August 4

SERVING DELMARVA FOR 60 YEARS

50th Anniversary White Marlin Open Begins Monday

BY BETHANY HOOPER ASSOCIATE EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Thousands of anglers and tens of thousands of spectators will gather in Ocean City next week as the White Marlin Open kicks off its 50th year.

The White Marlin Open, the world’s largest offshore billfish tournament, will return to Ocean City next week for its 50th anniversary tournament. Held Aug. 7-11, anglers will have a chance to reel in record-breaking white and blue marlin, tuna, wahoo, swordfish or dolphin and secure some of the $10 million in estimated prize money.

“What makes the White Marlin Open so unique is obviously the participants are excited, but so are the spectators and the fanbase,” said Madelyne Motsko, tournament director. “People time their whole vacation around the White Marlin Open, to come and watch the festivities. And the town really gets involved. To have that excitement behind us is neat.”

The action kicks off early Monday morning, when hundreds of spectators will gather at the Inlet to watch the parade of boats head out to sea for the first of five fishing days in the tournament. Last year, more than 3,500 anglers aboard 408 boats competed for $8.6 million in prize money, and tournament organizers expect the event to grow in its 50th year.

“I know when my dad started it, he never anticipated it being what it is today,” Motsko said. “It’s the culmination of a lot of hard work and dedication. It’s just me, my dad and my sister, and to see what we’ve been able to pull off ever year is exciting. It shows we’re doing something right.”

Tournament directors expect this year’s purse to exceed $10 million and have added a new white marlin “Winner Take All” category in celebration of White Marlin Open’s 50th anniversary. The $50,000 entry category, also known as the “Anniversary Level,” will add to the millions of dollars already at stake for the heaviest white marlin.

Harbour Island will once again host the White Marlin Open. Each year, thousands of spectators gather at the docks for a chance to see a multi-million-dollar fish be hauled up the scale.

The White Marlin Open will also celebrate the return of Marlin Fest, which will be held at the Inlet from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day of the tournament. The free event welcomes families to bring beach chairs and blankets and enjoy the live music and views of anglers bringing in their daily catches to nearby Harbour Island. Vendors will be onsite selling a variety of items including official Marlin Fest merchandise and White Marlin Open gear, as well as food and alcohol.

This year, Marlin Fest will support the

Boats are permitted to fish three out of the five days during the White Marlin Open. Above, an aerial perspective of tourney host Harbour Island Marina in Ocean City is pictured. File Photo

As the connections of the Margaritaville project continue to seek a planned overlay district (POD) designation, they have concurrently submitted new plans for a smaller development featuring fewer amenities and less square footage. Above, a rendering shows what the smaller project would look like from the southwest corner of Baltimore Avenue.

Council Advances Hearing Request

BY BETHANY HOOPER ASSOCIATE EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – A request to abandon a portion of Washington Lane will advance to a public hearing.

Following a lengthy discussion, the Mayor and Council agreed this week to advance a developer’s request to hold a public hearing on the abandonment of Washington Lane between 13th and 14th streets, or the alleyway that bisects the planned Margaritaville project. Attorney Hugh Cropper told officials Tuesday his client was seeking to purchase the alleyway to meet the 90,000square-foot site requirement for a planned overlay district (POD) designation.

“This is a request to ask you to schedule a public hearing to accept

comment on our request to purchase Washington Avenue, 16 feet wide, at fair market value,” he said. “We will hire and pay for an appraisal of your choice and offer to pay fair market value to purchase Washington Lane.”

Earlier this year, resort officials agreed to rescind an ordinance allowing the town to abandon a narrow strip of right-of-way between 13th and 14th streets to the developer of the Margaritaville project after Ocean City resident Margaret Pillas submitted a successful petition for referendum challenging the legislation.

To that end, Cropper came before the Mayor and Council in May on behalf of his client with a request to hold a public hearing to purchase a portion of the right-of-way. During that meeting, however, the council voted 4-3 to deny the public hearing request, with those in opposition sharing concerns that a potential conveyance of right-of-way would impact the eventual redevelopment of the Baltimore Avenue corridor.

“The issue for me is you are asking us to take a hunk out of the Baltimore Avenue project for the future …,” Councilman Will Savage said at the time. “If we give it away now, a council 50 years from now isn’t going to have that opportunity and we don’t know what the town’s needs will be then.”

In a continuing effort to build a POD development, Cropper came back to the Mayor and Council this week with a request to hold a public hearing on the abandonment of Washington Lane. As a condition of the purchase, Cropper said his client was willing to accept that the additional square footage would not be used toward density.

“Again, we are asking that you move this forward to a public hearing, which is what we asked for before and where we were headed before we had the situation with Baltimore Avenue,” he said.

City Manager Terry McGean told the council this week that the developer had requested a similar abandonment on Oct. 26, 2021, but with the condition that the property owner would reconvey a deed of perpetual easement back to the town. While staff had initially provided a favorable recommendation, that request was withdrawn after the city solicitor determined it to be a legal conflict. By the Mayor and City Council’s Nov. 30 meeting of that year, staff recommended against proceeding with the abandonment.

“The staff recommendation of November 30 on the item withdrawn is verbatim the staff recommendation that you have today, August 1,” he said.

City Solicitor Heather Stansbury also told council members this week that the town’s planning commission had met between Oct. 26 and Nov. 30 of 2021 and had recommended that Washington Lane not be sold and should continue to provide public access.

“It seems like they made the determination it was providing public access

Rendering Courtesy of Becker Morgan Group

Developer Seeks To Purchase Alley

at the time and that it should continue to provide public access,” McGean added.

Cropper, however, argued that the planning commission went against the request in favor of the developer securing air rights instead for its POD development.

“It was suggested at the time that I ask for air rights instead because it had appeared we had the Baltimore Avenue right-of-way issue resolved and we were going to achieve 90,000 square feet so we did not need the bed of the alley …,” he said. “So my prior request was withdrawn.”

Simply put, Stansbury said the abandonment issue comes down to if the council believes Washington Lane is no longer needed for public use or purpose.

“The analysis is really this,” she said. “If you know now you have enough information before you that it is needed for public use and/or that it serves a public purpose, then you don’t need to advance it to a public hearing. If you want to hear further testimony on that subject, then you would move to a public hearing, there would be sworn testimony, and at the end of that public hearing – either that evening or another night – you could then make a finding.”

For her part, Councilwoman Carol Proctor said she had looked at Washington Lane, which runs from North Division Street to 33rd Street, and had determined that several portions of the alleyway had already been abandoned and blocked off. She questioned why it would be needed for public use and bike and pedestrian access.

“It is not a consistent alley, and it’s already been closed 13 out of the 33 streets,” she said.

Councilman Frank Knight agreed, arguing it was no longer an unimpeded alleyway.

“That doesn’t exist anymore,” he said. “What does exist is you have to zig and zag to even find Washington Lane.”

Mayor Rick Meehan, however, argued the recommendation from staff in October of 2021 stated that the alley was open and used for the public.

“To abandon an alley, you have to say there is no public purpose,” he said. “And it’s clear in the recommendation it says it’s open and used by the public.”

Councilman Peter Buas questioned if the Mayor and Council had ever made that determination. Cropper argued they had not.

“The Mayor and City Council has never made that finding,” he replied.

Buas also questioned the timeline for the project. Officials argued the property’s nonconformity for density is set to expire on Sept. 21, as the property has remained unused for two years.

“While it’s not totally relevant to the alley or the public hearing, if the alley was abandoned, could you explain how the applicant is going to get a public hearing on this, get their two readings of the ordinance and get back to a POD amendment all before the nonconformity expires?” he asked.

Cropper said it was something his client was concerned about, but that it would not impact the POD development.

“All we can do is move as quickly as we can and hope for the best and hope for a determination that’s in the best interest of the citizens of Ocean City,” he replied, “and looking at other precedents that have been set with respect to nonconformities.”

Stansbury said that while Buas’ question was generally relevant, it wasn’t what was being considered.

“Today you are supposed to decide whether you’d like to advance what is now the narrow issue of abandoning Washington Lane between 13th and 14th street to a public hearing,” she said. “That’s all that’s before you. Other issues are important and perhaps could come up at a public hearing.”

After further discussion, the council voted 4-3, with Buas, Council President Matt James and Councilman John Gehrig opposed, to move the developer’s request to a public hearing.

It should be noted that while they continue to seek a POD project, the connections of the Margaritaville development have concurrently submitted a new plan to the town that includes fewer amenities and less square footage.

Ocean Pines Board Election Dates Extended 2 Weeks

BY BETHANY HOOPER ASSOCIATE EDITOR

OCEAN PINES – Officials have agreed to extend election dates by two weeks following ballot delays.

In a special meeting Tuesday night, the Ocean Pines Board of Directors agreed to change the deadlines for the 2023 board election after learning that some association members had yet to receive their ballots from Washington-based contract Election Trust. The ballot deadline has been moved to Aug. 22, while the ballot count has been moved to Aug. 24 and the annual meeting has been moved to Aug. 26.

“I do think extending this out and giving everybody a better opportunity to get their votes in would be preferable and something we should do,” said Director Steve Jacobs. “It’s the right thing to do.”

In May, the board voted to hire Washington-based company Election Trust as the association’s new voting contractor. And in June, the association announced that the contractor would mail out ballots the week of July 11, with ballots due back by close of business on Aug. 8.

In recent weeks, however, it was learned that Election Trust had sent out election materials a week later than originally planned. As a result, some association members have yet to receive their ballots.

“This has sort of triggered because of what has transpired with the late arrival of the ballots to the residents of Ocean Pines as well as our part-time residents who also vote,” Jacobs said Tuesday. “The ballots were supposed to be mailed out on the 11th and by the 23rd or 24th of July they were just starting to come in.”

To that end, the board convened in a special meeting this week to discuss a po-

tential change to the ballot deadline, ballot count and annual meeting. For his part, Jacobs said he wanted to see deadlines extended by at least one week.

“Our goal here is to have as many legitimate votes, ballots, counted as possible, and we’re in real danger of not meeting that goal …,” he said. “We’ve sort of had two questionable elections in a row. We now have a third, and it’s something we should look to address and avoid.”

Director Colette Horn agreed, noting that it was the contractor’s fault that ballots were sent out one week late.

“I think it makes sense to push everything back a week to give us at least the amount of time the election committee had intended the public to have to have their ballots in hand and look over the information and cast an intelligent vote,” she said.

Director Rick Farr, board liaison for

the association’s elections committee, said Ocean Pines has remained diligent in reminding members to fill out their ballots and mailing them quickly. He noted, however, that the deadlines should be changed.

“I do think we should do our due diligence in ensuring our association members do have an extended period, what was the delay,” he said. “I think a week would be sufficient for that.”

Director Stuart Lakernick said he supported a one-week extension but suggested that the annual meeting continue to be held on Aug. 12.

“We keep our meeting on the 12th and the election can be certified afterwards,” he said. “We can have a special meeting to certify it, right?”

Association President Doug Parks said the board could hold a special meeting.

“If we have a quorum at the annual meeting, and we keep it on the 12th, we can do all the reports … and then choose to accept the results of the election at a special meeting, assuming we move things back a week,” he replied. “Or we could move the annual meeting back a week and do all of it at the annual meeting.”

Tom Piatti, chair of the elections committee, noted that while ballots were processed on July 18, they were not mailed to homeowners until July 19.

“What we are experiencing through the elections committee, through emails, through telephone calls, is that residents here have yet to receive their ballots,” he said. “And we don’t understand why.”

Piatti noted, however, that some ballots have already been mailed back to Election Trust. He said it could take a few days for members to have email confirmation that their ballots have been received.

“They are actually doing a good job, other than the eight-day delay,” he said.

During Tuesday’s meeting, elections committee member Tom Schwartz said he had talked to roughly 60 or 70 association members last week who had yet to receive their ballots. He argued that the deadline should be extended by two weeks instead of one.

“There’s no risk to the association pushing it out 14 days,” Parks said.

Horn, however, questioned if the association had enough information to extend the election deadlines.

“I’m concerned about fixing a date at all, considering we still have people that haven’t received their ballots,” she said.

After a lengthy discussion, the board agreed to extend the dates of the ballot deadline, ballot count and annual meeting by two weeks. The association’s legal counsel told directors this week he had concerns about complying with the bylaws should the annual meeting be kept for Aug. 12.

“If we feel like we’re getting the sense that Election Trust isn’t going to get us where we need to be … we’ll still hold the meeting on the 26th and then have a special meeting of the board to accept the results of the elections from the elections committee,” Parks said.

Berlin To Host Senate Committee Field Hearing

BY CHARLENE SHARPE ASSOCIATE EDITOR

BERLIN –The town will host a field hearing for a U.S. Senate committee chaired by Sen. Ben Cardin this month.

On Thursday, Aug. 17, the Town of Berlin will host a field hearing for the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. The committee, chaired by Cardin, will be hearing testimony related to small business resiliency.

“I am honored that the Town of Berlin has been chosen to host the United States Senate Committee on Small Bus-

iness and Entrepreneurship’s field hearing,” Mayor Zack Tyndall said. “Our town has a vibrant small business community, and I look forward to welcoming the committee members.”

Tyndall announced earlier that history was being made in Berlin as it would for the first time in 155 years of incorporation be hosting a field hearing for a U.S. Senate committee. The focus of the hearing, which is set for 1 p.m. on Aug. 17 at town hall, will be “Small Business Resiliency: Learning to Succeed in America’s Dynamic Economy” and will include testimony from four business owners and

economic development professionals from the Eastern Shore.

“It’s going to be something different than what we’re used to,” Tyndall said, adding that it was essentially a Washington, D.C., hearing that would simply be taking place in Berlin.

Tyndall said he was in regular communication with Cardin’s local representatives. When he was advised there was an opportunity for a field hearing in August, during the week that the Maryland Association of Counties was hosting its summer conference in Ocean City, Tyndall said the town expressed interest in hosting it. He said it was good for the local business community as well as the town’s residents to hear from others about how their small businesses had found success and adapted since the pandemic.

“Anytime we’re able to hear from others and get new perspectives it can spark ideas locally,” Tyndall said. “The ability to experience that is going to be good for all of us.”

The four individuals expected to testify at the hearing include Cassandra Vanhooser, director of economic development and tourism for Talbot County, John “Nick” Hargrove, owner and operator of Tilghman Island Seafood and Wittman Wharf Seafood, Roxanne Wolf, program director for Shore Gourmet of Denton, and Richard Loeffler, business consultant for the Maryland Small Business Development Center of Cambridge.

Tyndall said they’d be sharing information about how businesses had changed following the pandemic.

“It’s an opportunity for our folks to hear about ways business professionals across the Eastern Shore have adapted to changes in the economy,” Tyndall said.

He said Cardin was also expected to go on a walking tour of Berlin prior to the start of the hearing.

“We’ll talk about our business community and how we weathered the pandemic and how our businesses have adapted,” the mayor said, adding that the conversation could address ways the federal government could support small businesses in the future.

While members of the local community can sign up to attend the Aug. 17 hearing, Tyndall stressed that it was a Senate committee event and would follow a different format than Berlin’s typical town meetings. The hearing will be focused on the testimony of the listed witnesses.

“We’re working with Senator Cardin’s team to make sure we have everything in place,” Tyndall said.

He said town officials were grateful that Berlin was selected as the hearing location.

“The ability to experience this is going to be good for all of us,” he said.

More information on the hearing is expected to be available in the coming weeks.

Berlin Narrows Skate Park Focus To Heron Park Property

BY CHARLENE SHARPE ASSOCIATE EDITOR

BERLIN – Town officials appear to be poised to select Heron Park as the preferred location for a skate park in Berlin.

Tony Weeg, founder of We Heart Berlin, the nonprofit that has been working toward bringing a skate park to Berlin, announced this week that the Berlin Town Council was expected to vote on a motion to make Heron Park the site of a skate park on Aug. 14.

“As you can imagine it's a big day for our community,” Weeg said this week. “We learned through a committee meeting the intention of the mayor and council to make a motion of support for Heron Park being the location of the Berlin Skate Park. This designation and future home of the park becoming a reality enables

us to kick flip into high gear a fundraising campaign.”

On Monday, a small workgroup made up of elected officials, town staff, parks commission members and We Heart Berlin members met to review the 2023 Spohn Ranch skate park study as well as the 2022 BEACON study. The group, which is only expected to convene a few times, met with the goal of offering a site recommendation to the Berlin Town Council.

We Heart Berlin has been focused on bringing a skate park to town since early 2022. In May, the group presented the town with a skate park design study by Spohn Ranch that evaluated Stephen Decatur Park, Henry Park and Heron Park as potential locations. That study designated Stephen Decatur Park — specifically the area near the pond — as

the best location after looking at factors such as visibility, accessibility, infrastructure and environmental impact.

At this week’s meeting, however, concerns were shared from members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church regarding the potential location of the skate park. Parishioners said they were worried about the potential for noise and the close proximity of the proposed skate park to the cemetery.

Members of the workgroup quickly came to the consensus that Heron Park would be a better location. Though town officials have been talking about selling a portion of the park property, in recent weeks they’ve made it clear the parcel being considered will only be parcel 57, not parcels 410 or 191, which are behind Croppers Towing and now being eyed for a skate park.

“I am most excited about Heron Park because it has something the rest of our land does not, existing impervious wasteland blight,” Weeg said. “With that thought comes the fact that that area already handles storm water and we wouldn't be adding any new impervious area, we'd be building on top of it. Lastly, all of this should probably come on in parallel with existing and possible new ideas of what amenities should be in that park in whole, so that we don't box ourselves into any corners. That being said, right now the only park amenity that has a funding engine is the skate park. So once we sort of put some puzzle pieces together and loosely understand what a good layout of that whole park would be, I'd hope we could begin to realize the actual skate park in real life.”

Councilman Steve Green, one of the workgroup members, confirmed that the full council was expected to be presented with a recommendation at the Aug. 14 meeting.

“The full consensus of the work group and the parks commission was for Heron Park to be the site,” Green said in a statement. “Choosing a general location will allow We Heart Berlin to move ahead with its planned grant requests while the town can parallel seek funding through state programs. Selecting the site will be huge. I personally would like a skate park to be included in the future visioning of the Heron Park property, particularly the nine-acre parcel 410. The full Mayor and Council will be asked officially to commit the skate park to Heron Park. Where exactly it will be developed will be decided in the future. This decision will allow those concerned about Decatur Park to understand that site is out. The skate park has been discussed in Berlin since I was a teenager, so I am excited about a step being taken toward making it a reality with a general site commitment.”

Mike Wiley, chair of the Berlin Parks Commission and another member of the workgroup, said its initial meeting went smoothly and he was glad to see progress made.

“It went well,” he said. “I was very pleased we were able to come to a conclusion. Everyone seemed to be happy with the compromise.”

Weeg is hoping to see skateboarders in attendance at the Aug. 14 meeting to show support for the project. He’s currently hoping construction of the skate park, which would be located in front of the sledding hill at Heron Park in an area already covered with concrete, will begin in 2024.

“Skateboarding will no longer be a crime in town, rather it will be welcomed in a beautifully designed and designated spot,” he wrote on Facebook. “As we plan the Berlin Skate Park holistically many things will be taken into account, and a lot of public input will happen alongside our partner, Spohn Ranch Skateparks. It will fit in a space full of other park amenities someday, and all of that will be taken into account in a big design.”

Council Approves Convention Center Study Resort Officials Award $502K Playground Bid

BY BETHANY HOOPER ASSOCIATE EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Resort officials this week approved funding for a master plan and parking study at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center.

On Tuesday, City Manager Terry McGean presented the Mayor and Council with a proposal for the Maryland Stadium Authority to contract with the consulting firm Crossroads for a convention center master plan and parking study. McGean said the study would address future expansions to the building and parking demand.

“Whatever we do with parking we want to make sure we don’t box ourselves in with the building,” he said.

Issues regarding parking at the convention center came to light during budget discussions held this spring. Currently, the number of events where parking demand exceeds supply is limited to only a handful of larger events at the convent-

ion center. But as event growth at the convention center increases, officials expect parking shortfalls to rise.

“The issues we have with parking are limited to larger events,” McGean said. “But as the convention center becomes more successful … we’re seeing the issue with parking continue to grow.”

To that end, McGean told council members this week he and Tourism and Business Development Director Tom Perlozzo held a conference call with the Maryland Stadium Authority, Ocean City’s partner in the convention center, and its consultant. He said the town is seeking the development of a plan to increase parking without restricting potential future expansions to the building.

“We asked for a master plan of the building and parking study to look at demand and recommendations to improve parking efficiency and increase parking availability,” he said.

McGean noted that the agency’s lead consultant, Crossroads, would focus on

developing a master plan for the convention center, while a subconsultant, Walker Consultants, would focus on developing a parking demand analysis. The cost of the study is $57,000.

“The cost for the study would come from fund balance,” he said.

Mayor Rick Meehan questioned if the study would identify expansion areas.

“Will this identify the area where we can maximize the next area of expansion?” he asked.

McGean said it would.

“Yes, that’s the purpose of the master plan,” he replied.

Councilman Frank Knight noted that the study contract indicated parking occupancy counts should be completed on a day where significant events are held at the convention center. He said that should be a requirement.

“It should say counts will be completed,” he said.

With no further discussion, the council voted 7-0 to approve the proposal.

BY BETHANY HOOPER ASSOCIATE EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Resort officials voted this week to award a $502,000 bid for a playground build at the Downtown Recreation Complex.

On Tuesday, the council voted unanimously to award Commercial Recreation Products LLC the full bid of $502,000 for the Downtown Recreation Complex playground build. Recreation and Parks Director Susan Petito said the company provided the most play value.

