4/3/2020 Ocean City Today

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APRIL 3, 2020

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Taxes won’t go up, could go down for some in FY 20/21

Worcester March jobless numbers show huge spike

By Josh Kim Staff Writer (April 3, 2020) Resort residents will not see higher property tax rates in the new fiscal year, as city government considers dropping the tax rate from $.4656 to $.4559 cents per hundred dollars of assessed value. ` However, resort leaders will have to reconsider its expenses and projected revenues, Rick Meehan as it prepares for potential financial losses caused by the coronavirus.

“Much of this [budget] work was done and the assumptions were made before covid-19 became the pandemic it is today,” City Manager Doug Miller said during Tuesday’s budget meeting.

In preparation for Tuesday’s meeting, City Budget Manager Jennie Knapp looked at data from the 2008-2010 recession and found that the impact of the virus could result in reduced revenues by as much as $1.9 million.

Areas with the most significant drops included room tax, minus $880,000, parking, minus $340,000 and income tax, minus $240,000.

With this data, Knapp designed three budget options.

Plan A would reduce property taxes, but otherwise would have no affect on the proposed budget.

Plan B would reduce property taxes, as well, but would reduce expenses for capital improvement projects or postpone them all together in order to recuperate for potential losses.

Projects that would be either reduced in scale or postponed are the inlet lot repaving, street paving, advertising/sponsorship/TAB funding, lighting retrofits, Downtown Recreation Complex design, City Watch surveillance program and postpone hiring three new employees for half-a-year.

Several city leaders, including Mayor See OC TAX Page 2

By Elizabeth Bonin Staff Writer (April 3, 2020) With nonessential services shut down and essential businesses scaling back operations to save money and to abide by Gov. Larry Hogan’s executive orders, 1,952 Worcester County residents filed for unemployment for the seven business days beginning on March 16 and ending March 24.

Kathryn Gordon A little over 42,000 Marylanders filed for unemployment that same week.

In the weeks before, only about 30 unemployment claims were filed in Worcester County.

The number of claims could increase as more people lose their jobs during the shutdown, while Kathryn Gordon, economic development director for Worcester County, said the number should also increase as more people become aware of the assistance unemployment benefits provide.

Before the pandemic hit the United States, unemployment in Worcester was at 9.4 percent in December and 4.7 percent in September. Gordon said the higher winter number was normal for the seasonal businesses.

In fact, it was better than normal, since in years past it has been around 11 or 12 percent in the winter, according to Gordon. She attributed this to more businesses opening in the northern end of the county, as well as an extended season.

“A lot of our visitors are coming earlier in the year,” Gordon said. “Typically, the middle of March is when we start seeing them, so the unemployment rate has gone down with a lot of our employers having more full-time jobs instead of seasonal.”

It’s Worcester’s typically booming hospitality and tourism industries that are taking the biggest hit of the economic shut down.

“With the businesses not having as See JOBLESS Page 2

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MORGAN PILZ/OCEAN CITY TODAY

PROVIDING PROTECTION Employee Kamrie Bateman works from behind a recently-installed barrier at the Food Lion on 118th Street in Ocean City. All of the stores have implemented strict sanitation practices, special hours for high-risk customers, social distancing markers and plexiglass barriers to further hinder the spread of covid-19.

Virus claims another victim as resort cancels Springfest

By Josh Kim Staff Writer (April 3, 2020) With no definitive end date for the covid-19 pandemic, the Ocean City Council voted to cancel Springfest 2020, which was scheduled for May 7-10.

The council discussed the issue during Wednesday’s budget meeting.

“I think it would be very irresponsible [to not cancel it],” Councilwoman Mary Knight said.

Springfest, which takes place in the inlet parking lot, is an annual, four-day music, food, arts and craft festival that draws more than 100,000 people to Ocean City each year.

This was year 30 for the festival, and

featured musical acts, such as the Fabulous Hubcaps, Blues Traveler and Jimmie Allen.

The festival is considered the official start of the resort’s peak season.

Councilman Matt James asked whether it was possible to wait at least a week to vote on the cancellation, but City Manager Doug Miller discouraged such a move, as the city needed to let vendors, entertainment and ticket holders know as soon as possible.

Miller also mentioned how the life cycle of the virus was too unpredictable to ensure the safety of the hundred of thousands of guests who attend the festival.

See VIRUS Page 2

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Ocean City Today

Jobless numbers climb in county

Vendors will get refunds, invitation to return in fall Continued from Page 1 The city will refund all vendors and ticket holders.

Special Events Superintendent Frank Miller said he would offer any vendors that are also participating in Sunfest the option to carry over their Springfest deposits.

Miller told Ocean City Today that his department also would attempt to secure this year’s Springfest headliners for 2021’s event, and, if successful, he would offer concertgoers the option of saving their tickets for next year’s festival.

However, this endeavor would take some time, Miller said.

“It’s with a very heavy heart that we have to do this,” Miller said. “[However], public safety comes first, always.”

APRIL 3, 2020

Springfest 2020 was cancelled during Wednesday’s department budget meeting. The annual festival, which draws hundreds of thousands of guests to the resort, would be a safety hazard during the covid-19 pandemic, resort official said.

Continued from Page 1 many sales of their goods and services, it’s a little difficult for them to increase their job opportunities,” Gordon said.

“With us being a seasonal economy, with many of the businesses here, having a jump start in their year with sales usually in the early spring, this of course will delay all of that.”

On the flip side, grocers have advertised a need for more employees for restocking, according to Gordon.

“I’ve also seen some businesses shifting gears, such as Hardwire down in Pocomoke City,” Gordon said. “Hardwire is working with Atlantic General in creating equipment. They’re doing head gear for … personnel over there.”

Although it’s impossible to predict how long the economic downturn could last, Gordon said that the local community has stepped into help small businesses.

“I’ve seen a lot of people sharing local restaurants carryout menus on Facebook,” Gordon said. “I’ve seen a lot of people seeking local businesses or goods that they can pick up, just trying to find a way to support them during this time.”

She said that the best way to help the Worcester County economy is to continue supporting those businesses when they can.

“We still offer a quality of life and a culture and a characteristic that everyone knows and loves about Worcester County,” Gordon said. “We will continue to offer that quality of life when our community and our visitors are ready.”

OC tax bills could be less next year Continued from Page 1 Rick Meehan and council members John Gehrig and Mary Knight, expressed their desire to maintain funds for the city’s City Watch program budgeted at $60,000.

Both plans A and B would reduce tax rates for corporate and nonresident property owners.

Lastly, there was plan C, which would keep the property tax rate at $.4656 and would generate $895,892 in tax revenue.

Resident property owners would not see a higher bill, but corporate and nonresident property owners could see a slight increase if their assessments increase.

Regardless, the next few months will be crucial for the city’s economic future.

“We will need to review the actual revenue and expenses frequently over the next six-12 months before the actual impact of covid-19 is determined,” Knapp told Ocean City Today. “Our town will potentially need to make some tough choices for the remainder of FY20 and for FY21, which will be addressed through budget amendments. Thankfully, we do have fund balance to fall back on to get us through this difficult time.”

APRIL 3, 2020

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Ocean City Today

No hotel bookings until April 30, OC inlet lot closed off

Gov. Larry Hogan orders citizens to stay inside home

By Josh Kim Staff Writer (April 3, 2020) Employing even more municipal authority in the face of the covid-19 battle, Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan and City Council on Tuesday said short-term rental reservations must be restricted until April 30.

“We take this very seriously,” Meehan said. “This is something none of us have ever experienced. It’s probably the most dramatic issue that we’ve all faced in … our lifetimes, particularly here in the state of Maryland and in our country.

We’re going to do everything we can to protect our citizens.”

The emergency declaration, made Tuesday evening, restricts commercial lodging establishments from accepting new reservations, and it also prevents them from allowing guests who have already booked a stay from coming to the resort. “… Commercial lodging establishments shall not accept any occupants regardless of when the reservation was made or extend an existing reservation for person other than essential lodgers,” the declaration states.

Commercial lodging establishments include hotels, motels, condo-hotels, rental properties, inclusive of private renters or management companies and HOAs, Airbnb, VRBO and other overnight accommodations.

County officials followed in the city’s footsteps Wednesday afternoon, and restricted reservations for lodging in West Ocean City, Ocean Pines and all other unincorporated areas of the county, indefinitely.

Essential lodgers are defined as healthcare professionals, first responders, National Guard members, law enforcement personnel, state or federal government employees, airline crew members, hospital patients, patients’ families, journalists, others responding to covid-19, people unable to return home because of covid-19 impacts on travel, people who must vacate their homes because of exigent circumstances, such as fires, people sheltering due to domestic violence, hotel/motel employees, service providers and contractors of the hotel/motel, the homeless, full-time residents who cannot shelter at home and people who own, operate or are employed by an essential business as defined by the governor.

Meehan added Tuesday night that he had received support from the Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association (OCHMRA).

“There is no right or wrong answer in these uncertain times,” said Susan Jones, OCHMRA executive director. “In an effort to mitigate damage and contain the outbreak, we felt this was a good solution. We worked with Mayor Meehan and the council to formulate a plan that is best for our community.”

Resort government is seeking volunSee GOV Page 4

By Josh Kim Staff Writer (April 3, 2020) Gov. Larry Hogan announced a stay-at-home directive Monday morning, which makes non-essential travel a misdemeanor.

The move is a follow-up of the governor’s previous order, which made social gatherings of more than 10 people a misdeGov. Hogan meanor.

“Today’s order states that any person who knowingly and willfully violates this order is guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction See VOLUNTARY Page 4 JOSH KIM/OCEAN CITY TODAY

DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME BUNTING REALTY HAS SOME IDEAS OF THINGS TO DO: • Instead of counting to 20 while washing your hands, say a prayer during that time.

• Organize your pictures. Put them in photo albums (old school) or on a thumb drive.

• Make a plate of food and drop it off to someone who needs it.

• Be thankful for what you have.

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Ocean City Today

APRIL 3, 2020

JOSH KIM/OCEAN CITY TODAY

Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan announced an emergency order Tuesday evening suspending all short-term rental reservations. Hotels, motels and other lodging establishments cannot accept new reservations and must reschedule or cancel previously made bookings until April 30.

Gov. issues two orders in 1 week Continued from Page 3 tary compliance, but violators could be subject to civil or criminal penalties and have their business and rental licenses affected.

The emergency declaration was the second one issued this week.

On Sunday, March 30, city government extended its beach and Boardwalk closure to April 30, closed the inlet parking lot and said police would enforce Gov. Larry Hogan’s stay-at-home and traveller self-quarantine directives announced Monday morning.

Free downtown parking will also be extended until May 1, rather than April 1.

The stay-at-home directive made all non-essential travel a misdemeanor, and violators could be subject to a fine of up to $5,000, up to a year in jail or both.

“During these extraordinary and unprecedented times, the Ocean City Police Department … will ensure the directives of the State of Maryland and the mayor’s declarations are adhered to,” said Ashley Miller, deputy communications manager. “Violations of the aforementioned directives will be handled on a case-bycase basis.”

Nonetheless, Miller said voluntary compliance remained the police department’s goal.

Voluntary compliance sought Continued from Page 3 is subject to imprisonment not exceeding one year or a fine not exceeding $5,000 or both,” Hogan said.

The governor said the move was necessary, as Maryland residents seemingly refused to heed his previous warnings to self-isolate.

“Despite all of those actions, and our repeated warnings for more than threeweeks, and in spite the rapid escalation of this crisis across the world, the nation and our state — some people are still choosing to ignore those executive orders and directives,” he said.

Hogan pointed to the arrest of 41year-old Shawn Marshall Myers made last Friday to show how serious his administration was in enforcing his executive orders.

The Charles County resident was arrested after he hosted a massive bonfire at his home and refused police orders to disperse his 60 or so guests.

As of Wednesday, April 1, the state has 1,660 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and 18 deaths.

Worcester County has three known cases, and zero deaths.

Although non-essential travel is now a misdemeanor, Hogan said the order was not a lockdown.

Citizens may still travel for groceries, to pick up medicine, to seek healthcare, to work (if they are an essential employee) and they may still exercise, as long as they follow social distancing and social gathering guidelines.

Maryland State Police also issued a press release on Tuesday stating that troopers would not conduct traffic stops to ask a driver where he or she is going.

Such questions would be asked during a trooper’s regular duties, such as traffic stops or car crashes.

While it is not required, State Police Superintendent Col. Woodrow Jones III suggested drivers carry documentation explaining the purpose of their travels.

“Marylanders need to know that unfortunately we are only at the beginning of this crisis, and it is going to get considerably worse before it gets better,” Hogan said. “I realize that this is incredibly difficult on everyone in our state, but I want people to know that we have been through difficult challenges before and that we are going to get through this together.”

For a full transcript of the governor’s press conference, visit https://governor.maryland.gov/2020/03/30/transcript-press-conference-march-30-202 0/

APRIL 3, 2020

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Ocean City Today

Atlantic General prepares staff, equipment for virus

By Elizabeth Bonin Staff Writer (April 3, 2020) As of Thursday morning, Maryland had confirmed 2,331 positive cases of covid-19 with 498 in Montgomery County, 473 in Prince George’s, 353 in Baltimore, 265 in Baltimore City, 206 in Anne Arundel, 152 in Howard, 105 in Carroll, 69 in Charles, 45 in Frederick, 37 in Harford, 27 in St. Mary’s, 22 in Calvert, 20 in Cecil, 17 in Washington, eight in Queen Anne’s, seven in Wicomico, five in Kent, five in Worcester, four in Caroline, four in Somerset, four in Talbot, three in Garrett, one in Allegany and one in Dorchester.

The third case in Worcester, announced on Monday, was diagnosed out of state and the individual is still recovering out of state. The fourth case, announced on Wednesday, is a woman in her 20s who is recovering at home.

The fifth case, announced yesterday, is a man in his 40s, also recovering at home. Three previous cases have been released from monitoring.

Symptoms of coronavirus are fever, coughing, shortness of breath and, in more serious cases, pneumonia. It is spread through respiratory droplets, personal contact or surface contact with the virus on it.

Atlantic General Hospital personnel said people who are experiencing these symptoms or have come into contact with a confirmed case should call their medical providers so they can prepare with the proper protective gear. Do not show up unannounced to a medical facility.

Michael Franklin, CEO of Atlantic General Hospital, said that most of the hospital’s recent adjustments have been inward, such as working with a staff psychiatrist to help employees.

“We’ve got a lot of stressors right now for health care workers and physicians who are providing the care for those patients and new risks that are associated with that care that they’re providing,” Franklin said.

The hospital is working to bring virtual groups together to talk about the

stressors through employee assistance programs, as well as connecting the community outside the hospital with mental health resources.

“We need to be following what the leadership of the state and our local leadership are requesting that we do to be socially responsible, but we also need to make sure that we’re looking out for the mental health of each other,” Franklin said.

“Isolation is difficult from a mental health perspective, so utilizing social media to the extent possible Michael Franklin to prevent depression and things that can be caused through social isolation, and then figuring out to get those resources into the hands of people that may not have them right now.”

Toni Keiser, vice president for public relations at Atlantic General, said the county and state health departments and the 211 line also offer mental health resources.

“Not only do they have individual resources available, but they are setting up social networks and support groups for those that are feeling isolated,” Keiser said.

As for medical resources, Atlantic General is working to expand into an unoccupied unit in the nursing and rehabilitation center in Berlin that has an external entrance. That space would serve an additional 16 patients.

Franklin said the hospital still has enough resources for the current demand, but that it has kept in touch with various government agencies to stay connected to additional resources. He noted that the hospital has also received support from local and regional businesses.

“Organizations like Hardwire in Pocomoke City have created the face shields which help us extend the useful life of some of our surgical masks and our N95 masks,” Franklin said.

“We’re also working with organizations regionally that are trying to pro-

ELIZABETH BONIN/OCEAN CITY TODAY

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There’s no confusion about the message on this Fish Tales sign on Coastal Highway near 22nd Street. If Uncle Sam says he wants you to wash your hands, that’s what you had better do.

vide as support as they can, like Dogfish Head has repurposed some of their facilities and they’ve provided several gallons of hand sanitizer, last Friday, which they created in their distilleries.”

Organizations like Coldwell Banker, Taylor Bank and Bull on the Beach have provided food and drink deliveries for hospital staff.

“They’re not only supporting the caregivers, but also trying to keep our business up,” Keiser said.

He added that although creating face masks is a generous show of support, the cotton most people use to create homemade masks doesn’t do much to prevent the spread of coronavirus. “Usually, it’s a special sponge fiber material that creates … has very

small holes, ways for viruses or germs to pass through and then they electrostatically charge it so that if a germ was to come into contact with the mask, it would be trapped inside the mask,” Franklin said.

To determine if a person should be tested, call the Worcester County Health Department hotline at 410632-1100 and select option eight from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For general information on the coronavirus call the health department 24/7 at 410-632-4321 or visit worcesterhealth.org. View updates from Atlantic General at atlanticgeneral.org/patients-visitors/co vid-19-updates/.

To track Maryland cases, visit coronavirus.maryland.gov/.

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APRIL 3, 2020

Ocean City Today

Coronavirus weekly update: local, statewide and federal

By Josh Kim Staff Writer (April 3, 2020) Here is what happened locally, statewide and nationally over the last week.

Local March 27, 2020 — Ocean City government issues a press release urging residents and visitors to practice social distancing.

