3/24/2023 Ocean City Today

MARCH 24, 2023

COUNTY SAYS ENOUGH

Worcester Commissioners telling neighbors it can’t continue providing free EMS support – Page 15

SERVING NORTHERN WORCESTER COUNTY FREE

Special event fees could be more costly

Revamp of permit process looks at staff time invested

By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer

(March 24, 2023) Ocean City staff members were told to go back to the drawing board last week after members of the Tourism Commission balked at their proposal to overhaul the resort’s special event fee structure.

At a March 15 meeting, commission members expressed cautious interest in the proposed plan, which aims to get the city more money for the work employees put in during events. But red flags went up when

See SPECIAL Page 3

Inlet dredging plan canceled

Army Corps tells county not enough return on expense to justify channel project

By Jack Chavez Staff Writer

(March 24, 2023) The Ocean City Inlet dredging project is no more.

According to Worcester County Department of Environment Programs Director Bob Mitchell, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently decided against construction to improve shoaling issues at the inlet, saying in a memo that “design work did not meet their net economic benefit targets.”

“Obviously, we’re very disap-

pointed,” Mitchell said during the Worcester County Commissioners Meeting on Tuesday. “I respectfully request the commissioners to ask them to come down here and explain it in person. It would be helpful for everybody involved, including the Town of Ocean City.”

The commissioners unanimously agreed to request the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to come to a meeting to explain its reasoning.

According to Mitchell’s memo, the Corps’ assessment revealed that planned improvements would only reduce dredging by about 50 percent annually. Lack of damage reduction, high costs and negative net benefits influenced their decision.

Body cam use helps increase faith in police

“The Corps staff working on this project concede that they know this is not the decision anyone wanted, but they wanted to ensure that any proposed measures will address the problem,” the memo states. “Going forward with a ($16 million) project with close to ($8.5 million) of the project costs that will need to be covered by the local partners was not something the Corps was willing to commit, especially in light of the updated modeling and the results from their economic status.”

The dredging project was years in the making.

The Corps spent roughly 30 days dredging the inlet and the As-

See INLET Page 4

OC chief reports decline in complaints against officers

By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer

(March 24, 2023) After just one summer of body cameras, the Ocean City Police Department has reported a noticeable reduction in use-of-force and officer-involved complaints.

“What we’re already seeing is an increased public confidence in the department,” Police Chief Ross Buzzuro said at a council meeting Monday while presenting the department’s annual report.

The Maryland General Assembly passed legislation in 2021 requiring

See COMPLAINTS Page 4

MALLORY PANUSKA/OCEAN CITY TODAY

The fishing vessel Instigator, home port Cape May, New Jersey, waits for high tide outside the West Ocean City Harbor on Wednesday so it can offload its catch of sea bass at the docks. The boat bumped bottom on the way in and had to wait to get enough water under her keel to proceed. In the meantime, the Army Corps of Engineers has canceled plans to dredge the inlet.

EXPERIENCE YOU CAN TRUST

are excited to help you bring out the best in your smile!

We Look Forward to Serving

Our Community in 2023!

ATLANTIC DENTAL

COSMETIC & FAMILY DENTISTRY

Special event fee structure could get major makeover

Continued from Page 1

the plan’s projected costs resulted in fee increases of well over 100 percent for some smaller events.

“I think we need to be cognizant. It’s the first impression people see. We need to make it a little more consumer friendly,” Mayor Rick Meehan, a commission member, said of the proposal.

Meehan agrees that the fees should be reviewed, but he and other commission members, especially Councilman John Gehrig, want any changes to be fair.

About a year ago, Meehan suggested staff members look into the city’s special event fees after learning that Virginia Beach charges $400 a team for a sand soccer tournament. The fee covers all operational costs and falls within the realm of what the promoters of the large event can afford.

Since the 1990s, Ocean City has held a similar tournament every year and charges only a small fee to use the beach. As compared to Virginia Beach, that leaves thousands of dol-

lars in revenue on the table.

Sometime after the mayor’s comments, Tom Perlozzo, the city’s director of tourism and business development, said City Manager Terry McGean formed a task force to review how special events affect city staff, which resulted in the suggested changes to the overall structure presented last week.

“We need to start thinking in a way that we can maximize revenue, create the space and experience that we’re looking for, and do it efficiently,” Perlozzo said.

Special Events Director Frank Miller explained that the plan raises costs for the organizers through ticket sale percentages and space rentals, and encourages third-party contractors for security and emergency services. It also aims to make scheduling easier by putting events into tiers based on size and moving the application process for holding special events online.

See EVENT Page 6

Ocean City Today

Calendar..........................30

PREVENTIVE CARE • INVISALIGN

PERIODONTAL TREATMENT • FULL MOUTH RESTORATIONS • IMPLANT RESTORATIONS

SMILE ENHANCEMENTS

EMERGENCY SERVICES FOR OUR CURRENT PATIENTS

As members of the MarylandDelaware-D.C. Press Association, we subscribe to the following code of ethics:

• Seek the truth and report it.

• Minimize harm. Treat sources, subjects, colleagues and members of the public with respect.

• Act Independently.

The primary obligation of ethical journalism is to serve the public.

• Be Accountable and Transparent.

Reporters must take responsibility for the accuracy of their work and respond quickly to questions about accuracy, clarity and fairness.

Classifieds........................31

Commentary....................46

Crossword Puzzle..............26

Entertainment..................27

Obituaries........................48

Public Notices..................35

Service Directory..............33

Sports..............................50

Editor: sdobson@oceancitytoday.net

News: editor@oceancitytoday.net

Sales: sales@oceancitytoday.net

Classifieds: classifieds@oceancitytoday.net Phone: 410-723-6397

www.oceancitytoday.com and at Facebook/Ocean City Today

Lines were long to get into OC BikeFest at the inlet parking lot last September. This year’s event is scheduled for Sept. 13-17.

We have generations of experience and are well known for our exceptional dental care. We

Complaints, incidents decline with cam use

Continued from Page 1

all law enforcement agencies to outfit officers with body cameras by 2025. The move was made to increase accountability and protect officer safety during incidents.

Ocean City officials took an ambitious approach and outfitted all resort police officers with cameras last year, just in time for seasonal officers to wear them over the summer.

Buzzuro said data shows a drop not only in complaints, but also assaults on officers and incidents involving Tasers since last year.

“We know this is a direct correlation to body-worn cameras,” Buzzuro said.

The cameras created a budget shortfall of more than $425,000 last year, but Buzzuro said it was a onetime expense.

He also expects to have more detailed, accurate data for the impact of the cameras after the coming summer.

Buzzuro added that City Watch cameras, which are set up to record in public spots throughout the resort, have resulted in the solving and prevention of more crimes over the last year.

“Coupled with the license plate reader program, that covers all of the ingress areas, locations within the

town,” he explained. “That has been really valuable for us as a law enactment agency in a quest for maintaining public safety.”

The department’s criminal investigation division also reported positive numbers over the last year, with an overall clearance rate of 96 percent.

“That means 19 out of 20 are getting solved, are getting closed,” Buzzuro said. “And that is way above [the] national average.”

The number of crimes overall have gone down as well, with a 4 percent decrease over the last four years.

“It’s the second lowest we’ve had in like 30 years,” Buzzuro said. “So, we’re not only below where we were pre-covid but we’re moving in a direction to our all-time statistical laws in terms of part-one crimes. And I think that’s worth pointing out because a number of other communities are going in the opposite and the other direction.”

The report showed that the staffing has also improved. While the department had some trouble recruiting seasonal officers earlier this year, efforts to attract applicants, which include hourly raises and extra bonuses, seem to be paying off. Buzzuro said the department has almost as many recruits now as this time in 2022.

The full-time officers are almost at full strength as well.

“For an agency of this size in the state of Maryland, this is virtually unheard of,” Buzzuro said of the high employment numbers. “I don’t know of another police agency that is at full strength right now, not only in the state of Maryland but throughout the country.”

Buzzuro also reminded council members, and the public, that department officials are preparing to transition to a new crime reporting system that will, at least at first, make it look as though incidents are increasing.

The National Incident-Based Reporting System, or NIBRS, is a more comprehensive, detailed approach to scoring and recording crimes. The system has existed for decades, but

now all departments across the country are required to begin using it.

Once the OCPD fully institutes the reporting system, the numbers will undoubtedly reflect a higher number of crimes. However, the totals will not be apples to apples comparisons to those reported through the existing system.

Buzzuro said the department is taking steps to ensure members of the public are aware of the change.

The report also reflected the number of collisions, traffic stops and other police activity over the last year, and gave updates on the department’s nonprofit and community policing efforts, among other details.

To view the full report, visit https://oceancitymd.gov/pdf/PoliceAnnualReport.pdf

Inlet dredging project canceled

Continued from Page 1

sateague Restoration Bypass in March 2020.

In August 2020, the Corps held a public information session at the Berlin Public Library to showcase the work it had done and planned to do to make the inlet more navigable.

The Corps dredged the harbor

again in September 2021, clearing out more sand from the inlet and bypass.

In June 2022, the Corps recommended realigning just over 3,000 feet of the Ocean City Inlet channel to the south of its current location, where the water is already 10 feet deep.

MALLORY PANUSKA/OCEAN CITY TODAY

Ocean City Police Chief Ross Buzzuro presents the department’s annual report to members of the City Council at a meeting March 20.

JACK CHAVEZ/OCEAN CITY TODAY

The Worcester County Commissioners agreed to ask the United States Army Corps of Engineers why they decided to abandon the Ocean City Inlet dredging project and leave it midway through their progress. The project is something that had been years in the making.

Spring Is Here!

Whether Selling or Buying, It’s a Great Time to Move!

NEW LISTING! - THIS HOME IS A SHOW-STOPPER!

10615 POINT LOOKOUT RD • OCEAN CITY • $5,599,900

Custom 6BR/6BA/3HBA/ new construction west facing bayfront estate designed and built by David Bradley of Bradley Construction w/ views of both Assawoman Bay and skyline from the property’s L-shaped pool and swim-up bar. Features exceptional craftsmanship w/astute attention to detail, custom finishes/woodwork, and architectural details. A welcoming orange crush bar made w/Port Rush quartz and 1st-floor Den/bedroom ensuite complete w/Murphy bed. Expansive family room has a wall of windows and glass sliders overlooking the bay. Gourmet chef's kitchen just off family room includes plenty of bar seating w/endless bay views. Kitchen boasts GE monogram ss appliances including 6-burner gas range, expansive center island, custom farm sink, w/vegetable sink, hone marble and quartz countertops. White custom Fabuwood cabinets w/undercounter lighting, appliance garages and custom pull outs for easy storage. Floating shelves in kitchen made w/reclaimed wood, and a designer tile backsplash. An expansive butler’s pantry, mud room w/custom shelving, laundry room, half bath on the main floor. White oak stairs, and custom-made glass elevator. 2nd floor spacious ensuite Bayfront bedrooms, each w/its own private balcony. A 4th ensuite bedroom which has been designed as a bunk room w/custom bunk and trundle bed complete w/a port hole. A coffee bar, refrigerator, and full-size laundry on 2nd floor. 3rd floor primary bedroom ensuite w/bay views, cathedral ceilings, turret cupola, coffee bar, fireplace, exquisite tile work, two enormous closets w/wood detailing and shiplap, and expansive covered porch. Primary bath has insulated tub w/jets and faces the bay w/a 6’x6’ circular Anderson window. Bonus room w/soaring ceilings and cupola; separate refrigerator, bar seating, a private deck, half bath, and laundry. A saltwater pool and spa, cabana area complete w/2 outdoor TVs, 2 refrigerators, custom cabinetry/countertops, fire pit area, permits for three lifts and a transient boat, a 50ft pier, dock and ramp. Parking for 6 cars. MLS MDWO2012190

OPEN HOUSE: SAT 3/25 11AM-3PM & SUN 3/26 12-2PM

203 S. HERON DRIVE UNIT 304D OCEAN CITY • $615,000

This beautiful 3BR/2BA end unit condo is in the Baywatch III Building overlooking the water with breathtaking bay views, in the fabulous community of Heron Harbour Isle. It comes with boat slip #84 and a 7,500 lb. lift. This unit is being sold furnished, is in pristine condition and has lovely beach decor. The chef in your family will love the kitchen that was remodeled in 2022. The Quartz countertops are the focal point on the kitchen. There are stainless steel appliances and plenty of counter space. There is a large dining area flowing off the luxurious kitchen. The living area flows off the dining room and is very spacious and light and airy. You will love the master bedroom overlooking the water with the nice master bath, and your family and friends will enjoy the other two large bedrooms. One of the bedrooms has a private deck as well. There are upgrades throughout including new flooring 2022, New HVAV 2022, updated kitchen 2022, new custom blinds 2022, Freshly painted 2022. There is a large composite deck off the living area that overlooks the water with magnificent sunset views. Imagine yourself in this beautiful condo in one of the nicest communities in Ocean City. The building has recently been redone with new siding, new decking, new windows and new sliders. Heron Harbour Isle is amenities rich with two outdoor pools, an indoor pool, a kiddie pool, fitness center, social room, sauna, locker room, two Har-Tru tennis courts, sidewalks and piers. Enjoy your boat, fishing, crabbing, kayaking and paddle boarding all directly out your back door and make memories that will last a lifetime. Come take a look today before its SOLD! This unit is in Building D work has been completed. New siding, windows, doors, etc. from association is done.

Waterfront 6BR/3BA custom estate w/marina, bay, canal views, sunrises, and sunsets. There is a deep-water slip that can accommodate a 42’ boat providing easy access to the ocean at the inlet. Built by JN Custom Homes, known for fine craftsmanship and attention to detail. Close to world class marinas, fishing, multiple golf courses, Assateague Island, the Ocean City Boardwalk, and many restaurants. Come take a look at this dream home that has stunning, unmatched architectural style and a wonderful waterfront location. Contracts are being accepted now, in time for you to personalize this home and select your finishes. Come take a look today before it's SOLD!

MLS MDWO2010644

LAND - JUST REDUCED!

6509 HAMPTON RD • LOT 18 BERLIN • $649,000

Waterfront home site hits the market! 5+ acres on a cul-de-sac in the tranquil community of Indian Creek ready and waiting for you. You dream it... You build it... You Live it! All this and two golf courses within two miles and Assateague Island’s 3 miles away where you can enjoy the ocean and beautiful white sand beaches. You can be in downtown Berlin or Ocean City in 15 minutes to enjoy the boardwalk and restaurants. So close, yet such a peaceful setting. The possibilities are endless... Do you need a home office or maybe even two? How about a workout room, or maybe a playroom? Are you dreaming of kayaking or paddle boarding off your dock? How about a boat or jet skis? Would you like a nice yard to play in or grow your own vegetables? Come take a look today before it's SOLD!! MLS MDWO2011146

LAND

1303 MCHENRY COURT BERLIN • $145,000

54. The location is approximately 3-4 miles to the beaches of Ocean City & Fenwick Island. It has water and 8' sewer main that will supply a hotel, shopping center, office complex, medical center, professional center, etc. Lot is cleared. Buy it Now Before It's SOLD!!! Owner Financing is available. MLS DESU184528

120TH ST UNIT 76 OCEAN CITY $299,900

Build your dream house! If you are looking for some acreage look no further, this property is 3.016 acres. This property is just off Route 113 and close to Berlin, America's coolest small town. The property is conveniently located near Ocean City Beaches and Assateague Island. Survey has been done and soil samples are completed. No HOA to worry about let's start the process and get exactly what you want in a home.

MLS MDWO2009248

Why not build? There's nothing like building the house of your dreams! Large cul-de-sac (11,566 Sqft.) home site in the very desirable Colonial Village location in Ocean Pines. Close to the Yacht Club, Yacht club pool and marina and Mumford's Landing Pool, and located only a few miles from Ocean City’s famous beaches. Ocean Pines is an amenity rich community w/restaurants, shops, tennis, recreational facilities, golf, ball fields, pickleball courts, basketball court, playground, 12 parks, 6 trails, indoor and outdoor pools, 2 marinas, beachfront beach club at 49th Street in Ocean City, and the farmer's market. There is also police protection, fire protection and excellent management. MLS MDWO2008616

34862 WEST LINE ROAD SELBYVILLE, DE • $2,900,000

GEORGETOWN ROAD BERLIN • $150,000

12980 INLET ISLE LANE OCEAN CITY • $2,999,900

Event fees could be going up

Miller said the current structure puts a strain on staff and results in lower revenues because it incorporates many flat rental fees that do not account for event size or attendance, and does not include application fees, among other details.

He added that the resort has not changed its fees since 2014 and that many are well below what other beaches charge.

As it stands, though, the rough numbers Miller presented showed that smaller events could pay significantly more through the new structure, prompting Meehan, Gehrig and several other commission members to speak up against the proposal.

Miller said the numbers he showed could change based on the specifics of the events and urged the commissioners to view the projections as examples rather than actual fees. He explained that event tiers could shift according to factors such as risk potential and the existence of alcohol. In turn, larger events could jump to higher, more expensive tiers, and smaller ones could drop down.

The risks and other components that he referred to as an event’s “energy” would be determined by the answers to an application questionnaire that event organizers would fill out online.

He also told the commissioners

that the proposed application would be based on tiers and non-refundable, although McGean added that the fee formula would allow some flexibility. Other charges would include fees for late payment and for changing event details after submitting applications.

The town could also offer significant discounts for off-season events, and staff members would be able to negotiate with promoters on some other details.

McGean pointed out that the city has never charged promoters for the time staff members take to review event proposals prior to their approval. He added that review fees are not determined based on event size, resulting in larger ones getting better deals.

“How this was handled in the past, [for example] when the fire marshal reviews [an application] it’s a $50 tent fee. And it was a $50 tent fee, whether it was one little tent or literally whether it was [Oceans Calling Festival],” Meehan said. “… The idea was to begin to get a better handle on those costs.”

After nearly an hour of discussion, commission members directed Miller, McGean and Perlozzo to rework the proposal to reflect the commission’s concerns and bring it back at the next meeting. If the commission members accept the new proposal, it will move to the City Council.

City Council members seek review of advertising funding

By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer

(March 24, 2023) As room tax revenues climb, the two newest Ocean City Council members want to revisit how much money is allocated to the resort’s advertising efforts.

During a discussion on a routine budget amendment at a meeting Monday, Councilwoman Carol Proctor pointed out that the city has spent $11.6 million on advertising in fiscal 2023 after allocating an average $6.7 million the previous four years.

“It’s a 74 percent increase in our advertising budget,” she said.

Proctor was elected to her first term in November and has not participated in any previous council discussions on advertising revenue percentages. She further explained on Monday, based on totals she determined, that the return on the room tax now is just 12 percent, and took issue with the discrepancy,

“From a business perspective, when I look at it, I question it and I say, does that make financial sense to do that?,” she said.

Councilman John Gehrig challenged Proctor’s comments by pointing out that advertising is the source of the extra revenue. While she

agreed that those efforts contributed to the increase, she contended that some of the money can be used for other expenses.

Councilman Will Savage, who was also elected in November to his first term, backed Proctor’s request.

“[Proctor’s] concern is the diminishing return on the investment,” he said.

Through an ordinance that passed in 2007, the city’s advertising budget receives a set percentage of room tax revenues. The allocation recently went up through an ordinance that was later challenged and ultimately passed in a referendum in November. Still, council members still have the ability to alter the percentages.

Savage and Proctor believe council members should look at the allocations when they discuss the tourism budget in the coming weeks. Proctor went as far as voting against the proposed fiscal 2023 budget amendment, which moved cash over to advertising from room tax revenues and grants.

Mayor Rick Meehan explained that those funds have already been allocated and the amendment, which passed 6-1, was approved to put the

See AD Page 7

Ad fund questioned

Continued from Page 6

changes on record.

“This is a budget amendment to balance the budget,” he said. “[No matter what we do here], we can still take additional action for next year’s budget.”

Meehan also pointed out that, based on calculations from both hotels and third-party rentals such as VRBOs and Airbnbs, that room tax revenues soared this past January.

“It shows whatever we’re doing is working,” he said.

Council members were set to begin their first fiscal 2024 budget discussion Thursday, with individual departmental meetings set for the coming weeks.

RELAXING OCEAN FRONT LIVING!

This 1 bedroom 1 bathroom condo is conveniently located in the midtown of Ocean City right off 45th St. The unit offers tile flooring throughout, an open floor plan, and a living room that leads you right out to

COMING SOON - LOTS OF POTENTIAL

Invest some sweat equity and reap the benefits! This 3bedroom 2.5-bath townhome has lots of potential. Remodel it to your liking and enjoy great mid-town location and low HOA fees! First floor includes living/ kitchen/ dining rooms and a half bath. 2nd floor offers primary suite, two additional bedrooms, and a hall bath. Save on electric bills with Tesla solar panels (take over lease at $70 per month). Sold As-Is. Call for your personal tour! $333,000

HOME

on oversized lot with huge wraparound deck! Dock your boat in your backyard, just a short distance to open water. Vaulted ceilings, skylights, gas fireplace, kitchen prep area. Loft area for extra guests, kid’s playroom, or studio! Includes a garage & extra storage under the elevated deck. $699,000

MALLORY PANUSKA/OCEAN CITY TODAY

People walk along the southern end of the Boardwalk on a mild day in January. Room tax revenues for the month were reportedly up significantly compared to last year, a fact that was brought up during a discussion about advertising funds at a March 20 City Council meeting.

Ocean City marketing firm presents summer campaign

By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer

(March 24, 2023) Members of the marketing firm hired last year to create a brand and better promote Ocean City have revealed their strategy for attracting visitors for the coming summer and off season.

Jeremy Whitt, the senior vice president of media strategy for marketing firm BVK, presented a summary of the plan to members of the resort’s Tourism Commission at a meeting March 15.

The campaign uses different mediums to market the resort as a worldclass destination to the types of people who will come and make the most out of their experiences.

The plan is the second the team released, with the first unveiled soon after BVK won a $975,000 contract to rebrand and market the resort in December 2021.

The campaign last year included paid influencers, digital and print ads, television spots and sponsorships promoting Ocean City in new and different places. This year’s campaign is similar, with more focused efforts based on what has worked.

Whitt said the campaign will concentrate on summer and fall, with some reach into the later months. It will also incorporate the new brand — the blue and yellow winky smiley face logo and “Somewhere to Smile About” tagline — in the materials. Whitt said social media campaigns planned for Tik Tok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Snapchat will also include “branded hashtags,” which team members are finalizing now.

Whitt said the current “aspiration audience,” who they want to reach with “refresh strength,” are older millennials, most of whom are parents,

who spend money on “the things that are most important to them.”

“They are not carefree spenders, they’re career-minded,” Whitt explained. “They care about family above all.”

The target audience enjoys activities such as riding bicycles, walking on the Boardwalk, eating good food, fishing, and enjoying the beach and making memories, Whitt said.

The marketing team also identified “higher value visitors,” or people who will spend more money and possibly stay longer, as ideal tourists.

“We know from the market model that people coming from D.C. tend to spend more money than the people coming from Philly or Baltimore,” Whitt said. “If we can grow the D.C. market that will really contribute to that objective there.”

The team has developed plans that include marketing the resort in Tik Tok videos, travel and leisure publications, as well as on local cable and digital streaming platforms, and audio apps. The spots incorporate the brand and tagline, original content and photos, and elements linking visitors to the city’s website.

Whitt said the campaign will have a specific focus on golf, with ad placements in Golf Magazine, Golf.com, Maryland Golf Guide and other outlets. There are also plans to continue a partnership with golf pro and veteran broadcaster David Feherty to market the resort’s offerings for the sport.

Tom Perlozzo, the city’s director of tourism and business development, said staff members are working on hosting a golf tournament before the Oceans Calling Festival in September that would incorporate Feherty and

MALLORY PANUSKA/OCEAN CITY TODAY

Members of the resort’s Tourism Commission and department employees listen to staff with marketing firm BVK present the summer and fall advertising campaigns at a meeting March 15.