“As we reviewed these proposals, or these bids, we had given them our budget figure for this project and asked them to give the most play value that they could for that amount of money, and that’s what they did,” she said. “Commercial Recreation did provide us with what we believe to be the best play value and the biggest bang for our buck for this community.”

Located between 3rd and 4th streets bayside and bounded by Philadelphia and Chicago avenues, the Downtown Recreation Complex is being redeveloped in phases to include various recreation opportunities.

For the east section of the complex, the plan includes an expanded skate park, relocating the existing basketball courts and an improved inclusive playground area. The section to the west would be less developed and more passive. It includes a vast flexible lawn in the center surrounded by trees for pickup sports and other events, a playground area, new restrooms and more. The recreational fishing areas along the bulkhead would also be retained.

As the project moves forward, the town received bids from six vendors for its playground build at the complex, with Commercial Recreation Products being the highest bidder at $502,000. After the council remanded the bids back to staff for review, officials met one-on-one with each company. Procurement Manager Scott Wagner said they were recommending the town select Commercial Recreation Products for the project.

“It was a very hard decision, it really was,” he said.

With no further discussion, the council voted unanimously to award Commercial Recreation Products the full bid for the playground build.

The council this week also voted unanimously to award EZ GO Division of Textron Inc. the full bid for the Eagle’s Landing golf cart lease in the amount of $143,520 a year and $717,600 for five years.

The council also opened five bids for the pay-by-plate solar powered pay stations and remanded them to staff for review. City Manager Terry McGean said the stations will be exceeding their useful life.

“We expect a number of financing alternatives for this, subscription based, pay upfront, etcetera,” he said. “So at this point, I simply ask that you remand the bids to staff for review. We will do an analysis and look to see which is the most cost-effective option, including potentially keeping the existing machines.”

Ocean City Forms Sports Complex Committee As ‘First Step’

BY BETHANY HOOPER ASSOCIATE EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Members of a new resort committee will soon begin exploring the development of a sports complex near Ocean City.

In a work session Tuesday, Mayor Rick Meehan presented the council with his recommended list of members to serve on a new sports complex committee. He told officials this week the group will be tasked with making recommendations regarding the size, scope, location and funding of a proposed sports complex.

“The goal is to be successful, and to be successful you need this as a first step,” he said. “And it’s time for Ocean City to take the first step.”

In May, resort officials agreed to take the lead on a proposed sports complex project and to form a task force to evaluate its scope, location and funding sources. The decision came after city officials and area representatives met with the Maryland Stadium Authority (MSA) to review an updated sports complex study.

“I do think we should take the lead here and form this committee or task force,” Councilman John Gehrig said at the time. “I do think other locations should be on the table, we should be open minded. I think, while we respect what the county commissioners decided to do, I like them to also know they are invited to participate, as well as other elected officials and representatives throughout the county, and make this a true team effort.”

For years, resort council members have expressed their desires to develop a sports complex somewhere near Ocean City. And in 2019, the town commissioned the MSA and its consultant, Crossroads, to conduct a market and economic analysis for a proposed sports complex in the Ocean City area. When the pandemic hit, however, MSA officials were tasked with revising the study and producing a site-specific assessment of a 95-acre site next to Stephen Decatur High School.

“This project has been discussed for a long time …,” Meehan said this week. “Everything we’ve heard from MSA and Crossroads indicates this would be a positive economic impact for the area and would provide recreational opportunities not currently available.”

Following the November election, the majority of the Worcester County Commissioners agreed to terminate its contract for the purchase of the property and to end any county involvement in the development of a complex. Since that time, resort officials have agreed the formation of a task force could address community concerns relating to the project’s location and scope.

“The council indicated it was time for the city to take the lead …,” Meehan said. “The goal of the task force is to address these issues and make recommendations to the mayor and council.”

Meehan told the council this week his list of members included himself, Councilmembers Matt James, Carol Proctor

and John Gehrig, Worcester County Commissioners Diana Purnell and Joe Mitrecic, Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall and Councilmembers Steve Green and Shaneka Nichols, Ocean Pines Association President Doug Parks, and several other residents, business owners and members of Ocean City staff.

“I look at this to be similar to the blueribbon committee we put together to discuss the expansion of the convention center, where that committee was successful in bringing forward recommendations and getting the public to support those recommendations …,” he said. “This will just be the beginning and will be

followed up with community outreach and legislative requests.”

For his part, Gehrig questioned if the committee meetings would be open to the public.

“The meetings would be open unless we are talking about land acquisition,” McGean replied. “Then we would close them.”

Gehrig said he wanted the committee to offer opportunities for the public to comment and be involved.

With no further discussion, the council voted unanimously to appoint the members of the new sports complex committee.

County To Explore Taking Over Ocean Downs Wells

BY CHARLENE SHARPE ASSOCIATE EDITOR

SNOW HILL – Worcester County officials this week approved plans to work with Ocean Downs regarding water and sewer infrastructure.

The Worcester County Commissioners on Tuesday voted 6-1, with Commissioner Jim Bunting opposed, to approve a staff request to begin negotiations with Ocean Downs Casino regarding water wells at the facility. Worcester County could accept the wells into the Riddle Farm service area, providing the county with more capacity.

“Financially it’s a pretty good deal. What we’re asking for is permission to start those negotiations,” said Dallas Baker, the county’s director of public works.

Baker told the commissioners this

week that Ocean Downs approached the county about taking over the facility’s water wells. The casino property has three permitted wells, one that is used for irrigation and two that are for domestic use.

“They have some interest in expanding their facility and the requirements from the state for additional licensing, reporting, for managing those is really not something they want to get into,” Baker said. “They are a casino, they’re not a utility, so they asked us if we’d be interested. We took a look at the numbers and quite frankly we are interested.”

While the county would have to spend about $1 million developing the wells into municipal supply wells, the county would then have access to an additional 1,200 EDUs (equivalent dwelling units) of water capacity. Ocean Downs has plans for

225 EDUs, which they’d ask the county to waive the cost for, as they provided the wells, but then the county could sell any leftover EDUs. That could potentially generate $6 million in revenue.

Baker said that if the county took over the wells, the Ocean Downs system would be connected to the Riddle Farm system because it has the closest water tower.

“By doing that, sales of these water EDUs could go toward paying off the debt for Riddle Farm,” he said.

According to Baker the service area’s current debt is $185,000. Future debt, however, includes the $600,000 to $700,000 cost of painting the Riddle Farm water tower. There’s also currently no funding identified for connecting the Riddle Farm area to the Mystic Harbour Sanitary Service Area. Thanks to grant fund-

ing, that connection is currently being designed but funding for the actual construction of the connection has not been allocated. That project is expected to cost close to $2 million.

Baker said the roughly $6.1 million that EDU sales would generate could cover the cost of the existing Riddle Farm debt, the cost of painting the water tower and the cost of the connection to Mystic Harbour Sanitary Service Area.

“All of those improvements could be done with no impact to the existing ratepayers,” Baker said. “That’s a lot of improvements the ratepayers wouldn’t have to pay for by accepting those wells and selling those EDUs. We just feel like it’s a very big win for the county.”

He added that as part of an agreement with the county, Ocean Downs was also willing to provide the county with an easement.

“Ocean Downs is willing to grant us an easement across their property for a force main bypass of the Riddle Wastewater Plant,” Baker said. “Right now as you all know we’re pumping and hauling from that… if we have this bypass in place we’re not going to need to pump and haul again.”

He added that if the force main was built on the Ocean Downs property, it would cost the county about $1.5 million. If an easement is not granted, construction of the force main is expected to cost $3-4 million.

He said that essentially, if the county spent the $1 million to develop the Ocean Downs wells, the county could get about $9 million in savings and improvements.

“We’d like your permission to pursue it and start the legal agreements and negotiations,” Baker said.

Commissioner Joe Mitrecic asked if the wells met the county’s depth requirements. Baker said they did and actually produced water with less iron than the county’s wells and therefore would require less treatment.

“The cost for us to run these wells is less,” he said.

Commissioner Ted Elder asked if the height of the Riddle Farm water tower would still need to be adjusted if the county took over the casino wells. Baker said the county was exploring different ways to address the water tower issue.

“We’re looking at booster pumps in lieu of lowering the tower,” he said.

Bunting pointed out that Ocean Downs would be getting free EDUs out of the deal.

“We’re spending $1 million to upgrade and we’re giving them a waiver of the same amount of money,” he said. “They’re asking to do this, not us.”

Baker said the county would be getting something out of the agreement.

“They have the wells to exchange for that,” Baker said. “This is more of an exchange. They have the wells, they have the water appropriations permits, we have the ability to run it. There is a value in those wells and in that water appropriation permit that they’re saying they’re going to give us and we’re saying we’re going to not charge you for those EDUs.”

OC Council Eyes Park Smoking Ban

BY BETHANY HOOPER ASSOCIATE EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – A code amendment banning smoking and vaping in all city parks will advance to a first reading following a favorable vote Tuesday.

This week, the Mayor and Council agreed to advance a code amendment making smoking and vaping unlawful in all public parks to a first reading. Ocean City Recreation and Parks Director Susan Petito said the change would eliminate designated smoking areas at Northside Park.

“What’s happened is they are not using the designated smoking areas,” she told the council Tuesday. “I believe it’s time for us to make it a clean, acrossthe-board statement that there is no smoking in parks throughout Ocean City.”

In 2015, the council passed an ordinance making smoking and vaping unlawful in all public parks except Northside Park, where it would be allowed within 15 feet of designated smoking areas. That decision, officials say, was made to accommodate the vast number of smokers who participated in softball tournaments at Northside Park.

However, Petito told the council this week that those designated smoking areas are not being appropriately used, and that unlawful smoking and vaping had increased throughout the park to include the unlawful use of cannabis prod-

ucts in public spaces.

“Unfortunately, even with staff/promoter efforts to curtail unlawful smoking, participants are ignoring the Town Code in reference to smoking at Northside Park, and are not limiting their smoking to the designated smoking areas,” a memo in the council packet reads. “In order to simplify and clean up the Town’s effort to keep park environments clean, healthy and fun, it is practical to act and remove the designated smoking areas from Northside Park to make it clear that no smoking and vaping is permitted in ANY Ocean City public park.”

To that end, Petito told the council this week she was recommending the town code be amended to make smoking and vaping unlawful in all public parks within town, effectively eliminating designated smoking areas from Northside Park.

“We’re requesting to modify the ordinance to say that,” she said.

Council Secretary Tony DeLuca questioned where people would be able to smoke and vape. Petito said they would not be allowed to do so in any public parks under the proposed amendment.

“They will not be permitted to do it in the park at all …,” she replied. “They would have to leave.”

After further discussion, the council voted 6-1, with Councilman Peter Buas opposed, to advance the proposed amendment to a first reading.

Officers, Paramedic Assaulted

OCEAN CITY – A Pennsylvania man is facing seven charges after assaulting police officers and a paramedic last Sunday.

On July 30, Ocean City police were alerted to a domestic dispute at a condominium on 33rd Street. Police interviewed Christian Obregon, 23, of Felton, Pa., who was unaware why police were called as there had been no physical or verbal altercation. Obregon had two backpacks over his shoulders during the police interview. Obregon consented to letting police search his backpack. Police located a spring assisted opening knife, which is illegal per city code.

While attempting to place him under arrest for the illegal weapon, Obregon became combative. When police attempted to handcuff the man, Obregon grabbed a police officer’s wrist in a tight fashion and cut him with his fingernails. Obregon continued to resist arrest and it took three officers to secure the handcuffs due to active verbal and physical resistance, which

continued in the transport van.

Upon arrival at police headquarters, Obregon requested to be seen by Emergency Medical Services because he ingested fentanyl earlier in the evening. Another police officer was assaulted trying to restrain Obregon’s legs on a stretcher on the way to the hospital. Obregon grabbed the officer’s fingers and squeezed them enough to constitute another assault charge.

A paramedic arrived on the scene to assess Obregon, who thrashed his head toward the paramedic’s arm trying to bite her. A police reported noted the bite attempt would have been successful if the paramedic had not moved her arm. Due to the level of resistance, another officer tried to restrain Obregon, who spit on the officer’s leg and mouth. Obregon was ultimately given a sedative and admitted to Atlantic General Hospital.

Obregon faces four counts of second-

degree assault for his actions against police officers and the paramedic as well as possession of a spring-assisted knife, resisting/interfering with arrest and public intoxication.

Bike Thefts In Resort

OCEAN CITY – Two men have been arrested and charged in a series of bike thefts in north Ocean City.

On July 21, Ocean City Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit took over the primary role in investigating numerous bicycle thefts that had been occurring in north Ocean City.

Between June 15 and July 24, a police report stated, “A total of 34 bikes were reported stolen … in a very localized area between 130th Street and 142nd Street with most of the thefts occurring east of Coastal Highway.” Of the bikes stolen, 23 were secured by locks, which were cut during the thefts.

Through the subsequent investigation, police learned of a bike rack at a condominium off 136th Street containing multiple stolen bikes. Police believed the rack was “a collection point for the same person who is stealing multiple bicycles,” according to the police report. It was later discovered Denis-Andrei Ceara, 20, of Ocean City, and Matei-Alexandru Cruceru were selling the stolen bikes on a J1 Work and Travel Facebook page. Surveillance of the condominium and bike rack in question began, and Cruceru and Ceara were seen selling three bicycles reported as stolen. Police observed after the transaction Cruceru, Ceara and another man walked five blocks and stole another bicycle.

The investigation concluded Ceara and Cruceru came to Ocean City on J1 Visas from Romania. Ceara and Cruceru purchased chain cutting pliers after arriving in Ocean City and started selling stolen bikes because they made more money than working in a restaurant, according to police reports.

A search warrant was issued for the unit Ceara and Cruceru were sharing. Five cut chain locks were found as well as more than $3,200 in cash.

Ceara and Cruceru was charged with 17 counts of theft related to stealing 34 bikes between June 15 and July 25 having a total value of $13,865. They were also charged with two counts of trespassing.

Two Fires From Storms

SNOW HILL – The Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office investigated two separate fires last weekend following severe thunderstorms passing through Worcester County.

The Snow Hill Fire Department was dispatched Saturday, July 29, to a reported barn fire at 8:37 p.m. on Whiton Road in Snow Hill. Upon arrival, crews observed significant fire conditions through-out the barn to which resulted in numerous fire departments from across the area being requested to assist. Snow Hill was assisted by Newark, Powellville, Willards, Parsonsburg, Pittsville, Girdletree, Stockton, Greenbackville fire departments. Crews remained on scene for approximately three hours bringing the fire under control.

The Pocomoke Volunteer Fire Company was then dispatched to a reported structure fire at 10:34 p.m. at 1011 Clark Avenue in Pocomoke. Upon arrival, crews observed smoke coming from the two-story single-family home. Pocomoke was assisted by Stockton, Girdletree and New Church fire departments. Crews remained on scene for approximately two hours bringing the fire under control. Two tenants were displaced as a result of the fire and the American Red Cross was contacted to assist the occupants.

Deputies from the Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office responded to both incidents and conducted fire scene examinations. The exact cause of both fires remain under investigation with severe weather believed to have been a contributing factor in both.

Assault, Malicious Destruction

OCEAN CITY – A local man was arrested last week for breaking the window of a downtown property and assaulting a SEE NEXT PAGE

witness.

On July 26, around 4 p.m., Ocean City police received a call from a municipal bus driver to respond to the South End Transit Center on South Division Street for a malicious destruction of property and assault. The caller informed police Tyler Kirkland, 29, of Ocean City, broke a window at a nearby business and assaulted another man who witnessed it before skateboarding north on Philadelphia Avenue. Police caught up with Kirkland, who immediately started yelling obscenities at police loud enough to be heard by nearby families.

The man who witnessed Kirkland break the business window told police the suspect “came after him with the skateboard, striking him on the right forearm,” according to police. The victim confirmed Kirkland through a “show up” as the person who assaulted him and broke the business window.

Kirkland was charged with seconddegree assault, malicious destruction of property, trespassing, disorderly conduct and possession of a spring-assisted opening knife.

Assault Charges Filed

OCEAN CITY – What began as a domestic disagreement turned into a Salisbury man facing multiple assault charges when he became combative with police.

Around 10:30 p.m. on July 20, an Ocean City police officer working an overtime bus cop detail was approached by a

couple who said they had just observed a male, later identified as Keyan Pitt, 34, of Salisbury, strike a woman with a glass bottle of Hennessey. The officer exited the bus to investigate the alleged assault.

The officer observed Pitt and a woman arguing with each other. The woman then ran into median of Philadelphia Avenue near 20th Street yelling that Pitt had assaulted her. Pitt was seen chasing after the woman and taking a fighting stance before the woman in the median. The female ran across traffic to avoid Pitt. Police were able to stop the woman and Pitt. The woman told police Pitt had punched her in the face. Pitt ignored orders to sit down on the sidewalk and assumed a “bladed and aggressive stance towards me,” according to police reports.

Pitt refused to comply and left the scene. The responding officer followed Pitt until other cops showed up to arrest him. Pitt was combative during the arrest and at one point elbowed a police officer in the leg while being handcuffed. Pitt at one point requested a medical evaluation. While being transferred to AGH, Pitt assaulted an officer attempting to put a waist belt restraint on him. A search of Pitt found two bags of cocaine.

Pitt faces three counts of second-degree assault, obstructing and hindering police and possession of a controlled dangerous substance of schedule 2 (cocaine).

Combative After Nap

OCEAN CITY – After being found passed out on the beach, a Maryland man assaulted a police officer looking to speak with him.

Joshua Gaither, 35, of Frederick, was

the subject of a welfare check call to police on July 27 around 10 p.m. when a citizen observed him unconscious on the beach in his boxer shorts near a sand dune on 115th Street.

Police responded and attempted to bring paramedics to the scene to treat Gaither and help him back to his home. Once awoken, Gaither refused EMS treatment and started leaving the scene, while mumbling curse words to police and citizens nearby. While leaving the scene, Gaither lost his balance and stumbled into the dune fence. Gaither continued to scream and disrupt the peace.

As he left the scene, Gaither was observed throwing a plastic water bottle on private property. Gaither was also observed in his boxer shorts pulling on his private parts for vehicles passing on

Coastal Highway. Gaither was arrested. While being searched at police headquarters, Gaither assaulted a police officer by kicking him and later banged his head intentionally against a wall in the booking facility.

Gaither was charged with second-degree assault, disorderly conduct, endangering the safety of a beach fence while intoxicated, littering and obstructing and hindering a police officer.

Multiple Assault Charges

OCEAN CITY – Drug possession and assault charges were filed against a local man after a neighborhood disturbance. On July 30, around 12:30 a.m., Ocean City police officers were alerted to a breaking and entering in progress on Pine Tree Road. Police arrived on the

SEE PAGE 77

county aims to reduce cost of new pocomoke library

BY CHARLENE SHARPE ASSOCIATE EDITOR

SNOW HILL – Elected officials asked the Worcester County Library to reduce the cost of the new branch proposed for Pocomoke on Tuesday.

The commissioners voted 7-0 in support of a motion for library costs to be reduced to $600 a square foot and for the size of the proposed building to be reduced if cuts can’t be made.

“We’re spending more money than we need to spend in my opinion,” Commissioner Jim Bunting said.

Worcester County Procurement Officer Nicholas Rice met with the commissioners this week seeking approval of a contract for design and bidding of a new Pocomoke library branch. Though there were at one time plans to build the new

branch on the former armory site, officials are now hoping to replace the existing library on Market Street with a new 12,500 square foot facility. Rice presented the commissioners with a $468,301 proposal from JSD Inc. to provide professional services to develop detailed building, site and utility plans as well as specifications for future bidding of a new facility.

According to Rice, the cost of the new library currently is projected to be about $9.4 million. That amount includes $520,000 for architectural and engineering design services as well as $1.2 million in contingency and escalation funding. The actual building cost estimated is $8,664,271, or $691 per square foot.

When asked if the state was still providing the $2.2 million capital grant initially approved for the project before the location change, Worcester County Li-

brary Director Jennifer Ranck said it was not. She said that instead, the library would be requesting $4 million in fiscal year 2025 and additional funding the year after that.

Bunting said the commissioners had expressed concern about the cost of the project but that the proposed building had only been reduced by 500 square feet. Commissioner Chip Bertino agreed that cost concerns had already been expressed.

Chief Administrative Officer Weston Young said the county was only 10% into the design of the project.

“We’re still in the infant stages of the design,” he said. “I can see that number coming down further.”

He added that the cost included demolition of the existing library, a cost that the county wouldn’t have faced on the pre-

viously proposed armory site.

Commissioner Eric Fiori said officials wanted to see the cost per square foot of the new facility reduced.

“It doesn’t really look like that’s really moved a whole lot,” he said.

Ranck reiterated that the library was only 10% into the design of the new structure.

“We’re in our fourth year of trying to get something off the ground,” she said. “It’s been a lot of hurry up and wait it feels like. We have a library that’s 53 years old. I’m doing my best to provide a new library, something updated, that’s going to last for another 50 years and do it in such a way the operating costs are going to be lower.”

Carol Rose, president of the Worcester County Library Foundation, said the foundation was ready to start fundraising but couldn’t do so until the project was approved.

“We are ready to raise as much as we can,” she said. “We’re ready to get this done and work hard to raise the money. We need this library for the people from that area.”

Fiori said everyone agreed the library needed to be replaced but that the commissioners felt some reductions needed to be made before the design process began. He said they wanted to understand why it was so expensive.