“We will continue to take necessary measures to protect the health and safety of our employees and citizens, but everyone has a critical role to play,” Mayor Rick Meehan said in the press release.

Over the last few weeks, city officials have taken drastic measures to limit gatherings in the resort, such as closing the beach and Boardwalk to visitors and banning public access to city buildings, Eagles Landing golf course in West Ocean City and playgrounds.

March 29, 2020 — Meehan called a special closed session in which the council voted to extend the beach and Boardwalk closure to April 30 and closed the inlet parking lot.

March 31, 2020 — Another closed session leads to a ban on all short-term rental reservations until April 30.

The emergency declaration encompasses all lodging establishments, such as hotels, motels, condo-hotels and Airbnb.

These entities are not allowed to accept new reservations and must reschedule or cancel previously made bookings.

State March 26, 2020 — Gov. Larry Hogan announced that Maryland received a Major Disaster Declaration from the federal government.

The declaration will provide funding to the state, which is then allocated to local governments and nonprofits to help fight against the pandemic.

Maryland will also be eligible for reimbursement under the Robert T. Stafford Act’s Public Assistance program for the Emergency Protective Measure taken by state and local government agencies, a press release said.

March 27, 2020 — Confirmed covid19 cases quadrupled, from 349 to 774.

Hogan, Bloomberg Philanthropies and Johns Hopkins University announced a joint effort to fund research on uses of covid-19 convalescent plasma.

The philanthropic organization will donated $3 million, and the state $1 million toward the research effort.

Arturo Casadevall, an infectious disease expert and Bloomberg Distinguished professor, will lead the research.

Using blood plasma from pandemic survivors, Casadevall and his team of physicians and scientists hope to use the technique to treat critically ill covid19 patients and boost health care providers and first responders’ im-

mune systems, a press release said.

March 28, 2020 — State officials and the Carroll County Health Department announced an outbreak of covid19 at Pleasant View Nursing Home in Mount Airy, with 66 infected residents and 11 hospitalized.

The Maryland Department of Health announced five additional pandemic-related deaths, bringing the total death count to 10.

March 30, 2020 — Hogan issued a stay-at-home directive, in which any activity or travelling outside by those considered “essential” would be penalized as a misdemeanor.

Those in violation of Hogan’s social gathering prohibitions face up to a year in jail, a fine no greater than $5,000 or both.

This order was necessary, Hogan said, as confirmed cases of covid-19 continue to explode in the state — deaths tripled to 15, as of Sunday, March 29.

Hogan announced that the state was set to receive $2.3 billion in federal assistance, $810 million from the FEMA disaster relief fund, $284 million for the state’s SNAP program, $220 million to schools, $258 million for nutrition programs, $63 million for childcare and $54 million toward the Community Development Block Grant Program.

March 31, 2020 — The Maryland Department of Health announced confirmed covid-19 cases had risen to 1,660 and deaths to 18.

Federal March 26, 2020 — Major media outlets reported that a record 3.3 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits the week before last, passing the prior record of 695,000 set in 1982.

The U.S. coronavirus death toll hits 1,000, although reporting around the country is incomplete and sporadic, as state and local health authorities struggle to keep up with the overwhelming influx of patients.

JOSH KIM/OCEAN CITY TODAY

EMPTY The Boardwalk was empty Monday morning — a day after city officials expanded its beach and Boardwalk closure to April 30 and cut off access to the inlet parking lot.

The S&P 500 Index saw its best three-day run since 1933, as investors look past unemployment claims and toward the $2 trillion federal stimulus package, which offers bailouts to major corporations and small cash payments to adults and families.

Major media outlets announced that the United States was now number one in confirmed coronavirus cases, with 81,321 citizens infected and over 1,000 deaths, as of last Thursday.

March 27, 2020 — Stocks see a downturn, with the DOW off by almost 800 points, the Washington Post reported.

The U.S. Conference of Mayors published a survey that found nearly 90 percent of mayors across the country said they lacked sufficient test kits, face mask and other protective equipment for their emergency and medical workers, while 85 percent they do not have enough ventilators.

JOSH KIM/OCEAN CITY TODAY

LOCALS ONLY Staff members of the Ocean City Department of Public Works were some of the few people on the Boardwalk Monday morning. Local government closed the inlet parking lot and extended its Boardwalk/beach closure to April 30, Sunday evening, to fight the spread of covid-19.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the $2 trillion stimulus package, which later received President Donald Trump’s OK. Trump announced he had invoked the Defense Production Act in order to make GM manufacture ventilators for the coronavirus pandemic.

The U.S. becomes first country to record more than 100,000 coronavirus cases.

March 28, 2020 — Confirmed U.S. coronavirus deaths hit 2,000.

Illinois reported the first infant to die because of the coronavirus.

March 29, 2020 — Despite previously saying the country would be “open” by Easter Sunday, Trump announced federal social distancing guidance would remain in place through April 30.

March 30, 2020 — The United States Department of Justice announced it would investigate stock trades made by Sen. Richard Burr, (RNC), the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee.

He, alongside Sen. Kelly Loeffler, (R-GA), and her husband, Jeffrey C. Sprecher, the chairman of the New York Stock Exchange, Sen. Jim Inhofe, (R-OK), and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, (DCA), were accused of selling off millions of dollars worth of stocks.

This occurred shortly after a private, all-senators briefing from administration officials in regards to the covid-19 pandemic.

March 31, 2020 — The death toll from the coronavirus exceeded 3,000 people, which is more than the amount of people who died during the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

April 1, 2020 — The Dow sees an 800-point fall after scientists estimated a national death toll of up to 240,000 citizens, because of the coronavirus.

APRIL 3, 2020

PAGE 7

Ocean City Today

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APRIL 3, 2020

Ocean City Today

Residents creating shields, masks for medical personnel

By Morgan Pilz Staff Writer (April 3, 2020) Residents and companies in Worcester County are creating protective gear for medical personnel and members of the community during the spread of covid-19 throughout the state.

Hardwire LLC, a Pocomoke City manufacturer of protective armor used by the military, law enforcement and school systems, announced last Friday that it will be manufacturing face shields for medical personnel on the front lines of the battle.

“The shield is a first line of defense,” Hardwire CEO George Tunis said. “What they are is extremely lightweight face shield that goes over your other PPE [Personal Protective Equipment]. The doctors and nurses are wearing N-95 (anti-virus) facemasks. That’s really what filters the virus out as you as you breathe. If someone sneezes or coughs directly on you. Without a face shield, the virus is going to hit you. Either it gets your eyes, your skin, your sinus ... you’re just trying to keep it literally off of you.

“We have very good customers and friends in Italy,” he continued. “A couple of weeks ago, they really clued us in that this was much worse than you can imagine. And they said to take it very seriously and move as quickly as you can. They said the virus is quick and it’s clever.”

Two weeks ago, Tunis and his company began looking into methods they could use to provide materials for health workers to use.

Tunis credits his friend Monty Hawkins, a local headboat captain, with giving him the idea for the shields. Within a few days of talking to each other, the first prototype was created.

“He has kicked me in the rear-end and told me, ‘You can do this,’” Tunis

PHOTOS COURTESY MARGE CALVELLO

Blushing Beauty Boutique owner Marge Calvello is making face masks to be delivered to medical facilities across the country. She has sewn over 400 as of earlier this week.

said. “And he has been cheerleading the entire week. It’s really been about that human-to-human interaction at a safe distance that has made this possible. And I think it’s epitomized

by Monty Hawkins on (his boat) the Morning Star. He’s one of the heroes.”

While the company mostly manufactures armor and is considered an essential business since it is a defense contractor, it has set aside a segment of its facility to create face masks.

Hardwire has fielded over a hundred initial prototypes within a week of production, 50 of which were sent to Atlantic General Hospital.

“When George reached out to us, he presented the perfect opportunity to allow our front-line providers to collaborate on a product to fill the void for critically needed protective equipment for our industry,” Michael Franklin, president and CEO of Atlantic General Hospital, said in a press release. “Hardwire has allowed our caregivers to provide input to the development of a product that will allow caregivers everywhere to feel valued, safe and reassured that they have the necessary protection to provide care to their patients and community.”

The medical staff loves them, Tunis said.

“The nurses are raving about them … the doctors are raving about them [as well], but most importantly, the nurses, because they’re on the frontline,” Tunis said. “They’re pulling 15hour shifts day after day after day.

“The beauty of this week is work-

ing with the doctors and nurses and simplifying the design, making it as elegantly simple as possible, with really comfortable materials.” He continued. “There’s really only three materials in the mask. Those materials need to be able to be sterilized with isopropyl alcohol. It’s something you can use for weeks.”

Tunis has been sending the updated face shields to Atlantic General Hospital and PRMC, among other facilities.

Even though the shields were made primarily for medical staff, Tunis said people can order the face shields if they feel it is necessary for their everyday lives or to complete their work if they are essential employees.

The company is scaling to a production capacity of approximately 6,000 units per day as quickly as next week, according to Tunis. Production goals are set at closer to 60,000 units per day as national demand may dictate that need.

“We have made 12,000 shields so far [as of Tuesday] and as of Tuesday we had a rate of 6,000 per day,” Tunis said. “Our target by the end of the week, we expect to be at approximately 10,000 per day. Our goal is 60,000 per day.”

The company is selling the face shields for $10 a box, which comes with quantity options like single, three, 20, 50 and 100. Every order will have two-day shipping.

Fore orders for more than 200 shields or additional expedited orders, contact Hardwire at 410-957-

3669.

The company has also taken part in hiring formerly laid-off or unemployed workers.

“We started 15 new workers [Tuesday],” Tunis said. “We’ve taken in laid-off restaurant workers, orthodontist workers, college students – including a star athlete at Virginia Tech – a young man from Coastal Surf Supplies, the list goes on. These are all dedicated, great Americans that want to make a difference.”

For more information about Hardwire, call Hardwire at 410-957-3669 or email Emily.Tunis@hardwirellc.com.

While Hardwire is hard at work manufacturing face shields, a West Ocean City businesswoman has decided to create her own face masks to provide to medical staff and residents.

Marge Calvello, who owns Blushing Beauty Boutique, realized she had all the materials needed to create face masks, as she was already creating medical alert seat covers.

“I’m a seamstress. I saw a need for the masks; they were talked about on the news,” Calvello said. “I’m like, ‘You know, I can make masks for people not to touch their nose and their chin area or face area.’”

Calvello went online and followed See HOSPITALS Page 10

PHOTOS COURTESY ATLANTIC GENERAL HOSPITAL PHOTO COURTESY HARDWIRE

Recently laid off employees find work at Hardwire LLC in Pocomoke City manufacturing face shields for medical staff and other essential workers.

Megan Klakring, left, a nurse tech, and Sarah Sharkey, a radiation tech at Atlantic General Hospital, demonstrate the use of the face shields provided by Hardwire LLC.

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Ocean City Today

Hospitals, Coastal Hospice in need of medical masks Continued from Page 8 a YouTube instructional video to teach herself how to make the masks.

She began making them on Tuesday, March 24 and has made more than 400 masks as of earlier this week.

Within three days of creating the masks she had already made around 150.

Those masks have been sent to hospitals all over the country, with masks sent as far north as New Jersey and as far south as Florida.

Calvello charges $5 per mask, mostly to offset the cost of the supplies needed to create the masks.

“I just thought this would be a great thing to do for the community,” she said. “I just am thankful that I can sit here and do it for people. I have given some away for people that cannot afford it right now.”

Some of her masks have also been fitted to hold a pocket, which would be used for medical staff to place their professional N-95 masks inside to prevent them from wearing down as quickly. Calvello plans to make as many masks as she can until she runs out of materials.

“I think everybody needs to be safe,” Calvello said. “It’s just so important for everybody to pitch in, help and support your community.”

The masks can be ordered by messaging Calvello at her Facebook page or messaging on her Blushing Beauty Boutique Facebook page.

The entire nation is facing a shortage of these masks. Closer to home, medical facilities like the Macky & Pam Stansell House Coastal Hospice or Coastal Hospice by the Lake still have a supply of masks for now, but are definitely aware of the need for more.

“As good stewards of our resources, we are collecting homemade masks to provide for staff who would feel better wearing a mask every day,” President Alane Capen said. “These masks are about 82 percent effective and can be washed. Using the homemade masks for daily wear where we do not suspect a respiratory illness will help our staff feel more secure in providing the intimate care that we do.”

Coastal Hospice is accepting professionally made and handmade masks. If you have masks that you would like to donate, call 410-7428732.

If you or someone you know has any N95 masks, hospitals are urging you to donate or sell them. The CDC doesn’t recommend the use of N95 masks for anyone other than healthcare professionals working directly with patients.

PHOTO COURTESY HARDWIRE

Atlantic General Hospital CEO and President Michael Franklin, left, and Hardwire CEO George Tunis hold two cases of face shields ready to be used by medical staff amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Coronavirus paid sick leave for OC ACME employees

By Josh Kim Staff Writer (April 3, 2020) ACME Markets in Ocean City will provide its employees with covid-19 paid sick leave.

“ACME will pay any associate with covid-19 up to two weeks of replacement pay while they are unable to work,” the company said in an official statement to Ocean City Today.

“If the associate is unable to work after two weeks, the associate will be able to use any other sick pay leave or short-term disability.”

Nationwide, grocery store employees have found themselves elevated from obscure background characters to heroic protagonists of the novel coronavirus crisis.

However, many of these employees have found themselves risking their lives with low wages, little protection and insufficient, if any, sick paid leave in the event they become afflicted with covid-19.

A recent study conducted by the United States Department of Labor found that four in 10 hourly workers did not have access to paid sick leave.

Without paid sick leave, employees, who are in contact with hundreds if not thousands of people, are potential hot beds of contamination.

This has changed somewhat, and as of early March, 21 major U.S. companies have altered their sick leave

policies — some, such as Olive Garden, after enormous public criticism.

Still, these changes are lacking, as many only granted the paid leave to employees confirmed to have covid19.

Coronavirus test kits statewide and nationally are limited, which has led to stringent guidelines regarding who may be tested — often only older patients with underlying health conditions and extreme symptoms.

If employees can’t get tested then how are they supposed to qualify for paid leave? And if they are not able to qualify for paid leave, but still have student loans, rent and mouths to feed, what employee would skip work?

ACME apparently understood this conundrum, and made sure to offer not only diagnosed employees, but also employees with symptoms and high-risk employees special pandemic benefits.

“We will also pay any associate who is asked to self-quarantine by our company, based on current CDC risk assessment guidelines, up to two weeks of replacement pay while they are unable to work,” the company said.

This is apparently standard protocol at ACME Markets, which is unionized and where associates hold collective bargaining power, ACME Spokeswoman Dana Ward said.

Before the covid-19 pandemic, part-time and full-time associates already had sick-paid leave benefits, Ward said.

Ocean City Today reached out to Food Lion to see whether the com-

pany also offered its employees paid sick leave, or any special coronavirus benefits.

A spokesman sent an email with Food Lion’s virus FAQ. “Food Lion’s heritage is deeply rooted in caring for its associates and their well-being,” the FAQ states. “As a result of the coronavirus outbreak, we have implemented pandemic exception guidelines, including modified attendance policies and other key benefits. We are monitoring this fluid situation, including details from government and health agencies, and will update guidance as needed.”

Whether the modified attendance polices included paid-sick leave was unclear, and a Food Lion spokesman said he could not answer questions about employee benefits, per Food Lion policy.

However, the company announced on Tuesday that it would allocate $1 million to the Lion’s Pride Foundation, which is its associate emergency care fund to support associates affected by the crisis.

“We are confident in the guidelines we have developed, in addition to associate emergency care funds that are available to support any associates who may become impacted by this crisis,” the spokesman said.

Both stores also have implemented strict sanitation practices, special store hours for high-risk customers, social distancing markers and plexiglass barriers to further hinder the spread of covid-19.

“We encourage our associates to come forward and let us know when they are not feeling well,” Ward said.

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Ocean City Today

Worcester schools continue serving and delivering meals

By Elizabeth Bonin Staff Writer (April 3, 2020) Worcester County Public Schools served 9,030 meals to a more than 3,000 students from March 23-27 at seven different locations. The week before, March 17, 18 and 20, the schools served 3,786 meals to 1,262 students at five different locations.

Vince Tolbert, chief financial officer for Worcester County Public Schools, said that staff served an average of 600 students per day last week and more

than 14,000 meals over the past two weeks.

“Making sure that students have food is always very important to the board, our superintendent and staff,” Tolbert said. “I think our food service staff is doing an excellent job right now – meeting the needs of our community during this difficult time.”

He said students and families drive or walk to the site where they can pick up or drive through to receive lunch, a snack See SCHOOLS Page 14

ELIZABETH BONIN/OCEAN CITY TODAY

Father Matthew D’Amario organizes the lunches and snacks for Worcester County students and their families at St. Paul’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Ocean City on Monday, March 30.

410-289-1283

410-289-1283

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Schools maintain seven locations to distribute meals Continued from Page 11 and breakfast for the next morning.

“We started the first week with three days a week, and then second week went to five days a week,” Tolbert said. “We’re continuing the five days a week model right now.”

The meals are for all students and they do not need to provide identification, according to Tolbert.

“The child has to be with the parent when they come pick up the Vince Tolbert food, but we will deliver the food to the house if need be,” Tolbert said.

This guideline is under the United States Department of Agriculture, but Tolbert said that if a student doesn’t have transportation or must stay inside due to a health issue, the Worcester County Public Schools Service Department is delivering meals.