Marlin Fest, kite expo, more events officially on calendar

(March 24, 2023) The annual kite expo, Marlin Fest and an array of other events are now officially on Ocean City’s calendar.

At a meeting Monday, City Council members approved the following details associated with the event requests:

Marlin Fest

Marlin Fest, the satellite watch location for the White Marlin Open, is set for Aug. 7-11 this year, with a date hold slated for Aug. 5-9 in 2024.

According to a staff report, the event is set from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. each day in the inlet parking lot. Spectators will have the chance to watch the tournament boats come in and view the weigh-ins at Harbour Island on a live big-screen monitor. The event will also feature sponsor and vendor tents, entertainment, and food and beverage sales, including alcohol.

The organizers asked the city to supply plastic traffic barricades, cones, sand and event fencing, and trash cans and bags for both the Marlin Fest footprint and private Harbor Island location.

The organizers must provide security and fencing to restrict access to the nearby jetty and must work with nearby franchise owners, among other responsibilities, according to the report.

The city is also required the organizer to establish a traffic pattern using a third-party company. The organizer is required to obtain tent permits, and provide layout plans for the tents as well as food and vendor locations.

The staff report said city fire and emergency service personnel will not provide coverage in the inlet lot, and upon review of the number of spectators expected in the footprint, the organizer does not need to replace them with private EMS. Fire and EMS support is needed, however, at Harbour

By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer See RESORT Page 12

Spectators sit on the jetty near the Ocean City inlet during Marlin Fest in 2022. This year’s White Marlin Open watch party is set for Aug. 7-11 in the inlet parking lot.

Why when BUY N

rent a used 2-bedroom apartme you can own your new home with With Approved Credit OW AND GET THE 1ST 2 MONTH A TGAGE

nt for $2,400 a month payments +/- $1,300? . S FREE GROUND LEASE UNTIL MAAY Y 2023

www.saltlife c 410-213-7693 • m 12346 Old Bridge

ommunityoc.com

ng

fully furnished

in app satisfie Community’s locatio home park outside o 5 miles away from t

ed If you are interested BASE PR . W

$169,9 lying, contact us today!

Salt Life mobile h about 1.

n doesn’t get much better We e are the c f Ocean City corporate limits. W We e are lo the boardwalk and Ocean City's attract

00 ICE losest cated ions, amusem a little g affordab

ents, and restaurants, meaning you don et-away. Our location is not only one of le in the area.

FindYYoou hersVVaacationurDreamTToodayandLiveWhereOth oday and Live Where Others V our Dream T Find Y . hedule Y Call Us to Sc Yoour Tour! 410-213-776693

Firm announces marketing plans

Continued from Page 8

possibly some event artists and former athletes.

Overall, Perlozzo said Whitt’s presentation just scratched the surface of the plans for media marketing, with more coming out for the winter months as details are finalized.

Perlozzo and Communications and Marketing Director Jessica Waters also said the official kick-off for the new brand is set just before Springfest on May 3. Members of the BVK team and city staff revealed the smiley face and tagline in October, but the other details still await their debut.

“We’re really excited about it,” Perlozzo said. “To extend this brand and bring it to life, this is one of the key components.”

Resort announces array of events

Continued from Page 10

Island, and city staff agreed to provide bicycle medics at the location. The organizer will pay the city a total of more than $12,443 in private event and asset and support fees, as well as lost inlet parking lot revenue.

International Kite Expo

Council members granted a special event request to the organizer of the annual Maryland International Kite Expo for April 28-30 on the beach downtown.

According to a staff report, the event is set from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the beach from Fourth to Sixth streets.

The annual, free festival features giant kite displays, sport kite competitions and lessons, general kite flying, and music.

Public works staff members are set to remove the sand fence within the footprint during the event, upon the organizer’s request, for no charge.

The organizer will pay the town $400 in private event fees, according to the report.

Boardwalkin’ for Pets

The Worcester County Humane Society’s Boardwalkin’ for Pets is tentatively set for April 15 downtown.

According to a city staff report, the annual event, which raises money for the local no-kill shelter, is set from 8 a.m. to noon on the Boardwalk from the inlet to 27th street.

Participants and their dogs will register at the south end of the Boardwalk, where a sponsor vehicle, DJ, and tables for on-site raffles will be set up. A cutest cat contest will also take place at the location.

Participants will walk on the Boardwalk from the inlet to 27th Street and back. Water stations will be set up at 12th and 27th Streets, with refreshments for both humans and their pets. Prizes will be awarded for most money raised, smallest dog, largest dog, best dressed and best trick.

The organizer will get a passcode as well to allow participants park for free in the inlet lot.

The staff report said the organizer

will pay the town $87.50 in private event fees.

Lyme Disease Awareness 5K

A 5K to support Lyme disease awareness and education is set for May 13 in downtown Ocean City.

According to a staff report, the Lyme Disease Awareness 5K, hosted by the nonprofit Fight the Bite, is set from 8 a.m. to noon on the south end of the Boardwalk.

Proceeds from the event will fund Lyme disease education and awareness materials.

The route will start on the Boardwalk in front of the south tram station, continue to 16 1/2 Street, and turn south at Fourth Street. It will then continue on the concrete pad, move around the pier and end in Row H in the inlet lot.

The organizer requested one judges’ stand, bike fencing, cones, inlet lot parking passes for staff, and bicycle police to lead the participants along the race route.

The staff report said the city can provide the requested assets, but cannot promise a committed officer to lead the race. The organizer must find someone from the outside to perform the necessary duties.

The organizer will pay the city more than $616 in private event and asset and support fees.

Worcester County approves quitclaim for wind purchase

By Jack Chavez Staff Writer

(March 24, 2023) The Worcester County Commissioners voted 4-3 to approve a quitclaim for a property on the West Ocean City Commercial Harbor on Tuesday.

Commissioners Eric Fiori, Caryn Abbott and Chip Bertino opposed the measure.

U.S. Wind requested the quitclaim deed as part of a contract it holds to

purchase the parcel known as the Reese property.

According to county attorney Roscoe Leslie, the quitclaim will not affect the county’s interests in the area.

The property lies on the southeast side of the harbor.

Commissioner Ted Elder questioned why the matter is any concern for him and his colleagues in the first

See US Page 13

US Wind buying harbor property

place.

“I don’t see any reason that the county commissioners should even be involved in this whatsoever,” he said. “We have no claim on the property right now. We have no deeds on it of any kind. I don’t think we should do anything.”

“I don’t know what their purpose is in trying to ask for a quitclaim from the county. And maybe it’s something that they’re looking into the future that they can use … county for any kind of claims for anything that went wrong. We don’t rent quitclaims to anyone (with whom) we don’t have a claim on the property to start. So I don’t see why we should break that right now.”

Elder did ultimately vote to approve the quitclaim request.

In a letter to the commissioners, attorney John Robins, representing Pat and Dawn Reese, said that U.S. Wind had the option to purchase the parcel as part of its plan to construct

offshore wind turbines.

“For reasons I cannot figure out, the title company for U.S. Wind has requested that Mr. and Mrs. Reese obtain a quitclaim deed from Worcester County (for this property),” Robins wrote.

Robins continued, according to the realtor for the property, the title company believed that the county could have an interest in it because of a 97year-old deed for a parcel located “nowhere near” the Reese property.

“You can clearly see that it is on the opposite side of the harbor from my client’s parcel,” he wrote.

A representative from US Wind said that the property acquisition is related to operational support.

“One of US Wind’s highest priorities is to create good-paying jobs in Maryland as we deliver clean energy to the region. As such, we are exploring multiple options to support operations of our wind farms locally,’ said Nancy Sopko, senior director of external relations.

Continued from Page 12

JACK CHAVEZ/OCEAN CITY TODAY

The Worcester County Commissioners approved a quitclaim on a property on the Ocean City harbor on Tuesday. The lots will be purchased by US Wind, which is using it to help support operations.

Mayor wants renovations to interior of convention center

By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer

(March 24, 2023) With the resort’s biggest annual conferences on the horizon, Mayor Rick Meehan is pushing for the completion of interior renovations to the Ocean City convention center.

“I hope you guys get together and get it moving forward,” Meehan said of plans to rehabilitate and revitalize the inside of the 40th Street event building at a Tourism Commission meeting last Wednesday.

“The impression, that first impression, is just so important,” he continued. “A refresh, that’s what it is. And everybody will notice.”

Meehan, who sits on the Tourism Commission, asked about the status of the project, which was floated in December with no real timeline.

Tom Perlozzo, the city’s Director of Tourism and Business Development, said staff members have developed a funding plan that includes a state grant and money from the convention center’s budget to get the work underway. Staff are still working to identify a source for the remainder of the cash.

Correction

“We have it completely planned out,” Perlozzo said. “I have a financial plan I need to discuss with [City Manager Terry McGean].”

At a Tourism Commission meeting in December, designer Abbi Custis presented detailed plans to spruce up the inside of both levels of the convention center by swapping out the traditional-looking elements with bold accent colors, textured walls, modern ceiling art, and other eyecatching concepts.

She wowed the commission members with photos that featured pops of color, contemporary artwork, and a concerted use of white space to open up the rooms and spaces to make them more inviting.

Meehan said he would like to see the rehab finished before some major upcoming convention center events, such as the Maryland Municipal League conference in June and Maryland Association of Counties convention in August.

Perlozzo said staff members have “a plan A and a Plan B” to finish the project and hope for the majority of the work to be done before June 3.

In a story in the March 17 edition about a request for air rights at the Majestic

Designer Abbi Custis presents potential new looks for the Ocean City convention center’s interior to members of the city’s Tourism Commission at a meeting on Dec. 12. At a meeting on March 15, Mayor Rick Meehan, who sits on the Tourism Commission, asked about the status of the interior renovation and pushed staff to get it done before the summer.

County: non-local calls need fixing

By Jack Chavez Staff Writer

(March 24, 2023) Worn down by what they describe as a series of onesided relationships, the Worcester County Commissioners are sending letters to neighboring counties to let them know Worcester’s fire and EMS services cannot continue assisting them under the status quo.

In a unanimous vote on Tuesday, the commissioners elected to contact Sussex (Delaware), Accomack (Virginia) and Somerset counties to request meetings to discuss how the relationship can proceed.

Originally, the issue brought before the commissioners was to address Sussex County only, where the Bishopville Volunteer Fire Department has often sent its crews on emergency runs over the last three years.

According to data provided by the county Chief Administrative Officer Weston Young, Bishopville went into Sussex County 98 times over the last three years, versus just five times that Sussex responded to Bishopville’s area, In 2020, Sussex didn’t come into the area at all.

“This is an unsustainable trend that is pulling units out of Worcester

County to basically clean up the lack of response in our neighboring counties,” Young said, roping in Accomack and Somerset counties as well.

Young added that when there isn’t an ambulance in Bishopville, it leaves the department exposed if a local emergency call comes in. This in turn affects the Showell Volunteer Fire Department, which would be the first station to pick up the slack.

Young said it’s a “bunch of downstream impacts, every one of these calls.”

On the southern end of the county, Commissioner Joe Mitrecic said emergency service trips into Accomack and Somerset counties are affecting the Pocomoke City Volunteer Fire Department, which has the longest distance to travel to make it to a hospital.

In at least one case last year, Showell actually made it to Snow Hill first — a 20-mile drive — because Pocomoke was indisposed on another run, Mitrecic said.

“We’re one call away from a complete, total meltdown,” Mitrecic said. “That’s been stressed to us. If we have somebody in Virginia or Sussex County and we get that call, it cer-

tainly won’t be good.”

Earlier, while updating the commissioners on the progress of a committee comprised of Worcester County Fire and EMS leadership, Young, Mitrecic and Commissioners Jim Bunting and Ted Elder, Mitrecic said that they’re making headway in determining what budget needs will look like in the future, a “funding mechanism” for those needs and where current deficiencies are.

But how spread-thin the county’s resources are with these extra runs into neighboring counties was the chief concern discussed on Tuesday.

“I think basically we need to tell (these counties) the same thing Ocean City told us about West Ocean City — that either they come up with the money it costs to run those areas or we stop running it. We can no longer continue to allow the cost of running these other areas to affect the WC taxpayers,” Mitrecic said. “We keep giving more and more money to these emergency medical companies and we’re not getting anything out of Sussex (or Accomack, although) I think Somerset does pay us $25 a run, something ridiculous like that.”

Room tax, promoters bill nearing finish line

By Jack Chavez Staff Writer

(March 24, 2023) There’s no such thing as an easy bill.

That was Del. Wayne Hartman’s takeaway following a little bit of pushback that the Ocean City room tax bill, which would allow Worcester County to raise its hotel room tax from 5 percent to 6 percent, experienced on the Maryland General Assembly floor last week.

Ultimately, the bill did pass its third reading and Hartman said he expects it to cross the finish line.

“It sparked a lot of floor debate,” he said. “Some of it was in jest but some people just have a hard time increasing tax. It’s bad when we have to go to the General Assembly to increase room tax and allow tourists to pay for the touristrelated expenses that I hope this deal

will go to if it is enacted, because they’re basically raising taxes on themselves when they visit Ocean City.”

He added that someone pointed out that the fiscal note for the bill shows $4.5 million going to Ocean City and some of his colleagues realized that that money is essentially coming from their constituents.

“When we think we have something that’s an easy thing, there’s never such thing as an easy bill,” Hartman said.

Hartman was also looking forward to the floor debate for the Ocean City promoters bill that occurred Monday night, which would establish a liquor license for out-of-town promoters.

Hartman said he expects that bill to become law, too.

Across Bladen Street in the Senate offices, Sen. Mary Beth Carozza had a productive week moving multiple bills and seeing others go through hearings. Her bill stipulates required court appearances for those who are charged with negligent or reckless driving stemming from an accident that causes death. The current law is that a person charged with negligent driving is subject to a misdemeanor and a maximum fine of $1,000, which can be taken care of without going before a judge.

“Being able to face the person who caused such pain often plays a major

role in the healing process and requiring that person to show up in court provides accountability,” Carozza said in her weekly update. “These types of cases, where there is a victim, should not be treated the same as victimless vehicle accidents.”

Carozza took part in a hearing in front of the Senate Finance Committee for the Physician Assistant Modernization Act and the Physician Assistant Parity Act, legislation intended to modernize the law regarding the working relationship between physicians and their assistants and to better reflect current practice, according to Carozza’s statement.

Carozza also stated that the legislation will help address the workforce shortage in Maryland, which is worse than the nationwide average.

“Maryland hospitals already are struggling to maintain adequate coverage in the emergency room and to support many of the medical specialties, especially on the Eastern Shore,” Carozza said. “We need to take action now. Medicine is a team sport, and we need to build and train a strong supportive structure that better utilizes our physician assistants.”

The Senate Judiciary Committee looked at another Carozza bill that would extend the expiration and renewal periods of handgun carry permits for law enforcement officers who retired in good standing.

Carozza said that the narrowly focused bill improves the renewal process by recognizing good service.

Worcester County approves fee for non-local boaters

By Jack Chavez Staff Writer

(March 24, 2023) It’s going to cost non-Maryland boaters to launch at the Shell Mill boat ramp in Bishopville soon.

The Worcester County Commissioners voted 4-3, with commissioners Joe Mitrecic and Ted Elder opposed and Diana Purnell abstaining, to initiate a pilot program that will charge outof-state users $10 to use the north-county ramp on March 7.

The one-year program could be a precursor to wider efforts around the county to mitigate boat ramp parking woes and at the same time cash in on the out-of-state summer rush.

“This gives us the ability to evaluate and adjust before implementing (the practice) at other boat landings,” said Recreation and Parks Director Kelly Rados.

The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office has indicated that they would have no problem enforcing the program,

See BOATERS Page 18

Wayne Hartman

Mary Beth Carozza

Rados said.

Mitrecic said he thought the program will simply clog up the other county ramps.

“We’re going to push these boat ramp users to other boat ramps,” Mitrecic said. “I understand (Commissioner Jim) Bunting doesn’t care where it pushes them as long as it’s not in his backyard … (but) if we’re going to do it we need to do it with all boat ramps in the county.”

Commissioner Eric Fiori disagreed, reasoning that parking is so limited at the other boat ramps that such an idea is unrealistic.

“By 9 a.m. on a Saturday, these lots are already filled,” Fiori said. “You’re not going to take your family and boat to another ramp because of a $10 fee.”

Elder said he thinks the only difference the program would make is giving a little extra money to the county — that the parking issues that the program is supposed to address will continue.

Bunting said that the county must start somewhere.

“It’s a problem (at Shell Mill),” he said. “This helps us track who’s coming from out of state. We’re going to get it straight and we’ll have the ability to enforce the number of boats and trailers there. We won’t have them stacked up the road and

blocking, loading and unloading.”

In another boating-related decision, the commissioners voted 4-3 to direct county staff to prepare recommendations based on concerns with specialuse boating permits.

Mitrecic, Elder and Purnell opposed the measure.

Rados presented the commissioners with a revised application that would allow a commercial user to request five specific dates per application, per year. Each application would require a $50 nonrefundable application fee for administration costs.

An issue with the application that Mitrecic brought up was the limits on boat dealerships and repair shops since they’re technically considered commercial.

Fiori said that what the dealers and repair shops do should be considered a service for residents.

“As a boat dealer, I consider myself an expert,” Fiori said. “Boat dealers going to ramps are doing a service to residents. They’re not doing it as a straight thing as far as profits go.”

“We need to adjust what we’re looking to do here … For heavier commercial operations for construction, a bond process needs to be in place … Allowing additional parking spots to be used for a for-hire guide. We can’t be filling up our parking spots. We need to identify what is commercial use and what isn’t. We need to go back to the drawing board on this and define these fine items so we don’t impact the community (unnecessarily).”

Bertino said it was “very stringent” the way the county currently defines commercial use including dealers and repair shops.

“I think we need to reevaluate that,” he said.

JACK CHAVEZ/OCEAN CITY TODAY

The Shell Mill boat ramp in Bishopville will act as the county’s guinea pig for plans to monetize on the glut of out-of-state boaters using county-owned ramps during the summer.

Recognizing Samuel E. Villani, Jr.

By Steve Price Contributing Writer

(March 24, 2023) This week we have the opportunity to “Spotlight” former Deputy Chief/Fire Marshal and current OCVFC Gold Badge Member Samuel E. Villani Jr.

Fire Marshal Villani represents another long-time Ocean City family committed to helping their neighbors in need as well as ensuring the safety of our resort visitors.

Sam’s father, Mr. Samuel E. Villani Sr., was a member of the OCVFC for over 56 years. During his 31 years of active service, Sam Sr. was recognized as one of the first firefighters to become skillful in the use of self-contained breathing apparatus for interior firefighting.

On Christmas Day 1959, Sam Sr. responded to a fiery motor vehicle crash on Route 50 in West Ocean City with two young men trapped in the vehicle.

Without regard for his personal safety, Sam Sr. removed one young man from the burning car and began life-saving efforts.

He then returned to the vehicle in an attempt to rescue the second young man but was unsuccessful as the car exploded and sent Sam “reeling.” Unfortunately, both young men perished in the crash. Sam remained in shock for several days following the incident.

In 1960, he received the Colburn Award from the Maryland State Firemen’s Association and the State of Maryland for his outstanding act of heroism.

The son of Sam Jr., Samuel E. Villani III, served in the Cadet Program for four years and remains an honorary member of the OCVFC. He currently serves as a battalion chief with the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Department.

In 2002, he was awarded a Silver Medal for Bravery for rescuing a 4month-old baby from a burning building.

Sam Jr. retired from the Town of Ocean City in October 2011, giving him more time for traveling and golfing with

Commissioners looking for residents to serve on board

(March 24, 2023) The Worcester County Commissioners are looking for residents to serve on the county’s new trial board to hear cases involving police discipline matters.

The trial board will consist of three members, be chaired by a retired or administrative law judge, and will conduct hearings if an officer does not accept the disciplinary measures recommended by the “Charging Committee,” the body that initially reviews complaints of police misconduct.

Members of the trial board will receive training and compensation for their services.

Applications to serve on this board are available at www.co.worcester.md.us. Send the completed application, along with a letter of interest and a resume or cover letter outlining any pertinent experience, to PAB@co.worcester.md.us or Worcester County Administration at One West Market Street, Room 1103, Snow Hill, Maryland 21863.

Ocean Pines man convicted of second-degree child abuse

By Hunter Hine Staff Writer

(March 24, 2023) A Worcester County Circuit Court jury last Wednesday found Connor Paul Kelly of Ocean Pines guilty of second-degree child abuse, three counts of second degree assault and neglect of a minor, said Worcester County States Attorney Kristin Heiser.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 19.

The offenses took place between Jan. 15, 2021 and Feb. 15, 2021, according to the Maryland Case Search. Judge Beau Oglesby issued an arrest warrant for Kelly on March 24, 2021, which was served on March 25, 2021.

Ocean Pines Police Department was the charging agency and wrote the reports, and the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the investigation, Heiser said.

QUALITY MEANS DOING IT JUST-RITE MARINE CONSTRUCTION

See GOLD Page 21 Samuel E. Villani, Jr.

Inside Storage for Small Boats & Pontoons

Continued from Page 20

his wife, Donna.

During his 35 1/2 years of public safety service to the community, he served as a fire marshal, fire investigator, bomb squad commander and deputy chief for the Office of the Fire Marshal and was a lieutenant for the Ocean City Police Department.

During his career he received many citations, commendations and meritorious service awards.

Fire Marshal Villani has been a member of the OCVFC for nearly 50 years, having joined the rank of active firefighter on May 1, 1973.

Sam has held the ranks of lieutenant, captain, and assistant

chief as well as the offices of president, vice president and board of director. He was also an instructor for the Cadet Program for several years.

He served on the active rolls for 36 years and currently is serving as a Gold Badge member.

Deputy Chief Villani joined the Volunteer Fire Company not only to give back to his community but also to become part of a brotherhood with people having the same interests.

He recalls the most significant event of his fire service career as the tragic Sauté Café fire of July 16, 1983, resulting in the line-ofduty death for a fellow OCVFC firefighter. He states those sad

Gold badge member Villani Local woman gets five years

(March 24, 2023) A Willards woman is headed to prison for five years for her role in the distribution of fentanyl that resulted in the 2021 death of a Berlin man.

According to a news release issued last week, a Worcester Circuit County judge sentenced Leigh Ann Williams, 35, on Feb. 16 to 10 years in prison, with all but five suspended, and placed her on three years of supervised probation upon release for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.

Williams and a co-defendant,

Bryan Zimmerman, 35, of Ocean City, were charged with distributing the drugs that killed 37-year-old Christopher Price, of Berlin, in September 2021.

The release said Zimmerman was convicted of distribution of fentanyl for the same incident and sentenced in July 2022 to serve 20 years in prison, with all but 10

memories will remain with him forever.

Deputy Chief Villani said his greatest accomplishment in the fire service was being part of a team crafting and implementing fire protection legislation, especially the installation of fire sprinklers in existing high-rise buildings to not only protect the residents but also our firefighters.

We thank Fire Marshall Villani and his family for their years of service and commitment to the safety of our neighbors and our visitors to our community. For membership information or to learn more about your volunteer fire company, please visit www.ocvfc.com.

suspended, and placed on five years of supervised probation upon release.

The charges resulted from an investigation that began on Sept. 25, 2021 after Price, an employee of an Ocean City hotel, failed to show up for work. Hotel staff went to Price’s apartment, where they found his body and

MSP investigating fatal crash

(March 24, 2023) State police are still looking into the fatal crash that happened in Berlin on Saturday afternoon and involved Worcester County.

Linda Brown, 69, of Berlin, was the deceased. She was the driver of a 2009 Toyota Tacoma. At the scene, Brown was declared dead.

A Volvo truck pulling a 2015 trailer was the other involved ve-

hicle. The truck driver was not reportedly hurt.

Troopers from the Berlin Barrack responded to a reported crash on US 113 northbound at Georgetown Road in Berlin on Saturday shortly after 3:30 p.m.