“I think we’re looking for that explanation and I don’t think that’s happened yet,” he said. “Everyone wants this project to go through but we have to watch the value. That’s why we’re asking. We’ve commented on this multiple times and I don’t think we’ve received an answer on the square footage.”

Bunting said he didn’t think the cost, including contingency and escalation, should exceed $8.6 million.

“Otherwise I can’t support it,” Bunting said.

Commissioner Joe Mitrecic said he didn’t want to see the facility shortchanged but said $691 a square foot was ridiculous.

“Building costs have in fact gone down in the last six months,” he said.

Mitrecic added that it was not a complex building and featured a lot of open space rather than things like bathrooms and kitchens. He said he thought the project could be done for $600 a square foot.

Based on the current square footage, that price would lead to roughly a $7.5 million construction cost, staff said. Bunting noted that with a contingency that would come to $8.6 million. Commissioner Chip Bertino asked if that $600 a square foot figure could be used as a benchmark moving forward.

“Certainly we could work with the engineer on value engineering this down closer to that $600 a square foot,” Rice said. “I assume that might change some of the design… but yes we can work with that.”

The commissioners voted unanimously to have the library return with a proposed contract that met the $600 a square foot price and that if that couldn’t be done, the size of the proposed facility should be reduced.

Commissioners Grant Boat Ramp Use Permit

BY CHARLENE SHARPE ASSOCIATE EDITOR

SNOW HILL – A bowfishing business will be able to continue launching boats from a county ramp while officials debate new regulations.

The Worcester County Commissioners this week voted 6-0 to approve a request for a special use permit from Marc Spagnola for his bowfishing business. The permit means Spagnola can continue to launch his boat from the South Point boat ramp.

“Mr. Spagnola is very happy that the commissioners granted his request for a special use permit to continue using the South Point boat ramp to support his charter fishing business,” said Mark Cropper, Spagnola’s attorney. “He expects the commissioners to require all other businesses that are utilizing the county-owned boat ramps for their commercial purposes to also invest the time, energy and money to acquire a similar special use permit in order for them to continue to legally use the county-owned ramps.”

In July, the commissioners considered new boat ramp regulations that would allow limited commercial activity at county ramps. In response to concerns about the changes, they agreed to research the issue further before updating the county’s regulations. As a result, Cropper submitted a request for a special use permit for Spagnola, who has been launching his boats at the South Point ramp. Spagnola has asked for and received a permit each of the past few years.

“As before, my client will agree to never have more than one vessel at any county owned boat ramp at one time,” Cropper wrote in the letter requesting the permit. “Should the Commissioners pass legislation that makes this special use permit moot, it will be withdrawn. However, my client should not be under threat of citation for using county owned boat ramps for his commercial purposes when others are being allowed by the county to do the same, but without such a threat.”

Commissioner Caryn Abbott on Tuesday made a motion to grant Spagnola a license until the commissioners approved updated boat ramp regulations. The commissioners voted 6-0, with Commissioner Eric Fiori recusing himself, to approve the motion. Fiori, who owns a boat dealership, said he was not voting to avoid the perception of a conflict of interest.

Cropper said after the meeting that while his client was pleased to have a permit, he didn’t understand why other businesses that used the county ramps —such as crabbers, marine contractors and fishing guide services—didn’t need to apply for permits.

“My client remains perplexed at why he is being required to get a special use permit but no others are,” he said. “For that reason he believes he is being treated differently and unfairly. All he's ever wanted is for the laws of the county to be equally applied and enforced against everybody.”

OC Visitors Unearth Buried ‘Treasure’

BY BETHANY HOOPER ASSOCIATE EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – A day spent playing in the sand unearthed a unique treasure for one Prince Frederick family visiting Ocean City last week.

Last Tuesday, Josh and Jennifer Suchter and their five children were enjoying a day at the beach, digging in the sand in front of their 71st Street condo, when the kids came across a buried bucket.

Jennifer Suchter said her children were surprised to find a treasure trove of toys and goodies, with three postcards dating back to August of 2007.

“My three sons and two daughters were outside digging a stream in front of the condo when my oldest hit something hard in the sand,” she said. “He got all excited and then all of the kids decided to join in on digging it up … They were just so pumped. They thought it was treasure.”

Buried under roughly a foot in the sand, she said, was a small, white bucket with a skull and crossbones painted on the lid. Inside, they found an assortment of glass marbles, barrettes, seashells and army men, as well as a small kite, coloring book and crayons.

“My mom was there at the time and filmed the whole thing,” Suchter said. “They opened it up and it had all of these

treasures.”

Suchter added that the bucket also included three postcards dated Aug. 30, 2007, with messages that read “Hi! We buried our treasure for you to find,” “Please let us know when you find our treasure,” and “Our treasure now belongs to you. Enjoy!” She said the postcards included the names of Kieran and Jemiah Boes of Portland, Ore., and Brennon Belding of Waterford, N.Y.

“We tried to look them up online,” she said. “We also plan to write notes to those addresses in hopes that they still live there.”

But Suchter said her family’s efforts didn’t stop there.

They have also replenished the “treasure chest” with toys and other knickknacks and reburied it in the sand.

“Hopefully it won’t take another 16 years for another family to find it,” she joked. “We also wrote a note to keep the tradition going and bury your own treasure.”

The Suchters, who reside in Prince Frederick, Md., said the once-in-a-lifetime discovery made their yearly vacation to Ocean City all the more special.

While the family has visited Ocean City the past 12 years, Jennifer said this trip will stand out amongst the rest.

“It was one of those core memories we will be talking about 20 years down the road,” she said.

A Prince Frederick family unearthed a bucket of toys and goodies last week with postcards dating back to 2007. Above, from left, Julianne, Jacob, Joshua, Jolene and Joseph Suchter are pictured with their find. Submitted Photo

Boardwalk Biking: Thousands of people enjoy biking along Ocean City’s beachfront Boardwalk during summer mornings. Pictured are some scenes from last Friday morning.

Photos by Bethany Hooper

Fenwick Drafts Offshore Wind Letter

BY BETHANY HOOPER ASSOCIATE EDITOR

FENWICK ISLAND – Officials say they will continue to draft a letter of opposition concerning offshore wind projects off the coast.

Last Friday, members of the Fenwick Island Town Council had before them a request from the Fenwick Island Environmental Committee to send a letter to state legislators regarding wind turbines being proposed off the coast of Delaware. Vicki Carmean, committee member, said the missive will highlight the town’s concerns regarding offshore wind projects and the impact those projects could have on surrounding communities.

“There’s not much we can actually do except keep the problem in front of people and make them aware of what the consequences will be if these wind turbines go into our waters …,” she said. “We just want to keep them abreast of the latest developments in wind turbines and why we’re opposed to them.”

In a presentation last week, Carmean said the town’s environmental committee had drafted a letter of opposition in April, but that the letter was now being presented to the town council for approval. She noted, however, that there have been new developments since that time and that the letter would be updated to reflect those changes.

“The letter you probably have is a little dated because it was done in April,” she said. “Since then, some things have changed. We would like permission to

“OCEAN CITY CHRO NICLES ”

continue sending these letters out.”

Mayor Natalie Magdeburger agreed that the letter could be sent, so long as it was reviewed and approved by the committee. She noted that Fenwick Island is not the only coastal town taking efforts to oppose offshore wind projects. She added that the Town of Ocean City recently commissioned a firm to review plans for an offshore wind project.

“My guess is that is going to be a rather robust, rigorous and truly scientific study,” she said.

Committee member Susan Brennan said the news of Ocean City’s actions came after members of the environmental committee met to draft its letter. She suggested Ocean City’s efforts be included.

“We should tailor it more to what Ocean City is now doing,” she said.

After further discussion, the council agreed to table the request until the committee’s letter could be updated to include additional information.

“We’ll table this because I don’t think there’s anything to vote on,” Magdeburger said.

Currently, offshore wind projects spearheaded by US Wind and Ørsted are currently making their way through the federal review process with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. Both companies report their projects are expected to generate thousands of megawatts of clean energy and hundreds of jobs.

“No one is against green energy,” Carmean said last week. “We just want it to be sensible.”

OCEAN CITY CHRONICLES

BUNK MANN’S NEWEST BOOK O N OCEAN CITY HISTORY

“Ocean City Chronicles” is the final book in Bunk Mann’s 3 volume historical series which began with “Vanishing Ocean City’ in 2014 and continued with ‘Ghosts In The Surf” in 2019. Centered around his articles in Ocean city’s awardwinning newspaper the Maryland Coast Dispatch , his latest book features 285 of the most popular ones over the past 11 years. It includes hundreds of photos of long vanished hotels & restaurants, the great storms & fires, deep sea fishing, boardwalk attractions & amusements, and stories of the people who turned a small 19th-century fishing village into a modern, year-round destination. “Ocean City Chronicles” is a comprehensive history of Maryland’s famous oceanfront resort in a hardbound coffee table book featuring cover art by noted artist, Paul McGehee. Supplies are limited so order your copy today!

Ocean City Chronicles can be ordered online at vanishingoceancity.com. Visit the website for further information and photos.

“Ocean City Chronicles” will be available at select location in Ocean City, Berlin, Ocean Pines and online. If you liked “Vanishing Ocean City,” & Ghosts In The Surf’ then you will love Bunk Mann’s third book of photos and OC history.

Book Signing Friday, Aug. 4 • 5-7 p.m. At Art League Of Ocean City

BOOKS AVAIL ABLE AT T HES E LOCATIONS :

OC Lifesaving M useum

Fager’s Island

Donaway Furnitur e

M ann Pr op er ties

Seacr ets

Crabs To Go

Wockenfuss Candies

Berlin Auto Wash

T he Buzzed Wor d

T he Bay Countr y Shop Cambr idge. M D

M R Ducks

Atlantic Beverage Center

M alibu’s Surf Shop

OC Art League

Cap richos Books

Kitty ’s Flowers

Victorian Char m

Park Place Jewelers

Cop y Central

Toy Town/Snow Hill

Ocean Galler y

Mann & Gray Insurance

OC Chamber Of Commerce

Reminiscing Maryland’s Beach Resort

Commissioners Approve Waterway Grant Funds

BY CHARLENE SHARPE ASSOCIATE EDITOR

SNOW HILL – Grants are expected to fund improvements at Public Landing and George Island Landing in the coming months.

The Worcester County Commissioners this week approved Waterway Improvement Fund grants for both landings. At Public Landing, the grant will fund work to reduce the need for dredging. At George Island, the funding will allow engineering to proceed for a renovation of the facility.

“Boat landings provide our citizens with access to the water,” said Weston Young, the county’s chief administrative officer. “This state grant funding helps us protect and maintain that access.”

Staff this week asked the commissioners to approve grants for George Island Landing and Public Landing. The Waterway Improvement Fund Grant awarded for George Island Landing is for $75,000 and will be used to pay for engineering services for the planning phase for a complete renovation of the Stockton facility.

“The facility is in need of serious repair beyond the normal general maintenance,” a staff report to the commissioners reads.

The Waterway Improvement Fund Grant for Public Landing is for $200,000 and will help pay for construction services related to the retaining wall and rip rap at the facility. The work is intended to prevent erosion in the area and reduce the need for dredging in the canal.

Grant award letters from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) thanked local officials for promoting projects to build resilience into the state’s recreational water access network.

“As our waterfronts increasingly experience some of the first impacts of climate change, we are asking grantees to consider ways to build resilience into their projects and bid processes,” the letter from Maryland Department of Natural Resources Chesapeake & Coastal Service reads. “We encourage you to consider the impacts of nuisance and higher than high tide flooding, storm surge, storm water flooding, and future sea level rise in all aspects of your design to avoid or minimize the impacts to your project.”

The Waterway Improvement Fund was established in 1966 to fund projects that improve and promote the recreational and commercial capabilities and conditions of Maryland’s waterways for the general boating public. Funding for grants comes primarily from the excise tax paid to the state when a boat is purchased and titled in Maryland. Since its inception, the Waterway Improvement Fund has provided more than $330 million for over 4,600 projects at more than 300 public boating access sites, according to DNR.

9925 Stephen Decatur Highway, Suite #4 • West OC 21842 aharrison@mainstreethl.com www.AshleyRHarrison.com 443-614-5742

Personnel Adjustments OK’d At Sheriff’s Office

BY CHARLENE SHARPE ASSOCIATE EDITOR

SNOW HILL – Officials this week approved personnel changes expected to improve operations at the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office.

The Worcester County Commissioners on Tuesday voted unanimously to approve a variety of promotions and conversions for officers. The changes, which came at the request of Sheriff Matt Crisafulli, are meant to make operations more efficient.

Crisafulli approached the commissioners Tuesday seeking approval for a variety of personnel changes. He acknowledged that the adjustments, which will cost more than $40,000, weren’t budgeted and were coming at the start of the new fiscal year but said they were critical to his office. Currently, supervisory staff at the sheriff’s office are being assigned pe-

ripheral duties that are leading to fatigue and burnout. Though right now there is just one lieutenant overseeing the entire support services division, which includes school safety personnel as well as IT services and quartermaster duties, among other things, Crisafulli believes adding an additional lieutenant will help. He believes a lieutenant dedicated solely to overseeing school safety operations is merited. As a result, he’s proposing a lieutenant oversee school safety operations and a sergeant be promoted to lieutenant to handle all duties outside school safety. Associated with that promotion would be promotion of a corporal to sergeant and promotion of a deputy first class to corporal as well as a conversion of one part time position to full time.

“A lieutenant solely focused on safety will ensure appropriate actions are being taken in a timely and a consistent manner,” Crisafulli said.

He added that he understood the importance of being responsible with taxpayer funding.

“With our approved budget I tasked my team to look at the current allocated budget and look at each general ledger item,” he said. “We feel we can adequately sacrifice some spending by going line by line to account for the $41,375 cost this is going to be for this budget cycle.”

He added that his office had received a $382,000 grant for body cameras, which offsets an approved line item in the current budget.

He urged the commissioners to approve the change so that the personnel adjustments could be made before school started.

“It’s mission critical to get this position to start at the beginning of the school year,” he said.

The commissioners voted unanimously to approve the proposed changes.

ATM To Be Installed At Government Center

BY CHARLENE SHARPE ASSOCIATE EDITOR

SNOW HILL – Officials this week approved plans for an ATM to be installed in the lobby of the Worcester County Government Center.

The Worcester County Commissioners on Tuesday voted unanimously to allow space in the lobby of the government building to be leased to the State Employees Credit Union (SECU) of Maryland for an ATM machine. The machine will likely be installed in 2024.

“We’ve had numerous employees request we reach out to SECU in regards to an ATM,” said Stacey Norton, the county’s director of human resources.

The commissioners on Tuesday held a public hearing to receive comments on a plan to lease approximately four by five feet of floor space in the front lobby of the Worcester County Government Center to SECU to be used for an ATM. The ATM would be located in space adjacent to the area where the newspaper racks are currently located.

While no members of the public commented on the proposal, Norton told the commissioners the addition of an ATM machine had been requested by various employees. She said the closest SECU location was in Salisbury. There are 132 county employees, however, with SECU accounts. She noted there were also state employees in Snow Hill would be able to use the ATM.

“We don’t have the ability to know the number of state employees…that also have an account,” she said.

Norton said the addition of the ATM machine would boost morale for county employees.

According to Norton, under the proposal presented on Tuesday, the county would lease the space to SECU for five years. The lease would be able to be renewed in increments of two years.

“There would be no rent payment as this is a convenience for our employees and local state employees,” Norton wrote in a report to the commissioners.

She said the machine would be a cash dispensing machine only and would not accept deposits.

Commissioner Joe Mitrecic said that the Town of Ocean City had successfully allowed the installation of some ATM machines.

“They did this in Ocean City in a couple different locations and it worked out really well,” he said, adding that the public would likely use the machine as well.

When asked if employees would be charged a fee to use the machine, Norton said they would not be charged if they had SECU accounts.

The commissioners voted unanimously to approve moving forward with the ATM lease.

SU Will Name Soccer Complex After DiBartolo

SALISBURY – A dedicated sports leader at Salisbury University will be honored later this month when the school’s soccer complex is named after him.

Dr. Gerry DiBartolo, Salisbury University's former Director of Athletics and Campus Recreation, dedicated more than four decades of his professional life to SU in many facets, including coaching men's soccer, teaching as faculty in the Franklin P. Perdue School of Business and serving as director of athletics, overseeing SU's 21 varsity sports.

The recently retired DiBartolo will be celebrated for his dedication to SU prior to the men's and women's soccer teams' alumni games on Saturday, Aug. 26. During the ceremony, the soccer complex will be renamed as the Gerry DiBartolo Sea Gull Soccer Complex.

"Gerry's dedication, hard work and passion for Salisbury left a lasting impact on not only the soccer fields but on the countless lives he touched," said SU President Dr. Carolyn Ringer Lepre. "I'm honored that we are able to pay tribute to someone who gave so much to the soccer programs, athletics and recreation departments, and the University as a whole."

DiBartolo served on SU's campus for 44 years, including 37 years on the soccer sidelines from 1979-2016. He took over as the head coach in 1982 and amassed a career record of 412-180-60, which ranks in the top 50 all-time in career wins across all divisions and top 20 in Division III men's soccer. He was named Regional Coach of the Year six times, Capital Athletic Conference (CAC, now Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference) Coach of the Year seven times, won eight CAC Championships, and made 13 NCAA Tournament appearances during his tenure as head coach, including a trip to the NCAA semifinals in 2004.

"I could have never imagined a complex being named after me," said DiBartolo. "When I came to SU, I wanted to teach and mentor young people to prepare them for success after graduation, enjoy their athletic experience at SU and be proud to be part of the Sea Gull family. I have had so many wonderful memories at Salisbury, and I'm incredibly humbled and grateful for this recognition."

DiBartolo retired in July after seven years as the Director of Athletics and Campus Recreation. He was also a faculty member for nearly four decades in the Perdue School. He taught marketing strategy and international marketing and served as the school's associate dean from 1998-2003.

Both SU soccer teams begin the 2023 season on Friday, Sept. 1. The men's soccer team will host the annual Elmer Lord Classic and begin the tournament against Rowan at 2 p.m. The women's soccer team will be on the road at the Seahawk Classic in St. Mary's against Greensboro at 6 p.m.

Memorial Benches, Banners Pitched

BY BETHANY HOOPER ASSOCIATE EDITOR

FENWICK ISLAND – Officials say they will continue to explore the installation of memorial benches and patriotic banners.

Last Friday, the Fenwick Island Town Council had before them two requests from the Fenwick Island Residential Concerns Committee to approve the installation of memorial benches and patriotic banners in town. After further discussion, however, officials agreed to table both agenda items until more information could be provided.

“I think both are good ideas,” said Mayor Natalie Magdeburger.

Councilwoman Janice Bortner, committee chair, told officials last week that committee member Jack Pyne had introduced the idea of placing memorial benches every three or four blocks along Bunting Avenue. Funded by residents wishing to honor the memory of a family member or friend, she said the benches would provide seating on a heavily walked roadway.

“He noticed it was difficult for some citizens to take a leisurely stroll down our promenade, Bunting Avenue, because of the lack of accessibility for places to stop and rest,” she said. “As you know, the demographic of our community is on the older side, and people need to be able to stop and rest.”

Bortner said she had also presented the idea to the town manager and public works manager, Mike Locke. She noted, however, that staff had concerns about the proposal.

“I thought it sounded like a nice thing for the community, but nothing is ever as easy as it seems,” she told the council. “So I met with our town manager, Pat Schuchman, and Mr. Locke, our public works manager. Putting the benches on the beach side of the street involves logistics with easements and DNREC and other issues he knows more about.”

After Locke shared his concerns with the council, officials agreed to table Bortner’s motion. Bortner said officials could also request input from the town’s beach committee.

“I’m thinking maybe Jack and Mike could figure out what’s feasible and what the cost would be for an attractive, durable bench with a memorial plaque on it,” she said.

Bortner also presented the council last week with another request to banners that would recognize veterans, firefighters, police officers and fallen heroes. She noted, however, that there were concerns about the banners’ placement on utility poles.

“After discussing this with Pat and Mike again, it’s difficult because of the power poles,” she said. “I guess Verizon doesn’t allow them, Delmarva Power charges to put anything on them, and it’s going to take time for public works and it’s going to be very involved.”

After further discussion, the council agreed to table the proposal. In the meantime, Bortner said officials could explore ways to display the banners at town hall.

“Let’s table that until we get more information,” she said.

Fenwick Ratifies Police Chief Contract

BY BETHANY HOOPER ASSOCIATE EDITOR

FENWICK ISLAND – The town council voted unanimously last week to ratify a contract with Fenwick Island’s new police chief.

On Friday, the Fenwick Island Town Council voted 6-0, with Councilman Paul Breger absent, to ratify a contract with the incoming police chief, Michael Morrissey. However, the attorney for outgoing Police Chief John Devlin said on Monday officials can expect legal action should his client’s employment contract not be restored.

“Unless a new Town Council is elected in August to fix this, all homeowners can expect a large increase in their property taxes to pay for the 7 figure jury award that is coming after the Chief sues the Town and Council,” said Thomas Neuberger, Devlin’s attorney.

With approval from the town council last week, Morrissey’s new role as the chief of the Fenwick Island Police Department will begin on Sept. 1, once the town’s contract with Devlin terminates on Aug. 31. Following the ratification of his contract, Morrissey came before community members last Friday to lay out his vision for the department.

“I want a police department we can all be proud of,” he said.

Following a 20-year career with the City of Wilmington Police Department, Morrissey began his tenure with the Amtrak Police Department, where he served in supervisory and management roles in the patrol and criminal investigations divisions in Wilmington, Del., Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.