According to a press release from the department of agriculture, states now have the option to allow parents or guardians to pick up the meals for students.

Tolbert said the best way the public can help is to continue donating food.

“Most of our schools already have a food pantry that was set up and used to distribute food to the students,” Tolbert said. “They’ve had that for a while and those food pantries and still accepting and distributing food.”

He said families should contact the principals of one of the three school location sites, Pocomoke Middle School, Buckingham Elementary School or Snow Hill Elementary School.

They can also call Odtis Collins, the food service manager, at 410-632-5015.

The other four locations are the Bay Terrace Garden in Berlin, Buckingham Elementary School, Snow Hill Elementary School, Ebenezer Church in Snow Hill, Windy Gardens in Pocomoke, Pocomoke Middle School and St. Paul’s By-The-Sea Church in Ocean City. Students and families can pick up the meals from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

LUNCH DISTRIBUTION LOCATIONS FOR WORCESTER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, 11 A.M. TO 1 P.M.: SNOW HILL: • Ebenezer United Methodist Church (107 S. Collins St.) • Snow Hill Elementary School (515 Coulbourne Lane) POCOMOKE: • Windy Gardens (800 Lynn Haven Dr.) • Pocomoke Middle School (800 8th Street)

ELIZABETH BONIN/OCEAN CITY TODAY

Picking up lunches and snacks offered by Worcester County Public Schools are Tristyn Wolf, a seventh grader at Stephen Decatur Middle School, left, and Al Schroeder, at St. Paul’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Ocean City on Tuesday, March 31.

BERLIN/OCEAN CITY: • Buckingham Elementary School (100 Buckingham Rd, Berlin) • Bay Terrace Apartments (517 Bay Street, Berlin) • St. Paul’s by the Sea Episcopal Church (302 Baltimore Ave., Ocean City)

Online learning guide for students

By Morgan Pilz Staff Writer (April 3, 2020) Ever since Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Karen Salmon announced last Thursday that schools would remain closed for an additional four weeks, Worcester County Public School officials have been preparing parents and students with online learning material they can use at home.

Using an online management system called Schoology, Worcester County Public School’s Continuity of Learning Plan went into effect Monday for high school students in AP courses or dual enrollment.

Remaining high schoolers began on Tuesday, and middle school and elementary school students will begin their own Continuity of Learning Plan courses on Monday, April 6.

“We firmly believe that every student deserves and needs to continue their education in whatever way we are

able to provide it,” Public Relations and Special Events Coordinator Carrie Sterrs said. “Just as we strive to meet students’ basic needs through our feeding program, we must meet those more complex needs, like social-emotional well-being through our counseling services or instructional needs through Continuity of Learning.”

The board of education has created a parent guide on its website at http://worcesterk12.org/home named Parent Guide that lays out the groundwork to help parents understand the requirements of a Continuity of Learning environment.

For high school students, total time spent on each class, including reading, homework, and work towards longterm assignments, should not exceed 75 minutes for non-college-level classes and 90 minutes for college-level classes.

For middle school students, total class engagement time includes 60

minutes per day for literacy and mathematic courses, 30 minutes per day for science and social studies, 90 minutes per week for art, music, physical education, health and media, 30 minutes each Tuesday for Tech Tuesday and 30 minutes each Wednesday for Wellness Wednesday.

For elementary school students, online learning experiences per day are intended to not exceed more than an hour and a half, as the board recognizes families may have more than one child to guide.

“Our parent guide breaks out learning timeframes by grade … indicating how much time per day or week will be dedicated to subject areas,” Sterrs said.

Students will be graded by teachers based on their assessments of a student’s progress.

The guide also offers advice for what roles and responsibilities students and parents have supporting the learning See BOARD Page 15

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Ocean City Today

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Board of Education looking to solve internet challenge Continued from Page 14 environment.

Parents can help support their children in their studies by engaging in conversations on materials and assignments and monitoring time spent in online and offline learning.

The board has also considered the importance of providing computer technology for students who may not have internet or computer access at home.

On Wednesday the principal and vice principal of Berlin Intermediate School signed out laptops to parents from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. In the future, it will also be handing out internet hotspot devices once they are made available.

“Each school has surveyed families to find out what students and teachers need devices and or connectivity, and we are working as quickly as possible to deploy devices to those in need,” Sterrs said.

The board also is looking into options for those who do not have any internet access.

“We are in the process of acquiring additional hotspot devices to deploy to students and teachers that have limited internet connectivity,” Sterrs said.

“However, we understand that there are rural regions in our county that, despite having a hotspot and device, connectivity is simply not available.

“For these students, we are going to provide a paper packet option. We are also looking into expanding internet connectivity outside of our schools, including our parking lot areas.”

Superintendent of Schools Lou Taylor addressed the technology issue during an emergency Board of Education phone conference on Tuesday.

“There’s been a lot of work that goes into the distribution of computers, and making sure that we have Internet acThis calendar shows the updates made as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, as recommended by the superintendent and approved by the Worcester County Board of Education.

PHOTO COURTESY CARRIE STERRS

cess,” Taylor said. “That still seems to be one of our challenges, but we’re going to face it head on. We have approximately 180 hot spots available.

“We’ve had a handful of organizations call us with open arms and checkbooks to purchase equipment that we would need for kids. That has been something that’s been truly amazing, but not shocking to me, because as a Worcester County citizen and the superintendent of schools, I know how our people rally in this county.

“We do have some challenges getting some of our kids who don’t have Internet access and or have a device,” he continued. “But our staff are working hard to make sure we’re reaching out to individual students, not just making a blanket statement to get them the device, even if we have to find a way to deliver that. We’re going to do everything we can to get that device to them immediately.”

Sterrs and Taylor advise parents and students to continue being patient.

“We’d like to ask our families to please be patient with us and themselves,” Sterrs said. “This is new territory for everyone, and while there will be challenges along the way, we will do the best we are able to keep our students engaged in learning for the duration of this closure.”

If parents or students have issues with Schoology or other technologybased problems, they can reach out to the Worcester County Public Schools website, www.worcesterk12.org to request assistance, or call 302-466-5329, 434-535-1477, or 410-635-1042 to reach a HELPDESK representative.

MORGAN PILZ/OCEAN CITY TODAY

Berlin Intermediate School Vice Principal Jennifer Garton hands a parent a signed-out laptop to be used for Continuity of Learning studies amid the extended four-week closure of schools in the school’s parking lot on Wednesday, April 1.

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OC hotel industry sees record low occupancy Coronavirus means fewer bookings, more cancelling and discounted room rates

By Josh Kim Staff Writer (April 3, 2020) Out of the 115 hotels and motels based in Ocean City, only 10 percent, or around 11, remain open, as of early this week, because of the covid-19 pandemic.

“Of the hotels that are open … they are experiencing occupancy levels in the teens,” said Susan Jones, Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association executive director.

This is troublesome for the resort, as roughly $16 million in hotel room tax alone last year went into the city’s coffer.

Some have criticized local hoteliers for remaining open, and city government strongly urged thirdparty renters, such as Airbnb and VRBO, to cancel reservations on Sunday, March 29.

However, Jones explained that some hotels must remain open per their franchise agreement, while others have remained open in order to house healthcare workers, contractors and other people seeking refuge.

The Hampton Inn in West Ocean City, for example, is offering rooms for non-coronavirus patients to local

hospitals that may experience bed shortages, said Sherry Jones, Hampton Inn regional director of sales and marketing.

As of Tuesday evening, however, Mayor Rick Meehan and City Council announced a new emergency declaration restricting lodging establishments from booking new guests and accepting guests who have already made reservations.

How this will affect the industry is unclear, but regardless hotels across the nation already are experiencing record low occupancy and daily rate levels — occupancy rates have fallen by 56.4 percent, average daily rates by 30.2 percent and revenues per available room by 69.5 percent, according to metrics from lodging data analytics company STR. Jones said last March hotels saw 42 percent occupancy and a $96.78 daily rate.

This March, Jones said she expected hotel occupancy to be around 10 percent and average daily rates at roughly $60.

“It’s [business] definitely going to be awful,” Jones said.

Additionally, the American Hotel and Lodging Association found that 44 percent of hotel employees have lost or will lose their jobs in coming weeks.

For Maryland, this means 13,640

direct hotel operations jobs and 42,361 hotel-supported jobs will be disappear in the near future.

Blue Water Development Corporation (BWDC), which owns the Buckingham and Commander hotels among others, would unfortunately have to discuss potential layoffs soon, Marketing Director Kimberly Wootteon said.

“It is something we are talking through,” Wootteon said. “Unfortunately that is something that has to be considered at times like this … The hospitality industry in general is having to make really, really tough decisions right now. We are not exempt from that by any means.”

While the next few months will be anything but pleasant for the industry, Jones said hoteliers are working with state and local governments in order to reduce the number of travellers as possible to mitigate the spread of covid-19.

“As a public accommodation you cannot discriminate,” Jones said.

“What we can do is, those [hotels] that are open … they are communicating that the beach and the board-

walk are closed, they are communicating that there is limited access to food … [and] anyone traveling from outside of Maryland is asked to adhere to Gov. Larry Hogan’s executive order to self-quarantine for 14 days.”

Hoteliers are temporarily shutting down and delaying openings, but they are also doing what they can to save as many employees as possible.

“We postponed the opening for the Buckingham, and we were able to shift some of our employees over to the Commander so that they would stay on payroll and be actively working, in lieu of their property being closed,” Wootteon said.

Even in the face of an unprecedented pandemic, Jones and Wootteon expressed their firm belief that the hotel industry was resilient and would recover once the crises faded.

“I think there will be a lot of pent up demand for travel, because people have never been told that they can’t travel like this,” Jones said. “People don’t like to be told what not to do, we’re Americans, so I think there will be some pent up demand.”

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The Ocean City Fire Department on 15th Street serves as a Safe Station for those seeking treatment for alcohol addiction or drug abuse.

Safe Station helps curb addiction Program has connected 77 people to resources since opening seven months ago

By Elizabeth Bonin Staff Writer (April 3, 2020) Since opening on Sept. 1, the Safe Station at the 15th Street fire station in Ocean City has helped 77 people connect with resources to treat addiction to alcohol or substance abuse. Of those, 71.4 percent have needed help with alcohol as the primary substance, 24.7 percent have been opioids and 68.8 percent have gone to inpatient treatment.

At the Safe Station, the individual receives immediate, basic services and a referral to a treatment program. It is staffed 24/7 by fire house employees who can help at any day or time.

Mike Trader, assistant director for Mike Trader Worcester County’s behavioral health program, said that on a whole, the Safe Station has been successful.

“We have seen some really wonderful things happen from it,” Trader said. “Some individual’s lives have been changed.”

A person seeking assistance will come to the fire station, be medically evaluated by emergency medical services staff and could be transferred to a hospital if they have outstanding medical issues.

If not, fire house staff will call the Worcester County peer support group and someone will come over to speak with the patient in a designated room and determine what the patient’s next step should be, whether it be in-patient or out-patient treatment or a recovery group.

But with the coronavirus outbreak, the Safe Station program has had to make adjustments.

“We’re not responding face-to-face, presently,” Trader said. “We are talking to folks at home so if somebody shows up to the Safe Station or if we get a phone call from Atlantic General Hospital, we’re trying to manage it by

phone and deal with the resources.”

They are also experiencing a shortage in some resources, such as inpatient care, since those facilities are limiting the number of patients they take. Although it was already in the plans, the Safe Station program pushed out the new “warm line” faster to increase access as more people stay home to mitigate virus spread.

Someone seeking abuse and addiction treatment can call 1-844-6637337 Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to connect with a peer support specialist. According to Trader, calling the warm line offers the same services as going to the Safe Station in person, as well as resources for those who have a loved one who needs assistance.

“That ability to talk to a peer and work through resources and look at what’s available to you, folks can get that by calling a warm line now,” Trader said. “As much as possible, we’re trying to encourage people to call us. Give us a call and let’s try to work through this stuff and see what we can do.”

He said he’s worried that as people’s stress and worry increase as a result of the pandemic, they will turn back to substance abuse.

“Mental illness doesn’t stop,” Trader said. “Substance abuse doesn’t stop. Folks who are trying to become more mentally well, folks who are trying to make their way into recovery or maintain sobriety, that all continues, pandemic or not, so it’s important that we be there to support folks in that journey.”

Moving forward, Trader said they are working on a grant that will continue funding the Safe Station, as well as ways to maintain and expand.

“We’re trying to look at is there a way we can expand a similar service to Snow Hill, to Pocomoke, to the south end of the county,” Trader said. “Our steering committee is looking at that right now and trying to figure out in what ways can we outreach to the community more at large.”

He added that the teamwork between the health department, Atlantic General Hospital, Hudson Health Services, the Ocean City Fire Depart-

ment and Worcester Warriors has helped them grow, change and provide better service.

“It’s both had impacts on the community and the folks who are in need as well as sort of behind-the-scenes strengthening those relationships among the provider groups,” Trader said.

Council adjusts to help homeless during pandemic

By Elizabeth Bonin Staff Writer (April 3, 2020) The Tri-County Council and emergency shelters in Worcester County have adjusted their services to the homeless populations and increasing number of people who need food in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Shannon Frey, director of the Somerset County Local Behavioral Health Authority and the Continuum of Care Program, said that the TriCounty Council is meeting by phone to discuss what each shelter is doing to protect residents and others in need of shelter.

“The homeless generally are at more risk for the virus because they often are vulnerable and have underlying health issues,” Frey said. “They don’t have access to shower or bathroom facilities to continually wash their hands and take showers and wash their clothes.”

The council is trying to get portable toilets to those experiencing homelessness so they at least have that access. It is also speaking with the state and federal government on possibly expanding into other unused facilities, temporarily, such as hotels.

“At this point, the funding isn’t there to put hotels and motels, but it’s something that’s on the table,” Frey said.

Another issue is a shortage of volunteers.

“Many of the volunteers are retired See SHELTERS Page 18

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Shelters prepare for rising food insecurity Continued from Page 18 and in the vulnerable population that shouldn’t be out,” Frey said. “If there is a way to provide more beds and shelter, there will be an issue of manpower.”

Frey said that the shelters are still operating food pantries and are talking about new coronavirus information with clients.

One of those shelters is Diakonia, which like many other shelters, had to close its doors to new residents as a result of the pandemic, said Executive Director Bea Miller.

“We would love to be able to take in more people, but because of this covid, it’s prevented people from doing that so we can ensure the safety of the people we already have in shel-

Wor. Health offers self-care resources during pandemic

By Elizabeth Bonin Staff Writer (April 3, 2020) The Worcester County Health Department is turning to telehealth and online services for mental health care during the coronavirus pandemic. Mike Trader, assistant director for Worcester County’s behavioral health program, said that the state has relaxed the typical requirements for telehealth or telephonic services, such as the consent paperwork and state regisTravis Brown tration.

“It’s allowing our behavioral health providers to be able to contact clients in that way where they can’t come in,” Trader said. “Locally, that’s the big thing that’s going on, is providers really trying to change the way we’re doing things to make sure that we’re available to folks.”

He added that people with Medicaid can receive mental health services by telephone, Mike Trader but that Medicare and some private insurers have not yet extended that service.

Aside from maintaining regular mental health appointments, people should observe self-care practices such as reading, exercising, establishing a routine, limiting coronavirus news intake, staying in contact with friends and family via phone or video chat and focusing on what is controllable, Trader said.

“Anytime we’re talking about stress and anxiety and managing that, trying to eat healthy, exercising, getting a good amount of sleep, stretching, these are things that make the brain operate in a way that reduces stress and anxiety, but it also helps us refocus on other things,” Trader said.

“The more we focus on the things that are stressful, the more we continue to get more and more stressed.”

He also suggested outdoor activities when possible and safe.

“Getting outside if you can safely get outside and not be around others,

if you’ve got a yard, and if you can’t, opening up the windows, opening up the curtains - you want to get some sunlight.”

Trader said it’s important to check in with friends and family.

“Keep an eye on children or friends or family who you know might struggle with anxiety or depression anyway,” Trader said.

“Those are folks who are going to be more vulnerable to the potential effects on this.”

Travis Brown, public information officer for Worcester County Health Department, said the department has been streaming workout videos and posting recipes and cooking videos on their YouTube channel and Facebook page. They have also livestreamed a physically active storytelling session.

“A lot of parents and kids are going to be home together, so we’re going to be reading some stories while also leading people through some basic activities that they can do,” Brown said. “It releases endorphins and helps you feel a little bit better.”

He added several health department programs are online, such as Worcester Wellness Weigh, an online fitness and nutrition education program for families. Staff members are adjusting other programs that are typically in-person to online or over the phone, such as the smoking cessation classes.

Finally, the department has provided information about stress and anxiety.

“We have some relaxation technique videos that are available,” Brown said. “We’ve led people through some yoga and meditation exercises last week. So really just trying to get out there, put this information in front of people, and help them stay active - help them take control of that situation.”

For coronavirus screening and questions, call the Worcester County Health Department Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 410-632-1100 and select option eight. For behavioral health, select option nine.

For more mental health resources, go to worcesterhealth.org.

ter,” Miller said.

Other new procedures are increasing cleaning, requiring that residents who are essential workers bathe and sanitize immediately after returning, keeping as many of the 25 current residents in the shelter as possible and cutting down to part-time for some staff.

Staff make regular announcements to residents to keep them informed of coronavirus updates.

Diakonia has also adjusted its food pantry to remain open.