According to the preliminary investigation and eyewitness accounts of the incident, the Tacoma’s driver went through a stop sign and

into the path of the truck in an attempt to cross the northbound lanes of US 113 while traveling west on Georgetown Road.

Also responding to the scene was the state police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division, Berlin police officers and deputies from the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office and members of the Berlin Fire and EMS Department.

Tues. crash kills Stockton man

(March 24, 2023) Maryland State Police are investigating a fatal two-vehicle crash that occurred late Tuesday evening in Worcester County.

Shortly after 11:20 p.m., troopers from the Maryland State Police Berlin Barrack responded to Route 113 at Groton Road for a report of a multi-vehicle crash. According to

a preliminary investigation, a box truck was traveling north on Route 113 when it crashed into a Kia Forte, which was traveling west on Groton Road.

The driver of the Kia, identified as Chauncey McKinley Johnson, 54, of Stockton was declared deceased at the scene. The driver of the truck remained at the scene.

No other injuries or fatalities were reported.

Route 113 was temporarily closed as a result of the crash. The Maryland State Police Crash Team, along with assistance from troopers with the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division, are conducting the investigation into the crash.

Leigh Williams B. Zimmerman

See WILLARDS Page 22

POLICE/COURTS

Wrong way

OCPD charged Michael Alexander Robertson, of Columbia, with driving under the influence of alcohol after driving the wrong way down a one-way stretch of Philadelphia Avenue.

On March 17, at 9:40 p.m., a police officer conducting a traffic stop at the 800-block of Philadelphia Avenue heard the blaring of a car horn from a southbound car at 8th Street. The officer turned to see that while southbound traffic had the green light, a Red Toyota Tundra coming from the 200 block of 8th Street blew a red light, cut off a car on Philadelphia Avenue and then headed north up the one-way southbound stretch of the highway.

The officer pulled the Tundra over at the 800-block of Philadelphia Avenue. The driver, Robertson, reportedly told police he was coming from a

local bar. The officer arrested Roberston after he failed the sobriety test. He later refused a breath test, police said.

False ID and possession

The Ocean City Police Department charged Robin Clarence Stephens, of Delaware, with giving a fraudulent personal identity to avoid prosecution, and charged Molly Ruth Deckoff, of Delaware, with driving while impaired by a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) after police pulled over the same car twice for traffic violations, according to two police reports. Both Stephens and Deckoff also received drug possession and traffic charges.

On March 17, around 12:33 a.m., police stopped a silver 2004 Mercedes sedan at 66th Street and Coastal Highway, after the car stopped with its front wheels over the

crosswalk at an intersection. When police asked Stephens, the driver of the car, for his license and registration, Stephens said no state ever issued him a license. Stephens gave police the fake name “Dion Jermaine Stephens,” along with a fake birthday from 1971, according to police. Deckoff, who sat in the passenger seat, gave her ID to the police.

During a license check, police found no information for the name Stephens gave them, and when they asked him his age, he allegedly told them to calculate it themselves from his fake birth year.

While police were interviewing Stephens, he asked for a winter coat from the backseat of the Mercedes. Deckoff handed the coat to an officer, who felt, and then discovered, a small scale in the coat pocket, along with an open carton of cigarettes.

Continued on Page 23

Baltimore man hit with 20 years for first-degree assault

(March 24, 2023) De’Jhuan Collic, 28, of Baltimore, was sentenced on March 3, to serve 20 years in the Division of Correction after pleading guilty to one count of 1st degree assault in November 2022.

Judge Brian D. Shockley of the Worcester County Circuit Court presided over sentencing and suspended all but 10 years of the sentence, placed Collic on five years of supervised probation upon his release and required him to submit a DNA sample.

The charges originated from an incident that occurred on June 5, 2022 at a convenience store in West Ocean City. Maryland State Police troopers responded to a reported assault on a pregnant woman at that location and spoke with the victim upon arrival.

Further investigation revealed the victim and the suspect, identified as De’Jhuan Collic, had stopped at the convenience store after leaving Ocean City and became involved in an argument while at the gas pumps.

Collic became irate and began to strike the victim several times in the head and face with his fist, and then began choking her. She tried to escape by running away, but Collic pushed her, causing her to fall into their vehicle’s side mirror.

Collic then took the vehicle and fled the area, but was apprehended soon after by troopers on Route 50.

Worcester County State’s Attorney Kris Heiser thanked TFC Kreiling and TFC Pinto for their swift action in locating and detaining Collic. She also thanked Assistant State’s Attorney Pamela Correa who prosecuted the case.

Willards woman gets five years

Continued from Page 21

contacted police.

Through the investigation, Ocean City Police Department detectives obtained cell phone records that revealed that Price had been in recent contact with Zimmerman.

After analysis of digital evidence, detectives were able to establish that Zimmerman and Williams traveled together to sell Price what he believed to be Xanax. Detectives also learned that Zimmerman had been arrested two days prior for possession of fentanyl.

The release said Price’s autopsy results indicated his cause of death was fentanyl and ethanol intoxication, and as a result, a Worcester County Grand Jury indicted Zimmerman in November 2021. Williams was charged for her role in the incident on April 5 and she later pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.

De’Jhuan Collic

Stephens asked to swap the jacket for a sweatshirt, and an officer saw Deckoff put the cigarette carton on the car floor.

Police arrested Stephens after using a “secure police database” to find his true identity and discovered that he had an outstanding bench warrant for failure to appear in court for a DWI charge.

The Mercedes was registered under Deckhoff’s mother’s name, so they released her and the car.

About 12 minutes later, another officer pulled over Deckoff at 135th Street and Coastal Highway for weaving in and out of lanes. Seven “wax folds” of heroin fell out of the car when an officer asked Deckoff to step out of the car, according to the report. Police also said they arrested Deckoff after a failed sobriety test, with a subsequent search of the car produced cocaine inside folded receipt paper in the cigarette carton and a glass pipe in the backseat.

Police also charged Stephens with possession since it was likely the CDS had been in the car before his arrest, according to the report.

Failure to pull over

Tia J. Sheed, of New Jersey, received six charges Saturday including driving under the influence of alcohol, speeding and failure to drive to the curb upon signal by police, according to the police report.

On March 18, at 12:09 a.m., a white Nissan Titan sped past an OC police officer who was driving north near 74th Street. The officer followed the truck and turned on the car’s lights and siren around 81st Street. The Nissan continued for around 10 more blocks driving at about 65 mph, according to the police report. The officer reported the truck to Ocean City Communications.

Officers at 118th Street heard the call and spotted the Nissan doing 63 mph in a 40 zone. At 120th Street, officers saw the Nissan make a U-turn and pull into a convenience store.

Police then confronted Sheed, the driver, who said she had been unaware of the siren and lights. Police arrested Sheed at 1:20 a.m. for suspicion of DUI.

Resisting arrest

OCPD charged Vincent Keith O’brien, of Sykesville, with intentionally obstructing a police officer and resisting arrest after an officer pulled O’brien over for speeding and noticed signs of intoxication, according to a police report.

On March 18, at 11:39 p.m., an Ocean City police officer heard the loud acceleration of a truck and then saw O’brien’s silver Ram 1500 headed south on Ocean Highway near 31st Street. The officer pulled O’brien over at 23rd Street for going 48mph in a 35 zone. O’brien showed signs of intoxication like slurred speech and glassy eyes, and while O’brien told the police officer he had drunk 2 beers at a midtown bar, a witness later claimed he had actually drunk 3 or 4 Bacardi and sodas.

The officer asked O’brien to get out of the truck several times, but O’brien reportedly refused and started angrily questioning the officer. Eventually O’brien got out of the truck, but he continued cursing at the officers and interrupting them. At one point police tried to stop O’brien from walking back to the truck, but he reached out towards police and told them not to touch him.

Police told O’brien he was under arrest for

driving while intoxicated. As they tried to handcuff O’brien, he allegedly moved his arms to his front so that they could not cuff them behind his back. A police officer showed O’brien their Taser, but he continued to resist, so they tased him and got the cuffs on his wrists.

O’brien later refused an alcohol concentration test.

Indecent exposure

Officers charged Ansel Mueller, of Virginia, with endangering a local bar’s property while intoxicated and indecently exposing himself to a police officer, according to a police report.

On March 18, at 12:43 a.m., an OCPD officer responded to a report of a drunk man who broke a toilet at a downtown bar. When the officer arrived, the bar’s security guard waved them toward the bathroom. They saw Mueller standing above the toilet with his penis exposed, although he wasn’t actually using the toilet, according to the police report.

The security guard told police that Mueller had been throwing up in the bathroom for 15 minutes, and he had opened the bathroom door to kick Mueller out of the bar. When he opened the door, the security guard said, he found Mueller laid over the toilet, which was shifted and broken from its seal to the floor.

Upon entering the bathroom, police said Mueller told them, “I’m so sober right now,” followed by “I am definitely drunk right now boys,” before they arrested him.

Concealed weapons and CDS

Scott B. Penaloza, of North Carolina, received eight charges, including carrying a loaded handgun in a vehicle, carrying a concealed kitchen knife and possession of oxycodone hydrochloride, according to a police report.

On March 19, at 12:34 a.m., officers driving past 18th Street on Baltimore Avenue noticed a maroon 2022 Chrysler 300 behind them with the driver’s side headlight out. The police also noticed the Chrysler’s window tint was too dark to see through as it passed by.

Police pulled the car over into the parking lot of a hotel near 25th Street. When Penaloza, the driver, rolled down his window, police noticed the smell of burnt marijuana. They also saw a woman in the passenger seat and a two-year-old boy laying down in the back seat “unsecured by a car seat,” according to the report.

Believing Penaloza to be driving high based on the smell and his drowsy demeanor, police asked all three of them to step out of the car. As police started searching the Chrysler, Penaloza started cursing at an officer who was questioning him in front of a patrol car. Penaloza refused to take a field sobriety test and insisted he shouldn’t have been pulled over for having a headlamp out. Police arrested Penaloza and continued searching his car.

The search revealed a bag of marijuana in the driver’s side door as well as a pill bottle and baggie in the center console, which collectively contained 59 pills that Maryland Poison Control confirmed to contain oxycodone hydrochloride. In the glove compartment, police found a Ruger 57 handgun with a full magazine and a bullet in the chamber, and next to it they found a kitchen knife. While the gun was registered to Penaloza, he did not possess a concealed carry permit in Maryland.

Police took Penaloza to the Public Safety Building for processing.

All entrees from this menu are served with a house salad

Turkey Dinner ~ $26.95

Whole turkey roasted and sliced, smothered in homemade gravy, served with cornbread stuffing, mashed potatoes and sautéed green beans

Apple Cider Glazed Ham ~ $25.95

Apple cider glazed ham, topped with mustard sauce, served roasted potatoes and sautéed green beans

Jumbo Lump Crabcake ~ $32.95

Five ounce Maryland Jumbo Lump crabcake, baked and sprinkled with Old Bay, served with roasted potatoes and sautéed green beans

Salmon Grenobloise ~ $28.95

North Atlantic Salmon, brown butter sautéed capers and citrus segments, brioche croutons. Finished with roasted garlic, caperberries, caramelized cauliflower and beurre blanc sauce

Chicken Chasseur ~ $27.95

Pan roasted Airline chicken breast, finished with a mushroom Hunter sauce. Served with mashed potatoes and sautéed green beans

Filet Mignon ~ $36.95

Five ounce Angus Filet Mignon, grilled to order, served with lemon caper compound butter sauce, roasted potatoes and sautéed green beans

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20

It is very important that you do not count your chickens before they hatch, Aries. Something you suspected was a sure thing may not pan out this week.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21

You have a secret desire that you want to let out, Taurus. But you’re not sure of the timing. Stop letting your head dictate your heart and put plans into action.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21

Friendships could falter due to your insecurities, Gemini. Others want to be around you for good reason. Try to see the value in relationships and make the effort to socialize.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22

Cancer, you could be defeating your own efforts this week. There may be something telling you that you’re not good enough to go for your goals. A pep talk can put you back on course.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23

There’s a fresh development in your love life coming down the pike, Leo. Romantic feelings solidify and you might be in for some exciting adventures in the weeks to come.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22

Virgo, the crowd around you may not be the support system you need right now. Making new friends can be tough, but it’s worthy pursuit at this point.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23

Libra, no matter how much you want to spend time with family or friends right now, work seems to draw you away. Focus on finding more balance.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22

You might be feeling fed up with the pace of lessons being taught to you, Scorpio. If the teacher or mentor simply isn’t effective, then you might need to find a new educator.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21

Sagittarius, it might seem like having the utmost control sets you up for security, but that’s not always the case. Being too controlling may push others away.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20

This may be an emotional week for you, Capricorn. Your relationship will have to weather a few storms before things right themselves again.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18

Poor habits can keep you from getting where you want to go, Aquarius. A friend or family member may need to step in to show you where you could be going wrong.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20

Help a partner heal by being sensitive to his or her suffering. You may not know all the ins and outs, but being supportive can help greatly.

Cook calamari hot and fast, Walker says

By Deborah Lee Walker Contributing Writer

(March 24, 2023) The art of entertaining is a chance to raise the curtain and allow guests to be part of your whimsical merriment.

Rehearsal time is comprised of deconstructing a recipe and then bringing it to life with your own point of view and personal touch.

Developing a special dish for a memorable occasion takes time and much consideration.

That being said, I will be remembering my dear friend’s birthday this weekend, and have decided to serve grilled octopus as an appetizer.

Colleen loved grilling and calamari and I know grilled octopus would have tickled her fancy.

Octopus is commonly confused with calamari, though both are surprisingly different in taste and cooking methods.

Many people think calamari dishes are made from octopus, when in fact calamari is actually made from a type of squid.

Octopus is tough and benefits from a slow braising and then is finished on a grill or a given a quick sear.

Calamari needs to be cooked hot and fast or low and slow. Just like calamari, octopus can be eaten on its own or in a sauce.

Most octopus come frozen and already cleaned. The main reason they are packaged this way is the fact that octopus spoils quickly and is difficult to maintain during the shipping process.

Believe it or not, but frozen octopus actually cooks up more tender than fresh octopus; the freezing and thawing process enhances the breakdown of the tough tissue.

But just in case you purchase fresh octopus, following are step by step instructions on how to clean octopus.

First, you will need to slice off the head and dispose of the internal organs if you want to keep it.

Detach the eyes; some people enjoy eating the eyes fried.

Spread the tentacles to locate the beak. Using a paring knife, slice around the beak.

Firmly press the soft tissue of the beak using your thumbs. This will push it through to the other side so it can be disposed.

Rinse octopus thoroughly in cold water.

Demystifying octopus is the next task at hand. This ancient denizen of the deep is known for its bizarre and

unique appearance; a massive bulbous head, large eyes, and eight distinctive arms set it apart from any creature of the sea.

Octopus is making waves in the culinary world and is becoming quite a quintessential dish.

Octopus has been a delicacy, even a staple throughout Mediterranean and Asian countries, and American chefs are catching up and realizing its great potential.

The key to cooking this delight is simple; cook it slowly in a flavored broth until tender.

A potentially exasperating trait is that octopus of the same weight may require considerably different cooking times. No worries, it is easy to judge doneness.

When the thickest part of the octopus yields to the sharp point of a knife with little resistance, it is ready for consumption.

Once the octopus is tender, remove it from the cooking liquid.

Remove the tentacles by slicing them just below the head. As they are cooling, using paper towels, remove the exterior skin.

The slimy skin is not pleasing to the eye.

Toss the tentacles in a bowl with olive oil, fresh herbs, minced garlic and citrus juice and zest. Grill them until a nice sear is achieved.

Place the cooked octopus on serving plate and spoon a touch more of the marinade on the tentacles.

If one wants a more substantial first course, consider a grilled octopus’s salad. Salad ingredients are light and still allow the octopus to be the “star” of the dish.

If you have a yearning to try something new, grilled octopus is easy to make and will make quite an impression.

In closing, food is delicious on its own but it is also seasoned with reminiscences.

Colleen, you are dearly missed and this recipe is in your honor. Enjoy!

Poaching the Octopuses

2 (2 pound) cleaned, thawed octopuses enough water to completely cover the octopuses

4 cups white wine

2 cups rice vinegar

juice of 2 lemons

4 bay leaves

20 peppercorns

6 sprigs of fresh thyme

½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

6 large garlic cloves, minced

1 small sweet onion, peeled and quartered

2 stalks celery (including the leaves), quartered

1. Place all of the ingredients in a large stock pot or pressure cooker. Holding the head of the octopus, lower it in the broth.

You will notice that the tentacles will start to curl. Dip it a few times if you want this effect.

Then completely submerge the octopuses in the broth and simmer covered for 2 hours or until tender. The octopus will shrink as it continues to cook.

2. Remove octopuses from the pot and allow to cool. Cut the tentacles from the head. As they are cooling, using paper towels, remove the skin. Set aside.

Grilling the Octopuses

The best part there is no set recipe. In a medium bowl, combine olive oil, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, favorite fresh herbs, favorite citrus juice and zest, and minced garlic. Allow cooled tentacles to marinate for 20 minutes.

Place them on a hot grill and grill until a nice sear is achieved. This will only take a few minutes for each side. Place grilled octopus on serving plate with a few more spoonsful of marinade and garnish with fresh herbs.

You can either slice the tentacles

See STEPS Page 26

Safe boating course offered in OP

By Hunter Hine Staff Writer

(March 24, 2023) The Ocean City Power Squadron is offering local boaters a free three-day course focusing on safety at the Ocean Pines Library starting Tuesday.

OCPS is a volunteer organization dedicated to cultivating safe and skilled boating. It serves as part of the United States Power Squadron, according to the OCPS website.

Anyone who wishes to drive a recreational boat or personal watercraft is required to attend the entire eight-hour course and pass its one-hour final exam, said OCPS Education Officer Fred Stiehl.

The class covers topics like proper boating equipment, navigation, rightof-way, reading buoys, boating in bad weather, knot tying and radio communications, Stiehl said.

“I think if you’re going to be a boater, if you’re going to be on the water, you really need to understand what’s required to operate safely, and you might be surprised at how many people do not know the basics of boating,” Stiehl said.

Maryland residents born before July 1, 1972 are exempt from the class, but with recent changes in Maryland boating laws, Stiehl also encourages wellseasoned boaters to attend, if just as a refresher.

“Even if you are the son or daughter of a very experienced fisherman, a very experienced boater, and your father or your mother has taught you lots of stuff, that’s great, and it’s really helpful and useful, but you still legally have to take this class or one like it to operate legally on the waters of Maryland or Delaware (or) Virginia,” Stiehl said.

The course runs from 6-9 p.m. each night. There will be a final exam on the last night.

Prospective boaters can register on the first night and are asked to arrive 15 minutes early to do so.

While there isn’t a minimum age requirement, Stiehl said middle school and higher is most appropriate.

Once passed, boaters are registered with the state and receive a Maryland Safe Boating Certificate, a document Stiehl compared to a driver’s license. The certification is valid in most states including Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and Pennsylvania, Stiehl said.

“If you are in a boat, operating a boat, and you do not have the certificate, but someone else on board, whose boat it is (does have the certificate), then you’re okay to operate it,” he said. “So for example, if I go on my boat with my grandchildren, and I’m trying to teach them how to maneuver on the water, that’s okay as long as I’m in charge and I’ve got either the required certificate or I’m grandfathered in.”

OCPS usually offers the course to the general public every spring and fall with around 20 attendees, but they also present the class to middle and intermediate schools during the school year, Stiehl said.

Students of the basic boating course can buy a $20 course book from the OCPS or rent one with a refundable deposit of the same price. The book is also free for highschoolers and younger students, Stiehl said.

“We hope they (the students) get the basic knowledge of how to operate your

See POWER Page 27

CROSSWORD

Steps to prepare, and grill octopus

Continued from Page 25

or leave them in one piece. Makes 4 Appetizer Portions

Secret Ingredient – Taking A Chance. “Don’t be afraid to give up the good for the great.” – John D. Rockefeller

* Kerry, owner of Sea Born Seafood, is located at the docks in West Ocean City, 443-235-3448. It’s the best place to buy seafood and he has an excellent selection of octopuses.

Power Squadron to teach class

Continued from Page 26

boat safely. It’s not going to tell you everything you need to know,” Stiehl said. “You need to learn by experience. You need to understand various situations that you might get yourself into. We can’t cover them all. We try and cover as many as we can think of.”

Stiehl said when boaters are through with the course they will know all the legal requirements that come with boating, and he hopes they apply their

knowledge to make boating safer for everyone.

“I like boating. I like other people to like boating and I want to make sure that both they and I are safe out on the water,” Stiehl said.

For more information, visit ocusps.org.

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary also hosts a Safe Boating Class once a month at the Ocean Pines Library, and the next one begins April 11.

Free passes to gardens offered

(March 24, 2023) The Worcester County Library has partnered with the Delaware Botanic Gardens to offer free passes to the Gardens this summer.

Passes are available to borrow from the Berlin and Ocean Pines branches using a current library card.

Admission to the 37-acre Delaware Botanic Gardens is normally $15 for adults, with children aged 16 and under admitted for free.

The passes, issued one per adult, may be used for one week for free adult ad-

NOW PLAYING

COINS

28th Street and Coastal Highway, Ocean City 410-289-3100 / www.coinspuboc.com

March 25: Shortcut Sunny, 7 p.m.

PICKLE’S PUB

706 Philadelphia Avenue, Ocean City, 410-289-4891 / picklesoc.com

March 24: Beats by Deojee, 9:30 p.m to 1:30 a.m.

March 25: Rougue Citizens, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

March 26: Beats by Deojee, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

March 27: Karaoke w/Wood, 9:30 p.m to 1:30 a.m.

March 28: Beats by Wax, 9:30 p.m to 1:30 a.m.

March 29: Beats by Deojee, 9:30 p.m to 1:30 a.m.

March 30: Beats by Wax, 9:30 p.m to 1:30 a.m.

SEACRETS

49th Street and the Bay, Ocean City 410-524-4900 / www.seacrets.com

March 24: John McNutt Duo, 5-9 p.m.; DJ Bobby-O, 6 p.m to 1:50 a.m.; DJ Tuff, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Cherry Crush Band, 10 p.m. to 1:50 a.m.

March 25: John McNutt Band, 5-9 p.m.; DJ BobbyO, 6 p.m. to 1:50 a.m.; DJ Cruz, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.; The Way Outs, 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.; Screaming Monkeys, 10 p.m. to 1:50 a.m.

March 30: Full Circle Duo, 5-9 p.m.; DJ Connair, 9 p.m. to 1:50 a.m.; Sip On That Thursdays!, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

PIZZA TUGOS

9935 Stephen Decatur Hwy., West Ocean City

410-524-2922 / pizzatugos.com

March 24: Daddy, 9 p.m. to midnight

March 29: Every Wed. Karaoke w/DJ Chuck D, 8 p.m. to midnight

mission. However, users should note that extra Garden offerings, such as guided tours, may require an additional fee.

The Delaware Botanic Gardens are located at 30220 Piney Neck Road, Dagsboro, Delaware. It is open March through November, Thursday through Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, visit www.delawaregardens.org, or one of the Worcester County Library branches.

Pickle’s Pub: Tue., March 28, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Thur., March 30, 5-9 p.m.

BEATS BY WAX

Tyler Groton Memorial Fund to support LGBTQ+ youth

(March, 24, 2023) The Tyler Groton Memorial Fund was recently established by the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore.

Created by Judge Thomas Groton III and Althea Smith Groton to honor the memory of their late son, the fund will award grants to nonprofits which provide support to LGBTQ+ youth.

Tyler Groton grew up in Snow Hill and passed away suddenly in the fall of 2021.

“Tyler was a swimmer, Eagle Scout, organ donor, and dedicated time to building shelters for homeless cats, but his greatest passion was theater,” said his mother, Althea Groton.

“As a gifted actor, he performed in numerous plays in the Baltimore region,

Ocean City’s annual Spring Clean Up set for Saturday

most notably at the Chesapeake Shakespeare Theater. He loved working on theatre projects with children and was a talented director,” she said.