Mayor Natalie Magdeburger said a panel of local police chiefs had assisted the town in conducting interviews and narrowing down the candidate pool, which included both internal and external applicants. From there, the town council conducted interviews with the top three contenders.

“We had some good applicants,” she said, “and it was tough right until Mike came in.”

Magdeburger said Morrissey, a local resident, had provided the town with a plan for public safety in Fenwick. She said his knowledge of the town would be an asset.

“He has known this community for 20 years. He and his wife had a home in Bayside, and he now lives full time in Dagsboro,” she said. “He had observations about our town, observations about our public safety, some suggestions and a 90-day plan on how to focus attention on our Route 1 safety concerns as well as the general policing we would need in town and making our streets safe.

Magdeburger also highlighted Morrissey’s contact’s with the Office of Highway Safety, which she said would be beneficial when the town worked with the Delaware Department of Transportation on issues such as lights and crosswalks.

“He had really good innovative ideas

on how we could address those concerns we had about making sure the vehicles that come through town slow down and that people stop at our crosswalks,” she added.

During his introduction last week, Morrissey said he was eager to begin working for the Town of Fenwick Island. He also acknowledged Fenwick Island Cpl. Nate Hudson, who was recognized earlier in the meeting for helping to resuscitate a beachgoer last month.

“This is what police work is all about, serving our community, being out in our community, being visible, being seen,” he said. “That will be one of the cornerstones of my administration coming in. Police officers out in the community, being visible, being approachable, quickly responding to emergencies and saving a life. That’s something to be very proud of.”

Morrissey ultimately said he was humbled to be selected as Fenwick Island’s new police chief.

“I look forward to being out in the community and talking to people …,” he said. “If you see me or my wife in a restaurant, say hi. We are always on the island. We’re very happy to be a bigger part of the community.”

Magdeburger said Morrissey will begin serving as a public safety liaison to the town council in advance of taking over the police chief position on Sept. 1. In the meantime, Devlin has hired an attorney in an effort to restore his employment contract.

In May, the town announced it would not renew Devlin’s employment agreement, which is set to expire on Aug. 31. Since that time, however, Devlin has claimed the termination was a result of an alleged security breach at the Fenwick Island Police Department.

He said Magdeburger had used a security access code to enter the police station on the evening of April 23 without permission and without an escort. He said only personnel certified by the Delaware Criminal Justice Information System (DELJIS) could enter the police station without an escort.

“She opened the door and walked in,” he said in a June interview.

Magdeburger has denied all allegations of a security breach. She said she had used a pass code the police chief personally provided her to obtain a hard copy of the police schedule she could use to schedule ride-alongs with officers the following week. She said she was escorted the entire time she was in the building and did not seek or was given any access to DELJIS information.

“I’m just trying to do my job and do it as well as I can,” she said in June. “It’s unfortunate an allegation like this was made in that circumstance. At the end of the day, I don’t believe I did anything wrong.”

In the wake of the incident, Devlin filed an ethics violation report to the Delaware attorney general’s office. His concerns were also shared with DELJIS.

Berlin Preparing Homeowners For Smart Water Meter Project

BY CHARLENE SHARPE ASSOCIATE EDITOR

BERLIN – Smart water meters will be coming to homes in Berlin in the coming weeks.

The Berlin Water Resources Department will be replacing all water meters in town with new radio-read smart meters during the next four to six weeks. Town officials want to be sure residents aren’t surprised by the work or the potential for brief interruptions to water service.

“People are going to be wondering what’s going on,” said Jamey Latchum, the town’s water resources director. “We want to make sure they’re aware.”

Latchum told the council at last week’s meeting that the work was set to begin within the next four weeks. He said that as the project neared, homeowners should ensure meters could be accessed easily because contractors would be moving through town quickly.

“Make sure the meter’s cleaned off and they can access them easily,” he said. “If you’ve got bushes that have been planted there for 20 years and you don’t want them chopped up you better move them. They’re here to put meters in and to move fairly quick. It is in our code that if it’s obstructing our meter we are allowed to trim it back, move it, dig it up.”

The new meters, which are being paid for with a portion of the town’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, will send a radio signal to the town’s computer system and provide the state of each meter. The information is expected to help improve the response times of town personnel when there are issues and will also ensure the accuracy of water meter billing. The meters will no longer have to be read manually each month by town staff.

“We won’t be touching them every month,” Latchum said. “If you have a leak at your house, we can go out there with our phone or iPad and it’ll get us within so many inches.”

According to an announcement from the town, the meters will be installed during regular business hours Monday through Friday. Replacement of a meter typically takes 15-30 minutes. Customers might notice a disruption to water service during that time period.

“Customers do not need to be present during the replacement of their meter,” the announcement from the Town of Berlin reads. “After the water meter replacement is complete, customers are asked to flush their water system for 5 to 10 minutes to clear any sediment and/or discoloration in the water line; a meter technician may also flush the service using an outside spigot.”

Water meter boxes and meter connection fittings will be replaced if necessary. If the meter box needs to be restored, crews will be digging up and removing the old meter box. Restoration of the area will be done by the installation crew when complete.

“It may also be necessary to remove mulch, bushes or other vegetation, and other items that may be in the immediate area of the meter,” the town’s announcement reads. “Items that must be fully removed, such as bushes, will not be replaced or restored as the property owner is required to keep the meter clear of obstructions.”

The town will issue reminders regarding meter installation as the project moves ahead.

“The Town of Berlin is devoted to keeping our citizens informed and minimizing the impact this project will have on customers and is taking steps to minimize service interruptions,” states the announcement issued Monday. “Additionally, social media updates, notifications through the Code Red system, door hangers, and yard signs will be dispersed to provide advance notice of which streets are being replaced next during the project.”

For additional questions or information regarding the project, please contact the Berlin Water Resources Department at 410-641-3845.

Shockley Reflects On 35 Years Leading Resort’s Shenanigan’s

BY BETHANY HOOPER ASSOCIATE EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – A popular Irish pub is celebrating 35 years of business at its Boardwalk location.

This year, Shenanigan’s is celebrating 35 years of operation at its Boardwalk establishment. Reflecting on his years of experience, owner Greg Shockley said it’s the customers and employees who have made the beachfront bar and restaurant a success.

“It is those people who have made this business last 35 years,” he said. “I’ve been very fortunate.”

Shenanigan’s first opened in May of 1988, after Shockley’s father, Ray Shockley, and The Dough Roller founder Bill Gibbs bought the property over the winter months.

Having worked in the restaurant industry, Shockley said he was asked to come and run the business that first year.

“I was in the business,” he explained. “I worked with the Phillips’ in Baltimore. So they offered me a chance to come back and run it, and I said yes. I thought I’d do it for a couple of years, and 35 years later I’m still here.”

Continuing the Irish theme that was started by the building’s previous tenant, McGee’s, Shockley said Shenanigan’s set itself apart from other bars and restau-

rants in town.

“There’s plenty of beach bars and all of that, so the Irish theme seemingly had worked for McGee’s,” he said. “It just continued. It’s a good concept.”

Shockley recalled those early years of operation. In those days, he said, Shenanigan’s operated from Memorial Day to Labor Day and reopened for Sunfest weekend.

“Early on, St. Patrick’s Day wasn’t as big,” he said. “It was just starting, it was in its infancy. And the shoulder season idea in Ocean City hadn’t come about yet, so it was a very short season and it was a lot different back then. A lot more people stayed in hotels and motels, they had their week and most of the people came and stayed for a week. Over time that has all changed.”

But Shockley said Shenanigan’s has evolved with the town.

Today, the Irish pub opens for St. Patrick’s Day weekend – the establishment’s biggest weekend of the year – and operates through mid-November.

“The season has gotten a lot longer and made a pretty unusual business model a little easier to digest,” he said. “Instead of having 60 days or 90 days of business, it’s stretched out to 180, almost 200 days of business.”

Even staffing has changed, Shockley added. While the workforce originally consisted of local college students, today roughly a quarter of Shenanigan’s staff are J-1 students.

“We generally have five or six Irish kids a year that work with us – generally out on the floor, sometimes in the kitchen – and it’s a nice touch for us,” he said. “In the late 80’s, I never would have thought we’d have Russians and Romanians and Bulgarians working for us … The workforce has dramatically changed in that sense.”

Shockley noted, however, that the food and service remain consistent. He said customers can find American cuisine with an Irish twist when they visit Shenanigan’s.

Menu items include shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash and other traditional Irish fare.

“It’s not comfort food, but it’s comfortable food,” he said. “A lot of people view it as a place they go to at home. It’s the same type of feel at Shenanigan’s. It’s a classic bar.”

Shockley said the establishment also offers live, participatory entertainment. In addition to Irish music, Shenanigan’s also features Dueling Pianos and contemporary performances.

“People can sing and clap and participate in the music, not just sit there as a spectator,” he said.

Shockley said a lot has changed over 35 years, including how people entertain themselves. But he noted that Shenanigan’s has found a way to bring people back year after year.

“It’s been a challenge, and there’s been a tremendous amount of change,” he said. “The thing that hasn’t changed is I have a great location and I have one of the greatest attractions in the world right in front of me. The Boardwalk is a fasci-

Anniversary Season In OC

nating place. I tell people you can see one of everything and something you’ve never seen before, generally in a short period of time.”

Shockley also credits his success to his employees.

He explained that some have been with Shenanigan’s for more than 30 years, while others have had their children come and work at the establishment.

“We have great employees that buy into what we do,” he said. “We’ve also been very fortunate that a lot of people chose Shenanigan’s, whether it’s their first or second time or they come here every year or they are regular customers. Those people have been the biggest part of this. Having a core of employees and customers have made Shenanigan’s work.”

Shockley encouraged everyone to try Shenanigan’s. He said food service runs from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., while bar service and entertainment runs from 11:30 a.m. to midnight.

“It's a great location,” he said. “The Boardwalk is one of the greatest shows on the face of the earth … We will do our best to give you a great meal and entertain you for your period of time here, enough to where you’ll want to come back again.”

Shenanigan’s is located at 309 Atlantic Avenue. For more information, visit ocshenanigans.com.

“The

thing that hasn’t changed is I have a great location and I have one of the greatest attractions in the world right in front of me. The Boardwalk is a fascinating place,” said Shenanigan’s owner Greg Shockley. Photo by Bethany Hooper

People in Society

by

Sarah Siats, Nadine Horsey and Stacey Murray attended a benefit for DJ Wax at Pickles Pub.

Author Michelle Nelson-Schmidt and Liz Decker are pictured at Caprichos Books July 22.

Joining Santa at the Original Greene Turtle for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life Christmas in July fundraiser breakfast was Dawn Hodge and Jaden.

A benefit for DJ Wax at Pickles Pub last Sunday featured guest bartenders like Pat Pugh and Emily Sylvester, a raffle, silent auction and live entertainment.

DJ Wax, right, said he was overwhelmed by the support shown at a benefit in his honor at Pickles Pub.

Jean Bean Keagle took a moment from volunteering during the Original Greene Turtle’s Relay For Life Christmas in July fundraiser to have a snuggle with Santa.

DJ Wax, center, is pictured with Brittney and Justin Acita at a benefit at Pickles Pub.

Victoria and Jim from The Shark helped out at a fundraiser to benefit DJ Wax.

DJ Wax is pictured with Pickles Pub friends Brittney and Justin Acita and Kiel June Sunday.

Chris Welch, Kelly Rew and Donna Black attended a benefit in support of DJ Wax at Pickles Pub.

Berlin To Host 15th Annual Peach Festival Saturday

BY CHARLENE SHARPE ASSOCIATE EDITOR

BERLIN – The highly anticipated Berlin Peach Festival returns to town this Saturday.

The Calvin B. Taylor House Museum will host the 15th Annual Berlin Peach Festival Saturday, Aug. 5, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The annual event highlights the importance of the peach to Berlin’s heritage and is expected to offer even more food and activities than usual.

“Because it’s the 15th annual we really worked to make it an event people will be excited to come back to,” said Melissa Reid, president of the museum.

The Peach Festival, a major fundraiser for the Taylor House Museum, will once again take place on the museum lawn Saturday. Peaches will be available for purchase while a variety of activities will highlight the fruit. The popular peach pie baking contest will return but new this year is a peach cupcake eating contest. Divisions for both children and adults will be offered.

There will be live entertainment from the Bilenki Duo while Chef Phil Cropper will provide a cooking demonstration.

Reid said the festival this year would be putting more of a focus on food. The Berlin Lions Club will return as a food vendor as will Baked, creator of Berlin’s peach dumpling. New this year will be Bobby Purnell, who is selling chicken to raise money to restore his family’s historic African American cemetery, as well as several vendors from the Berlin Farmers Market. Chesapeake Bay Farms will also be selling its popular peach ice cream.

Joyce White of the Hammond-Harwood House will be set up at this year’s festival collecting local recipes.

“She’s going around the state collecting recipes, any Maryland family recipes,” Reid said.

The effort is meant to mark the 60th anniversary of the publication of “Maryland’s Way, The Hammond-Harwood House Cook Book.” Reid said the museum was thrilled to have White in attendance –and serving as a pie baking contest judge –at this year’s Peach Festival.

“That is a partnership we’re really excited about,” Reid said, adding that she encouraged Berlin residents to bring their family recipes to White. “We’re helping to gather a different kind of local history.”

Festival organizers have expanded the offering of children’s games this year and will also have entertainment from magician Magic Jack. There will also be face painting and a variety of vendors, including the nonprofit Briddell Foundation, which will again be giving away books, and the Buckingham Elementary School PTA, which will be selling baked goods.

Guests to a previous edition of the Berlin Peach Festival are pictured on the grounds of the Calvin B. Taylor House Museum.

File Photo

Snow Hill Hosting 23rd Annual Blessing Of The Combines Saturday

BERLIN – For the 23rd year, the Snow Hill Blessing of the Combines will be held in downtown Snow Hill on Saturday, Aug. 5, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The signature event brings the local farm community together along with locals and visitors from far and wide to honor the agricultural roots of the Snow Hill area.

Led by the Snow Hill Junior Reserve Officer’s Training Corp (SHJROTC) Color Guard, antique tractors, the Shore Fun Garden Tractor Club and the highly anticipated combines will parade through the downtown at 11am. The larger-than-life Combines will then park along Green Street for spectators to view and even tour during the event.

A “throttle thrust” will signal the Master of Ceremonies to begin the program with a keynote address by Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks and will be followed by a musical entertainment line-up of the County Line Band and Carly Twigg.

Other attractions include the food, activities and attractions that will fill the streets. Multiple vendors, the Wheels that Heal Car Show, an antique tractor exhibit and more will be sure to fill your day with amusements.

Kids of all ages will enjoy the petting zoo, free pony rides, a bounce house and gigantic corn maze, games, and other activities throughout the event. Local businesses will welcome visitors with sales and specials that will keep you coming back to Snow Hill for your shopping and dining needs.

The Snow Hill Blessing of the Combines is organized by a small private committee that has been led by the Payne Family since its inception. This committee is dedicated to promoting the heritage of the Snow Hill farming community and educating the public about the agriculture industry. If you would like to become a sponsor of the event or have any questions, contact Becky Payne at 443-783-1715 or email at blesscombines@gmail.com.

A crowd is pictured along Green Street during a previous year’s event. Submitted Photo

Christmas In July Event Raises $8K For Spirit Campaign

OCEAN CITY –The Young Professionals Committee of the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce raised nearly $8,000 at the annual Christmas in July celebration last weekend at the Residence Inn by Marriott.

Over 100 people attended the event, which also included live music from Side Project, raffle prizes and an appearance from Santa Claus himself.

All funds go toward the Young Professional’s Christmas Spirit Campaign, which aims to provide joy to underprivileged children in Worcester County during the holiday season by presenting them with gifts and toys. The YPs hope to reach 200 students come December.

“The Young Professionals are so grateful for the support and generosity displayed by our community,” said Ricky Pollitt, chair of YPs. “The impact this event will have is beyond measure and I can’t thank everyone enough for helping us achieve such a high mark.”

The 2023 Christmas in July was presented by 28th Street Pit & Pub with support from Coastal Life Realty Group, Delaware Elevator, Royal Plus Electric, Lifemed Institute, the Delmarva Shorebirds, Direct Mortgage Loans, Deeley Insurance, OC Beach Vacations, Pickles Pub, Captain’s Quarters at the Millville Boardwalk, de Lazy Lizard, iHeart Media and 94.5 KHI.

The Young Professionals will continue taking donations for the Christmas Spirit

Campaign, with volunteers set to shop for students beginning in November. The YPs work with area guidance counselors and other organizations to identify stu-

dents from local schools. Students and their families will then pick up their presents from the OC Chamber office on Dec. 9. To make a donation or sign up to be a

volunteer, visit occhamberfoundation.org/spirit-christmas-campaign. For more information on the Young Professionals, contact Ricky Pollitt at ricky.pollitt@ja.org.

Young Professionals committee members, from left, Ricky Pollitt, Jeremy Brown, Santa Rob, Fran Agostino, Tonya Agostino, Corey Boerner, Jess Foy, Journey Smith and Brooke Sharbaugh. Submitted Photo

BERLIN – The following represents a collection of media releases touting the achievements of local students.

•Erin Hurley a resident of Berlin, was awarded Dean's List honors for academic achievement during the spring 2023 semester at St. Mary's College of Maryland, the National Public Honors College.

•Jillian Griggs of Berlin was among the undergraduate and graduate students recently awarded degrees at Adelphi University, including those who completed degree requirements. Griggs earned a Bachelor of Arts degree.

•Abigail Yesko, of Berlin, majoring in Marketing, has been named to Youngstown State University's President's List for achieving a perfect 4.0 grade point average in the Spring Semester.

•A total of 395 Wor-Wic Community College students have been recognized for superior performance by being named to the dean’s list for the recently completed spring term. Area students who maintained a grade point average of 3.5 or higher while taking six or more credit hours during the spring term include:

(The following includes students from Sussex, Wicomico and Worcester counties.)

Sussex County

Bridgeville: Montanyah Hall and Josalyn Stack

Delmar: Mustafa Kilicarslan, Reginald Oliver and Dustin Palen

Frankford: Ryan Thurmond

Greenwood: Ashley Killian

Laurel: Allison Oppel and Shelby Parsons

Lewes: Bryanna Bundick

Millsboro: Tenni Botts, Tierney Cannon and Jessica Wilson

Seaford: Jeannette Henning

Selbyville: Brooke Patton

Worcester County

Berlin: Kyra Arnold, Isabell Ashley, Jacob Bauer, Lauren Bodolus, Iyland Bonebrake, Rumina Bowers, Layla Chrysanthis, Kevin Coats, Addison Cook, Cash Cyburt, Sawyer Ellis-Gaal, Jonathan Franklin, Hayden Gable, Melina Grant, Audreyanna Heinsinger, Chakirah Henry, Charletta Henry, Juliana Jaeger, Lexi Kliphouse, William Kozma, Shyanne Markland, Connor McCracken, Tessa McNeill, Lauren Melnick, Grace Nichols, Julia Nickey, Jenna Olafsson, Katelyn Pizlo, Connor Plumley, Katherine Rimel, Daniel Scott, Michael Sellers Jr., Melissa Smack, Sarah Stephan, Stephen Wade, Jonathan Wallace, Riley Wilson and Diego Zane

Bishopville: Grant Cheynet, Andrea Cohee, Jessica Cropper, Autumn Drew, Hunter Nelson, Kylie Record and Lance Ward

Girdletree: Kellyann Belka and Ronnie Lukens

Ocean City: Ella Ames, Dimitri Anthony, Karly Arment, Lorelei Auker, Kayla Brady, Maddox Bunting, Keeley Catrino, Timothy Chaykosky Jr., Kathleen Ewing, Renee Fohner, Lucas Franzetti, Chelsea Hale, Alexandria Harkness, Ja-Quez Harrell, Kameron Harris, Garrett Herr, Tiffany McClain, William Melgar, Jeremy Mitchell, Jean Morales, Calvin Nguyen, Willa Novelli, Peter Redding, Yasmeen Sbih, Emily Schroeder, Jon Snelson, Abigail

and Victor Willowdean

Pocomoke City: Susan Bamonto, Amber Bloomfield, Harrison Bradley, Dustin Bratten, Michelle Craig, Deyton Dean, Daijah Dickerson, Samantha Hoffman, Nicole Ludwig, Andrew Ortiz and Megan Smith

Showell: Emily Stitely

Snow Hill: Krystal Beall, Alexis Harper, Victoria Harper, Kyle Labo, Ann Lawson, David Mason, Kernighan Mitchell, Samuel St. Pierre and Lauren Tolbert

Whaleyville: Sarah Burke

Wicomico County

Bivalve: Josephine D'Aquila and Dena

Fitz-Coy

Delmar: Moriah Cullen, Kara Davis, Morgan Gibson, Natalie Hands, Rebekah Jackson, Eleanor Kessie, Alexandria Lord, Kayla Maron, Emma Marshall, John Paul McGrath, Diego Rafael Montes, Alyssa Schoolman and Galena Twilley

Eden: Emma Bailey, Danna Colorado, Madelyn Cook, Thomas Cooper, Kasie Hammond and Lilly Ngo

Fruitland: Mia Foster, Dylan Grossmith, Hannah Mezick, Caroline Moore, Chloe Parsons, Cainta Virgil, Vanessa Virgil and Zoe Zink

Hebron: Marah Corbin, Liam Evans, Ella Floyd, Emily Foster, Evan Giordano, Kora Layfield, Zane Leutner, Jessica Messick, Brooke Podlaszewski, Sean Shockley Jr. and Zachary Solembrino

Mardela Springs: Rob Bridenbaugh, Kathleen Evans, Abreya Gunther, Christopher Hatton, Casey Insley and Kathleen Parker

Parsonsburg: Kaylee Davis, Julia Franklin, Thomas Jones, Hannah King, Nelson Long and Charles Repsher Jr.