“We’re actually Bea Miller pre-making the boxes and having it available outside of the house,” Miller said.

Staff are also encouraging people to do a drive through pick up if they can. The house also has bagged lunches and blankets for those who need shelter, but currently cannot get into one.

“We see a couple new faces coming around needing help just to get through this time,” Miller said. “As soon as we’re able to take in new people, I think we’re going to be full, immediately.”

The shelter staff is also trying to

overcome barriers to getting members of the Homeless Outreach Team to those who need shelter.

“We’re going to try to work with a couple members of HOT and try to figure out a couple ways to get lunches and blankets and information to them without having contact with them, closely,” Miller said.

Although Diakonia has received donations so far, Miller is prepared for the reality that some of the donations may decrease as the economic downturn affects income levels.

Another issue is that Diakonia had to close its thrift store as a result of Gov. Larry Hogan’s executive order to close nonessential businesses.

“The thrift store is what generated a lot of funds to help with our programs,” Miller said. “That closure, just like any other business, that closure makes an impact on our financial status.”

She encouraged anyone who is struggling to call Diakonia for assistance.

“Please call for those basic needs,” Miller said. “We’ll make sure everybody’s fed.”

She also encouraged those who can donate to send donations to the Diakonia post office box at 613, Ocean City, or to donate online at diakoniaoc.org/.

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Ocean City Today

APRIL 3, 2020

Pintos itching to stroll beach after 14-day self quarantine

By Josh Kim Staff Writer (April 3, 2020) No longer stuck at sea, Ed and Dottie Pinto are now stuck at home in quarantine: he reading books, smoking special Key West cigars and enjoying a cocktail — a rotation of gin and tonics, bloody marys or a martini, and she on a mission to redecorate rooms in their condominium.

“I have too much time on my hands now,” Ed said.

That was not the case the last three weeks or so when the Pintos were trapped for 24 days aboard the Norwegian Jewel cruise ship.

The Pintos journey began when they boarded the cruise ship for a journey across the South Pacific on Feb. 28, from Sydney, Australia.

There, the couple enjoyed smooth sailing across the Pacific Ocean and made stops at Brisbane, Nouméa, New Caledonia and then to three spots in Fiji: Lautoka, Dravuni island and Suva, the capital.

After the Suva visit, the cruise ship sailed on to Pape’ete, Tahiti, French Polynesia for immigration clearance.

However, by this point the COVID-19 pandemic had blitzkrieged its way across the globe, and countries began locking up their borders.

“That’s when it all fell apart,” Ed said. “That’s when we were notified … there would be no landing in French Polynesia. It was at that point that the captain got on [the intercom and said] ‘We’re going to notify you all that the cruise is over. We’re going to sail back to Tauranga, New Zealand’.”

However, Tauranga officials would not allow the passengers to disembark, and this was the case in Lautoka and American Samoa, although the latter did allow the ship to refuel.

From American Samoa, the Jewel travelled to Honolulu, Hawaii, but on March 18 the ship was notified that passengers would not be allowed to disembark.

Throughout the whole ordeal, the Pintos and the other 3,000 or so passengers remained in good spirits, as they enjoyed fine dining and firstclass entertainment.

“We were kept really busy on the ship, really busy,” Dottie said. “Quite honestly we were thinking we could wait it out and go another month and stay floating in the South Pacific.”

Additionally, Ed said the cruise ship staff went above and beyond to keep everything sanitary — from cleaning halls and doorways every day to personally pumping hand sanitizer into passengers hands.

With stellar sanitation and not even a single cough on board, Ed said he became frustrated with the lack of entry into Honolulu, especially as the island continued to allow planes from Los Angeles touchdown at its terminals.

Then a miracle occurred on March 21.

“The most fortunate part of the cruise happened — we lost an engine,” Pinto said. “We get to Honolulu, and once we’re in Honolulu, we can’t leave. That ship is not seaworthy, it has one engine, it’s in the middle of the Pacific Ocean … the repairs to the engine/propeller could not be done with passengers on board.”

With literally nowhere to go, Hawaiian officials had no choice but to let the cruise passengers disembark and return home.

Nonetheless, passengers’ fears began to spike, as they received confusing directives and saw more and more grim news about the U.S. and its explosion of coronavirus cases.

“You could see anxiety building on the ship. I saw one woman just sobbing away after the captain announced delays,” Ed said. “We had Canadians on board who didn’t know how they would get home because the U.S. closed its borders to Canada, and Canada closed its borders to the U.S.” Passengers were told to cancel flight reservations, to not book any more flights and had to wait several days on the ship until charter planes arrived at the airport. The Jewel did offer the Pintos a full refund or credit, however, Ed said.

On March 24, the passengers were allowed to leave the ship in pairs of two, and were bused off to the general aviation terminal where their bags were inspected and they were given “medical” checks.

“After everything Hawaii was doing to keep us from their soil, nobody gave a damn if we were sick or not,” Ed said. “We had forms that we had to fill out that nobody collected … the only thing they did was they walked past some person with a thermometer and said ‘How do you feel?

Do you feel OK? Do you have any problems?’ you say ‘No’ and you go on your way.”

From Honolulu International Airport the couple flew to LAX and then to BWI, and at each destination the couple realized something strange.

“I’m not seeing anybody wearing masks or gloves, except for us,” Ed said.

He asked a TSA agent why she was not wearing a mask, and she responded matter-of-factly that she was young and unlikely to get the coronavirus, and if she did, oh well.

“I was just so shocked,” Ed said, thinking to himself, “Yea, but you could give it to us.”

After a red eye flight, the exhausted couple finally made it back to their hotel in Baltimore where they spent the night before heading back to Ocean City.

Unfortunately, the duo’s misfortunes continued into the morning —

PHOTO COURTESY ED PINTO

Ed and Dottie Pinto spent 24 days stuck at sea on the Norwegian Jewel cruise ship, after the covid19 pandemic prompted multiple countries to close their borders to the vessel.

their 2002 Honda Accord’s ignition would not start.

They later learned someone had damaged the gear shift cable.

“We just started laughing at that point, because what else can you do?”

Ed said.

One rental car, a tow truck and several hundred dollars later the couple finally made it back to their condominium on March 25.

Back home, the Pintos worried about what they would do for food, as they had emptied out their fridge and pantry before their travels and could not travel while under quarantine.

However, their friends had their backs.

“The commander of the American Legion Synepuxent Post 166, Tom

Wengert, opened the post, went into the kitchen and he brought out a lot of quick stuff [food] that kept us for two days, before three friends, Judy Mays, Joe Tamberino and Joe Schweiger, delivered more staple goods,” Ed said.

Bored at home, the couple has been counting down the days when they may release themselves from self-quarantine and enjoy a walk on the beach, with fewer than 10 people of course.

Until then, they’ll stay busy and perhaps indulge in a hobby or two from the safety of their balcony.

“I play ... the vibraphone … and I’m going out on my balcony when it warms up and I’m going to play music for Ocean City,” Ed said.

Comptroller warns residents to not fall for money scams (April 3, 2020) Comptroller Peter Franchot warned Marylanders this week not to fall victim to scammers trying to steal their stimulus checks.

These swindlers are making phone calls, sending text messages and phishing emails to individuals and tax preparers to obtain personal information to take money needed for survival during these unprecedented times.

They are using language such as “in order to receive your/your client’s stimulus payment via direct deposit, we need you to confirm the banking information” and they are making phone calls or directing victims to click on a link that takes them to a website to enter personal banking information.

Do not fall prey to such scams, Franchot said.

In recent days, there has been an uptick in both individuals and tax preparers being targeted.

“Do not share any personal infor-

mation over the phone, via text message or email,” Franchot said. “My agency is committed to protecting Maryland taxpayers and remains vigilant for phone, texting and email phishing scams that seek to steal people’s private financial information.

These types of crimes can lead to fraudulent tax returns, identity theft and can devastate the victims’ financial well-being, especially during this time when people are counting on those checks to survive.”

The agency is working with the Internal Revenue Service to identify the scams and will alert citizens as they occur.

The Comptroller reminds Marylanders that the IRS and the Maryland Comptroller’s Office will not call, text, or email you to verify your banking information. If you think you are being targeted, the Comptroller’s Office remains available to assist taxpayers via email at taxhelp@marylandtaxes.gov.

APRIL 3, 2020

Ocean City Today

PAGE 21

PAGE 22

APRIL 3, 2020

Ocean City Today

POLICE/COURTS

Domestic assault (April 3, 2020) Police arrested Cameron Mitchell Zielinski, 41, of Ocean City after he was accused of hitting his girlfriend.

On Wednesday, March 25, around 2:46 a.m., officers reported being dispatched to downtown rental in regards to a domestic dispute.

There, an officer met Zielinski, who reportedly had a bleeding abrasion on his nose.

Zielinski told police that he and his girlfriend had been arguing, and then she punched him repeatedly in the face.

He told police he never struck back.

Police reported that Zielinski showed signs of intoxication, and reported seeing cans of beer all over the living room.

Police then interviewed the girlfriend, who told police that Zielinski had been drinking all day on March 24, and that the two had been arguing when he grabbed her, threw her to the ground and kicked her ribs.

She showed police her right torso, and police reported that the alleged-assault victim had a three-inch mark and seemed to be in pain.

Following the kick, she told police she locked herself in the room.

Later that evening, she yelled through the door for Zielinski to turn down the volume of the television, and this prompted the assault suspect to force his way into the room and push her, police reported.

Mother arrested for fighting with daughter, racist motive (April 3, 2020) Berlin resident, 54year-old Kelly Ann Egan-Fox, was arrested last Thursday, March 26, after police accused her of physically assaulting her daughter.

That evening around 11:44 p.m., police were dispatched to Sparrow Lane where Egan-Fox and another woman were reportedly brawling.

Upon arrival, police communications reported that Egan-Fox had left the area in a black Kia Soul.

An officer found the vehicle, initiated a traffic stop and noticed that Egan-Cox was bleeding from her pinky finger.

Egan-Fox told police that she had been in an altercation with her daughter, after her daughter had called her to pick her up from a “dangerous” situation.

She told police that her daughter did not tell her what the situation was, but upon arrival her daughter and a male The two struggled, and she told police this is when she struck Zielinski in the face.

Police reported the alleged victim had abrasions on her left forearm, and that her wrists were red.

She told police the injuries likely occurred when Zielinski was pushing her.

Police arrested Zielinski for seconddegree assault.

and told her to leave.

Police interviewed her daughter, who told police that her mother had strangled her after walking into her apartment unit unannounced.

She told police Egan-Fox had grabbed her by her hands and hair and physically dragged her out of the unit and attempted to get her into the Kia Soul.

Police reported that the daughter said the motive for the assault was because her mother did not approve of her being around the male, because he was African-American.

Police could not find any calls made that day in the daughter’s call log — the last correspondence between the two occurred two days earlier.

Police arrested Egan-Fox, and during a search officers found multiples capsules of Hydromorphone and Lorazepam.

Egan-Fox faces multiple charges, such as third and fourth-degree burglary, first and second-degree assault and two counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

FILL

Assateague Island National Seashore closed indefinitely (April 3, 2020) Assateague Island National Seashore has announced additional modifications to operations in response to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, NPS Office of Public Health, US Public Health Service and the Worcester County Health Department.

The health and safety of visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners is the number one priority. The National Park Service is working servicewide with federal, state, and local authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic.

Effective March 28, Assateague Island National Seashore is closed to all park visitors until further notice. The public will be notified when full operations resume. For information, visit www.nps.gov/asis and Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @AssateagueNPS. Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.

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APRIL 3, 2020

PAGE 23

Ocean City Today

Atlantic Physical Therapy: reschedule appointments

By Greg Ellison Staff Writer (April 3, 2020) With travel bans in place across Maryland and Delaware because of covid-19, Atlantic Physical Therapy is advising anyone currently rehabilitating muscular injuries to follow health safety guidelines and reschedule all non-essential visits.

Vice President Bobby Hammond III said while many patients Bobby Hammond rightfully consider their injuries serious, the risk versus reward ratio should be weighed before visiting any of Atlantic Physical Therapy’s numerous locations on the Eastern Shore and lower Delaware.

“We’re trying to utilize every avenue we can to continue to provide services to people,” he said.

As the response to the covid-19 pandemic continues to unfold locally, nationally and globally, Hammond said while the physical therapy clinic remains open, albeit with certain restraints, to avoid placing staff or patients at undue risk, the hands clinic is currently shut down.

“We’re open for essential care pertinent to injury and recovery,” he said.

Hammond said all other patients should reschedule or delay appointments.

“We want to let people know to stay home and due your part to tackle this as a community,” he said.

For those whose immediate rehabilitative needs are unavoidable, Hammond said preventive measures to protect patients and staff, including keeping head counts inside the clinic to single digits and maintaining social distancing of sixfeet, would be strictly maintained.

Proactive steps include using proper protective gear and continuously cleaning equipment and surfaces.

Hammond advises anyone with problems or concerns stemming from musculoskeletal issues to contact Atlantic Physical Therapy at 410-208-3630 or 1-888-208-3828.

“If someone is having substantial pain and they want a consultation, please call us,” he said.

In business since 1988 and operating nine offices in Ocean Pines, Berlin, West Ocean City, Salisbury, along with locations in Delaware, Hammond plans to be fully staffed to handle the likely onslaught of patients needing muscular treatment whenever travel restrictions become a memory.

“Looking forward, we will be ready and fully staffed to take the influx and provide high quality care,” he said.

Anyone seeking a consultation is advised to call the Telehealth option, which is generally covered by insurance.

REAL ESTATE REPORT

No in-person meetings due to virus hard for real estate

By Lauren Bunting Contributing Writer (April 3, 2020) With updates and announcements daily, as well as much of our country under stay-at-home orders to help slow the spread of the virus, the real estate industry is challenged to stay engaged with clients and meet critical deadlines without in-person meetings.

Here are some updates that occurred this past week that affect real estate and homeowners: • This week, Gov. Larry Hogan, issued an executive order authorizing remote notarizations. Twenty-three states have remote online notarization policies, which permit a notary and signer in different physical locations to execute electronic documents.

• Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac unveiled a new “payment deferral” option that will allow borrowers facing a hardship to defer two months of their mortgage payments until the end of their mortgage.

The program was set to be an-

nounced later this year, but with the coronavirus wreaking havoc on the country, the program was rolled out early to give mortgage servicers another way to help borrowers now. To be eligible for the payment deferral program, borrowers must have faced a short-term hardship that caused them to miss one to two months of mortgage payments.

• A new COVID-19 Delay Addendum was released by the Maryland Realtors Association. The addendum provides an acknowledgment that COVID-19 is impacting real estate transactions and provides for an advance agreement to extension of timeframes and right to terminate related to the following: the declaration of a local, state, or national emergency; buyer’s or seller’s inability to travel to sign documents; buyer or seller being subject to any voluntary or mandatory quarantine; closings of or delays in related government and business services such as mortgage lenders, title companies, land records, or other entities involved in the transaction.

– Lauren Bunting is a licensed Associate Broker with Atlantic Shores Sotheby’s International Realty in Ocean City.

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APRIL 3, 2020

Ocean City Today

Art League offering virtual activities, classes

By Morgan Pilz Staff Writer (April 3, 2020) Despite the Art League of Ocean City having to close the Ocean City Center for the Arts building to the public, it will still be offering activities and art courses through social media and online.

Art enthusiasts, beginners and those looking for something to keep entertained while at home because of coronavirus shutdowns, can gain valuable insight from local artists via virtual courses.

“Our core mission as an art organization is to bring people together,” Art League of Ocean City Executive Director Rina Thaler said. “Art is something that can really transform people and help people deal with stress and things like this [virus]. But if you can’t have everybody in the same room, we have to come up with creative ideas how to deliver our mission of promoting the creative arts in the community. And that was our challenge, so that’s why we decided to try to take it online.”

Each week, the Art League will email art-related and artist-created stories and exhibits to its members and guests. Anyone wishing to receive these e-mails who is not an Art League member can sign up for free at www.ArtLeagueOfOceanCity.org in the “Join E-News” box at the bottom of the homepage. Memberships are also available on the website.

The Art League will post something art-related daily on its Facebook page, with a variety of topics each week.

“Artist-of-the-Week Mondays” will feature personal stories of Art League artists as they share how they work and what inspires them.

“Look-What-I-Made Tuesdays” is an exhibition of art created in the classrooms of the Arts Center or at home during the shutdown.

In the “Weekly Wednesday Blog,” Art League staff members share their personal stories and challenge readers to keep making art.

“Everybody who’s seen the lessons have enjoyed them and are enjoying

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the posts,” Thaler said. “Right now, it’s distracting people from the realities of what everybody is going through with isolation. At this point, it’s not a replacement for being able to connect and starting conversations, but in a way, it is starting conversations.

“It’s really great to see a lot of local artists and local musicians performing on Facebook and doing living room concerts and doing what they can,” she continued.

“We’re an arts organization, that’s what we Rina Thaler do; we bring art to the community.”

“Throwback Thursdays” will highlight past exhibits.

“Kreative Kids Fridays” posts include projects and art-related ideas to keep children occupied while schools are closed.

“Gallery Saturdays” will feature artwork by artists scheduled to be featured during the monthly exhibitions, and “Studio Tour Sundays” will take viewers on a virtual tour of the Arts Center or an artist’s studio.

Thaler is currently working to try and incorporate streaming some of the films from the recent film festival and original music that is typically performed at the Center for the Arts as well.