The fund was inspired by Tyler’s advocacy of the LGBTQ+ community.

As the assistant theater director of the McDonogh School, Tyler’s greatest accomplishment was directing “The Laramie Project. The play details the brutal killing of gay college student Matthew Shepard.

Groton said at the time he not only wanted to stretch the actors’ ability with the demanding piece of documentary theater, but he also wanted to foster discussion about the treatment of LGBTQ+ people.

“The experience was eye opening and enlightening as noted by all involved including students, parents, and faculty,” said Judge Thomas Groton, Tyler’s father. “LGBTQ+ youth are often mistreated and stigmatized in society and

Dining Guide

■ PRICE RANGE: $, $$, $$$

■ RESERVATIONS: Reservations accepted

■ CAPTAIN’S TABLE

15th Street and Baltimore Avenue, inside

The Courtyard by Marriott, Ocean City 410-289-7192, www.captainstableoc.com

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

Visit Captain’s Table for seafood, steaks, lobster specials and martinis. Open for breakfast and dinner everyday. Happy hour; seven days a week, 4 to 6 p.m. Breakfast; Monday through Friday, 7:30 to 10:30 a.m., Saturday through Sunday, 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. Dinner; Sunday through Thursday, 4 to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 4 to 10 p.m.

■ COASTAL SALT

1601 Atlantic Avenue, Ocean City 410-973-7258, www.coastalsaltoc.com

New American restaurant with reel eats & high spirits. Local seafood and Chef’s specials. Enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner overlooking the beautiful ocean view from the boardwalk. Open Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. Pet friendly, patio with heaters. The best staff, creative eats with plenty of free parking.

■ COINS PUB & RESTAURANT

28th Street Plaza and Coastal Highway, Ocean City 410-289-3100, www.coinspuboc.com

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

American style local restaurant serving seafood, steaks and chefs specials. Check out the off season weekday specials. Early bird; daily, 2 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday’s early bird specials, all day and all night. Happy Hour; daily, 2 to 5:30 p.m. with food and drink specials. Closed Mondays. Open Tuesday through Friday, 2 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday, 11:30 a.m. Dine-in, carry out. Ordering online www.coinspuboc.com.

■ CORAL REEF RESTAURANT & BAR

Oceanfront and 17th St. in Holiday Inn & Suites, Ocean City 410-289-2612, www.coralreefrestaurant.com

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

Enjoy traditional Eastern Shore cuisine with a Caribbean flare from a selection of house specialty entrees such as burgers, seafood, and pastas! Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner featuring specialty rums; Sunday

through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday through Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Happy hour drink specials and $10 eats, Everyday, 3 to 6 p.m.

■ HARBOR WATCH

806 S. Atlantic Avenue, Ocean City 410-289-5121, www.harborwatchrestaraunt.com

$$-$$$ | Reservations | Kids’ menu | Full bar

Fresh seafood, award-winning raw bar, certified angus beef and home to the best view of the Ocean City Inlet and Assateague Island! Open all March, Thursday through Sunday; Happy Hour: Thursday and Sunday, all night long featuring $8 appetizers, $5 crushes, $5 house wine and $4 bottle beers! Call for banquet and large-party details.

■ PAPI’S TACO JOINT

15th Street @ Philadelphia Avenue, Ocean City 443-664-861, PapisTacoJoint.com

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

Try the new Authentic Mexican restaurant open 7 days a week. Monday through Friday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. With a family atmosphere you can enjoy build your own street taco’s with a sheet table side with their home-made authentic salsas. Serving foods such as little cravings, Papi’s trio guacamole, Queso Fundido and choice of salsas, salads, bowls, soups, main dishes and desserts. Also, brunch, gluten free and vegan menus. Happy Hour: Monday through Friday, 3 to 5 p.m. with beer, wines, cocktails and specialty signature drinks. Dine in, or order online for your carryout and delivery by Door Dash. Catering is available.

■ PICKLES PUB

706 Philadelphia Ave., Ocean City 410-289-4891, www.picklesoc.com

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

Open daily. Serving food until 1 a.m. Free parking across the street. Daily food and drink specials. Live entertainment 6 nights a week. Lots of pool tables. Liquor store attached. Game room. 30+ drafts on tap. Dine in or carry out.

(March 24, 2023) As the town gets ready for warmer weather and the bustling summer season, residents can once again take advantage of Ocean City’s Spring Clean Up.

This annual occurrence allows residential property owners to do their spring-cleaning by offering free residential bulk pick-up on Saturday, March 25.

Ocean City’s Spring Clean Up service offers a convenient way for residents to

the resulting mental health issues are all too real. Through this memorial fund we want to continue our son’s work by helping to create safe spaces and support for those in crisis.”

To make a tax-deductible contribution to the fund visit CFES.org/donate and select the “Tyler C. Groton Memorial Fund” in the drop-down menu.

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

32 Palm’s inviting decor fuses the perfect atmosphere with Eastern Shore favorites for an exceptional dining experience! Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner featuring a unique selection of bourbons. Routinely updated menus with the highest quality local ingredients for fresh seafood any time of the year! Don’t miss our on Happy hour, Every day, 3 to 6 p.m.

■ LONGBOARD CAFE

6701 Coastal Hwy., Ocean City 443-6445639, www.longboardcafe.net

Classic and creative American dishes and cocktails are showcased in a festive, surfthemed setting with weekly specials. Featuring burgers, tacos, prime rib, seafood and more. Open 11 a.m to 9 p.m. Closed on Tuesdays. Dine-in and curbside pick-up.

■ MARLIN MOON

Located in the Double Tree Hotel, 3301 Atlantic Ave., Ocean City 410-289-1201, www.marlinmoonocmd.com |$$

Winner of the Maryland People’s Choice Award, Marlin Moon offers a great selection of entrees, small plates, appetizers, and creatively crafted cocktails. Happy Hour, Monday through Friday, 3-6 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday, 1-6 p.m., featuring $10 appetizers, drink specials, and specialty oysters. Breakfast, 7:30-11:30 a.m. Lite Fare, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dinner, 4-10 p.m.

■ SEACRETS 49th Street, Ocean City 410-524-4900, www.seacrets.com

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

Open Sunday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday through Saturday, 10 a.m. through midnight with island atmosphere. Jamaican jerk chicken, appetizers, sandwiches, paninis, pizza and fresh seafood.

get rid of large household items, such as furniture, appliances, bicycles, carpet, etc., which cannot normally be loaded into a standard refuse truck.

Yard debris and shrubs are also permitted, however; the maximum diameter of tree limbs accepted is three inches.

Further, this effort does not include the pick-up of full size trees or the pick-up of large demolition/remodeling projects.

To participate, residents are being asked to place all items curbside (staff does not go on private property to remove items) on Saturday, March 25 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. This effort will allow staff to achieve the most efficient effort in the clean-up process.

The Spring Clean Up service is provided for residents only, as commercial properties are not included in the Spring Clean Up effort. For more information, call the Town of Ocean City’s Solid Waste Division at 410-524-0318.

Sunday through Thursday, 4 to 10 p.m., Friday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

■ NORI SUSHI BAR & GRILL

Inside the Gold Coast Mall, 11403 Coastal Hwy., Ocean City 443-880-6258

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

Serving daily small plates, soups, salads, sandwiches, fried rice, entrees and desserts. Also, Nori’s premium rolls, nigiri and sashimi, hand-roll combos. Full bar with wine, beer and cocktails. Inside dining and take out, 7 days a week, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Delivery via Door Dash online.

■ SOPHIA’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT PIZZERIA

Inside the Gold Coast Mall, 11405 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City 410-723-5188

$$ | Kids’ menu

Appetizers, salads, subs, soup of the day. Specialty pizzas, calzones and low-carb alternatives, Italian entrées. A la carte fresh vegetables, homemade desserts. Open daily, 11:30 a.m. Call for take-out or delivery by Door Dash and Uber Eats.

■ S.Q.U.A.R.Z. PIZZA & RESTAURANT

In Montego Bay Shopping Center, 12825 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City 443-664-8149, www.squarepizza.com,

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

New Ownership. Open 7 days a week at 4 PM. Serving soups, salads, build your own pizza, small plates, sandwiches, dinner entrees and desserts. Full bar and HH 7 days a week, 4 to 6 PM. Dine in special menu that changes weekly in addition to the regular menu. Wide variety of gluten free options. No fryers on premises, Dine in, carry out and delivery available. Check out the menu and order online. 10% of entire check excluding alcohol.

■ CAROUSEL OCEANFRONT HOTEL & CONDOS 118th Street, Ocean City 800-641-0011, www.carouselhotel.com

Enjoy one of four restaurants in the Carousel. Serving breakfast; The Bistro, Saturday through Sunday, 7 to 11 a.m. proudly serving Starbuck’s brand. Reef 118 Restaurant, Saturday through Sunday, 7 to 11 a.m. buffet or A la carte. Serving Dinner; Bamboo Lounge, Sunday through Thursday, 4 to 9 p.m., Friday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The Bistro, Friday, 3 to 10 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Reef 118 Restaurant, Friday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Enjoy cocktails in the Bamboo Lounge,

■ OC CHOPSTICKS Asian Bistro 12741 Ocean Gateway, Suite 890, West Ocean City (Outlets Ocean City) 410-801-1111, www.occhopsticks.com

$$ | Beer | Premium Sake

Authentic Chinese, Japanese and Thai food. Dine-in and carry out. Lunch specials, dinner and lite fare. Sunday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m to 9:30 p.m. and Friday through Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

■ PIZZA TUGOS

9935 Stephen Decatur Hwy., West Ocean City 410-524-2922, pizzatugos.com

$$ | Full bar | Celebrating 40 years in Ocean City. Offering pizza, wings, burgers, subs, salads, pasta and more! Open daily at 11 a.m. Serving food until 2 a.m.

Tyler Groton

Local Kiwanis Club wants to offer memorial scholarships

(March 24, 2023) The Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines-Ocean City, is a volunteer organization dedicated to helping children and families in Worcester County.

It has a nonprofit fund known as the foundation from which annual scholarships are awarded in early June. Unfortunately, as with all organizations, members pass away. Many of those who pass away are also members of other organizations and have family and friends who wish to donate in their memory.

In 2021, contributions funded a fiveyear memorial scholarship for member Ralph Chinn who passed that year. Historically, the Kiwanis Club has made the public aware, in the event anyone would care to donate to the Kiwanis Club of Ocean Pines-Ocean City Foundation, a 501-(c)(3) account.

Persons can designate the donation, qualified as tax deductible for which a receipt will be issued.

It will be used for a scholarship named to honor their choice of the former member, unless not specified, therefore, going to the fund for any scholarships.

Scholarships are awarded to deserving qualified graduating senior students in Worcester County to further their education.

In the last 11 months, the club lost four members. Scholarships could be given in their names in June:

James B. Wheatley, died March 12, 2022

Suzanne M. Foley, died Oct. 16, 2022

Roy M. Foreman, died Nov. 3, 2022

Charles S. Warner, died Jan. 5, 2023

Anyone who wants to contribute to five-year scholarships should make a check payable to Kiwanis Club of OP Foundation and send it to: Sarah Walker, Kiwanis Club of OP Foundation Chair, 174 Sandyhook Rd., Ocean Pines, Maryland 21811.

Pharmacy Technician Kelly

Kline presented with award

(March 24, 2023) The Maryland Pharmacists Association named Atlantic General Hospital’s Kelly Kline, CPhT-Adv, the 2023 Maryland Pharmacy Technician of the Year.

Kline earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. After graduating, she worked at an inpatient hospital pharmacy in Pennsylvania for 20 years as a certified pharmacy technician (CPhT), until she and her husband moved to Willards, Maryland.

In 2017, Kline began her career at Atlantic General Hospital.

In 2022, she earned her advanced certified pharmacy technician (CPhTAdv) credential, making her among 0.16 percent of all certified pharmacy technicians in the United States with the advanced status.

“Kelly is genuinely curious,” said Atlantic General Hospital Director of Pharmacy James McGinnis. “She continuously demonstrates an unwavering commitment to advancing medication safety, and serves as role model for other Certified Technicians to have the curiosity and drive to further their professional career and benefit the patients they serve.”

She holds national certificates from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board in medication histories, vaccination administration, hazardous medications management and regulatory compliance.

In addition, Kline received her tech-

nician product verification certification from the National Pharmacy Technician Association and her controlled substance diversion prevention certification from the Board of Pharmacy Technician Specialties.

Along with her wide range of pharmacological duties throughout the hospital and health system, Kline has maintained the role of buyer for the past two years.

Buyers, who are responsible for procuring medications and supplies for the hospital and supporting health system practices, play an integral role in daily operations.

During her time as buyer, Kline has been instrumental in developing, implementing and maintaining Atlantic General Hospital’s inventory management system and drug dispensing devices.

Kline is board certified in supply chain and inventory management, a certification that is only held by 550 others nationwide.

Her expertise in the field was exemplified when, in 2022, she significantly reduced pharmacy inventory dollars, eliminating unnecessary costs to the organization.

As a result of her career-long accomplishments, Kline serves on the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board advisory committee, and is a member of the Maryland Pharmacists Association, Maryland Society of Health System Pharmacy, National Pharmacy Purchasing Association, National Pharmacy Technician Association, and the American Association of Pharmacy Technicians.

Kelly Kline

Submit calendar items to: editor@oceancitytoday.net. Submission deadline is 5 p.m. Monday, the week of publication. Local submissions have priority. Area event listings are subject to space availability.

Fri., March 24

LIFE-SIZE HI HO CHERRY-O

Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 301 Market St., 6:30 p.m. Join in for a fun-filled evening as the library turns the meeting room into a giant version of this classic game. Registration required: 410-957-0878. www.worcesterlibrary.org

Sat., March 25

OCEAN CITY’S SPRING CLEAN UP

Held 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Free residential bulk pick-up of large household items such as furniture, appliances, bicycles, carpet, etc. Yard debris and shrubs are also permitted. No large demolition or commercial. 410-524-0318.

ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT BREAKFAST BUFFET

Whaleysville United Methodist, 11716 Sheppards Crossing Road, 7-10 a.m. Buffet includes pancakes, bacon, sausage, scrapple, scrambled eggs, chipped beef, hash brown potatoes, toast, fruit and assorted beverages. Cost is $8 for adults and $4 for children.

TINKER TIME: LEPRECHAUN TRAPS

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Drop in anytime to build a leprechaun trap. Supplies provided. 410632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org

ARTIST’S TALK

Germantown School Community Heritage Center, 10223 Trappe Road, Berlin, 10 a.m.-noon. Patrick Henry will discuss his show, “Untold Stories: Chronicling our Delmarva History.” Space is limited. Reservations: germantownschool@gmail.com, 443-235-9803, 410-641-0638.

CRAFTY SATURDAY: SPRING HAS SPRUNG!

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10 a.m. Celebrate spring with some great crafts. For ages 4 years and older. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

MARYLAND DAY

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 1 p.m. Dr. Ray Thompson talks about the Bogerternorton Hundred in Worcester County, an early colonial community. 410-6410650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

ATLANTIC GENERAL HOSPITAL SPRING

FLING UNITED WAY BASH

Pickles Pub, 706 Philadelphia Ave., Ocean City, 6-10 p.m. Come out to Pickles Pub on March 25th to support the AGH United Way Campaign! Featuring DJ Wax and a special guest recording artist Jada Lee. 50/50 raffle and silent auction. 410-641-9620

FARMERS & ARTISANS MARKET

Saturdays - White Horse Park, 239 Ocean Parkway, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Shop for everything from fresh local produce to unique handmade artisan goods. Open to the public.

Sun., March 26

SPAGHETTI LUNCHEON & SILENT AUCTION

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 10301 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 12-3 p.m. Menu includes spaghetti, salad, bread, desserts and drinks. Donation: $20 for adults, $10 for ages 6-12 years and free to kids 5 years and younger. Tickets available at the Community Life Center door. 410-524-7474

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES MEETING

Sundays - Berlin Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 212 West St., Berlin, 10 a.m. www.jw.org

Mon., March 27

STORY TIME ‘OUTER SPACE’

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Learn about the planets and stars through fun stories, songs and games. For ages 2-5 years. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

TODAY IN HISTORY: NATURAL DISASTERS

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 1 p.m. What do Alaska and Washington have in common today? Learn all about what shook the nation on this day in history. For ages 7 years and older. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

SPRING WREATHS

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 1 p.m. Make easy but beautiful spring-themed wreaths. All materials provided. 410641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

WRITING FOR WELLNESS

Worcester County Library - Ocean

Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 1:30 p.m. Writing about stressful experiences like illness may boost health and psychological well-being. Group uses exercises to stimulate creative expression. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

FRIENDS’ BOOK SWAP

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 4 p.m. All are invited to the spring meeting of the Friends of the Berlin Library. An informational meeting followed by a book exchange. Refreshments provided. 410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

T.O.P.S. OF BERLIN - GROUP #169

Atlantic General Hospital, Conference Room 1, 9733 Healthway Drive, Berlin, 5-6:30 p.m. Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a weekly support and educational group promoting weight loss and living a healthy lifestyle. Rose Campion, 410641-0157

DELMARVA WOMEN’S A CAPELLA CHORUS

Mondays - Ocean Pines Community Center, 239 Ocean Parkway, 6:00-8:00 p.m. All ladies who love to sing invited. Mary, 410-629-9383 or Carol, 302-2427062.

Tues., March 28

BUILD IT

Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 301 Market St., 10:30 a.m. Play with a variety of building and construction toys. For ages 2-5 years. 410-9570878. www.worcesterlibrary.org

STORY TIME ‘NURSERY RHYMES’

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 10:30 a.m. Stories, songs and finger plays. Takehome activity included. For ages 2-5 years. 410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

OC KNITTING GROUP

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Bring whatever project you happen to be working on. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

SAFE BOATING COURSE

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 6-9 p.m. Held March 28-30 including an exam on the last night. The course is free, however there is a $20 charge of the course book. Arrive 15 minutes early on the first night. ocusps.org

DANGEROUS WOMEN: THE POWER OF THE FEMININE IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY

Held via Zoom, 6:30 p.m. Dr. Jennifer Ballengee from Towson University Zooms in to talk to the group about

these ladies of myth. Registration required: 443-783-6164. www.worcesterlibrary.org

BEACH HEROES-OC

Tuesdays - Volunteer beach clean-up group meets from 9-10 a.m., year-round. Trash bags, grippers and gloves provided. Check the Facebook page “Beach Heroes-OC” for weekly meeting locations. All are welcome.

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES MEETING

Tuesdays - Berlin Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 212 West St., Berlin, 7 p.m. www.jw.org

TAKE OFF POUNDS SENSIBLY

Tuesdays - Worcester County Health Department, 9730 Healthway Drive, Berlin, 3:30-4:30 p.m. TOPS is a weekly support and education group promoting weight loss and a healthy lifestyle. 410289-4725

OC KNITTING CLUB

Tuesdays - Worcester County LibraryOcean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m.

ARGENTINE TANGO PRACTICE

Tuesdays - Experienced dancers and others interested in watching or learning more are welcome, 7-9:30 p.m. No partner required. Info: TangobytheBeach.com.

Wed., March 29

KIWANIS TO HOLD SOCIAL NIGHT

Don’s Seafood & Chophouse, 11310 Manklin Creek Road, Ocean Pines, 5 p.m. Come and socialize with Kiwanis members. Drinks and food available for purchase.

https://kiwanisofopoc.org/meetings%26-events

‘SPARK JOY: THE KONMARI METHOD’

Held at all five branches of the Worcester County Library, 5:30 p.m. Learn how to declutter and organize your spaces. Free event. Register: www.worcesterlibrary.org under “Events.” Elena Coelho, 443-783-6164

SALTMARSH LANDOWNER MEETING

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 6-7:30 p.m. Informing saltmarsh landowners about the work local organizations are doing, discuss the current health of local saltmarshes and begin to development relationships with the organizations. 410-213-2297 - 103

KIWANIS CLUB MEETING

Wednesdays - Ocean Pines Community Center, 235 Ocean Parkway, 8 a.m. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. Third Wednesday meetings are offsite and will be up-

Continued on Page 32

PGN Crab House 29th Street & Coastal Hwy. Now Hiring for • Waitstaff • Kitchen Help Apply within in person after 11:00 am

The Spinnaker, Now Hiring Day Shift Maintenance Assistant/Houseman Apply in person Monday-Friday, 10am-3pm. 1800 Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City.

Now

Hiring!!!

67th St., Coastal Hwy. FT, PT Positions Available

We are looking for friendly, energetic people to join our crew

Experience preferred

• Pizza Maker

• Counter Server

• Grill Cook

• Dishwasher Competitive Pay and Great Tips!

Serious inquiries only!

Apply within or email us mionespizza67@gmail.com

Work on the Beach in Ocean City, MD

Renting Umbrellas and Chairs to Beachgoers

• Now hiring students for over 80 positions

• Make friends & memories

• Earn valuable sales & customer service skills

• Energetic individuals wanted

• Hourly + commission + tips

Apply online at EightyFiveAndSunny.com/Employment

Worcester Preparatory School is seeking

EXPERIENCED TEACHERS

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

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

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

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

NOW HIRING!!

Production Crew for our WOC kitchen facility

Up to $20/hr. Apply online at: www.delmarvadd.com

Hiring Cooks, Audio/Video Techs, Maintenance Staff, Painters, Carpenter, Plumber, Housekeeper, Boat Mates

Apply in person or online at seacrets.com

HERKER PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

Seeking full time FIELD MANAGER for full service landscaping & property maintenance company in Frankford & Delaware beach resort areas. Salary: $50K+, benefits include partial health, Simple IRA, holidays & vacation. Email resume to Gherker@comcast.net or call 610-459-5857

ENGLISH TEACHER

Worcester Preparatory School is located in beautiful Berlin, on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. The school is an independent, coeducational college preparatory day school serving over 5OO students in grades PK -12. We are seeking an experienced and motivated Upper School English Teacher for the 2023-2024 school year.

This vibrant individual will have a strong education background and be capable of teaching the highest levels of high school English. Bachelor's degree from an accredited college with a major in English, successful classroom experience, and the ability to participate in other areas of school life are requirements for this position. Advanced Placement experience and advanced degree would be desirable. Interested candidates should mail or email resume with cover letter to: Linda Watson, Director of Human Resources, 508 South Main Street, Berlin, MD 21811 or lwatson@worcesterprep.org

Pest Control Technician

Will train

Requirements: Must have a valid driver’s license and GOOD driving record. Requires background check and drug testing. High School Graduate or GED. Must have reliable transportation to and from work. Good oral and written communication skills. Ability to work in adverse weather conditions. Ability to work in confined spaces such as crawl spaces, etc.

Maintenance. FT, YR. Perfect job for jack of all trades handyman. Company provided vehicle. Looking for dependable, quality worker. Call 410-250-1111 or email resume to Fred@paradiseoc.com.

Barn 34 Hiring Kitchen Help Apply in person Wed. & Thurs. between 9am - 12pm 3400 Coastal Hwy.

Maintenance Positions available in local high-rise condominium. Part time and full time available. Good starting pay w/salary increase and bonuses available annually. Send resume to apurnell@legumnorman.com

Landscaper Needed. Why pay to workout when you can work OUTSIDE?! Low stress, get fit, sleep great. Competitive pay. Must have active driver’s license and be available to work M-F. Call 410-251-4649.

Small Engine Mechanic. Year-round.

Competitive wages. 443-754-1047

PAPA JOHN'S MANAGERS, DRIVERS INSIDERS Ocean City 302-541-8081

Seeking YR & Seasonal Rentals! Call Howard Martin Realty 410-352-5555.

