04/04/2025 OC Today-Dispatch

Good news bad news: OC tax rate stays same

Year-round homeowners won’t see any change in their tax bills, but those who own commercial property or are nonresident property owners are likely to see some increases as reassessments take effect. — PAGE 4

County: audit schools, not us

The county commissioners say yes to a state audit of the Worcester County Board of Education to ensure that it is safeguarding assets. But when a motion is made to do the same with county government, the commissioners unanimously say no. — PAGE 18, 20

Members give strong endorsement of plans to join TidalHealth system. PAGE 10

BRIAN SHANE/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

ARCH DELUXE

Crews work to renovate the iconic Boardwalk Arch at North Division Street on April 1. The structure is slated for a fresh paint job and updated lettering by the start of the summer season.

Eaastr Br B aster Brunc r ch

Ocean City proposes $181M budget for coming fiscal year

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(April 4, 2025) City officials this week began their review of a $181 million budget for the coming fiscal year.

On Monday, City Manager Terry McGean and Budget Director Jennie Knapp presented the Ocean City Council with the proposed budget for fiscal year 2026. The draft spending plan for all funds totals $181,875,671, with the general fund making up nearly $120 million.

“This year’s challenge is recruiting and retaining a high-quality, full-time workforce, particularly in the police department,” McGean said this week. “Therefore, my direction to the departments for budget preparation was that they should focus on taking care of our existing employees, our existing equipment, and existing facilities.”

The fiscal year 2026 budget proposes to keep the property tax rate at 44.26 cents per $100 of assessed value. The estimated additional revenue brought in from that rate, McGean said, would be used to cover a $5.7 million increase in general fund expenditures.

“Of that increase, 32% is attributable to the cost of the city’s current offer to the Fraternal Order of Police in the ongoing collective bargaining negotiations, and it includes the first year of a threeyear program to equip all full-time officers with a take-home vehicle,” he said. “An additional 21% covers pay increases for all other employees. The other significant increase in the general fund budget is related to the transportation division. The loss of revenue from tram operations and increased cost-share percentages in grant funding due to state cutbacks have increased the contribution from the general fund to the transportation fund by approximately $1.5 million.”

McGean noted the budget also included funding for five new full-time positions, which would cost the city $398,000 in the coming fiscal year. Those positions, he added, were created from issues that arose in various departments over the last 12 months.

“Three positions are related to the previously approved new rental license inspection program and are fully funded by short-term rental license fees, one is an administrative associate for the fire department to handle increased administrative duties associated with the growth of that department, and one is for a shop foreman in the service center,” he explained.

McGean added the city’s efforts to restrict the budget also carried into its payas-you-go projects. He said the capital project list focused on maintaining existing facilities.

“It includes street paving, canal dredging, storm drain cleaning, Boardwalk maintenance, replacing the playground and renovations to city hall and the Worcester Street comfort station,” he said.

City officials noted that property taxes would bring in an additional $5.7 million in revenue, while new parking rates would bring in an additional $900,000 in revenue. That increase, McGean said, would allow the city to reduce its reliance on the fund balance for everything except a playground replacement and a take-home police vehicle program.

“Maintaining a healthy fund balance is crucial in protecting our bond rating,” he said.

McGean noted the city’s fund balance as of June 30, 2024 included $17.9 million in assigned funds and $24.2 million in unassigned funds. However, after money is set aside for various reserves, he said the city was left with a true unassigned fund balance of $2.5 million.

“Often we get comments regarding the large amount of fund balance,” he explained. “But when you look at what is truly unassigned and available, it’s $2.5 million, not $42 million.”

McGean said the city’s budget has grown in the last decade, with public safety being the driving force. He also noted that in the last 20 years, the city has relied less on property tax and service charges and more on room tax and prior year reserves.

“Using prior year reserves to balance the budget is not sustainable,” he said. “As noted, the FY26 budget looks to reverse that trend by increasing user fees and reducing reliance on our prior year reserves, from approximately 4% to 1.5%.”

During a more detailed presentation Monday, Knapp noted that general fund revenues were estimated to increase $8.48 million, but that the use of fund balance would decrease $2.8 million, resulting in a nearly $5.7 million net increase in general fund revenues.

On the expense side, Knapp said funds were budgeted for new positions, step increases and cost-of-living adjustments (COLA). She added that the city would not need to contribute to its other post-employment benefits (OPEB) plan in the coming year, as it was funded at nearly 120%.

Knapp said the spending plan also incorporated a step increase and 8% COLA for the police union, as well as a take-home vehicle program. That offer, she said, would have a total impact of $1.8 million on the city’s general fund.

Knapp on Monday also highlighted the city’s six enterprise funds, three of which would require a general fund contribution in the coming year. The city will make a $320,159 general fund contribution to the airport fund, a $2.4 million contribution to the convention center fund, and a $2.6 million contribution to the transportation fund.

Officials met over the course of the week to review spending plans for each of the city’s departments. The fiscal year 2026 budget takes effect July 1.

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Flat tax rate adds $5.7M in revenue for OC

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(April 4, 2025) Officials are proposing to maintain Ocean City’s property tax rate for the coming fiscal year, resulting in additional revenue of $5.7 million.

On Monday, City Manager Terry McGean and Budget Director Jennie Knapp presented the mayor and City Council with the proposed budget for fiscal year 2026.

The spending plan, totaling $181,875,671, includes a property tax rate of 44.26 cents per $100 of assessed value, or the same property tax rate set the year prior.

“There’s an additional $5.7 million generated by setting the tax rate at .4426,” Knapp said this week. “And one penny on the tax rate is $1,220,969.”

In February, the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) notified the state’s counties and municipalities of the tax rate that would be needed for each jurisdiction to produce the same revenue as the year prior.

This rate, known as the constant yield rate, is based on the new assessed value of taxable properties in a jurisdiction.

As assessments rise, for example, the tax rate should drop so that the revenue derived from the property tax stays the same.

That appeared to be the case for the Town of Ocean City heading into this year’s budget deliberations, as the municipality saw its assessable real property base increase from $10.8 billion to $12.1 billion.

While resort properties were not

reassessed for this year, increases from the most recent assessment are phased in over a three-year period.

“FY26 is year two of a three-year assessment cycle,” Knapp told the council on Monday. “In year one, all property except some commercial property south of 25th Street is reassessed, and then those increases are phased in over three years. At year two, commercial property south of 25th is reassessed, and then we get the phase-in from year one. And then in year three, there are no assessments, and it’s the final year for the phase-in.”

If the city were to keep property tax revenues unchanged, the constant yield rate in the coming fiscal year would be set at 39.58 cents per $100 dollars of assessed value, lower than the city’s current tax rate of 44.26

cents.

However, staff this week said they were proposing to maintain the current tax rate.

“The assessments increased 11.8% for FY26,” Knapp said. “Revenue from real property taxes in FY25 was $48 million. And in FY26, we anticipate that to be $54 million.”

Knapp said that property taxes are paid by resident property owners, non-resident property owners and commercial property owners. However, she noted that primary residents are insulated by the Homestead Property Tax Credit, which limits the increase in taxable assessments each year to a fixed percentage.

In Ocean City, for example, the Homestead cap is set at 0%.

“So the assessment portion of the principal residence of a property owner does not grow,” she explained. “The only time there would be a tax increase is if you raise the tax rate. Since we’re not doing that this year, then the tax bill for resident property owners should be the same as it was last year.”

For second homeowners, the taxes owed will increase, however, due to rising land values. For example, a non-resident property owner with a bayfront residence will see a property assessment increase from $405,233 as of July 2024 to $433,567 in July 2025, according to the most recent reassessment. The property’s annual city tax bill will increase under the same tax rate from $1,793 last year t0 $1,918 this year, or $125.

In addition to property tax rates, Knapp also highlighted the proposed rate for personal and corporation property tax, which will remain at $1.11, or two-and-a-half times the property tax rate.

She said the fiscal year budget also proposes: a $25,000 decrease in highway user tax revenue; a $31,500 decrease in casino revenue; a $7,000 jump in income tax revenue; a $650,000 increase in admissions tax revenue; and a $300,000 decrease in room tax revenue.

Hospital board signs off on proposed merger

By Brian Shane Staff Writer

(April 4, 2025) Board members of the Atlantic General Hospital Corporation have voted overwhelmingly to proceed with their planned merger with TidalHealth.

Out of 77 members present in person or by proxy for the March 27 meeting, there were 72 votes in favor of approving the merger transaction, and five votes in opposition, according to Don Owrey, chief executive officer of AGH.

Both parties are in the process of providing the necessary notices and disclosures to the various regulatory agencies ahead of the expected May 1 start of their agreement.

The TidalHealth corporate board still must also approve the transaction, a vote that was slated to occur at a April 3 board meeting, according to spokesman

Roger Follebout.

Five weeks ago, TidalHealth provided formal written notice to the state of Maryland, which is required by law at least 30 days ahead of a merger date, according to Tracey DeShields, the director for policy development and external affairs at the Maryland Health Care Commission (MHCC).

The Feb. 28 letter also sets May 1 as the date in which TidalHealth would become the sole member of the AGH corporation. Both parties had signed a letter of intent to merge Dec. 12.

“The parties have determined that it is in the best interests of their respective communities to affiliate and that the integration of AGHC into the TidalHealth system will increase the availability of opportunities for, and improves access to, quality healthcare services in the geographic area served

by both parties,” wrote TidalHealth’s attorney Molly Ferraioli in the letter to the MHCC.

As a part of the merger, another big change may be coming in the near future to the Berlin hospital: its name.

In TidalHealth’s letter to the MHCC, it’s mentioned how the name of Atlantic General Hospital “will change within a year of the [merger] and they will notify the Commission when such change occurs.”

TidalHealth employes 5,500 people and operates in 35 locations across eight counties on Delmarva. The former Peninsula Health System and its flagship Peninsula Regional Medical Center (PRMC) in downtown Salisbury became TidalHealth in 2020 after absorbing Nanticoke Memorial Hospital

in Seaford, Del., and McCready Memorial Hospital in Crisfield.

Ahead of the merger, AGH now employs 885 people, including a medical staff of over 270 providers at 20 locations in Worcester and Sussex counties, including doctors’ offices, outpatient facilities, and the original Berlin hospital, according to Owrey.

However, leadership from both TidalHealth and AGH have stressed that no job cuts are planned, and that all hospital system employees are needed in an area where many medical specialties are in short supply.