Thaler encourages everyone of all skillsets, whether they have previous experience with art or not, to participate in the online activities.

“It’s also a way to build skills and practice, because a lot of art is practicing,” Thaler said. “The very first art workshop that I took at the Art League 20 years ago, I did a painting that the instructor said, ‘Oh, that’s not bad. Now go back and do a hundred more of those and then you’ll be an artist.’

“So, the more you make, the better you get, it gives people a chance to practice and it gives people a chance to just engage and connect with others,” she continued.

The online activities vary, with

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nesses that we call our corporate partners that support the Art League and help us to achieve our mission,” Thaler said. “They’re all hurting right now because [most are] closed, so we still want to honor them in April.”

Thaler encourages suggestions from the public while the gallery remains closed.

“If anybody has any thoughts, ideas or suggestions or wants to be a part of helping to bring art to the community in a time of isolation [contact the Art League by email or Facebook],” she said.

The Art League of Ocean City can be reached through email, info@artleagueofoceancity.org, its Facebook page, Instagram or website at www.artleagueofoceancity.org/.

First online artwork exhibition (April 3, 2020) In response to the shutdown, The Art League of Ocean City will host its first-ever online exhibition during April and encourages area artists to enter their artwork digitally by Monday, April 6.

This show is open to all media.

Artists may choose their own theme and enter up to two images of their work.

John Mosher, the Art League’s Orem and Harriet Robinson Fellow for Contemporary Art and Engagement for 2020, will jury the entries and award cash prizes to the winners.

If accepted, the artist’s work will be featured on the Art League’s website and social media during the online exhibition April 10-30.

The cash prizes, funded in part by a grant from the Worcester County Arts Council, are $150 for first place, $100 for second place, $75 for third place, plus three honorable mentions.

The Art League will present an additional “Best in Show” award of $200 in honor of the nonprofit’s corporate partners.

All award winners will be invited to participate in the year-end “Best of 2020” exhibit during the month of

December.

The deadline for online entries is Monday, April 6 at 4 p.m. Only two images of original artwork will be accepted from each artist, and images must be high-resolution. Artists must be 18 years or older.

The artwork submitted must have been created in the past three years and never before shown at an Art League judged show.

The entry fee is $10 for members, $15 for non-members per entry.

Entry fees are non-refundable.

Artists may enter their work at https://artleagueofoceancity.org/artwork-online-entry/. Questions may be e-mailed to katie@artleagueofoceancity.org.

Artists wishing to become a member of the Art League can join at http://artleagueofoceancity.org/become-a-member/. Benefits include discounts on classes, gift shop and original artwork.

The Art League of Ocean City is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing the visual arts to the community through education, exhibits, scholarship, programs and community art projects.

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some being as short as a few minutes to lessons ranging from 30 minutes to an hour.

The online art exhibits and classes will provide an opportunity for participants to display their work.

April’s monthly exhibits will be a juried show, with the artist choosing their preferred medium and subject.

The deadline for online entries is Monday, April 6 at 4 p.m. The entry fee is $10 for members, $15 for nonmembers per entry. Artists must be 18 years or older. Cash prizes will be awarded.

The show celebrates the Art League’s corporate partners, who have helped support the organization for many years.

“There’s [around] 65 local busi-

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APRIL 3, 2020

Ocean City Today

PAGE 25

WORLD WAR II

Germany invades 80 yrs. ago

By Sam Ghaleb Contributing Writer (April 3, 2020) This week, 80 years ago Germany invaded the Kingdom of Norway.

At the start of the war, Germany imported about 10 million tons of iron ore from Sweden each year. Nine million tons of this came from north Sweden via the port of Luleå. However, this port freezes over during the winter and the Norwegian port of Narvik does not.

During those months the ore was transported to Narvik, then shipped Nikolaus von to Germany. Therefore Falkenhorst control of Narvik, in the north of Norway, would be very important to the Germans in easing the movement of iron ore to Germany.

On Feb. 5, 1940, the British and French military staffs presented their plans to the Allied Supreme War Council in Paris. The War Council then approved a British motion to dispatch a military expeditionary force of several brigades of British, French and Polish troops to take control of Norway and northern Sweden. This operation was code named “Avonmouth.” The iron ore mines of

northern Sweden were also included as an objective of the expeditionary force.

On Feb. 14, the destroyer HMS Cossack violated Norwegian territorial waters and seized the Altmark — the former supply ship of the German commerce raider Admiral Graf Spee. This was done to release 299 British merchant seamen the Altmark was taking to Germany as prisoners. It also gave Hitler further evidence that Britain had complete disregard for Norwegian neutrality.

With events unraveling quickly, Hitler, on Feb. 21, ordered Lt. Gen. Nicholaus von Falkenhorst to prepare for the invasion of Norway and Denmark. The code name for the invasion was “Operation Weserubung.” Großadmiral Ræder, who was a pessimistic realist, told Hitler that “...it was possible that Germany might lose her entire fleet” in a campaign to seize Norway.

In the face of overwhelming British Naval superiority, the Germans gambled most of their fleet. The plan, which was based on speed, maneuver, deception, and surprise, called for attacking various ports along the Norwegian coast simultaneously.

The troops participating in the initial assault would be carried on fast-moving warships to avoid the Royal Navy.

Transport aircraft like the Ju-52 would

be used initially to drop paratroops to seize key areas around the capital, Oslo, and later to transport troops to reinforce the initial landing force.

All of this depended on the complete cooperation between the Kriegsmarine , the Luftwaffe, and the Heere (Army). It was the job of Gen. von Falkenhorst to coordinate the various tasks of the assault groups.

In the meantime, Churchill continued to press the War Cabinet to support his Admiral Hipper loading mountain troops in Cuxhaven original plan to mine the iron-ore route inside Norwegian territorial waters. He arThe mine laying sortie, code-named gued that Germany would bring “Operation Wilfred,” was scheduled for pressure to bear on Norway if the mine- April 8. The ships sailed on the 5th. fields were laid and that this, in turn, Meanwhile, British troops, scheduled for would force the Norwegian government Norway, were embarked at various Scotto turn to the Allies for assistance. This tish bases. There were also French was typical of Churchill’s wishful think- troops including the Foreign Legion, ing that eventually gained him the Cabi- which were moved earlier from France net approval for his scheme.

Continued on Page 27

PAGE 26

Ocean City Today

APRIL 3, 2020

COMMUNITY/SCHOOLS

LUNCHEON The Republican Women of Worcester County held its January luncheon meeting at the Captains Table Restaurant in Ocean City on Jan. 23. Guest speakers were Pat Schrawder, Sen. Mary Beth Carozza's representative, who gave a report on the legislative happenings in Annapolis; and Chip Bertino, Worcester County Commissioner, who provided an update on county government and the community. Pictured, from left, are Schrawder, Beth Rodier, RWWC president, and Commissioner Bertino.

YOUTH SHOW Ashley McCaslin of Stephen Decatur Middle School displays her art during the annual Shirley Hall Memorial Youth Art Show at the Ocean City Center for the Arts on 94th Street in March.

LANGUAGES OF LOVE CLASS RING CEREMONY The annual Worcester Prep Junior Ring Ceremony took place on Feb. 12. It is tradition that seniors present the juniors with their rings along with a few insightful comments as to why the recipient is special to them. Pictured are Class of 2021 members with their rings.

Worcester Prep Spanish language, Spanish III and IV students created Valentine’s Day cards filled with Spanish messages of love, gratitude and well wishes for all of the faculty, staff and administration. Pictured, from left, are Waverly Choy, Spanish teacher Kira Eade, Hana Miller, Hayes Peterson and Spanish teacher Bianca Perez.

OCEAN PINES GARDEN CLUB Catherine Winkler from Roots Landscaping, left, was the guest speaker at the February meeting of the Ocean Pines Garden Club. She is pictured with Patti Lookner, OPGC president.

ROTARY FUND AWARDS At its annual dinner, the Rotary Foundation awarded 2018-19 Ocean City-Berlin Rotary Club President Margaret Mudron and her club with five awards – 100 percent Club Giving, 100 percent Every Rotarian Every Year, End Polio Now support, District Grant Award and the Rotary Citation with Silver Distinction for achieving the requirements set by the foundation. Pictured with the awards, from left, are Stan Kahn, Cliff Berg, Nancy Bradford, Sonia Baker, Frank Baker, Mudron, Arlan Kinney and Larry Michnick.

APRIL 3, 2020

Art League offers scholarships for graduating seniors (April 3, 2020) The Art League of Ocean City is offering $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors who plan to pursue a college degree in the visual or performing arts and has extended the deadline to apply to May 8.

Graduating seniors who attend public or private high schools in Worcester County as well as homeschoolers are eligible to apply.

Also eligible are past recipients of Art League scholarships who are continuing to pursue an arts degree at an accredited college and have achieved a 3.0 or higher grade point average.

The Art League will award up to 10 $1,000 visual and performing arts scholarships based on talent, recommendations, citizenship, scholarship, academic awards, extracurricular activities, motivation and skill.

Applications are available for download at www.artleagueofoceancity.org/scholarship.

Students should complete the written application, and include three digital images of their artwork, two letters of recommendation, and an official school transcript.

The Worcester County Board of Education assures students they will have access to school records during the shutdown.

Students may submit their application packets by mail before May 8, with digital images on a CD or flash drive, to: Art League of Ocean City, P.O. Box 3503, Ocean City, Maryland 21843. The application packet may also be submitted electronically by emailing it to katie@artleagueofoceancity.org.

The Art League has been awarding scholarships since 1991 to local students seeking a college degree in visual and performing arts.

The scholarships are funded by contributions from the Art League as well as from the Katherine Ellen Brown Fund administered by the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore.

Questions on applications may be sent to katie@artleagueofoceancity.org.

The Art League of Ocean City is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing the visual arts to the community through education, exhibits, scholarship, programs and community art projects.

Financial support comes primarily through membership dues from individuals and corporate sponsors.

Funding for exhibits is also provided by the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, the Worcester County Arts Council, Maryland State Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts, organizations dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive.

PAGE 27

Ocean City Today

WORLD WAR II Continued from Page 25 to bases in Britain. They were joined by a Polish mountain brigade.

On April 8, a Polish submarine, Orzel, sank the German ship SS Rio de Janeiro off the Norwegian coast. Norwegian fishing boats picked up survivors who turned out to be German soldiers, thus confirming the British belief that German troops were being moved by sea on their way to Norway. Actually, the entire German invasion force set sail on April 3.

The Germans attacked on April 9 with swiftness and surprise. The forces assigned to the invasion included the Army’s XXI Corps, with five infantry and one mountain division, the Luftwaffe with more than 1,000 aircraft and several parachute battalions, and the Kriegsmarine with all its capital ships that were available at the time, all the heavy and light cruisers, and 14 of the Navy’s 20 destroyers.

To complement the main force, a large number of torpedo boats, minesweepers, escorts, and auxiliary ships were present. The plan called for the capture of six primary targets by landing troops from warships at Oslo, Kristiansand, Bergen, Trondheim, Narvik, and Egersund.

The attack was designed to quickly overwhelm the Norwegian defenders and occupy these vital areas before any form of organized resistance could be mounted. The Luftwaffe’s job was to

monitor British movements and provide support for the ground troops and naval forces.

Because Denmark was “in the way,” it had to be occupied as well. Against Denmark, two infantry divisions were used to capture key cities, and the Luftwaffe landed parachute troops in airfields outside Copenhagen. It was hoped that German troops could avoid armed confrontation with the native populations in both countries, and German troops were instructed only to fire if fired upon. They were also told to tell the locals, “We come as friends!”

The only real German setback came at Oslo on April 9, when the new German heavy cruiser Blücher was sunk by gunfire and torpedoes from the ancient Norwegian fortress at Oscarborg, preventing the naval expedition from reaching the Norwegian capital.

The second part of the German attack began on April 12 when troops struck out in the areas around Oslo. The attack to the east forced the Norwegians up against the Swedish border, resulting in 3,000 men being interned. The attack to the west was also successful, and by April 16 the German forces in southern Norway were in contact with each other.

The Norwegian Campaign ended on June 9. One can say that the campaign was history’s first combined air, sea, land, and special operations campaign.

German leadership realized from the beginning that the margin for success was

narrow. The entire effort hinged on the cooperation of the various services to achieve maximum surprise.

The losses sustained by the Kriegsmarine were severe. All three capital ships were damaged, one heavy and two light cruisers sunk. Ten destroyers, six U-boats, two large torpedo boats, and 15 lighter vessels were sunk. Also sunk were 21 merchant ships. The Luftwaffe lost between 90 and 127 aircraft. In terms of casualties, German losses were estimated to be 5,296 killed, wounded and missing.

The Allies also sustained heavy losses.

The Royal Navy gave its losses as, one aircraft carrier, two cruisers, seven destroyers, and four submarines. The French and Poles each lost one destroyer and one submarine. Allied merchant shipping losses were 70 ships of all kinds sunk. British casualties were listed as 1,869 killed, wounded, and missing. Also 2,500 British sailors perished at sea. The French and the Poles gave their losses as 533. The Norwegian armed forces claimed 860 killed, 1,700 wounded, and 400 civilians killed.

Norway would remain under German occupation for the rest of the war.

The invasion of Norway in 1940 was a great gamble for Germany, and particularly the Kriegsmarine, which paid off. It kept a good portion of the Royal Navy tied up in the North Sea for the rest of the war.

Next Week: Narvik

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APRIL 3, 2020

Ocean City Today

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Serve meatloaf fritters with tomato soup, marinara sauce

By Deborah Lee Walker Contributing Writer (April 3, 2020) Meatloaf and mashed potatoes are comfort food at its best.

Recipes are endless when it comes to creating this nostalgic dish, and it is this capacity for reinvention that adds to its popularity.

Meatloaf fritters capture the essence of one of our best-loved meals with a mouthwatering twist.

Meatloaf takes on the shape of a meatball that is encased in mashed potatoes.

Then, it is coated with panko breadcrumbs and fried until it reaches a crispy, golden brown ball of flawlessness.

A few helpful hints follow so comprehension comes to the forefront.

The best tasting meatloaf consists of equal parts of ground beef, pork and veal.

The beef is the foundation of the dish, the pork gives the dish its texture and flavor, while the veal tones down the consistency of the other two meats and adds a much-needed tenderness.

Forgo the traditional meatloaf mixes in the grocery store, they are very expensive and one cannot be certain of the percentages of the various meats.

Grocery shopping has taken on new meaning these days. If you cannot find ground pork and ground veal, stick with the ground beef and increase the bread crumbs by a third.

Also, add a touch of bacon drippings to the meat mixture.

Combine eggs, milk, Worcestershire, salt and pepper in one bowl, then combine it with the meat mixture. This ensures these ingredients will be evenly distributed throughout the meat mixture.

The mashed potatoes should have a slightly stiffer texture and they also remain in the refrigerator until ready to use. This helps facilitates the forming of the fritters.

The fritters are dusted with flour.

The flour absorbs the moisture in the mashed potatoes and acts like a glue for the egg wash. Then, the fritter is rolled in panko breadcrumbs for optimum crispiness.

Canola oil has no flavor and this allows the flavor of the meatloaf fritters to flourish without interference.

If one is stuck at home with a house full of children, consider meatloaf fritters.

They are a great way to get kids involved with cooking. Children love the hands-on experience of cracking eggs and rolling the meatloaf in a

panko mixture.

This recipe does takes time and under the current situation that Americans are facing – keeping children occupied is a good thing. Enjoy!

Meatloaf 2 ½ pounds meatloaf mix (ground beef, pork and veal) 3 large stalks celery, finely chopped (including the leaves) 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped 1 large green pepper, seeded, stem removed and finely chopped 4 large cloves of garlic, minced 1 cup unseasoned bread crumbs 1 large whole egg 1 teaspoon whole milk 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 2 teaspoons kosher salt 1 teaspoon black pepper 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil for sautéing meatloaf balls 1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

2. Place celery, onion and green pepper in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped.

3. Chop garlic until it has a minced consistency.

4. In a large bowl, combine, raw vegetables and meat. Mix until thoroughly combined.

5. Add breadcrumbs to the mixture and again mix well.

6. In a small bowl, combine the eggs, water, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper. Add this to the meat mixture and mix well.

7. Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan.

8. Form small meatballs, about 1 ½-inches in diameter for children.

Form larger meatballs about 2 ½inches for adults. Sauté meatballs on all sides until golden brown.

9. Place cooked meatballs on a baking sheet and cook for 20 to 25 minutes, or until center is cooked. I always cut one open to make sure they are fully cooked. Place on a cooling rack so they do not overcook.

Mashed Potatoes 6 to 8 cups favorite mashed potatoes or instant 1. Prepare mashed potatoes according to your favorite recipe. You want the mashed potatoes to be on the stiffer side. Instant mashed potatoes are perfectly acceptable.

Dredging for Fritters 1 cup flour 4 cups unseasoned panko bread crumbs 3 eggs 3 teaspoons cold water canola oil for frying 1. In a small bowl, mix the eggs

and water together.

2. Encase each meatloaf meatball in mashed potatoes. Holding the fritter in one hand, sprinkle flour over it.

If you place the fritter directly on a plate of flour, the fritter will lose its shape.

3. Again, holding the fritter in one hand, drizzle a little of the egg wash over it. Spread the egg wash over the entire surface of the meatball.