Yearly & Seasonal

ROOMMATES

ROOMMATES

Seeking RoommateBayview Estates, Selbyville. 5.7 miles to beach. Includes utilities & internet. Shared kitchen, W/D, living room, outdoor space, POOL. VERY CLEAN. $850/month. 302-386-7818

ROOMMATE NEEDED

Hiring for the following positions

• Groundskeepers

• Houseman Housekeepers

• Front Desk Agents

• Lifeguards

• Part-Time Bartender/ Concession

Seasonal positions

Apply in person at 12806 Ocean Gateway or email: info@fskfamily.com

1BR. 94th St. Bayside. Nonsmoker. Male only in their 20’s-30’s. No kids. No couples. Must love dogs. $200/week plus utilities. Year round. Hot tub access. Text 410-726-5200, difficult to answer calls.

COMMERCIAL

Industrial Warehouse Spaces: 4000 sq. ft., 2100 sq. ft. and 1500 sq. ft. Masonry construction, 18 ft. high ceiling, large garage door, bathroom. Route 90/Bishopville. Call 443-497-4200. 1 Office/Retail Space available in West Ocean City. Approximately 1600 sq. ft. Call 443-497-4200

Please

MISSING

Missing Male Cat on Jamestown Road. Went missing Monday night, 3/20. Gray and brown tiger striped. No collar. Please call Tina if found, 410-430-0463.

DONATIONS

DONATIONS

Do you have an old bicycle not being used? It could mean a world of difference to a hard-working international student. We are looking to get as many bikes as possible. Your donation will be taxdeductible. Contact Gary at 443-975-3065.

Run your business card in our

SERVICE DIRECTORY CALL 410-723-6397

for pricing!

The contents of mini storage units will be sold online at Lockerfox.com. Ocean City Mini Storage. Units to be auctioned; B28B50-B77-O29-O115-O164L15-O46-O104-O128O158C-O170-O175-S13S29-S35-S739. Units are being sold due to non-payment of rent. Common items in units are, household items, furniture, tools, fishing equipment, paintings, antique and vintage items.

Date: Friday, March 31st, 2023

Time: 10:00 am

This will be an online auction. Please go to Lockerfox.com and register.

Feel free to call 410-2132029 for any questions regarding the online auction.

www.baysideoc.com www.oceancitytoday.com

SERVICES

BUDGET MOVERS

443-664-5797

LOCAL & EAST COAST MOVING

Full Packing Service

Piano Movers - Full Service

www.facebook.com/OCBudgetMovers

CALENDAR

Continued from Page 30

dated monthly. Guests are welcome. www.kiwanisofopoc.org

Thurs., March 30

STORY TIME: ‘STACEY’S EXTRAORDINARY WORDS’

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10:30 a.m. Celebrate Women’s History Month with this amazing story by Stacey Abrams. Followed by a fun craft. For ages 2-5 years. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

PLAY TIME

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 10:30 a.m. Featuring a variety of activities and toys. Play and socialize with other families. For ages 2-5 years. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org

CHESS CLUB

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Meet new friends and play some chess. Bring your boards. All are welcome. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

SPRING PLANTERS CLASS

Delaware Botanic Gardens at Pepper Creek, 30220 Piney Neck Road, Dagsboro, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. With Jan Pool, DBG Designer. Admission is free to members and $15 for non-members.

Beautiful Sheepadoodle, family raised with lots of love and interaction.

Parents are both young, healthy, smart and loving.

Parents are both AKC registered. Mother is Old English Sheepdog and Father is Silver Standard Poodle. We have males and females some primarily black and we have black and white. Puppies will be ready to go to their new home March 24th. Puppies will be dewormed and vaccinated.

Price is $1400.

Please email jasjas123@gmail.com text 843-455-3517

Classifieds

410-723-6397

Tour/class fee is $10. Free to children 16 years and younger. Tickets: delawaregardens.org.

ARTISTS’ HIGHLIGHT: DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITES AWARENESS MONTH

Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 301 Market St., 2 p.m. Showcasing several differently abled artists followed by activities that explore creating artwork in the artists’ manner. Registration required: 410-957-0878. www.worcesterlibrary.org

IRISH HERITAGE FILMS SCREENING

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 2 p.m. Mike Healey hosts this screening with two shorts he created. TRAD is about traditional Irish Music and Still Standing explores stone circles, round towers and high crosses. Q&A to follow. 410-2084014

FIRESIDE CHAT

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 3 p.m. A popular and entertaining discussion featuring books attendees have read and want to share. Come and find your next read. 410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

COCKTAILS FOR CONSTRUCTION FUNDRAISER

BLU Crabhouse & Raw Bar, 2305 Philadelphia Ave., Ocean City, 4-6 p.m. Featuring free appetizers, happy hour drink specials and a basket raffle. Dona-

MARYLAND

Prepare for power outages today with a GENERAC home standby generator. $0 Money Down + Low Monthly Payment Options. Request a FREE Quote. Call now before the next power outage: 1-855993-0969

SERVICES

DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 350 plus procedures. Real dental insurance - NOT just a discount plan. Do not wait! Call now! Get your FREE Dental Information Kit with all the details! 1-855-337-5228 www.dental50plus.com/ MDDC #6258

Maryland,

HOME IMPROVEMENT

SERVICES

BEAUTIFUL BATH UPDATES

in as little as ONE DAY! Superior quality bath and shower systems at AFFORDABLE PRICES! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Call Now! 877-738-0991.

MISC. FOR SALE

DISH Network. $64.99 for 190 Channels! Blazing Fast Internet, $19.99/mo. (where available.) Switch & Get a FREE $100 Visa Gift Card. FREE Voice Remote. FREE HD DVR. FREE Streaming on ALL Devices. Call today! 1-855407-6870

Call 410-723-6397 for more information

Advertise

PETS/PET SUPPLIES

Are you a pet owner? Do you want to get up to 100% back on Vet Bills? Physicians Mutual Insurance Company has pet coverage that can help! Call 1-888-928-1656 to get a free quote or visit insurebarkmeow.com/mddc

VEHICLES WANTED

DONATE YOUR CAR/TRUCK/ RV - Lutheran Mission Society of MD Compassion Place ministries help local families with food, clothing, counseling. Tax deductible. MVA licensed #W1044. 410-228-8437 www.CompassionPlace.org

WANTED TO BUY

PAYING TOP CA$H FOR MEN'S SPORT WATCHES! Rolex, Breitling, Omega, Patek Philippe, Heuer, Daytona, GMT, Submariner and Speedmaster. Call 844-5063622.

For only $495

Deadline is Wednesday of the week prior to publication. Call 410-723-6397 for more

tions also accepted at the event. Proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity of Worcester County. www.habitatworcester.org

ZUMBA

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 4:30-5:30 p.m. Join certified Zumba instructor Joyce Landsman for an hour of movement. These classes uplift and improve mood. Registration required: 410-6410650. www.worcesterlibrary.org

ACT, ‘SIP AND SCIENCE SERIES’ Assateague Coastal Trust, 10959 Worcester Highway, Berlin, 5:30-7 p.m. Maryland Coastal Bays Program Educational Forum about the Conservation Bird Project. The event is free. BYOB, light fare provided. Debbi Dean, outreach@actforbays.org, www.actforbays.org

SALTMARSH LANDOWNER MEETING

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 6-7:30 p.m. Informing saltmarsh landowners about the work local organizations are doing, discuss the current health of local saltmarshes and begin to development relationships with the organizations. 410-213-2297 - 103

BEACH SINGLES-55 PLUS Thursdays - Harpoon Hanna’s, 39064 Harpoon Road, Fenwick Island, DE, 4-6 p.m. Info: 302-436-9577 or BeachSingles.org

ONGOING EVENTS

LEPRECHAUN’S GOLD (ESCAPE ROOM)

Held at all branches of the Worcester County Library through March. Solve all the puzzles of this escape room. Teams of 4 or fewer may participate. At the end of the month, teams with the shortest time will win a special prize. For ages 1218 years. www.worcesterlibrary.org

‘SAVE OUR STORIES’

The Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum is asking community members to send in their accounts as to how COVID19 has impacted them. The submissions can be a specific experience, direct answers to the prompt questions, or a combination. No story is too long or too short. To submit, visit www.ocmuseum.org. Info: Christine@ocmuseum.org.

Crossword answers from page 26

Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A.

1966 Greenspring Drive, Suite LL2

Lutherville-Timonium, Maryland 21093

(410) 238-2840

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEES' SALE OF

RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY 703 141st Street, Ocean City, MD 21842

Under a power of sale contained in a certain Purchase Money Deed of Trust from Telma Yuman and Adolfo Yuman, dated October 27, 2006 and recorded in Liber 4809, Folio 624 among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland, with an original principal balance of $280,000.00, default having occurred under the terms thereof, the Substitute Trustees will sell at public auction at the Circuit Courthouse for Worcester County, Courthouse Door, 1 West Market Street, Snow Hill, MD 21863, on

Monday, April 10th, 2023 AT 11:00AM

ALL THAT FEE-SIMPLE LOT OF GROUND and the improvements thereon situated in Worcester County, MD and more fully described in the aforesaid Purchase Money Deed of Trust. The real property is known as 703 141st Street, Ocean City, MD 21842, Tax ID #10178576. Tax Map 0118, Grid 0014, Parcel 9404A.

Terms of Sale: The property will be sold “as is” and subject to conditions, restrictions, easements and agreements of record affecting same, if any and with no warranty of any kind. A deposit of $22,000.00 in the form of cash, cashier’s check, certified check, or other form as the Substitute Trustees determine acceptable, is required at the time of auction. Balance of the purchase price to be paid in cash within ten days of final ratification of sale by the Circuit Court for Worcester County. At the Substitute Trustees’ discretion, the foreclosure purchaser, if a corporation or LLC, must produce evidence, prior to bidding, of the legal formation of such entity. The purchaser, other than the Holder of the Note, its assigns, or designees, shall pay interest on the unpaid purchase money at the rate of 4.625% per annum from the date of foreclosure auction to the date funds are received in the office of the Substitute Trustees.

In the event settlement is delayed for any reason , there shall be no abatement of interest. All due

and/or unpaid private utility, water and sewer facilities charges, or front foot benefit payments, are payable by the purchaser without adjustment. Real estate taxes and all other public charges, or assessments, ground rent, or condo/HOA assessments, not otherwise divested by ratification of the sale, to be adjusted as of the date of foreclosure auction an assumed thereafter by the purchaser. Cost of all documentary stamps, transfer taxes and settlement expenses, and all other costs incident to settlement, shall be borne by the purchaser. Purchaser shall be responsible for obtaining physical possession of the property. Purchaser assumes the risk of loss or damage to the property from the date of sale forward.

TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE. If the purchaser shall fail to comply with the terms of the sale or fails to go to settlement within ten (10) days of ratification of the sale, the Substitute Trustees may, in addition to any other available remedies, declare the entire deposit forfeited and resell the property at the risk and cost of the defaulting purchaser, and the purchaser agrees to pay reasonable attorneys' fees for the Substitute Trustees, plus all costs incurred, if the Substitute Trustees have filed the appropriate motion with the Court to resell the property. Purchaser waives personal service of any paper filed in connection with such a motion on himself and/or any principal or corporate designee, and expressly agrees to accept service of any such paper by regular mail directed to the address provided by said bidder at the time of foreclosure auction. In such event, the defaulting purchaser shall be liable for the payment of any deficiency in the purchase price, all costs and expenses of resale, reasonable attorney's fees, and all other charges due and incidental and consequential damages, and any deficiency in the underlying secured debt. The purchaser shall not be entitled to any surplus proceeds or profits resulting from any resale of the property. If the Substitute Trustees cannot convey insurable title, the purchaser's sole remedy at law or in equity shall be the return of the deposit without interest. The sale is subject to postsale confirmation and audit of the status of the loan with the loan servicer including, but not limited to, determination of whether the borrower entered into any repayment agreement, reinstated or paid off the loan prior to the sale. In any such event, this sale shall be null and void, and the Purchaser's sole remedy, in law or equity, shall be the return of his deposit without interest.

NOTE: The information contained herein was obtained from

SHERIFF’S SALE

Orleans Court Condominium, Unit 35 (a/k/a 222)

On April 4, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. on the front steps of the Circuit Courthouse in Snow Hill, MD. the above unit at 14001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD. will be sold at public auction to the highest bidder. For the complete notice of sale, call Vie Parsons or Maureen Howarth at 410 7231400.

OCD-3/23/2t

sources deemed to be reliable, but is offered for informational purposes only. Neither the auctioneer, the beneficiary of the Deed of Trust, the Substitute Trustee nor his agents or attorneys make any representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy of information.

PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS ARE URGED TO PERFORM THEIR OWN DUE DILIGENCE WITH RESPECT TO THE PROPERTY PRIOR TO THE FORECLOSURE AUCTION. For additional information, please contact the Substitute Trustees.

Mark H. Wittstadt and Justin T. Hoy, Substitute Trustees

Tidewater Auctions, LLC

305 West Chesapeake Avenue, Suite 105 Towson, Maryland 21204 410-825-2900

www.tidewaterauctions.com

Ad #75676

OCD-3/23/3t

NOTICE

PROPOSED FARE CHANGE FOR OCEAN CITY MUNICIPAL BUS SERVICE

Notice is hereby given that Ocean City Transportation submitted a proposal at the March 6, 2023 Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City Council to increase the ride-all-day fare from $3 to $4 on municipal fixed route buses and complementary ADA para transit service. The proposal was submitted as a means to increase revenue and reduce the Town’s general fund contribution for municipal bus service in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.

The purpose of this notice is to: (1) Advise the Public of the proposed fare change; (2) Offer an opportunity to the Public to inspect supporting documents; (3) Offer an opportunity to the Public to request a Public Hearing; (4) Offer an opportunity to the Public to submit written comments; (5) Advise the Public of the date for the Public Hearing should it be requested; and (6) Advise the Public of the date of implementation should the proposal be approved.

Proposed Fare Change: Increase the ride-all-day fare on Ocean City municipal fixed route buses and complementary ADA para transit service from $3 to $4.

Supporting Documents: Supporting documents are available on the Town of Ocean City website at http://oceancitymd.gov/publichearings.html or by calling Ocean City Transportation prior to 4 p.m. Monday, April 10, 2023 at 410-723-2174 to schedule appointment.

Public Hearing & Written Comments: A Public Hearing will be held upon request. Request for a Public Hearing must be in writing and received by prior to 4 p.m. Monday, April 10, 2023. Written Comments must also be received prior to 4 p.m. Monday, April 10, 2023. Request for a Public Hearing and submission of

Written Comments should be delivered to the following address and clearly marked “Public Hearing” or “Public Comment”: Ocean City Transportation, 224 65th Street, Ocean City, Maryland 21842. In the event a Public Hearing is requested, the date and location of the Public Hearing will be Monday, April 17, 2023, 6:00 p.m. during the Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City Council, City Hall, Council Chambers, 301 Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, Maryland 21842. The location of the Public Hearing is accessible to persons with disabilities. Any individual who requires special assistance to participate in the Public Hearing must contact Ocean City Transportation at 410-723-2174 prior to 4 p.m. Monday, April 10, 2023 to advise of necessary arrangements.

Implementation Date: If, as a result of a 6 p.m. Public Meeting/Hearing on Monday, April 17, 2023 and upon consideration of comments received, the Mayor and City Council approve the proposed fare change, the effective time and date of implementation will be 6 a.m. Monday, May 1, 2023. Any form of media advertising a $3 ride-all-day fare after May 1, 2023 shall be considered invalid.

Ocean City Transportation (OCT) is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of its transit services on the basis of race, color or national origin, as protected by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you believe you have been subjected to discrimination based on your race, color, national origin, you may file a complaint up to 180 days from the date of the alleged incident.

To file a complaint or for additional information on OCT’s nondiscrimination policies and procedures, contact: Transit Manager, 224 65th Street, Ocean City, Md. 21842. Reasonable modifications of Ocean City Transportation policies, practices, and procedures may be permitted to avoid unnecessary exclusion of individuals with disabilities from transit related service or programs.

OCD-3/9/5t

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of LYLE HICKS LANIER JR. Estate No. 19609 Notice is given that ANN KING LANIER whose address is 3141 STOCKTON ROAD, POCOMOKE CITY, MD 21851 was on MARCH 02, 2023 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of LYLE HICKS LANIER JR. who died on FEBRUARY 11, 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 2nd day of SEPTEMBER, 2023

Any person having a claim

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

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

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

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County

ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE

SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-3/9/3t

ERICA M WITZ ESQ

WEBB, CORNBROOKS, WILBER, DOUSE, MATHERS & ILLUMIN

115 BROAD STREET, P.O. BOX 910 SALISBURY, MD 21803-0910

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of RAYMOND DANIEL

WHEALIN Estate No. 19623 Notice is given that LINDA C. WHEALIN whose address is 648 NE 25TH STREET, GRESHAM, OR 97030 was on MARCH 13, 2023 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of RAYMOND DANIEL WHEALIN who died on FEBRUARY 10, 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 13th day of SEPTEMBER, 2023

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

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

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

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County

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

OCD-3/16/3t

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE

TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of ROBERT LEE HILL Estate No. 19618 Notice is given that LISA FRITTS whose address is 27050 CROOKED OAK LANE, HEBRON, MD 21830 and WAYNE JESTER whose address is 3023 JOHNSON ROAD, POCOMOKE CITY, MD 21851 were on MARCH 07, 2023 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of ROBERT LEE HILL who died on FEBRUARY 28, 2023 with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 7th day of SEPTEMBER, 2023

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

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

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

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-3/16/3t

REGAN J.R. SMITH ESQ

WILLIAMS, MOORE, SHOCKLEY & HARRISON LLP

3509 COASTAL HIGHWAY

OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 19625 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF CAROL JOHNSTON CADOGAN

Notice is given that Julie M. Tuck, 501 S. Center Street, Ashland, VA 23005, was on March 10, 2023 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Carol Johnston Cadogan who died on April 24, 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 10th day of September, 2023.

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

(1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or

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

Julie M. Tuck

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

Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest

Date of publication: March 16, 2023

OCD-3/16/3t

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Estate No. 19619

TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF BERNARD J. JONES

Notice is given that Nicholas J. Jones, 405 Holly Road, Edgewater, MD 21037, was on March 08, 2023 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Bernard J. Jones who died on February 20, 2023, with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 8th day of September, 2023.

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

(1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or

(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this

published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

Nicholas J. Jones

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

Name of newspaper designated by personal representative:

Ocean City Digest

Date of publication:

March 16, 2023

OCD-3/16/3t

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The Mayor and Council of Snow Hill will conduct a public hearing to obtain views on Resolution No. 202301 that will be introduced and approved on March 28th, 2023, regarding designation of an Enterprise Zone in the Town of Snow Hill, Maryland.

The hearing will be held on Tuesday, March 28th, 2023 at 4:30 pm at the Old Fire House located at 212 W. Green Street, Snow Hill, Maryland 21863. Attendees will be asked to sign in with their names and addresses.

Written public comments may be submitted in care of the Town Manager to: Mayor and Council of Snow Hill, 103 Bank Street, Snow Hill, Maryland 21863.

OCD-3/16/2t

TOWN OF OCEAN CITY NOTICE OF

PUBLIC HEARING

Monday, April 17, 2023 AT 6:00 PM

RE: PUBLIC PROPERTY AIR RIGHTS

A Public Hearing is scheduled on Monday, April 17, 2023, at 6:00 p.m., at the Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City Council, in the Council Chambers of City Hall located at 301 Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, Maryland 21842. The purpose of this public hearing is to consider allowing the developer to acquire air rights from above the 16-foot-wide alley known as Washington Lane in

between 6-7th Streets from between fourteen (14) feet above ground up to sixty (60) feet in the air, provided that 11th Street MD, LC and/or its designee improve the alley to the Town of Ocean City specifications. The hearing will allow public input for Mayor and Council consideration as to whether or not it is in the public’s interest to determine if the property or rights involved are no longer needed for public use and to permit the developer, 11th Street MD, LC, the acquisition. Additional information can be obtained by accessing the March 14, 2023, Mayor and Council agenda packet at http://oceancitymd.iqm2.com/Citizens/Default.asp x or by contacting the City Clerk at dchavis@oceancity.gov or 410-2898842.

OCD-3/23/1t

NOTICE

OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF A RESIDENTIAL PLANNED COMMUNITY (RPC) FLOATING ZONE

THE REFUGE AT WINDMILL CREEK RPC

NORTHWESTERLY SIDE OF BEAUCHAMP ROAD

NORTH OF MD ROUTE 589

THIRD TAX DISTRICT

WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND

Pursuant to Sections 1-114 and 1315 of the Worcester County Zoning Ordinance, application has been filed with the Worcester County Commissioners by The Refuge at Windmill Creek, LLC to establish a Residential Planned Community (RPC) on property located on the northwesterly side of Beauchamp Road, north of MD Route 589 (Racetrack Road). Located in the Third Tax District of Worcester County, Maryland, the property is designated on Tax Map 15 as Parcels 127 and 259. The Worcester County Planning Commission reviewed the RPC application at its meeting of February 2, 2023 and has given a favorable recommendation.

Pursuant to Sections 1-114 and 1315 of the Worcester County Zoning Ordinance, the County Commissioners will hold a

PUBLIC NOTICE

The motor vehicles described below have been abandoned. The owners and lien holders are hereby informed of their right to reclaim the vehicles upon payment of all charges and costs resulting from the towing, preservation, and storage of the vehicles.

The failure of the owners or lien holders to reclaim the vehicles within three weeks of notification shall be deemed a waiver by the owners or lien holders of all rights, title and interest and thereby consent to the sale of the vehicles at public auction or to have it otherwise disposed of in a manner provided by law.

These three weeks of notification began on March 9, 2023

All vehicles will be sold at auction on-line at www.govdeals.com. For details call 410-723-6643.

protect the general character and design of the lands and improvements being developed, and the advisability of reserving the power and authority to approve or disapprove the design of building, construction, landscaping or other improvements, alterations and changes made or to be made on the subject land or lands to assure conformity with the intent and purpose of applicable State laws and regulations and the County Zoning Ordinance.

A map of the proposed area, the staff file on the Residential Planned Community application and the Planning Commission’s file, which will be entered into record at the public hearing, are on file and available for inspection at the Department of Development, Review and Permitting, Government CenterRoom 1201, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland 21863 between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 4:30 P.M., Monday through Friday (except holidays). Interested parties may also call (410) 632-1200.

Anthony W. Bertino, Jr., President OCD-3/23/2t

Stephanie Scales-Sherrin Scales Law Group

11032 NICHOLAS LANE

SUITE A202

BERLIN, MD 21811

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

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 SEPTEMBER, 2023

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

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

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

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-3/16/3t _________________________________

SMALL ESTATE NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

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

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

(1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or

(2) Thirty days after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim 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.

Barbara Greene

Personal Representative True Test Copy Register of Wills for Worcester County Terri Westcott One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074

ONE WEST MARKET STREET

SNOW HILL, MARYLAND 21863

At said public hearing the County Commissioners will consider the Residential Planned Community and the recommendation of the Planning Commission, any proposed restrictions, conditions or limitations as may be deemed by them to be appropriate to preserve, improve, or

To all persons interested in the estate of SANDRA C. MITCHELL Estate No. 19620 Notice is given that KIMBERLEIGH ANN MITCHELL whose address is 402 PARK AVENUE, SALISBURY, MD 21801 was on MARCH 13, 2023 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of SANDRA C. MITCHELL who died on JANUARY 12, 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

ESTATE NO. 19628

TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF JOSEPH REMEIKIS

Notice is given that Barbara Greene, 1332 Colonial Road, Ocean City, MD 21842, was on March 14, 2023 appointed personal representative of the small estate of Joseph Remeikis who died on February 21, 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.

Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest

Date of publication:

March 23, 2023

OCD-3/23/1t

AUTH: Ross Buzzuro Chief of Police

PUBLIC NOTICE

The motor vehicles described below have been abandoned. The owners and lien holders are hereby informed of their right to reclaim the vehicles upon payment of all charges and costs resulting from the towing, preservation, and storage of the vehicles.

The failure of the owners or lien holders to reclaim the vehicles within three weeks of notification shall be deemed a waiver by the owners or lien holders of all rights, title and interest and thereby consent to the sale of the vehicles at public auction or to have it otherwise disposed of in a manner provided by law.