“We need more workers, not fewer,” Owrey said in a Feb. 24 interview. “I say it somewhat jokingly, but if the specialty ends in ‘-ology,’ there’s a need for those services.”

By Brian Shane Staff Writer

(April 4, 2025) Worcester County’s outgoing school superintendent says he’s considering a run for a seat on the county’s Board of Commissioners.

Lou Taylor, superintendent of Worcester County Public Schools, revealed his potential post-career plans in an interview March 27 on radio station WOCM 98.1-FM, along with school board President Todd Ferrante.

After talking through his decision to retire after a 41-year career in public schools, Ocean 98 morning show host David “Bulldog” Rothner asked Taylor what’s next. “Are you gonna take any time off?” he said.

Taylor said he does plan to take the summer off but would still be available to help the school system if they need him.

“I need to recharge,” he told Bulldog. “I need to feel better physically, mentally. I need to understand what life is about besides being in schools, because that’s all I’ve done.”

Show co-host Bill “The Dude” Todd followed up about Taylor’s future plans. “I’ve heard a rumor through the rumor mill,” he said, “that you might have some higher aspirations down the road here.”

Taylor clicked his tongue. “Well, I’m considering,” he said. “That rumor is kind of true, because I have put it out there somewhat. If I can get rested and I can get rejuvenated, possibly running for District 6 county commissioner. All the stars have to line up.”

“I’m getting a lot of people patting me on the back, saying, ‘go for it, Lou’ right now. But nobody who runs never met a voter who didn’t vote for you until they go in the booth,” he added.

Adjacent to the Delaware state line,

District 6 is located at the northernmost end of the county and includes the Bishopville area and parts of Ocean Pines.

Jim Bunting has served as the District 6 commissioner since 2010. He served as president from 2014 to 2019. Bunting, who turns 74 next week, told OC Today-Dispatch on Tuesday that he is “99 percent certain” he won’t run again in the 2026 election.

Taylor in his radio interview went on to say that he had other issues of concern, including public safety, continuity in our government, and how to work well with the Board of Education. He also said he’s “adamantly opposed” to the proposed farm of wind turbines off the coast of Ocean City.

Ferrante then chimed in. “As somebody who works hand in hand with him, he’s not going to let any grass grow underneath him. He’s a Type A personality. He’s not going to sit home and just do nothing,” he said.

Taylor closed by thanking the radio hosts for their ongoing support for him, and for the school system.

“I’m hoping if I decide to enter the political field, that I will do the right things, and I can get your support moving forward,” he said. “Once I retire and everything, and it’s out there that I do it, if I do it, I look forward to you guys having me on.”

No candidates have officially filed yet to run for any of the seven County Commissioner seats in the 2026 election. In other county races, incumbents Sheriff Matt Crisafulli and Clerk of Circuit Court Susan Braniecki have filed for reelection, while newcomer Kathy Cater is the only candidate who has filed to run for school board.

School board members are now taking applications for a new superintendent and hope to name Taylor’s replacement by May.

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Watermen bow out of DNR relief fund negotiations

By Brian Shane Staff Writer

(April 4, 2025) Commercial fishermen, state environmental officials and a wind farm developer are at loggerheads over how much direct financial relief fishermen should get if they lose West Ocean City’s fish houses to a proposed wind farm maintenance facility.

County Administrator Weston Young harshly criticized efforts put forth by the state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) so far in the process, calling it “extremely frustrating.”

“If you ask DNR, they don’t have a plan. There’s no plan,” he said at Tuesday’s meeting of the County Commissioners. “It’s full speed ahead with US Wind’s operations and maintenance facility on top of where the two fish houses are. There’s no plan right now to help the commercial fisherman.

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“So, our conversations with DNR, frankly, have been a waste of time,” Young added, “because they don’t seem to want to touch that. They keep trying to look to the county to solve that for them – and we’re not the ones creating the problem.”

DNR and developer US Wind last summer signed a letter of intent to develop a compensation package, called a “Fishing Community Resilience Fund,” for those in the industry who would be hurt by the construction of a proposed wind farm located about 11 miles off the Atlantic coast. This agreement is for fishermen who stand to lose fishing grounds, and is unrelated to the West Ocean City fishing houses.

There have been two negotiation meetings, on Feb. 21 and March 28, according to Young. Concerns shared in the first meeting included how ratepayers would be impacted by the payout to watermen, transferability of the agreement to any new leaseholders, inquiries with US Wind about alternate sites, and general environmental impacts, according to a March 7 email between DNR and county officials that Young provided to OC Today-Dispatch.

Parties set a May 13 deadline to agree upon final terms for a compensation package, which would be recorded in a memorandum of understanding, according to a letter from DNR Secretary Josh Kurtz to county officials. Young provided OC Today-Dispatch with a copy of the Jan. 13 letter.

However, without an agreement, payment to watermen would default to an earlier agreement set by federal officials with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, or BOEM. The compensation proposed by BOEM “under-represented the impacts to

Talks continuing with US Wind

fishing and fishing operations,” Kurtz writes.

Young said the county is emphasizing to DNR that US Wind is proposing to disappear the two properties where catches are landed by fishermen, Southern Connection Seafood and Martin’s Fish House, and that “any sort of memorandum should have the fish house replaced.”

“We have two fish houses now, which allows competition,” Young said Tuesday. “Going down to one fish house creates a monopoly, which is not in the best interest of the commercial fishermen.”

It’s also possible that commercial fishermen would entertain a cooperative model, where all anglers have some ownership and none can be denied, Young added.

DNR stated in the email that the agency finds it “reasonable to assume” that US Wind will likely cover the cost for paying fishermen, and that it would be paid for out of revenues from selling electricity, offshore renewable energy credits, federal tax credits, or some combination.

When reached for comment about Young’s opinion that DNR had “no plan,” spokesman Gregg Bortz said the agency has been in discussions with U.S. Wind, Worcester County, and commercial fishermen since September regarding mitigation around the fisheries in question.

“There have also been two public meetings during the previous six months to hear the community’s concerns on this issue as we develop the best plan forward,” he said in a statement. “The department will be announcing a final, virtual public meeting for the commercial fishing community in the coming weeks.”

As for US Wind’s input, Young said the developer addressed in the March 28 conference how they’d explored other possible locations around Ocean City for the operation and maintenance facility but deemed those areas too shallow to handle boat traffic.

“It’s because it gets dredged,” Young said, bristling. “It’s a bit of a cop-out to say you can’t look anywhere else because the water’s too shallow. You dredge it. If [the county] did not dredge everything – the inlet,

the harbor – all of that would be shallow water.”

When reached for comment, US Wind said it plans on a “substantial investment” in the West Ocean City harbor to directly benefit” the commercial fishing industry and provide funds for commercial and charter fishermen.

“While conversations are ongoing, we are hopeful that everyone will agree to work together,” said Nancy Sopko, US Wind’s vice president of external affairs, in a statement to OC Today-Dispatch. “US Wind is prepared to invest in the harbor and provide some of the improvements that have been needed for a long time.”

When asked whether there was a dollar amount attached to compensating watermen, US Wind declined to elaborate.

In the meantime, commercial fishermen have pulled out of talks. The Waterman’s Association of Worcester County in February notified DNR in writing that they were through negotiating. Association president Sonny Gwin in his Feb. 25 letter cited several reasons for this, including being part of a lawsuit against BOEM, and that the permitting process for US Wind “has been conducted illegally and in bad faith.”

“In our view, the only correct mitigation for the US Wind project is its complete cessation. No other actions can adequately address the potential for widespread environmental and economic devastation that this project poses,” Gwin wrote. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting the marine environment and the livelihoods of the watermen who depend on it.”

Jeanene Gwin, who serves as the association vice-president, noted how the MOU needed finalization by midMay, while the groundbreaking for any US Wind work won’t start for three more years.

“They were rushing it through,” she said by phone Wednesday. “Basically, you feel like you’re getting railroaded in the whole situation. The more we look into the, the more we see that if we sign something, we give away our soul to the devil. I don’t know what the hurry is to slide everything in as quickly as possible.”

BRIAN SHANE/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

The entrance to the West Ocean City commercial harbor is pictured.

OC officials consider zoning changes, development rules

Comprehensive plan review explores housing, parking, and economic strategies

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(April 4, 2025) Discussions on pyramidal zoning and nonconformity highlighted a joint session held this week to review Ocean City’s comprehensive plan.

As the city looks to update its planning document later this year, the mayor and Ocean City Council met with members of the Ocean City Planning Commission on Tuesday to review potential changes. City Planner Bill Neville said the goal is to identify challenges within the community and ways to address them.

“At this point, we just want to make sure that we’re hitting the hot buttons, if you will, to make sure our plan represents the next 10 years,” he told the two bodies.

Over the last year, city staff and planning commission members have been reviewing the town’s comprehensive plan as part of a 10-year update. And on Tuesday, the commission presented its changes and additions to city officials for further discussion and review.

Planning and Community Development Director George Bendler said offshore wind energy topped the list of changes, as several chapters address what impact an offshore wind project could have on the community.

Neville added that the comprehensive plan also addressed the redevelopment process and the desire to protect open space and commercial properties. Officials noted pyramidal zoning – which allows for more restrictive uses in less restrictive zoning districts – had resulted in an uptick in residential development within commercial areas.

“I think pyramidal zoning creates that conflict between residential and commercial users,” Commissioner

Palmer Gillis said.

City staff noted that commission members had suggested a conditional use approval for residential developments built in the LC-1 zoning district. Gillis said the conditional use requirement allowed more scrutiny to a project and provided for public input.

“In my opinion, pyramidal zoning is too loose,” he said. “This will add a layer of protection to protect commercial use.”

While agreeing something should be done to protect commercial areas, council members encouraged commission members to come up with a recommendation that would also incentivize mixed-use development.

“Maybe we can make it more attractive or universally compatible,” Mayor Rick Meehan said.

City staff also highlighted the former Sun & Surf Cinema lot in north Ocean City, which had recently been converted into a condominium development. They said the commission also suggested that parcels converted from commercial use to residential use be rezoned.

“The comprehensive plan can recommend that zoning be changed to residential because development has essentially assured that that’s the case …,” Neville said. “That’s the question. Should we head down that path or not?”