Pittsville: Maddy Brewington, Rachel Donaway, Regina Harr, Anna Smith and Kenneth Spock

Salisbury: Awab Abdallah, Peyton Acito Jr., Jazmin Aguilar-Lopez, Nikeema Allen, Brooklyn Bagley, Christian Bailey, Madison Bean, Grace Beauchamp, Dominick Beck, Raegan Becker, Dakota Beideman, Piolo Belloso, Sara Berg, Darline Biennevil, Evan Bier, Braden Binkley, Joseph Blake, Anne-Marie Boyer, Brianna Bradley, Aidan Brinsfield, MaryKathryne Brown, Melissa Bugner, Jacob Burget, Jai Burse, Colby Byer, Roberto Caceres Caliz, Olivia Carichner, Broghan Carmean, Lochlyn Carmean, Giana Cauble, Ishaan Chakraborty, Rafeh Cheema, Daja Chester, Maya Chow, Candice Coleman, Timothy Collins Jr., Monique Copes, James Craft Jr, Yesenia Crespo, Adrian Cropper, Anna Crowley, Kimberly Cruz, Madison Cuesta, Linda Cux Chan, Tyler Davidson, Bri'anna Davis, Tyler DeMeo, Harrison Duncan, Kelsey Duncan, Norman Edwards III, Alyson Eisemann, Mackenzie Elliott, Ryan Ellis, Armand Ennals, Brittany Ennis, Blaine Erdie, Joshua Eskridge, Rhiannon Eutsler, Caitlyn Evans, Lydia Faleye, Kelly Fasig, Andrea Gattis, Bethany Geeslin, Amanda Glorius, Jake Gordy, Riley Grant, Briana Griffin, Jayna Griffith, Emily Gutierrez, Tineka Harmon, Brady Harrington, Emma Harris, Aspen Hirsch, Brittanne Hoffman, Ethan Holland, Houlie Houle, Paige Houseal, Tim Howell, Jaelynn Hudson, Teresa Hughes, Dillon Incendio, Latisha Jeffress, Ander-

sen Jennings, Rece Johnson, Janet Jones, Rochelle Jones, Hailey Kane, Alisha Khurram, Skylar Kramer, Thomas Linthurst, Jessica Lovo-Ventura, Luke MacDonald, William Matthews, Rebekah McKelvey, Gino Meienschein, Ian Meienschein, Brittany Melson, Daniela Mendez, Melody Mildon Sr., Emily Miller, Jamie Miller, Kathy Minnick, Krysta Morgan, Sierra Nakey, Brittany Nelson, Macy NeSmith, Raelynne Nesmith, Madison Oliphant, Logan Oluvic, Ji Park, Elizabeth Parr, Caroline Parsons, Kirsten Parsons, Riley Parsons, Diana Payne, Rebekah Perkins, Andrew Phillips, Lilly Pitts, Carley Plaskon, Courtni Powell, Laura Puente, Patrice Purnell, Veronica Purnell, Edwin Pusey, Briana Randolph, Kirsten Reams, Sarah Reynolds, Gabriella Rollins, Evens Saintil, Palmira Sanchez, Kennedy Scott, Alexander Shetler, Ryan Shull, Jennifer Smith, Carson Spotts, Alyssa Springer, Drew Swanger, Cheryl Teal, Maya Thompsen, Kayla Thornton, Ceylon Trader Jr., Jenna Tran, Flormen Trazo, Haley Urban, Zavia Vann, Ashton Vazquez, Dana Walters, Chelsea Ward, Daniel Warwick, Jordyn Welch, Casie Whetzel, Allyson White, Hannah White, Zachary White, Sevonne Whittington, Katelyn Whitzel, Tara Wisniewski, Nikyia Wooten, Azar Yarali, Chelsea Young, Mario Zagal Terrones and Hunter Zimnoch

Sharptown: Jacob Amon and Camryn Owens

Tyaskin: Elijah Cockey, Sarah Milbow and John Wright III

Willards: Oziel Bonola Soriano, Enid Cabrera, Makayla Dukes, Jordan Mohr, Hailiey Reeder and Nicolas Rickards.

•Two Salisbury University alumnae will spend part of the next year teaching English and experiencing cultures abroad as recipients of the 2023-24 U.S. Fulbright Student Award.

Samantha Bartell ’22, from Montgomery Village, will fulfill her English Teaching Assistantship award in Moldova. Hira Shahbaz ’20, from Salisbury, will undertake hers in Kazakhstan.

Two other SU semifinalists, Shayna Grossberg ’20, from Gaithersburg, and Allison Latham, a current international studies major from Lusby, were selected as alternates for the program.

“To be selected as a Fulbright Student is one of the most prestigious honors a student or recent graduate can achieve,” said SU President Carolyn Ringer Lepre. “Both Samantha and Hira were very accomplished students at SU, and both know the benefits of studying abroad.

“To be able to advance the education of others while experiencing cultures in other countries is a wonderful opportunity. We are proud of their achievements and look forward to what lies ahead for them.”

Bartell sees the award as an opportunity to help others, as she did as a member of SU’s Best Buddies and Girls on Top of the World service organizations.

“I believe in the importance of advocating for groups who are systematically and historically disadvantaged in education systems globally,” she said. “This means using my privilege of a quality education to ensure that future generations have equal opportunities and are empowered to pursue their own education.”

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

BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE NEWS

Professor Appointed

PRINCESS ANNE – A University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) professor is among Gov. Wes Moore’s appointments to the Cannabis Public Health Advisory Council.

The appointment of Madhumi Mitra, Ph.D., a tenured professor of biology and environmental sciences, to the Advisory Council was announced Monday by the governor’s office. The council is under the Maryland Department of Health.

“The use of adult-use cannabis is largely uncharted territory,” Mitra said. “I feel that responsible cannabis use and safeguarding youth must remain at the forefront of any cannabis legalization effort. By addressing the potential risks of cannabis use and implementing evidence-based prevention, education and support measures, I hope to work with the council members to foster a safe and responsible cannabis landscape that benefits Maryland's communities and protects its youth from potential harm.”

Established by the General Assembly in 2022 through the passage of House Bill 837, the Advisory Council will study and identify recommendations to the governor and the General Assembly on the public health impacts of cannabis legalization and strategies to mitigate youth access, misuse and addiction to cannabis.

“I am grateful to these leaders, experts and public servants for agreeing to serve on this critically important council,” Moore said of the nine appointees. “As Maryland joins a growing number of states in establishing an adult-use cannabis market, we must ensure we have the right laws, policies and strategies in place to safeguard public health, promote safe and responsible use, and prevent underage consumption, drugged driving and misuse of cannabis products.”

Mitra, who holds a doctorate in botany from North Carolina State University, has served at UMES for 24 years. She also serves as the coordinator for biology and chemistry education programs.

In 2021, she was among an elite group of scientists, health care professionals, attorneys and entrepreneurs to earn the first master’s degrees in medical cannabis science in the nation. The program was

In honor of the firm’s 40th anniversary, Becker Morgan Group was honored to support Sean’s House in Newark, Del., with a donation of $4,000. The donation was presented to Chris Locke, founder of Sean’s House, right, and to Zach Ryan, SL24 executive director, left, by Christopher D. Duke, PE, associate principal of Becker Morgan Group. The foundation was created to honor the life and memory of Sean Locke, who struggled with mental illness. The Unlocke the Light movement at Sean’s House mission is to educate high school and college students about depression, provide suicide prevention resources, help with life transitions, and create a safe haven where students can receive professional help. Submitted Photo

at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy in Baltimore. She played a pivotal role as team leader in the development of an educational app for staff and patients in collaboration with a Maryland medical dispensary.

Her various research interests include the nutritional potential of medicinal plants such as hemp.

Advisory Council members are not subject to Senate confirmation and serve four-year terms. The Advisory Council elects its chair. Mitra’s swearing in with the Clerk of the Court will be scheduled at a later date.

Property Leased

SALISBURY – SVN Miller Commercial Real Estate Senior Advisor Tonney Insley and Managing Director Brent Miller brokered the long-term lease of 4,000 square

feet at 2320 N. Salisbury Blvd. in Salisbury, the former Pier 1 Imports.

The deal will see Banfield Pet Hospital, who was represented by Angie Trosper of CBRE, in their new space by the end of the summer. Banfield will continue to operate out of the Salisbury PetSmart until they make their transition.

Founded in Portland, Oregon, in 1955, Banfield is now the leading provider of preventive veterinary care in the U.S. with more than 1,000 hospitals in neighborhoods across the country and Puerto Rico and 3,600 veterinarians. In 2007, Banfield joined the Mars, Incorporated family of businesses, uniting our team of passionate professionals under a shared purpose: a better world for pets.

Director Welcomed

SALISBURY – The principals of Gillis Gilkerson (GGI) have announced the growth of their team with the addition of Jamie Heater as Gillis Gilkerson’s director of marketing.

Heater joins the team with over 15 years of experience, having previously served as executive director for Salisbury Arts and Entertainment District and as an advertising account executive with 47-ABC. Heater’s experience in communications, marketing, event planning, community development and public art administration make her an excellent fit for the construction and development firm.

“I am thrilled to begin this new chapter with Gillis Gilkerson,” said Heater. “Gillis Gilkerson embodies the principles of community, passion and integrity with a trusted reputation for investing in the Delmarva community. It will be an honor to continue serving the area through the work of this company.”

Heater is a graduate of Salisbury University with a degree in accounting and a Masters of Business Administration. In addition to her role with Gillis Gilkerson, Heater serves on the Maryland Public Art Commission and as board member for Salisbury Arts Alliance. She is well known for her role managing events in downtown Salisbury including 3rd Fridays, New Years Eve Ball Drop and the Friday Night Live Concert Series at Riverwalk Amphitheater. Heater has also played a large part in the proliferation of public art in Salisbury, through the implementation of several projects including the City of Salisbury’s upcoming Public Art Master Plan.

“We are extremely lucky to have Ms. Heater join our team.” said Gillis Gilkerson President Tyler Barnes. “She has proved herself to be an outstanding asset to this community and an expert technician in her craft through the many successful projects she has spearheaded over the years. The addition of Ms. Heater to our team will only strengthen Gillis Gilkerson’s bright future.”

Building Sold

The introduction of Banfield to the former Pier 1 property leaves 4,960 square feet of rentable space. SEE NEXT PAGE

SALISBURY – The McClellan Team with SVN Miller Commercial Real Estate

MADHUMI MITRA

JAMIE HEATER

recently sold 1315 S. Salisbury Boulevard in Salisbury.

The team worked with Howard Properties to sell the former Parties Etc. property, located just across from Salisbury University. After many years of hasslefree ownership, they ultimately decided to sell once their long-term tenant elected to sell their business and vacate the property.

Many clients’ own income-producing real estate and are seemingly content with an on-time rent payment. The McClellan Team stresses the importance of not just collecting rent, but also reviewing the return that rent is providing on the actual building equity. In an ever-changing market, the most successful investors make this a regular practice.

The team listed both the South Salisbury property and another Fruitland warehouse for sale. They generated multiple offers on both and then worked with the owner to secure viable properties which could be acquired using the provisions of a 1031 exchange. This allowed ownership to defer some significant capital gains taxes. The team’s efforts resulted in him diversifying his investments from two properties to now owning four properties consisting of 2 office buildings and 2 residential properties. Most importantly, ownership increased its overall operating income by over 25%.

New Headquarters

OCEAN CITY – Montgomery Financial, a leading Independent, Fiduciary,

Registered Investment Advisory firm, has announced its upcoming move to a brand-new office space, marking a significant milestone in the company's growth and success.

The decision to relocate the headquarters is a testament to Montgomery Financial's dedication to providing unparalleled services and a remarkable customer experience. The new office, located at 11718 Ocean Gateway, Ocean City, Md., 21842, is set to begin operations on Monday, Aug. 7. This strategic move is driven by Montgomery Financial's commitment to expanding its capabilities to better serve its customers and foster enhanced collaboration and innovation within the organization.

The new headquarters, housed in a standalone building, offers a more spacious and modern environment designed to cater to the needs of both clients and employees alike. With this upgrade, Montgomery Financial aims to elevate its operational efficiency and create an even more conducive environment for teamwork and creativity.

“We are thrilled about this exciting development in the evolution of Montgomery Financial,” said Nick Craven, CFP and vice president at Montgomery Financial. “This relocation represents a significant step forward for us, as we strive to continually improve our offerings and deliver exceptional service to our valued clients.”

Montgomery Financial would like to extend its heartfelt appreciation to its valued clients, partners, and the community for their unwavering support throughout its journey. For more information about Montgomery Financial, please visit www.mfswealth.com or contact them at 410-

208-1004.

New Hire

SALISBURY – Hudson Behavioral Health has hired Susan Forrest, MSW, CAC-AD as its new director of clinical operations. Forrest has more than a decade of experience working to improve recovery resources in the greater Salisbury area.

In her role at Hudson Behavioral Health, Forrest is responsible for overseeing the full spectrum of clinical operations, including inpatient treatment at the residential campus in Salisbury and the treatment and recovery housing in Maryland and Delaware. She is collabo-

rating with the medical director and CEO to implement plans to open an outpatient facility in late 2023.

“Susan is well-known in the recovery community in our area, and is a passionate and extremely qualified individual,” said Leslie Brown, CEO of Hudson Behavioral Health. “She is an asset to our team, and I’m thrilled to work side-by-side with her.”

Forrest received her associate degree in chemical dependency counseling from Wor-Wic Community College in 2006, her bachelor’s degree in social work from Salisbury University in 2008, and her master’s degree in social work from Salisbury University in 2011. Before joining Hudson Behavioral Health, Forrest was the Director of Addiction Services at Cove Recovery LLC in Salisbury.

SUSAN FORREST

COMMUNITY News In Photos

The Delmarva Hand Dancing group recently dissolved their chapter and decided to close out their account by donating all remaining proceeds to the Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation. Submitted Photos

The Ocean City Lioness Lions Club made a generous donation to Chamber Music by the Sea, which will present concerts with world class musicians across Worcester County from Aug. 13 to 19, some of which will be free to the public. Pictured are, from left, President Ann Runo, Jan Adamchak, representing Chamber Music, and Bev Topfer, past president.

Geraldine Day, widow of Leon Day, a former Negro League player and Baltimore Black Sox pitcher, is pictured with Worcester County NAACP President Ivory Smith, center and Rayner Banks, Negro League Goodwill Ambassador, receiving a plaque for their support of the 2023 Worcester County NAACP Negro League Baseball Softball Classic.

It was a great meeting of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines - Ocean City, MD on Wednesday July 19, 2023 in the Ocean Pines Library when John and Marion Wells recently spoke to the Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines-Ocean City about the Pine Tones Chorus. Pictured are John and Marion Wells with Kiwanis Club President Bob Wolfing, right.

Recently Battsetseg (Baggi) Shagdar of Mongolia, one of a group of women who visited the United States 17 years ago to observe democracy, returned to the U.S. to visit members of the Republican Women of Worcester County (RWWC) in Ocean City. Shagdar has held several government positions in Mongolia and is currently the outgoing ambassador to Cuba. Dinner was enjoyed at the Assateague Crab House with several members of RWWC, including Maryland Senator Mary Beth Carozza.

Ocean City - Berlin Rotary Club president Margaret Mudron, left, presented a check to Amanda Hailey of The United Way at a recent meeting. The club meets the first and third Wednesday of the month.

Turning Back On Waves Can Be Dangerous For All

BY DAMIEN SANZOTTI

OCEAN CITY – Never turn your back on the ocean.

It’s a motto all lifeguards live by, and one that we would like all people to live by. People who turn their backs toward the sea while in the water are in great danger of getting seriously injured.

Every summer we deal with dozens of serious injuries, many of which could have been prevented if the person had not turned their back on the ocean. Unsuspecting people who turn their backs can be taken off guard by a wave and slammed into the sandbar or shoreline. Sometimes this can be the equivalent to being hit by a car and slammed into concrete. While it sounds graphic, this analogy is truly representative of the force of a wave.

On the beach I have seen everything from dislocated shoulders to slipped discs to spinal cord injuries that caused paral-

ysis. Just being hit in the back or neck by a powerful wave is often enough to cause serious injury. We all are aware of the dangers of being rear-ended in a car accident and the possibility of a whiplash type neck injury, but most people do not realize that a wave can carry several tons of water. In fact, being hit in the back by a wave is the equivalent of a 25 mph or greater rear-end collision. The beach patrol encourages people to pay attention when standing in the surf or walking out of the surf, especially in shore break conditions.

The other reason to not turn your back on the ocean is respect, a concept popularized by the Hawaiian Olympian Duke Kahanamoku, who won gold and silver medals between 1912 and 1924. Kahanamoku was a lifeguard and recognized the value of never turning your back on the ocean and tried to teach people the same respect he and his Hawaiian ancestors had for the ocean.

During the beach patrol’s weeklong

Surf Rescue Academy in which our rookie lifeguards are trained, one of the most important traits we instill in our guards is the fact that they should not and will not ever turn their back on the ocean. Our instructors are constantly pushing this concept from day one. If you ever have the opportunity to watch some of the instruction that takes place on the beach, it won’t take long for you to hear one of the instructors yelling “eyes on the water.” Even at 5:30 p.m., when our guards are getting off duty for the day, you will see the lifeguard walk backwards off the beach to ensure that the water is clear before they leave.

To hear the story of a man who was injured in the surf, go to YouTube and search for “Patrick Durkin Story”. He also cautions about turning your back to the waves. If the idea of helping others in situations where seconds count, sounds like job you would like, check out our employment opportunities at JoinBeachPatrol.com. We have begun hiring for next

season so talk to the Surf Rescue Technician on your beach.

(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.)

A lifeguard is pictured keeping an eye on the ocean during a previous summer. File photo by Chris Parypa

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, Del. venue. Above, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy returned to the pavilion on July 23. Live music continues all summer long at the open-air outdoor venue located four miles from Ocean City.

Photo by Natalee DeHart/Freeman Arts Pavilion

Be Safe And Thanks For Visiting Ocean City

PAGE SPONSORED BY THE DISPATCH

Volunteers Provide Learning Lessons For Local Students

BERLIN – Each year, hundreds of local students are bussed to the Worcester County Veterans Memorial at Ocean Pines to tour the grounds and learn a valuable lesson about where their freedoms come from.

The Veterans Memorial Foundation, since 2010, has sponsored field trips for all fifth-grade students in Worcester County.

Walking the Patriot’s Pathway, children learn about the history of American conflicts. They also learn about the memorial itself and hear stories of heroism tied to local people who served.

Volunteer docents talk about the history of the U.S. flag, and the Junior ROTC demonstrates how to property fold and display it.

Tim McMullen has been a volunteer docent since 2016.

“Professionally, as a retired history teacher, I feel it is absolutely necessary that fifth graders start to appreciate military history,” McMullen said. “We have a movement in American high schools now not to teach about Gettysburg, not to teach D-Day. That frightens me.

“And also, I am just so proud of our community,” he continued. “I think what we have with this Veterans Memorial and this educational program is phenomenal.”

Personally, McMullen said both his parents served during World War II and later met in Paris in the spring of 1945.

“My father, who was Donald McMullen, Sr., ended up as a full colonel with a 10th grade education and is a tremendous inspiration for everyone in our family,” Mc-

Mullen said. “My mother, in 1942, got into an argument with her father and told him she was going to join the WACs, which was the Woman Army Corps. He told her she didn't have the courage enough to do it. So, she got on a bus and went to Boston. And I remember her telling me the next thing she knew she was in London during the Blitzkrieg.”

The couple were married in 1946 and soon after had two sons, 11 months apart: Tim and Don McMullen, Jr.

Along with his parents, McMullen said he was also inspired by his youngest brother, Bill, who enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1967 and served in Vietnam.

“Bill spent three years in the service, and we just buried him a year ago. Among other things, he had respiratory lung failure due to Agent Orange,” McMullen said. “When we count the number of people that died in the Vietnam War, we count those

Students are pictured during a spring field trip listening to a volunteer at the Worcester County Veterans Memorial at Ocean Pines. Submitted Photo SEE PAGE 62

Veterans Memorial Annually Hosts Fifth-Grade Students

died from physical and emotional difficulties because of Vietnam.”

As a former teacher, McMullen said it’s important to engage visiting students with those kinds of personal stories.

“What you have to do is ask each of them, do you have a veteran in your family?” he said. “Then I tell the story about these two people, one from Western Pennsylvania who quit school in 11th grade, lied about his age, and enlisted. And I tell them about the lady in Boston who got in a fight with her dad.

“Good history teachers can tell good stories. Those stories are important,” McMullen added.

McMullen credited his brother, Don, along with Susan Pantone and Sharyn O’Hare, with making the educational programs a vital part of the community and an important part of each local student’s schooling.

He said volunteering also helps

strengthen the bond with his brother.

“For me to be able to do this with Don is very important,” he said. “Don and I are the two oldest in a large family. We were born the same year and we grew up like twins, although we're not twins. The fact that I'm doing it with Don is very important to me.

“I think it’s also important to note that Don and I are not creating and inventing things – Don and I are carrying on the tradition that was taught by our parents. And now we pass the baton on down,” he added.