These three weeks of notification begins on March 23, 2023

All vehicles will be sold at auction on-line at www.govdeals.com. For details call 410-723-6643.

AUTH: Ross Buzzuro Chief of Police

Notice is given that the Circuit Court of Hillsborough County, FL appointed Patrick Higgins, 14007 Wolcott Drive, Tampa, FL 33624 as the Personal Representative of the Estate of Maureen T. Higgins who died on October 16, 2022 domiciled in Florida, America.

The Maryland resident agent for service of process is Richard C. Daniels whose address is 4509 Beechwood Road, College Park, MD 20740.

At the time of death, the decedent owned real or leasehold property in the following Maryland counties: Worcester.

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

(1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or

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

Patrick Higgins

Foreign Personal Representative

IN THE ESTATE OF LELAND R. SMITH

Notice is given that Mary B. Smith, 16 Hickory Way, Berlin, MD 21811, was on March 15, 2023 appointed personal representative of the small estate of Leland R. Smith who died on January 2, 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 representative or file them with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:

(1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or

Date of publication: March 23, 2023

OCD-3/23/1t

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

To all persons interested in the estate of ANTHONY MICHAEL BAIONE Estate No. 19616 Notice is given that BRIAN BAIONE whose address is 3824 DOGWOOD DRIVE, SNOW HILL, MD 21863 was on MARCH 06, 2023 appointed Personal Representative(s) of the estate of ANTHONY MICHAEL BAIONE who died on JUNE 3, 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.

Mayor & City Council

Ocean City, Maryland

PROPOSAL SOLICITATION

Canal Street Bulkhead

Mayor & City Council Ocean City is seeking Proposals from qualified and experienced vendors to provide site construction for the Canal Street Bulkhead and for said work to be in conformity with the Proposal Documents.

Bid Documents for the Canal Street Bulkhead may be obtained from the Town’s Procurement Department by either e-mailing the Procurement Manager, Scott Wagner, at swagner@oceancitymd.gov or Gary Neal at gneal@oceancitymd.gov by calling 410-723-6643 during normal business hours, or via the Solicitations tab on the Town’s (https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/procurement-bids/) website. Vendors are responsible for checking this website for addenda prior to submitting their bids. The Town is not responsible for the content of any Proposal Document received through any third-party service. It is the sole responsibility of the vendor to ensure the completeness and accuracy of their Completed Proposal Documents.

A Pre-Proposal meeting will be held on Thursday, April 06, 2023 at 9 am, located at 214 65th Street, Procurement Conference room, Ocean City, MD 21842 – Purchasing Conference room for any questions concerning the Proposals Documents. The last day for questions will be on Friday, April 14, 2023 at 3pm. The Addendum will be posted by close of business on Tuesday April 18, 2023.

Terri

of Wills

Westcott Register

One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074

Name of Newspaper: Ocean City Digest

Date of first publication: March 23, 2023

OCD-3/23/3t

(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 claim 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.

Mary B. Smith Personal Representative True Test Copy Register of Wills for Worcester County Terri Westcott One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074

Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City

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

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

(1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or

(2) Thirty days after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim 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.

Sealed Proposals Documents are due no later than Monday, May 1, 2023 at 3:00 P.M. shall be sent to Procurement Office, 214 65th Street, Ocean City, MD, 21842. Completed Proposal Documents will be opened, read into record and then remanded to staff for further review on, Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at 9:00 AM located at 214 65th Street, Procurement Conference room, Ocean City, MD 21842 and must note the name of the solicitation (Canal Street Bulkhead) on the outside of the package. Late Bid Document will not be accepted.

Minority vendors are encouraged to compete for award of the solicitation.

OCD-3/23/1t

Report: wire fraud remains prevalent threat

By Lauren Bunting Contributing Writer

(March 24, 2023) The National Association of REALTORs reports that real estate wire fraud continues to be one of the most prevalent cybercrimes in the U.S. About 13,638 people were victims of wire fraud in the real estate and rental sector in 2020, a 17 percent increase over 2019, with losses of more than $213 million, according to FBI Internet Crime Report data. In 2021, that figure has soared to $350,328,166, representing a 64 percent increase over 2020.

Some additional figures from the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center are summarized below:

Real Estate and rental wire fraud is ranked No. 7 out of more than 30 types of fraud

2,300-plus Average complaints received daily

552,000-plus Average complaints received per year (last five years)

The highest reported fraud in real estate

WORCESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS BRIEFS

By Jack Chavez Staff Writer

(March 24, 2023) The Worcester County Commissioners discussed the following during their meeting on Tuesday:

Playground equipment

The commissioners unanimously approved the purchase of new playground equipment for Newark Park and Bishopville Park. Funding was approved for $200,000 for Newark and $225,000 for Bishopville. The Local Parks and Playground Infrastructure grant funding for the project is “100 percent reimbursable,” according to a memo from county procurement officer Nicholas Rice.

Pipe costs

The commissioners unanimously approved a proposed rate increase for driveway pipe installations that the Public Works’s County Roads crew performs. This represents the first price increase to the service provided by the county since 2008.

“Historic practice has been that the public can request driveway pipe installation by (us so long as they pay the cost of the pipe and the crew labor,” Public Works Department Director Dallas Baker wrote in a memo.

Bikeways project

The commissioners unanimously approved bringing the greenways-bikeways project, approved via the Tri-County Rural Maryland Grant, under Worcester management.

in 2020 was Business Email Compromise/Email Account Compromise (BEC/EAC) Cyber criminals send convincing yet fraudulent wire instructions, usually at the last minute of a transaction. They do this by assuming the identity of the title, real estate agent or closing attorney and forge the person’s email and other details about the transaction. The scammers will then send an email to the unknowing buyer and provide new wire instructions to the criminal’s bank account.

Some of the suggested practices a help avoid becoming a victim of real es-

The project was to be managed by the Lower Shore Land Trust, but the Office of Tourism and Economic Development Director Melanie Pursel suggested that the county would be better suited for the job, considering its existing involvement with bikeways and the individual municipalities developing their own bikeways.

The project will come under her office’s supervision with help from the Departments of Public Works, Environmental Programs, Parks and Recreation and Development, Review and Permitting.

tate wire fraud are:

Always verify who is requesting the transfer and where it is going.

Since the scammers have hacked email systems to carry out the fraud, place a call to the person or business you are sending the wire transfer before finishing the transfer. You can verify you have the correct business number via your real estate agent or google search of the title company/attorney business.

– Lauren Bunting is the Broker of Record for Keller Williams Realty of Delmarva in Ocean City.

Property sales

The commissioners unanimously approved the scheduling of a public hearing for the sale of two surplus properties. Talkie Communications proposed purchasing the former Liquor Control Warehouse for $380,000 and the former Economic Development Building received two bids. One bid was for $125,000 by Davis Stretch Development and the other was a $280,000 all-cash bid from Garibay Construction.

Wright senior budget accountant

(March 24, 2023) Lynn Wright has been named the new senior budget accountant for the Worcester County government administration, the county commissioners announced this week.

“I am thrilled to have Lynn join the budget team,” Budget Officer Kim Reynolds said. “With her prior

Lynn Wright

knowledge and experience, she will be a true asset.”

Wright, who earned an associate degree of science in accounting and a bachelor of arts degree in human re-

March

sources management from Wilmington University, brings 19 years of experience in local government to her new position.

From 2011 to 2023, she worked for Wicomico County Government, where she served as the human resources manager and later as the ac-

See NEW Page 42

- March

For all other REALTORS®, there is a weekly charge of $10 per listing.

Tactics could hurt OP bottom line

Justice for Gavin supporters said to threaten vandalism if benefit took place at club

By Cindy Hoffman Staff Writer

(March 24, 2023) In uncharacteristically strong opening remarks, Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors President Doug Parks began the March board meeting Saturday by taking issue with the aggressive tactics some advocates for Justice for Gavin have been employing recently.

He acknowledged the heartache that the family has experienced because of the loss of their 14-year-old son, Gavin Knupp, who was killed by a hit-and-run driver on July 11 last year.

“No one can imagine the grief and suffering being endured by the parents at the loss of their child. As the investigation into this tragedy is ongoing, it is no surprise that frustration is growing as the time passes without official action by the state attorney and the state police conducting the investigation,” said Parks.

While he said he did not oppose targeting businesses and conducting protests and boycotts, he did object to some aggressive actions such as “bullying of the business staff, bullying of

children at school and threatening organizations, customers and OPA board members. Their actions demonstrated a move away from justice to a support for vengeance.”

Using a prepared statement, he said harassment led the Ravens Roost organization to move their fundraising event from the Yacht Club to another venue.

When asked later about other examples, he said, “In one instance that was shared, a high school student who worked at the Yacht Club was told by some other students that he should just go kill himself since he worked there.”

“The Veterans Memorial Fundraising event was disrupted by this group as the planned entertainer backed out from performing,” he said. He added that organizers were told if the event was held at the Yacht Club, the memorial would be vandalized.

A police report concerning that threat was shared with board members, two of whom received threats via text messages.

Parks said he welcomed a conversation with representatives from the Do It for Gavin group to “understand why they want to disrupt the Ocean Pines community and how their actions would serve to move forward with justice.”

Parks suggested that the group should be focused on those in charge of the investigation, not Ocean Pines and its amenities. He added that activities such as those directed at the Veterans Memorial fundraiser could have a financial impact on the community.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!!

In the highly sought-after community of Montego Bay in North OC, this 3BR/1.5BA home sits on a culde-sac at the end of a quiet street... steps away from community amenities. Meticulously maintained by long-time owners, features a new roof (2021), heating system (2021), double-hung insulated windows w/low-E glass, drywall interior, open floor plan, laminate flooring throughout, and a stackable W/D. Turnkey; Sold fully furnished. Amenities include 2 In-ground swimming pools, a shuffleboard court, a 9-hole mini-golf course, and a bayfront boardwalk w/3 fishing/crabbing piers...all for a low HOA fee of only $360.00 a year.

CINDY HOFFMAN/OCEAN CITY TODAY

During the Ocean Pines

Chairman Doug Parks read from a statement on the impacts of some of the actions taken on behalf of the Justice for Gavin group on Ocean Pines amenities and community members.

Doug Parks’ opening remarks

The following is a statement from Ocean Pines Association President Doug Parks read during last Saturday’s board meeting:

Everyone is aware of the terrible tragedy that occurred last summer regarding 14-year-old Gavin Knupp. No one can imagine the grief and suffering being endured by the parents at the loss of their child. As the investigation into this tragedy is ongoing, it is no surprise that frustration is growing as the time passes without official action by the State Attorney and the State Police conducting the investigation.

Beyond the foundation that was created in Gavin’s honor and the wonderful things that have been accomplished, a Facebook group named Do It For Gavin was formed to among other things, share information and opinions regarding the issue.

We have been told that for the most part the group discussed things in a reasonable manner but at some point, the tone changed from sharing information to targeting businesses and conducting protests and boycotts.

Quite frankly, while some may disagree, we see no issue at all with that course of action. However, their actions also included bullying of the business staff, bullying of children at school and threatening organizations, customers and OPA board members. Their actions demonstrated a move away from justice to a support for vengeance.

What we have issue with is, given that the targeted business has been sold, the group has now turned its attention to Ocean Pines. Their tactics have been to bully and threaten organizations and entertainment providers from having events at our Yacht Club.

As an example, because of the harassment that was going on in the community by this group, the Ravens Roost organization decided to move their planned fundraising event from the Yacht Club to another location.

The Veterans Memorial FundRaising event was disrupted by this

group as the planned entertainer backed out from performing. Organizers were told if the event was held at the Yacht Club, that the Memorial was going to be vandalized.

On another note, the band that was scheduled to perform at the St. Patrick’s Day event last week backed out at the last minute due to being harassed by this group. Do these actions convey a desire for justice or vengeance?

When will they stop? I can answer that – they won’t!! This is a call to all Ocean Pines Association members –raise your voices and be heard. We cannot let this vigilante group run roughshod over our community. By their actions and social media posts, they have demonstrated they care nothing about Ocean Pines and will go to whatever lengths it takes to disrupt our community and our livelihood.

We would welcome a conversation with representatives from the Do It For Gavin group with the hope of understanding why they want to disrupt the Ocean Pines community and how their actions would serve to move forward with justice.

Trust that justice regarding this case is what all of us want. Perhaps we could convince them that their anger should be directed towards those who are in charge of the investigation.

Talk to your friends, talk to your neighbors and talk to other Association members to let them know these situations are taking place and that this group is promoting a level of disruption to our community that at some point will affect us financially, which in turn will most likely lead to an increase in annual assessments.

We must continue to do what it takes to protect our community and the amenities we have paid to enjoy. I ask the members of the Association to continue to support our amenities and fund-raising events as together we can maintain the things that make our community what it is for us.

We all want justice for Gavin and our hope is that the case is resolved as soon as possible.

New construction in West OC on a nice sized lot, big backyard and peeks of the water and marshland!

Public airs grievances with Maryland health bill HB119

By Hunter Hine Managing Editor

(March 24, 2023) When the Worcester County Board of Education opened the floor to individual comments at their meeting on Tuesday evening, many took the chance to air concerns about the Health Education Framework Bill (HB-119), state legislation that outlines sex education requirements for public schools.

Most community speakers used their two minutes to criticize the bill, with only a few speaking in its defense. Some in the pro-bill group wore red shirts that read “The Time is Now,” on the back.

Jennie Rice, of Pocomoke, made the first stand of the night against

Parks’ message sympathetic but flags aggressive tactics

the bill, which continues to work its way through the Maryland General Assembly.

“I personally have been disgusted by parents having had to bring up such topics concerning anal sex, oral sex and things of this magnitude,” Rice said. “I along with many others represented here tonight cringe at the mention of these topics being introduced to our children. It’s repulsive and demonic.”

Kate McCloskey, of Ocean Pines, suggested that since this county’s schools rely less on state funding than other counties, they could withstand the loss of funding if they don’t comply with HB-119.

The bill states that, if passed,

See PARENTS Page 43

Continued from Page 40

“Talk to your friends, talk to your neighbors and talk to other association members to let them know these situations are taking place and that this group is promoting a level of disruption to our community that at some point will affect us financially, which in turn will most likely lead to an increase in annual assessments.”

Parks later noted that the board and he had been approached by OPA members asking what was being done to address these matters. “As the leadership group it was our responsibility to ensure the concerns of the membership were made public.”

Parks, who said his statement was spurred by the Veterans Memorial issue and complaints from the community, shared it with board members in advance. Five of the seven board members supported Parks reading it in public as his president’s remarks, he said.

The larger-than-normal crowd that had gathered for the board meeting erupted in applause at the end of his statement.

Social media pages related to Gavin and Ocean Pines blew up over the weekend with debate over Park’s statement.

Efforts to contact Gavin Knupps mother went unanswered at press time.

The Knupp case also affected the election of one candidate for an OPA committee position.

Sherrie Clifford volunteered to be on the OPA’s Search Committee, but a debate ensued because of her support for the Justice For Gavin group. Board member Stuart Lakernick objected to her appointment, claiming she openly endorses boycotting our food establishments.

“Her name appears on a petition,” Lakernick said. “How can you be on a committee to work to better our town when you openly endorse hurting our town?”

“The applicant served on the search committee last year,” Colette Horn responded. “She successfully carried out the functions of the job, which were essentially clerical. She has done a lot of work to better this community. To quote our chair, we do not turn away volunteers.”

Added board member Steve Jacobs, “My overall view is that boycotts are an acceptable form of social protest, as long as they are not violent. This [search] committee has nothing to do with the amenities.”

Frank Daly agreed, saying, “There is no legitimate reason why they cannot serve on this committee.”

The committee rejected her nomination for the Search Committee by a 4-3 vote.

New senior budget accountant

Continued from Page 39

counting supervisor. Prior to that time, she served with the City of Salisbury.

“I would like to thank the commissioners for allowing me this opportunity to serve the residents of Worcester County and to work alongside a dedicated group of talented professionals,” Wright said.

Wright resides with her husband, John, in Somerset County. They have

three grown children and two grandchildren. During her time off, she enjoys spending time at the beach, kayaking, gardening, and being outdoors with her dogs.”

She will administer grants procurement and grants compliance, track capital projects, and assist the budget officer in all phases of budget preparation, maintenance, and analysis of financial data and audit compliance.

Parents on both sides speak out on health education bill

Continued from Page 42

Maryland school boards who don’t follow the bill’s programs and instructions could lose 10 percent of their state funding. Worcester’s public schools received 16.69 percent of its funding from the state in 2022, according to the FY23 budget.

“I don’t think these radical political ideas are helping us or our proficiency levels,” McCloskey said.

Richard Addis thanked the board for sending a letter against HB-119. Addis said that Superintendent Taylor’s editorial in OC Toda y was a glowing endorsement of HB-119, and questioned the rest of the board why they allowed him to contradict them.

The board offered no response to this or any other questions or comments posed by community members.

Scott and Stacy Wilkins from Ocean Pines, told the board that they recently removed all five of their children from public schools because, as they saw it, politics got too involved in the classroom.

“We would love our kids to be in public school, taking advantage of our taxpaying dollars, but we pulled them out to put them in Christian school, and I don’t know how long we can continue that,” Stacy Wilkins said.

Joan Roache, of Ocean City, was the third speaker, and the first to speak in favor of the bill.

“A person can decide that they don’t want to read a certain book, a person can decide if they don’t want their child to read that book, but a person can’t decide whether an en-

Over $600K in scholarships available to local students

tire school, or an entire town, can’t read that book,” Roache said.

“To remove from schools whatever you don’t like, or don’t want your children to learn, is not freedom, it’s tyranny.”

Linda Linsay of Ocean Pines also defended the bill, saying state and local education experts select curriculums that are best practices and based on research.

Debra Fisher Reynolds, a retired teacher from Berlin, donning one of the pro-bill group’s red shirts, cited data about HB-119 that was presented to the board at the meeting it had on Feb. 21.

“According to a 2017 study in the national library of medicine, and a one-poll survey in 2022, 20 percent of parents will never talk about sexed with their child, and 93 percent of parents want health ed and sex ed taught in schools,” Reynolds said.

Later in last night’s meeting, the board voted to send another letter of opposition to state legislators regarding the bill, which has passed its third reading in the House.

Worcester County Commissioner Chip Bertino has also criticized the bill and sent a letter on Wednesday morning affirming his position.

“This legislation is yet another effort to remove from our county local control,” Bertino wrote. “Further, and more egregiously, it demonstrates a perverse influence by many in the Maryland Legislature over parents on how best to rear children. Such condescension is alarming and it is wrong. Parents know what is best for their children.”

(March 24, 2023) More than $600,000 in scholarships are available for area students through the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore.

The foundation, which awarded scholarships to over 400 students last year, has recently opened applications on its website. Many of the scholarships have an April 1, deadline, and details are available within each application.

“Scholarships are an investment in our future leaders and create an incredible impact in our local community,” said Community Foundation President Erica Joseph. “The foundation offers a wide variety of scholarships, each with their own unique criteria, and the foundation’s expertise in scholarship management allows us to help our donors grow these opportunities.”

The foundation, which holds more than 200 scholarship funds, has steadily increased the number of scholarships available each year. It has also seen an expansion in areas of scholarship focus, as well as scholarships for non-traditional students.

“While many scholarships are for high school seniors, we are seeing an increased interest in scholarships for non-traditional students and trade

schools,” Joseph said. “For instance, the Naleppa Family Healthcare Scholarship focuses on students who have already been accepted into a healthcare education program, such as a two-year nursing program, whereas the Beattie Healthcare Careers Scholarship is for students who have already begun their undergraduate study in a healthcare field.”

Some scholarships are based on the student’s prospective area of study, like The Richard and Patricia Hazel Minority Scholarship which is for students who are interested in pursuing a career in education, STEM, or nursing.

Other scholarships available at the foundation may have criteria based on what school a student went to, athletic activities, church affiliations, or civic involvement.

“Scholarship funds at CFES are a valuable resource for people who want to help local students,” Joseph said. “They are created by individuals, families, or businesses that are passionate about encouraging an area of study, memorializing a loved one, or simply extending a helping hand, so there is a little something for everyone.”

For a full list of scholarships, criteria, and applications, visit CFES.org/scholarships.

Meetings slated for saltmarsh landowners

MCBP calling gatherings to inform of local org. work to safeguard protected areas

(March 24, 2023) Two meetings for saltmarsh landowners will be held by the Maryland Coastal Bays Program, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Lower Shore Land Trust and the Mid-Atlantic Audubon Society. One will be held at the Berlin Library on March 29 from 6-7:30 p.m.,

Don’t abandon air rights

Editor,

I am responding to your article [Request to abandon air rights at Majestic] in the March 17, 2023 paper.

I am against any request to abandon air rights.

Attorney for petitioner states, among others, precedent has been established.

That was in 2002 and much has changed in 20 years.

Attorney states it is not for sleeping rooms, only amenities. Amenities only increases reasons to book at hotel.

Petitioner has numerous other properties in OC. Each is for profit.

OCMD is an island. It is 96 percent built out.

A high dollar amount needs to be established before any approval is granted. Property values continue to go up.

Dollar value for air rights and parking garages must be included for all future development.

Robert R. Hemp Jr. Ocean City

State after local control

Editor,

You may have read recently that the Worcester County Commissioners oppose state legislation that would, without parental consent, allow for questionable curriculum regarding social and sexual education for all grades starting with Kindergarten.

This legislation is yet another effort to remove from our County local control.

Further, and more egregiously, it demonstrates a perverse influence by many in the Maryland Legislature over parents on how best to rear children. Such condescension is alarming and it is wrong. Parents know what is best for their children. And, elected boards of education know what is best for their communities.

Our county should not be victimized by state legislators who espouse

and the other will be held at the Snow Hill Library on March 30 from 6-7:30 p.m.

The purpose of these meetings is to tell saltmarsh landowners in the Maryland Coastal Bays watershed about the work local organizations are doing to safeguard and improve the health and state of local saltmarshes, and to start building relationships with saltmarsh landowners.

The goal is to give people tools and

resources to help protect saltmarshes in the coastal bays by giving them information on current saltmarsh projects, opportunities for restoration, monitoring methods, and ways to protect land.

Saltmarshes are coastal wetland areas that fill and empty with the tides. The health of fisheries, coasts, and communities depends on these intertidal habitats, as more than 75 percent of fisheries species — shrimp, blue crab, and many finfish — depend

gaged in your child’s education. Because if you don’t, who will?

As a community, as a society, we have no greater responsibility than to teach our children well.

on them for food, shelter and reproduction.

Saltmarshes also reduce shoreline erosion by blunting the force of waves and catching sand. They protect water quality by filtering runoff and eliminating excess nutrients that would other flow into the bays.

Food and refreshments will be served. Questions about the sessions should be directed to Carly Toulan at ctoulan@mdcoastalbays.org or 410213-2297 ext. 103.

dependency on the state over self-reliance of the family and who celebrate, promulgate and legislate wrong-headed ideas about how best to educate our children.

Education priorities should not obsess over whether little Johnny and little Janie are white or black or Asian or Hispanic or all of the above.

They should not focus on making them feel guilty about being white or black or Asian or Hispanic or all of the above.

Nor should they concentrate on or encourage how little Johnny and little Janie identifies him or herself.

Such thinking may be fashionable in the high couture circles of selfrighteous state legislators but I prefer my fashion off the rack, not off the wall.

Education priorities should ensure that little Johnny and little Janie are respectful, tolerant, productive, successful, disciplined, confident individuals, equipped to take on the challenges of their generation and of future generations.

Worcester County taxpayers pay more than taxpayers in any other state jurisdiction to educate each child in the public school system, close to $20,000 per student.

County taxpayers fund about 84 percent of the Worcester County school system budget.

For generations, county government has prioritized education, accepting its obligation to provide students with an optimum learning experience. It will continue to do so.