In terms of land use, officials also discussed parking. While commission members continue to encourage adequate parking for residential uses, they questioned if there could be some parking reduction for commercial properties.

The discussion then dovetailed into nonconformity, and its impact on the city. While Meehan said the intent of nonconformity was to encourage redevelopment, he and other officials questioned if it should be reduced.

“I think nonconformity has its place,” Bendler said. “But it needs a refresh, some guardrails, and maybe

Ocean City to revise comp plan

some incentives.”

Officials also highlighted changes to the plan’s environmental, community facilities and water resource chapters, as well as additions to the plan’s transportation chapter. Gillis noted the demand for better biking infrastructure, while Commissioner Joe Wilson – Ocean City Development Corporation’s board president – updated the council on the organization’s fee-in-lieu-of-parking (FILOP) concept for the downtown area.

He noted that downtown property owners were not willing to give up their parking nonconformity to implement a FILOP program.

“It seemed like it was a project we were spinning our wheels on …,” he said. “But I like having it in the plan, so we can continue to discuss it.”

Officials this week also proposed the expansion of Ocean City Development Corporation’s design review to include properties fronting the Boardwalk. Wilson said he wanted the council’s input before the organization put time, and money, into developing new guidelines.

“So, before we go out and try to procure a grant for something like that, I just wanted to see what the appetite is from the council for us to pursue that,” he said.

After further discussion, the coun-

cil agreed to have the organization come back with a presentation of what could be changed.

“I think it’s a worthwhile discussion,” Councilman John Gehrig said.

The comprehensive plan presented to the council this week also recognizes economic development changes, and the city’s efforts to promote special events and youth sports tourism.

Officials also noted changes to the plan’s housing chapter, which now includes a state requirement for an affordable housing analysis and condominium reserve studies, a statewide emphasis on middle-density housing units and accessory dwelling units, and the protection of single-family neighborhoods, among other things.

Following a lengthy conversation on the city’s comprehensive plan update, officials agreed to hold a work session in the coming weeks to revisit some of the implementation items discussed at Tuesday’s meeting.

“If we get the list and prioritize it, we are all working on what we think is important,” Council President Matt James said.

The plan will also be posed online and shared with various stakeholders for further review. Bendler said the city will hold a public hearing in July, with adoption set for this fall.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ALBERT WALKER

The first foal of the year has been born on Assateague Island to mare Josie Rue. The chestnut filly, pictured, was first seen by photographers on the north end of the national seashore last week.

Commissioner’s internal audit motion fails

By Brian Shane Staff Writer

(April 4, 2025) One Worcester County commissioner’s frustration with an uncompleted request for public information triggered a demand that his peers green-light an audit of Worcester County’s entire financial operation.

County staffers countered by saying they’ve been swamped amid a busy budget season and are moving as fast as they can to provide the public information requested.

“We need an external audit for the finance department,” Commissioner Chip Bertino said Tuesday, “because, here again, is another situation where the commissioners ask for information, and it is not provided. We have made it very clear at the last meeting that we wanted to provide information on the website, at least, of what is going on – and we’ve been ignored. And it’s not here.”

The conflict started to bubble up last month when the commissioners at their March 18 meeting discussed the possibility an increase to county water and sewer rates – a tough call precipitated by years of financial mismanagement that left county sewerage operations more than $9 million in the red.

The operational deficit, affecting seven of the county’s 11 independent

sanitary sewer districts, was discovered last fall by county leadership. Now, new revenue is needed to cover a system-wide operating deficit for the current fiscal year and beyond, and one solution would be to increase user rates.

Irked that his District 5 constituents in Ocean Pines might pay more than their fair share to fix the problem, Bertino asked his fellow commissioners to cosign on sending an informational letter to all ratepayers.

“We have a responsibility to make clear to the public,” he said, “this is not their fault, at all.”

Bertino wanted the notice to include nitty-gritty details like perhousehold rate increase, rate percentage increases over the current year and, dollar-for-dollar, an explanation of where the new revenue would go. County staffers said it could be as long as 30 pages.

However, the commissioners rejected Bertino’s motion to mail information to all 18,000 ratepayers and instead agreed to post the same information for free to the county’s website. By Tuesday, two weeks had passed since Bertino sought the water rate information. “Where’s that document?” he asked pointedly. “It was supposed to be here before the commissioners at this meeting. Why wasn’t it?”

Deputy Chief Administrative Officer

Candace Savage explained that the Treasurer’s Office had only just provided the 16-page report Monday afternoon, and it was under review. Bertino wasn’t having it.

“We now have a 16-page document that none of the commissioners have had a chance to read,” he said, “although it was supposed to be in our hands today, so that it could be put up on the website. Hasn’t been done. Yet again, it draws into question what our finance department is doing.”

Bertino moved for an external audit to be conducted on the finance department. The reason, he said, was to determine if the procedures of the county code are being followed, and to ensure that funding accounts are adequate and accurately funded. He wanted the results in 60 to 90 days.

“Given the fact that we’re seeing problems with the enterprise fund, it’s only fair to have a concern about the entire finance department,” he said. “I’m hoping that it comes back with a clean bill of health. We had a $9.2 million situation. Whatever we pay for an audit should include a review of the entire operation, because we don’t know what we don’t know.”

Chief Administrative Officer Weston Young said an audit like Bertino described could have a $25,000 price tag, clarifying that a separate internal controls audit was planned for the fu-

ture as part of a new audit bid process.

Others pushed back. Commissioner Eric Fiori (District 3, Sinepuxent) questioned why Bertino was pushing for an audit now after years of involvement without raising concerns.

“Why today are we jumping in with audits and all this? Coming down on our finance department without even giving them a chance to correct the problem?” he said.

Fiori continued to pepper Bertino with questions. Bertino didn’t take the bait.

“I am not a witness in a trial, Commissioner Fiori. The motion is on the floor. It has been seconded. That’s all that’s on the table,” he said.

With tempers flared on the dais, the commissioners called up Finance Officer Phil Thompson for some clarity. Thompson apologized for the delay in document delivery but did not mince words as to why.

“We have been overly burdened this year with all of the changes with regards to the enterprise funds – numerous different rate scenarios, many different versions of the budget have transpired over the last two and a half, three months,” he told the board.

Raising his voice, Bertino chided Thompson.

“The motion was to have it at this meeting,” he said. “I heard what you

See OFFICIALS Page 20

WEST OCEAN CITY

Worcester to request school audit

By Brian Shane Staff Writer

(April 4, 2025) Worcester County officials say they will formally request that the county’s Board of Education be audited by the State of Maryland.

The legislative audit request was made by Commissioner Caryn Abbott (District 7, Southern) during Tuesday’s county commissioners meeting.

“I’m asking us to reconsider that and send a letter,” she said. “Apparently we’re in the window where we can make that request.” Her motion to send that letter was approved unanimously.

A letter directed to the state’s Department of Legislative Services will be drafted and go out by early next week, county spokeswoman Kim Moses said.

The state’s Office of Legislative Audits conducts audits of school boards every six years, the objective of which is to evaluate whether a school system’s accounting procedures are efficient and are safeguarding assets.

The last time the results of a Worcester County Public Schools (WCPS) audit were released was 2017 – after which point, WCPS got the green light to delay its next audit, which Abbott also mentioned in the meeting.

The public school system was exempted from an audit during the 2017-2022 window because the audit law allows school systems to ask for a

free pass if the county’s governing body, the school board, and its state legislators all make the request in writing.

A school system can’t be exempt for two consecutive audits, the law also says, meaning Worcester County schools would be eligible again at some point in the current 2023 to 2028 cycle.

“I just think it’s prudent to do it,” Abbott said in an interview. “I’m not sure why (an exemption) was asked for and given. It’s an independent and objective review, and that doesn’t hurt, it only helps. I thought it would be a good tool for the schools and the taxpayers, especially with a new superintendent coming in.”

The last two WCPS audits, from 2010 and 2017, are publicly available online. The 2010 audit mentioned several recommendations to “enhance controls and to implement best practices” in the areas of procurement, transportation, food services, facilities, and inventory.

WCPS at the time was cited for a failure to bid certain construction contracts, contrary to state law governing procurements by local boards of education.

In the 2017 audit, the state noted how WCPS had not established processes to monitor employees who processed vendor invoices and payroll. That audit also found security risks in computer networks, and that

transportation costs were “excessive” because bus contractors were paid more than necessary for bus purchase reimbursement and fuel costs.

Even before the 2017 audit results were released in June 2017, WCPS Chief Financial Officer Vince Tolbert in September 2016 was asking the school board to request a formal audit waiver.

Tolbert said it could save school system employees 1,200 hours in audit assistance, bringing their focus back to primary tasks. “Not unless you want to hire two or three more accountants, we don’t have the huge staff,” Tolbert said, according to a Sept. 22, 2016, report from the Maryland Coast Dispatch.

Board members at that meeting agreed that receiving the waiver would be validation that the school system has an upstanding financial record, and the motion had support from then-superintendent Jerry Wilson.

School audits can make a major impact. Prince George’s County Public Schools was found in audit results published March 25 to have accidentally paid a substitute teacher more than $7 million in 2022, the result of human error in payroll software.

“That’s the kind of stuff that’s found in the legislative audit,” Abbott said. “We always have to be improving our system with checks and balances. It’s nothing personal; it’s just being good stewards of taxpayers’ dollars.”

motion

Continued from Page 18

said, and I respectfully disagree. If this body asks for something and we had a timeline, which we did, then there is no excuse.”

Commission President Ted Elder (District 4, Western) asked Thompson what an audit would do to finance staffers’ morale during budget time. Thompson replied that having an auditor in his department would be “impossible,” he said, adding, “it’s been a challenging budget cycle in general.”

Commissioner Joe Mitrecic pointed out, with Thompson’s input, that annual financial audits have never revealed significant issues and questioned the need for additional taxpayer-funded scrutiny. He also said many departments could fairly share the blame for the years-long financial mistakes.

“I think we’re reactive, to everything, from the top-down,” said Mitrecic (District 7, Ocean City). “I’m tired of being reactive. I’m tired of being caught flat-footed. It’s time to be proactive. So, if you want to spend the money on an audit, go ahead. But I don’t think you’re going to learn anything from it that we don’t already know.”

Elder also said the issues Bertino

brought up have been rectified, “if not all of them.”