Mary Adair, a former president of the Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation, has been involved with the education program for about a decade.

Her late husband, U.S. Army Col. Robert Adair, served two tours in Vietnam and she still describes herself as a military wife.

“My husband served 28 years active duty as an officer. That was my life and it's very close to my heart – our country, our flag, all of it,” she said. “Everything that I live for is for our freedom and the fact that I want the children to be aware of this.

I don't think that they're teaching it in school, so I try to instill in them the pride for our flag and for our country.”

As a docent, Adair talks about the history of the U.S. flag and some of its notable variations. In doing so, she said she tries to keep things light and keep things moving.

“I try to have an interplay with them,” she said. “I tell them that they're not in school and there's no wrong answers. Hopefully, they will learn some things from having gone through the presentation, but I also want them to ask questions. I want it to be kind of a conversation.”

Adair said she’ll speed through the first two colonies that joined the union, and then introduce Vermont and its role in history as that place that also gave us Ben and Jerry’s, skiing and maple syrup.

“I usually go through all the New England states fairly quickly, so they can pick up on it. But when they do connect with something, you can really see their faces light up,” she said.

Adair said everyone knows about George Washington, but many students don’t know much about the War of 1812, or Gen. Charles Cornwallis.

“I think it's important because a lot of adults didn't know that stuff either,” she said. “In fact, I didn’t know until I started teaching that the Queen Anne's Flag was the British flag that the British troops marched under, and I just think that's kind of cool to know. Over the years I've cut out quite a bit, but I still want them to know that if you hold a flag upside down that it's a sign of distress, because that's still useful today. And I like to tell them about who is third in succession for the president. So, just a few key points that I know they're not getting in school.”

For others who may be inspired to tell similar stories or give back to their community, Veterans Memorial Foundation President Marie Gilmore said there is always a need for volunteers.

Docent training generally starts in April, ahead of annual field trips in May and October.

For more information on volunteering, call Susan Pantone at 410-430-1040 or Don McMullen at 443-388-2941.

Perdue Foundation Supporting Local Haitian Development Center

SALISBURY – As part of a commitment to improve the quality of life in its communities, Perdue Farms is awarding The Haitian Development Center of Delmarva Inc. in Salisbury a $10,000 grant funded through the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation.

The donation from Perdue’s charitable giving arm is part of the company’s Delivering Hope to Our Neighbors® initiative focused on building strong communities.

The Salisbury center provides services such as helping Haitian parents enroll their children in school, interpretation, and document translation, according to the Rev. Roosevelt Toussaint, the center’s executive director.

The Perdue Foundation grant helps pay for the center’s after-school program called Brights and Futures, he said, explaining that the center’s program coordinator and college students tutor, provide homework help and polish learning skills for Haitian students in grades three to eight. The center also provides transportation and dinner for the students.

Toussaint said the Brights and Futures program held 74 after-school sessions, providing transportation 148 times and 2,088 meals to students and staff in the 2021-22 school year.

“Our records indicate that of the 20 students we helped in the school year 2021-2022, 13 of them achieved a gradepoint average of three or better, and we recorded only four excused and unexcused absences that year,” Toussaint said.

The after-school program eases students’ transition to a new environment, he added.

“It is quite evident that the majority of our Haitian students have had to struggle with a new education system,” Toussaint said. “Our overall goal is to help our Haitian students succeed in their education experience.”

Kim Nechay, executive director of the Perdue Foundation, applauded the work

of Brights and Futures.

“The center is such a valuable resource for Haitian parents and their children. The after-school program makes it easier for students to acclimate to U.S. schools and improve their grades,” she said. “We’re happy to support the good work of those at the Haitian Development Center.”

Kim Nechay, executive director of the Perdue Foundation, recently presented a $10,000 grant to the Rev. Roosevelt Toussaint. Submitted Photo

BERLIN –The Greater Berlin Minority Scholarship Committee’s 17th Annual Samuel S. Henry Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament was held recently.

According to tournament organizers, a full slate of golfers, with 37 hole sponsors and wonderful weather contributed to a great tournament at Glen Riddle.

“The committee thanks all the teams, hole sponsors and contributors for making this event a success. Your continued support has made it possible for Greater Berlin Minority Scholarship Committee to award eight scholarships this past school year,” a letter from the committee reads. “Thank you for helping us assist Stephen Decatur graduates to attend college.”

First place gross with a 59 went to the team of Linwood Harmon, Kenny Ethridge, Madison Harmon and Scott Schafer. First place net bragging rights went to Donnie Berkey, Kenton Yoder, Joe Noble and Victor Rolli with a 52.3. Second place net went to Sammy White, Regan Haldeman, Bruce Hunter and Lee Webster with a 54.8 in a tie breaker. Third place net went to Todd Ferrante, Bryan Taylor, Ken Lazorchak and George DelRicco with a 54.8.

Henry Memorial Tourney A Success Berlin

of the Ocean City Beach Patrol is pictured pulling her stand back away from the ocean last week at the end of her shift.

Photo by Chris Parypa

with Scott Lenox

It seems like summer is going fast, but we’ve still got plenty of great fishing and some of the biggest fishing tournaments of the season still to go. Speaking of tournaments, last weekend was the 10th anniversary of the HUK Big Fish Classic and despite some nasty offshore weather to start the weekend it was an awesome event. Tournament directors made the decision mid-week to extend the tournament into Monday to allow for an extra 32-hour window so anglers could avoid what were to be some very unfavorable fishing conditions Friday and Saturday. The decision ended up being a good one as 69 boats entered the tournament and the purse rose to an impressive $740,000. We only had one fish hit the scales Friday, Saturday and Sunday so Monday ended up being an action packed five hours where almost all of the money was decided.

In the end, the three big fish of the tournament were a 130-pound swordfish, a 171-pound bigeye and a 228.5-pound bigeye. The 228.5-pound bigeye belonged to the crew of the Port-A-Bella who won over $224,000 for their first-place finish. Congratulations to all the winners and to the Big Fish Classic tournament directors on a successful event.

Offshore fishing during and around the

Big Fish Classic has been pretty slow as of late with only a few yellowfin and bigeye tuna being caught. There is also a big shark problem offshore as fish that are being hooked are not getting to the boat thanks to hungry sharks that are taking advantage of an easy meal. One boat fishing the Big Fish Classic this weekend had 12 yellowfin tuna hooked and only got seven to the boat because the sharks took the rest.

Back bay fishing for flounder has slowed a little over the past week thanks to dirty water in the bays brought on by wind and rain from heavy thunderstorms. We’ll be ok after some tide cycles, but if you want to catch a keeper flounder now you’re going to want to fish in the ocean or on the clean water of the high tide. We’ve got three tournaments going on this weekend with the Ocean Pines Chamber of Commerce Flounder Tournament on Saturday, Aug. 5 and the OC Marlin Club’s Heels and Reels and the new Marlins for Mason offshore tournaments happening together on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 4 and 5. And next week the Super Bowl of fishing tournaments is in town with the 50th anniversary of the White Marlin Open. It’s going to be an exciting weekend and week of fishing ahead. I’ll bring you results for all

of it right here in The Dispatch and in my nightly fishing report the Daily Angle at FishinOC.com. 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.)

SEE PAGES 66-67

The crew of Port-A-Bella won first place in the HUK Big Fish Classic with this 228.5-pound bigeye tuna. Submitted Photos

Above top left, second place in the HUK Big Fish Classic went to the crew of Real One for this 171-pound bigeye tuna. Above top right, Captain Brian Porter of the Boss Hogg put this group on four very nice yellowfin tuna. Above left, middle, third place honors in the HUK Big Fish Classic went to the crew of Black Irish for a 130-pound swordfish. Above right, middle, Captain Shawn Gibson of Wound Tight had a great day with three big yellowfin tuna and a bunch of tilefish. Above left, bottom, Captain Marc Spagnola of Dusk to Dawn Bowfishing put these shooters on a huge butterfly ray in the south bay. Above right, bottom, Captain Kane Bounds of the Fish Bound is catching limits of flounder on every ocean trip with some fish to as big as 7.5 pounds. Opposite page, top left, Jeff Weeks trolled up three very nice king mackerel from 33” to 36”. Opposite page, bottom left, Shaun Flaherty kayaked over to Assateague Island where he landed this 22” flounder. Opposite page, top right, my buddy “Irish” won the fish pool on board the Morning Star with Captain Monty Hawkins with this big sea bass. Opposite page, middle right, David Moore has been releasing some jumbo red drum in the Assateague surf the past week. Opposite page, bottom right, this lucky lady landed a big sea bass and a big flounder while fishing on the Angler with Captain Chris Mizurak.

HAPPINESS

Photo by Chris Parypa

Chris Parypa’s Photo Of The Week: Each week staff photographer Chris Parypa is tasked with submitting a photo from his vast library to be featured in this space. Above is a dusk scene from the Boardwalk taken June 2020. To purchase any of Parypa’s photos, click over to www.chrisparypa.com.

THE DISPATCH Crossword Puzzle

ANSWERS ON PAGE 94

HOROSCOPES

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): Aspects favor new romances for unpaired Ewes and Rams. Already-paired Arian twosomes experience renewed harmony in their relationships. Money matters also take a bright turn.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): Use that strong Bovine determination to help you keep the faith with your convictions while you move through a period of uncertainty. Things begin to ease by the week's end.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): Pay attention to your intuition. It could be alerting you to be more careful about accepting a "statement of fact" simply on trust. Don't be shy about asking for more proof.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22): Concern for the well-being of someone in need is admirable, but don't forget to take care of yourself as well. Ask a family member, close friend or colleague to help you.

LEO (July 23 to Aug. 22): It's OK to focus on the demands of your career, but try to avoid misunderstandings by also reaching out to family and friends. Your sharp intuitive sense kicks in by midweek.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 to Sept. 22): Keep a rein on that green-eyed monster. Jealousy is counterproductive. Instead of resenting a colleague's good points, concentrate on developing your own abilities.

LIBRA (Sept. 23 to Oct. 22): Spending time on a creative project during

this high-energy week can pay off both in emotional satisfaction and in impressing someone who is glad to see this side of you.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21): Now is a good time to start planning that trip you've put off because of the demands on your time. Be sure to choose a destination that is new and exciting.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 to Dec. 21): That upbeat mood in the first part of the week makes you eager to take on new ventures. A more serious note sets in later to help you assess an upcoming decision.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19): A high energy level gives the Goat the get-up-and-go to finish outstanding tasks before deadline, leaving time for well-earned fun and games with friends and family.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 to Feb. 18): Dealing with disappointment is never easy, but the wise Aquarian will use it as a vital lesson and be the better for it. On another note, a close friend has something important to say.

PISCES (Feb. 19 to March 20): Your best bet is not to get involved in an argument between colleagues until you know more about who started it and why. Even then, appearances could be deceiving. Be alert.

BORN THIS WEEK: You have creative gifts that inspire those who get to see this sometimes hidden side of you.

© 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

Things I Like...

By Steve Green

When friends visit from out of town for a few days

The show, “Special Ops: Lioness”

Young people reading on the beach

Sunsets to the 1812 Overture at Fager’s

Mr. Splash at the Orioles games

Ocean dips with my sons

A bench for some Boardwalk people watching

Finding a show worth bingeing

How clean the OC beach is each morning

National Night Out events

When friends head back out of town after a few days

vanishing vanishing OCEAN CITYWITH BUNK MANN

The Sun and Surf Cinema opened on 143rd Street and Coastal Highway in August 1972. A favorite rainy day experience for both locals and summer visitors, the popular theater featured first run movies for over 50 years. Movies such as Jaws, The Godfather, Forrest Gump and Top Gun Maverick were only a few that were shown over the course of its existence. The highlight for the Sun and Surf occurred on April 11, 1986 when it hosted the world premiere of “Violets are Blue,” the Sissy Spacek movie filmed on location in Ocean City.

The Sun and Surf Cinema closed forever on Sept. 5, 2022, leaving Ocean City with just one movie theater, the Fox Gold Coast on 113th Street, but another in West Ocean City called Flagship Cinemas. In July 2023 the Sun and Surf building was demolished with plans to construct 56 townhouses on the former site.

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

Photo by Bunk Mann

RENTALS

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: GlenRiddle Community FT, M – F 8:30am – 5:00pm. Send Res. to: tmacintosh@legumnorman.com

PT COOK: Ocean City Elks Lodge. Seeking PT Cook. Contact Bernie Huster, 410-627-1144.

PT MAINTENANCE TECH: GlenRiddle Community. 3 days a week Great Team Environment. tmacintosh@legumnorman.com

CLEANERS/VACATION

RENTALS: Needed for Ocean City and Ocean Pines. Experience preferred but not necessary. Text or call 443-397-1189.

COMMERCIAL

WEST O.C. OFFICE/RETAIL

SPACES AVAILABLE: 1 Office or Retail Space for Lease. 1,656. Sq. feet. Plenty of Parking. 443-4974200.

INDUSTRIAL WAREHOUSE SPACE: 2,100 Sq. Ft., 1,500 Sq. Ft., and 1,867 Sq. Ft. Masonry construction. 18’ high ceilings, large garage door & bathroom. Rt. 90/Bishopville. Call 443-497-4200.

CAREGIVER

CAREGIVER IN YOUR HOME: Honest, dependable,

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

ESTATE 19466

To all persons interested in the estate of ELSIE MAE HARMON,Estate No. 19466. Notice is given that ESTHER BLOCKER, 3 RUDLOFF COURT, NEWARK, DE 19702 and EILEEN COOPER HICKS, 8243 NEW SECOND STREET, ELKINS PARK, PA 19027, was on JULY 13, 2023, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of ELSIE MAE HARMON who died on OCTOBER 17, 2022, without a will.

Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney. All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 13TH day of JANUARY, 2024.

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

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

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

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch

Date of Publication

JULY 21, 2023

ESTHER BLOCKER

EILEEN COOPER HICKS Personal Representative True Test Copy

TERRI WESTCOTT,

Register of Wills for Worcester County

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

3x 7-21, 7-28, 8-4

Third Insertion

COLIN L. DOLAN STOUFFER LEGAL, LLC 658 KENILWORTH DR. SUITE 203 TOWSON, MD 21204

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE 19817

To all persons interested in the estate of ANNE KELLY DAVIS,Estate No. 19817. Notice is given that JAIME KELLY HEDRICK, 2901 HILLCREST AVENUE, PARKVILLE, MD 21234, was on JULY 14, 2023, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of ANNE KELLY DAVIS, who died on MAY 7, 2023, with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 14TH day of JANUARY, 2024.

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

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

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

Third Insertion

JOHN

To all persons interested in the estate of WILLARD D. STEVENSON, AKA: WILLARD DAWSON STEVENSON,Estate No. 19821. Notice is given that J. MICHAEL STEVENSON, 4342 JONES ROAD, POCOMOKE CITY, MD 21851, was on JULY 17, 2023, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of WILLARD D. STEVENSON, who died on OCTOBER 21, 2021, without a will.

Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney. All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 17TH day of JANUARY, 2024.

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

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

(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other writ-

ten 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 21, 2023

J. MICHAEL STEVENSON Personal Representative True Test Copy

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

3x 7-21, 7-28, 8-4

Third Insertion

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY STATE OF MARYLAND CASE N0. C-23-CV-22-000136

BAY CLUB

TIME-SHARE OWNERS ASSOCIATES, INC. P.O. Box 3307 Ocean City, Maryland 21842-3307

Plaintiff v. David Skinner LLC, et al. Defendants

NOTICE

ORDERED, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland this 17th day of JULY, 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 14th day of August, 2023, 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 7th day of August, 2023

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:

BC=Bay Club Time Share Owners Associates, Inc.

PCP=Palmetto Coastal Properties

below for the referenced time-share interval:

BC=BAY CLUB TIME SHARE OWNERS ASSOCIATES, INC.

LJCH=LEMONJUICE CAPITAL HOLDINGS, LLC

SUSAN R. BRANIECKI

Clerk of the Circuit Court for Worcester County, MD 3x 7-21, 7-28, 8-4

SUSAN R. BRANIECKI Clerk of the Circuit Court for Worcester County, MD 3x 7-21, 7-28, 8-4

Third Insertion Third Insertion

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY STATE OF MARYLAND CASE N0.

C-23-CV-21-000180

BAY CLUB

TIME-SHARE OWNERS ASSOCIATES, INC.

P.O. Box 3307 Ocean City, Maryland 21842-3307 Plaintiff v. Steven C. Phoebus, et al Defendants

NOTICE

ORDERED, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland this 17th day of JULY, 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 14th day of August, 2023 , 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 7th day of August, 2023

The Amended Report of Sale filed in the above case states the amount of the sales to be as indicated

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY STATE OF MARYLAND CASE N0. C-23-CV-22-000280

BAY CLUB

TIME-SHARE OWNERS ASSOCIATES, INC. P.O. Box 3307 Ocean City, Maryland 21842-3307 Plaintiff v. Poorman Timeshare Services, LLC et al. Defendants NOTICE

ORDERED, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland this 17th day of JULY, 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 21st day of August, 2023, 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 14th day of August, 2023

The Amended Report of Sale filed in the above case states the amount of the sales to be as indicated

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.

below for the referenced time-share interval:

BC=BAY CLUB TIME SHARE OWNERSASSOCIATES, INC.

DBC=DELMARVA BEACH CLUB, LLC

Third Insertion

(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 21, 2023

(or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 20TH day of JANUARY, 2024.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or

3x 7-21, 7-28, 8-4

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY STATE OF MARYLAND CASE N0. C-23-CV-22-000055

BAY CLUB TIME-SHARE OWNERS ASSOCIATES, INC. P.O. Box 3307 Ocean City, Maryland 21842-3307

Plaintiff

v. MILDRED BUTT, ET AL.

Defendant NOTICE

ORDERED, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland this 17th day of July, 2023, that the foreclosure sale of the properties mentioned in these proceedings, made and reported by Ayrika Fletcher, Trustee, be RATIFTED AND CONFIRMED, unless cause to the contrary there of be shown on or before the 14th day of August, 2023, 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 7th day of August, 2023

The Second Amended Report of Sale filed in the above case states the amount of the sales to be as indicated below for the referenced time-share intervals:

TIMESHARES SOLD:

B. RANDALL COATES ESQ COATES, COATES, & COATES

204 WEST GREEN STREET P O BOX 293 SNOW HILL, MD 21863

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE 19824

To all persons interested in the estate of GEORGE E. TEST, AKA: GEORGE EARL TEST, Estate 19824. Notice is given that EARLE MCKINN TEST, 16 DUTCHER STREET, HOPEDALE, MA 01747, was on JULY 18, 2023, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of GEORGE E. TEST, who died on JULY 3, 2023, with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 18TH day of JANUARY, 2024.

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

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

EARLE MCKINN TEST Personal Representative True Test Copy

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 3x 7-21, 7-28, 8-4

(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 28, 2023

Court for Worcester County, Maryland this 19th day of JULY, 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 21st day of August, 2023, 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 14th day of August, 2023

The Amended 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:

BC=BAY CLUB TIME SHARE OWNERSASSOCIATES, INC.

DBC=DELMARVA BEACH CLUB, LLC

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, 2024.

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

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

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

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 19827

To all persons interested in the estate of FRANCES SUZANNE VAN DER VALK, Estate No. 19827. Notice is given that H.G. UBBO VAN DER VALK, 616 OSPREY ROAD, UNIT A, OCEAN CITY, MD 21842, was on JULY 20, 2023, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of FRANCES SUZANNE VAN DER VALK who died on MAY 3, 2023, with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment

H.G. UBBO VAN DER VALK Personal Representative True Test Copy

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 218631074 3x 7-28, 8-4, 8-11

SUSAN R. BRANIECKI

Clerk of the Circuit Court for Worcester County, MD 3x , 7-28, 8-4, 8-11

PHILIP C. WIDDOWSON ESQ.

PHILIP C. WIDDOWSON, P.A. 11791 SOMERSET AVENUE PRINCESS ANNE, MD 21853

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication AUGUST 4, 2023

VERNON BROOKS BAYLIS, III

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

3x 8-4, 8-11, 8-18

First Insertion

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY STATE OF MARYLAND CASE N0. C-23-CV-22-000005

BAY CLUB

TIME-SHARE OWNERS ASSOCIATES, INC.

P.O. Box 3307 Ocean City, Maryland 21842-3307

Plaintiff

v. SANDRA M. ANDERSONBROWN, et al Defendants

NOTICE

ORDERED, by the Circuit

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE 19826

To all persons interested in the estate of ALMA B BAYLIS, Estate No. 19826. Notice is given that VERNON BROOKS BAYLIS III whose address is 2652 STOCKTON ROAD POCOMOKE CITY, MD 21851, was on JULY 19, 2023, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of ALMA B BAYLIS who died on MAY 30, 2023, with a will.

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

SMALL ESTATE NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE 19831

To all persons interested in the estate of ROBERT M. ALLEN, AKA: ROBERT MORRIS ALLEN, Estate No. 19831. Notice is given that MARILYN J. ALLEN, whose address is 93 WHITE SAIL CIRCLE, BERLIN, MD 21811, was on JULY 25, 2023 appointed personal representative(s) of the small estate of ROBERT M. ALLEN, who died on JANUARY 27, 2023 with a will.

SUSAN R. BRANIECKI Clerk of the Circuit Court for Worcester County, MD

SUSAN R. BRANIECKI Clerk of the Circuit Court for Worcester County, MD 3x 7-21, 7-28, 8-4

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.