4. For the last phase of the dredging process, hold the fritter in one hand and sprinkle panko breadcrumbs over the fritter. Gingerly, press the panko breadcrumbs onto the surface of the fritter.

5. In a medium pot, heat enough canola oil over medium-high heat that will cover two-thirds of the fritter. Cook one side until it is crispy and golden brown. Carefully turn the

fritter so the other side will also get crispy and golden brown.

6. Place cooked fritters on a cooling rack and add a sprinkling of salt.

Meatloaf fritters can be served by themselves or with a side of condensed tomato soup or marinara sauce.

Serves 6 to 8 * Due to the shortages in the supermarkets, this recipe can be made with just ground beef.

Increase the amount of bread crumbs by a third and add a touch of bacon fat to the meat mixture. The texture will have a little more density, but the flavor will there.

Secret Ingredient – Togetherness. “Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success.”

– Henry Ford

Letter to the editor Coastal Hospice open to serve Editor, As an organization with its mission rooted in the health of our community, we want to reassure patients, families and the broader community that Coastal Hospice remains open and available to serve.

Using the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and our local health departments, we are vigilant in the war against COVID-19.

Our staff is taking every known step to protect our patients, their families and themselves (and their families) against its spread.

From logging temperatures daily and self-monitoring for symptoms to educating caregivers about steps to stop COVID-19 and staying home when ill themselves, our team is diligently assisting those in need.

We recognize that some families are hesitant to have staff members come to their homes. Our chaplains and social workers are providing most care via phone or video chat, except

when there is an urgent need. Nursing and aide staff are adjusting schedules to meet needs and minimize intrusion.

Having a loved one with a terminal illness is never easy; having one in the time of COVID-19 is beyond stressful.

Our hope is to help families manage during this time as best as possible. That said, I also must take a moment to recognize our staff on the front lines.

They are doing an amazing job with passion and commitment, and we, the management team, are extremely grateful for their efforts, as we know our patients and families are, as well.

We developed a rack card that explains steps that can be taken to protect against this virus. It can be found on our website at www.coastalhospice.org along with a Q&A addressing the questions we receive most.

If you would like a copy of the rack card mailed or emailed to you, please call us at 410-742-8732 or email acapen@coastalhospice.org.

Together we will get through this.

Thank you.

Alane Capen, CEO

APRIL 3, 2020

Ocean City Today

PAGE 29

OBITUARIES

Son offers tribute to his mother Ocean City Tourism Director, As Covid-19 wreaked havoc across the world, as Americans hunkered down and isolated themselves, as the anxiety level of a troubled nation spiked, I gave my mother’s hand a gentle squeeze, and she peacefully passed away in her sleep on April 1, 2020.

She was 62.

Donna Abbott (nee Daffin) was born in Easton, Maryland, in 1957 on a hot August day to a couple of salt-ofthe-earth people, a carpenter and a hairdresser.

Her earliest memory — or at least the earliest story I’ve heard — was being stung by a bee at the age of 4 on the porch of her house on Choptank Avenue in Cambridge, Maryland, where her grandmother’s beauty shop hosted many a gossiper.

She and her best friend in the neighborhood, Yvonne, had a secret code — they would caw at each other from their windows, and roam Cambridge, getting into whatever mischief they could.

She and her friends spent one night on the Choptank River going under the old drawbridge in a boat as many times as they could to irk the bridge tender, who shouted down to them that he knew their parents.

She briefly attended St. Peter and Paul Catholic School. (I don’t know much about this period, but I do know there were angry nuns with rulers and her and a friend had skipped class on a beautiful spring day to sun themselves on the soccer field), and graduated from Cambridge High School, which is now Cambridge South Dorchester High School, in 1974.

That very same year she was dubbed Ms. Rescue Fire Company Queen and she rode on the back of the Queen Mary Ladder Truck down the cobblestone of High Street with her crown for all of Cambridge to see.

After high school, she was accepted to Towson University and became a mass communication major.

Mind you, after her acceptance, there was some sort of paperwork error, and her mother and father were happy to throw in the towel and welcome her back home, but the thought of that was too much to bear, so she put her head down, called the necessary folks, and was back in Towson later that afternoon.

She was first member of our family to attend college.

In college, she became a master writer and made more friends that she kept for life, like Teri Ascencio Bell.

Later, when I attended Towson myself, she would come up and take me to her old haunts.

Once, she took me to Jerry’s Belvedere on York Road. After a few cocktails, an older Greek gentleman shuffled out from the back and my mom caught his eye.

“Ohhhh, Donna,” he said, “Where’s your friends?”

It must have been 20 some years since she had stepped foot in the place.

After college, she moved to the beach and worked as a reporter at the Worcester County Courthouse. She worked with her friend Bruce, dubbed Brucie Wucie, who became another unique character that would remain her dear friend for life.

“Your mom,” he remembered during a recent phone call, “she would come with me to every bar up and down Coastal Highway, we’d all pass out on the beach, and then I’d wake up some time in the afternoon, and she would have multiple articles, Pulitzer level, published in the paper that day.

I couldn’t believe it.”

She met my father at a Fager’s Island bull roast in the spring of 1981.

I was born two weeks before my due date on Dec. 30, 1981. Brucie Wucie held a conference call with her and her friends, and my grandfather ordered her a lobster dinner in the hospital.

She raised me up in Ocean City, Berlin and Ocean Pines in the ‘80s and ‘90s. She worked the entire time writing for papers, tending bar and later doing media relations for the Ocean Pines Association, Purdue, and finally the Town of Ocean City.

See ABBOTT’S Page 30

Donna Abbott, passes away (April 3, 2020) The Town of Ocean City’s Tourism Director, Donna Abbott, passed away Wednesday, April 1, after a ferocious fight with cancer.

Abbott, who held the position of tourism director since 2012, oversaw destination marketing and worked closely with the town’s advertising agency to promote Ocean City as a premier vacation destination.

A native of Cambridge and a graduate of Towson University, Abbott began her career on Delmarva as a news editor, holding publication management positions in print and radio media.

With impeccable writing skills and a passion for public relations, she also held positions as a public information officer for Ocean Pines and Perdue before joining the Town of Ocean City as public relations director in April 1997.

“Donna dedicated nearly 23 years of her life to the Town of Ocean City,” said Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan.

“She was as devoted as they come and was passionate about destination marketing. She was highly respected by everyone who knew her and her loss will be felt in Ocean City and throughout the State of Maryland.”

An avid Orioles and Ravens fan, she loved the State of Maryland as much as she loved Ocean City.

Along with her roles within the Town of Ocean City, which Donna Abbott also included being the first communications manager, Abbott was active within the tourism community across the state.

She was the recipient of numerous awards, including two Governor’s Citations for marketing and public relations campaigns. In addition, she recently served as vice chair on the executive board of the Maryland Association of Destination Marketing Organizations.

“Not only was Donna a fabulous colleague but she was a fantastic mother, grandmother and a dear friend,” Meehan said. “The only thing she loved more than her profession was her family. Her mother, son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren were her true passion. Ocean City won’t be the same without her, but I am confident the legacy she left with the town will last forever.”

PAGE 30

OBITUARIES

HOROSCOPE

Abbott’s fond memories of his mom Continued from Page 29 I was a little busy being a knucklehead, but I do remember all of those jobs and the life they afforded us.

One distinct memory was when she left Purdue and we stopped eating chicken every night.

I was grateful for the variety.

When she became the media relations manager for the Town of Ocean City, it was apparent that she had stumbled onto her dream job. And that job bled into her next job as the Director of Tourism for Ocean City.

That job — sharing the joy of the beach with people from all over the world, tossing taffy from boardwalk trams during all the parades (she had that wave down!), being rescued by Rodney - was her calling in life.

So many of us ricochet through life without finding that perfect fit. She had it. It showed. And the town of Ocean City, Maryland is a better place because of her work.

If being the tourism director was her professional calling, her heart and soul were my kids, her grandchildren — Miles and Hazel Abbott.

She loved those two tiny humans — now 4 and 6 years old, respectfully — more than anything in the universe.

She never backed away from looking after them when my wife and I needed to get away.

She was G-Mom. She was the coolest. They both wanted to ride in the double go-kart at Baja Amusements with her because she won every race and whichever kid was unlucky enough to ride with me would cry, be-

APRIL 3, 2020

Ocean City Today

cause they knew dad always had the slow kart.

She was in attendance a few years back with me and my wife when the Orioles erased a three run deficit against the Tigers in the playoffs off a first-pitch shot by Delmon Young that emptied the bases.

Later, on our way out of the stadium, we met and shook hands with Jonathan Ogden and thanked him for winning the Super Bowl back in 2000.

It might have been my favorite day with her.

We were so happy.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her name to the American Cancer Society.

A quick word about cancer.

I often hear people say that so-andso lost their battle with the disease, or that they fought hard.

In my mom’s case, while cancer did finally take over and take her life, she won her battle.

Cancer came late.

It slept in.

By the time it woke up and did it’s job, and it did so with absolute and deadly efficiency, the battle was finished.

Donna had won.

She had a wonderful family who loved her, she had a job that gave her tremendous joy. She had more people who loved her than any person I know.

She made so many people happy.

By the time cancer came, the game was over. She was burning down the clock. The kegs were kicked. Happiness and love had won. Cancer lost.

She kicked its ever-loving ass.

There will eventually be a celebration of life, but I’m not going to let that happen by way of live stream or a remote service.

You can forget that.

There will be a gathering. There will be hugs. There will be human touch.

Just not right away. Once the pandemic gripping the world ebbs, and it’s safe to assemble, we will have ourselves a shindig and celebrate the coolest woman I’ve ever known.

Bet on it.

Donna is survived by myself, my wife, Melissa, and her two grandchildren, Miles and Hazel of Annapolis.

(Let’s be honest, though, we are Ocean City to the bone); as well as her mother Carol Ann Daffin of Cambridge, her ex-husband Mark of Ocean Pines, and countless friends, including Yvonne, who was here yesterday with her on her final day.

She is preceded in death by her father, Maurice Daffin of Tunis Mills; her grandmother, Emma Cannon of East New Market; our wonderful yellow lab, Gage, of the back of some guy’s pickup truck outside of Berlin, and countless other friends and family.

Her favorite song was Blackbird by the Beatles. Her favorite band was Led Zeppelin. Her favorite album was Darkside of the Moon. I will be listening to music all day, and if you want or need comfort like I do, I think you’ll find it there, too.

I’ll be here, taking these broken wings and learning how to fly, should you need me.

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 Things are not always what they seem, Aries. Keep this in mind when dealing or working with people you have never met. It may take some time to figure things out.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, asking a bunch of questions may not unveil the answers you were hoping for. You may not be asking the right questions. Keep forging ahead.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 The ability to listen is an important skill, Gemini. This ability is especially valuable when others come to you for advice. Listen intently and do your best to help.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 Cancer, even if things do not entirely make sense this week, you can glean certain bits of information here and there that can help you to paint the bigger picture.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 Leo, imitation is the highest form of flattery. Keep a keen eye on someone you admire at work, and then try to mirror this person in your actions.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 Virgo, certain responsibilities may seem like a drain on your time. But right now you are not seeing how even small tasks can add up to big results in the end. Remain patient.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 Libra, certain battles cannot be won no matter how hard you try. Do not focus unnecessary energy on things that cannot be scaled. Direct your focus to more inportant projects.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22

OBITUARIES DANIEL JAMES DRISCOLL Towson Daniel James Driscoll was born on Oct. 7, 1950 in Baltimore, and passed away on March 5, 2020.

Danny loved the ocean and beach.

He enjoyed surfing and his dog, Gabby.

You will be sadly missed, but never forgotten.

Aloha our sweet bro, your loving siblings, John, Patti, Kathy, Mary, and so many friends especially, John Doyle and Gabe Morrow.

R.I.P. Surf On. Day of celebration paddle out will take place on Oct 7, 2020 at Assateague Island.

HARRY MURRAY, JR. Berlin Harry “Earl” Murray, Jr. of Berlin, Maryland, was taken to be with Our Lord on Wednesday, March 25, 2020.

Earl was a life-long resident of Berlin, Maryland. He was born to Virginia and Harry Earl Murray, Sr. on Sept. 17, 1938.

Earl graduated from St. James School and was captain of the soccer, football and track teams.

He obtained his BA in Business from Harry Murray, Jr. Elon University in Burlington, North Carolina. It was there in the cafeteria, that he met his college sweetheart, Donna Kampe.

Earl and Donna enjoyed 58 years of marriage, raising their daughters and a few beloved dogs on Turville Creek. Their backyard was always filled with work colleagues, friends and family in the summertime.

Earl taught many, young and old, how to water ski and then coached friends on how to eat and pick steamed crabs.

He enjoyed fishing and clamming in the summer and duck hunting in the winter with his family. Earl was also an avid golf and tennis player and enjoyed participating in charitable tournaments in the area.

Earl was distinctively known for

his ‘quick wit’ and very dry sense of humor. He had many different endearing nicknames that he answered to throughout his life.

Earl’s early career began as manager at Kellam Propane. He went on to work as a poultry service supervisor with Ralston Purina.

He decided in the mid-80’s to parlay his skills into a successful career as a regional pharmaceutical sales representative in the animal health division of various pharmaceutical companies.

After retirement, he enjoyed a decade of working summers and early fall at Sunset Provisions.

Earl and Donna spent winters in Florida where Earl continued to surf fish on the space coast. They would celebrate spring each year by hosting their “Annual Strawberry Shortcake Social” in the clubhouse at Paradise Beach Villas, continuing their desire to entertain their many friends.

Earl was the most wonderful and loving father to his two daughters, Holly Murray Miller (Reid) of Wake Continued on Page 32

A project you started may come to a screeching halt, Scorpio. This does not mean you should abandon it entirely. It just means you will have to take a brief hiatus and restart.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 Sagittarius, people naturally want to be around you, but sometimes you need to take a step back and focus on yourself. Clear your schedule for some personal time this week.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 Spring is a time of new beginnings, Capricorn. You may be presented with several new opportunities. Travel, a new job or even expanding your family may be in the cards.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 Aquarius, even if you do not have all the answers, you can take steps that address many of the changes that have occurred in your life lately.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 Channel your creativity into projects that let you express yourself, Pisces.

Artwork, writing and crafting are a few examples.

APRIL 3, 2020

Ocean City Today

PAGE 31

COMMUNITY/SCHOOLS

ALOC LITTLE LIBRARY

STATE HOUSE VISIT

Anyone looking for a book to read while the public libraries are shutdown is invited to the Little Free Library, located by the parking lot of the Ocean City Center for the Arts on 94th Street, bayside.

Stephen Decatur High School sophomore Jake Gillespie visited the Maryland State House in Annapolis Feb. 7. He was welcomed at both the House of Delegates and Senate Chambers and was escorted on a personal tour of the state's many historical displays and documents. He was the guest of Sen. Mary Beth Carozza and Del. Charles Otto. The visit was part of Gillespie's government service project requirements at Decatur. Pictured, from left, are Sen. Carozza, Gillespie, Berlin Mayor Gee Williams and Del. Otto.

GUEST SPEAKER Bob Younglove, a certified health coach, was the guest speaker at a recent meeting of the General Levin Winder Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The DAR is a women’s service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America’s future through better education. Pictured, from left, are Vice Regent Janet Simpson, Younglove, and Regent Gail Weldin.

SCHOOL CELEBRATION Ocean City Elementary celebrated its 100th day of school on Feb. 12. Pictured, from left, are third graders Rayden Holsinger, Hugo Salas Hernandez, Rhys Thompson and Arif Alhamad.

AUTHOR WELCOMED The Democratic Women's Club of Worcester County commemorated Black History Month at its February meeting with guest speaker Barbara Lockhart, author of “Elizabeth's Field.” Lockhart, left, is pictured with Laurie Brittingham, DWC of Worcester County vice president.

NEW LANYARDS Bruce Krasner, owner of the T-Shirt Factory, donated over 500 Maryland-style lanyards for the entire student population and staff of Snow Hill elementary and middle schools.

PAGE 32

Ocean City Today

APRIL 3, 2020

OBITUARIES Continued from Page 30 Forest, North Carolina, and Kelly Murray Thompson (Raymond) of Ocean City, Maryland.

In addition, he was an adoring “Poppy” to his two granddaughters, Logan Irene Miller and Reilly Pate Miller of Wake Forest, North Carolina, and two grandsons, Nathan Richard Thompson and Miles Kane Thompson of Ocean City, Maryland.

He is survived by his brother, John “Dennis” Murray (Vicki) of Summerville, South Carolina, and two nephews, Jonathan Murray (Amber) and Drew Murray (Sara) of Berlin, Maryland.

He is preceded in death by his sister, Patricia Chester (Bill).

Additionally, Earl has a niece, Ginger Warren (James) of Berlin, Maryland, and two nephews, Tom Cropper, Jr. (Tina) and Craig “Big Bird” Cropper (Tammy) of Powellville, Maryland.

Due to the current restrictions on gatherings a closed family graveside service was held on March 27, 2020, officiated by Rev. Olin Shockley. A Celebration of Life will be considered in the future.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests, donations be made to: Macky and Pam Stansell House of Coastal Hospice, 1500 Ocean Parkway, Ocean Pines, Maryland 21811.

ALLEN ROBERT MUMFORD Berlin Allen Robert “Bob” Mumford, age 82, passed away Monday, March 23,2020, at the Berlin Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Born in Ocean City Maryland, he was the son of the late Allen Radcliffe Mumford and Naomie Ellen Bennett Mumford.