“We’re kind of right in the middle of correcting things as we go along,” said Elder. “I can’t see that switching horses in the middle of the stream’s gonna be much good. I think we need to get to the other side first, and go over what we need the auditors to do. When we get a yearly audit, we need to have it all corrected at that time.”

Ultimately, the commissioners rejected Bertino’s motion for an audit in a 2-5 vote, and as of Wednesday, the information Bertino requested has not been shared with him nor has it appeared on the county’s website yet.

Bertino later said his audit request was more spontaneous than premeditated, though he admitted it was topof-mind after speaking with constituents in Ocean Pines who raised the question of an audit in the wake of the water rate debate.

“It triggered me to realize that things are being kept from us,” he said Wednesday. “As a result, I believed it was the right time to ask for an audit.”

Up next, the commissioners are scheduled to host a 6 p.m. public budget hearing on May 6 at the county’s Government Center in Snow Hill.

The Caine Woods Community Association held its first-ever Spring Fling community event, bringing together members of the association and encouraging new membership. The event was held March 27 at Vista Rooftop inside the Fenwick Inn in Ocean City. Top left, from left, Bob Lula, Joan DeMarco and Maryann Lula. Top right are Matt Stone, Lloyd Martin and Monica Martin. Above middle are Dave Freebury and Russell Maykrantz. Above right are Mary Ann LeMay and Linda Tomasini. Above left, Jim Mulligan, Rick Meehan and Tony Butta. Above right are Irene Hansen and Peggy Cilento.

PHOTOS BY BRIAN SHANE/OC-TODAY DISPATCHH CAINE WOODS GATHERING

Shore sheriffs stand against immigration bill

Proposed legislation stops local police from partnering with federal ICE officials

By Brian Shane Staff Writer

(April 4, 2025) Lower Shore sheriffs and legislators showed up in Annapolis last week to oppose proposed legislation that would strip sheriffs of their ability to forge voluntary working agreements with federal immigration authorities.

At issue is that House Bill 1222 would prevent local police from entering into any immigration enforcement agreements with the federal government, and that agencies with such agreements in place must give them up by July 1.

It also requires members of law enforcement, if requested by federal immigration authorities, to provide 48 hours’ notice before releasing someone who’s both the subject of an active immigration detainer request and has been convicted of a violent crime.

The bill has cleared the House of Delegates and is now under consideration by the Senate.

“That’s a very dangerous slope, when legislation starts telling law enforcement who they can and cannot communicate with,” Worcester County Sheriff Matt Crisafulli said March 28 in a radio interview with WGMD-FM.

Crisafulli made an appearance outside the Maryland State House on March 27 alongside Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis and Somerset County Sheriff Ronnie Howard, as well as local lawmakers Sen. Mary Beth Carozza (R-38) and Del. Wayne Hartman (R-38C).

“We’re very hopeful that this will not pass,” Crisafulli told WGMD. “At

the end of the day, if something like this were to pass – and I’m just going to say this theoretically – I’m not going to let Annapolis tell me who I can work with, as far as law enforcement partners to keep my community safe.”

Crisafulli also said he recognized the outcry from those who fear cops would stop people on the street and inquire about their immigration status. Not so, Crisafulli said.

“That’s illegal. That’s a huge civil rights violation,” he said, adding this program “should not place fear in a community, it should make a community feel safe.”

President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order on Jan. 20 requiring ICE to authorize state and local police to pursue such partnerships. Because it’s an authority extended under section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, these deals are known as 287(g) Agreements.

Bill sponsor Del. Nicole Williams (D-22, Prince George’s) said her legislation would put a stop to the agreements, which she said are active among 150 jurisdictions in the U.S., including six here in Maryland.

In a hearing before a Senate committee on March 27, Del. Williams testified that 287(g) deals allow police officers to be deputized for immigration-related functions “despite being offered minimal training or guidance to do so.”

“The 287(g) program is a mechanism through which certain communities feel terrorized, to be honest with you, and feel as though they are unable to have a conversation with law enforcement,” she told the committee.

Williams also said while her bill ends formal ICE agreements, it doesn’t stop local police from coop-

erating broadly in their communities with federal immigration officers. She also said while ICE may provide training and equipment and oversight, the agency doesn’t offer any reimbursement for the manhours or overtime incurred by the local police.

“Ending these agreements within our state makes moral sense when we consider the inconsistencies with the values that we hold dear and our history of protecting our immigrant communities,” she said. “Standing up for the most marginalized in our society is part of who we are as Marylanders. It only makes sense to take this step forward.”

Carozza says she opposes the measure because it undermines public safety and favors arrangements

that allow local police to perform specific and narrow immigration functions under the agency’s direction and oversight.

“This is a well-documented, proven process that has existed under five different presidential administrations,” Carozza said in a statement. “Federal law enforcement already has jurisdiction over immigration. The 287(g) program simply allows resources to be shared efficiently and productively among the various levels of law enforcement, especially with our local law enforcement who are on the front lines in protecting our home communities.”

Worcester County no longer has an active agreement in place with ICE, but it did for more than 20 years. That program brought millions in revenue from the federal government to subsidize jail operations.

But after passing the Dignity Not Detention Act in 2021, the Maryland General Assembly – which had to override a veto from Gov. Larry Hogan – stripped Worcester County of its ability to host ICE detainees. The law prohibits county detention centers from entering into agreements to house immigration detainees, and mandated all such agreements end by October 2022.

It forced Worcester County to find other ways to source about $5 million in annual revenue generated by holding ICE detainees.

Since 2023, the jail has partnered with the U.S. Marshal’s Service in a detainee program that in fiscal year 2024 generated almost $600,000 in revenue. The jail’s current 12-month contract with the Marshal’s Service, offering $100 per inmate per day, expires May 31.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Appearing in Annapolis March 27 to protest legislation that curbs how local police work with federal immigration officers were, from left, Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis, Worcester County Sheriff Matt Crisafulli, Del. Wayne Hartman, Sen. Mary Beth Carozza, and Somerset County Sheriff Ronnie Howard.

Agency seeks input on West OC development

The Corps issued a public notice on March 31 seeking feedback on the project’s effects on the immediate area, which includes farm land, non-tidal wetlands and ditches to Mud Creek.

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer

(April 4, 2025) The proposed new shopping center to be anchored by a Giant supermarket continues to move through the approval process, and now awaits the Baltimore District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ assessment of its environmental impact.

To that end, the Corps is seeking comment from the public and federal, state, and local agencies and officials.

The Worcester County Commissioners in the fall of 2023 approved site plans for the shopping center to be located at the intersection of Route 50 and Route 589.

As designed, the shopping center is expected to be around 120,561 square feet, with Giant occupying about half the space.

The notice describes the scope of the work as “to permanently impact approximately 37,513 square feet (0.86 acre) of palustrine emergent (PEM) nontidal wetlands for a mixeduse development and approximately 208 linear feet (2,107 square feet) of an agricultural ditch for construction of utilities and road crossings.”

The Corps said the applicant had reviewed alternative designs and that it will collaborate with the applicant in an attempt to minimize environmental issues.

One step already agreed to by the developer is to preserve wetlands, restore any disturbed wetlands restoration or buy restoration credits from an approved mitigation bank. The latter option’s goal is to replace any lost wetlands on a one-to-one basis.

This means that for every acre of wetlands affected, an acre elsewhere will be protected or restored.

The Corps’ evaluation of possible impacts on wildlife found that the center could have a negative effect on the endangered tricolored bat and the threatened monarch butterfly.

The document released by the Corps last week “serves as a request to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for any additional information on whether any listed or proposed to be listed endangered or threatened species or critical habitat may be present in the area which would be affected by the proposed activity.”

The organization will accept comments from the public, federal, state, and local agencies, Native American tribes, and other interested parties to consider the shopping center’s potential impacts on endangered species, historic properties, water quality, and other environmental effects. The Corps will use this feedback to determine whether to issue, modify, condition, or deny a per-

mit for the proposed development and consider the need for a public hearing.

The notice confirms that the Baltimore District will receive written comments on the proposed work until April 30. Comments must be submitted electronically through the Regulatory Request System (RRS) at https://rrs.usace.army.mil/rrs or to Jaclyn Kelleher at jaclyn.k.kelleher@usace.army.mil.

Participants can also write comments to the Commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, Attention: Jaclyn Kelleher, 218 Washington Street, Suite 304, Easton, MD 21601. The submissions must include the permit application number NAB-2024-60730-M53.

The Giant will be situated inside the new retail shopping complex by the Capano Management Company, referred to as the Coastal Square Shopping Center. The mixed-use development project is to include a grocery store, apartments, and retail buildings.

Synthetic bocce courts approved for OP yacht club

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer

(April 4, 2025) Two new bocce ball courts are coming to Ocean Pines this spring for a cost that community officials claim will pay for itself within seven years.

At an Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors meeting last week, the governing body approved proceeding with a staff recommendation of $50,692 to an outside contractor, Southwest Greens Delaware Valley, to build two bocce courts at the Yacht Club, where a current play area currently sits. The project is expected to be completed in May. OPA General Manager John Viola said that with registration, the initiative should yield a return on investment within seven years.

“With memberships, a projection of 100 members…they will break even somewhere around the sixth year, the seventh year,” Viola said.

The general manager added that the courts could pay for themselves even sooner because of ancillary income from bocce members' food and beverage purchases.

“I will update over the years on what we believe, working with the food and beverage, what we believe is the ancillary income from having [the courts] at the Yacht Club and what [bocce players] purchase at the Yacht Club,” he said. “If we factored that in, [return on investment] would probably only be around two years.”

Southwest Greens Delaware Valley will complete the installation process in time for the summer season. The association weighed the pros and cons of creating courts with either synthetic or natural materials. Officials opted to build synthetic bocce spaces, as they require less maintenance than their natural counterparts.

“The two courts we are proposing to build are synthetic,” said Mike Galello, the Ocean Pines bocce ball club director. “We are doing it right, so we have 10 years on this court before it even needs maintenance. That’s the advantage of going synthetic versus natural. Natural, you need constant maintenance like you need to roll it. Synthetic is where we need to be.”

Viola says the soon-to-be-installed play areas will be standard, professional, club-sized courts.

Galello formed an Ocean Pines Bocce Ball Club earlier this year with an inaugural club meeting held in January. Galello envisioned the bocce league as a casual game to be enjoyed by anyone.

