colors. All afternoon, attendees can stroll

… Report Supports Concept Potential

ness Economic and Community Outreach Network) validates that. The study suggests a 10,000 square foot skatepark could be built in phases for not quite $700,000.

“The gist of it is Berlin is a great spot for a skatepark,” Weeg said, adding that the town had an underserved population with limited access to transportation.

BEACON’s report reviews the demographics of the town and potential skatepark users as well as the proximity of other area skateparks — those in Ocean Pines and Ocean City.

“In order to get to the skateparks in Ocean City and Ocean Pines, individuals need some mode of transportation as they are not in a walkable distance,” the report reads. “Public transportation is limited, with travel to Ocean City taking almost an hour, and pickup points that are often difficult for youth to access.”

The report, which states a 10,000square-foot facility would meet local demand, estimates roughly 126 casual skateboarders and 44 core skateboarders in Berlin.

“If 50% of the casual skaters and all of the core skaters visit the skatepark weekly, the skatepark would get 107 visits per week from Berlin residents, with additional traffic from the surrounding area,” the report reads. “The community benefit of a skatepark is significant. The Berlin population does not have adequate access to a skatepark facility negatively impacting the ability of youth and young adults to be able to safely participate in the local skateboarding community.”

The report cites Henry Park as a feasibility location for a skatepark, a sentiment also held by Weeg. He’s hopeful town officials will formally declare their interest in that location as well, as having a site determined is a key part of moving forward in the process.

Weeg said that while additional funding was needed, We Heart Berlin members aim to have the $60,000 for the planning and design phase by the end of the year. With the CFES donation and continued word of mouth, funding opportunities that could help the project are expected to increase. Weeg also believes community support for the project, which he sees impacting Berlin in more ways than one, will grow.

“I’m looking at this as an economic driver as well as an outlet for our kids,” he said.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 27

among the displays, demonstrations, and sales and information tables. New this year will be cooking demonstrations by chef Phil Cropper. There will be juicy peaches for sale from a variety of Mid-Atlantic growers and many food vendors serving up delicious local specialties.

Children can enjoy a performance by magician Magic Jack, storytelling on the lawn and participate in cupcake walks.

Children’s games will be provided by Worcester Youth and Family Counseling. The Walnut Hill Violin Studio will perform. Local favorites, the George and Pat Bilenki Duo, will provide musical entertainment throughout the day.

As in the past, there will be a pie-baking contest and a peach-pit guessing contest, with prizes for the winners.

All afternoon, the Calvin B. Taylor House Museum will be open for tours of the historic 1832 house, featuring the new Charles Albert Tindley and Briddelltown displays upstairs. The Museum also will have sales and membership information booths on the lawn.

The 14th annual Peach Festival is sponsored by the Berlin Heritage Foundation. Funding for this event is in part provided by the Worcester County Arts Council, Maryland State Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts, (organizations dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive), and other generous local supporters.

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July 22, 2022

July 22, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 29

Margaritaville Project’s Stacked Parking Request Approved

Page 30

BY SHAWN J. SOPER MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – The planned Margaritaville project encompassing an entire city block in the downtown area moved a little closer to fruition this week with at least one hurdle surpassed.

The Mayor and Council on Monday had two agenda items for the proposed Margaritaville project between 13th and 14th streets, each of which inch the proposed project beyond existing hurdles.

The first issue debated was the conveyance of roughly 21 feet of town-owned right-of-way along Baltimore Avenue to the project developer in order to meet the 90,000-square-foot minimum lot size to qualify for a planned overlay district (POD) designation to accommodate the project.

The Mayor and Council held a public hearing on that issue Tuesday, but after taking testimony did not make any decision on the conveyance of the right-ofway to the developer, instead opting to bring back the issue for further discussion at a future meeting.

The second agenda item related to the Margaritaville project was the second reading of an ordinance allowing the developer to meet the minimum parking standards by accepting a comprehensive parking management system, essentially a valet service, that will allow for tandem, or stacked, parking for the project. The council did vote 5-1, with Council President Matt James opposed, to approve that

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

ordinance on second reading.

The proposed project over 12 different lots would include 265 hotel rooms and three restaurants, including the JWB Grill with high-end steaks and seafood, the Landshark Bar and Grill and a coffee shop and provisions store in the lobby. The project would also include three outdoor pools and one indoor pool, a wellness center and gym, 14,000 square feet of flexible convention space, retail stores facing the Boardwalk and many other upscale amenities.

Baltimore Avenue Right-of-Way Conveyance The proposed planned overlay district (POD) for the Margaritaville project requires at least 90,000 square feet of property and the project developers need a portion of the Baltimore Avenue corridor conveyed back to the property owner now to move the project forward. To that end, there was a request from the developer for the city to abandon that portion of the rightof-way between 13th and 14th streets to accommodate the project.

The conveyance of the right-of-way is going to happen at some point anyway, but the developer is seeking the transfer now in order to move the Margaritaville project forward. The Mayor and Council held the requisite public hearing on Monday, although no action was taken on conveying the right-of-way to the developer. With the public hearing closed, the council will renew the debate about the property conveyance at a future meeting.

Local attorney Hugh Cropper, representing the Margaritaville developers, outlined the situation regarding the no man’s land of public right-of-way now being utilized by many adjacent property owners.

“Baltimore Avenue was platted over 100 years ago,” he said. “The 75-foot actual roadway is more like 36 feet. This condition has existed for years and years.

The Mayor and Council have taken up this issue many times over the years.”

Cropper said he was well-versed on the Baltimore Avenue right-of-way issue because of his involvement decades ago.

“About 25 years ago, I was asked to write an opinion letter that the adjoining property owners clearly owned the property by virtue of adverse possession and the fact the State Highway Administration came in and accepted the 36 feet of pavement,” he said. “Unfortunately, the Mayor and Council at the time did not take my advice. They moved forward with the town of Ocean City claiming ownership of that land.”

Cropper said property owners along the Baltimore Avenue corridor have for years been utilizing the portion of the right-of-way in all manner of ways and the conveyance of the section to accommodate the Margaritaville project was just an extension of that.

“It’s important to note that the adjoining landowners, although this relates to the Margaritaville project, have owned the land for many years,” he said. “They’ve

July 22, 2022

built structures in it and created parking in it. They have come here and gotten permits for signs and all sorts of things. For all intents and purposes, they have acted like they have owned it.”

The attorney said conveying the section of right-of-way was consistent with the town’s comprehensive plan to encourage PODs. “This is almost a model block. It is consistent with the comprehensive plan to encourage destination resorts,” Cropper said. “It does give the property owners a little more room to do a master plan development that is encouraged by the comprehensive plan. There needs to be an economy of scale. The zoning code change encourages POD development and this will allow that to happen with the Margaritaville project.”

Cropper said accommodating the project with the conveyance would contribute significantly to the town’s property tax base.

“I’ve been listening to Councilman Gehrig talk about the sports complex and the money that will bring in so you can continue to provide the first-class services that you provide,” he said. “If you pass this, the first person to visit this property will be the tax assessor to raise the property tax, which will be a direct impact for the town.”

During the public hearing, the Margaritaville project got an endorsement from Todd Burbage, chief executive officer of SEE NEXT PAGE

… OC Council Holds Off Vote On Property Conveyance

July 22, 2022

Blue Water Development, which operates a neighboring hotel.

“Arguably, no one will be more affected by this project than the Commander Hotel at 14th Street,” he said. “This is probably the most exciting project to come to Ocean City in a long time. We have been supportive of it from the beginning. Margaritaville coming to Ocean City, in my opinion, is family-oriented. Jimmy Buffett is going to be here. It’s exciting.

This will be a great addition and we welcome it wholeheartedly.”

However, not all business owners in the area were as keen and the apparent accommodations the town is making for it. G. Hale Harrison, vice president of operations and real estate for Harrison Group Resort Hotels and Restaurants, said the town has consistently bent the rules to accommodate the proposed project.

“In every step of the way, when the project doesn’t comply with the city code, the Mayor and Council has shown a willingness to change the city code,” he said.

“There’s another item on the agenda tonight to change the parking code because Margaritaville can’t comply with the parking code.”

Harrison said it appears the council is fast-tracking the right-of-way conveyance to accommodate the Margaritaville project in advance of the planned conveyance to the other property owners when the corridor is redeveloped.

“To give away public property for no consideration on Baltimore Avenue between 13th Street and 14th Street is unbelievable,” he said. “It’s unbelievable you would consider giving away one block of public right-of-way. It’s a serious decision to give away the unused right-of-way. If nothing else, it should be considered comprehensively from North Division Street to 15th Street.”

Harrison said the proposed conveyance is just another example of the town accommodating a single project with code changes.

“There is no justification to benefit one single developer,” he said. “It’s clear the developer does not have the 90,000 square feet to qualify for the POD. You’re going to give away one city block instead of considering the issue comprehensively. That’s unfair and unreasonable.

Other developers play by the rules. We would be embarrassed to ask you for this.”

The Mayor and Council closed the public hearing but took no immediate action on the decision to convey the oneblock of right-of-way along Baltimore Avenue to the developer.

Tandem Parking Ordinance The ordinance allows for tandem, or stacked parking, with a valet system for some major downtown redevelopment projects including the proposed Margaritaville project, in order to meet their minimum parking requirements. Last month, the council approved the proposed code amendment after receiving a favorable recommendation from the planning commission.

In simplest terms, if a redevelopment project for a hotel complex or a commercial use in the downtown area could not

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

meet its minimum parking space requirements on-site, tandem parking, or spaces in which vehicles are stacked one behind the other, could be utilized as long as a comprehensive parking management plan, or valet service, for example, was in place.

Ostensibly, the code amendment, if approved, would apply to any significant redevelopment project that can’t meet the parking requirements on-site, but the proposed amendment is somewhat specific to major projects already in the planning pipeline, including the Margaritaville project.

Cropper said the ordinance as proposed would provide incentives for the revitalization of the downtown area.

“I just want to point out a couple of things,” he said. “This is another incentive to provide for the revitalization of the downtown area. It is an expansion of existing development incentives you already have for the downtown area. You

have reduced the parking standards in downtown overlay districts.”

Cropper said the ordinance as proposed was not specifically tailored for the Margaritaville project.

“This is not in any way a special ordinance for the Margaritaville project,” he said. “It’s a continuation of design incentives to encourage redevelopment. I think it’s exciting. I think valet parking is an innovative idea.”

As in previous discussions, questions were raised about certain language in the proposed ordinance that made decisions regarding allowing stacked parking “subject to the approval of the planning commission.” As a result, the version of the ordinance presented for second reading on Monday struck that language. Mayor Rick Meehan said he opposed the ordinance because of that omission, although he didn’t have a vote.

“I am opposed to the ordinance as written with the removal of ‘subject to plan-

Page 31

ning commission approval’,” he said. “I object to that language being removed.”

Meehan pointed out language in the comprehensive plan that provided for the flexibility in the code when a proposed project would be considered constrained by lot dimensions. He said in his opinion, the density of the planned Margaritaville project likely did not qualify as “constrained.”

“The redevelopment of in-fill properties in the downtown area is constrained by the availability of land,” he said. “I think that needs to be determined before you can consider whether or not you’re going to allow valet parking. I don’t consider a lot that is 90,000 square feet to be constrained by the availability of parking. The only reason it is constrained is because the property is being overdeveloped.”

In the end, the council voted 5-1, with James opposed and Councilman Frank Knight absent, to approve the ordinance on second reading.

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OPA Board Ballots Due Back Aug. 10

Page 32

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 22, 2022

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

OCEAN PINES – Association officials say members have until Aug. 10 to return ballots for this year’s board election.

On Monday, the Ocean Pines Association announced that paper ballots and voting instructions for the 2022 Ocean Pines Board of Directors election have been mailed out and are due back by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 10. This year, association members will also have the option to participate in electronic voting.

“Voters for the first time will have the option to vote electronically. Online voting instructions are included in the ballot mailing and will be available on the association website later this week,” a news release reads. “Paper ballots may be returned either by mail or to the 24hour drop box in the Ocean Pines Police Department lobby, on 239 Ocean Parkway.”

This year, candidates Paula Gray, Amy Peck, Stuart Lakernick, Monica Rakowski, Josette Wheatley and Steve Jacobs will vie for three seats currently held by Peck, Wheatley and Larry Perrone.

Following the ballot deadline, a ballot count will be held and totals will be announced on Thursday, Aug. 11, beginning at 10 a.m. in the Clubhouse Meet-

Front Row View: Some diehard beach enthusiasts are pictured taking in the unique colors of an Ocean City sunrise on Monday.

ing Room.

Election results will be validated (if there is a quorum) during the association’s Annual Meeting of Membership, to be held on Saturday, Aug. 13, at 9 a.m. in the Assateague Room of the Ocean Pines Community Center.

“Elections Committee Chairperson Carol Ludwig stressed the importance of returning paper ballots on time, by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 10,” a news release reads. “Paper ballots received late or not sealed in the envelope provided in the mailing will not be counted.”

Photo by Chris Parypa

Late last month, Ludwig said the committee had recommended electronic voting as far back as 2020. With the board’s selection of a vendor in June, voters will now have the option to return a paper ballot, or to vote online.

“The Elections Committee is pleased that the OPA Board of Directors has accepted their recommendation to include the option of electronic transmission of ballots for the 2022 Board of Directors election,” she said. “Along with the announcement of the annual meeting, eligible property owners will receive the bio

insert for the six candidates and a paper ballot and return envelope, as well as individual random codes to access the online provider’s website.”

For biographical and contact information of each candidate, links to videos of candidate forums, and key upcoming dates in the election process, visit the Ocean Pines website and click on the “Election 2022” tab.

For questions about ballots or the 2022 election, contact the elections committee at elections@oceanpines.org or call 410-208-3989.

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 22, 2022

The two grand prize drawing winners at last weekend’s event are pictured.

Above, angler Mike Vitak presents Kenzie Stopper with a Vitak custom rod. Below, event chairman Lee Phillips presents Owen Jamison with an Angler charter fishing gift certificate.

Submitted Photos

July 22, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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Above, winners in the 4-7-year-old age group were Maya Jamieson, largest fish with a 6 ¾-inch blue gill, and Zoe Duncan, most fish. Below, top finishers in the 8-11-year-old age group were August Rarrick, largest fish with a 26 ¾-inch carp, and Lincoln Towers, most fish. Bottom, in the 12-16-year-old age group, Jack Falcon caught the largest fish – an 18 ½-inch bass, and Chandler Mueller reeled in the most fish.

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New Eatery Brings Eastern Shore Staples To West OC

Page 36

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

OCEAN CITY – Thirty years of nostalgia.

That’s what the owners of Captain’s Galley Crab Cake Shack say customers can find at their new establishment.

On June 16, Jeremy Brink, Melissa Bunting and Rush Stehley opened the new Captain’s Galley Crab Cake Shack within the Food Lion shopping center off Route 611. Paying homage to the former Captain’s Galley seafood restaurant in West Ocean City, the eatery features crab cakes, along with house-made sandwiches, burgers, salads and more.

“We’re extremely proud of everything that comes out of that kitchen, every single day,” Brink said.

The three proprietors are no strangers to the restaurant industry. Brink, co-owner of Ocean 13, and Bunting and Stehley, employed with the Taustin Group, have been involved in the local hospitality scene for years.

But Brink said he and Bunting – a childhood friend – have been looking to open a new restaurant for some time. Joined by Stehley, the group saw their dreams come to fruition last month with the opening of Captain’s Galley Crab Cake Shack, a name derived from the iconic West Ocean City establishment once located on the harbor.

“Captain’s Galley was sold to the Taustin Group, and the Taustin Group wasn’t looking to do anything with the name or

Co-owners Jeremy Brink, Melissa Bunting and Rush Stehley are pictured at the new Captain’s Galley Crab Cake Shack, located within the Food Lion Shopping Center off Route 611.

Photo by Bethany Hooper

crab cakes,” Brink explained. “So we acquired the name through them.”

Brink and Bunting also recognized the Taustin Group for their support.

“That’s where I started my career, was at Captain’s Galley … I practically grew up there,” Bunting said. “It was something people missed. So we saw an opportunity to bring it back, and Cole [Taustin] was kind enough to allow us to acquire it.”

After finding space at the Food Lion shopping center, Brink said the team worked to renovate the interior and develop a menu that features Eastern Shore specialties. In addition to crab cakes, menu items include meatloaf sandwiches topped with a homemade tomato-bacon jam, a Chesapeake sandwich with blackened chicken and homemade crab dip, and a

firecracker shrimp po boy, to name a few.

“It’s the typical Eastern Shore fare, but we jazz it up with our own flair …,” Brink said. “Our idea was to do big, beautiful sandwiches you can’t get anywhere else.

I have a background in cooking, and we have a really great chef back there. Between all of us, we came up with a bunch of cool, different specialty sandwiches.”

Brink added that menu items are made from scratch using high-quality ingredients, and several products are sourced from local companies. The restaurant’s street corn, for example, uses local corn from Thompson Farms Produce, and their cocktail sauce is made from George’s Bloody Mary Mix. “We’re part of this community, so we try to support our community,” he said.

July 22, 2022

The owners say Captain’s Galley Crab Cake Shack features daily specials, which are posted on the restaurant’s website and Facebook page. There’s also plenty of kitchen space to make and ship crab cakes, an operation they hope to implement in the fall.

“We’d like to get into the whole shipping aspect, and we definitely have enough room back there to add it to our operation,” Brink said.

Bunting said since opening Captain’s Galley Crab Cake Shack, she has seen old customers from her time at the original Captain’s Galley. She said she is eager to continue serving the community and hearing the memories they made at the former establishment.

“Captain’s Galley was a place that people went to for their weekly dinners, to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, that one nice dinner while on vacation,” she said.

“There was a lot of generational patronage there, so people were happy to see us open up.”

Captain’s Galley Crab Cake Shack is open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and closed on Tuesdays. While the restaurant caters to carryout, limited seating is available.

To order online, view the menu or learn more about Captain’s Galley Crab Cake Shack, visit thecrabcakes.com or the restaurant’s Facebook page and Instagram account (@crabcakeshack). Customers can also call 410-213-CAKE (2253).

“There’s something for everybody,” Bunting said. “And it’s just really good food.”

OC Updating Key Mitigation Plan

July 22, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

FEMA Grant To Fund Consultant Work

BY BETHANY HOOPER STAFF WRITER

OCEAN CITY – Officials say a draft of the town’s updated hazard mitigation plan will be released in the coming months.