However, we are not obligated to suffer gladly the interference of misguided Annapolis legislators who, by their actions and comments, pander to a far-fetched ideology that mocks loving parents who want instilled in their children the values of family, community and decency.

When you read about state efforts to hijack the prerogatives of our local school board, when you believe parental and taxpayers rights are being suffocated, raise your voices in discontent, write our state delegation, and, if you are a parent, remain en-

Chip Bertino Worcester County Commissioner

Defending a Charade!

Editor,

Given Mr. Taylor’s kind offer for information, I will start with a couple requests intended to publicly confirm what I was given by Mr. Andes in 2012 regarding the county. What was the cost per student in 1970? What percent of students were accepted at four-year colleges in 1970? What is the cost per student today and what percent of graduating seniors are accepted at four-year colleges today?

Mr. Andes had given me the costs and I had calculated a 300 percent increase per student after inflation, why? And the percent of acceptances to four-year colleges had gone down, why? The reason I don’t use standardized tests like SAT’s, is because National Education Administration (NEA) has been complicit in “dumbing these down,” three times last century and once after 2000.

I prefer the international PISA test in which we have failed in every category except expense.

The startling statistics you refer to have been getting worse despite your inappropriate “health education” that you say “has been a hallmark of education for decades.” Don’t you think the decline of morals and family values are directly correlated to your “age-appropriate information on sexual health”?

Mr. Taylor please don’t straddle the fence between Wokeness and Christian values by misusing good Judeo-Christian words. “Equity” and “inclusion” lead to privilege. They are all Woke terms that are destroying our traditional beliefs. While “empathy” is a good Judeo- Christian concept, please don’t throw them all in the same salad!

I am a product of the public school system in Fairfax County, Va., a similar system to Worcester County. Both were and are in the upper quintile for expenditures per child in the nation.

In Fourth grade I had a tremendous teacher, Mrs. Moore. When I was dozing during class, Mrs. Moore would sneak up and snap her yard stick on the back of my desk chair. In fourth grade I could not read and Mrs. Moore had a special class for me. Mrs. Moore took her time to put me in detention at least once a week. I used to stay afterschool and write something on the blackboard 100 times that started with “I will not . . .”. One day I struck out at kickball and [cursed]. Well Mrs. Moore heard me and grabbed me by the earlobe and dragged me to the principal’s office where there was a bathroom, saying along the way.

“I am going to wash that filthy little mouth out!” And boy did she. When she stuck the bar of soap in my mouth and held it with her hand, I thought I couldn’t breathe. I thought I would die. All the time pulling on my earlobe to keep control. Mrs. Moore was a great teacher!

Later I had Ms. Spindle, my ninth grade English teacher, who was mortified every time I tried to write in the English language. My papers always looked like a red ink battlefield. She would make me write and rewrite over and over again. I was blessed with good teachers in High School, Colonel Mare in Government, Mr. Gerhardt in Mathematics and Admiral Tackney, our substitute in Physics, who said he had something to do with the design of the Bay Bridge. In high school I was president of my class and graduated with eight varsity letters.

During the Vietnam error, I attended William and Mary, left my senior year and was drafted, flunked my physical. I later went to work as a narcotics officer for Lee Ward in Ocean City and was subsequently deputized in the county working with Ed Horner and Frank Mazzone, in Baltimore. But I wasn’t quite through with school and teachers.

I returned to School at nights at George Mason University in Northern Virginia at age 28, working during the day and paying my own way. I had studied psychology and social sciences at William and Mary. I studied economics at GMU. I was blessed with some great teachers, Howard

Commentary

Fire depts. must be reimbursed for calls

Two or three decades ago, local volunteer fire departments were flourishing in terms of membership and finances. People wanted to join them not just for the sake of the community, but also for the prestige associated with what was then one of every town's most powerful organizations.

They were politically powerful, socially connected and, because of the danger and excitement that was part of every fire call, appealed to young men looking for adventure.

Things have obviously changed since then, as the demands of the job, the pool of potential members, and the communities themselves have experienced numerous changes, some of which continue to affect small town fire departments today.

These are difficult times for many of these smaller departments, leading them to become increasingly reliant on local government for assistance.

This is why the Worcester County Commissioners made the right call this week when they voted to advise neighboring county governments that the time has come for them to pay for services that this county's companies have been providing them for years for little or no charge.

As much as helping a neighbor in need is the right thing to do, it is no longer practical for this county’s fire departments to reach out to county government to subsidize their responses to out-of-county emergencies.

The commissioners know the day is coming when much of the financial burden of providing emergency services in Worcester will be county government's responsibility, and they know it's going to be expensive.

To delay that eventuality, the commissioners are asking the neighbors to pay their fair share, as Ocean City has done with the county for serving unincorporated West Ocean City.

These neighboring jurisdictions, Sussex County, Delaware, Accomack, Virginia, and Somerset County, Maryland, have two options: They can expand their own departments at a high price or pay a more reasonable amount to Worcester's companies for services rendered.

Ocean City Today

EDITOR ............................................ Stewart Dobson

MANAGING EDITOR ................................ Lisa Capitelli

STAFF WRITERS Jack Chavez, Mallory Panuska, ............................................Cindy Hoffman, Hunter Hine

ACCOUNT MANAGERS .......... Mary Cooper, Vicki Shrier ..................................................................Renee Kelly

CLASSIFIEDS/LEGALS MANAGER .... Nancy MacCubbin

SENIOR DESIGNER ................................ Susan Parks

GRAPHIC ARTIST .................................... Kelly Brown

PUBLISHER........................................ Christine Brown

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT ...................... Gini Tufts

Parents know best

Parents know what’s best for their children. Yeah, well, no, they don’t. If they did, the parents of my neighborhood friend, Buddy, wouldn’t have given him a carton of Camels for Christmas when he was 12.

By Stewart Dobson

True, it did rocket him up to hero status for a time, as he puffed away while the rest of us had to make do with bubblegum cigars, which didn’t quite cut it as a social asset in the boy-girl department. And by boy-girl that means boys and girls, not boy-girl, which you’re no longer allowed to talk about in Florida.

He'd walk up to the girls at the school bus stop, draw on his Camel, and say through the swirl of exhaled smoke, “Helloooooo girls.”

Well. Let me tell you, that had a different effect on the local beauties than saying, “Wanna see me blow a big bubble?”

“You’re so ... so, juvenile,” she would reply, dashing all hope of making headway in a particular department, not that I knew much about any departments at the time.

I’m not saying I knew nothing, but it was so little that I thought the term “carnal knowledge” had to do with experienced carnival workers.

“Wow,” I said to the cluster of kids watching men rapidly erect a sideshow tent for the traveling carnival that came to town. “Do those guys have carnal knowledge or what?”

“You’re so ... so juvenile.”

And so, since our go-to source of all adult knowledge, cigarette-smoking Buddy, had no clue either, I found myself at the dinner table at home

asking, “By the way, what’s carnal knowledge?”

Patooie! The old man expelled a solitary pea with such force that it ricocheted off the sugar bowl before rolling to a dead stop in front of my mother, who said to my father with as much dignity as she could muster, which was a lot, “That’s your job. You tell him.”

I couldn’t imagine that my father had any air left in him after his supersonic pea ejection, but what did remain departed in an exhale so long that he shrank by two shirt sizes.

“Ahem,” he said, after replenishing his oxygen supply, “remember that little talk we had in the driveway last summer? Well, under certain circumstances it’s illegal.”

Wow! First, I have to recall a 10-second lecture involving two cars and one parking space, and then I hear that it doesn’t always work that way.

Suffice to say that I got all the details that summer at Boy Scout camp, as the older members, great sages that they were, cleared up everything. Camp was also where I learned to smoke, thanks to our exceptionally cool assistant Scoutmaster, who knew everything about everything, including how to make a nickle a pack by selling smokes to 13-year-olds. That’s a fact.

Going to camp, by the way, was my parents’ idea and I frequently did what they said, because they knew best, like when they said, “And don’t ever let us catch you drinking again, young man.”

That’s when I learned that parents have been known to adapt to the circumstances because they realize what they knew best before may not apply later.

“Look,” my mother said after hearing me tell her one summer that I was only “tasting” a beer to see what it was like, “This is your third or fourth ‘tasting.’ I hope you make up your mind soon.”

Battle of Komandorski Islands 80 years ago

By Sam Ghaleb Contributing Writer

(March 24, 2023) This week 80 years ago, the Japanese and American Navies were engaged in the Battle of Komandorski Islands. It was one of the “purist” long-range naval gunfire engagements of World War II.

A Japanese task force, comprising two heavy cruisers — Nachi and Maya — two light cruisers — Tama and Abukuma — and four destroyers, charged with protecting two transports, was intercepted and attacked by a U.S. Navy task force that included the heavy cruiser Salt Lake City, the light cruiser Richmond, and four destroyers, Bailey, Coghlan, Dale and Monaghan.

Although the Japanese task force had twice the number of cruisers and twice the fire power of the U.S. warships, the resulting engagement was indecisive.

By March 1943, the Americans were beginning to get serious about retaking the islands of Attu and Kiska in the Aleutians, which had been captured by the Japanese in 1942. Consequently, the U.S. Navy placed a squadron of warships in the area, tasked with interdicting any Japanese resupply convoys to the area. On March 26, 1943, this task group found what they were seeking, but got more than they bargained for. A Japanese convoy of two transports was coming north.

Although the U.S. force was at a disadvantage, it gave battle, and paid the price. Salt Lake City drew first blood against the Nachi but was in turn hit repeatedly. Finally, one engine room flooded, and she began to lose way. Only a quick smokescreen laid by U.S. destroyers saved her from further harm.

At this point the Japanese broke off the attack and retired to rejoin the two transports, which had been detached at the beginning of the fight.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Continued from Page 44

Block, from Princeton and the department head Dr. Snavely; as well as renowned adjunct professors who were in the Reagan Administration, Steve Entin, Paul Craig Roberts and Arthur Laffer, and finally Tulloch and Buchannan in the PHD program. All my teachers based on merit had very significant impacts on my life. Today’s teachers have strayed from reading, writing math and history and started to take over family responsibilities to the detriment of the family and worsening the social decline.

I would strongly recommend that the school system workforce, the teachers, be hired solely on merit and

The Japanese commander, Boshiro Hosogaya, was retired from naval service shortly thereafter as a result of his rather under-aggressive performance.

Salt Lake City left Dutch Harbor as part of Task Group 16.6, under the command of Rear Adm. Charles Horatio McMorris. Before the war, McMorris had taught English and history at the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, and he was considered one of the Navy’s leading staff officers. He was also an excellent fighter.

After McMorris hoisted his flag aboard Richmond as the task group commander, he sailed toward the North Pacific. His orders were to prevent the Japanese from resupplying Attu and Kiska. He also had orders to avoid engaging superior enemy forces.

On the morning of March 26, Task Group 16.6 was 180 miles west of Attu and steaming northward. Before sunrise, the small American squadron was about 100 miles south of the Komandorski Islands. McMorris had intelligence that the Japanese had sent a convoy of merchant ships escorted by destroyers to reinforce Attu or Kiska, which both lay southeast of the Komandorski Islands.

The weather was cold and calm. And the men onboard the U.S. warships got in their warmest clothes and got ready. The water was as slickas-glass with not a cloud in the sky.

When the Americans sighted the first enemy ships, the Japanese convoy was headed northward to rendezvous with a slow freighter that had been sent ahead with a destroyer escort.

As more Japanese merchant ships and destroyers came into view, excitement aboard the American ships began to build. The task force had found lightly defended transports headed for the Aleutians. Aboard Salt Lake City, the men thought it would

be an easy day’s pickings, and word spread through the cruiser that the fox was in the chicken coop.

By the time the U.S. task force concentrated into battle formation, however, the Japanese had spotted the Americans. Vice Adm. Hosogaya turned his warships to the southeast to engage. The two groups of warships were now headed directly for one another, and the distance between them was rapidly diminishing.

In the growing light, the prospects of easy pickings among lightly escorted transports evaporated as the men in Richmond’s foretop identified the approaching Japanese warships.

“We have in sight cover force, “the crewmen reported to the bridge. “Two heavy cruisers, two light cruisers, and six destroyers, hull down, distance 38,000 yards, bearing 40 degrees on the starboard bow at high speed.”

Task Group 16.6 had run into Hosogaya’s entire fleet. Not only did the Japanese force outnumber that of the Americans by more than 2-to-1, the Japanese cruisers were also heavier and faster than their American counterparts. “There are two battleships out there and they aren’t canoes,” an excited gunnery officer on one of the American destroyers said.

He may have been guilty of overstatement, but he had the right idea.

McMorris soon had his six ships in line of battle. Bailey and Coghlan led Richmond and Salt Lake City, Dale and Monaghan brought up the rear. With the morning sun just over the horizon, the first Japanese guns boomed across the serene sea at the Americans some 20,000 yards distant.

The first shells fell well short of Richmond, but the Japanese gunners soon found the range and within a few minutes had Richmond bracketed. The projectiles landed so close that some aboard Richmond thought their ship had been hit. It seemed as if the skilled enemy gunners would begin to score hits within minutes.

Then a mistake aboard Nachi kept her gunners from getting off a killing blow. After Nachi had fired her opening salvos, a crew member inadvertently switched the generator that supplied electrical power to the big guns to the wrong boiler. The turrets lost power. The Japanese engineers corrected the problem within a minute, but in the meantime Nachi had lost a golden opportunity.

On Richmond, McMorris increased speed to 25 knots. The U.S.

Continued on Page 48

not be “a reflection of the students it serves.” The teachers should be models for the students period, like Mrs. Moore was for me. Further, I would recommend that all teachers be offered merit pay based solely on their academic performance, and that guidance counselors and administrators be told to either teach or get a different job. Please return the responsibility of teaching and control to the classroom teacher!

Also, a word to the commissioners tell the state thanks but no thanks, keep your money and get out of our education! The productivity and savings will be huge!

Tony Christ Ocean City

Continued from Page 47

ships were now compacted into a tight fighting formation, with the two fleets moving toward each other. At 8:42 a.m. a salvo from Salt Lake City’s 8-inch guns boomed out signaling the start of the naval engagement between the heavy cruisers.

Impressed with the opening Japanese salvos, McMorris wanted to avoid a slugging match. He ordered a turn to port, away from the approaching Japanese ships. Perhaps he could still slip past the enemy heavy cruisers and attack the transports. Then a shell from Salt Lake City struck Nachi on a corner of the bridge. It started a fire, but Adm. Hosogaya and his staff escaped injury.

Other shells hit the mainmast and the torpedo tube compartment. Flames and smoke momentarily billowed from the Japanese flagship, and an officer on the bridge of Salt Lake City turned to the captain and exclaimed: “Captain, we’ve got him! Let’s barrel in and finish him off.”

Hosogaya elected to play a cautious game, needing to protect his convoy and yet desiring to maneuver to destroy the U.S. force. To do so, he continued to turn his two heavy cruisers and four destroyers to starboard until they were steaming on a northwesterly course. Although Maya and Nachi were newer and faster than the U.S. ships, their stern chase forced them to zigzag, both to unmask their stern turrets and to avoid steaming into a torpedo attack. Thus, they could not close the range on the U.S. group.

The Maya and Nachi, were at 21,800 yards to the east of Salt Lake City, preventing McMorris from getting at the transports. But McMorris’s concern rapidly shifted to saving Salt

Lake City, which had begun to lose steering control. Salt Lake City was hit a third time by a shell from Maya that penetrated the main deck below the waterline.

Salt Lake City was in trouble and requested the protection of a smoke screen, which was generated by her escorting destroyers. The Japanese light cruiser Abukuma scored one last hit on her, ruining her aft gyro equipment and flooding the aft engine room. Eventually her speed declined as water flooded her fire rooms, and at 8:55 a.m. her engines stopped. By this time, she had turned back onto a southeasterly course.

Although by then Salt Lake City was hardly visible, Abukuma, almost directly astern her, was still trying to achieve more hits from long range. Moreover, Hatsushimo had fired five heavyweight torpedoes at Salt Lake City at 8:57 a.m. while Wakaba launched five similar torpedoes at the U.S. heavy cruiser’s screen, which was now steaming east on her starboard quarter. None of the torpedoes hit, however.

Interim repairs allowed Salt Lake City to get under way again at 10 a.m., but by then the battle was over, as Hosogaya’ force was now on its way to the southwest escorting the transport vessels back to the island of Paramushiro in the northern part of the Kurile Island s group.

Because the battle had been fought at long range for nearly four hours, it is not surprising that the naval track charts of the two forces do not match. The Japanese track chart does not show Salt Lake City’s loss of way when she was at her most vulnerable, nor does it record a torpedo attack by the destroyers Bailey, Coughlan and Monaghan.

At 9 a.m. and 9:03 a.m., Bailey was hit twice on her starboard side, one shell penetrating to the electric generators. Then she launched five torpedoes and turned to the east, ordering the other two destroyers to follow her. According to Maya’s action report, she was not hit, but her own gun blasts set fire to her no. 1 floatplane. Abukuma and Tama received no damage.

Nachi bore the brunt of the U.S. fire, mainly from Salt Lake City, and her action report records two hits. The Japanese destroyers Hatsushimo, lnazuma and Wakaba were not hit.

McMorris probably displayed more courage than judgement in his actions. Although he did not get at the Japanese transports, he saved a heavy cruiser from a perilous situation and prevented the reinforcement of Kiska Island.

Although justifiably concerned for the safety of his transport vessels, Adm. Hosogaya had been too cautious and, despite the superiority of his force, his ships had received nearly as much damage as the U.S. warships.

He failed to close the range to tackle the crippled Salt Lake City and her lighter escorts. His light cruisers delivered no all-out attack, and his destroyers did not make a typical Japanese torpedo attack. The battle might easily have been a Japanese victory, but as a consequence of what was a tactical draw, but U.S. operational victory, was Vice Adm. Hosogaya’s retirement from active naval service a month later. For the rest of the war, Hosogaya was based at Truk in the Caroline Islands group as the governor of the South Seas Mandate.

Next week: The Mystery of the Lady Be Good

PANAGIOTIS D. KAOURIS

Ocean City

Panagiotis (“Pete”) D. Kaouris passed away on March 18, 2023, at his home in Ocean City, Maryland, at the age of 84.

Pete was born in Patras, Greece on Sept. 6, 1938.

He immigrated to the United States of America in 1956, when he was 18 years of age, residing initially with his Uncle and Aunt, Louis and Agnes Chames, in Salisbury, Maryland.

Pete worked in several restaurants throughout the Eastern Shore after arriving in the United States.

In 1961, he became a citizen of the United States, and he served in the Maryland National Guard in the early 1960s.

Pete was married to Christina Kaouris, nee Christopoulos, on Jan. 24, 1963, and they had one son together, Dr. Leonidas P. Kaouris.

Pete and Christina owned and operated several successful restaurants in Ocean City, including Pete’s Carry Out at 41st Street and PGN Restaurant at 29th Street.

In 1979, they opened Leo’s Restaurant, which they operated at 138th Street and Coastal Highway for over 40 years.

Pete loved the restaurant business. He enjoyed cooking, interacting with his customers, and serving good food at reasonable prices.

Pete is survived by his wife, Christina; two sisters, Anna Zacharopoulos of Ocean City and Agnes Kostopoulos of Mississauga, Canada; two brothers, Vasilios Kaouris of Ocean City and Michael Kaouris of Patras, Greece; and several nieces and nephews.

He was proceeded in death by his son, Dr. Leonidas P. Kaouris; his brothers, George Kaouris, Nick Kaouris and Anthony Kaouris; and his brothers-in-law, Vasilios Christopoulos and Thomas Zacharopoulos.

A viewing will be held at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 8805 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, Maryland, on March 21, 2023, between the hours of 6-8 p.m.

A funeral service was held at the church at 11 a.m. on March 22, 2023.

Interment will follow the funeral service at Evergreen Cemetery in Berlin, Maryland.

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

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Church or any other charity of their choice benefitting the residents of the Town of Ocean City.

Continued on Page 49

Pete D. Kaouris

Continued from Page 48

ALLAN CHERRICKS BAKER

Bishopville

Allan Cherricks Baker, age 82, of Bishopville, Maryland, died Thursday, March 9, 2023 at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin.

He was born in Berlin, Maryland, and was the son of the late Robert Floyd Baker and Madeline Ruth (Bunting) Baker, and grandson of the late Emory and Mary Elizabeth (Jarman) Cherricks and Robert and Myrtle (Adkins) Baker.

Allan was a retired weighmaster for Country Pride Poultry and Allen’s Foods and in his younger years was a truck driver for John Yoder.

In his later years, he enjoyed working at Ocean Pines Public Works Department.

He was a member of Chincoteague Chapter Ducks Unlimited, Lower Sussex Sportsman Association (LSSA), the former Ebenezer Church in Bishopville, and the former Soul Discovery in Salisbury.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Shirley M. Baker; one daughter, Madeline Ruth Baker Moses (Joe Hughes) of Georgetown, Delaware; one son, William Allan Baker and wife Kim of Laurel, Delaware; two granddaughters, Allison Margaret Moses and Madison Beth “Dollie” Moses; two special nephews, Rob Baker and J.C. Vickers; his two golden boys, Bob and John Moses; adopted son, Billy Niblett; two sisters, Carolyn Smith and Bonnie Vickers; two cousins, Tony Ercolino and Yvonne Ercolino; a brother-in-law, Donnie Kelly; several nieces and nephews and many good friends.

He is also survived by his German Shepherd, Sarge.

Allan had never met a stranger and impacted the lives of those who knew him.

Allan was preceded in death by four brothers, Ottis Baker, Robert “Pard” Baker, Jr., Keith Baker, and J.P. Baker.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 25, 2023 at Bishop-Hastings Funeral Home in Selbyville. Burial will be in Ebenezer Cemetery in Bishopville. Pastor Steve Adkins will preside.

A viewing will be held on Friday, March 24, 2023 from 7-9 p.m. and also on Saturday, March 25, 2023 from noon to 2 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to: Chincoteague Ducks Unlimited, 3912 Main Street, Chincoteague, Virginia 23336; or Showell Vol. Fire Dept., 11620 Worcester Hwy., Showell, Maryland 21862.

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

RICHARD BIRCH CROPPER Salisbury

Richard (Dick) Birch Cropper, 75, of Salisbury, Maryland, suddenly passed away on March 15, 2023 at the hospital from cardiac arrest.

He was born in Salisbury, Maryland, on April 2, 1947 to Miriam Birch Cropper and Leroy James Cropper, Sr.

Mr. Cropper was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Sarah Cropper Hoar and Miriam Cropper Bishop; and brother, Leroy James Cropper, Jr.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Susan Rawlings Cropper; his daughters, Susan Russell (John) and

Lisa Cropper; and son, Michael Cropper (Amy); grandchildren, Stephen Russell, Jami Howard, Courtney Keller, Sofia Cropper and Josslyn Cropper; greatgrandchildren, Kaylee Howard, Ellena Russell and Juliet Russell; sister, Susan Cropper Birch (Vic); sister-in-law, Martha (Marty) Cropper; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Richard grew up in Ocean City, Maryland.

He graduated from Stephen Decatur High School in 1965 and worked at Paul’s Tackle Shop on Talbot Street for many years.

He attended Strayer Junior College where he met his future wife, Susan.

He worked for Crown Cork & Seal (can manufacturer) starting in 1968 in Salisbury as an assistant accountant and became manager of accounting in 1969.

He was transferred to St. Louis, Missouri, where he met some of his best friends, then was transferred to Chicago, Illinois in 1979 and promoted to plant manager in 1982. In 1986, he returned to the Salisbury plant and retired from Crown in 1995.

Dick always enjoyed music. He

played drums in the marching band at Stephen Decatur and in the band, “The Scavengers” in the late 60’s.

There was an encore performance as a drummer at his son’s wedding when he played “Wipe-Out” (his favorite drum song) with his son’s band.

He enjoyed bowling, racquetball, and golf. His favorite destination was the Daytona Beach area, he relaxed as soon as he drove under the big welcome sign at the Daytona International Speedway.