“[Bocce] is perfect for people who may have graduated from more physically demanding sports but still want to stay active and engaged,” he added in the release. “This is a game for everyone. It’s fun, strategic, and social – and I think it’s something the Ocean Pines community will enjoy.”

Eastern Shore

CONTEST WINNERS

The Ocean City Berlin Optimist Club recently recognized five finalists who competed for club-level placements at the Optimist International Oratorical Contest at Stephen Decatur Middle School. Pictured, from left, are Oratorical Chairman Sharon Sorrentino, SDMS student Kala James, first place Worcester Preparatory School student Jude Damouni, third place SDMS student Evelyn Chaney, SDMS student Anissa Demo, second place Snow Hill Middle School student Elliott Larsen and Optimist Treasurer Cindy Malament. Damouni and Larsen will move onto district competition.

Sip & Sign with Tranzfusion Beach Barrels on 133rd Sunday, April 6, 2-6pm

Habitat announces home project

(April 4, 2025) Habitat for Humanity of Worcester County is breaking ground on a new home build project in Bishopville that will provide local resident Deonhya Purnel the opportunity to become a homeowner.

Purnell has lived in Berlin her entire life and has worked at Food Lion for 22 years. She is a single mother to an adult daughter and two sons who attend Stephen Decatur High School.

“A yard for my granddaughter, a place for my boys and their friends … it’s all I’ve ever wanted,” says Purnell.

Rising housing costs in the region have made her search for affordable homeownership difficult. As her income gradually increased, she found herself caught in the middle: she earns too much to qualify for assistance programs, but not enough to readily secure a mortgage in the current lending market.

She notes that the high cost of renting has prevented her from saving more for a down payment or other home-related expenses. Furthermore, renting has prevented her from building equity in a home that would be an investment for the future of her family. Purnell looks forward to simple pleasures that come with having a house of her own, such as being able to host family dinners and her sons decorating their own bed-

rooms with their football and wrestling trophies and awards.

“I can’t wait to have my family over for Christmas. I want my older relatives to come see our home without having to climb 38 stairs,” Purnell shares.

As part of the Habitat homeownership journey, Purnell aims to show her children the importance of persistence, good credit, and smart money habits. She encourages them to distinguish between wants and

Charming 3-Bedroom, 2-Bath Home in Prime North Ocean City Location! Within walking distance of some of the most popular North OC restaurants, offering a variety of dining options. Walk to North Side Park, Montego Bay Shopping Center & easy access to local bus line & fire department. Community Amenities: 2 inground pools, kiddie pool, tennis, pickle ball, shuffleboard, 9-hole mini-golf course, 8-acre wildlife sanctuary/park area, 5-acre pond, blacktop walking/jogging trail & bayfront boardwalk with 3 fishing/crabbing piers...all for the low HOA fee of $396 a year!! $

needs, reminding them that sometimes it’s best to wait before making a purchase.

“Your credit is everything. Keep your credit high,” she tells her children, emphasizing the value of staying patient, being responsible, and spending within your means. These lessons are especially important now as they edge closer to turning the key in the door of their own house in Bishopville, just minutes away from their family and friends in Berlin.

Through the Habitat for Humanity program, Deonhya and her family will perform “sweat equity” hours on the construction site and at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Ocean Pines.

The organization’s volunteer-driven model aims to lower construction costs while engaging local individuals, businesses, and community groups in the process.

“Habitat for Humanity partner families pay a monthly mortgage, property taxes, and homeowner’s insurance just like any other homeowner. Habitat’s role is to work with the local community to accept monetary donations, labor, and materials that offset the cost to build creating increased affordability for Habitat partner families,” said Andrea Bowland, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Worcester County.

Purnell said, “I’ve worked for so long and couldn’t qualify for many programs. Now, just seeing how the community is reaching out is heartwarming. It just means the world.”

Habitat for Humanity relies on donations and volunteer support to make these projects possible. The organization welcomes contributions toward related costs. Community members who wish to support the build are encouraged to donate or volunteer. For more information on how to get involved, visit habitatworcester.org or contact the local Habitat office at inquire@habitatworcester.org.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Deonhya Purnell is pictured with her sons, Adarein Manual and Amarian Manuel, during last fall’s football season at Stephen Decatur High School.

Photo submissions

The Ocean City Museum Society has opened up submissions for the annual Louis Parsons III Memorial Photo Contest.

Whether snapping a photo of the sunset or the entire family, there is no better place than Ocean City to capture stunning and memorable images. The Ocean City Museum Society’s Louis Parsons III Memorial Annual Photo Contest honors the life and legacy of dedicated museum board member and photographer Lou Parsons.

The competition has a new setup this year, featuring an adult category and brand new youth category.

Adult Category (18 and over): Ocean City Beach, Ocean City Boardwalk, and Assateague Bay or Ocean City Bay Sunsets. Each category winner will be awarded $250.

Youth Category (17 and under): The photograph can be of any subject as long as the location of the image is in Ocean City. One winner will be selected and awarded $250.

Grand Prize Winner: The adult and youth category winners have an opportunity to be the Grand Prize Winner. They will be awarded an additional $250.

People's Choice Vote: Open to all categories. The photograph with the most votes by the contest's closing will be awarded $100.

Entries will be accepted through Sept. 1. Category winners will be announced on Nov. 1. There will be a gallery event showcasing the winning images.

For more information about the contest, please visit https://www.gogophotocontest.com/ oceancitymuseumsociety

Summer work conference

Area businesses interested in employing J-1 Visa students are invited to attend the 2025 Summer Work Travel Conference at the Holiday Inn Oceanfront on 66th Street on Tuesday, April 15, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The conference is an initiative of the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Bridge USA and is made possible by J-1 Visa sponsor organizations United Work & Travel, Intrax, Aspire, Greenheart, and Alliance Strategies.

Employers will learn best practices for a successful 2025 Summer Work Travel Program in Ocean City. Topics covered include housing, Social Security, safety, student testimony, student advocacy, and

Sponsor Prize: Open to all categories. The Louis Parsons III Memorial Photo Contest Sponsor Jeff Williams will pick the winning image. The awarded amount is $250.

community support. Speakers include US Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Program Analyst Carrie Linch and representatives from the Maryland Comptroller’s office, Ocean City Police Department, Life Crisis Center, and Alliance Strategies.

The event is free for employers and includes continental breakfast. Pre-registration is encouraged. To register, visit bit.ly/SWTConference or contact Ocean City Chamber Events Manager Colby Noble at colby@oceancity.org or 410-2130144 ext. 110.

Grace Center event

The Grace Center for Maternal and Women’s Health (located behind the Hope 4 Recovery House) in Berlin will host an interactive discussion and presentation tailored for moms,

dads, and caregivers of children. This event will take place on Wednesday, April 23 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Grace Center with Ellen Willingham of Priority Partners serving as presenter.

The seminar is based on the book What To Do When Your Child Is Sick by Gloria Mayer and Ann Kuklierus, which addresses over 50 common childhood illnesses, injuries, and health issues. The book is written in easy-to-understand language, making it accessible for parents and caregivers of children from birth to 8 years of age. All participants will receive a copy of the book as well as a swag bag.

Although this event is free, registration is required. Please call the Grace Center at 443-513-4124 or email info@gracematernalhealth.org to reserve your seat. Refreshments will be served.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Winners announced for art competition held in Berlin

(April 4, 2025) The Worcester County Arts Council (WCAC) is pleased to announce the winners of Peace, a juried art competition that invited artists to explore and interpret the concept of peace through their creative expressions.

The competition was juried by local artist, art educator, and WCAC board member, Kate Cashman, and winners were recognized at the exhibition’s opening reception on March 14, 2025.

This exhibition provides a platform for artists to reflect on the essence of peace - whether through the serenity of nature, the strength of community, or the deeply personal journey toward inner harmony.

“Throughout history , artists have served as peacemakers, using their creativity to bridge divides, foster understanding, and inspire change,” said Anna Mullis, WCAC’s executive director. “Peace continues this tradition by encouraging artistic expressions that speak to the emotional, spiritual, and societal dimensions of peace.”

The Worcester County Arts Council congratulates the following artists on their outstanding achievements: first place, “Morning Walk,” in pastel

by Gail Stern; second place, “Ode to a Bird” in oil/mixed media by Susan Chamberlain; third place, “Sign of Peace” in watercolor by Ellie Scott; and honorable mentions, “Making Peace” in mixed media by Judy Benton, “Peaceful Morning” in oil by Martha Pileggie, and “A Hero Can Be Anyone” in photo/graphic art by Tia Tuvesson.

Each piece in the exhibition offers a unique and profound interpretation of peace, whether expressing a longing for harmony, a reflection on struggles overcome, or a hopeful vision for the future.

Together, these works remind us that peace is not just an ideal but a journey, shaped by our collective experiences and expressions.

The Peace exhibition is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Worcester County Arts Council Gallery, located at 6 Jefferson St. in Berlin through April 30. The artwork is available for purchase.

We invite art enthusiasts and the community to visit and experience these powerful works firsthand. For more information, please contact the Worcester County Arts Council at 410-641-0809 or visit www.worcestercountyartscouncil.org

Pictured, from left, are Gail Stern, first place; Judy Benton, honorable mention; Kate Cashman, juror; Anna Mullis, WCAC executive director; Martha Pileggi, honorable mention; Susan Chamberlain, second place; Tia Tuvesson, honorable mention; and Ellie Scott, third place.

From high school cadet to 911 dispatcher

By Michael Todd Contributing Writer

(April 4, 2025) This week we recognize Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company member Tyler Udzielak, whose journey from cadet to firefighter exemplifies the path of growth and development available through OCVFC.

A 2023 high school graduate, Udzielak immediately immersed himself in fire service education while entering the workforce. Over the past few years, he has completed essential certifications including Firefighter 2, Hazmat Operations, Rescue Technician Site Operations, and Pump and Aerial Operator. Recently, he transitioned from working as a landscaper for his friend's father's company to becoming a 911 dispatcher for Worcester

County Emergency Services.

Udzielak's journey with OCVFC began in November 2019 when he joined the cadet program after being encouraged by a cadet at the time.

"I came in and joined the following meeting, and that was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I'm glad I still get to be a part of this organization," he reflects. During his time in the cadet program, he served as both Vice President and Treasurer before moving on to become a firefighter in April 2023.