On July 13, Planning and Community Development Director Bill Neville presented members of the Ocean City Coastal Resources Legislative Committee (Green Team) with an update on the resort’s hazard mitigation plan. As the town concludes its update of the plan, Neville said the draft would be released to the public by late August or early September.

“It is not significantly different from what we adopted five years ago,” he said.

“It’s just an updated version.”

Ocean City’s hazard mitigation plan is a long-term strategy to reduce disaster losses and break the cycle of repeated damage. In short, the plan identifies, plans, and implements cost-effective hazard mitigation measures.

As the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requires the plan to be updated every five years, a review is currently underway. Neville noted changes to the document include a new section on COVID-19 response and enhancements to the existing plan.

“We were able to get a FEMA grant to hire a consultant,” he explained. “They are the ones that helped us prepare it five years ago. So we’re going through the process of updating the chapters and looking at new areas that the state would like us to update.”

Neville told committee members this week a new law would also require municipalities and counties to complete watershed studies.

“The one thing that is a crossover issue for both hazard mitigation and, ultimately, when we update our comprehensive plan, is that there is a new state law that requires watershed studies to be done in support of any future FEMA grant applications,” he said. “So essentially if you are going to apply to FEMA for a resiliency grant or an infrastructure grant to address flooding or to improve drainage issues then they are going to be looking for background that explains watershed basins, what’s causing the problem.”

Neville pointed out the town could work with the county in developing watershed studies.

“What we are thinking about putting in the hazard mitigation plan as an action item is this is a great coordination item with Worcester County to go ahead and participate in their watershed analysis of flooding issues and future conditions …,” he said. “It's a great thing for us to team up with. For the town to do it by ourselves doesn’t really make sense.”

Maryland Coastal Bays Program Outreach and Marketing Coordinator Sandi Smith agreed.

“It makes sense,” she said. “It’s all the same watershed.”

Neville said he expected the mandate to be implemented into hazard mitigation plans in the coming three to five years.

“What I think they are trying to bring to the table is does your plan look at a combination of factors, if there’s a major thunderstorm that dumped a lot of rainwater at the same time there’s a super high tide and an offshore storm,” he explained.

“They want communities to essentially evaluate the worst-case scenario.”

In the meantime, Neville said the town plans to release its draft of the updated hazard mitigation plan for public hearing.

The town is also encouraging the public to complete a 10-minute survey regarding local hazards and disaster risk and to follow the town’s website and social media pages for information on hazard mitigation and emergency preparedness.

“The Town of Ocean City has experienced numerous hazard incidents throughout its history and has undertaken mitigation actions and projects to reduce hazard risk and future losses,” a press release reads. “Mitigation not only saves lives, but also reduces disaster costs. For every $1 spent on disaster mitigation, more than $6 are saved that would have been used responding to or recovering from disaster.”

For questions regarding the plan, contact Bob Rhode, Department of Emergency Services, at brhode@oceancitymd.gov.

Page 37

Assateague Horses Returned After Crossing Bridge

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 22, 2022

Two wild horses that crossed the Verrazano Bridge last week were returned by horse trailer, pictured above left, a few hours later. Above right, Starlight is pictured after being returned to the beach area.

Submitted Photos

BY CHARLENE SHARPE STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – Two of Assateague Island’s wild horses took an unsanctioned trip to the mainland last Wednesday before being returned to their herd on the beach.

While it’s a rare occurrence, two of the wild horses that make their home at Assateague Island National Seashore crossed the Route 611 Verrazano Bridge to the mainland last Wednesday afternoon. Staff from both Assateague’s state and national parks were able to corral the animals safely before they were returned to the island by horse trailer. National Park Service officials said the horses’ foray across the bridge was caused by people crowding them.

“These two wild horses were in an already excited and agitated state and subsequently became blocked by visitors and vehicles,” a release from the National Park Service reads. “With their path of retreat towards the island cut off, the horses fled west over the bridge to the mainland.”

According to officials, a witness told park staff that the horses were agitated at the base of the east side of the bridge and fled over it when vehicles and visitors blocked their path east. The entire causeway east of the bridge is a “No Stopping, No Parking” zone.

“This incident is a very unusual and very uncommon occurrence,” the National Park Service release reads. “For reasons not entirely known, wild horses have been known to cross the bridge during one prior

occasion decades ago. While this incident is concerning, the circumstances that led to these wild horses’ flight across the bridge yesterday is more serious. The crowding of these animals by visitors and vehicles thereby blocking their movements and path of retreat directly led to this incident.”

Staff from the park were able to safely round up the two horses—the stallion Adrianna’s Happy Camper and the yearling filly Starlight—about a half mile west of the bridge. With the help of a local farm owner, the two horses were loaded onto a trailer and returned to the OSV section of Assateague Island National Seashore.

Though the horses had never been trailered before, park staff had little trouble getting them loaded up. They simply re-

moved one corral panel at a time until the horses’ enclosure abutted the trailer. Eventually, the horses stepped right on.

Park officials are using last week’s unusual incident to remind visitors that the horses are wild animals and that people should not be within 40 feet of them.

“Stopping and getting out of your car on the causeway to view horses is illegal,” the park’s release states. “Stopping on the causeway leads directly to an unsafe situation for other vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians, for horses and for park personnel.”

Officials are encouraging people to use common sense when they’re at the park, as visitors are kicked, bitten and knocked down every year as a result of getting close to the wild horses.

July 22, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 39

Page 40

30-Year Sentence In ’21 OC Shooting

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 22, 2022

BY SHAWN J. SOPER MANAGING EDITOR

Sunrise Beauty: Though it signified the start of another work week for many, Monday morning began with a beautiful sunrise sky over the Atlantic Ocean.

Photo by Chris Parypa

SNOW HILL – A suspect, convicted of first-degree assault and other charges stemming from a shooting last summer, was sentenced last week to a combined 30 years in prison.

Antonio Epps, now 28, of District Heights, Md., was charged initially with attempted second-degree murder, firstand second-degree assault and numerous other charges for shooting a male victim who had fallen through the sunroof of a vehicle he was occupying on June 13, 2021. In April, Epps was found guilty of first-degree assault and numerous other counts and a pre-sentence investigation was ordered.

Back in court on Friday for sentencing, Epps received 25 years for the firstdegree assault conviction and 15 years for the possession of a firearm with a felony conviction. All but five years of the possession of a firearm with a felony conviction were suspended, netting Epps a total sentence of 30 years. He quickly appealed the sentence to the state’s Court of Special Appeals.

A second suspect in the case, Jameal McLeod, 28, of Capitol Heights, in January pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact for his role in the incident. McLeod was sentenced to five years, all but 151 days of which were then suspended. He was also placed on supervised probation for three years upon his release.

Around 2:50 a.m. last June 13, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers responded to a downtown hotel for a reported shooting incident. Upon the officers’ arrival, witnesses advised both the suspects and the victim had left the scene, according to police reports. The victim, a 21-year-old male from Reisterstown, Md., was located a short time later at the Ocean City Fire Department headquarters at 15th Street. Ocean City EMS treated the victim for two gunshot wounds and transported him to TidalHealth Peninsula Regional Hospital.

The investigation revealed the suspects’ vehicle was parked in the hotel parking lot. The victim, believing the vehicle was unoccupied, walked on top of the vehicle and fell through the sunroof.

The occupants of the vehicle got out and confronted the victim. During the confrontation, one of the vehicle’s occupants, later identified as Epps, shot the victim two times before fleeing the scene.

Officers broadcasted a description of the vehicle and the suspects to allied law enforcement agencies in the area. Berlin Police Department officers located the suspects’ vehicle at a convenience store on Route 50 near Stephen Decatur High School. The Berlin Police Department, with assistance from the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office and the Maryland State Police, initiated a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle. During the stop, a loaded semi-automatic handgun, along with a loaded, large-capacity drum-style magazine was recovered.

July 22, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 41

Resort Honors Arbin For 50 Years Of Service To OCBP

Page 42

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY CHARLENE SHARPE STAFF WRITER

OCEAN CITY – Resort officials gathered at the Inlet Sunday to recognize Capt. Butch Arbin’s 50 years of service to the Ocean City Beach Patrol.

Arbin, who climbed a lifeguard stand and signaled “We are up at 10:00,” just as he did 50 years ago on July 17, was celebrated by state and local officials at a ceremony on the Inlet beach. They applauded his dedication to keeping the beaches safe as well as his commitment to the community.

“The job is just not a 9-5 job,” Del. Wayne Hartman said. “You never know when the call’s going to come for a beach rescue and you’re always there, you always have the troops there, and the whole town has a huge debt of gratitude to you for that.”

Arbin, an educator for Charles County Public Schools, passed the test to join the Ocean City Beach Patrol July 16, 1973, and was in the stand the next day.

He was appointed acting captain of the Beach Patrol in 1996 and was officially appointed captain in 1997. He follows in the footsteps of Robert Craig, who served 52 years on the Beach Patrol, and George Schoepf, who headed the organization for a decade until he died after a battle with cancer.

The resort scheduled Sunday’s ceremony to coincide with Arbin’s first day on

Ocean City Beach Patrol Capt. Butch Arbin re-enacts his first day on the job 50 years ago by signaling with semaphore flags.

Photo by Charlene Sharpe

the job half a century ago. Hartman and Sen. Mary Beth Carozza both presented citations to Arbin recognizing his five decades of service to the Ocean City Beach Patrol. Carozza said the public safety provided by Arbin day in and day out, year after year was incredible.

“Think about the domino effect of all those interactions with families, all of those rescues,” she said.

Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan said Arbin had served on the Beach Patrol through the terms of five different mayors and seven different city managers.

“We talk about public safety,” Meehan said. “It’s our number one priority. Beach Patrol plays an important role in that.”

Tom Perlozzo, Ocean City’s director of tourism and business development, said that it was good to see Arbin and so

July 22, 2022

many of his longtime employees still devoted to the Beach Patrol. He added that Arbin was a positive leader.

“The seed he’s planted today will be the harvest you’ll see in the future,” Perlozzo said.

Joe Theobald, Ocean City’s director of emergency services, praised Arbin’s ability to train new lifeguards year after year.

“It’s not easy to manage people,” Theobald said. “It’s twice as hard when you have to manage a new crop of young adults every season coming in here, putting them in quick shape to be able to be out here on this beach.”

Jim Mathias recounted working with Arbin during his time as an elected official in Ocean City. He noted that even when Arbin wasn’t on the beach, he worked in education, inspiring society’s future generations. He applauded Arbin’s dedication to the Beach Patrol.

“He’s been there for us, continues to be there for us,” he said.

For his part, Arbin said he was glad that speakers had praised not just him but the Beach Patrol as a whole as well.

“The Beach Patrol is an incredible organization not because of me but because of the we,” he said.

Arbin also thanked his family for their support during his decades with the Beach Patrol.

“My sacrifice was nothing compared to the sacrifice they made,” he said.

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July 22, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 43

Local and state officials are pictured at Sunday’s gathering to celebrate Ocean City Beach Patrol Capt. Butch Arbin for 50 years of service. Arbin was recognized with speeches and governor’s citations.

Photos by Charlene Sharpe

Page 44

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 22, 2022

July 22, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 45

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 22, 2022

Freeman Arts Pavilion’s Photo Of The Week: Each week during the season the Freeman Arts Pavilion submits a photo of the week from the

Selbyville venue. Above, American jam band Umphrey’s McGee jammed out at Freeman Arts Pavilion on Sunday, July 10. Tickets are still available for 2022 perPhoto by Natalee DeHart/Freeman Arts Pavilion formances at freemanarts.org.

July 22, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 47

People in Society Robert Craig, Ocean City Beach Patrol Captain Butch Arbin and Kerry Schoepf pause for a photo at Arbin’s 50th anniversary celebration. Craig’s father and Schoepf’s father headed the Beach Patrol prior to Arbin.

by Charlene Sharpe Featuring Those Helping Causes In The Resort Area

Jason Konyar,left, and Skip Lee, right, of the Ocean City Beach Patrol are pictured with Sen. Mary Beth Carozza at a celebration honoring Capt. Butch Arbin’s 50 years of service.

Tim and Deb Williams, Doug Parks and Steve Ziegler participated in the Ocean Pines-Taylor Bank Golf Tournament to raise money for college scholarships.

Jack Quisgard, Cory Walsh, Wes McCabe and Lee Chisolm participated in the golf tournament benefiting the Ocean Pines Golf Members Council Junior Gold and College Scholarship Fund.

Jodi Levy and Doreen Redman paused for a photo at the Ocean Pines-Taylor Bank Golf Tournament July 13.

Lynn Schneider and Susan Pantone are pictured at the 38th annual Ocean Pines-Taylor Bank Golf Tournament July 13.

Ocean City Beach Patrol Captain Butch Arbin and Robert Craig are pictured at an event celebrating Arbin’s 50 years of service to the Beach Patrol.

Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan poses for a photo with Ocean City Beach Patrol Capt. Butch Arbin.

Author Robert Craig, pictured with his wife Carole, signed and sold copies of “Saving Lives A History of the Ocean City Beach Patrol” and other Ocean City books Saturday at the Taylor House Musuem.

Joe Pantone, Tom Cronin and Bob Reifsnyder paused for a photo at the Ocean Pines-Taylor Bank Golf Tournament last week.

Page 48

Advice To Help Avoid Lost Kids

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 22, 2022

Guarding the Beach

BY DAMIEN SANZOTTI

SPECIAL TO THE DISPATCH

OCEAN CITY – As a father of three children, one of my biggest fears is losing my kids in a crowded area and not being able to find them. But over my 19 years with the beach patrol, I have had the opportunity to return many lost children to their parents. Parents, please pay attention because in this article, we will discuss how to prevent this scary moment during your time on the sand.

My children are 10, 8, and 4 years of age, so one of the first things that we do when we get to the beach is meet the lifeguard. I make sure that I take the time to introduce them and reinforce the fact that if they cannot find mom and dad, then they tell the person in the big white chair.

Our lifeguards appreciate this so that if a child does get lost, they can work to reunite parties DAMIEN faster and go back to SANZOTTI their primary concern – watching the water. This is crucial especially on busy weekends in the peak of summer, when it is not uncommon to have over 30 separated party cases on our beaches.

Next, I show my kids the numbered street sign that faces the beach at the dune access. I typically point out a few distinguishable buildings in the background to help orient them to the area. To a young child standing at the water’s edge, the beach can look like a repeating pattern of umbrellas and chairs, making parents disappear quite easily. My kids are also very good with numbers, so we have been practicing the memorization of my cell phone number. Our lifeguards have the ability to make radio contact with our dispatcher who can place a call to parents if needed.

When kids get panicked, they tend to pick up the pace and cover more ground as they search frantically for

something familiar. Additionally, the current can move children along the beach so they exit the water sometimes blocks away from where they entered.

Though these factors can cause children to become lost, lost kids do display several commonalities, like walking at the water’s edge with the wind at their back (the path of least resistance).

These signs can help lifeguards initiate a search with semaphore, otherwise known as our flag language, as a message is sent to each guard.

While lifeguards are visually sweeping the beach, the message is also sent via radio to spread the information to a larger area. During this time, it is extremely important to have a group member stay with the lifeguard closest to where the individual is lost from.

Keeping a group member close to the lifeguard stand allows us to return the lost individual to the correct location and allows for a good flow of communication. Our sergeants, who ride the ATV’s, will also sweep the area searching for the lost individual. We are proud to say that through this process, we have a 100% return rate for lost parties.

For many years we reunited between 1,000 and 2,000 lost or found children, but due to our public education program and parents taking the above advice, we have seen a drastic drop to less than 350 per season, over the past several years.

In conclusion, if you suddenly can’t locate a member of your family, do not panic and do not start your own search before informing the nearest lifeguard who can initiate the search, and at times, may already know the whereabouts of your child. It helps to make a plan with your child to keep your vacation stress free. And as always, "Keep your feet in the sand, until the lifeguard’s in the stand."

(The writer has been with the beach patrol for 19 years and is currently a sergeant.

He is a physical education teacher for the Worcester County Public School system.)

Tom Yates: An Unexpected Swim Led To Summer Memories

July 22, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 49

OCBP Alumni of the Week

(Editor’s Note: The following is a series on the men and women who have spent their summers protecting all those who came to Ocean City for fun and safe vacation.)

OCEAN CITY – When Tom Yates went for a quick swim in the ocean one day, he had no idea that it would end up changing his life.

Tom had grown up in Anne Arundel County being a competitive swimmer.

From his early days at the pool to the AACC swim team, he was always practicing or racing. His family would take him to the beach during the moments he wasn’t in the pool doing laps, and Tom would spend his time swimming through the surf. Swimming was what he knew.

But, as he got older, he also knew that swimming was not going to pay his bills. So, Tom found work with a construction company that did a lot of work up and down the coast. “We would come down for three or four days at a time and stay at Rehoboth Beach. I’d stay with my family, or if things were too chaotic, I’d stay over with my boss at his place.” Tom had some free times during those work weeks and would take the opportunity to swim whenever he could.

It was the summer of 1981. One week, “while I was working a construction job up in Dewey, I took a break.” While relaxing in Ocean City, he decided to take a swim.

“I came out of the water in front of the Golden Sands condominium, and the guard yelled down to me, ‘Tom Yates?’

I looked up and said ‘Mark Acton?’” he recalled.

It was in fact the “friend of a friend” that Tom had known for some time.

After some talk about small worlds, Mark told Tom about how great a time he was having working on the Ocean City Beach Patrol. Mark concluded, after seeing what a good swimmer he was, that Tom had to join the patrol as well.

The next year, Tom talked his family into renting him the cramped lower floor apartment of their house on 11th Street.

His friend Mark joined him and the summer of 1982 began. Tom passed his OCBP test and immediately began guarding. It was a great summer. His crew was within walking distance of his house and Tom enjoyed guarding the crowded downtown beaches where there was always a lot of action, and more than a few stories.

Tom remembered one afternoon when a girl “who looked like she’d been in a fight the night before, began climbing up my stand to ask if I had an ashtray up there. All I could come up with was ‘sorry, no,’” he remembered. Tom even found time to go fishing off of the Route 50 Bridge where “quite a few times I brought home dinner.”

Tom returned for the summer of 1983

and was assigned to 9th Street. Because of the Beach Replenishment Project going on in Ocean City at the time, “they had put a brand new rock jetty in front of my stand. Every time there was a rough day, I had to race in to get people before they crashed into the rocks, by taking them outside and around the jetty. I called it ‘making the loop.’ Then I’d have to get back in time to get the next one. It was just like a conveyor belt.”