His favorite hobby was driving and he made two cross-country trips with his wife.

He always loved going to Ocean City and driving through the inlet parking lot to check out the waves as it reminded him of growing up in Ocean City on Dorchester Street.

Dick was very dedicated to his wife of 54 years, his family, his work, and was always ready and willing to help others.

He loved to tease and he will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

He requested no service or flowers, but please keep the family in your prayers.

Arrangements are in the care of Holloway Funeral Home, P.A., 501 Snow Hill Road, Salisbury, Maryland 21804. Please share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.HollowayFH.com.

$1,445.

Allan C. Baker

Richard Cropper

WORCESTER PREP SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

Worcester Prep tennis teams ready for action

By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor

(March 24, 2023) The Worcester Prep tennis teams were successful last season and they hope to do just as well in 2023 with some new players in the lineup.

Both Prep squads went 10-1 last year. Each captured Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference championship team trophies.

“We have 17 matches on the calendar right now, so it will definitely be an action-packed season,” said girls’ team coach Kevin Chalk.

He has 14 players on his roster, eight of whom are returners from last year.

“Our biggest strength right now is our cohesiveness as a unit,” Chalk said. “This group really gets along well with each other and they have a fun energy. Almost all of them are close friends and have spent time playing tennis together outside of traditional practice hours.”

Chalk said the talent level is pretty high, too.

“A few of our players practiced indoors over the winter so that’s always helpful in keeping skills sharp,” he said. “Our singles players were all on the team last year, but we have a few new doubles teams composed of players who played exhibition matches last year and who are still getting used to the rigors of being in

the lineup.”

Juniors Lebby Becker and Natasha Richter are team captains.

The girls teamed up and won the doubles ESIAC championship title last season.

“I’ll be looking for both of them to step up as competitors and leaders, and I hope they take the high level of enthusiasm already present and run with it,” Chalk said.

Becker will be playing in the first singles spot, moving up from third singles last year.

“It’s been amazing to watch everyone else grow up and now it’s my turn to lead the team. I’m nervous, but it’s very exciting to watch everyone do well and cheer them on,” she said. “I hope that with my techniques being able to teach them and mentor them I really hope that we can build a really strong team this year … we have a very young team this year, but I think with some more practice we’ll do really well overall this season.”

Worcester kicked off the season against Indian River on Tuesday in Berlin.

The Lady Mallards won, 5-2.

Becker edged out her first singles opponent, 8-5. Richter came out on top in her second singles match, 8-6.

Sophomore Savannah Palmisano topped her fourth singles opponent, 8-1. Sophomore Angie Todorov took her fifth singles match, 8-3.

Senior Meeta Agarwal and junior Mia Lovitt won their second doubles match, 6-3.

“I was impressed with how much resilience the girls showed,” Chalk said. “We had a number of matches where we were down or things were very close and we came back and won those, so a great effort.”

The next day, Worcester traveled to Delaware to face Sussex Central. They played Delaware’s format –three singles and two doubles, best of three set matches.

Worcester won, 3-2.

Becker was victorious, 6-3, 6-1, at first singles and Richter shut out her second singles opponent, 6-0, 6-0.

Sophomore Lydia Schwartz took her third singles match, 1-6, 7-5, 6-1.

“Sussex Central put up an incredible fight and challenged us across the board,” Chalk said. “It basically came down to our No. 3 singles match and she had match points against her in the second set, but she fought back and found a way to win that set and then the third to clinch it. An amazing

effort considering this was our second match in a row.”

Worcester will host Saints Peter and Paul on Monday at 3:30 p.m. then Salisbury Christian on Wednesday at 4 p.m.

“We have a busy schedule of matches and many of them will be tough. I’d like for this team to maintain a high level of competitiveness throughout the season,” Chalk said. “I’d like for our singles players to be more deliberate with shot selection, and I want our doubles teams to be more aggressive at the net. This team has a ton of potential and I’m excited to see what the next few weeks have in store for us.”

“My personal goal is to hopefully make it to the ESIAC finals for singles this year, and for the team, I hope that we will win the ESIAC, but overall just to have fun,” Becker added.

Worcester’s boys’ team consists on 11 players, four of whom are varsity veterans.

“This year will feature the largest turnover of players – as far as starters lost – competing for spots on the team,” said Coach Terry Underkoffler. “The drawback is match experience.”

With only six preseason practices then a week off for Spring Break, the group is trying to get its timing back, the coach said.

LISA CAPITELLI/OCEAN CITY TODAY

“I hope that with my techniques being able to teach [the girls] and mentor them I really hope that we can build a really strong team this year,” said junior captain Lebby Becker. “I know a lot of drills, and I can help players out that are struggling with a little coaching tips … I can motivate our players, motivate the team to do better and at practices be a leader,” added sophomore captain Aleksey Klimins.

Kevin Chalk

T. Underkoffler

Mallards looking to have another successful year

Continued from Page 50

“They have to find what their strength is, focus on that and build their game around that strength,” Underkoffler said. “Every player is different.”

He describes the team as young, enthusiastic and technically improving.

The team won its first competition of the season, 6-0, over Indian River on Tuesday on its home courts.

“I was surprised. We had a few practices then a week off for Spring Break, then one practice and a match. It’s like restarting again,” Underkoffler said. “The hope was to play simple and expand out as they get more confident in their matches. They did and it served them well.

“They were getting balls in and they played out points,” he continued. “The positive side is there’s nothing like being under match conditions.”

Sophomore captain Aleksey Klimins, the only returning starting singles players, topped his first singles opponent, 8-1.

He is the defending ESIAC singles champion.

“I think the team is pretty strong and getting along well. I think we’re going to have a good season,” he said. “I practice a lot and I played a lot. I know a lot of drills, and I can help players out that are struggling with a little coaching tips and stuff like that … I can motivate our players, motivate the team to do better and at practices be a leader.”

Junior Carson Rayne edged out his second singles opponent, 8-5.

Sophomore James Haley and junior Dylan Simons both outscored their third and fourth singles competition, 8-0.

Senior Ian Lewis and sophomore Ed Martikyan earned an 8-5 victory at first doubles.

Senior Daniel Thompson and junior Hunter Simons won 8-2 at second doubles.

Worcester hosted Sussex Central the following day.

The Prep team won two of the five matches.

Dylan and Hunter Simons topped their first doubles opponents, 8-1. Lewis and Martikyan scored an 8-1 victory at second doubles.

“It was a really tough, competitive match,” Underkoffler said. “Great experience for the young team.”

Underkoffler said the team is balanced this year as far as skill level.

“Aleksey is very good, then two through seven are pretty interchangeable,” he said. “Any given day number seven can beat number two. That’s

WP girls’ lacrosse team athletic and fast, coach says

By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor

(March 24, 2023) Worcester Prep Coach Chris Williams said his girls’ lacrosse team is looking very fast and athletic this season.

“So while we are young, we have a lot of athletic, experienced lacrosse players on the team,” he said. “We have put in many new offenses, and the team has really grasped what we are trying to do. I think our new offenses will play to our strengths and athleticism.”

Chris Wiliams

Williams has 21 players on his roster, 13 of them underclassmen.

Twelve Lady Mallards competed last year when the team finished with a 611 record. In many games nine of the 12 girls on the field were underclassmen, he said at the end of last season.

Worcester’s season ended with a 20-2 lost to Saints Peter and Paul in the Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference championship game.

“Last year, we had many ups and downs, but I think we learned a lot and I see this team being very hungry to get back to the ESIAC championship and try to dethrone the twotime champions,” Williams said. “If our younger players can step up, I think we can really turn some heads this year.”

The group will be led by its three returning captains, seniors Caitlyn Hoen and Annie Carter, and junior Caitlin Williams.

“They have all stepped up to provide leadership on and off the field for the girls,” Williams said. “With so many freshmen and sophomores, it’s critical to have strong leaders on the field.”

part of our strength, I think.”

Klimins, Dylan Simons and Lewis are the team captains.

Underkoffler said the goal for the season is for the players to improve technical and tactical choices under pressure.

“The guys are growing and they’re coming on,” he said. “[During practices after matches] we will fine-tune what we need to work on.”

“The team goal is to be undefeated or try to win as many matches as possible, and my personal goal is to get better, to be more consistent and just strengthen my game over the season,” Klimins said.

The boys’ team will host Severn High School on Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Ocean Pines Tennis Center.

“I’m

Hoen has been on the team since she was a freshman and said she is eager for her final season as a Mallard.

“I’ve had a lot of good leaders in the past that have been great examples for how to lead the team and I think just having four years and I have a lot of knowledge of the coaches and everything they want so I’ll be able to help the younger players develop their skills,” she said. “It’s been a really good start to the season. We’ve got a lot of players that are new, but they come out and they try really hard every day and that’s all you can ask for. We’ve got some really talented underclassmen … we’re shaping up to have a really good season.”

Williams said the team has added some experienced players at key positions.

Isabella Borsoni is a first-year senior player, who gives the team an experience option at attack, Williams said.

“Isabella plays for Team Italy in the summers, and is committed to play college lacrosse at St Mary’s College (Indiana). Plus, we have added a few experienced freshmen on top of three returning players,” he added.

The midfield has more depth than it’s had in a long time, Williams said.

‘[It will be] led by two seniors, Caitlyn Hoen (committed to play at Mary Washington) and Ava Wilsey,” he said. “We also have some freshmen that will step in right away.”

Defensively, the team returns three starters, with the fourth spot up for grabs, Williams added.

Caitlin Williams, who recently committed to play Division II lacrosse at Florida Southern, returns in goal after a record-breaking sophomore season.

She tallied 173 stops in 2022 – a new school single-season save record. She had 302 overall career saves going into the 2023 season.

Freshman Chloe March gives Worcester a talented backup with club lacrosse experience, the coach said.

“We are young, but the team has really bonded in the last few weeks. Our focus this year is positivity and supporting each other, and I can see that on the field,” Williams said. “The upperclass leaders are really helping out our freshmen, and I expect to see many freshmen with significant playing time this season.”

Hoen said the biggest goal is to win the conference championship title.

“But we have a lot of smaller goals too, like working really well as a team, and communicating, and just playing our hardest every game,” she said. “I’m sad it’s my last year, but I’m also excited to be a senior and be a leader and help everyone. I think we’re all just really looking forward to it and we want to have a lot of fun.”

Worcester traveled to Salisbury on Wednesday to face James M. Bennett in its season opener and won, 12-7.

The Mallards trailed, 4-1, but tied it at 4-all at halftime. The squad was then down 6-4 before going on an 8-1 run to secure the victory.

“We didn’t have any scrimmages and just came back from Spring Break, and we just started slow. We looked a little nervous, a little sloppy, and it took the first half to shake that off,” Williams said. “In the second half it all came together. We got major contributions from so many different players, including many freshmen. I was so proud how they kept their composure and battled back for a comeback win.”

Sophomores Emma Zajdel (one assist) and Nazli Unal scored three goals each. Hoen chipped in with two goals.

Williams recorded 11 saves.

The Mallards will head to Easton today, Friday, to play the Warriors at 5:30 p.m. They will then host Stephen Decatur on Tuesday at 4 p.m. in Berlin.

LISA CAPITELLI/OCEAN CITY TODAY

sad it’s my last year, but I’m also excited to be a senior and be a leader and help everyone. I think we’re all just really looking forward to it and we want to have a lot of fun,” said senior captain Caitlyn Hoen, right, pictured with senior Ava Wilsey.

Wor. Prep boys’ lacrosse squad mix of vets, rookies

By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor

(March 24, 2023) This year’s Worcester Prep boys’ lacrosse team has a mix of veterans and rookies.

“A mix that is going to need to learn how to play together, as we will have numerous freshmen starting on the varsity, along with the veterans,” said Prep Coach Drew Haugh.

“We are looking for the older guys to bring the freshmen up to speed, and thus far, they have done a nice job of getting the younger guys involved in the mix and playing good lacrosse.”

There are 25 players on the team, 15 of them returning from last season when the Mallards went 11-3. The Prep squad also earned its second consecutive Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference championship title.

Haugh said the team is shaping up day by day. The group had about two weeks of preseason practices before a week off for Spring Break.

The team had two practices before its first game on Wednesday in Berlin against the James M. Bennett Clippers.

“This team has shown the resiliency to roll with the punches and are doing what they have to do to get better each and every day,” Haugh said.

It was a close battle, but Bennett came out on top, 11-9.

Senior captain Griffin Jones led Worcester with six goals and one assist.

Sophomore Ryan Mann (two assists) and captains, senior Jack Gardner (one assist) and junior Dylan McGovern (one assist) scored one goal each.

Junior goalie Connor Ferguson recorded 13 saves.

Ferguson switched from midfield to goalie last season to provide a backup for the team, Haugh said.

“He picked it up right away, and got some good game experience. We are very confident in Connor’s ability,” Haugh said. “He is one of the hardest workers on the team.”

Ferguson came into preseason with a serious hand injury and could only use one hand, Haugh added.

“He did every drill and conditioning that everybody else did, only he had to do everything one-handed. And he did it amazingly well,” Haugh said.

He was cleared to use his injured hand on Monday.

“Team strength comes from our

attack, Griff Jones, Jack Gardner, Ryan Mann, and [sophomore] Jack Lynch,” Haugh said. “We feel that combination of attack is one of the best around. Much of our offense will go through them, as it did last season.”

Jones led the team in goals last season, with 49. He also had 47 assists. Gardner tallied 44 goals and 24 assists, followed by Mann with 34 goals and 10 assists.

“The attack of Griff, Jack, Ryan, and Jack Lynch, along with Dylan McGovern will be the ones that will and have stepped up to show where our majority of goals and assists will be coming from,” Haugh said. “They have been leaders since day one and we expect them to continue to lead by example.”

The captains this year are Jones, Gardner, McGovern and junior Cole Campbell.

“I’ve been playing on the team four years and I’ve learned from the guys before me,” Jones said. “All these young guys come in and they look up to us as the seniors and juniors. I feel like we can pass down things we learned and come together as a group.

“Despite [time off for break] I think everyone’s still got their head in the game and everyone’s focused,” he added. “I think it’s a good group of guys … It’s a bummer knowing it’s the last time I’ll step foot on a high school lacrosse field, but you got to make the most out of it.”

McGovern will be key in the midfield, the coach said.

“He can run all day, can score, and is a smart player,” Haugh said.

“Dylan is an old-school middy, who can play both ends of the field, is excellent between the lines, picking up countless ground balls.”

Also returning at midfield are junior Abott Browne, and sophomores Dillon Scopp, Drew McCormick and Ryan Lenox.

“Defensively, we are going to have to batten down the hatches, after graduating the best defenseman on the Eastern Shore in Brice Richins,” Haugh said. “We do have some returning defensemen that have plenty of game experience and we expect them to step up and make the defense top notch.”

Returning on defense are Campbell, junior Baylor Hoen, and sophomores Owen West and Frank Miller.

Haugh said freshman Ansh Batra has shown “exceptional ability for such a young kid playing defense.”

The team’s ultimate goal is to win its third consecutive ESIAC championship.

“First and foremost, we want

everybody to work to get better with each practice and game. No matter your talent level at this point, everybody can work to improve wherever they happen to fall on the depth chart,” Haugh said. “We want to win every game we play. That’s at the top of the list … if we don’t win them all, we expect to win all our league

games. We want to make sure we are in first place at season’s end, so we are in position to play for the ESIAC championship.”

Worcester will travel to Easton to play the Warriors today, Friday, at 4 p.m. The Mallards will host Stephen Decatur on Tuesday at 4 p.m. in Berlin.

‘Full team effort’ gets job done as Seahawks win 10-6

By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor

(March 24, 2023) The Stephen Decatur softball team took the long bus trip from Berlin to Ridgely Wednesday, and came home with a 10-6 victory.

“Today was a good game,” said Decatur Coach Scott Kurtz. “North Caroline was a good team, challenged us from start to finish.”

Decatur scored three runs in the first and one in the third to take a 4-0 lead.

North Caroline tallied one in the bottom of the third and five in the fourth to pull ahead, 6-4.

The visiting Lady Seahawks added three in the fifth and three in the sixth to gain a 10-6 advantage.

Decatur had six hits.

Sophomores Madison McGinnis and Ryleigh Smith lead the team with two hits and one RBI apiece. Smith also scored three times.

Junior Leah Simpson chipped in with one hit and two RBIs. Freshman Madison Donoway also had a hit. McGinnis threw 3.2 innings. She struck out three, walked one and gave up 11 hits.

Freshman Emily Blume took the mound for 3.1 innings, where she struck out two, walked one and allowed four hits.

“All our girls contributed and it was good to see our girls fight back even when we fell behind,” Kurtz said. “Full team effort got the job done today.”

Decatur will head to Salisbury on Monday to play the Wicomico Indians at 4 p.m. The next day the team is off to Oak Hill, Virginia, to battle the Arcadia Firebirds at 4 p.m.

Drew Haugh

LISA CAPITELLI/OCEAN CITY TODAY

All these young guys come in and they look up to us as the seniors and juniors. I feel like we can pass down things we learned and come together as a group,” said senior captain Griffin Jones, who scored six of Worcester’s nine goals during Wednesday’s game against James M. Bennett.

Scott Kurtz

Decatur boys’ tennis tops Parkside in opener

By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor

(March 24, 2023) The Stephen Decatur tennis teams opened the season at home against the Parkside Rams on Tuesday in Berlin.

The Decatur boys’ team won, 4-3.

“Playing Parkside was a little unnerving for the first match of the year,” said Decatur Coach Steve Berquist. “My two captains, David Janney and Matt Beck, won both their doubles match and their two singles matches, and then Jacob Ritz and Briggs Pugner won the fourth point with a doubles match, so our four juniors who I expected to be the strong part of our team won the match for us today, so it’s good to have experienced tennis players.

“I thought that was the difference out there,” he continued. “They just seemed a little more comfortable on the court.”

Janney shut out his first singles opponent, 8-0. Beck earned an 8-2 victory at second singles.

The pair took their first doubles match, 8-1.

Ritz and Pugner edged out their third doubles competition, 8-6.

“They’ll probably be our strongest competition in the Bayside South,” Berquist said. “This is a great start beating Parkside … we couldn’t have started off any better.

“For the little bit of practice we had because of the weather, the offseason practices these guys went to really paid off this early in the season,” he continued. “They seem to be ahead of the game a little bit.”

Decatur’s girls’ team picked up victories in three matches. Parkside won four.

“They played pretty well for the first one of the season. There’s some things

Pitching, defense and good at-bats lead SD to victory

By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor

(March 24, 2023) The Stephen Decatur baseball team opened the season with a 2-0 win over the Delmar Wildcats on its home field in Berlin on Tuesday.

“We had good at-bats. We just kept on competing. That’s all we can control. That’s all I ask them to do is compete and never be out of the fight,” said Decatur Coach Rich Ferro. “Delmar is a really good squad. They threw one guy who is a Division I guy, one guy is a Division II guy, so we knew that the number of hits was going to be small. We knew we had to pitch and play defense to give us a shot to win or just compete.”

Decatur put one run on the board

in the second inning. Junior Lukas Loring put the ball in play and a Delmar error allowed senior Owen Knerr to score from second.

The Seahawks added another in the fourth, when junior Ryder Swanson’s sac fly scored pinch runner, senior Riley Calloway.

The Seahawks tallied three hits. Senior Gus Croll had two and junior Waylon Hobgood one.

Junior Matt Wright started on the mound for Decatur. He struck out four, walked two and gave up one hit in four innings.

Junior AJ Kolb struck out six, walked two and gave up one hit in three innings.

we need to work on,” said Decatur Coach Jamie Greenwood. “We had some serving issues, but it was windy. The wind picked up as the match went on and we didn’t adapt to that. It played into the results I felt.

“Fatigue was also a factor,” he added. “It was the first time they played two matches [in one competition]. (All of the singles players also competed in doubles matches). It’s something we need to work on.”

Sophomore Emily Ferguson topped her first singles opponent, 9-7. Senior Sarah Tarr outscored her second singles competition, 8-3.

Sophomore Brooke Berquist and senior Paula Magathan won their third

doubles match, 8-3.

“We left points on the table, I felt,” Greenwood said. “Most matches were close that could have gone either way.” Decatur will host the North Caroline Bulldogs on Monday at 4 p.m. in Berlin.

Stephen Decatur sophomore Emily Ferguson topped her first singles Parkside opponent, 9-7, on Tuesday in Berlin.

LISA CAPITELLI/OCEAN CITY TODAY

Stephen Decatur junior AJ Kolb struck out six, walked two and gave up one hit in three innings during Tuesday’s game against Delmar in Berlin. Decatur won, 2-0.

SD boys’ lacrosse squad wins 17-5 with young lineup

By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor

(March 24, 2023) The Stephen Decatur boys’ lacrosse team kicked off the season with a 17-5 victory over the Kent County Trojans on Wednesday in Berlin.

Decatur had a young starting lineup, with five freshmen and five sophomores on the field. Then after the face-off, senior captain Gabe Geiser, junior Evan Oglesby and sophomore Luke Popielaski came on.

“I can’t say there was much nerves because they all performed. It was neat to see the freshmen step up to the next level,” said Decatur Coach “Hoffy” Hoffman. “It usually takes a few games, but we practice game speed from day one – I’m a firm believer in practice how you play – and I think that helped us get going.”

Decatur led 6-0 at the end of the first quarter. At halftime, the Berlin squad held an 11-1 advantage.

After three quarters, the Seahawks were on top, 14-3.

Popielaski led the team with four goals and two assists. Freshman John Fohner had four goals and an assist.

Sophomore Graham Geiser tallied three goals and six assists.

Freshman Ashton March netted two goals, and Gabe Geiser (four ground balls, one assist), Oglesby (one assist), freshman Parker Mason (one assist) and sophomore Ashton Clarke scored one goal each.

“Our offense moved the ball really well. We got a lot of looks, which was nice to see,” Hoffman said.

Freshman Brody Lynch won nine of the 12 face-offs he took.

Freshman Gio Gregg led the team, scooping up five ground balls.

“Defense did well and I was impressed with how the young face-off line did,” Hoffman said. “I was impressed with Gio. Getting pulled up from JV, he hasn’t practiced long

Stephen Decatur freshman Parker Mason brings the ball up the field during Wednesday’s game against Kent County in Berlin. He had one goal and one assist in the 17-5 win.

Decatur kicks off season with wins over Delmar, NC

Continued from Page 53

“Gus Croll was really good. He had two big base hits, and our pitching with AJ Kolb and Matt Wright they were really good today,” Ferro said.

“They gave us a shot to win …”

with the team, and he led in ground balls. That’s a huge stat. That’s a very overlooked stat. Ground balls are possessions.”

Sophomore Declan Horan played in the goal in the first half. He stopped three shots.

Sophomore Cooper Clarke took over in goal for the second half. He recorded three saves.

“It was a great way to start the season,” Hoffman said.

Decatur will host Sussex Central today, Friday, at 5:30 p.m. in Berlin.

The Seahawks will travel down the road on Tuesday to battle their Worcester Country rival, the Worcester Prep Mallards, at 4 p.m.

Decatur took a trip to Ridgely the next day to battle the North Caroline Bulldogs. The Seahawks won, 14-1, in five innings. The Berlin squad scored three in the first, four in the second, three in the third, one in the fourth and three in the fifth. North Caroline tallied its lone run in the bottom of the first.

Loring had two hits and two RBIs. Kolb, Knerr, Kohut and senior Ryan McLaughlin had one hit and two RBIs apiece.

Senior Brooks Kendall pitched three innings. He struck out five, walked two and gave up one hit.

Sophomore Nate Berzonski struck out four, walked one and allowed one hit in two innings.

Decatur will go to Salisbury on Monday to play the Wicomico Indians at 4 p.m.

– OPEN YEAR ROUND –March Hours

Saturdays and Sundays - 10:00 to 5:00

Rich Ferro

LISA CAPITELLI/ OCEAN CITY TODAY