His cadet years provided formative experiences that continue to shape his approach to firefighting. "The most memorable experiences were meeting/drill nights on Mondays, the Christmas Parades, and the trip to New York for the 9/11 Memorial,"

Udzielak shares. He emphasizes the lasting value of his cadet training: "Make sure to master the basics and then go on because it will benefit you in the worst situations. I still use the training I learned as a Cadet from when I started about 5 1/2 years ago."

Since May 2024, Udzielak has participated in the live-in program, initially stationed at Station 4 before moving to Station 5 in August. He is also a proud member of the water rescue team, one of the specialized units that make Ocean City's volunteer fire service unique.

Throughout his service, certain incidents have left lasting impressions. He recalls the Adkins Fire "when the roof dropped right next to me and fell on our hose line," and the Bike Week 2024 accident on 12th Street with its "devas-

tating scene upon arrival." These experiences have reinforced the importance of camaraderie in the fire service. "It's shown me that you can always rely on your peers to be there for you in the worst moments, and you should be able to do the same for them," he notes.

Udzielak takes pride in his commitment to continued education. "Completing MFRI classes to expand on my knowledge of the fire service to keep up on the growing knowledge of what the fire service is and how we operate, as well as the modern solutions to some of our incidents we come across," he cites as one of his greatest accomplishments.

Udzielak particularly values the mentorship he has received from fellow firefighters. "Roger Steger Sr., Jason Bloom, and Mike Todd have helped me in many ways, with something as simple as 'Hey bud, how you doing?' to meeting me at a window on a fire to make sure that I was safe," he acknowledges. "These are just a couple I could name, but there are many other people in this fire company that would do the same for anyone at anytime."

Among his favorite aspects of OCVFC are the meaningful connections formed through service.

"Sitting on the front benches of Headquarters during every Duty Crew and everyone cracking jokes and enjoying the time they get to spend together," stands out as a cherished experience. He also appreciates the unique setting of Ocean City: "You can spend the day at the beach and have duty crew at night, as well as all the special teams and such that we have on the shore."

The first in his family to join the fire service, Udzielak has found a second family in OCVFC.

We thank Tyler for his continued dedication to OCVFC and his commitment to serving the Ocean City community through both firefighting and emergency dispatch services.

For membership information or to learn more about your volunteer fire company, visit ocvfc.com.

Tyler Udzielak

Date announced for Autism ride

(April 4, 2025) The community is invited to join the Bikers Without Borders Foundation on Saturday, April 26 for the 4th Annual Bikers for Autism ride.

This escorted ride starts at Rommel Harley-Davidson in Salisbury and will meander through shore communities, ending at the Showell Fire Department. The event will raise funds for the Autistic Children’s Support Group of Worcester County.

Bike registration will be held from 910:30 a.m. at Rommel Harley-Davidson. The $25 per rider and $15 per passenger registration fee includes a BBQ chicken lunch. Following the ride, join the Bikers Without Borders Foundation and other enthusiasts for a community get together at the Showell Fire Department with music by DJ Mikey. Pre-register online at https://www.zeffy.com/enUS/ticketing/2025-3rd-annual-ride-forautism-registration.

The Autistic Children’s Support Group of Worcester County is an all-volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to providing support to families of children with autism and related development disabilities in Worcester County.

Bikers Without Borders Foundation is comprised of men and women that believe that giving back to the community is a civic duty. Members participate in charitable and volunteer activities which support local communities.

Early orders now available for ACT native plant sale

(April 4, 2025) Assateague Coastal Trust (ACT) announced its 26th Annual Native Plant Sale, set for Saturday, May 3, from 8 a.m. to noon at its new office on Old Ocean City Boulevard.

With 40 species of native perennials, these plants are chosen to attract and support key pollinators such as butterflies and bees while fostering sustainability and biodiversity in home landscapes. In addition to native plants, ACT is once again partnering with local organic farm “Herbs, Spices and Everything Nice” to offer 22 varieties of vegetables, including heirloom tomatoes, peppers, and herbs.

To celebrate the event’s 26th milestone anniversary, ACT is pleased to announce the availability of compost from “Go Green OC” and “Ocean Compost,” offered for a donation while supplies last.

Community Engagement Coordinator Debbi Dean underscores the importance of compost in fostering robust plant growth and sustainability, making it an ideal complement to this year’s plant sale. Gardeners are encouraged to place online orders to guarantee plant selection and availability for their spring gardens. A limited selection will be available for purchase on the day of the event. For more information, including the online order form, visit ACTforbays.org.

Springfest to feature music, food, arts, new floral garden

(April 4, 2025) The 34th annual Springest will return April 24-27.

Springfest comes to life with a diverse variety of live outdoor musical entertainment all day long for four days. Visitors should bring their appetite as the event includes a delicious assortment of famous Eastern Shore food and wide assortment of beer and wine. Springfest, one of the top Arts and Crafts Show in the United States, features over 200 vendors showcasing their products and creations.

To celebrate the Town’s 150th anniversary, an Anniversary Floral Garden will debut at Springfest, featuring a stunning floral wall adorned with Ocean City’s iconic Smile Logo, creating the perfect backdrop for a photo opportunity. Guests will also be able to participate in hands-on workshops, such as succulent planting, flower crown creations, and a sea glass workshop, allowing visitors to bring a piece of Ocean City’s floral beauty home. Lish, with Pure Yoga, will be offering a sunrise yoga class right on the beach, providing a refreshing and rejuvenating experience.

Springfest is located in the Inlet lot at the south end of Ocean City’s famous Boardwalk. Springfest is fun for people of all ages and admission to the four-day event is free, including daytime entertainment. Headliners for the evening shows require the purchase of tickets,

which can be done online at OCocean.com or through Etix. Thursday night, come see STRANGELOVE –The Depeche Mode Experience. Grammy nominated, multi-instrumentalist, and multi-platinum selling artist, Hunter Hayes, takes the stage on Friday night, and The Legendary Wailers featuring Junior Marvin and Passafire brings the sounds of reggae to Springfest on Saturday night.

Since parking in the downtown area is limited, the Town of Ocean City will offer Springfest transportation. The Coastal Highway Beach Bus will be operating for only $4 all day boarding. Take advantage of the Town’s Park & Ride location on Route 50 in West Ocean City. Park your car for free and ride the shuttle to Springfest for $4 all day boarding. Special Event Express Shuttle Service is also available at the Convention Center on 40th St., where you can park for free in the south lot and ride the express shuttle directly to Springfest for $4 all day boarding. For more information about transportation, please call 410-723-1606.

Hours for the free-admission event are Thursday-Saturday, April 24-27, 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. For more information, call the Ocean City Visitor’s Center at 410289-2800, toll-free at 1-800-626-2326 or visit OCocean.com.

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Best Beats On The Beach

Who’s Where When

BUXY’S SALTY DOG & DRY DOCK 28

410-289-BUXY

28th Street Coastal Hwy. Saturday, April 5: Johnny Suit & The Nice Ties

CAPTAIN’S TABLE

410-289-7192 15th & Boardwalk In The Courtyard Marriott

Fridays & Saturdays: Phil Perdue

COINS PUB

410-289-3100

28th Street Plaza On Coastal Hwy. Friday, April 4: Lost Figures Saturday, April 5: Beach Bandits

Sunday, April 6: Jack & T

CRABCAKE

FACTORY BAYSIDE

302-988-5000

37314 Lighthouse Rd., Rte. 54, Selbyville, DE Sunday, April 6: No Hesitation Wednesday, April 9: Full Circle Duo

CRAWL STREET TAVERN

443-373-2756 Wicomico St., Downtown O.C. Friday, April 4: Charred Mac

Saturday, April 5: Schizophrenic Boogiemen

FAGER’S ISLAND

410-524-5500 60th St., In The Bay Friday, April 4: John Frase Project & DJ RobCee

Saturday, April 5: Kittyback & DJ Groove

GREENE TURTLE WEST

410-213-1500

Route 611, West OC Every Wednesday: Bingo w/ Blake

DJ ROBCEE Fager’s Island: Friday, April 4

STEVE OBOYLE Purple Moose: Saturday, April 5

JOHNNY SUIT & THE NICE TIES Dry Dock 28: Saturday April 5

PHIL PERDUE Captain’s Table: Fridays & Saturdays

DJ BILLY T Harborside: Fridays BEATS BY WAX Pickles Pub: Tuesdays

DJ GROOVE Fager’s Island: Saturday, April 5

DJ BIGLER Harborside: Saturday, April 5

Purple Moose: Friday & Saturday, April 4 & 5 THE DUNEHOUNDS

KITTYBACK

Fager’s Island: Saturday, April 5

CIRCLE DUO

Seacrets: Friday, April 4

JOHN FRASE PROJECT

Harborside: Saturday, April 5 • 1pm Pickles Pub: Saturday, April 5 • 9:30pm

Coins Pub: Saturday, April 5

Crabcake Factory Bayside: Wednesday, April 9 GYPSY WISDOM ~ Seacrets: Saturday, April 5 JACK & T Coins Pub: Sunday, April 6 BEACH BANDITS

Fager’s Island: Friday, April 4

Who’s Where When

HARBORSIDE

410-213-1846

South Harbor Rd., West End O.C.

Fridays: DJ Billy T

Saturday, April 5:

Dunehounds & DJ Bigler

Sundays: Opposite Directions

Thursdays: Dust N Bones

PICKLES PUB

410-289-4891

8th St. & Philadelphia Ave.

Fridays: Beats By DeoGee Saturday, April 5: Dunehounds

Sundays: Beats By Styler

Mondays: Karaoke w/ Wood Tuesdays: Beats By Wax

Wednesdays:

Beats By Madame Dutchess

Thursdays: Beats By Connair

PURPLE MOOSE SALOON

410-289-6953

Between Caroline & Talbot Sts.

On The Boards

Friday & Saturday, April 4 & 5: Awaken

Saturday, April 5: Steve Oboyle

SEACRETS

410-524-4900

49th St. & Coastal Hwy.