On one particularly bad day, with waves crashing over the jetty in rapid succession, Tom had one of his more memorable rescues.

“I had to go for this girl who was heading straight for the rocks. I told her to hang onto the buoy while I backstroked with all my might to get us around the jetty,” he said. “Waves kept crashing over us pushing us into the rocks, and each time they did, the girl began to lose her top. So, she’d let go of the buoy to readjust her suit and I would have to stop and wait. I told her, ‘you’ve got to stop letting go.’ I actually pushed off the rocks with my foot as the last wave was breaking over us. We made it safely in, but she just about killed us.”

Tom Yates is pictured during the summer of 1983.

Submitted Photo

Tom left Ocean City that fall to attend

school at Towson and to join the swim team there. The training he’d get would keep him ready for his return to the OCBP the next summer. Tom even had his new house situation ready to go. “I had a place lined up with 8 girls,” he said.

However, this didn’t sit well with his girlfriend at the time, who talked him into staying home that summer and just guarding on the weekends.

“Worst decision I ever made,” said Tom with regret. He was still able to get back on the beach and guard a few days a week. In that time, he found the opportunity to swim for the growing OCBP competition events. As for the girlfriend, they broke up not long afterwards.

Tom still returns to the beach with his family whenever he can. The time that he spent on the OCBP was a life-changing time. He made a lot of friends and had a lot of adventures. And all of it was due to a chance encounter on a particular beach after a random swim.

Tom Yates put his construction training to work and became a carpenter and a professional sculptor. He now lives on Kent Island. Swimming still remains a passion for him, and he’s been coaching teams for the past 22 years.

WHOLE HOUSE ELECTRICAL ASSESSMENT & SAFETY INSPECTION

A $249 VALUE FOR ONLY $99 • Check the electrical service panel and wiring • Tighten screws and lugs on circuit breakers to ensure proper functioning • Apply Noalox on branch circuits’ aluminum wires • Check all outlets with tester for loose connections, open grounds, neutral wires, proper polarity

• Test/inspect GFCI outlets and breakers • Check for double tapped breakers to eliminate overloading a circuit breaker • Survey for proper surge protection • Check smoke detectors and make recommendations for compliance with local electrical codes

Call 410-641-1434 Worcester County Lic. #M917 • Maryland Lic. # 3506

Page 50

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 22, 2022

Chris Parypa’s Photo Of The Week: Each week staff photographer Chris Parypa is tasked with submitting a photo from his vast library to be fea-

Historic Church Launches Restore The Light Campaign

tured in this space. Above, the U.S. flag is pictured through the fence along the Wicomico Street Pier. To purchase any of Parypa’s photos, click over to www.chrisparypa.com.

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – With the help of grant funding and community support, a local church is hoping to restore its 110-year-old stained glass windows.

Stevenson United Methodist’s Restore the Light Committee has launched a campaign to restore more than 34 stained glass windows at the church. Now, with a grant from the Humphreys Foundation, church members are hoping to raise the remaining funds to preserve a piece of history.

“We are excited and want to preserve the building for the next generation,” said Beth Sise, chair of the church’s Restore the Light Committee.

Efforts to restore the building’s stained glass windows -- installed in 1912, when the granite church was built -- began in earnest last fall, Sise said, when an assessment revealed roughly $211,000 of work was needed to address the glass panes and acrylic covers, many of which had been damaged by the sun.

“It’s mainly the east and south side where the sun is prominent … It’s actually caused the most damage,” she said. “We had a survey and assessment done in October and the price took us aback. It’s a daunting task, so once we got our thoughts together, we pursued the grant to make it possible.”

In April, Restore the Light Committee members submitted an application to the Humphreys Foundation seeking a $100,-

000 grant to assist in restoration efforts.

And in late June, the church learned it had received $50,000, with an opportunity to receive $50,000 more as a match.

“If we can raise $50,000, the Humphreys Foundation will match it, so there is an incentive there,” she said. “Ultimately, we have the potential to receive $100,000.

We are completely humbled and grateful by such a generous gift. It’s a true blessing.”

To work toward the matching grant, Sise says the church will now seek the support of congregation members and the community.

On June 24, for example, the church held a hymn sing and BBQ dinner to benefit restoration efforts. Sise noted the church is also looking into other grant opportunities, mailing campaigns and more.

“The people that gave money to install the 1910 windows were established businessmen in the community …,” she added.

“So we’re also looking to see if their family members would support the windows their ancestors helped install 110 years ago.”

Sise said the process of restoring the windows is highly involved and requires the expertise of professionals. She noted that 14 of the windows will be removed and

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taken to Associated Crafts & Willet Hauser Stained Glass Studio in Minnesota, where they will be disassembled, cleaned and repaired. The remaining windows will stay in place as they are repaired and the trim is repainted.

“New acrylic covers on the exterior will then go in to protect the windows,” she said.

While it is not the first time the church has taken efforts to restore the windows -the three biggest stained glass windows at the church were repaired in the 1990s -Sise said it will be the first time a majority of the windows will be refurbished.

“The integrity of those three windows are intact because of the work done 30 years ago …,” she said. “So it’s not the first time we’ve tried to raise money for the windows, but this is the first time we are doing all the windows.”

Through the pandemic, the stained glass windows served as an inspiration to the community, as they were illuminated through the night to lift up motorists and pedestrians passing by.

Sise said those interested in supporting the church’s window restoration efforts can donate through the Stevenson United Methodist Church website, stevensonchurch.org/give. Checks, with “Restore the Light” written in the memo line, can also be sent to 123 N. Main Street, Berlin, Md. 21811.

“We appreciate any community support,” she said, “because it’s going to take the whole community to raise this money.”

July 22, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 51

BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE NEWS demic Commons, recognized as one of the nation’s top 20 collegiate libraries by The Princeton Review.

Guided by a 28-member board, the SU Foundation was created in 1973 to accumulate funds by gift and investment to enhance the university. Since then, it has enriched the academic growth and physical expansion of SU through the support of student scholarships, faculty research, new facilities and community outreach.

Gym Groundbreaking WEST OCEAN CITY – National Fitness Partners (NFP), one of the largest franchisees within the Planet Fitness system, officially broke ground last week on its highly-anticipated, new Planet Fitness club, located at 12641 Ocean Gateway in West Ocean City.

The location is targeted for a fall 2022 completion. This marks the first location in the Ocean City market, with the nearest Planet Fitness club 40 miles away.

Located right around the White Marlin Mall area, the 14,300-square-foot location will offer 64 state-of-the-art cardio machines and a wide variety of strength equipment, a 30-minute express circuit, fully equipped locker rooms with day lockers and showers, numerous flat screen televisions and a relaxing Black Card® Spa equipped with tanning beds and HydroMassage loungers. Free fitness training is included in all memberships.

The Planet Fitness team hosted a groundbreaking kickoff event on July 14 to celebrate. The team was onsite to meet with local West Ocean City residents, hand out day passes and have giveaways available, including memberships and merchandise.

“We’re thrilled to add Ocean City to our Planet Fitness club portfolio and serve residents of Ocean City, along with beach vacationers. The area around the new club is booming with consumer retail, great shopping and dining, and we’re excited to bring affordable exercise to this favorable location,” said NFP’s Chief Marketing Officer Christine Smith. “Planet Fitness is dedicated to helping people work towards a healthier lifestyle, with both physical and mental wellness being prioritized now more than ever.”

Advisor Welcomed SALISBURY – SVN Miller Commercial Real Estate is pleased to welcome Chris Messick.

Messick will be an associate advisor with The McClellan Team. He will be based out of the Salisbury, Md., office.

Messick is a 2019 graduate of Salisbury University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in new media and has earned his real estate license in Delaware and Maryland. He joins SVN with a background in marketing and brokerage. He will shift his career from recent residential transactions to commercial brokerage fo-

New AGH App The Rehoboth Beach – Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the reopening of the newly remodeled Inn at Rehoboth.

Owned and operated by SSN Hotels group, the facility features 50 guest rooms and suites and an indoor pool, among other amenities. Pictured, from left to right, are Carol Everhart, Kathryn Angara, Malissa Rasely, Jeannette Munn, Laura Maenak, Ryan Kunde, Rajiv Bhatia and Kevin Delaney.

Submitted Photo

cusing on the sale and leasing of office and industrial property, and commercial land.

When The McClellan Team started to consider growing their team, John McClellan and Kelly Jeter were seeking an individual who possessed the skills necessary to be successful in the commercial real esCHRIS MESSICK tate business.

"Chris' tenacity, positive attitude, and attention to detail were just a few of the traits that stood out to our team," said Jeter.

"Chris has what it takes to excel in this business, and I look forward to collaborating with and expanding Chris' preexisting skill set," said McClellan.

Messick says, “I chose real estate because I plan on becoming an investor.

SVN Miller is where I need to be to get involved in the process of buying and selling property, learning from the experts, and ultimately managing my investment portfolio.”

Messick is an Eastern Shore native and currently lives in Salisbury with his wife Zoe and their English cream golden retriever named Banks. They recently welcomed their first child, Dane Gannon Messick.

Retirements Announced SALISBURY – The Salisbury University (SU) Foundation, Inc. recently bid farewell to four retiring members of its

board of directors.

They included (first year of service in parentheses) Amy Tilghman Miller ’90, M’94 (2009), Michele Thomas (2012), Laura Baker ’79 (2013) and Steve Farrow (2013).

“With more than four decades of combined service to the SU Foundation, these members have helped the university grow and flourish while also providing valuable scholarship and funding opportunities for its students, faculty and staff” said Jason Curtin, SU vice president of advancement and external affairs, and executive director of the foundation. “Their leadership has been invaluable to the foundation and to the university.”

During their tenure, the SU Foundation saw its assets grow to more than $100 million for the first time. The university also has seen a number of changes during that time, including its first doctoral graduates; the addition of SU Downtown; construction of new athletics facilities, including Sea Gull Stadium; and the establishment of the Charles A. Wight Multicultural Center for Equity, Justice and Inclusion, and the Dave and Patsy Rommel Center for Entrepreneurship.

While on the foundation board, they also witnessed one of the most rapid periods of physical growth in campus history, with additional new buildings including the Wayne Street Parking Garage, Sea Gull Square, Perdue Hall, the Richard A. Henson Medical Simulation Center and the Patricia R. Guerrieri Aca-

BERLIN – Atlantic General Hospital has unveiled a new mobile app designed to make life a little easier for their patients and community members.

With the AGH Cares app, all of their patients’ most frequently used tools are available in one place – directions and information for Atlantic General’s locations, physician and provider directory search, appointment scheduling, bill payment and patient portal log in are prominently displayed via simple easy-to-understand icons on the main screen of the app.

In addition to these tools, AGH Cares app users can browse upcoming health education classes and other community events, such as flu and COVID-19 vaccine clinics and health fairs, and receive notifications of emergency alerts such as weather-related closures and other important information.

Users can also view the current wait times for ER, Atlantic ImmediCare, x-ray and lab services that were available in Atlantic General’s last app, originally launched in 2010.

The app can be found in the Apple or Google play stores by searching for Atlantic General Hospital. More information and additional instructions can be found by visiting www.agh.care/getit.

“We’re really excited about this new updated app,” said Toni Keiser, vice president of public relations for Atlantic General Hospital. “We are always looking for ways to make the complexities of healthcare a little easier for our community to manage – and to improve communications with our patients. We think this app will be a big help, and we’re eager to receive feedback.”

Individuals who use the original AGH app to check wait times are encouraged to delete it and download the new AGH Care app. The original app is no longer being supported.

Page 52

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 22, 2022

COMMUNITY News In Photos

A “Crafts for a Cause” night at Burley Oak Brewing Company raised more than $1,300 for The CRICKET Center. Pictured accepting the check from Burley Oak’s Bryan Brushmiller are Terri Sexton and Lauren Cooper of The CRICKET Center.

Worcester County law enforcement officers who graduated in the 88th entrance-level law enforcement class of the Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy operated by Wor-Wic Community College in Salisbury are shown, from left, Ray’Ovonte Fitchett of the Pocomoke City Police Department, David Megafu and Austin Mora of the Ocean City Police Department and Benjamin Cropper of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office.

Submitted Photos

Wicomico County law enforcement officers who graduated in the 88th entrancelevel law enforcement class of the Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy operated by Wor-Wic Community College in Salisbury are shown in the front row, from left, Steven Abreu, Pedro Brown, David Ferrand and Joseph Pete of the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office, James Staley of the Salisbury University Police Department and Jacob Engelskirch of the Delmar Police Department. In the back, from left, are Aaron Barclay and Kaila Muniz of the Salisbury Police Department and Lucas Bohtling, Evan Gaba and Shawn Hill of the Fruitland Police Department.

The Worcester County Arts Council recognized winners in the juried art competition “Celebrate.” Pictured from left are Tia Tuvesson, Marcy Snyder, Kate Cashman, and Ellie Scott during the reception. The exhibit will remain on display through the end of the month.

The Democratic Women’s Club of Worcester County (DWC) donated $600 to Pocomoke Elementary School in support of the school’s summer academy. Pictured in the back row are Principal Joshua Hamborsky, Cherie McNett and Mary Anne Whitcomb (DWC), Assistant Principal Faye Williams and Worcester County Commissioner Josh Nordstrom. In the front row is Laurie Brittingham, Susanna Eisenman and Joan Roache (DWC).

The Ocean City Fire Department’s Junior Firefighter Camp attracts dozens of participants each year. The department’s staff and retirees volunteer for the camp, which gives children a firsthand look at the service firefighters provide in the community.

July 22, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 53

Date Announced For Annual Car Show How Legal Settlements, Fees Are Taxed

Page 54

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 22, 2022

WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE

BY KRISTIN COANE

SPECIAL TO THE DISPATCH

BERLIN – Let’s say you are involved in a serious auto accident. You may sue the other driver to pay for damages not covered by the insurance companies. Perhaps you even receive a large settlement.

Are you on the hook for taxes on that lawsuit payout?

KRISTIN COANE It depends. According to the IRS, monies received for personal injuries or illness are exempt from income taxes. If you receive a settlement for mental and emotional distress, that may also be tax exempt if it is directly related to a physical injury or illness.

Moreover, if you receive compensation specifically for vehicle damage resulting from a car accident, that’s not taxable either. This applies to both the cost of repairs as well as coverage for a rental vehicle while your car is being repaired.

However, payouts received for punitive damages are subject to income taxes.

Other settlements subject to federal income taxes include employment-related lawsuits, such as: Wrongful discharge Failure to honor contract obligations Damages to compensate for economic loss (e.g., lost wages, business income and benefits) Discrimination lawsuits related to age, race, gender, religion or disability Also note that attorney and legal fees are generally not deductible on your federal tax return. This means you could be responsible for paying taxes on the full payout, including the portion that goes to attorney fees.

Sometimes 100% of the proceeds from a legal settlement must be used to pay for bills and expenses based on the origin of the claim. Other times you may come out ahead, with excess money available to spend at your discretion. Once any tax liability is paid, consider your options for what to do with this money. One of them is to use it to help secure your financial future. If you’d like to learn ways to convert such a windfall to a guaranteed level of income during retirement, contact us to

BERLIN – The Ocean Pines Chamber of Commerce has announced it will be hosting its 8th Annual Car Show on Saturday, Sept. 3.

The car show will be held at Veterans Memorial Park located on the corner of Cathell and Racetrack Roads.

Several food trucks will be there as well as Radio Ocean City for entertainment.

For more information on registering for the car show or becoming a vendor please call the OP Chamber: 410-6415306 or stop in the office at 11047 Racetrack Road, Berlin, Md. 21811.

learn more.

Another type of settlement is the malpractice lawsuit. If a physician makes a mistake that results in physical pain, the proceeds from the medical malpractice lawsuit would not be taxable. However, what if your lawyer fails to file the lawsuit before the statute of limitations runs out?

Then you may be able sue that lawyer for legal malpractice. Because that payout is directly related to the physical distress from the original claim, it would not be subject to taxes.

However, other types of legal malprac-

The Car Show will begin at approximately 10 a.m. and trophies will be awarded by 1 p.m. There will be trophies awarded in the following categories – classic, antique, hot rod, modern, customs, Jeep and people’s choice.

Pre-registration is available online for just $15 or $20 the day of the show.

Registration will be at Veterans Memorial Park beginning at 8:30 a.m. All cars must be registered by 10 a.m. to participate in the car show. Register online at www.OceanPinesChamber.org.

tice lawsuit settlements, such as divorce, tax advice and real estate deals are reported as taxable income.

Although this discussion gives you a general overview of the IRS rules regarding how legal fees and settlements are taxed, every case is different. It’s a good idea to consult with an experienced tax professional to help you assess if, and how much, of your compensatory payouts are subject to taxes.

(The writer is part of the team at Key Financial Services in Berlin. The team can be reached at 410-629-0357.)

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Resort’s art league seeks Volunteers For Upcoming events

July 22, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

OCEAN CITY – The Art League of Ocean City is in urgent need of volunteers to assist with upcoming events, including monthly First Friday art opening parties, ArtX at Northside Park in August, the Sand Castle Home Tour in late September, and the Harbor Day Festival in October.

Volunteer duties include staffing Art League information areas, assisting with refreshments, acting as docents on the Home Tour, ticket taking, assisting with children’s and adult’s art activities, raffle offerings, bartending, and event setup and breakdown, among other opportunities.

“Volunteering with the Art League can be so rewarding and fun,” Aubrey Sizemore, the Art League’s volunteer coordinator, said. “You’ll connect with other creative-minded people like yourself, make new friends, and really feel a sense of belonging. There are many ways to get involved that suit you, and we’ll work within your interests and your schedule to find your perfect spot. Plus our volunteers are rewarded with special recognition and price incentives to many of our events.”

The Art League’s First Friday art re-

ceptions happen at the Ocean City Center for the Arts on 94th St. every first Friday of the month throughout the year.

ArtX Fine Arts Festival at Northside Park is Aug. 20-21. The annual Sand Castle Home Tour takes place in-person on Sept. 29-30 at private homes around the resort. The Harbor Day Festival happens at the West Ocean City commercial fishing harbor on Oct. 15.

Page 55

The Art League welcomes everyone to apply, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, gender, marital status, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, or physical challenge.

Interested parties should contact Aubrey Sizemore at aubrey@ArtLeagueofOceanCity.org or 410-524-9433.

The Art League of Ocean City is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promot-

ing artistic expression and appreciation for the creative arts in our community through education, exhibits, scholarship, programs, and community art projects.