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

All persons having claims against the decedent must serve their claims on the undersigned personal representative or file them with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:

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

(2) Thirty days after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claims will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within thirty days from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Any claim not served or filed within that time, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch

Date of Publication

AUGUST 4, 2023

MARILYN J. ALLEN Personal Representative True Test Copy

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for

Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102

COURT HOUSE

SNOW HILL, MD 218631074 1x 8-4

SMALL ESTATE NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN

HEIRS ESTATE 19834

To all persons interested in the estate of ELIZABETH A. POORE, AKA: ELIZABETH ANNE POORE, Estate No. 19834. Notice is given that STEVEN POORE, whose address is 14413 MEADOW MILL WAY, GLENWOOD, MD 21738, was on JULY 27, 2023 appointed personal representative(s) of the small estate of ELIZABETH A. POORE, who died on JULY 4, 2023 with a will.

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

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

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

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

sentative or file them with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:

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

(2) 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 AUGUST 4, 2023

STEVEN POORE Personal Representative True Test Copy

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

1x 8-4

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

19828. Notice is given that KIMBERLY ANN ROLLEY, whose address is 6608 PITCH PINE DRIVE, SNOW HILL, MD 21863, was on JULY 26, 2023 appointed personal representative(s) of the small estate of DEWIGHT DAVID ROLLEY, who died on JULY 5, 2023 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 an objection to the probate of the will shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within six months after the date of publication of this Notice.

All persons having claims against the decedent must serve their claims on the undersigned personal representative or file them with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or

Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication

AUGUST 4, 2023

KIMBERLY ANN ROLLEY

Personal Representative True Test Copy

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

COURT HOUSE

SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074

1x 8-4

jection to the appointment shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within 30 days after the date of publication of this Notice. All persons having an objection to the probate of the will shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within six months after the date of publication of this Notice.

All persons having claims against the decedent must serve their claims on the undersigned personal representative or file them with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:

J. HARRISON PHILLIPS, III, ESQ.

8705 E. BISCAYNE DRIVE, OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

SMALL ESTATE

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE 19540

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

SMALL ESTATE NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE 19828

To all persons interested in the estate of DEWIGHT DAVID ROLLEY, Estate No.

(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:

To all persons interested in the estate of MARY ELIZABETH PHILLIPS, AKA: BETTE PHILLIPS, BETTE BAILEY, Estate No. 19540. Notice is given that JAMES HARRISON PHILLIPS, III, whose address is 8704 E. BISCAYNE DRIVE, OCEAN CITY, MD 21842, was on JULY 31, 2023 appointed personal representative(s) of the small estate of MARY ELIZABETH PHILLIPS, who died on DECEMBER 16, 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 ob-

(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.

COPS & COURTS

FROM PAGE 21

scene and found four individuals in the street and two individuals standing outside the home. A resident told police she returned home from work to find Jamie Lockee, 32, of Ocean City, and another man involved in an altercation.

At one point, a 13-year-old juvenile was attempting to the leave the residence when Lockee slammed the door on the boy, who was his son. Lockee reportedly struck the adult man and pinned him down on a bed inside the home.

Lockee admitted to causing the damage to the door and was placed under arrest. During a police search, he was found in possession of drugs. Lockee was charged with child abuse, two counts of second-degree assault, malicious destruction of property, possession of a controlled dangerous substance of schedule I (ecstasy) and possession of a controlled dangerous substance of schedule III (suboxone).

Drugs, Weapons

OCEAN CITY – A Maryland woman was found with drugs and weapons when she would not cooperate during a traffic stop.

On July 19, around 3:26 p.m., Ocean City police pulled over a Jeep for not stopping behind the white painted line at 30th Street and Baltimore Avenue. The driver was identified as Lakisha Simpson, 32, of Salisbury, who immediately began to challenge the traffic stop. When asked to provide license and registration, Simpson refused and raised her window.

After other officers were called to the scene, Simpson lowered her window to yell at the officer before refusing to comply again. A records search found Simpson did not have a valid driver’s license and that in May and June she was stopped in Wicomico County and cited for driving without a license.

Simpson continued to be argumentative with police and police observed approximately 10 individuals were on the balconies of the nearby hotel watching the scene. Simpson eventually provided police with several pieces of documentation, none of which belonged to her. Simpson did not provide a valid driver’s license to police. Once removed from the vehicle, Simpson was searched. Police found a spring-assisted opening knife in violation of the city’s martial arts weapon ordinance.

A police search of the vehicle located a bottle with 18 oxycodone pills as well as a fixed blade steak knife.

Simpson faces charges for disturbing the peace, obstructing and hindering a police officer, possession of a controlled dangerous substance (oxycodone), carrying a concealed fixed blade knife, possession of a spring-assisted opening knife and making a false statement to police.

Indecent Exposure

OCEAN CITY – A man was arrested for being disorderly and urinating on public property last month.

On July 19, Jeffrey A. Jackson, 59, was observed in a parking garage blocking public access. A witness and a juvenile told police Jackson was sitting on his rear end with his pants unbuttoned and his

penis exposed urinating.

Police located Jackson nearby underneath a picnic table in an “extremely intoxicated” state, according to the police report.

Jackson was charged with two counts of indecent exposure and public intoxication.

Murder Suspect Sought

SALISBURY – A search is underway for a suspect as Maryland State Police continue their investigation into the murder of a Wicomico County man who was shot Monday.

The victim is identified as Kevin Lamont Chaney, 34, of Salisbury. Emergency medical service personnel transported him to Tidal Health Medical Center where he was later pronounced deceased. Shortly before 10 p.m. Monday, officers from the Salisbury Police Department responded to Pemberton Manor Apartments on Fairground Drive after receiving a 911 call for a reported shooting. Responding officers found the victim lying on the ground in front of the apart-

ment complex with what appeared to be multiple gunshot wounds.

The Maryland State Police Homicide Unit was requested to respond and take the lead on this investigation. Additional assistance is being provided by members of Salisbury Police Department and Wicomico County Narcotics. Maryland State Police crime scene technicians processed the shooting scene.

A suspect description is not known at this time. Investigators have been interviewing witnesses and residents in the area. Crime scene evidence has been transported to the State Police Forensic Sciences Division crime laboratory for analysis.

Anyone with information about this murder or who was in the area of Pemberton Manor Apartments and Fairground Drive is urged to contact Maryland State Police investigators at 443-366-5072. Callers may remain anonymous.

Arrest In Shooting

SALISBURY – Maryland State Police arrested a suspect in connection with a

shooting that occurred last month in Salisbury.

The accused is identified as Bryant Brown-Clark, 16, of Salisbury. In consultation with the Wicomico County State’s Attorney Office, Brown-Clark is being charged as an adult.

Shortly after 9 p.m. on July 22, troopers from the Maryland State Police Salisbury Barrack responded to the unit block of Fentral Avenue in Salisbury for the report of shots fired. Upon arrival, investigators located three uninjured victims. Investigators also located two bullets in the residence and a shell casing around the property.

Troopers from the Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division East and the Maryland State Police Special Tactical Assault Team Element (S.T.A.T.E Team) executed a search warrant at the accused’s residence. Brown-Clark was arrested on scene without incident.

The shooting remains under investigation. Anyone with information on the case is asked to call Maryland State Police Salisbury Barrack at 410-749-3101

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The Berlin Police Department welcomed community members to Henry Park Tuesday night for the annual National Night Out. The popular annual event included food, music, medical screenings and a chance for neighbors to enjoy a summer evening with local law enforcement and partnering agencies.

Photos by Charlene Sharpe

CarolSue Crimmins GRI, Broker 410-726-2999

Dawn Morris ABR, CMRS, RSPS 443-397-4183

Joseph Geiger CMRS, RSPS 443-880-6707

Harry C. Simone, II REALTOR 410-726-0770

Lovely Bay & Canal views offer amazing sunsets & fireworks during OCs Summertime festivities. North-facing balcony views capture it all! Relax in your 1 BR, 1 ba condo in NOC. Enjoy morning coffee on the private balcony. Freshly painted in 2023 as well as new SS frige, range & dishwasher. Yes, there’s plenty of parking as well as an outdoor pool. This unit comes partially furnished so still room to make it yours. Exterior storage closet on the balcony to stow all your beach gear.

OC Fire Department Expands Public Safety Outreach Efforts

OCEAN CITY – The Ocean City Fire Department, in collaboration with the Town of Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department, recently held its inaugural Senior Fire Camp aimed at providing young children between the ages of 9 and 14 with a more immersive experience in the world of public safety.

Building on the success of the Junior Fire Camp, this new camp offers participants a comprehensive view of the critical role of first responders in safeguarding the community. The camp seeks to inspire and recruit young minds to pursue careers in the public safety field, fostering a sense of leadership and trust between our youth and public safety officials.

The Senior Fire Camp, held from July 31 through Aug. 3, offers an exceptional opportunity for campers who have previously completed the Junior Fire Camp to delve deeper into the world of public safety. Under the guidance of experienced firefighters and professionals, participants gain hands-on experience and knowledge, preparing them for potential future roles in serving their community.

Ocean City Fire Chief Richie Bowers expressed his enthusiasm for the camp this week.

"Our mission is not only to protect and serve the community but also to inspire the next generation of dedicated public safety professionals,” he said.

“By allowing young campers to work alongside our first responders in a controlled environment, we aim to ignite their passion for public service and instill essential leadership skills. This camp plays a crucial role in capturing the minds of our youth and showcasing the rewarding nature of serving the community."

The Ocean City Fire Department (OCFD) is proud to share that this summer alone, it has hosted nearly 140 kids in its summer camp program. The success of the Senior Fire Camp would not have been possible without the generous support of sponsors, according to the OCFD. The Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company, The Alaska Stand, Pol-

lock Johnny's, Fisher's Popcorn, and Uniform's Unlimited have demonstrated their commitment to the community by supporting the camp and contributing to its success.

For more information about the Senior Fire Camp and other community programs, please visit camps.oceancitymd.gov.

Camp participants are pictured this week learning about Maryland State Police Aviation. Submitted Photo

Who’s Where When

BUXY’S/DRY DOCK 28

410-289-BUXY

28th St. & Coastal Hwy.

Saturday, Aug. 5: TBA

CAPTAIN’S TABLE

410-289-7192

15th & Boardwalk

In The Courtyard Marriott

Fridays & Saturdays: Phil Perdue on Piano

COCONUTS BEACH BAR & GRILL

410-289-6846

37th & 38th St. Oceanside at Castle In The Sand Hotel

Friday, Aug. 4: Darin Engh, Rogue Citizens

Saturday, Aug. 5: Endless Ember, Rule G

Sunday, Aug. 6: The Permilla Project, Rick & Regina

Monday, Aug. 7: Sean Loomis, Fil Rhythm Duo

Tuesday, Aug. 8: Shortcut Sunny, Tony Baltimore

Wednesday, Aug. 9: Darren O’Neill, Whiskey Train

Thursday, Aug. 10: Carley Twigg, Cool Change

COINS PUB

410-289-3100

28th St. Plaza On Coastal Hwy.

Friday, Aug. 4: Identity Crisis

Saturday, Aug. 5: Jim Long & First Class

Wednesdays: DJ Wax

CORK BAR

Wicomico St., Downtown O.C.

Saturday, Aug. 5: Dickson Duo

Sunday, Aug. 6: Pier Presssure

CRABCAKE FACTORY BAYSIDE

302-988-5000

37314 Lighthouse Rd., Rte. 54 Selbyville, DE

Sunday, Aug. 6: Uncle Ward

Wednesday, Aug. 9: Kevin Poole

CRAWL STREET TAVERN

443-373-2756

Wicomico St., Downtown O.C.

Friday, Aug. 4: Funk Shué

Saturday, Aug. 5: Kind Villain

Thursday, Aug. 10: DJ Magellan

FAGER’S ISLAND

410-524-5500

60th St. In The Bay

Friday, Aug. 4: DJ RobCee, Sons Of Pirates, Red Dirt Revolution

Saturday, Aug. 5: DJ, Making Waves, It’s All Good

Sunday, Aug. 6: DJ Willoughby, Carpool (Cars Tribute Band)

Monday, Aug. 7: DJ Hector, Animal House, Lithium & Candy

Tuesday, Aug. 8: DJ RobCee, Bryan Clark

Wednesday, Aug. 9: Jimmy Charles, Latin Night w/DJ Patana

Thursday, Aug. 10: DJ Groove, The Heat & The Cold Sweat Horns

FISHTALES

410-289-0990

22nd St. & Bay

Friday, Aug. 4: Groove

Saturday, Aug. 5: Hook

TURTLE WEST 410-213-1500

Rt. 611, West O.C.

Saturday, Aug. 5: TBA

Best Beats On The Beach

CARPOOL (CARS TRIBUTE BAND) Fager’s Island: Sunday Aug. 6

LET’S GO Purple Moose: Sunday & Monday, Aug. 6 & 7

YAWD LYNK Seacrets: Sunday & Monday, Aug. 6 & 7

Who’s Where When

HARBORSIDE

410-213-1846

South Harbor Rd., West O.C.

Friday, Aug. 4: DJ Bigler

Saturday, Aug. 5:

Cecilia’s Fall, DJ Rupe

Sunday, Aug. 6:

Opposite Directions

Thursday, Aug. 10: Dust N Bones Duo

PICKLES PUB

410-289-4891

8th St. & Philadelphia Ave.

Fridays: Beats By Deogee

Saturday, Aug. 5: Dunehounds

Sunday, Aug. 6: Beats By Deogee

Mondays: Karaoke w/Wood

Tuesdays: Beats By Wax

Wednesdays: Beats By Deogee

Thursdays: Beats By Wax

PIER 23

410-289-3323

12817 Harbor Rd. West O.C.

Friday, Aug. 4: Beach Bandits Duo

Saturday, Aug. 5: Margot & Co., Keith White Duo

Sunday, Aug. 6: Bryan Russo, Reform School

Monday, Aug. 7: Chris Diller

Tuesday, Aug. 8: Bell Bottom Blues Duo

Wednesday, Aug. 9: Aaron Howell Duo

Thursday, Aug. 10: Shortcut Sunny

PURPLE MOOSE SALOON

410-289-6953

Between Caroline & Talbot Sts. On The Boards

Friday & Saturday, Aug. 4 & 5

Alter Ego

Sunday & Monday, Aug. 6 & 7: Let’s Go

Tuesdays: DJ Madame Dutchess

Wednesdays: DJ Papi Roisterous

Thursday, Aug. 10: Doc Marten & The Flannels

SEACRETS

410-524-4900

49th St. & Coastal Hwy.

Friday, Aug. 4: DJ Tuff, DJ Bobby O, DJ Cruz, Full Circle, STORM, Night Anthem

Saturday, Aug. 5: DJ Bobby O, DJ Cruz, DJ Tuff, Dear Zoe, STORM, My Hero Zero, Lost In Paris

Sunday, Aug. 6: DJ Davie, DJ Connair, DJ Bobby O, DJ Tuff, Triple Rail Turn, Yawd Lynk, My Hero Zero

Monday, Aug. 7: DJ Davie, DJ Bobby O, DJ Tuff, Blake Haley, Yawd Lynk, The Way Outs

Tuesday, Aug. 8: DJ Davie, DJ Bobby O, DJ Tuff, Opposite Directions, New Direction, Screaming Monkeys

Wednesday, Aug. 9: DJ Davie, DJ Bobby O, DJ Connair, Full Circle Duo, New Direction, Stealing Savannah

Thursday, Aug. 10: DJ Davie, DJ Cruz, DJ Bobby O, John McNutt Band, Jah Works, Go Go Gadjet

THE ORIGINAL

GREENE TURTLE

410-723-2120

116th St. & Coastal Hwy.

Friday, Aug. 4: DJ Brian K. Hall

Saturday, Aug. 5: DJ Cuban Fire

Every Sunday: Farmers Market Berlin will host along Main Street with 35plus vendors from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Rain or shine. TheBerlinFarmersMarket.com.

Every Monday: TOPS Meeting

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

Every Monday: Acapella Chorus

All ladies who love to sing are invited to the Delmarva Woman’s Acapella Chorus, Ocean Pines Community Center, 239 Ocean Parkway, 6-8 p.m. Contact Mary 410629-9383 or Carol 302-242-7062.

Every Monday: Bridge Games

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

Every Monday: Overeaters Anonymous

Meetings are from 7-8 p.m. at the Ocean Pines Library branch. No dues or fees. Call 410-459-9100.

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: Beach Cleanup

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

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

Every Thursday: Beach Singles

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

2nd and 4th Thursdays: Caregiver Support Meeting

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

Aug. 4: Book Signing, Exhibit

As part of the Art League of Ocean City's "Block Party" event, from 5-7 p.m., local author and artist Joanne K. Guilfoil will be signing her latest book “Chickens on Delmarva: 100 Years of Backyard Flocks, Farms and Friends,” and she will also be displaying her White Marlin Open paintings of bill fish and game fish. Guilfoil will be seated on "Author's Row" selling her books. She will also be ready to tell some of the captivating stories from the chicken book, including an illegal liquor stash in a Bethany chicken house, Perdue chicken in Baghdad, Frank and Mitzi Perdue at the White House. She will also be on hand in the Spotlight Gallery where her field-guide style gouache paint-

Things To Do

ings of the game fish and bill fish will be displayed. In addition, two artist friends will join her in the gallery -- Jim Motsko, founder of the WMO, will display his fish photographs, and Lisa Marie Penn will display her fish painted screens, a long-time Baltimore art-form.

Aug. 5-Aug. 19: Furnace Town Music

Get ready to groove this summer at Furnace Town, showcasing a lineup of talented musicians and artists from around the shore. Enjoy live performances in a stunning outdoor venue. Bring your friends, family and loved ones for an evening filled with music, food, drinks, and fun. Cost is $10/adults, $5/kids 515. The schedule is:

Aug. 5: 5-8 p.m., Hoedown with DJ Kay Aug. 19: 5-8 p.m., Ampersand – Traditional American Music.

Aug. 5: Flounder Tourney

The Ocean Pines Chamber of Commerce will host their 16th Annual Flounder Tournament and Auction on Saturday, August 5, 2023, with the weigh in and auction at the Ocean Pines Yacht Club and Marina from noon-430 p.m. This is the largest Maryland coastal flounder tournament and will feature an expected purse of over $8,000.

“Our region gets tournament fever every summer, especially the first week in August. We are the little guy tournament. A great day on the water and a chance to win big without breaking your bank to enter,” said Ocean Pines Chamber President Kerrie Bunting. Registration is $55 per angler or $50 each when registering more than one. Calcuttas are available for $20 per angler. The longest flounder brought in by any angler 13 or under wins $100 and is also eligible for the main cash prizes. Make sure to register before noon on August 4. Collectable T-shirts are free for the first 250 registered. Sponsorships are available and we are seeking donations for the auction which is held during the weigh in. For tournament rules or to register as sponsor or angler go to https://business.oceanpineschamber.org/events/details/16th-annual-flounder-tournament-14865.

Aug. 5: Berlin Peach Festival

Calvin B. Taylor House Museum Satuday, Aug. 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 410641-1019 for more information.

Aug. 5: Blessing Of Combines

For the 23rd year the Snow Hill Blessing of the Combines will be held in downtown Snow Hill from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This signature event brings the local farm community together along with locals and visitors from far and wide to honor the agricultural roots of the Snow Hill area. Led by the Snow Hill Junior Reserve Officer’s Training Corp, Color Guard, antique tractors, the Shore Fun Garden Tractor club and the highly anticipated combines will parade through the downtown at 11 a.m. The larger-than-life combines will then park along Green Street for spectators to view and even tour during the event. Kids of all ages will enjoy the petting zoo, free pony rides, a bounce house and gigantic corn maze, games, and other activities throughout the event. Local businesses will welcome visitors with sales and specials that will keep you coming back

to Snow Hill for your shopping and dining needs.

Aug. 5: Peach Pies, Arts Fair

During the Berlin Peach Festival Buckingham Presbyterian Church will be selling whole, frozen or baked peach pies as well as pie slices at two locations – at the church on 20 S. Main St. and on the lawn at Taylor Museum. The church will also be holding an Arts & Crafts Fair inside the church at 20 S. Main Street.

Aug. 5-6: Taco Festival

From 2-6 p.m. in the Ocean City Convention Center parking lot, the festival will feature restaurants and food trucks serving up taco creations along with live entertainment, tequila expo area, margarita bars, kids fun zone and more.

Aug. 6: Special Music

Bowen United Methodist Church in Newark will having special music at 10 a.m. with The Beasey from Dagsboro, Del. performing. All are welcome.

Aug. 6: Church Concerts

St. Matthew’s by the Sea Church in Fenwick Island will host the Rivenbark Ministries at 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. and The Hyssongs at 7 p.m.

Aug. 7: Quarter Auction

The Church of the Holy Spirit is having a Quarter Auction. For those of you who have never been to a quarter auction, you are missing a lot of fun. You buy a paddle (or two, or more) and then bid on items offered at one, two, three or four quarters, based on the value of the item. The committee is collecting a lot of great prizes, including gift certificates, home décor items, wine baskets, and some just for fun. The doors will open at 6 p.m., and the games start at 7. Food will be available for purchase. Tickets are $10 and include a paddle. Additional paddles are $2 each, or three for $5. They are limited, so get yours now. The church is located at 100th Street and Coastal Highway in Ocean City. Call Jackie at 443-735-4275 for further information and for tickets.

Aug. 9: Lions Club Meeting

The Ocean City Lions Club Meeting meets the 2nd Wednesdays of the month at 12534 Airport Road, Ocean City. 6 p.m. social hour followed by 7 p.m. dinner and meeting. Guests welcome.