Friday, April 4: Full Circle Duo, Stealing Savanah, DJ Connair & DJ Davie

Saturday, April 5:

Elephants Dancing, Gypsy Wisdom, DJ Mary Jane & DJ E-State

Thursday, April 10: Blake Haley & DJ E-State

PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH GOLD DONATION

The community of River Run recently presented Worcester GOLD a donation of $5,000. Pictured with GOLD Executive Director Nicholas Canford are River Run Co-Chairs Kathy Thomas,

PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH WPS 100TH DAY OBSERVED

Worcester Preparatory School celebrated reaching their 100th day of school on Friday, March 14. Pre-K through Grade 5 students celebrated 100 Days by dressing as their favorite superhero, as well as participating in a variety of educational and physical activities throughout the day. Dressed in their best superhero costumes, kindergartners Avery Townsend, Brooklyn Tunis, Remi Moreland, Isabel Betz, Blair Bishop. Katherine Williams and Presley Dykes.

AFTER-SCHOOL BIS CLUB

Students in the After-School Art Club at Berlin Intermediate School made art

gold and Ireland. Joanne Gulfoil leads the art club, an outreach

City with a grant from the Worcester Co. Arts Council.

ations.

are

who graduated

SUBMITTED

left, and Sharon Williams.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

inspired by pots of

program of the Art League of Ocean

Pictured

some students with their cre-

SUBMITTED

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT GRADS

Officers

in the 120th entrance-level class of the Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy operated by Wor-Wic Community College in Salisbury are shown, from left, Lucas Webster and Lauren Lintz of the Ocean City Police Department; and Shanell Taylor, Autumn Harris, Eric Weaver and Alexander Bjork of the Worcester County Jail and Detention Center.

Dining Guide

■ PRICE RANGE: $, $$, $$$

■ RESERVATIONS: Reservations accepted

DOWNTOWN

South end to 28th Street

■ BUXY’S SALTY DOG SALOON

DRY DOCK 28

28th Street, Ocean City, 410-289-0973, buxys.com, drydockoc.com

Destiny has a new home in Ocean City. From the ‘burgh to the beach, Buxy’s is your home away from Pittsburgh. Come see what all the locals already know and have known – Buxy’s is the place to come to meet friends, relax and be social with no attitudes. House specialties include “The” Cheesesteak Sub, Primanti-styled sandwiches, pierogis, egg-rolls and homemade crab dip. Dry Dock also features a full menu with soups, salads, kick starters, pierogis and craft pizza.

■ CAPTAIN’S TABLE

15th Street and Baltimore Avenue, in The Courtyard by Marriott, Ocean City 410-289-7192, captainstableoc.com

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

A local tradition for over 60 years featuring hand cut steaks, premium lobster and perfectly prepared regional seafood. Breakfast daily 7:30-11 a.m.

Open daily for dinner: Sunday through Thursday, 49 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 4-10 p.m. Happy Hour, seven days a week, 4-6 p.m.

■ COINS PUB & RESTAURANT

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

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

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

■ CORAL REEF RESTAURANT & BAR

17th Street in the Holiday Inn & Suites, Ocean City 410-289-2612, coralreefrestaurant.com

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

Enjoy traditional Eastern Shore cuisine and local favorites that are sure to please your entire party! Choose from a selection of house specialty entrees such as sharables, handhelds and seafood. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Featuring specialty rums. Open daily, 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

■ CRAWL STREET

19 Wicomico St., Ocean City, 443-373-2756, crawlstreet.com

Established in 2020 just a short walk from the legendary Cork Bar. Don’t leave without trying the famous wings, but everything on the menu is solid, including flatbreads, tacos, salads, sandwiches and seafood platters. Be sure to check out the live music offerings as the nightlife is top of the line.

■ DISTRICT 24 CRAFT BAR, JAY’S CAFÉ & BLU CRABHOUSE & RAW BAR

2305 Philadelphia Ave., Ocean City 410-2893322, district24oc.com

Breakfast, coffee, pastries, beer, pizza and cocktails. Jay’s Café opens Friday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Craft Bar opens Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. There’s more at District 24.

■ HARBOR WATCH

806 S. Atlantic Avenue, Ocean City 410-2895121, www.harborwatchrestaurant.com

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

Celebrating our 40th anniversary with fresh seafood, an award-winning raw bar, mouthwatering steaks and the best view of the Ocean City Inlet and Assateague Island. Open all March, Thursday through Sunday; Happy Hour: Thursday and Sunday, all night long featuring $4 all beer, $8 crushes, $10 select apps, $6 glass of select wine. Call for banquet and large-party details.

■ PICKLES PUB

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

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

Easy to find with plenty of free parking, serving lunch, dinner and entire diverse menu until 1 a.m. Also nightly entertainment year-round and a great place to watch all the sports on an ocean of televisions including a giant high-def screen. Also four pool tables on site. Lunch and dinner and entire

menu until 1 a.m. Open all year from 11:30 a.m.-2 a.m., seven days a week.

■ PIT & PUB

2706 Philadelphia Ave. and 12701 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, pitandpub.com

Ocean City’s home of Pulled Pork and the finest barbecue, the legendary 28th Street Pit & Pub and the Northside Pit & Pub are known for serving up delicious smokehouse specialties. Grab a brew and enjoy the live sports action on one of the big screen TVs. Happy hour daily. Family-friendly atmospheres at both locations. Weekend entertainment.

MIDTOWN

29th to 90th streets

■ 32 PALM

32nd Street in The Hilton, Ocean City 410-2892525, 32palm.com

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

Elevated cuisine, locally sourced ingredients and allocated spirits are prominently featured in our lounge and dining room. Open year-round for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Routinely updated menus with the highest quality local ingredients for fresh seafood any time of the year!

■ THE BONFIRE

71st Street, Coastal Hwy., Ocean City, 410-5247171, thebonfirerestaurant.com

Celebrating more than 50 years as the best seafood and prime rib buffet in Ocean City. It’s all here – the service, the atmosphere and finest, freshest seafood available and quality meats. Save room for the decadent desserts available as well including homemade donuts.

■ FAGERS ISLAND

201 60th St., Ocean City, 410-524-5500, fagers.com

$$ | Full bar

Dine on the island with an award-winning bayfront restaurant featuring American & Regional dining with a global influence and popular destination featuring impeccably prepared American and Pacific Rim cuisine. Also enjoy our outdoor decks and bar with live entertainment and 32 wines by the glass. A place where the joy of food & the presence of the table are of utmost importance. Dine on fresh seafood and our famous Prime Rib. Enjoy beautiful sunsets over the water. Open 11 a.m. daily. Fine dine at 4:30 p.m.

■ HOOKED

8003 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 410-7234665, hookedoc.com

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

A Common Ground Hospitality concept, a passion driven restaurant group servicing the coastal community. The goal is honor creativity and innovation by design. With passion at the heart of everything, unique dining concepts are paired with honest hospitality and well-made food sourced with fresh local ingredients and seasonal harvests. Craft and full bar available. Open daily 11:30 a.m.

■ LONGBOARD CAFÉ

6701 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 443-6645693, longboardcafe.com

$$-$$$ | Full bar

Casual Dining … Refined. Open for lunch and dinner. A wide range of gourmet burgers, innovative tacos, salads and sandwiches to full dinner entrees featuring fresh local fish prepared in a variety of styles, beef, shellfish and pasta. All our sauces, salsas, dressings, etc. are meticulously house made. We use fresh local sources wherever possible and premium ingredients such as our chuck, brisket and short rib custom blended burgers. Closed Tuesday. Call for reservations.

■ MARLIN MOON RESTAURANT

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

Winner of the Maryland People's choice award, Marlin Moon continues to offer its famous, locally loved dishes and famous happy hour. Enjoy creatively crafted cocktails, fresh selections from the raw bar and luscious desserts. Happy Hour, every day, 3-6 p.m., featuring drink specials. Breakfast, 7:30-11:30 a.m.; Lite Fare, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Dinner, 4-10 p.m.; and Bar open noon to 11 p.m.

■ SEACRETS

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

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

Open Sunday through Friday at 11 a.m., 10 a.m. on Saturdays, close at 2 a.m. Enjoy a tropical atmos-

phere and dine under the palms in our outdoor, kid friendly dining area or try a Seacrets Beachin' Cocktails in the Bay with live music every day open to close. The club is open every night in the summer. Try our famous jerk chicken with homemade honey mustard sauce, Pushcart Trio, a true Jamaican dish or a hearty wrap, sandwich or delicious burger. We have it all at Seacrets.

UPTOWN 91st to 146th streets

■ ALBERTINO'S BRICK OVEN & EATERY

13117 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 410-2502000, albertinosoc.com

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

Featuring the best brick oven pizza, always handmade with fresh ingredients, Italian-American mouth-watering seafood specialties, traditional Italian pasta dishes, apps, soups and salads. Full bar with large local craft beer selection.

■ CAROUSEL OCEANFRONT HOTEL & CONDOS

118th Street, Ocean City 800-641-0011, www.carouselhotel.com

The Carousel Oceanfront Resort offers a family friendly casual dining experience with their Reef 118 restaurant. Offering dinner Thursday through Saturday from 5-9 p.m., featuring AYCE Crab legs. Serving breakfast on Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. Their new "Go for 2" happy hour features $10 appetizers as a buy one get one free. $1 oysters during all open hours.

■ THE CRAB BAG

13005 Coastal Highway Ocean City, 410-2503337, thecrabbag.com

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

Featuring consistent hot steamed crabs, eat in or carryout. The Crab Bag is also an Eastern Shore style seafood house specializing in preparing and serving the biggest and the best blue crabs available. The extensive menu promises something for everyone. Winter hours, Friday-Sunday, open 11 a.m.

■ CRABCAKE FACTORY USA

120th Street, oceanside, Ocean City, 410-2504900, crabcakefactoryusa.com

Full-service family restaurant, carry-out and sports bar. Outside seating available. Menu selections include prime rib, chicken Chesapeake, steamed shrimp, beer battered fish, real Philly cheesesteaks, burgers, and a kids menu. Casual attire, full liquor bar, no reservations. Open Year Round. World-Famous Crabcakes are served all day starting at 8 a.m. and can be packed on ice for you while you are eating breakfast.

■ NORI SUSHI BAR & GRILL

11403 Coastal Highway, Gold Coast Mall next to Sophia’s, Ocean City 443-880-6258, norioc.com

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

Voted Ocean City's best sushi, offering a full-service bar, fresh sushi bar, seafood entrees, fried rice, vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free sushi and more. Open year-round, every day from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

■ SOPHIA'S ITALIAN RESTAURANT

11405 Coastal Highway, Gold Coast Mall, Ocean City 410-723-5188, www.sophiasitalianrestaurantoceancity.com

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

Full service offering entrees, pizza, subs, apps and salads. Expand your horizons with delicious options like sandwiches, calzones, and more. Try the cheese and tomato pizza and see why it's such a local favorite. Call us to order takeout or catering. Monday through Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 9 p.m.