Funding is provided in part by the Worcester County Arts Council, Maryland State Arts Council, and the National Endowment of the Arts, organizations dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive.

lower shore casa offers Free online Training

SALISBURY – The Lower Shore CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) program -- serving children in the child welfare system in Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties -- is offering free training beginning Aug. 1 for volunteer advocates. The format is selfpaced online learning supplemented with virtual training sessions.

According to Lower Shore CASA director Jerrona Smith, the only qualifications to be a volunteer advocate are to have a desire to serve children in need

and be 21 years of age.

“The recent expansion of Lower Shore CASA gives us the opportunity to serve many more abused and neglected children, Smith said. “To make sure they end up in a safe and permanent home, we need caring volunteers to advocate for them.”

A CASA volunteer is a caring adult appointed by the court to get to know the child and advocate for the child’s best interests. This volunteer offers another perspective to that of the professionals

helping the child, e.g., social worker, attorney, therapist(s). Before Lower Shore CASA expanded into Somerset and Wicomico counties effective July 1, each year approximately 45 CASAs advocated for approximately 65 vulnerable children in Worcester County alone.

To learn more about how to make a difference in the lives of children who have been removed from homes for their own safety and to apply to become a volunteer, visit LowerShoreCASA.org or call 443-782-3585.

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Page 56

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 22, 2022

July 22, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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Be Safe And Thanks For Visiting Ocean City The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

PAGE SPONSORED BY THE DISPATCH

July 22, 2022

July 22, 2022

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Page 59

with Scott Lenox Greetings all and welcome back to the Fish in OC fishing report. We had a busy weekend of fishing with little wind and calm seas so there were lots of boats out taking advantage of it. There was a pretty good bite for tunas on the lumps inside the canyons and there was some good flounder fishing over ocean structure, but bay fishing was hit or miss with average flounder fishing.

This past weekend the Ocean City Marlin Club held its 18th Annual Kid’s Classic Tournament, and it was another huge success. There are too many places and prizes to mention here, but I’m certain all of the kid’s had a great time and the awards/ carnival at the club on Sunday night was a real blast. Now that the Ocean City Tuna Tournament is in the books, the offshore fleet has switched to chunking for tunas on the lumps inside the canyons in 30 to 40 fathoms. “Chunking” is the term used to describe the fishing technique where “chunks” of bait like butterfish or sardines are thrown overboard to attract hungry schools of tuna looking for an easy meal. Hooks are put into some of the chunks and if you’re in the right place at the right time you can hook into some pretty good tuna fishing.

The chunk was on for some boats last

week as a few spots like the Hot Dog, Hambone and Sausages saw yellowfin tuna catches that consisted of good numbers and big fish. The Wrecker with Captain Bobby Layton and crew found the fish often and early over the weekend with a limit of big yellowfins from 40 to 60 pounds. Wrecker caught them in a hurry and was back to the Ocean City Fishing Center before lunch. Other anglers caught some nice fish too like Andrew Wright, Drew Clarke, Cory Gibson and Captain Ryan Gibson. These guys hooked an 89.2pound yellowfin on an 8000 class spinning reel and fought it for 2.5 hours before they got it to the boat. Inshore bottom fishing for sea bass has gotten a little tougher over the past week or so with less fish being caught on a regular basis. There are still some very nice fish around, but the local party and charter boat fleet is having to move around more to find the fish.

Thankfully flounder fishing has picked up slightly so most are changing gears and fishing for those tasty flatfish. My friend and neighbor Curt Presnell flounder fished over ocean structure last week using a bucktail with teaser rig baited with Gulp and landed is limit of very nice fish in just two hours or so. All of Curt’s four SEE PAGE 60

This crew caught a limit of fat yellowfin tuna with Captain Bobby Layton on the Wrecker.

Submitted Photos

Page 60

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 22, 2022

Above top left, Curt Presnell caught his limit of flounders over ocean structure including these two 22” fish that ate the same rig. Above top center, the crew of the Fish Bound took first place in the flounder category of the Kid’s Classic with a nice 4.6 pounder. Above top right, Scott McAuley and his crew had 7 yellowfin tuna and a pile of tilefish on board the Talkin’ Trash with Captain Chris Little. Above left, this limit of flounder was caught on board the Angler with Captain Chris Mizurak.

Above right, this shooter hit his mark on a big snakehead while fishing with Captain Marc Spagnola of Dusk to Dawn Bowfishing.

Opposite page, top left, this big knothead sea bass ate the wrong bait under the Morning Star with Captain Monty Hawkins. Opposite page, top right, Captain Ryan Gibson put Cory Gibson, Andrew Right and Drew Clarke on this 89.2-pound yellowfin tuna. Opposite page, middle left, Laura Foerster Puglisi used the Fish in OC Deadly Double in chartreuse to land this flounder and win first place Lady Angler and sixth place overall in the Paradise Bay Tournament. Opposite page, middle right, Blake Gunther and his crew had nine keeper flounder with five over 20” while fishing ocean structure. Opposite page, bottom left, Captain Jake Shaffer of Turnin’ Fins put this crew on a line-up of stud yellowfin tuna. Opposite page, bottom right, Kevin McNelis caught his limit of flounder over ocean structure including these two hammers.

... Fish In OC FROM PAGE 59 keepers were over 22”. Back bay fishing for flounder has gotten tough over the past couple of weeks with fewer keepers being caught. There are still a good number of fish being caught, but most are under the 16” minimum to be harvested. I am still seeing some keepers and those are mostly coming from the inlet area and the East Channel.

Anglers using live bait like spot, bunker or mullet in deeper water are catching the most keepers. I haven’t seen many fish over 22” or so, but I’m certain a doormat or two will be caught in the next couple of weeks. Hopefully it’s by me! There are

more and more croaker and spot being caught behind Assateague Island and in the Thorofare, but like the flounder there are not a lot of keepers with the croaker.

There is no size limit on spot, but croaker must be 9” long to harvest. That’s a good size limit too because a croaker under 9” doesn’t have enough meat on it to make it worth while anyhow. Use small strips of squid or Fishbites® bloodworm on a top and bottom rig like our Fish in OC Two Hook Float Rig and you’ll probably have some luck catching a few croaker. Croaker, or hardhead, are pound-for-pound one of the toughest fighting fish in the bay so they are great to help keep the kids busy, and if you catch a few over 9” they are very good to eat.

Tautog and sheepshead are still being caught at the north and south jetties and

I’ve also seen a few nice triggerfish from these areas. Live sand fleas or crab baits are the best baits for tautog and sheepshead while small strips of squid are good for triggers. Fish a slow-moving tide right in the rocks for a bite from any of these tasty bottom feeders. Rockfish and bluefish are still being caught at the route 50 bridge in pretty good numbers with some big fish in both species being landed.

Smaller blues and rock can be caught on half-ounce jigs or bucktails, but larger fish are being caught on live spot or Stretch lures. Cast and retrieve smaller lures around the pilings in 4’ to 10’ for throwback rock and smaller bluefish and fish the larger baits close to the bottom in 20’ to 40’ under the bridge near the main channel. Bluefish have to be 8” to harvest and recreational anglers are allowed three fish

per person per day. Rockfish have to fall in a slot between 28” and 35” to be harvested and anglers are allowed one fish per person per day.

We have the rare weekend off from offshore fishing tournaments, but after this it’s tournaments every weekend until Labor Day. Next week is the Big Fish Classic then the Heels and Reels Tournament, the White Marlin Open, Poor Girls and Mid Atlantic line up for an awesome season of fishing tournaments. I’ll bring you winners from all of them over the coming months.

Until next week, tight lines.

(The writer is the owner of Fish in OC and host of Ocean City’s fishing television show Hooked on OC. He has worked in the fishing industry and been fishing the waters in and around Ocean City for over 25 years.)

July 22, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 61

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 22, 2022

Things To Do Every Sunday: Berlin Farmers Market From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., several streets will be closed to allow producers to display their goods. Live music from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

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

Call Rose 443-880-8444.

Every Monday: Acapella Chorus All ladies who love to sing are invited to the Delmarva Woman’s Acapella Chorus, Ocean Pines Community Center, 239 Ocean Parkway, 6-8 p.m. Contact Mary 410-629-9383 or Carol 302242-7062.

Every Tuesday: TOPS Meeting Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a weekly support and education group promoting weight loss and a healthy lifestyle.

Meetings are held at the Worcester County Berlin Health Department at 9730 Healthway Drive, Berlin from 3:30-4:30 p.m. every Tuesday. 410289-4725.

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

Every Wednesday: Bingo Elks Lodge 2645, corner of Sinepuxent Avenue and 138th Street in Ocean City. Has bingo all year. Doors open 4:30 p.m. with first game sharply at 6:30 p.m. Kitchen open for light fare. 410250-2645.

Every Thursday: Beach Singles Join the club, 55 plus, at Harpoon Hanna’s in Fenwick Island, 4-6 p.m. 302436-9577 or BeachSingles.org.

Every Friday: Bingo Knights of Columbus hosts with doors open at 5 p.m. and bingo beginning promptly at 6:30 p.m. Held at the Columbus Hall at 9901 Coastal Highway, behind St. Luke's Church. Play every game for just $24. Light refreshments available. Call 410-524-7994 with any questions.

July 22-23, 25: Pines Book Sale The Friends of the Ocean Pines Library announced the Annual Book Sale at the Ocean Pines Library. This event is open to the public and is scheduled as follows: Friday, July 22, 6-8 p.m., club members enjoy first access to this year’s books on sale; Saturday, July 23, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., General Sale with all books, audio and DVD's priced 50 cents to $2; and Monday, July 25, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., sale continues with all books sold at half price, including the

Specials Room. This popular Annual Book Sale offers over 20,000 books that have been donated throughout the year by patrons, community members and businesses. All sales are cash or check only – no credit cards will be accepted. All monies go to benefit the Ocean Pines Library and its resources, programs and events.

July 24-25: Christmas In July On Sunday and Monday, beginning at 10 a.m. join Jolly Roger Park at 30th Street and the Marine Corps League and Toys for Tots to bring in any unwrapped new toy or $20 donation and receive a 20% off coupon for all purchases.

July 25-27: Music, Ministry Jesus at the Beach Music & Ministry will offer praise, worship, prayer, word and holy spirit ministry at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center at 40th Street from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and at the North Division Street beach, 7-10 p.m. Free. www.jesusatthebeach.org.

val will be held from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on the grounds of the Calvin B. Taylor House Museum. Admission is free.

Attendees can stroll among the displays, demonstrations, and sales and information tables. New this year will be cooking demonstrations by chef Phil Cropper. There will be juicy peaches for sale from a variety of Mid-Atlantic growers and many food vendors serving up delicious local specialties. The Calvin B. Taylor House Museum will be open for tours of the historic 1832 house, featuring the new Charles Albert Tindley and Briddelltown displays upstairs. The museum also will have sales and membership information booths on the lawn. 410-641-1019 or email info@taylorhousemuseum.org.

Aug. 27: Furnace Town Bike Ride The 12th Annual Iron Furnace Fifty Bike Ride at Furnace Town Historic Site, 3816 Old Furnace Rd., Snow Hill.

Check in at Furnace Town from 7-9 a.m. Pre-registration required. Go to https://www.ironfurnacefifty.org/ for more information. 410-632-2032.

July 27: Monthly Meeting The First State Detachment of the Marine Corps League meets the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Ocean City American Legion Post 166 on 23rd Street and Coastal Highway at noon. Any Marines and Navy Corpsman who have served in the Corps, living in Worcester and Sussex counties, are welcome to meet fellow veterans and consider joining the Detachment. 410-430-7181 or email websergeant@firststatemarines.org.

Sept. 22: Fashion Show Luncheon The Republican Women of Worcester County announce the 13th Annual Patriot Day Fashion Show Luncheon at The Grand Hotel in Ocean City. The event’s theme is "Honoring Local Women Who Have Served in the Armed Forces.” Fashions will be presented by Bruder Hill of Berlin. All are welcome. www.gopwomenofworcester.org. Merilee Horvat, 443-614-9386.

Aug. 6: Berlin Peach Festival The 14th Annual Berlin Peach Festi-

October 22: Furnace Town Halloween From 4-8 p.m., Halloween in the Forest at Furnace Town Historic Site, 3816 Old Furnace Rd., Snow Hill.

Spooktacular games, music and trickor-treating. Cost is $5/person. www.furnacetown.org.

July 29: Fan Club Meeting A Sam Heughan (star of the Outlander series) Fan Club for senior citizens is forming in Ocean Pines with the first meeting at the Ocean Pines Library at 2 p.m. The agenda includes lots of laughter; discussing the show; book discussions; and support his many philanthropic activities. Contact is Jeannette Rembach, 410-208-3359 (landline), or email frembach@mchsi.com.

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Sept. 24-25: Renaissance Faire From 10 a.m.-6 p.m., the 2nd Annual Renaissance Faire at Furnace Town Historic Site, 3816 Old Furnace Rd., Snow Hill. Cost is $15/adult, $10/children ages 5-14. www.furnacetown.org.

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July 22, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

THE DISPATCH Crossword Puzzle

ANSWERS ON PAGE 86

HOROSCOPES ARIES (March 21 to April 19): simply be the result of a misunderYou face the possibility of raising your standing. If you feel something is out relationship to another level. However, of balance, correct it.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21): your partner might demand that you make promises you're not sure you're A stalled relationship won't budge until you make the first move. Your partready for.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): ner offers a surprising explanation aAs changes continue, expect things bout what got it mired down in the first to get a little more hectic at your work- place.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 to Dec. place. An unexpected travel opportunity could open new career pros- 21): A coworker shares some startling news, but before you can use it pects.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): to your advantage, make sure it's true.

Confront the person who caused your The weekend favors family matters.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19): hurt feelings and demand a full explanation for their actions. You'll not only Your usual conservative approach to recover your self-esteem, but you'll al- family situations might not work at this time. Keep an open mind about develso gain the respect of others.

CANCER (June 21 to July opments, and you might be pleasantly 22): That personal problem in the surprised.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 to Feb. 18): workplace is compounded by somePlans might have to be put on hold beone's biased interference. Stand your ground, and you'll soon find allies cause of a family member's problems.

Don't hesitate to get involved. Your help gathering around you. could make all the difference.

LEO (July 23 to Aug. 22): You PISCES (Feb. 19 to March 20): don't accept disapproval easily. But instead of hiding out in your den to lick Relationships in the home and in the your wounded pride, turn the criticism workplace need your careful attention during this period. Be careful not to into a valuable lesson for future use.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 to Sept. 22): allow misunderstandings to create That former friend you thought you'd problems.

BORN THIS WEEK: You have a cut out of your life is still affecting oth- keen, insightful intellect and enjoy deer relationships. Counter their lies with bating your views with others who disthe truth. Your friends are ready to lis- agree with you. You also love to solve ten. puzzles – the more challenging, the LIBRA (Sept. 23 to Oct. 22): What better. (c) 2022 King Features Syndicate, Inc. appears to be an unfair situation might ON PAGE ANSWERS 46

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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Things I Like...

By Steve Green

vanishing

OCEAN CITY

July 22, 2022

WITH BUNK MANN

Standing in line to vote

Concerts in baseball stadiums

The sky in front of The Kite Loft on a good wind day

The old blue and yellow surf mats A shooting star

Swimming in a pool at night

Driving over the Assateague bridge

A fresh perspective on a complicated matter A piece of thick cheesecake with no topping A goal of keeping things simple Corn on the cob with crabs

Surfing became popular in Ocean City in the mid-1960s. George Pittman and Bill Wise opened Ocean City’s first surf shop (called the Eastern Surfer) in 1964 in the basement of the Sandy Hill Motel.

The less crowded beaches of north Ocean City quickly became the favorite surfing areas in the days before the high-rise condominiums.

This 1965 photo shows the famous “Surfer Bus” on 94th Street and Coastal Highway. Surf boards were rented for $2 an hour or $10 for the day.

To purchase one of Bunk Mann’s books, click over to www.vanishinPhoto courtesy of George Pittman goc.com.

July 22, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 65

The Dispatch Classifieds $15/Week for Minimum of Five Lines • $2 Thereafter Per Line Display Classified Ads: $20/Week Per Column Inch (Contract Discounts Available) Deadline for Insertions, Cancellations & Payment is 3pm Tuesday Pre-Payment is Required. We Accept Visa & MasterCard

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

HELP WANTED ENGLISH TEACHER YEAR ROUND HOUSEKEEPER : Private home in Ocean City. Part time, morning shift, 3 days per week. Excellent pay. references required. Please call Heather at 410289-5444 btwn. 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– HELP WANTED: Top pay for experienced exterior painter/concrete mechanic. Must have own transportation. Call - 410-430-4286.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– KITCHEN:Cooks, Kitchen Help, Food Runners wanted. Flexible schedule, clean kitchen, new equipment.Weekly pay checks.

Friendly work environment. American Legion Post #166. Contact Sam Wiley 443-235-0876 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: For busy Landscape Contractors office in Berlin. This is a multi-tasking position for detail oriented individual including customer scheduling & routing crews. Must have strong computer skills and a pleasant personality. Call The Moore Companies, 410-641-2177 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––– LANDSCAPE WORKERS NEEDED: Must have reliable transportation to work. Call 410641-2177. The Moore Companies, Berlin, MD. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––– CLEANERS WANTED FOR OC: If you are a conscientious individual or team looking for great pay & minimal hours on summer Saturdays in OC, then we are the cleaning company for you. Exp. preferred. Cell phone and vehicle required. (443)880-0525. ___________________________ C L E A N E R S / VAC AT I O N RENTALS: Needed for Ocean City and Ocean Pines. Experience preferred but not necessary. Text or call 443-397-1189.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

PRAY FOR UKRAINE

Currently Hiring Manpower For:

Now Hiring For: Line Cooks Prep Cooks Host/Hostess

Call Matt at 302-593-4141 or email thesterlingtavern@gmail.com

ELECTRICIAN Full-time, Year-round Now accepting applications.

Established company, 5+ years exp, service type projects, health, dental, paid vacation, 401k w/matching, company van.

Hawkins Electric 443-856-2001 ask for John Ross.

CARPENTERS & CARPENTERS HELPERS Must have:

Tools, Transportation, Driver’s License Exp. Required!

PATTERSON & SONS BUILDERS

Call 410-641-9530

Carpenter | Laborer | Painters Stucco & EIFS Mechanics Concrete Work o Experience preferred. o Tools, transportation & valid driver’s license are a plus. o Excellent pay and a competitive benefits package available.