Aug. 12: Anglers Club Meeting

The Ocean Pines Anglers Club will meet at 9:30 a.m. in the Ocean Pines Library. The speaker will be charter boat Captain Bill Duncan who has been plying Ocean City waters for over 30 years and seen and experienced it all aboard his Islander and Islander II. Also updates on fishing regulations and planned fishing trips. All welcome.

Aug. 13-17: Chamber Music By Sea

Chamber Music by the Sea festival will present its eighth season with new treats in store. The 2023 festival, which runs from August 13-19, welcomes some of the world’s most acclaimed young musicians and branches out to new venues in both Berlin and Snow Hill. Additionally, this year’s festival welcomes the public for a behind-the-scenes peek at how the musi-

cal magic is made.

The 2023 festival schedule includes:

Sunday, Aug. 13, 3 p.m.: ticketed salon concert and reception at a private Snow Hill home (seating limited).

Monday, Aug. 14, 11 a.m.: open-air rehearsal on South Point.

Tuesday, Aug. 15, 7 p.m.: ticketed salon concert and reception at Bishop’s Stock Gallery, Snow Hill (seating limited).

Wednesday, Aug. 16, 7 p.m.: ticketed concert and reception at Temple Bat Yam, Berlin.

Thursday, August 17, 10:30 a.m.: Free family concert at the Berlin Public Library. Student workshop (open to the public) to follow at noon at the Berlin Public Library.

Thursday, Aug. 17, 7 p.m.: ticketed concert at the Atlantic Hotel, Berlin.

Friday, Aug. 18, 7 p.m: ticketed concert at All Hallows Episcopal Church, Snow Hill.

Saturday, Aug. 19, 11 a.m.: free open-air informal performance on the lawn of the Calvin B. Taylor House Museum, Berlin. Events benefit the Worcester County Education Foundation. Tickets at chambermusicbythesea.com.

Aug. 17: Free Public Talk

Local author Robert M. Craig will present a free public talk at 2 p.m. on the “History of the Postcard” providing a review of the changing styles of postcards, illustrated by postcards from Germany, Austria, and the U.S. Craig’s presentation will trace the birth and evolution of the postcard (changing space allowances for address, message, and image), illustrate early hand-colored postcard images printed in Germany and distributed by local pharmacies, as well as the wide range of postcards produced by the Curt Teich Company, the world’s largest printer of postcards during the early and mid-20th century. The talk is in celebration of the publication of Craig’s latest book, “Ocean City’s Historic Boardwalk, Beach, and Bay: The Fisher Collection.” The new book is a companion volume to Craig’s Historic Lodgings of Ocean City: The Fisher Collection, published in May. Illustrations are primarily drawn from the postcard collection of Robert and Kathy Fisher of Snow Hill to whom both books are dedicated. The books are part of Arcadia Press’s historic postcard book series. This latest publication on Ocean City’s boardwalk, beach, and bay, is the author’s sixth book on Ocean City, and 16th book to date.

Aug. 19: Gloves Up, Guns Down

The Old Germantown School will host the 1st Annual Gloves Up Guns Down event at 10223 Trappe Road, from noon-4 p.m. Hosted by Lamar Sturgis. Lunch will be served.

Aug. 24-27: Jeep Week

Annual Ocean City Jeep Week will feature vendors, events, beach crawl, jeep jam and more. www.oceancityjeepweek.com for full schedule.

Aug. 25-27: Balloon Festival

Ocean City’s first annual event will feature hot air balloons with tethered rides, wine and craft beers, live music, food trucks and more. www.ocballoonfest.com

Aug. 26: Community Shred Day

Taylor Bank invites the community to Sturgis Park in Snow Hill from 9-11 a.m. for a free Community Shred Day. Each household can bring up to three banker boxes or bags of documents to be shredded. Contact J3 Mobile Shredding at j3mobileshred@gmail.com

Wallops Launch:

NASA’s Wallops Island Flight Facility held a successful rocket launch Tuesday night. Packed aboard the Cygnus are over 8,200 pounds of science experiments, crew supplies, spacewalk gear, hardware, and computer equipment. Just over nine minutes later Cygnus separated from its booster, beginning a two-and-a-half-day trip to the International Space Station. Expedition 69 will be awaiting Cygnus as NASA Flight Engineer Woody Hoburg prepares to capture the U.S. resupply ship with the Canadarm2 robotic arm at 5:55 a.m. on Friday. Cygnus is scheduled to end its stay at the orbital lab at the end of October. Photos by Will Hall

Ruth S. Widdowson

BERLIN – With heavy hearts and profound sadness, we announce the passing of our dear mother, Ruth S. Widdowson. Ruth, age 96, passed away at her home in Ocean Pines on July 11, 2023.

She was born on Nov. 7, 1926, to the late Clayton and Esther Simpkins of Mt. Vernon, Md. After graduating from Washington High School in 1943, Ruth was successful in various positions involving office management. Her longest, and most important career, however, was homemaker, housewife, wife and mother.

Ruth's life was a testament to the power of love. At the center of her world was her beloved husband of over 50 years, Kenneth. Their union was one of

OBITUARIES

an extraordinary, unwavering commitment, which served as an inspiration to all who witnessed it. Ruth and Kenneth's bond guided them through many joys and sorrows, and their love was the foundation of their family and lives together.

After Kenneth's death, family and friends became the heart and soul of her existence. She treasured every moment spent in the company of her loved ones. Ruth's ability to make others feel valued and loved will forever be etched in the memories of those who experienced her affection.

She possessed a gentle spirit and a

kind heart. Her genuine concern for others, her words of wisdom, and her empathetic ear provided comfort and reassurance. Her kind smile had the power to brighten anyone's day, and her grace and humility were a testament to the beautiful soul she embodied.

Though she has left this earthly realm, her legacy of love and faith will continue to guide and comfort us.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Widdowson; by her two sons Gary and Glen Widdowson; two sisters, Audrey Simpkins Jones and Rebecca Simpkins Messick; and nephew Edmund (Eddie) Widdowson,

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

Jr.

Ruth is survived by two daughters, Jean Mahew and husband Tom of Ocean Pines and Marie Hansin and husband Morris of Suffolk, Va. Ruth has six grandchildren, Carrie (Dustin) Arant, Sara (Bijorn) Hubbard, Chris (Travis), Michael (Shawn), David (Christy), and Robert (Kristy) Hansin, and 12 great grandchildren, Degan and Ryder Arant, Sabastian and Matilda Hubbard, Kenneth, Carter, Tyler, Alana, Madeleine, Alexandra (Alex), Kaya and Korbin Hansin. She is survived by four nieces, Joann Larkin, Eve Kolodner, Shelia Darrah, and Ellen Udovich, and two nephews, Norman (Jonesy) Jones and Jay Udovich. She is also survived by the many people whose lives she has touched.

Graveside services will be held at Beechwood Memorial Cemetery on Aug. 6, 2023, at 11 a.m. Friends and family are invited to gather and honor the extraordinary life of Ruth Widdowson. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Living Sent Ministries Inc., P.O. Box 134, Princess Anne, Md. 21853 or Coastal Hospice, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, Md. 21802.

As we mourn her loss, let us also remember the following scripture: "Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy." - John 16:22

Arrangements are in the care of Hinman Funeral Home, P.A. of Princess Anne. To express condolences to the family, visit www.hinmanfuneralhome.com.

Joseph Patrick Stigler

BISHOPVILLE – Joseph Patrick Stigler, age 69, passed away on Monday July 17, 2023, at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin.

Born in Baltimore, he was the son of the late Joseph A. Stigler and Mary Ann “Nancy” McDermott Stigler.

Joe was a man of simple means who loved life, family and living on the Eastern Shore. He would never turn down an opportunity to cheer on the O’s and Ravens. His good nature and laugh will be remembered by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Donna Stigler; a son, Joseph Stigler (Jody); a sister, Joanne Andryszak; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Beth Shepherd.

Cremation followed his death. A F&F (flannel & flipflop) Celebration of Life will be held at Waterman’s Seafood Restaurant in Ocean City on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. Letter of condolences can be sent to the family via, www.burbagefuneralhome.com. Services are in care of The Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin.

RUTH WIDDOWSON

JOSEPH STIGLER

SPORTS In The News

Last Day Decides Big Fish Classic

Rough seas played a major role in the 10th Annual HUK Big Fish Classic, reducing the tournament essentially to a one-day affair with the entire leadership overhauled on the last day. There were 69 boats participating with an eye on a piece of the $740,900 purse. In the end, the big winner was the Port-A-Bella with a 228.5-pound bigeye tuna that brought home $224,205. Rounding out the biggest fish division was a 171-pound big eye tuna caught aboard the Real One, above right, and a 130-pound swordfish boated by the Black Irish, at right.

State Champions: Berlin Little League Juniors team won the state championship last weekend, defeating Brunswick, 5-3 in the championship game. On Tuesday, Berlin won the first game of the Junior League Eastern Regional Tournament 8-2 over Connecticut. There are nine teams participating in the tournament in DuBois, Pa. The team is pictured after winning the state crown. Submitted Photo

Photos courtesy of Fish In OC

… White Marlin Eyes Record-Breaking $10M

FROM PAGE 4

Ocean City Reef Foundation, an organization committed to the enhancement and restoration of Maryland’s seafloor by deploying reef substrates and monitoring coral coverage. The White Marlin Open also invites anglers to donate their catch. This year, the tournament will be partnering with Catch N Carry to clean, portion, flash freeze and distribute donated dish directly to local food pantries throughout the Eastern Shore.

In an interview this week, Motsko encouraged everyone to come out and enjoy the atmosphere surrounding the White Marlin Open as it celebrates 50 years.

“A vast majority of people don’t get to see a fish that big. That’s what draws people in …,” she said. “There’s also a lot of excitement in how prize money changes hands so quickly. It builds the drama.”

The White Marlin Open is held annually in Ocean City and awards prize money for catches of white and blue marlin, tuna, wahoo, dolphin and swordfish. Dubbed the “the world’s largest billfishing tournament,” the White Marlin Open has awarded more than $95 million to more than 105,000 anglers aboard more than 14,000 boats since 1974. Along the way, it became the largest billfish tournament and holds the world record for prize money payouts for any fishing tournament.

“It’s remarkable to reflect on 50 years of tournaments, especially back to our first event held in 1974. We drew 57 boats, and 150 anglers, and paid $20,000 in prize money,” Jim Motsko, founder of the White Marlin Open, said in a

statement. “Fast-forward to today and we continue to stay true to our mission of world-class fishing, with our added entry categories more than doubling that initial payout in 1974.”

In addition to the new “Winner Take

All” category, tournament directors are celebrating the White Marlin Open’s 50th anniversary with a coffee table book. Motsko said pre-orders will open this week, and that the book will be available in late 2023 or early 2024.

Hundreds of people typically head to the Inlet on the first day of the White Marlin Open to watch participants head east toward the offshore fishing canyons.

Photo by Chris Parypa

National Night Out: Municipalities across the region held National Night Out events on Tuesday, including in Ocean City, above, and Ocean Pines, below. Scenes from Berlin’s event can be found on page 80 and on the newspaper’s Facebook page. Submitted Photos

The Dispatch

Forever In Memory

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

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

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How We See It

Another ‘No’ Not Good For Resort

Should Ocean City ban canopy-style shade equipment on the beach? We don’t think so.

Ocean City has a lot of “no’s” on its messages approaching the beach. Each of these restrictions are merited for safety, such as no ball playing in the ocean, no alcohol, no dogs, no digging of holes deeper than knee length and no bonfires without a permit.

In recent years, concerns have been expressed online as well as in letters to the editor about the increasing popularity of traditional tents and canopies, but also the newer shelters that are designed specifically for the beach like those made by Neso and CoolCabana(s). There are times on the beach when these larger structures outnumber traditional umbrellas and create a wall blocking ocean views when grouped together.

At an Ocean City Mayor and Council meeting last month, Mayor Rick Meehan and City Manager Terry McGean reported the volume of emails this summer regarding the larger canopies merits the full council’s attention. These concerns are nothing new, as the council last year opted to not take any action.

If Ocean City wants to explore options, officials need to look no further than Delaware. Back in 2017, Rehoboth Beach Commissioners introduced and approved an ordinance banning canopies, grills and tents. The ordinance was structured to only permit umbrellas, and Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island soon followed with their own bans. In the first year of Rehoboth’s canopy ban in 2017, there were 830 warnings and 26 citations issued against them.

The big difference between the Fenwick, Bethany and Rehoboth beaches and Ocean City’s is the width and size. Ocean City has room for these canopies, but they need to be placed toward the western side of the beach. We don’t think they should be banned. Visitors to Ocean City pay top dollar to enjoy their time here. If they want to maximize their shade and beach area, they should be allowed to do it, but not at the risk of public safety and poor beach etiquette.

Ocean City may want to review Nags Head, N.C.’s rules, including canopies not being set up within 10 feet; dimensions cannot exceed 12 feet square and nine feet tall; canopies cannot be left out overnight; and they must not in any fashion block lifeguard views.

We do believe it’s time for the city to take a deep dive on canopies from Memorial Day to Labor Day, but we think regulations need to be centered on location, size and groupings rather than a total prohibition that will bring enforcement challenges. There is room for canopies on the beach, but they must be located where public safety is not a concern and other beach-goers’ experience is not dampened.

Between The Lines

by Publisher/Editor Steve Green

Some stories are more special than others, and this week’s story about a hidden treasure being uncovered by a family on the beach falls into the memorable category.

One day last week, the Suchter family of Prince Frederick, Md., were on the beach in front of their mid-town condo in Ocean City. Josh and Jennifer Suchter’s five children were digging on the beach and found a bucket that was buried 16 years ago. The small white bucket had skull and crossbones painted on the lid. Inside the bucket were glass marbles, barrettes, seashells, army men, a small kite, a coloring book, crayons and three postcards dated Aug. 30, 2007. “Hi! We buried our treasure for you to find,” “Please let us know when you find our treasure,” and “Our treasure now belongs to you. Enjoy!” Jennifer Suchter said the postcards included the names of Kieran and Jemiah Boes of Portland, Ore., and Brennon Belding of Waterford, N.Y.

Once our article on the buried treasure was published online, a connection was made between the family and the folks who buried the bucket. Staff Writer Bethany Hooper was contacted Wednesday by Thomas Boes via email. Boes, who expressed his gratitude for the story being published, is the father of Kieran and Jemiah. It appears the family moved from Oregon in 2013 to Cedar Park, Texas. Kieran turns 21 this month and attends Texas State University. Jemiah, 18, just graduated from high school. The two families have connected online as a result of this “buried treasure.”

As would seem appropriate, the Suchter family replenished the bucket and reburied it in the sand for another family to find in the future. I love these sorts of summer stories and can only hope years from now we are able to share the news of when the newly buried bucket is discovered.

The Ocean City Police Department charged two Romanian men last week with operating a simple, yet elusive bike theft ring. For about six weeks, in between June 15 and July 24, a total of 34 bikes were stolen between 130th and 142nd streets with a total value of about $14,000.

Through an extensive investigation, police were able to determine Denis-Andrei Ceara and Matei-Alexandru Cruceru came to the United States on J-1 Visas in early June. Soon after arriving, the men purchased equipment to allow them to cut bike locks. The police investigation determined 23 of the stolen bikes were locked. Surveillance of the men’s operation led police to a condominium bike rack that appeared to be the staging area for the stolen bikes. After taking the bikes, the men would post pictures of the bikes and posted them for sale on a Facebook page devoted to Ocean City J-1 Visa holders. It appeared to be going quite well for the men for a spell, as police found over $3,000 in cash and several cut bike locks in the men’s condominium unit when they were busted. The arrests represent solid traditional and modern police work in Ocean City.

For about the last 20 years, Robert Chandler, better known as DJ Wax, has been a valuable member of the community, donating his time and services to fundraisers near and far whenever asked. For many folks, he’s like family, as he has emceed dozens of weddings and special events for locals and is known for having a big heart in a community full of huge and caring hearts.

Hundreds of people came out last Sunday to pack Pickles Pub to support Rob in his time of need. Over the last couple years when I have seen Rob at an event, he mentioned having some nagging health issues that he was hoping to get resolved sooner than later. It turns out those issues were caused by a degenerative spinal stroke, which has resulted in reduced work for the disc jockey. A major fundraising effort was spearheaded by close friends to help him pay for therapies and to replace lost income at the height of the season.

A message on the Pickles Pub Facebook page read, “The benefit for DJ Wax is a true testament to what this town can do when someone we love so much is in need. Yesterday at Pickles Pub, we as a community raised $50,686 … Thank you to everyone who came out to show support, sent love, donated, or volunteered their time to help our dear friend.” The event’s proceeds added to the Go Fund Me page’s total of $91,810 combines to total over $142,000 to help Rob on his health journey. On his own page, Rob wrote, “Words will never be able to express the feeling of pure love I got when I walked in that front door yesterday. I saw faces that I hadn't seen in over 20 years. Age groups from late 70s to brand new babies. If healing came directly from love, then I am healed a million times over. I never thought that being a DJ would allow me to meet so many amazing human beings. The highlight of my day was being able to have my mom by my side and her seeing first hand all the love that this town has for me. I am truly the most blessed and humbled man and yesterday just reinforced that fact. To all the countless people that have donated in any way I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I would love to list all the business and organizations that donated but there were so many I'll have to make another post thanking them all. Thank you all for all of the love and support you have given me throughout my time in this community and yesterday was absolutely amazing. Peace and love to you all.”

Once again, this community has stepped up to help one of our own. This is a great place to call home.

Puzzle Answers

by Steve Green

Becoming a father to a special needs kid changed me forever.

PUZZLE ON PAGE 71

This was part of a recent conversation I had with one of my best friends. A true friend is someone who you may not see or talk with often, but time does not matter. Meaningful friendships sustain through all these long periods of not spending time together or even speaking. I have several of these friendships, and I am grateful for each of these friends. Last weekend I had the opportunity to catch up with some of these buddies who I have known for 30 years.

We talked about our lives and the absurdity of some aspects, especially our own work schedules, married life and the juggle of having kids. One friend pointed out the last time he saw my kids, Beckett, 15, and Carson, 13, was four summers ago. He could not believe how much they had changed, but he really honed in on Carson, who has nonverbal Autism. It's interesting to me how people who matter to me are always interested in Carson, his disabilities and what life is like for our family.

All my friends know our family’s story, and they have supported us in meaningful ways through the journey. We have agonized, and later laughed, over some of the incidents that have occurred during our annual summer visits together. For instance, there was the one time at a restaurant that Carson yanked the bar stool out from underneath a total stranger. As I was following close behind him because he was making a run out of the restaurant in a tantrum, I was able to keep the woman from falling to the ground. There was another incident when Carson – in a feat of superhuman strength – pushed a huge potted plant into our pool during a party. At the time, these incidents are traumatic. Reflecting on those challenges now, I am grateful for how far we have come.

The reflective conversation turned in-

to specific questions from my buddy about what life is like today with our Carson and his observation of “how much better he is now.” He wanted to know about the relationship between Beckett and Carson. He wondered whether Carson comes on vacation with us. He asked a ton of questions, which to me came from a caring heart.

It did me good to reflect on how much has transpired and how life today is incredibly different than years past. To be honest, I have a knack – Pam calls it a gift – for blocking out unfortunate situations from my mind. Many of the disturbing Carson incidents my friend and I discussed during his previous visits I had not thought about in years. There’s too much good in my life to harp on past negatives.

Over the last few months, I have been fixating on what Carson’s adult life is going to look like with his disabilities. I worry, especially if a time comes when we are unable to meet his needs. I constantly remind myself do not worry today about tomorrow’s hypothetical problems. My faith steers me in overwhelming times to the Bible where Matthew 6:34 reads, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” It’s a settling verse.

Since I have been obsessing a bit lately about adult Carson, Pam sent me a post from the Finding Cooper’s Voice Facebook page that hit home. The post was written by Kate Swenson, who wrote a book titled, “Forever Boy: A Mother’s Memoir of Autism and Finding Joy.” I thought the post was worth sharing.

To the mother with her adult son at Thomas the Train:

You had the oldest child here. I’m guessing he was 25. Your son was tall. He was a man. He even towered over you.

I saw him immediately when you arrived. He was practically levitating he

was so excited.

It was like he had an aura around him. His joy. It radiated.

He ran in. Loud. Arms a moving. He ran right up to Thomas and started chatting to himself. Fingers stimming. Head down. Twisting back and forth like my son does.

‘I love trains. Trains are my favorite. I love Thomas. Hi Thomas.’

And that’s all it took. I was drawn to him. To you. I wanted you in my life. I wanted to know everything about you. Your journey.

You are me. I am you. And my son is yours. Except 10 years from now.

I want to admit I wasn’t ready to meet you five years ago. I wouldn’t have seen the beauty in this. I would have been sad. I would have said to my husband on the drive home ... ‘that’s not Cooper. That won’t be him. It can’t be. Right Jamie.’ I would try and convince myself.

Not anymore. You are now my inspiration. My goal. I had so many questions. What is he like? Has he always talked? Are you scared? He’s so happy?

I thought about me, years ago. At this exact event. I was scared of autism. Scared of forever. Scared of bringing an adult man here. Scared of being judged. Scared of the unknown. Scared of being different.

I watched you for a while. Holding his hand. Helping him on the train. Laughing. Smiling. Mothering. You weren’t sad. You weren’t embarrassed. Your perpetual big man with the young soul was just fine. Just like Cooper will be.

Thank you for coming here. Thank you for being out in public. For not hiding severe autism. For showing me my future and how wonderful it can be.

Sincerely, a thankful mother.”

(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.)