Allen Mumford He is survived by his children, Teresa Lynne Mumford Scott and husband, Bill Scott, of Berlin, Maryland, and Allen Radcliffe Mumford and wife, Kimberly, of Berlin, Maryland.

There are four grandchildren, Shawn Scott and wife, Jennifer, Alex Scott and wife, Jessica, Lauren Truitt and husband, Jesse, and Cole Allen Mumford.

Bob had five great-grandchildren, Hunter, Angeline, Brantley, Skylar and Dallas, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his two sisters, Mary Lou Manning and Marian Manning.

Mr. Mumford was a United States Air Force veteran.

He had worked for many years as a boat mechanic at Boulden’s Marina on 53rd Street in Ocean City, Maryland, Charlie White Marine on Route 50 in West Ocean City, and Shorts Marine in Long Neck, Delaware, before retirement.

He was a member of Atlantic

United Methodist Church in Ocean City, loved being outdoors, boating, fishing, waterfowl hunting, dancing and socializing and reading his Bible and daily devotions. But his greatest passion was rummaging through Bill Scott’s garage. “I see, I see.”

Services will be announced at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Atlantic United Methodist Church, 105 4th St. Ocean City, Maryland 21842; or Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago Illinois 60601.

Arrangements are in the care of the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin, Maryland. Letters of Condolences may be sent to the family via: www.burbagefuneralhome.com.

CHARLES J. KENNY Ocean View Charles J. “Jerry” Kenny, age 83, of Ocean View, Delaware, passed away on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 at Atlantic Shores Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Millsboro, Delaware.

Jerry was born in Newfoundland, Canada, on Oct. 5, 1936, son of the late Charles Kenny William Kenny and the late Catherine (Lawlor) Kenny.

He attended grade school at St. Bernard’s in Fermuse, Newfoundland, Canada, and moved to West Chester, Pennsylvania with his family in 1948.

Jerry graduated from St. Agnes High School in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

Jerry proudly served his country in the US Army as a paratrooper stationed in Germany during the Korean War. He worked as an ironworker for ITE Circuitbreaker Corporation in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and then owned and operated J & J Bulkheading, Inc. in Selbyville, Delaware, for over 40 years, retiring six months ago.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandson, Chase Alchin; his siblings, Robert, Thomas, Ned, William, Leo, Gerald, Jeannie, Josephine McCorry and Mary Moore.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Rose Marie (Lorenz) Kenny; his three sons, Brian Kenny, Gary Alchin and Rick Alchin; two sisters, Catherine Kenny of West Chester, Pennsylvania, and Sheila Kenny Boyle and her husband, Joseph, of Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania; five grandchildren, Kailei Kenny, Madison Alchin, Luke Alchin, Josiah Chicas and Peyton Chicas; 16 nieces and 25 nephews.

A celebration of Jerry’s life will be announced at a later date.

Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.melsonfuneralser-

vices.com.

DENNY D. RAYNE Bishopville Denny D. Rayne, age 87, of Bishopville, died Friday, March 27, 2020, at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin.

Denny was born in Bishopville and was the son of the late Raymond E. and Mary (Cropper) Rayne.

He was a retired poultry farmer and served in the US Army.

He is survived by one son, Denny D. Rayne II and wife, Terry, of Berlin; two daughters, Debra R. Weber of Monkton, Maryland, and Deneen D. Rayne of Berlin; five grandchildren,

Patrick, Jeremy, Shelby, Kasey and Andrew; one stepgrandchild, Jordan; and two great-grandchildren, Clara and Caleb.

He was preceded Denny Rayne in death by his wife, Elizabeth C. Rayne, in 2019.

Services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Bishopville Vol. Fire Department, P.O. Box 350, Bishopville, Maryland 21813.

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

CROSSWORD

Answers on page 16

Commentary

Ocean City Today Apr. 3, 2020

Page 33

No longer taking our freedom for granted Our current stay-at-home circumstances, along with the other government restrictions on public movement, are as close to martial law as most of us ever hope to see.

All that is missing from the current scene is the military patrolling the streets to ensure compliance with the various executive orders that have been issued to stem the spread of covid-19.

That could happen, too, as Defense Secretary Mark Esper has said states can call out the National Guard to enforce stayat-home orders.

In addition, some state governments are forbidding travel to their jurisdictions by residents of other states. It is conceivable that the need to stop these migrations from disease epicenters to less affected areas could lead governors to deploy their National Guard units to blockade state lines.

A majority of this country’s citizens have never experienced anything like this. We have been free, more or less, to go wherever and whenever we want. Now, we’re not, and we have only ourselves to blame.

Had more of us exercised some common sense and heeded the advice of medical professionals early on, and had we not rejected the idea that we could not do as we pleased, or that only the elderly and infirm had to worry, or even that this was some politically inspired hoax, these harsh directives from our governments might not have been necessary.

As it is, our concepts of freedom don’t always carry with them the notion of personal responsibility and common courtesy. In essence, we are free to cough in public, but both courtesy and responsibility dictate that we should not cough on someone else.

For all the people who flaunted the rules and shrugged off the warnings, believing as you did that they did not apply to you, we have you to thank for forcing state governments to do what we would not do voluntarily.

The one positive aspect to arise out of our present situation is this: it’s often been said that we take our freedom for granted in this country. Not anymore.

Ocean City Today P.O. Box 3500, Ocean City, Md. 21843 Phone: 410-723-6397 / Fax: 410-723-6511.

EDITOR ............................................ Stewart Dobson MANAGING EDITOR ................................ Lisa Capitelli STAFF WRITERS .................. Greg Ellison, Morgan Pilz, ...................................... Joshua Kim, Elizabeth Bonin ASSISTANT PUBLISHER .......................... Elaine Brady ACCOUNT MANAGER.............................. Mary Cooper CLASSIFIEDS/LEGALS MANAGER .... Nancy MacCubbin SENIOR DESIGNER ................................ Susan Parks GRAPHIC ARTISTS ................ Kelly Brown, Kyle Phillips PUBLISHER........................................ Christine Brown ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT ...................... Gini Tufts Ocean City Today is published weekly by FLAG Publications, Inc. at 8200 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, Md. 21842.

Ocean City Today is available by subscription at $150 a year.

Visit us on the Web at www.oceancitytoday.com.

Copyright 2020

PUBLIC EYE

Work-at-home style

Weekly column checklist in the time of covid-19.

1. Don’t be maudlin and write about how things used to be — check.

2. Don’t go on a tirade about how things should be — check.

3. Don’t be alarming and write about how things could be — check.

4. Wear pants when writing — check.

That’s the thing about writing at home during this bizarre period. Because no one can see me, I could follow the example of legendary By cook and cookbook author Stewart James Beard, who often Dobson cooked naked, and type away in my altogether and no one would ever know.

Not that it would make my writing better, although I do suspect there’s less of a downside to typing in that fashion, or lack of it, than there is with cooking that way.

The fact is, I always did wonder how James Beard dealt with frying a grease-spitting freshly plucked chicken when he was dressed like one.

“Hey, James, is that fried chicken I smell?”

“Ow!, Oo!, Yowee! Yip! Aaagghh!”

Enough of that nonsense, because the truth is I’ve been taking better care of myself at home, sartorially speaking, than I did at the office.

I concluded it would be too easy for me to fall prey to what scholars refer to as the Law

of Diminishing Give-A-Damns, or something very close to that, when I spend my entire working day in a small box of an upstairs room, where even Crazy Eddie the dog isn’t crazy enough to enter.

“I am trying to work here, Ed!” “Grrrrr.”

And that’s another side effect of working at home — I talk to the dog a lot more.

It could be, unlike every person I know, that he has no opinions to offer in rebuttal to my own.

Furthermore, he is willing to hear me out for however long it takes, providing he gets a belly rub in the process.

Obviously, that approach would not be acceptable at the office, where I hope to return some day, although I did once say, “If you’d just listen to me for a moment, I’ll give you a snack.”

It’s been my experience, however, that people aren’t inspired by the idea that a piece of chicken gizzard is a worthy reward for listening to me go on and on.

Not so the Magnificent Ed, who will sit motionless for hours as I expound on the state of things, while he focuses on whatever little nugget of something I’m holding in front of him.

“So, Eddie, have I ever explained my thoughts on self-isolation, working at home, the need to dress appropriately, and maintain certain personal grooming standards even though no one will see me until I pop out of this cocoon-like existence and re-enter the natural world?

Drool.

“That’s my boy. So listen to this …”

www.oceancitytoday.com

PAGE 34

APRIL 3, 2020

Ocean City Today

LISA CAPITELLI/OCEAN CITY TODAY

DEEP BREATH AND ENJOY With all the stress and uncertainty of the current health crisis, the sun setting on the bay offers a calming and serene end to the day.

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Presented free as a courtesy to Licensed REALTORS® who are regular Ocean City Today & Bayside Gazette Advertisers. For all other REALTORS®, there is a weekly charge of $10 per listing.

JANUARY 10, 2020

PAGE 35

Ocean City Today / Public Notices

BWW Law Group, LLC 6003 Executive Blvd., Suite 101 Rockville, MD 20852 CARRIE M. WARD, et al.

6003 Executive Blvd., Suite 101 Rockville, MD 20852 Substitute Trustees Plaintiffs vs.

WILLIAM W. COOK 501 Edgewater Avenue Unit 202 Ocean City, MD 21842 Defendant(s) IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND Case No. C-23-CV-20-000010

NOTICE

The Mayor and City Council, a public community transit service provider in Ocean City, Maryland, is offering the opportunity for a public hearing to provide citizens a forum to present views on the following proposals: FY 2021 Annual Transportation Plan (ATP).

The ATP contains requests for operating funds from the following programs: Section 5311 of the Federal Transit Act, which provides funds for general public transit service in rural areas; Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) program, which provides funds for federally required para transit services for persons with disabilities.

In addition, capital funds will be requested for the following items:

NOTICE

Notice is hereby given this 23rd day of March, 2020, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, that the sale of the property mentioned in these proceedings and described as 501 Edgewater Avenue, Unit 202, Ocean City, MD 21842, made and reported by the Substitute Trustee, will be RATIFIED AND CONFIRMED, unless cause to the contrary thereof be shown on or before the 28th day of April, 2020, provided a copy of this NOTICE be inserted in some weekly newspaper printed in said County, once in each of three successive weeks before the 21st day of April, 2020.

The report states the purchase price at the Foreclosure sale to be $480,000.00.

Susan R. Braniecki Clerk, Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland True Copy Test: Susan R. Braniecki Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County MD OCD-4/2/3t _________________________________ RAYMOND C. SHOCKLEY ESQ WILLIAMS, MOORE, SHOCKLEY & HARRISON PA 3509 COASTAL HIGHWAY OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 18218 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF GARLAND LEE HOOD LANE Notice is given that Patsy Lane Baker, 6 Tanglewood Court, Berlin, MD 21811; David Rhem Lane, 10611 Piney Island Drive, Bishopville, MD 21813; and Steven Hood Lane, 12411 Salisbury Road, Ocean City, MD 21842, were on March 12, 2020 appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Garland Lee Hood Lane who died on March 3, 2020, with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 12th day of September, 2020.

Any person having a claim

ITEM Public Works Campus Plan Construction One (1) Year Preventative Maintenance including Repairs, Parts and Labor for Rolling Stock One (1) ADA Para Transit Van Replacement Four (4) Heavy Duty 60’ Articulating Buses Twenty Two (22) Heavy Duty 40’ Bus Replacements Transportation Development Plan Study Four (4) ADA Accessible Transit Supervisor Support Vehicles Automated Passenger Counter (APC) System for Bus Fleet On Board Announcement (OBA) System for Bus Fleet TOTAL

TOTAL $2,000,000 $785,000 $68,000 $3,200,000 $7,098,000 $100,000 $260,000 $350,000 $300,000 $14,161,000

A Public Hearing will be held upon request. Requests for a Public Hearing must be in writing and will be received until 4 p.m. on Friday, March 27, 2020. Requests for a Public Hearing and/or other written comments should be sent to the following address and clearly marked “Public Hearing Comments”: Ocean City Transportation 204 65th Street, Building E Ocean City, Maryland 21842 Written comments can also be emailed to: Mark D. Rickards at mdrickards@oceancitymd.gov If requested, a Public Hearing will be held: Monday, April 6, 2020 6:00 p.m.

City Hall Council Chambers 301 North Baltimore Avenue Ocean City, Maryland 21842 If special assistance is required at the Public Hearing contact Ocean City Transportation, Administrative Coordinator, at 410-723-2174 prior to 4 p.m. on Friday, March 27, 2020.

OCD-3/5/5t ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine months from the date of the decedent’s death; or (2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

Patsy Lane Baker David Rhem Lane Steven Hood Lane Personal Representatives

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 19, 2020 OCD-3/19/3t _________________________________ MARTIN G. OLIVERIO ESQ. 14300 GALLANT FOX LANE, SUITE 218 BOWIE, MD 20715

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 18223 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF MARY ELLEN WILLIAMS Notice is given that Catherine L. Williams, 106 Whitmoor Terrace, Sil-

ver Spring, MD 20910, was on March 16, 2020 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Mary Ellen Williams who died on February 9, 2020, without a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 16th day of September, 2020.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine months from the date of the decedent’s death; or (2) Two months after the personal

PAGE 36

JANUARY 10, 2020

Ocean City Today / Public Notices

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.

Catherine L. Williams 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 26, 2020 OCD-3/26/3t _________________________________ SMALL ESTATE

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18231 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF BENJEMAN WAYNE HOLDEN Notice is given that Benjamin W. Holden Jr., 1235 Hip Roof Road, Church Creek, MD 21622, was on March 26, 2020 appointed personal representative of the small estate of Benjeman Wayne Holden who died

on January 21, 2020, without a will.

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

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

All persons having claims against the decedent must serve their claims on the undersigned personal representative or file them with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine months from the date of the decedent’s death; or (2) Thirty days after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the 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.

Benjamin W. Holden Jr. 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 Digest Date of publication: April 02, 2020 OCD-4/2/1t _________________________________ STEPHEN E. BAILEY ESQ. LAW OFFICE OF STEPHEN E. BAILEY 222 BOSLEY AVE STE C-7 TOWSON, MD 21204 SMALL ESTATE

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18194 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF ANDREA L. DALY Notice is given that Gina Z. Richardson, 8 Edelweiss Way, Parkton, MD 21120, was on March 30, 2020 appointed personal representative of the small estate of Andrea L. Daly who died on November 3, 2019, without a will.

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

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

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

All persons having claims against the decedent must serve their claims on the undersigned personal representative or file them with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine months from the date of the decedent’s death; or (2) Thirty days after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the 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.

Gina Z. Richardson 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 Digest Date of publication: April 02, 2020 OCD-4/2/1t _________________________________

PRINT WEB oceancitytoday.com • baysideoc.com

APRIL 3, 2020

37 Classifieds now appear in Ocean City Today & the Bayside Gazette each week and online at oceancitytoday.com and baysideoc.com.

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

MAINTENANCE Immediate position available for year-round Restaurant Maintenance Personnel. Electrical, plumbing, HVAC & LPgas knowledge required. Prior experience with restaurant equipment necessary. Great opportunity with benefits. Send resume to: REST. MAINTENANCE, PO Box 160, Ocean City, MD 21843, romeara@harrisongp.com, or drop off your resume at Harrison Group, 106 N. Baltimore Ave.

NOW HIRING for both locations Ocean City & Ocean Pines

Inside Help & Delivery Drivers

Call 443-880-2486 for interview.

HIRING ALL POSITIONS!!

Work on the Beach in Ocean City, MD

Full time & Part time Stop by our location on 52nd street! or call 443-664-2825

Renting Umbrellas and Chairs to Beachgoers • Over 65 Beach Attendant Positions Available • Make Lifelong Friends & Memories • Earn Valuable Sales & Customer Apply Online at Service Skills EightyFiveAndSunny.com/ • Competitive Wages Employment • Hourly + Commission + Tips

NOW HIRING!!

Production Crew

Maintenance Technician Competitive Salary: $17 - $20/hr. depending on experience.

• Help build and maintain Delaware and Maryland's fastest growing restaurant group • Perform interior and exterior finish work, such as drywall, painting, paneling, ceiling and floor tile, plumbing repairs, heating and air conditioning system repairs • Perform routine and emergency repairs on restaurant equipment, including diagnostics on electrical and refrigeration components • On call on a rotating emergency schedule for weekends and holidays • Basic skill sets must include some Electric, Plumbing, Carpentry, Refrigeration Benefits: Health Insurance, 401K, Sick Leave Fax to 410-520-0199 For faster processing please apply online at www.joindunkin.com.

You are applying for work with a franchisee of Dunkin’ Donuts, not Dunkin’ Brands, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Any application or information you submit will be provided solely to the franchisee. If hired, the franchisee will be your only employer. Franchisees are independent business owners who are solely responsible for their own employees and set their own wage and benefit programs that can vary among franchisees.

for our WOC kitchen facility Up to $17.50/hr.

Apply online at: www.delmarvadd.com

Become a Better You in 2020!

To Order Product Call Christine 443-880-8397 or email: snowhillavon@ comcast.net To Become an Avon Representative Sign Up at www.

ChristinesBeautyShop.com

Classifieds 410-723-6397

Advertising Sales Position Ocean City Today/Bayside Gazette Account Manager opening. Applicants should have experience in sales or face-to-face customer service. Salary, commission, health benefits and 401K plan. Send resumes to ebrady@oceancitytoday.net, or mail Ocean City Today, 8200 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD. 21842.