Please Apply Online: https://www.allstatesconst.com/delmarva-renovations-careers

Or Contact Our Office at 410-352-9800

INDIAN RIVER MARINA IS NOW HIRING! •FUEL DOCK •DOCK HANDS •RAMP ATTENDANTS •BOATYARD •NIGHTWATCH •MAINTENANCE •SHIP STORE CLERK •GENERAL CLERICAL (SEASONAL YEAR ROUND)

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

Worcester Preparatory School is located in beautiful Berlin, on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. The school is an independent, coeducational college preparatory day school serving over 500 students in grades PK -12. We are seeking an experienced and motivated Upper School English Teacher for the 2022-2023 school year.

This vibrant individual will have a strong education background and be capable of teaching the highest levels of high school English. Bachelor's degree from an accredited college with a major in English, successful classroom experience, and the ability to participate in other areas of school life are requirements forth is position. Advanced Placement experience and advanced degree would be desirable.

Interested candidates should mail or email resume with cover letter to: Linda Watson, Director of Human Resources, 508 South Main Street, Berlin, MD 21811 or lwatson@worcesterprep.org

JOIN THE BETHANY BREWING TEAM! Ocean View, DE

Now taking applications:

•BAR MANAGER •BARBACK For inquires, contact 402-430-6929 or 315-750-8248

NOW HIRING! PAYING TOP DOLLAR! •LINE COOKS •FOOD RUNNER •SERVERS •BARBACK Please apply in person.

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

HELP WANTED

AUTOMOTIVE - MARINE ASSOCIATES We have an immediate opening for a

FULL TIME PARTS ASSOCIATE for our location in Ocean Pines, MD. Great Pay and Benefits including company matched retirement plan.

Call : 302-228-2353

WEST OC’S MOST FUN PLACE TO WORK AND MAKE $$$$

COMMERCIAL

CONSERVATION TECHNICIAN/

WEST O.C. OFFICE/RETAIL SPACES AVAILABLE: 2 Office/Retail Spaces for Lease.

Plenty of Parking. 443-497-4200.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

MARINA TRAVEL LIFT OPERATOR

Position will be responsible for the daily operation and maintenance of the travel lift and forklifts. Duties will include the operation and maintenance of the marine travel lift, proper boat docking and large forklift operation plus daily supervision of the boatyard staff.

Apply online at delawarestatejobs.com

For further assistance, you may contact us by phone at 302.739.5458 or email at jobs@delaware.gov

THE DISPATCH IS ONLINE WWW.MDCOASTDISPATCH.COM

LOOKING EVERWHERE?

NOW HIRING FULL TIME •DRIVER •YR BARTENDER •COOK Call Pam at 410-726-7061 Or Apply Within at 56th Street

Check here first!

The Dispatch Classified Pages Can Point You in the Right Direction!

Help Wanted Rentals, Yard Sales Real Estate & More!

Page 66

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 22, 2022

The Dispatch Classifieds $15/Week for Minimum of Five Lines • $2 Thereafter Per Line Display Classified Ads: $20/Week Per Column Inch Deadline for Insertions, Cancellations & Payment is 3pm Tuesday Pre-Payment is Required. We Accept Visa & MasterCard

HELP WANTED

ALL KITCHEN POSITIONS FRONT OF THE HOUSE HOSTESSES APPLY IN PERSON

•Lobster Shanty, 37310 Lighthouse Rd, Fenwick (Rt. 54) •Nantuckets, 601 Coastal Hwy, Fenwick

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

The Dispatch Can Now Be Viewed In Its Entirety ONLINE! Updated Every Friday At -

www.mdcoastdispatch.com

Easy Navigation Featuring Latest Page-Flip Technology Zoom In And Out For Easy Viewing Search, Print And Share Functions At Your Fingertips

The Dispatch Legal Notices LEGAL RATES Legal advertising rate is $7 per column inch.

The deadline for all legal advertising is Tuesday at noon.

For more information call 410-641-4563 or fax 410-641-0966.

Third Insertion NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19285 To all persons interested in the estate of EDWARD BRATTEN, ESTATE NO. 19285. Notice is given that LUCINDA BRATTEN, 6740 FOREST LANE ROAD, SNOW HILL, MD 21863, was on JUNE 29, 2022, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of EDWARD BRATTEN, who died on

JANUARY 20, 2022 with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 29TH day of DECEMBER, 2022.

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; 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

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

Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x 07-08, 07-15, 07-22

Third Insertion Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication JULY 8, 2022 LUCINDA BRATTEN, Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for

AYRIKA FLETCHER, ESQ. IN-HOUSE COUNSEL BAY CLUB TIME-SHARE ASSOCIATES, INC. P.O. BOX 3307 OCEAN CITY, MD 21843-3307 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY,

STATE OF MARYLAND CASE NO. C-23-CV-22-000029 BAY CLUB TIME-SHARE OWNERS ASSOCIATES, INC. P.O. Box 3307 Ocean City, Maryland 21842-3307 Plaintiff vs.

JAMES SMITH, et al Defendants ORDERED, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland this 1st day of JULY, 2022, that the foreclosure sale of the properties mentioned in these proceedings, made and reported by Ayrika Fletcher, Trustee, be RATIFIED AND CONFIRMED, unless cause to the contrary thereof be shown on or before the 1st day of August, 2022 provided a copy of this Order be inserted in some daily newspaper printed in Worcester County, Maryland once in each of three successive weeks, before the 25th day of JULY, 2022.

The Report of Sale filed in the above case states the amount of the sales to be as indicated below for the referenced time-share interval: TIMESHARES SOLD: BC = BAY CLUB TIME SHARE OWNERS ASSOCIATES, INC. DBC = DELMARVA BEACH CLUB, LLC PCP = PALMETTO COAST PROPERTIES I, LLC CONDO- TIME PRICE PURMINIUM INTERCHASER UNIT VAL 206 206 206 208 301 301 311 311 401 409 409 410 410 410 411 411 501 501 501

49 51 52 39 2 6 38 39 6 22 36 20 25 36 38 39 1 2 4

$50.00 $50.00 $50.00 $50.00 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $1,500.00 $50.00 $50.00 $3,000.00 $50.00 $50.00 $50.00 $150.00 $100.00 $100.00

BC BC BC BC PCP PCP PCP PCP PCP DBC BC BC DBC BC BC BC BC PCP PCP

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication JULY 08, 2022 TRUE TEST COPY SUSAN R. BRANIECKI Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County, MD 3x 07-08, 07-15 07-22

Second Insertion RYAN T. WEST. ESQ. WEST AND WEST. PA. 12 WILLIAM ST BERLIN. MD 21811 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND

July 22, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 67

The Dispatch Legal Notices LEGAL RATES Legal advertising rate is $7 per column inch.

The deadline for all legal advertising is Tuesday at noon.

For more information call 410-641-4563 or fax 410-641-0966.

C-23-CV-22-000152 PRINCESS ANNE PROPERTIES, LLC 12 WILLIAM STREET BERLIN, MD 21811 Plaintiff vs HENRY H. LEE, JR. (deceased) (no estate openend) 10134 GERMANTOWN RD. BERLIN, MD 21811 Defendant and WORCESTER COUNTY. MARYLAND Serve on County Attorney ROSCOE LESLIE, ESQ. 1 WEST MARKET STREET ROOM 1103 SNOW HILL, MARYLAND 21863 Defendant and All persons that have or claim to have any interest in property located in Worcester County, Maryland, described as : 1.39 ACS W SIDE GERMANTOWN ROAD, Parcel Number 03021858.

ASSESSED TO Anna E. Lee for life.

Defendant and Unknown owner of property located in Worcester County, Maryland, described as 1.39 ACS W SIDE GERMANTOWN ROAD, Parcel Number 03021858, assessed to Anna E. Lee for life, the unkown owner’s heirs, devisees, and personal representatives and their or any of their heirs, devisees, executors, administrators, grantees, assigns, or successors in right, title and interest.

Defendant and The testate and intestate successors of Henry H. Lee, Jr., deceased, and all persons claiming by, through, or under the decedent.

Defendant ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this proceeding is to secure the foreclosure of all rights of redemption in the following property located in Worcester County, Maryland, sold by the Collector of Taxes for the State of Maryland and

Treasurer of Worcester County to the Plaintiff in these proceedings.

1.39 ACS W SIDE GERMANTOWN ROAD, Parcel Number 03021858. Assessed to Anna E. Lee for life, and generally known as 10134 Germantown Road, Berlin, Md 21811.

The complaint states, among other things, that the amounts necessary for redemption have not been paid.

It is thereupon this 6th day of JULY, 2022, by the circuit court for Worcester County, Maryland, Ordered that notice be given by the insertion of a copy of this order in The Dispatch having a general circulation in Worcester County, Maryand, once a week for 3 successive weeks, warning all persons interested in the property to appear in this Court by the 5th day of SEPTEMBER, 2022, and redeem the property described as: 1 .39 ACS W SIDE GERMANTOWN ROAD, and answer the complaint or thereafter a final judgement will be entered foreclosing all rights of redemption in the property, and vesting in the Plaintiff a title, free and clear of all encumbrances.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication JULY 15, 2022 BEAU H. OGLESBY CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE TRUE TEST COPY SUSAN R. BRANIECKI CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT WORCESTER COUNTY, MD 3x 7-15, 7-22, 7-29

First Insertion SMALL ESTATE NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19296 To all persons interested in the estate of JEANETTE MAE BAKER. Notice is given that KIMBERLY LATCHUM, PO BOX 321, BISHOPVILLE, MD 21813, was on JULY 07, 2022, appointed Personal Representative of the SMALL ESTATE of: JEANETTE MAE BAKER,

who died on MAY 11, 2022, without a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within 30 days after the date of publication of this Notice.

All persons having any objection to the probate of the will shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within six months after the date of publication of this Notice.All persons having claims against the decedent must serve their claims on the undersigned personal representative or file them with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Thirty days after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claims will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within thirty days from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Any claim not served or filed within that time, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication JULY 22, 2022 KIMBERLY LATCHUM Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 1x 07-22

First Insertion SMALL ESTATE NOTICE OF

CONTACT INFORMATION Phone: 410-641-4563 • Fax: 410-641-0966 Email: classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com Mail: P.O. Box 467, Berlin MD 21811 APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19279 To all persons interested in the estate of FRANCIS MARION ASHCRAFT, SR. Notice is given that RANDY LEE ASHCRAFT, 175A JAMESTOWN ROAD, OCEAN CITY, MD 21842, was on JULY 11, 2022, appointed Personal Representative of the SMALL ESTATE of: FRANCIS MARION ASHCRAFT, ST., who died on DECEMBER 09, 2021, without a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within 30 days after the date of publication of this Notice.

All persons having any objection to the probate of the will shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within six months after the date of publication of this Notice.All persons having claims against the decedent must serve their claims on the undersigned personal representative or file them with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Thirty days after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claims will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within thirty days from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Any claim not served or filed within that time, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication JULY 22, 2022

RANDY LEE ASHCRAFT Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 1x 07-22

First Insertion BEFORE THE REGISTER OF WILLS FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND IN THE ESTATE OF THOMAS MICHALOWICZ ESTATE NO. 19030 PUBLIC NOTICE TO CAVEAT To all persons interested in the above estate: Notice is given that a petitiion to caveat has been filed

by TERESA NAGY, challenging the will dated APRIL 09, 2021. You may obtain from the Register of Wills, the date and time of any hearing on this matter.

Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication JULY 22, 2022 TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 2x 7-22, 7-29

First Insertion JAMES A. LIST, ESQ. 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. 19300 To all persons interested in the estate of CARLOS E. CACERES, SR, ESTATE NO.

19300. Notice is given that SYLVIA ABUSHAIKHA, 22130 FAIR GARDEN LANE, CLARKSBURG, MD 20871, was on JULY 19, 2022, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of CARLOS E. CACERES, SR. , who died on JUNE 19, 2022 with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 19TH day of JANUARY, 2023 Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication JULY 22, 2022 SYLVIA ABUSHAIKHA 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 07-22, 07-29, 08-05

Do You Know 9,500+ People Receive The Dispatch’s Daily Buzz Every Day? Sign Up At www.mdcoastdispatch.com And Get Local News As It Happens!

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 22, 2022

July 22, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 69

Conor Pellinger To Serve As Easterseals Ambassador

Page 70

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

SALISBURY – Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore has announced Conor Pellinger of Berlin will serve as this year’s ambassador for the inaugural “Walk With Me & 5K Fun Run Salisbury” event.

The event will be held on Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 9 a.m., at the Salisbury Elks Lodge #817 located at 401 Churchill Avenue, Salisbury.

“We were thrilled that Conor was asked to be the ambassador for the inaugural Walk With Me event in Salisbury,” said Conor’s mom, Donna. “We are excited to help raise money for Easterseals so they may continue providing vital services to those on the Lower Eastern Shore.”

Nine-year-old Conor, who has been receiving Children’s Therapy Services since he was two years old, and his twin brother Will are often found reading a book and singing along to their favorite songs. Not surprisingly, the twins spend a lot of time together and thanks to the services provided at the Easterseals therapy center in Salisbury, Conor is meeting his developmental milestones.

“We love Easterseals and are so thankful Conor has been able to continue with his therapies there. Conor is thriving at school and life thanks to his therapies and the support he receives from his family, teachers, and friends. He has made tremendous strides because of the therapies at Easterseals. We would not

July 22, 2022

Berlin resident Conor Pellinger, 9, has been receiving Easter Seals service for the last seven years.

have access to all of the resources Conor needs to progress without Easterseals,” said Conor’s dad, Tom. “Conor loves his weekly therapy sessions.”

When Conor started receiving therapy, he was barely able to hold up his head and needed support sitting up. Therapists worked diligently to help strengthen his core so he could become more in-

Berlin Liquor Store

dependent. Later they worked with him to prepare him for school “by challenging him and pushing him to do his best,” according to Donna Pellinger.

Raising funds in the Salisbury area is critical to address the need for services for local children, according to Mark Granger, Easterseals board member.

“Last year, Easterseals subsidized the

cost of therapy services for each child served in Salisbury by approximately $895,” he said. “Fundraising events, like Walk With Me, help raise vitally needed funds to continue supporting the children and families of our community.”

Registration for this year’s Walk With Me Salisbury event is available at www.walkwithme.org/salisbury.

Stevenson United Methodist Resuming In-Person Church Services Every Sunday At 9 a.m.

Largest Liquor Store In OC Area!

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– Sunday School Back in Session

Stevenson United Methodist Church

this week’s 123 North Main St., Berlin, Md. 410-641-1137 • www.stevensonchurch.org

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Submitted Photo

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Jolly Roger Organizes Christmas In July Giving Campaign

July 22, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Jolly Roger Amusement employees are pictured presenting Marine Corps volunteers with the park’s donation of gifts during last year’s campaign.

OCEAN CITY – Jolly Roger® Amusement Parks is celebrating Christmas in July once again with the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program.

On Sunday, July 24 and Monday, July 25, visit Jolly Roger® at the Pier and Jolly Roger® Park at 30th Street for Christmas in July activities. Jolly Roger® Amusement Parks will again be partnering with the Marine Corps Reserve, who will be collecting new, unwrapped toys or $20 donations at multiple locations at Jolly Roger® at the Pier and Jolly Roger® 30th St. on both days. When you donate a new, unwrapped toy, or give a $20 donation, you will receive a 20% discount to be applied to any Jolly Roger purchases. This discount can be used from July 24-July 27.

Christmas in July celebrations to be held at Jolly Roger® at the Pier and Jolly Roger® Park at 30th Street include free “Jolly Pix” with Santa Claus and stay for special holiday performances by Circus Smile, Dastardly Dave the Pirate, and Lollipop the Clown at the Pier and 30th Street.

“The Town of Ocean City is delighted to hear that Jolly Roger Amusement Park is able to again celebrate Christmas in July this year,” said Mayor Rick Meehan, “Jolly Roger has always been a generous and giving partner in the Ocean City business community. Their partnership with Toys for Tots to benefit those less fortunate during the holidays is another example of just how generous the business community is here in Ocean City.”

In years past, the Toys for Tots local program has donated over 10,000 toys to over 5,600 local children. In 2021, Jolly Roger parks received 186 toys and $5,420 in donations for local families.

The local and visiting community is encouraged to participate and show their summer holiday spirit.

Check Out The Dispatch On The Web: mdcoastdispatch.com

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File Photos

GOLD Will Celebrate New Office Education Foundation Announces Page 72

SNOW HILL – Worcester County GOLD (Giving Other Lives Dignity), a nonprofit organization, will celebrate its new location at 201 River Street in Snow Hill with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, Aug. 9 at 4 p.m.

GOLD provides emergency financial assistance and basic needs items to Worcester County residents who live in poverty and low-income circumstances. The organization serves individuals of all ages including infants, children, families, vulnerable adults, those who are homeless, and children in foster care. All requests for assistance come from GOLD’s agency users, a network of local caseworkers, therapists, nurses, and advocates who work directly with those being served.

“Since GOLD’s inception 25 years ago, our programs and services have grown to meet the urgent needs in our county. To better serve our clients and community partners, the organization decided to seize

In-Person Chamber Music Events

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

a great opportunity to move into an available office in downtown Snow Hill,” said Nicholas Cranford, executive director of GOLD. “Located right across from Sturgis Park, this space will offer easy access for supporters, volunteers, and our agency users. We’re really excited about the expanded VAULT (Vast Amounts of Useful Little Things). GOLD’s VAULT stores items like diapers, baby wipes, car seats, clothing, and emergency food and hygiene bags. We believe no person should suffer without access to basic needs and this new space increases our capacity to ensure our neighbors live a decent life with dignity.”

The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be followed by an open house with light refreshments until 6 p.m. Community members are encouraged to attend and meet with GOLD’s staff and board members to learn more about ways to give back in Worcester County.

BERLIN – Maryland’s Eastern Shore will resonate with the vibrant sounds of live chamber music once again this summer. The pandemic necessitated virtual festivals for the past two years but in its seventh season, Chamber Music by the Sea will welcome back an international roster of acclaimed musicians to captivate and inspire local audiences for a week of exciting events.

The festival’s founder and artistic director, violinist Elena Urioste, describes this year’s concerts as a combination of beloved favorites with equally extraordinary works that are less familiar but guaranteed to please.

July 22, 2022

“This summer’s programs celebrate composers who influenced and drew inspiration from one another, just as we do as musicians from one another and from this wonderful Worcester County community,” Urioste said. “From Mozart, Brahms, and Dvorak to Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and Erich Wolfgang Korngold, there is a rich tradition of gorgeous melodies and lush harmonies.

And of course, no festival is complete without a surprise or two from pianist and arranger extraordinaire Tom Poster.”

In addition to Urioste and Poster, the festival roster includes several returning favorites - violinist Grace Park and violist Rosalind Ventris, alumnae of last summer’s virtual festival, along with violist Caitlin Lynch and cellist Brook Speltz, whom audiences will remember from past live festivals. This extraordinary group of artists includes first prize laureates of the international Naumberg and Sphinx Competitions; BBC New Generation Artists; and recipients of prestigious awards from the Royal Philharmonic Society, Gramophone and BBC Music Magazine.

This 2022 festival runs from Aug. 913 and includes a salon concert in a private Snow Hill home, three public concerts followed by interactive question and answer sessions with the musicians from the stage, a free family concert suitable for children of all ages, and a workshop for young musicians.

Under the sponsorship of the Worcester County Education Foundation, generously funded by the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, and with continuing support from the Ocean City Lioness Club and Worcester County Arts Council, Chamber Music by the Sea sponsors year-round arts initiatives in Worcester County public schools through its festival ticket sales, including live in-school programs and its Virtual Visiting Artists program, which allows students to interact directly with acclaimed musicians in real-time virtual classroom sessions.

The 2022 festival schedule includes Tuesday, Aug. 9, 7 p.m., ticketed salon concert at a private Snow Hill home; Wednesday, Aug. 10, 7 p.m., ticketed concert and reception at Temple Bat Yam, Berlin; Thursday, Aug. 11, 10:30 a.m., free family concert at the Berlin Public Library; Thursday, Aug. 11, 1 p.m., workshop for young musicians at the Berlin Public Library, free and open to the public (students who wish to participate should contact Elena Urioste at ebu@comcast.net); Friday, Aug. 12, 7 p.m., ticketed concert at Buckingham Presbyterian Church, Berlin; and Saturday, Aug. 13, 7 p.m., ticketed concert at All Hallows Church, Snow Hill.

Ticket information can be found at www.chambermusicbythesea.

Turtle Excluder Program Offered In Coastal Bays

July 22, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 73

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

WEST OCEAN CITY – Efforts to distribute free turtle excluders will begin this month as part of a new program from the Maryland Coastal Bays Program.

This month, the Maryland Coastal Bays Program (MCBP) will launch a turtle excluder program, providing turtle excluders – also known as by-catch reduction devices – to residents and visitors free of charge.

A component of the organization’s marine debris program, the distribution of turtle excluders is expected to protect the turtle population from crab pots found in local waterways.

“We acquired 100, and we will be getting 100 more, so we are going to be launching a campaign hopefully the end of this week or early next week,” MCBP Marketing and Development Coordinator Sandi Smith said in an Ocean City Green Team meeting last week. “We’re giving them to people for free.”

Smith said turtle excluders are required for all recreational crab pots in Maryland.

She noted, however, that crab pots are not sold with excluders and that many people are not aware that it is state law.

“Most people don’t understand that crab pots attract terrapins, and that they are required to have these on,” she said.

Smith noted that a few years ago, a recreational boater pulled a crab pot with 30 dead terrapins trapped inside.

“We’re going to launch this program again,” she said. “It’s a little late in the year, but better late than never.”

With funding from the Environmental Protection Agency, the organization reports by-catch reduction devices will be available at no cost through the turtle excluder program by the end of the month.

Smith added that volunteers will also go out to retail stores and offer to add excluders to recreational crab pots.

“We’re creating a program to offer those excluders for retailers that sell the pots because recreational crab pots are required for recreational crabbing … but the retailers don’t sell them with them on it because they aren’t required to sell them.”

The turtle excluder initiative is just one component of MCBP’s marine debris program.

Since 2009, for example, MCBP has worked on programs to hire watermen to retrieve abandoned crab pots, which have a tendency to capture and trap by-catch such as terrapins, ducks, otters and more.

And in 2019, the program received funding to coordinate a “Ghost Pot Rodeo,” a community initiative to educate residents on abandoned pots and encourage them to participate in a retrieval program.

The rodeo has since morphed into an annual Marine Debris Plunder event, in which volunteers traverse by land and sea to collect debris from the watershed.

Starting A New Day:

A member of the Ocean City Beach Patrol is pictured last Friday morning pulling her lifeguard stand closer to the ocean before going on duty.

Photo by Chris Parypa

Page 74

Who’s Where When 45TH ST. TAPHOUSE 443-664-2201 45th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, July 22: TBA Saturday, July 23: TBA BUXY’S SALTY DOG 410-289-0973 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, July 22: DJ Wax Saturday, July 23: Matt Tichon Sunday, July 24: DJ BK COCONUTS BEACH BAR & GRILL Oceanfront Castle In The Sand 37th & 38th St. 410-289-6846 Friday, July 22: Darin Engh, Zion Reggae Saturday, July 23: Chris Sacks Duo, Colossal Fossil Sauce Sunday, July 24: Darren O’Neill, Top Shelf Duo Monday, July 25: Sean Loomis Solo, Smooth & Remy Tuesday, July 26: Jack Bannon, Lime Green Band Wednesday, July 27: Keri Anthony, Heather Vidal Trio Thursday, July 28: Kevin Poole Solo, Chris Diller Duo

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 22, 2022

Best Beats

DJ ROBCEE Fager’s Island: Friday, July 22 & Monday, July 25

On The Beach BEATS BY WAX Buxy’s: Friday, July 22 Pickles Pub: Tuesdays & Thursdays Coins Pub: Wednesdays

DJ BK Greene Turtle West: Saturday, July 22 Buxy’s Salty Dog: Sundays

ON THE EDGE OC Fontainebleu Resort: Friday, Wednesday & Thursday July 22, 27 & 28

SEAN LOOMIS Coconuts Beach Bar: Monday, July 25

COINS PUB 410-289-3100 28th St. Plaza On Coastal Hwy. Friday, July 22: Mercury Agenda Saturday, July 23: Jim Long Wednesdays: DJ Wax

JIM LONG BAND Coin’s Pub: Saturdays

CORK BAR Sunday, July 24: Trailer Park Romeo CRABCAKE FACTORY BAYSIDE 302-988-5000 37314 Lighthouse Rd., Rte. 54 Selbyville, DE Sunday, July 24: Rick & Regina Wednesday, July 27: Shortcut Sunny

MATT TICHON Dry Dock 28: Saturday, July 23

CRAWL STREET TAVERN 443-373-2756 Wicomico St. Downtown O.C. Friday, July 22: Scrapple Saturday, July 23: DJ Willdabeast Sundays: Karaoke W/DJ Rut Thursdays: DJ DeoGee FAGER’S ISLAND 410-524-5500 60th St. In The Bay Friday, July 22: DJ RobCee, Pebble To Pearl, All Star Band Saturday, July 23: DJ Hook, Sons Of Pirates, All Star Band Sunday, July 24: Making Waves, ALO (ELO Tribute), DJ Willoughby Monday, July 25: Filthy Rich, DJ RobCee, The Rockets Tuesday, July 26: DJ Hector, DJ Hook Wednesday, July 27: DJ Adam Dutch Thursday, July 28: DJ Groove, Side Project , Mallow Hill

DJ BILLY T Harborside: Friday, Sunday &Thursday

SURREAL Purple Moose Saloon: Friday & Saturday, July 22 & 23

DJ PAPI ROISTEROUS Lookout Lounge: Sundays Purple Moose: Wednesdays

DJ DEOGEE Pickles Pub: Fridays, Sundays & Wednesdays Crawl St. Tavern: Thursdays

SCRAPPLE Crawl St. Tavern: Friday, July 22

KAROAKE W/JEREMY Harborside: Saturdays Greene Turtle West: Sundays

GREENE TURTLE WEST 410-213-1500 Rt. 611, West O.C. Saturday, July 23: DJ BK Sundays: Karaoke w/ DJ Jeremy HARBORSIDE 410-213-1846 South Harbor Rd., West O.C. Fridays: DJ Billy T Saturday, July 23: Side Project, DJ Jeremy Sunday, July 24: Opposite Directions, DJ Billy T Thursdays: DJ Billy T

STEVE BOWERS OC Eateries: Saturday, July 23

ALO (ELO Tribute) Fager’s Island: Sunday, July 24

JACK BANNON Pier 23: Saturday, July 23 Coconuts Beach Bar: Tuesday, July 26

July 22, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 75

Who’s Where When OC EATERIES 443-252-3700 12849 Ocean Gateway Rte. 50 West OC Friday, July 22: Josh Rose Saturday, July 23: Steve Bowers Thursday, July 28: Endless Ember

9 MILE ROOTS Seacrets: Friday & Saturday, July 22 & 23

MERCURY AGENDA Colins Pub: Friday, July 22

OC FONTAINEBLEU RESORT 410-524-3535 10100 Coastal Hwy. In The OC Friday, July 22: On The Edge Saturday, July 23: Whiskey Graves, Rachi, Movin’ & Groovin’ Sunday, July 24: Mike (Rook) Richards, Wes Davis Monday & Tuersday, July 25 & 26: First Class Wednesday & Thursday, July 27 & 28: On The Edge OCEAN PINES YACHT CLUB 410-641-7501 1 Mumford’s Landing Road, OP Friday, July 22: Mike Hines & The Look Saturday, July 23: Jaded Love Sunday, July 24: Sons Of Pirates Thursday, July 28: Downhill Uprise

OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS Harborside: Sunday, July 24 Seacrets: Tuesday, July 26

MOVIN’ & GROOVIN’ OC Fontainebleu Resort: Saturday, July 23

PICKLES PUB 410-289-4891 8th St. & Philadelphia Ave. Fridays: Beats By Deogee Saturday, July 23: Betas By Crop Top Sundays: Beats By Deogee Mondays: Karaoke with Wood Tuesdays: Beats By Wax Wednesdays: Beats By Deogee Thursdays: Beats By Wax PIER 23 410-289-3323 12817 Harbor Rd., West OC Friday, July 22: Lime Green Duo Saturday, July 23: Jack Bannon Sunday: July 24: Kaleb Brown & Chino Rankin Wednesday, July 27: No More Whiskey Thursday, July 28: Jess Arms

LIME GREEN BAND Pier 23: Friday, July 22 (Duo) Coconuts Beach Bar: Tuesday, July 26

RADIO HERO Purple Moose: Sunday & Monday, July 24 & 25

TRAILER PARK ROMEO Cork Bar: Sunday, July 24

RICK & REGINA Crabcake Factory Bayside: Sunday, July 24

ENDLESS EMBER OC Eateries: Thursday, July 28

ZION REGGAE BAND Coconuts Beach Bar: Friday, July 22

PURPLE MOOSE SALOON Between Talbot & Caroline Sts. On The Boardwalk 410-289-6953 Friday & Saturday, July 22 & 23: Surreal Sunday & Monday, July 24 & 25: Radio Hero Saturdays, Tuesday, July 26 & Thursday, July 28: DJ Adam Dutch Wednesdays: DJ Papi Roisterous SEACRETS 410-524-4900 49th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, July 22: DJ Bobby O, Not Leaving Sober, 9 Mile Roots, Gypsy Wisdom DJ Tuff, DJ Davie Saturday, July 23: DJ Bobby O, DJ Tuff, DJ Cruz, Liquid A, 9 Mile Roots, Party Fowl, Fish Out Of Water Sunday, July 24: DJ Davie, DJ Tuff, DJ Bobby O, Triple Rail Turn, Spokey Speaky, The Way Outs Monday, July 25: DJ Davie, DJ Bobby O, Full Circle, DJ Tuff, Yawd Lynk, Steal The Sky Tuesday, July 26: DJ Davie, DJ Bobby O, DJ Tuff, Opposite Directions, Bumpin Uglies, Yawd Lynk, My Hero Zero Wednesday, July 27: DJ Davie, DJ Cruz, DJ Bobby O, Full Circle Duo, I&I Riddim Reggae, Kono Nation Thursday, July 28: DJ Cruz, DJ Bobby O, DJ Tuff, John McNutt Band, I&I Riddim Reggae, GoGo Gadjet

Page 76

Berlin Little League Seniors Win State Title

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

SPORTS

July 22, 2022

In The News

Eastern Nationals Softball Tourney Continues

BY SHAWN J. SOPER MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Considered a major tourism draw for the resort, the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) Eastern National Championships entered its second week with hundreds of teams from all over the country competing on fields in Worcester and Wicomico counties.

This year’s USSSA Eastern Nationals mark the 16th time the event has returned to the Worcester and Wicomico County areas. Beginning last week, roughly 350 teams from 14 states and Canada will travel to the resort area for the annual event. Opening ceremonies were held last week and the first week of competition is in the books.

Competing this week were teams in the under-14 open and under-14B divi-

sions. Beginning next Monday, teams in the under-16 open division, under-18 open division and the under-18B division will compete. Tournament headquarters are in Salisbury, but games are being played at parks all over Worcester County including Northside Park in Ocean City.

The 2022 event is once again being billed under the Mid-Atlantic Amateur Sports Alliance (MAASA), a partnership formed in 2014 between Wicomico and Worcester Counties and the town of Ocean City. The partnership is the first of its kind in the nation and leverages the combined assets of each jurisdiction in order to attract, retain and build sports marketing events. For example, while Wicomico and Worcester have the athletic facilities to handle the events, the town of Ocean City has the hotel rooms and other amenities to accommodate the players, coaches, families, friends and fans.

Berlin Little League’s Senior League All-Star team last Thursday captured the Maryland State Championship. Pictured above, the senior all-stars and coaches show off the latest state championship banner for the Berlin program.

Submitted Photo

BY SHAWN J. SOPER MANAGING EDITOR

BERLIN – The Berlin Little League baseball teams continued to shine last week, including a Maryland State Championship for the Senior Division All-Star team.

The Berlin Little League Senior Division All-Star team won the District 8 championship to advance and represent the Lower Shore in the Maryland state championship. Last Thursday, the Berlin

Little League Senior All-Stars beat Rising Sun in the state championship game to advance to the East Region Tournament in Bangor, Maine, which got underway this week.

The Berlin Little League Major League team also advanced, but lost to Fruitland, 8-7, in a narrow championship game. Berlin came out swinging in the tournament, beating Snow Hill, 13-0, and West Salisbury, 15-1. However, the major league team fell to Fruitland, 8-7, in a tight, wellplayed District 8 championship game.

18th Annual Kids Classic Tourney A Big Success

BY SHAWN J. SOPER MANAGING EDITOR

The Ocean City Marlin Club’s 18th Annual Kids Classic Tournament last weekend was a big success. Pictured above, the happy crew on the Jacked Up shows off its impressive catch on Sunday, including a big tuna and a handful of golden tile fish.

Submitted Photo

OCEAN CITY – The Ocean City Marlin Club’s 18th annual Kids Classic last weekend was a huge success with hundreds of young anglers competing for a worthy cause.

With the big summer offshore fishing tournaments on the horizon, the kid’s got a chance in the spotlight last weekend with the club’s 18th annual Kids Classic Tournament. The annual tournament is

held for the benefit of the Wish-a-Fish Foundation, a national program that provides opportunities for kids with special needs, whether they are suffering from a life-threatening illness or suffer from a long-term disability, to enjoy a day on the water catching a fish. The popular tournament attracted hundreds of young anglers fishing on dozens of boats in both inshore and offshore divisions. There was no shortage of action both inshore and offshore and many of the participants were rewarded for their catches.

SU Study Reveals Eastern Shore Economic Outlook

July 22, 2022

SALISBURY – Eastern Shore business owners and managers optimism is on the decline regarding the economic outlook over the next 12 months.

These trends are among the findings of the latest Eastern Shore Business Sentiment Survey conducted through a partnership with Salisbury University’s Business Economic and Community Outreach Network (BEACON), SU’s Eastern Shore Regional GIS Cooperative (ESRGC), and many of the region’s economic and workforce development professionals.

The June 2022 results are the third report released by BEACON and its partners and the first to include all nine Eastern Shore counties. The first survey in the series was conducted in June 2021 and a follow-up in December 2021.

The survey included more than 50 questions, asking business leaders to weigh in on a range of topics, from general business concerns to conditions in their own industries. Respondents evaluated business conditions locally, regionally, in the state and nationwide for the coming year. They also shared views related to their specific industries and on issues from labor supply to regulations.

Results include that optimism about business conditions in respondents’ respective counties over the next 12 months has declined dramatically with almost 43% answering worse or much worse compared to 18% in December of 2021 and 6% in July of 2021. They predict that conditions will be worse statewide and nationally.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Respondents also indicate that COVID19 has caused new problems for businesses and has exacerbated existing problems, particularly related to workforce, a response that reflects national trends.

Reflecting on their individual industry sectors, respondents were also cautious about conditions in the next three months.

In December 2021 almost 73% predicted conditions would be the same (35%) or worse (38%). In June 2022 the prediction of worse conditions is up, with over 45% saying they expect worse conditions in the next three months, and 28% predicting same.

Predictions of better conditions are virtually unchanged, dropping to 26% from 27% in December 2021. Predictions for the next 12 months have also dropped, with 53% selecting worse or much worse compared to 34% in December and 12% last July. This round only 30% predict improving conditions in 12 months compared to 45% in December and 68% last July.

Concerns about inflation remain the highest concern as a barrier to starting or expanding business in the respondent’s sector, but labor force issues are of equal concern. Supply chain issues are third for both expanding and starting a new business.

The industry with the biggest concerns for conditions in the next 12 months was real estate, followed by transportation.

Funding and inflation were driving concerns in real estate. Inflation (fuel costs) and labor force issues were the biggest concerns to the transportation industry.

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Page 77

Business owners and managers also continue to express that COVID-19 has had a significant impact on their businesses, just not as high as in December and remain supportive of the range of tools that economic development offices have deployed.

The majority (78%) of responses came from owners or senior executives, and 79% were from firms with less than 50 employees. Responses were from a wide range of industries, and only accommodations, food services, arts, entertainment, and recreation (formerly "tourism and hospitality") accounted for more than 10%.

“We are pleased the survey includes the business community in the Upper Shore counties this year,” said Jamie Williams, Kent County economic and tourism development director. “This will allow the Upper Shore to better articulate the concerns of our businesses to our legislators, and allow us to better serve their needs.”

“We are glad that the survey includes the business community in Queen Anne’s County this year,” said Heather Tinelli, Queen Anne’s County economic and tourism development director. “It will allow the Upper Shore to serve the needs of our business community.”