InteSviews will be conducted via Facetime, Skype or Google Hangouts ... for the time being.

ssifieds la C r u o Y r e Ord

HELP WANTED

Online

NOW HIRING - Cook Wanted.

Send resume to: American Legion Post #166, P.O. Box 63, Ocean City, MD 21843 or for information call Post Steward @ 717-756-8552.

RENTALS

RENTALS

SEASONAL RENTAL 2 BR, 2 BA North OC CONDO Luxury, Modern, Renovated.

First Fl. w/hardwood fl., deck, pool, parking. Sleeps 5, $12,500 for May-Sept. No pets or smokers. Cred. chk., refs., sec. deposit. For families or professionals.

Vic, 410-422-5164.

Year-Round Rental Available in West Ocean City. 2BR, 1BA. Call 1-877-289-1616 for more information.

RAMBLER MOTEL 9942 Elm Street, WOC (Behind Starbucks) Sleeps 4, $250 per week Manager onsite 410-213-1764

Hiring ALL Positions!!

Full time & Part time To apply go to: www.mygcjob.com

Classifieds Deadline is 5pm Monday

WINTER WEEKLY RENTALS Pool Front Room ..$199/wk Family Room ........$235/wk 2BR Apartment.....$315/wk 3BR Suite .............$400/wk Burgundy Inn 1210 Philadelphia Ave. 410-289-8581

Yearly & Seasonal Rentals We Welcome Pets 7700 Coastal Hwy 410-524-7700 www.holidayoc.com DOWNTOWN OCEAN CITY Immaculately clean 2BR apartments. Each sleeps 5 people with single beds.

May 1 to September 7.

Price is $2,250 per person or $11,250 per apartment, including utilities, plus deposits. No smokers, parties, or pets. All male or all female in each unit. Taking applications.

Call or text 410-422-2100 Steger Seasonal Apartments

www.baysideoc.com www.oceancitytoday.com

It’s not too early to advertise your summer rentals.

GET IT RENTED HERE! 410-723-6397 www.oceancitytoday.com www.baysideoc.com

www.oceancitytoday.com

Convenient, quick, no waiting, no calls ~ Days, nights and weekends

PAGE 38

APRIL 3, 2020

Ocean City Today

ROOMMATES

COMMERCIAL

SERVICES

Master Bedroom/Bath.

Responsible female. $950/month, shared utilities.

Long term rental preferred.

Call for details.

410-963-4366

Surf Shop for Rent 29th St. Call Bill 410-289-8380

Lawn Service - Cut, Edging, Weeding, Blow-Off. Cash donation starting at $25.

Retired veteran. Call Scott at 570-367-1195.

REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE Taking on New Listings.

Need help selling your house?? Call Howard Martin Realty, 410-352-5555.

We also handle year-round rentals.

1 Office/Retail Space & 1 Warehouse Unit available in West Ocean City.

Call 443-497-4200

SERVICES SERVICES

COMMERCIAL COMMERCIAL

House Cleaning by the local company Everclean.

8 years in business.

Affordable rates and reliable service. Discounts available.

443-856-5301

BERLIN: From 225 sq. ft. to 700 sq. ft. office space. From $350 to $1100 per month.

Includes utilities. 120 sq. ft. storage sheds each $95/mo.

Call 410-726-5471.

House and Rental Clean Out, small and local moving, and removal of junk and furniture.

Also, will clean out garages/ sheds. 302-222-7297, 302422-9390.

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.

Classifieds 410-723-6397 www.baysideoc.com www.oceancitytoday.com

CLASSIFIED AD NETWORK Serving the Newspapers of Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia since 1908.

BUSINESS SERVICES Place a business card ad in the Regional Small Display MARYLAND STATEWIDE 2x2/2x4 Advertising Network – Let MDDC help you grow CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING your business! Call TODAY at NETWORK 410-212-0616 to increase your customer base and get AUTOMOBILE DONATIONS results.

DONATE AUTOS, TRUCKS, EDUCATION/CAREER RVs Lutheran Mission Society TRAINING of MD. Compassion Place AIRLINE MECHANIC TRAINministries help local families ING - Get FAA certification to with food, clothing, counsel- fix planes. Financial Aid if qualing Tax deductible. MVA li- ified. Approved for military censed #W1044. benefits. Call Aviation Insti410-636-0123 tute of Maintenance 866-823www.CompassionPlace.org 6729

SERVICESMISCELLANEOUS Increase your customer base and get great results by placing your ads in the MDDC – Classified Advertising network! Call today 410-2120616 Ask for Multi-Media Specialist - Wanda & watch your results grow.

Advertise in MDDC 410-723-6397

Why You SHOULD Advertise with Community Newspapers:

1

CREDIBILITY: Readers deem community newspapers to be a credible source of information – for both news and advertising content.

COST-EFFECTIVE REACH: Community newspapers bring your message to more people at one of the lowest costs per thousand of any media.

TARGETED: Community newspapers target those most interested in local businesses and services – those most likely to respond.

3

IMMEDIACY OF MESSAGE: Community newspapers bring the immediacy of your message and thousands of page views.

STRONG READERSHIP: Unlike regional daily newspapers, community newspaper readership is growing for both news and advertising content.

5

EASE OF USE: 72% of residents prefer reading advertisements in their local paper than online.

LOCAL CONTENT: No other media, including social media sources, can provide the hyper-local news and information easily found as in community newspapers.

7

2

4

6

8

CUSTOMER SERVICE: Your advertising is handled by local account executives who know their communities and will help advise you.

9

CONNECTION TO COMMUNITY: Local newspapers are rated as one of the best means of connecting people and their communities by providing the news & information important to reader’s everyday lives.

10

COMMUNITY SUPPORT: Local newspapers have long supported business efforts in their communities – not only helping to publicize local businesses and organizations but also by championing growth and prosperity.

The Coast’s Leading News Source

#1 Paper In Ocean Pines For News & Information

www.OceanCityToday.com

www.Baysideoc.com

410-723-6397

APRIL 3, 2020

PAGE 39

Ocean City Today

BLINDS & SHADES

ELECTRICAL/CONSTRUCTION

ELECTRICIAN

emerGency

Raymond O’Brocki Jr.

service available

410-251-3153

Master Electrician 443 691 0544 Call or Text

residential & commercial service

additions • interior/exterior lighting Tanner: Owner/Operator lampRobert & light repair & serviceSince 1989 Wall outlets – microwaves • Generator installs

* SALES, SERVICE, AND INSTALLATION * * GAS, WOOD BURNING, AND PELLET * * CUSTOM MANTELS & ENTERTAINMENT CENTERS *

35 Years Experience

BERLIN • OCEAN PINES • OCEAN CITY

No Job Too Small! Free Estimates!

Residential/Commercial/Emergencies!

MD Lic #2268 Worcester Co Lic #M1337

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

Call Turner Today 410-251-3153

FIREPLACES

Same Rate Day, Evening, Weekends

BAYSIDE BUILDERS

COMPLETE HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTOR LICENSED AND FULLY INSURED • FREE ESTIMATES ALL WORK DONE BY OWNER

• Flat Roof Specialist • 302.436.9250

38205 DuPont Blvd.

Selbyville

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME REPAIRS

&

HANDYMAN SERVICES Painting • Wall Covering Carpentry • Tilework Small Jobs Welcomed!

410-726-7944 MHIC#35974

www.wallartisans.com

PAINTING

• Roofing • Siding • Windows • Doors • Custom Homes • Additions • Repairs • Kitchens • Baths • Tile Work • Decks • Custom Inside Trim Work • Hardwood Floors

Cell: 410-713-8599

HOME IMPROVEMENT

SINGER CONTRACTING LLC Doug Singer EST. 1970 Licensed & Insured O.C.#30544 DE#1999201949 Fenwick Island, DE# 04-1489

MHIC#68306

Interior Trim & Finish Hardwood Floors • Car Ports Structural Repair • Regular & Custom Wood Trim Additions Kitchens • Baths • Ceramic Tile Decks • Windows & Doors

410-208-9159

atminc4u@aol.com

HOME IMPROVEMENT

PipeLine

Contracting, LLC Home Improvement Services Company

We take care of your “To Do” list, so you don’t have to!

Home Improvement & Property Management Services • Drywall • Flooring • Tile • Room Remodeling • General Carpentry

• Painting • Painting Touchup • Drywall Repair • Lighting/Ceiling Fan Replacement

• Screen Repair • Plumbing Repair • Property Management • Residential

• Commercial US Veterans Administration Approved Contractor

Servicing Delaware & Maryland Beaches

Call Us Today! (410) 982-8368 • (610) 209-7604 pipelinecontracting.net • info@pipelinecontracting.net

E-mail: singerco45@gmail.com Cell: 410-726-1040 QUALITY WORKMANSHIP AT SENSIBLE PRICES

MDHIC # 107489 • DE # 2014100304 PAHIC#104744 • Insured & Licensed

ROOF REPLACEMENT & REPAIRS

ROOFING

FREE Written Estimates Over 31 Years of Roofing You!

• The BEST Warranties • Locally Owned & Operated • Over 20k Served • GAF Master Elite Certified • 5 Star Skylight Specialists • Financing g Ava.

Shingle Roofs • Metal Roofs • Flat Roofs Family Owned & Operated

FREE ESTIMATES 108 Moss Hill Ln., Salisbury, MD 410-831-3938 32295 Nassau Rd., Lewes, DE 302-200-7663

ROOFING

ROOFING

www.roofers www. ww roofer roof ro roofer offers rs.o .org .org g

410.204.2586 410 204 2586

TRIPLE

CROWN

TUTORING

Ed’s Math Tutoring in your home

Your Roofing, Siding & Home Improvement Specialist Since 1989 ROOFING • SIDING • DURADEK • WINDOWS • GUTTERS

Mike Moesle 410-629-1573, Fax: 410-629-1946 10545 Friendship Road, Unit 3, Berlin, Maryland 21811 mmoesle@shoresidingmd.com www.shoresidingmd.com *Licenced in MD, DE &VA

Has your child been challenged learning math?

Edward Fowler

Experienced grade school math tutor.

302-864-7163

PAGE 40

APRIL 3, 2020

Ocean City Today

LIKE US ON

Neighbors Serving Neighbors - One Home at a Time 410-208-9200 • 800-337-7368 • 11065 Cathell Road, Ocean Pines • 8202 Coastal Highway, Ocean City • 410-723-9450 Licensed in MD, DE

• www.hilemanrealestate.com • e-mail: hilemanre@aol.com

LOTS OF LOTS! BUILD YOUR PERFECT COUNTRY HOME!

QUIET WATERFRONT Canal front lot with private dock, boat lift. Original house removed, along with trees and stumps within the building envelope.

Over 3400 sq.ft. of the building envelope is above the 100 year flood level. Water, Sewer and electric are available.

Build your dream home here!

$249,500

GREAT LOCATION

$79,900 & $99,900

NEW PRICE

Lydia

Two Large Parcels - 1.5 Acres & 2 Acres. Plenty of room for pets, gardening, friends, & family gatherings. Standard Septic System approved for up to 5 Bedrooms.

Very convenient to the Town of Berlin, Ocean City & Assateague Beaches!

IN-TOWN BERLIN PERSONALITY

3BR/3BA on historic tree-lined st. Master BA w/double walk-in shower, free-standing soaking tub. Office, hobby or music room w/separate entrance.

Updated kitchen, SS appliances & fireplace dining area. Deck w/overlooks back yard & patio.

A block to downtown Berlin. $339,900

Rittersbacher REALTOR 443-366-9177 Cell Lydiarealestate @yahoo.com ®

STRIKING WATERFRONT

Cindy

Soaring ceilings and Brazilian Cherry floors.

Four Skylights contribute to the light-filled, open floor plan. 2 Master Suites, and Water views from most rooms. This Kitchen will delight any chef and includes a Cafe Area! Boat dock With 3 lifts.

Crockett REALTOR , GR ®

Licensed in MD

410-430-0587 Cell Cindy@HilemanReal Estate.com

Marisa

Dolbey REALTOR , ASP 410-251-8238 Cell Marisadolbey1 @gmail.com ®

DIRECT WATERFRONT!

Direct River Access from this Sunny & Bright with LOTS of Windows & Skylights! Soak up the Sun on the rear multi-level decks, screened porch or on your private Boat Dock!

New carpet, vinyl & fresh paint. Laminate Flooring in Living, Dining & Master BR. Upstairs Loft, Dual-Zone Heat Pumps, Storage shed in rear, Plus more storage in extra-high crawl space. One Year Warranty included to Buyer. $529,900

from this 2nd floor larger end unit with 2 spacious BRs & 2 Baths. Two balconies, one for perfect sunsets & the other overlooks the pool!! Vinyl Plank flooring in the dining & kitchen areas. Private washer & dryer.

Included is a Deeded Boat Dock and new bulkheading. New Goodman Heat Pump $279,900 installed in 2015.

Hileman OWNER/BROKER GRI & CRS Licensed in MD, DE

443-235-5982 Cell Debbie@Hileman RealEstate.com

Call Cindy Crockett at 410-430-0587

$249,900

PRINCESS ANNE Nice 2 bedroom 1 bath home with easy access to main highway. Home has nice land. Buyers should do their own due diligence to measure property and confirm all information to their satisfaction including but not limited to schools, sizes, tax information. $39,900

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY 2 ocean block buildings. 2-3Br 2Ba units on 78th (upper & Lower) Vacation rental properties and 2-2Br 2Ba units (behind, upper & Lower) year round rentals with parking along side and between buildings.

Units have long solid rental histories.

$699,900

BREATHTAKING BAY VIEWS

Debora E.

On Cul-de-Sac Street backs to open land! 3 BRs, 2.5 Baths with Brand New Roof, Heat Pump, Driveway, Front Door, Gutters, Deck Railings, Range, Microwave & more!

Freshly painted inside & out. Newly renovated Baths including a custom tiled shower!

Relax or entertain in the lower level Family Room.

SAVOR THE EXPANSIVE VIEWS

in every direction from this Mega-Spacious 3 level, 5 Bedroom Waterfront Home with Elevator, 2 Garages, Generator & 2 Master Bedroom Suites. There is definitely a room here for EVERY occasion! Extras include 2 separate Washer/Dryers, central vacuum, security system and surround sound. Sellers are providing a 1 year home warranty and brand new 90' bulkhead for Buyer. Prepare to be $1,295,000 Amazed!!

Lynette

Bridges-Catha CRS, PMN, GREEN, SRES Licensed in MD, DE

443-497-3128 Cell Smilin4shore@comcast.net

Member of: MRIS, Sussex & Coastal Multiple List

MOVE IN READY Bayside waterfront 2BR/2BA w/views of Assateague Island & Ocean w/sunset views of inlet & bay. Never been rented. Downtown OC Location. Walk to the boardwalk, restaurants, shopping or the beach.

Community pool, large sundeck & building elevator. 1 assigned parking spot and a shared parking spot. Views are breath taking. $269,900

$999,000

SPACIOUS WATERFRONT LIVING! 5BR/3BA on wide canal w/dock. Living room w/wood burning fireplace.

Kitchen opens to dining room. Replaced windows & spacious upstairs master suite. Convenient 2nd floor laundry. Back screened porch overlooks canal.

Plenty of room for storage in outside shed. $394,900 Call for your personal tour.

RARE FIND! Direct oceanfront penthouse 2BR/2BA unit. Living room with cathedral ceiling & spiral staircase leads to spacious private balcony w/unobstructed ocean views. 2nd level w/loft area can be used as 3rd BR. Building has been updated $424,900 w/roof & railings.

EXPANSIVE WATERVIEWS

This 3BR/3BA Townhome is a Secret Gem with expansive Waterviews in Ocean Pines... all the way to the Bay and the OC Skyline! And NO CONDO FEES! 2 Master suites, 3 balconies, living room with wet bar, plenty of parking, plus garage that has extra storage.

2 gas fireplaces, tiled floors, whirlpool tub, island kitchen, window seat, central vac, and PRIVACY! New carpeting. $369,900

SPACIOUS CEDAR HOME

Offers multidimensional design allowing for views, light, space and acoustics. Dramatic open entry foyer connects to great room with fireplace & built-ins, dining, contemporary kitchen with breakfast bar, newer quartz counter-tops. 1st level master bedroom & full bath with whirlpool ,separate shower, walk-in closet and walk out deck. 2 more bedrooms, full bath, loft overlooks lower level. Special feature is a private room ideal for office, hobbies, exercise or ideas of your own. This limited edition work was lovingly enjoyed and maintained by $319,900 the original owners.

Tim

Ulrich Associate Broker 410-422-1441 Cell timrealestate9 @gmail.com

Kevin D.

Heselbach REALTOR , RSPS ®

Licensed in MD & DE

410-723-9450 Office kheselbachHRE @gmail.com

Terri

Bradford Associate Broker, GRI

Bethany

Drew

Associate Broker, GRI Licensed in MD, DE

Terri: 410-430-6875 Bethany: 410-430-2602 www.PO2Team.com Powerof2@PO2Team.com

Jackson

St. Jean REALTOR 443-735-7587 Cell Realtorstjean@ @gmail.com ®

Sonia

Zaffiris Associate Broker GRI, CRS

Licensed in MD, DE

443-366-9177 SoniaSEZ@aol.com