“When we sponsored the first survey in July of last year, our goal was to eventually incorporate all three regional councils on the Eastern Shore,” said Scott Warner, executive director of the Mid-Shore Regional Council. “We are so pleased that BEACON and the other councils were a-

ble to quickly expand the geography and include all nine counties in this study.”

Counties on the Eastern Shore will continue to conduct the survey every six months, with the data used to identify challenges facing the region, to assist in longterm planning and to guide the development of public policy.

The ESRGC summarized the findings in infographics that can be found on the Eastern Shore Economic Recovery Project website, but economic developers also have access to an internal dashboard that enables them to mine the data for insight on specific issues.

Designed to gauge the opinions of the region’s business leaders, this survey is one of the tools that has grown out of the Eastern Shore Economic Recovery Project, a venture made possible by grants totaling $507,000 from the U.S. Economic Development Agency (EDA). The MidShore Regional Council and the Tri-County Council of the Lower Eastern Shore are recognized as Economic Development Districts by the EDA. In addition to the regional councils, partners in the project include ESRGC, BEACON, the Lower Shore Workforce Alliance, the Upper Shore Workforce Investment Board, and the Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Talbot, Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester County economic development offices.

To access Eastern Shore Economic Recovery Project data, visit recovery.delmarvaindex.org. The complete Delmarva Index can be found at delmarvaindex.org.

Kids Of Summer Have Your Child Appear In The Dispatch’s 16th Annual

Kids Of Summer FEATURES ON AUG. 26, SEPT. 2 & 9

That’s when we will publish all the kids’ photos we receive. Just make sure it’s in color and a high-quality image.

EMAIL PHOTOS TO: EDITOR@MDCOASTDISPATCH.COM OR MAIL TO P.O. BOX 467, BERLIN, MD. 21811 Be Sure To Include Full Name, Age And Location

Gold Coast Mall Site Approved For OC Farmer’s Market

Page 78

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – The long-standing farmer’s market in Ocean City moved closer to having a permanent home this week after resort officials agreed to approve a conditional use for the venue.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

For about three decades, the Ocean City Farmer’s Market resided on a parking lot on the corner of 142nd Street across from the old Phillips Seafood House. When the property was sold in 2021, the farmer’s market sought a new location and was granted a temporary permit at the north end of the Gold Coast Mall parking lot.

The mall parking lot was a temporary location made possible by relaxed rules for outdoor venues related to the COVID pandemic. However, in order for the farmer’s market to be able to continue to operate in the north section of the mall parking lot, a conditional use had to be approved by resort planners and ultimately the Mayor and Council.

July 22, 2022

On Monday, the Mayor and Council had before them a request to approve the conditional use for the farmer’s market in what is essentially an R-1 residential district. The council ultimately approved the conditional use application, allowing the farmer’s market to continue to operate at the north end of the Gold Coast Mall shopping center.

The approval came with four conditions applied by the planning commission after their public hearing last month.

Those conditions include meeting the definition of a farmer’s market adopted by the Maryland Department of Agriculture, approval from the Worcester County Health Department, the temporary tent structures are only permitted during hours of operation for the farmer’s market and a minimum lot area of one acre is required.

The planning commission forwarded a favorable recommendation for the conditional use application to the full Mayor and Council after holding a public hearing in June. During that public hearing at the planning commission level, commission members agreed the farmer’s market supported small local businesses that offer unique goods and services, supported the Green Business Registry and the Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) concepts laid out in the town’s comprehensive plan.

The venue allows local farmers to offer and sell their products to local residents and visitors throughout the summer offering fresh, local and healthy food alternatives. During the public hearing at the planning commission level last month, applicant and farmer’s market manager Phyllis Wimbrow explained the operation at the mall parking lot. During July and August, the farmer’s market is open four days a week including Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

The vendors come in at 8 a.m., set up their temporary canopies and operate until 1 p.m. with the breakdown completed by 1:30 p.m.

… Family Reports ‘Full Trust And Confidence’ In Authorities Sunset Beauty: The view from the Inlet parking lot was a special one as the sun set on a hazy, hot and humid summer Wednesday.

FROM PAGE 4 a statement on Wednesday amid speculation about the incident running rampant in the close-knit local community.

He said he felt the need to clear the air on some issues involving his establishments. Matt Ortt Companies operates the food and beverage operations in Ocean Pines, including the yacht club, as well as Coastal Salt and Coastal Smokehouse, among others.

“On behalf of Matt Ortt Companies, we are aware of a tragic event that has brought pain and heartache to multiple families and our thoughts are with all of those involved,” the statement reads.

“With all of the speculation surrounding this event, I feel the need to say something publicly.”

No one had been charged in the incident as of late Wednesday and the MSP Crash Team investigation is ongoing, but

Photo by Chris Parypa

Ortt’s statement confirms one of his partners is involved in the incident on some level.

“I have been in business with Ralph DeAngelus for three decades as a leader, mentor and partner,” the statement reads. “During that time, Ralph has always been a man of integrity, which is how he built such a stellar reputation in our town. Over the past few years, Matt Ortt Companies has added substantially to the area by revitalizing the Ocean Pines food and beverage operations and starting two new popular restaurants, all of which employ over 400 members of this community. At this time, my focus will continue to operate Matt Ortt Companies to the same high standards to which we have always held ourselves.”

It is uncertain if DeAngelus has even been questioned about the incident

and the vehicle identified and located by law enforcement early Sunday morning, but it appears there is some connection. Ortt’s social media statement posted on Wednesday suggests DeAngelus is at least a person of interest in the probe. DeAngelus’s family members have also been included in the investigation.

“For obvious reasons, Ralph cannot speak about this matter,” the statement reads. “However, he has said to me directly ‘in the end, the truth will come out, and it will prove me to be the man you always thought I was.’ I will take him, as I always have, at his word, and I hope the community at-large will as well.

Ralph has never violated the trust that I put in him, and I don’t expect that to ever change. As the managing member of Matt Ortt Companies, and on behalf of the management team, we stand fully

behind Ralph’s word and will continue to wait for all of the facts to come out as the investigation proceeds.”

Meanwhile, the victim’s friends and family last week set up a Go Fund Me donation account to help with expenses.

As of Thursday, donations to the account had reached over $42,330. The popular young victim was an avid fisherman, hunter, skateboarder, surfer and soccer player. A portion of the funds donated through the Go Fund Me account will be donated to the Surfer’s Healing program, which would have meant so much to the victim, according to friends and family.

Surfer’s Healing provides surf camps around the country and the world, including Ocean City each year, to allow surfers to interact with special needs children and enjoy a day in the ocean. A memorial paddle out is planned in Ocean City Saturday afternoon.

Council Approves Miniature Golf In Downtown Areas

July 22, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 79

BY SHAWN J. SOPER MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Miniature golf will be permitted in the downtown area after resort officials this week approved on first reading an ordinance that will allow the amusement in certain zoning designations.

The Mayor and Council had before them on Monday a first reading of an ordinance that would allow miniature golf courses in certain downtown zoning designations including the B-1 Boardwalk zoning district, and the I-1 Inlet district.

It’s no secret there have been miniature golf courses off the Boardwalk and in the downtown area in the past, but for reasons unknown, a code change disallowed the amenity in those zoning districts.

The planning commission in June held a public hearing on the proposed code amendment that would allow miniature golf courses in those specific downtown zoning districts, after which the commission forwarded a favorable recommendation to the full Mayor and Council for approval. With no discussion, the council unanimously approved the proposed code amendment on Monday.

At different times over the decades there have been miniature golf courses in the downtown area and off the Boardwalk. During the public hearing at the planning commission level last month, Planning and Community Development Director Bill Neville said at some point it was decided that a miniature golf course may not be the best use of valuable downtown property slated for redevelopment.

“I think all of us remember that there have been miniature golf courses at different locations downtown,” Neville said at the planning commission’s public hearing. “So, we did check with Glenn Irwin at the Ocean City Development Corporation. He was recalling the history on the fact that when the upper downtown and lower downtown overlay districts were put in place, there was a sense that the value of the land and the redevelopment concept for downtown may not be favorable for that type of amusement use any longer. So, I think at one point the OCDC may have recommended that it wasn’t a necessary use to be permitted. That may have been why it was removed unless the commissioners recall other history on that.”

Market forces and economics will determine what is the best use for the redevelopment of a parcel. It was brought up a miniature golf course could be just one amenity as part of a larger mixed-use redevelopment project such as a hotel or resort complex. With no discussion, the council voted unanimously to approve the conditional use allowing miniature golf courses in the downtown and Boardwalk commercial zoning districts.

Grant To Help With Old Soup Factory Demolition Newest Resident:

Johnny’s Star is pictured at sunrise over the weekend with her pinto colt born July 13 on Assateague Island National Seashore.

Photo by Kim Johnson Photography

BY BETHANY HOOPER STAFF WRITER

SALISBURY – A $2.5 million grant award is expected to help with the demolition and revitalization of the old Campbell Soup factory on West Road.

On Wednesday, the Wicomico County Council voted unanimously to accept a $2.5 million Neighborhood Revitalization grant from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, which will be allocated to Salisbury-based Davis Strategic Development for the demolition and revitalization of 510 West Road.

“What we want to do is stabilize the property and produce income …,” said Davis Strategic Development owner Bret Davis. “This $2.5 million is, candidly, a drop in the bucket but we can get the worst parts of the factory removed and improve the façade.”

While three companies currently utilize space within the old factory, Davis told officials this week much of the 300,000square-foot building has fallen into disrepair since Campbell Soup closed the plant in the early 1990s.

With the help of grant funding, Davis said the first phase of improvements would include the demolition of the brick wall abutting West Road, as well as the areas directly behind it. There are also plans to address parking and stabilize the roof.

“It will be quite a process, but it is to stabilize and remediate the property …,” he said. “This is something we would like to develop into a much larger project in the long run.”

Davis said his company had a letter of intent to take a portion of the factory and is in negotiations to lease out a part of the factory. He said there have also been talks of a mixed-use project.

“Speaking with the community and the state of Maryland, one of the thoughts is possibly a multi-family, mixed-use conversion …,” he said. “The property is 16 acres. We don’t get that often.”

Councilman Joe Holloway asked if

there were any environmental issues at the site. Davis noted that a study had identified minor oil runoff, but that he anticipated more issues as the project begins.

“Right now, $250,000 of the budget is going toward remediation,” he said.

Councilman Josh Hastings questioned the company’s use of state grant funding.

“You are a private company,” he said.

“Could you do this without public taxpayer dollars?”

Davis argued it was not financially feasible to take on such a large project without the grant funding.

“There would have to be state fund-

ing,” he said. “All of this makes no [financial] sense.”

When asked if the project had to meet certain requirements as part of the grant award, Davis said the funding was available for several uses.

“It’s an open-ended grant, so it’s allowed to go to a wide variety of things … ,” he explained. “It’s allowed for acquisition, demo, new construction, and environmental and blight removal. Talking to the state, it seemed like this checked every box they could hope for.”

After further discussion, the council voted unanimously to accept the grant award.

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

ipants have already signed up and will provide food, educational information, medical screenings and children’s activities.

Typically, the event draws between 500 and 700 people.

“It’s one of the biggest in the area,” Holland said.

He credited the police department’s partners for helping to make the event possible. Sonrise Church, for example, provides free hotdogs and hamburgers every year. Other groups serve snow cones while others serve popcorn.

“Every participant tries to do something a little different,” Holland said.

He said attendees always had a good time and enjoyed an evening of camaraderie with the local officers and their neighbors. Kids will have the chance to win a scooter and helmet that will be raffled off while senior citizens will have the chance to win gift cards. Free activities like face painting and bounce houses will keep kids busy during the event.

“A lot of people come for the food and there are a whole lot of fun things for the kids to do,” Holland said. “It’s a real good day to meet your neighbors.”

For more information on the event visit the “National Night Out in Berlin” event page on Facebook or call 410-641-1333.

Berlin To Hold Night Out Aug. 2 STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – The Berlin Police Department will once again promote community partnerships with a National Night Out event in August.

On Tuesday, Aug. 2, the Berlin Police Department invites the community to Henry Park for an afternoon of free food and fun. Officers will be joined by a variety of local organizations and businesses that will offer free food, educational information and other family friendly displays. The festivities will run from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the park on Flower Street.

“It’s just a good night for the community to come together with the police department, to have some fun, some food and have a good time,” retired Officer Claude Holland said.

Holland is once again helping coordinate the annual event, which is one of thousands held nationally the first Tuesday in August. The program was created to increase crime and drug prevention awareness and to strengthen police and community partnerships. The event in Berlin, which has taken place each year for more than two decades, is expected to be the biggest yet. Holland said 30 partic-

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 22, 2022

July 22, 2022

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Daniel Joseph Hicken BISHOPVILLE – Daniel Joseph Hicken, age 33, died on July 14, 2022 at Christiana Hospital in New Castle County.

Born in Salisbury, he was the son of Daniel Leonard Hicken and Christine Hicken of Crisfield. He is survived by his beloved sisters, Jennifer and Samantha Hicken. Also surviving is an aunt, Gail Stoltzfus of Northeast, Md. and niecDANIEL HICKEN es Aurora Marie and Autumn Nichole.

Danny attended Stephen Decatur High School and was employed by RYT Plumbing Company. His favorite pastime was fishing. Always smiling, he loved making new friends and had many. He was the life of every party and will be greatly missed by all.

A celebration of life will be held at the Community Church of Ocean Pines on Saturday, Aug. 6th from 4 to 7 p.m. Letters of condolence may be sent via: www.burbagefuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are in the care of the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin.

Gavin Ross Knupp OCEAN PINES – Gavin Ross Knupp, 14, of Ocean Pines, passed away following a tragic accident on Monday, July 11, 2022. Born on June 13, 2008 in Salisbury, he was the son of Raymond Knupp of Salisbury and Tiffany Knupp (Frye) of Ocean Pines.

Gavin was an outdoor enthusiast. He loved hunting, fishing, surfing and skateboarding. Above everything else he loved his sister, Summer. They were two peas in a pod, always inseparable and he looked at her as his hero. He will be remembered for his great sense of humor, his ability to light up a room and his exceptional character. He made friends everywhere he went and will be missed by everyone who knew him. EveGAVIN KNUPP ryone who had the honor of knowing Gavin is better for doing so.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Jeff Beach.

Gavin is survived by his parents; his sister, Summer Knupp; grandparents, Roger and Marlene Frye of Salisbury, Allen Knupp of Berryville, Va. and Terry Beach of Crisfield; an aunt, Crystal Stavley and her husband Mark of Eden; two uncles, Roger and Randy Knupp both of Salisbury; cousins, Cade and Savannah Stavley; his best friend, Kameron Blagus; as well as many other friends.

A celebration of Gavin’s life will be held at 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 23, 2022 on the beach at 36th Street, Oceanside, in Ocean City.

Memorial donations may be made to the GoFundMe page established in Gavin’s name found here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/gavin-knupp?qid=0ca87fae7794242370d068fda0a876 62 Arrangements are in the care of Holloway Funeral Home, P.A., 501 Snow Hill Road, Salisbury, Md. 21804. To send condolences to the family, please visit www.hollowayfh.com.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

OBITUARIES William J. Slot OCEAN PINES – William J. Slot, age 90, went to a peaceful rest on Monday, July 11, 2022.

Born on Dec. 18, 1931, in Patterson, N.J., he was the son of the late John Christian Slot and Clara Stelpstra.

Known to his family and friends as Bill, he was born in Patterson, N.J. Bill grew up the son of Dutch immigrants and moved to Pantego, N.C. where his father’s dream of a farm was born. Bill helped start and stabilize Slot Farms before being awarded a music scholarship to attend East Carolina College. After graduation Bill joined the federal government in NorWILLIAM J. folk, Va. He transferred SLOT to the Philippines in the mid-1960s and met his wife, Mary. Bill and Mary travelled together throughout their lives and enjoyed the wonders of this world. They shared this love with their children and grandchildren.

After moving back to the United States, the family settled in Washington DC where Bill served the General Accounting Office until his retirement in 1991.

Bill loved music throughout his life and played the piano into his 90s. He showed his family and friends his love and care through his many simple acts of kindness. He loved his family and friends and was a gentleman to every soul he met.

Bill is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mary Cooney Slot, originally of Boston, MA, and his two children, John (fiancée Leslie) and Anna-Marie (husband Widemar). He adored his four grandchildren, Anna-Carolyn, John, Julia and Elsanore.

Bill is also survived by his sisters Marie Singleton and Carol Van Essendelft.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Macky and Pam Stansell House, Coastal Hospice, 1500 Ocean Parkway, Ocean Pines, Md. 21811.

Cremation followed his death. A visitation was held on Saturday, July 16, 2022, at the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin. Letters of condolences can be sent to the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of The Burbage Funeral Home.

Andrew Lewis Goodwin BERLIN – Andrew Lewis Goodwin age 48, passed away at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin on Tuesday, July 5, 2022.

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he was the son of Clark Robert Goodwin and Marlene Goodwin.

Andrew was raised in Glenshaw, Pennsylvania, graduated from Shaler Area High School and attended Mississippi State, School of Golf Management, Oakland ANDREW LEWIS University, Michigan. He GOODWIN was an avid golfer and golf instructor at Oakland University and R&S Sharf golf course. Andrew was a sports enthusiast of all Pittsburgh teams.

He loved taking his daughters, Emma

and Addy to the beach and Shorebirds games.

He is survived by his mother, Marlene Goodwin, his two daughters, Emma Lynn Goodwin and Addison Kay Goodwin, his brother, Bobby M. Goodwin, and his sister, Gretchen L Kenemuth.

Andrew was preceded in death by his father, Clark Robert Goodwin and a son, Benjamin Goodwin.

Visitations will be held at The Burbage Funeral Home, 108 William St. Berlin, on Tuesday, July 26, from 1-3 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department, 911 Ocean Parkway, Ocean Pines, MD 21811. Letters of condolence may be sent to the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of The Burbage Funeral Home.

Robert E. Crook BISHOPVILLE – Robert E. Crook, age 77, passed away at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin on Monday, July 11, 2022.

Born in Canada, he was the son of the late Leslie Crook and Mary (Jean) Earle.

Robert served his country in the United States Navy and his community as a police officer in Prince George’s County.

Bob and Brenda retired to Bishopville in 1993 where they built their dream home and spent many happy years with family and friends. He enjoyed eastern shore living, being on the water, fishing, and hunting. He was an avid gardener and was always working on some project. He also had his pilot’s license and loved to fly small aircraft.

He is survived by his ROBERT E. wife, Brenda Crook; two CROOK sons, Joseph Crook and Robert Crook, Jr. (Lydia); a daughter, Mary Zizzi (Mike); two brothers, Les Crook (Marlene), and Wayne Crook; and a sister, Alice Loffler (Steve). He is also survived by eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by siblings Paul, Earl and Billy and sisters-in-law Sharon and Ann. A memorial service was held on Friday, July 15, 2022, at the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin. Letters of condolence can be sent to the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are in the care of The Burbage Funeral Home.

Lola Marie Bradford NEWARK – Lola Marie Bradford, age 95, passed away peacefully, on July 6, 2022, surrounded by her loving family, at her home in Newark.

Born in Whiton, she was the daughter of the late Fred K. Adkins and Marie Tilghman Bradford.

She is survived by her LOLA children, Ricki Harrington BRADFORD (Mike), Joan Scott (Jim), Teresa Bauer (Len) and Brian Bradford (Lori). She was an adored grandmother to 13 grandchil-

July 22, 2022 dren and 26 great-grandchildren.

Lola graduated from Snow Hill High School, and Peninsula General School of Nursing. She had a long career as an acute care nurse, office practice, public health, and home health nurse. She was also a “special nursing consultant” to the entire community of family, friends and neighbors. Lola volunteered for Peninsula General Hospital, American Heart Association, Worcester County Health Department, Newark Volunteer Fire Company, and her Bowen/Trinity Churches where she was a member.

She enjoyed traveling, dancing, playing cards, “frappes”, clothes, jewelry and good meals. The family would like to give a special thanks to her wonderful and empathetic care givers at her home in recent months.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, July 25, at Trinity United Methodist Church, at 1 p.m. Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to the service. Pastor Shirley Evans and Pastor Zack Brown will officiate. A donation in her memory may be sent to: St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Letters of condolence may be sent via: www.burbagefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin.

Mary Velma Andrews BERLIN – Mary Velma Andrews, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed peacefully away in her home, surrounded by her loving family.

Mary was born in Lowesville, Virginia and was one of 12 children in the family. Upon graduation, 18-year-old Mary came to Baltimore, Maryland to work for the federal government. At various times throughout her 31-year career, she MARY worked for the Navy, the ANDREWS Air Force, the Army, and the Social Security Administration. Mary enjoyed her work and received many awards for outstanding service.

She married the love of her life, Michael G. Andrews, on Nov. 11, 1950.

Their 71-year marriage was a testimony to the enduring power of love. Michael preceded her in death in February 2021.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Patricia Andrews, her granddaughter, Stephanie C. Andrews, and a host of devoted nieces and nephews.

Mary loved her Lord, her family, Bible Word Search books, and all dogs. She was a gentle but strong woman whose smile could light up a room. Her flame red hair had faded to gray over the years but that fiery spirit remained.

A viewing/visitation will take place at Burbage Funeral Home, 108 William Street, Berlin, Md. 21811 on Sunday, July 25, 2022, from 5-7 p.m. Flowers and messages of condolence can be sent via www.burbagefuneralhome.com.

A Service of Christian Burial will be held at Fenwick Island Baptist Church, 36806 Lighthouse Sound, Fenwick Island, Del. 19975 at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 26, 2022.

The Interment will follow on Monday, July 26, 2022, at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 26669 Patriots Way, Millsboro, Del. 19966 at 2 p.m.

OP Market To Feature Kids Activities, Live Music, Cooking Demos

July 22, 2022

OCEAN PINES – Along with more than 100 vendors each week, the Ocean Pines Farmers & Artisans Market will host several fun and interactive events during July and August.

Those include a trio of programs geared toward children, a model horse show and competition, live music, and a cooking demonstration with a decorated professional angler.

Amberlina's Adventures will return to the Kid’s Market Zone on Saturday, July 30 at 11 a.m. The Kids Market Zone is at the corner of the Artisan Plaza and the Crafters Alley, just behind the Pine'eer Craft Shop.

Amberlina will entertain children with music, singing, storytelling, and a fun cavalcade of puppet friends. Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket.

On July 30 and Aug. 27, starting at 9 a.m., the Marketplace Model Horse Show will return.

Model horse showing is a hobby built around the collection of scale model horses, with a focus of honoring horse show industry standards, as well as the artistic merit of the plastic miniatures.

The event will be juried by Ingrid Parker, a professional horse show judge who officiates similar events across the MidAtlantic region. Parker will award ribbons for first through sixth place, with the champion earning a scrumptious baked good from a market bakery.

The shows are open to children and adults of all ages. Registration for each show is $5 per participant. Participants must bring their own table and table covering to present on.

On Aug. 13 at 9 a.m., children’s entertainer Kristen Coleman will be dressed as “Lily the Fairy” and will host games and activities at the Kids Market Zone.

Coleman works with Shore Fun Parties, a party planning and entertainment service that serves the lower Delmarva peninsula.

On Aug. 13 and 27, and Sept. 10 and 24 at 9 a.m., “Mr. Jake” will read books to local children. Jake Nail is a youth services specialist with the Ocean Pines Library.

Parents and grandparents are encouraged to bring their children and a blanket to sit on while listening to a series of fun stories.

Nail studied theatre performance and creative arts, focusing on special education, at Salisbury University. He has performed on stage since the age of 6.

For some toe-tapping fun, shoppers can also enjoy the music of singer/guitarist Sarah Campbell when she takes the market stage at 9 a.m. on Aug. 13 and 20.

A favorite of market shoppers, Campbell plays traditional country and bluegrass sounds and appears at the market regularly throughout the year.

On Aug. 27 at 9 a.m., local waterman Jay C. Wimbrow II will host "From Hook to Table,” a fish-baiting workshop and cooking demonstration.

Wimbrow has been a professional angler for the last decade, earning several regional and national qualifier honors in major sport fishing competitions. He enjoys fishing on lakes and rivers all over the East Coast and Midwest, targeting largemouth and smallmouth bass. He has

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

also become an ambassador for the sport.

“I enjoy introducing kids and adults to the great sport of bass fishing, including baiting hooks, knot tying, lure selection, rod and reel selection, fishing tactics and conservation practices,” Wimbrow said.

Wimbrow will begin his workshop by teaching market goers how to successfully bait a fishing hook.

He will demonstrate how to clean, scale, debone and fillet a fish, and then will prepare a dish with the cleaned and prepared fish using fresh ingredients gathered from the marketplace.

A free copy of his recipes will be available to all who attend.

The Ocean Pines Farmers & Artisans Market is open Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in White Horse Park. For more information, visit the Ocean Pines Farmers & Artisans Market page on the association’s website, www.oceanpines.org.

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Amber Fraser of Amberlina’s Adventures is pictured during a recent performance.

Submitted Photo

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July 22, 2022

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

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

NEWS DEPARTMENT SHAWN J. SOPER Managing Editor ssoper@mdcoastdispatch.com CHARLENE SHARPE Staff Writer/Copy Editor csharpe@mdcoastdispatch.com BETHANY HOOPER Staff Writer/Copy Editor bhooper@mdcoastdispatch.com CHRIS PARYPA Photographer

SALES DEPARTMENT TERRI FRENCH Account Executive Entertainment Editor terri@mdcoastdispatch.com AMANDA FORSYTHE Account Executive amanda@mdcoastdispatch.com

ART DEPARTMENT COLE GIBSON Art Director cole@mdcoastdispatch.com DAVID HOOKS Graphic Artist dhooks@mdcoastdispatch.com PAUL HALLAM Graphic Artist/Webmaster phallam@mdcoastdispatch.com

BUSINESS OFFICE PAMELA GREEN Bookkeeper/Classifieds Manager classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com

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

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

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Rules Being Changed For Massive Project?

How We See It

When a hotel project’s massive scope prevents it from meeting the parking code, it stands to reason connections to the project would downsize the development to fit the existing rules those before them had to follow.

In the case of the Margaritaville project – a 265-room hotel, three-restaurant resort between 13th and 14th streets – the thought was to ask Ocean City to change the parking code to accommodate it, transfer the alley air rights as well as secure a right-of-way conveyance.

The tweaking of the rules to allow the project to happen doesn’t sit well with many, especially those who have gone through development projects playing by the existing rules. G. Hale Harrison of the Harrison Group – owner of 12 locals hotels and seven restaurants – knows about all this, as his family has developed several large-scale hotels, most notably the Hilton on 32nd Street in 2006 and the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites on 17th Street in 2001. Calling the city’s approach “unfair and unreasonable,” Harrison believes the city is clearly bowing to the project and finds it unacceptable to tweak parking rules and convey public property.

“In every step of the way, when the project doesn’t comply with the city code, the Mayor and Council has shown a willingness to change the city code,” he said. “There’s another item on the agenda tonight to change the parking code because Margaritaville can’t comply with the parking code … There is no justification to benefit one single developer …

Other developers play by the rules. We would be embarrassed to ask you for this.”

Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan sees it the same way and was blunt in his assessment last month, saying, “I don’t know how you can determine an entire block and 90,000 square feet is restrained from providing parking. It’s restrained because you are overdeveloping the property … I don’t know how you determine there is a uniqueness to that property in the downtown area that restrains parking. I just don’t see how that’s possible.”

The council has set a dangerous precedent here and created a perception it wants to see this project happen.

In this specific case, the city has shown a willingness to bend the rules and change law to allow the Margaritaville project to take place. There were some tweaks made to the project early on, but the developer has largely gotten what it wants every step of the way.

While the project is not specifically named in the ordinances being deliberated over, it’s clear the Margaritaville development is driving the requests.

This course of action by the city will eventually resurface in the future when other requests come forward.

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Between The Lines

by Publisher/Editor Steve Green Some thoughts on this week’s primary election as it stands at noon on Thursday: •With the growing popularity of mail-in voting and the required wait time after in-voting closes to begin counting the ballots, this election is unlike any other. It’s a complicated process. Ballots postmarked July 19 will be counted over the next week. Most were counted Thursday but some of the ones received will be held for a few days as others trickle in. In super tight races, the mail-in ballots could decide contests. In Worcester County, it’s clear the canvassing could well swing the results in at least District 4 in the county commissioner race where just 25 votes separated the first-place finisher after the election (incumbent Ted Elder) and fourth-place candidate (Nancy Bradford).

•Turnout for a primary election on a hot and humid summer day was poor. This is no surprise. At 21% in Worcester County, the turnout rate is actually about normal for a primary election, according to past history. I feared it would be worse. Diving deeper in the turnout revealed a few interesting takeaways. First, of the 6,866 votes cast, 71% were from Republicans. Also, 26% of registered Republicans voted compared to 15% of Democrats, largely due to the fact so many races featured Republicanonly contests. Additionally, as far as ballots cast, the four-man race in District 3 (West Ocean City and Berlin) attracted the most amount of voters at 902, followed by 888 in District 6 (Bishopville and surrounding areas); 804 ballots in District 5 (Ocean Pines); and 790 ballots cast in District 4 (Snow Hill, Whaleyville, part of Berlin and western areas of the county).

•The District 3 race has been a fascinating one to watch over the last few months. Former Berlin Councilman Thom Gulyas, who was first to file, was the only candidate with any elected office experience, and the three other candidates have not served on any appointed government bodies like the planning commissioner or zoning board. This advantage was not enough for Gulyas. After early voting and election day, Gulyas was quick Wednesday to concede to first-place finisher Eric Fiori despite there being more than 200 mail-in ballots to count in the district. It was surprising to see Gulyas offer his congratulations amid such a tight race.

As of Thursday morning, before the mail-ins were counted, Fiori held a 34-vote lead over Tim VanVonno and a 56-vote cushion over Gulyas.

•Incumbent Ted Elder is no stranger to close elections. In each of his previous campaigns, his elections have always had drama and featured tight races. After early voting and election day, Elder had a narrow 18vote lead over former Commissioner Virgil Shockley, a 23-vote margin over Jeff McMahon and a 25-vote lead over Nancy Bradford. Based on the 100-plus mail-in ballots to be counted from the south-county precinct, the assumption is Elder of Whaleyville could be in trouble. It could be next week before this race is decided.

•As expected, Worcester County Commissioner Chip Bertino, who represents Ocean Pines, cruised, gaining 63% of the vote. It was clear this race was going Bertino’s way as soon as the polls closed and early voting results were posted with Bertino receiving 112 votes and Helvey getting 43 votes.

This is a big vote of confidence for Bertino, and my guess it could be the basis for a push to make him the next commission president later this year.

•Marylanders intent on keeping a Republican governor in place lost all hope this week with the tremendous support seen for Republican candidate Dan Cox over Gov. Larry Hogan-backed Kelly Schulz. Cox was endorsed by former President Trump and possesses extreme views on abortion, gun control and mask use. Cox secured 56% of the Republican primary vote and will represent the party in November. In Worcester, Cox won 65% of the vote over Schulz’s 32%. Due to his right-wing extreme views, Cox has no chance of getting elected governor of Maryland, a state with a 2-to-1 Democratic voting base. The Democratic Party knew this and therefore marketed in a way to boost Cox to the primary win. He will be easy to beat.

Along with the Cox dominance at the polls, it was shocking to see how poorly Comptroller Peter Franchot did in the Democratic primary. Prior to becoming comptroller in 2007, Franchot served 21 years in the House of Delegates representing Montgomery County. He can point to Montgomery as a major reason why he lost. According to the Wednesday results, Franchot managed just 7,896 votes in Montgomery compared to primary challengers Wes Moore’s 16,722 and Tom Perez’s 32,141. Moore likely secured the nomination based on a great result in Prince George’s (38,291) and Baltimore County (21,199), compared to Franchot’s 12,022 in Prince George’s and 13,730 in Baltimore County. It’s a race still too close to call, but it appears Moore, a Black combat veteran, author and small business owner, will prevail in the primary and easily win in November.

•Though I don’t expect much of a governor’s race in November, it will be interesting to observe how Senator Mary Beth Carozza approaches it.

Carozza was unopposed in the primary and will square off against Salisbury Councilwoman Michele Gregory. Carozza is the heavy favorite, but I would expect Gregory to inquire whether Carozza is backing the extremist Cox for governor now that her preferred candidate, Schulz, has been soundly defeated. Carozza would be wise to not support Cox publicly and maybe even throw her backing behind Moore as a way to gain some political leverage in the Democratically dominated legislature.

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Puzzle Answers

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by Steve Green

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f my house is like most, there are lots of looks exchanged between parents over the antics and comments from the teen of the house.

I did not receive the letter that follows from my 14-year-old son, but for a few brief minutes last weekend when I came across it online, I pretended I did because it made me feel better. As the expression goes, misery does indeed love company.

Life these days seems to teeter between opposite extremes with Beckett – either he’s exhausted and doing nothing or he’s amped and wants to be driven here or there to hang with friends. In between, he’s working five days a week.

Friends are by far the most important aspect of his life right now, and it’s driving me crazy. The requests for sleeping over here or there and hours at the skate park, beach and Boardwalk are endless. If he’s not asking to be taken here or there to hang with friends, he’s in his room “chilling,” as he likes to say.

This letter was featured on the Grown & Flown website and posted by Helene Wingens, a former lawyer who writes a parenting blog. The first line, “please stick with me,” resonated with me because in casual conversations I have had with Beckett he has acknowledged how difficult he knows he can be. He indirectly apologizes in his own way with his unique manner of expressing himself. What follows here would not be how he would put his feelings, but there are numerous indirect correlations from short talks we have had, usually while being driven somewhere. I got a lot out of this piece, and maybe others on similar journeys will as well.

Dear Mom and Dad, Please stick with me.

I can’t think clearly right now because there is a rather substantial section of my prefrontal cortex missing. It’s a fairly important chunk, something having to do with rational thought. You see,

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of Fatherhood it won’t be fully developed until I’m about 25. And from where I sit, 25 seems a long way off.

My brain is not yet fully developed It doesn’t matter that I’m smart; …

Judgement and intelligence are two completely distinct things.

And, the same thing that makes my brain wonderfully flexible, creative and sponge-like also makes me impulsive.

Not necessarily reckless or negligent but more impulsive than I will be later in life.

So when you look at me like I have ten heads after I’ve done something “stupid” or failed to do something “smart,” you’re not really helping.

You adults respond to situations with your prefrontal cortex (rationally) but I am more inclined to respond with my amygdala (emotionally). And when you ask, “What were you thinking?” the answer is I wasn’t, at least not in the way you are. You can blame me, or you can blame mother nature, but either way, it is what it is.

At this point in my life, I get that you love me, but my friends are my everything. Please understand that. Right now I choose my friends, but, don’t be fooled, I am watching you. Carefully.

Please stick with me.

Here’s what you can do for me: 1. Model adulting. I see all the behaviors that you are modeling and I hear all of the words you say. I may not listen but I do hear you. I seem impervious to your advice, like I’m wearing a Kevlar vest but your actions and words are penetrating. I promise. If you keep showing me the way, I will follow even if I detour many, many times before we reach our destination.

2. Let me figure things out for myself. If you allow me to experience the consequences of my own actions I will learn from them. Please give me a little bit of leash and let me know that I can figure things out for myself. The more I do, the more confidence and resilience

I will develop.

3. Tell me about you. I want you to tell me all the stories of the crazy things you did as a teen, and what you learned from them. Then give me the space to do the same.

4. Help me with perspective. Keep reminding me of the big picture. I will roll my eyes at you and make all kinds of grunt-like sounds. I will let you know in no uncertain terms that you can’t possibly understand any of what I’m going through. But I’m listening. I really am.

It’s hard for me to see anything beyond the weeds that I am currently mired in.

Help me scan out and focus on the long view. Remind me that this moment will pass.

5. Keep me safe. Please remind me that drugs and driving don’t mix. Keep telling me that you will bail me out of any dangerous situation, no anger, no lectures, no questions asked. But also let me know over and over and over that you are there to listen, when I need you.

6. Be kind. I will learn kindness from you and if you are relentless in your kindness to me, someday I will imitate that behavior. Don’t ever mock me, please and don’t be cruel. Humor meI think I know everything. You probably did as well at my age. Let it go.

7. Show interest in the things I enjoy. Some days I will choose to share my interests with you, and it will make me feel good if you validate those interests, by at least acting interested.

One day when the haze of adolescence lifts, you will find a confident, strong, competent, kind adult where a surly teenager once stood. In the meantime, buckle in for the ride.

Please stick with me.

Love, Your Teenager (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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