■ VISTA ROOFTOP RESTAURANT 13801 Coastal Highway, located in the Fenwick Inn, Ocean City, 410-390-7905, vistarooftopoc.com

$$-$$$ | Full bar

Enjoy a wonderful meal overlooking the ocean and bay. Some of the most unique views in Ocean City. Steaks, seafood, burgers, soups, salads and lite fare. Happy hour, 3-6 p.m. New this year is a boozy brunch Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Live music.

FENWICK ISLAND

■ CRABCAKE FACTORY BAYSIDE

Route 54, Fenwick Island, DE, 302-988-5000, CCFBayside.com

Same award-winning crab cakes and bloody marys. Enjoy waterfront dining. Full-service family restaurant, carry-out & sports bar. Outside seating available. Open daily year-round. Menu selections include crab cakes, prime rib, Philly-style cheese steaks, various seafood, kids menu plus full breakfast menu.

■ DIRTY HARRY’S

100 Coastal Highway, Fenwick Island, DE, 302-

539-3020, Beach-net.com/dirtyharrys

$ | Kids’ Menu | Full bar

Don’t let the name fool you, the food is home cooking at its finest. Owned and operated by Ginny Swann and family for 19 years. Popular for the breakfast but getting rave reviews for lunch and dinner, too.

■ NANTUCKETS

Route 1, Fenwick Island, DE, 302-539-2607, nantucketsrestaurant.com

Serving the beach great food and spirits for over 30 years. David and Janet Twining will wow you with the finest foods and drinks in the area. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by what one of the coast’s finest dining establishments has in store for guests. Everything here is a house specialty.

■ TWINING’S LOBSTER SHANTY

Rte. 54, Fenwick Island, Del., 302-436-2305, twiningshanty.com

Reservations | Kids’ Menu

“A funky little place at the edge of town.” Classic New England fare, lobsters, steaks and burgers. Bird watching and magical sunsets await. Open for lunch and dinner. Reservations are suggested.

OCEAN PINES

■ CLUBHOUSE BAR AND GRILLE

100 Clubhouse Drive, Ocean Pines 410-641-7222, Oceanpinesgolf.org/dining

$$ | Full bar

Indoor and outdoor dining with sweeping views of the 18th green and pond, the Clubhouse Bar and Grille serves freshly prepared breakfast and lunch items with a full bar menu.

■ OCEAN PINES YACHT CLUB

1 Mumford Landing Road, Ocean Pines 410-6417222, www.OPYachtclub.com

$$-$$$ | Full bar

The Ocean Pines Yacht Club offers casual coastal cuisine for lunch and dinner in a beautiful bayfront setting. Fresh seafood, signature drinks, live music and more.

WEST OCEAN CITY

■ BREAKFAST CAFE

12736 Ocean Gateway, Route 50 east, West Ocean City, 410-213-1804, breakfastcafeofoc.com

All the traditional breakfast options available here in a casual, diner setting. Open daily closing at 2 p.m.

■ CANTINA LOS AGAVES MEXICAN GRILL

12720 Ocean Gateway #7, West Ocean City 410390-3914, cantinalosagaves.com

$$ | Kid’s menu | Full bar Ocean City’s newest Mexican restaurant and bar. Offering delicious and generous portions of the tastiest traditional and not so traditional #MexicanEats you have ever tried. Open daily at 11 a.m. Serving food until 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Bar open til 11 p.m.

■ DUMSER’S DAIRYLAND

West Ocean City: Route 50 east; Boardwalk locations: 501 S. Philadelphia Ave., 49th Street, 123rd Street, Ocean City, dumsersdairyland.com

This classic ice cream shop is a tradition for many families. Voted O.C.’s “Best Ice Cream” for the past 20 years, Dumser’s is celebrating decades of serving the shore, and the ‘40s-style décor takes you back in time. With locations throughout Ocean City, treating your tastebuds to this signature homemade ice cream is easy. The 49th and 124th streets locations offer vast lunch and dinner menus (breakfast too at 124th) in addition to a wide variety of ice cream treats.

■ GREENE TURTLE WEST Route 611, West Ocean City, 410-213-1500 Proudly serving West Ocean City since January 1999, The Greene Turtle features a beautiful 80seat dining room, large bar area with 54 TVs with stereo sound and game room with pool tables. With an exciting menu, The Greene Turtle is sure to please with delicious sizzling steaks, jumbo lump crab cakes, raw bar, homemade salads and more. Live entertainment, Keno, Turtle apparel, kids menu, carry-out.

■ HARBORSIDE BAR & GRILL

12841 Harbor Rd., West Ocean City, 410-2131846, weocharborside.com

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

Home of the original Orange Crush drink with an extensive menu offers a wide variety of appetizers, fresh seafood, steak & pasta entrees, as well as juicy burgers and sandwiches. Whether seeking a full dining experience or just a crush or two, the team will be sure to take excellent care of you and yours. Monday-Wednesday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Thursday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Though weather warming, keep a winter suit handy

By Dave Dalkiewicz Contributing Writer

(April 4, 2025) “In like a lion, out like a lamb,” is a fairly accurate description of how March’s weather panned out this year, at least as of this writing.

“April showers bring May flowers” is another cliché that is often used. These phrases are stated here at the risk of being trite and lazy, but the approach here is to keep it easily understandable.

Truth be told, April can be just as unpredictable as March, at least here at the beach. It all has to do with water temperature and wind direction as well as the velocity of the wind.

Steve Green, one of the editors of this paper, writes a column called “Things I Like.” It’s a quick read with interesting comments. In a recent early March issue, he states that he likes “the area’s absurd weather extremes.”

This is a pretty good note on our weather in that it can be so much different than even a few miles inland. It’s easy to say that the beach area has its own micro-climate. Those who reside here or frequent the area are well aware. Those that are here on rare occasions are often rudely awakened.

April can often be as surprising as March and it can have a great bearing on the surfer. This is due to the fact that, among other features, the wind is a major one.

On the recent day that this is written, the air is 70 degrees with many people are in shorts and T-shirts on land. In the water, mid-40’s indicates that it’s not quite time to use lighter wetsuit gear in order to have a lengthy session. One of my most memorable references is a water temperature of 45 degrees on April 15. I’m sure this occurred in more than one year alone.

So, a word to the wise. Keep using that winter wetsuit gear or be ready for a quick rinse with lighter wetsuits. It’s much better to be warm and ward off the dangers of hypothermia. As for skinning it? That’s still a few months away.

- Dave Dalkiewicz is the owner of Ocean Atlantic Surf Shop in Ocean City

Lemon tea cookies feel like spring

By Deborah Lee Walker Contributing Writer

(April 4, 2025) Offering a tea service to your guests is impressive and takes into consideration those who do not partake of adult beverages.

Afternoon tea comes in three courses – usually all at once on a three-tiered tray. Eat the savories and tea sandwiches first. Scones are eaten next, then the sweet treats are last.

Under no circumstances should you lick your fingers.

If you want to wipe away something from your face, dab do not wipe. When one is finished eating, place your utensils in the 4:20 position. This lets the server know you are done with your meal and the plates and utensils can be taken away. Fork tines should be up and the knife blade facing you.

Easter is upon us in a couple weeks and an offering of a simple tea service is an elegant presentation. A tray adorned with a lace napkin and a selection of teas and sugars elevates any occasion.

Lemon tea cookies allow the tea to be the star of the course and at the same

time highlight the theme of spring.

Lemon tea cookies are not made with eggs; therefore, they are very light and a perfect finale to a fantastic meal. Enjoy!

Lemon Tea Cookies

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons cornstarch

¼ teaspoon table salt

1 cup unsalted butter, softened 2/3 cup powdered sugar, plus extra for garnishing zest of 2 lemons

2 teaspoons lemon extract

3 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

½ cup finely chopped almonds yellow sparkling sugar as a garnish

1. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, and salt, set aside.

2. In another medium bowl, using a hand-held blender, mix the butter and powdered sugar just until well combined.

Mix in lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla extract and almonds, again mix just until well combined.

3. With mixer on low speed, add flour mixture and mix just until combined. Place cookie mixture in a bowl and

cover with plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350 degrees halfway through the chilling process.

4. Scoop dough out 1 tablespoon at a time into a ball, then place on parchment paper lined baking sheets, spacing cookies 2 inches apart and bake for 20 minutes or until edges are golden brown.

5. Remove from oven and allow to cool for two minutes, then garnish with powdered sugar and lemon sprinkles.

* Cookie scoops are inexpensive and perfect for this type of dough.

Secret Ingredient – Individuality. “It takes nothing to join the crowd. It takes everything to stand alone.”

Hans F. Hanson

6. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Add another light dusting of powdered sugar and yellow sprinkles just before serving.

CROSSWORD

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20

Aries, a burst of energy propels you to move forward. It feels like everything is clicking, and you are full of ideas and brimming with contagious enthusiasm.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21

You are in the mood to get down to business this week, Taurus. It’s a great time to focus on your career or finances. Pay attention to all of the little details as you go along.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21

Curiosity takes control this week, Gemini. Opportunities for learning are all around you. You just need to look for them. It may be a new class or a trip that you take with friends.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22

Cancer, this week you may have a lot of emotional processing going on, particularly regarding relationships or past experiences. Embrace these deeper feelings.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23

Your social energy could be off the charts this week, Leo. Others will be drawn to your magnetism and selfconfidence. It is a great time to network or collaborate.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22

Efficiency and productivity are the name of the game right now, Virgo. When it comes to organizing and planning, you will be all about getting things done in a timely manner.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23

Libra, this week is a time for self-expression. You may find yourself pulled toward hobbies or artistic endeavors that enable you to showcase your talents.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22

This is a time to dive deep into your home and family life, Scorpio. You want to create a sense of stability at home and address anything that might compromise that. Trust your gut with how to move forward.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21

Communication is the key this week, Sagittarius. Initiating important conversations and speaking directly with others is a great way to clear the air and get to the root of these issues.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20

Capricorn, you are focused on your financial well-being this week, but other issues may fall by the wayside. You might have to bring in someone else to keep the balance.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18

Personal goals and ambitions are front and center this week, Aquarius. This could put you in the spotlight and showcase what you want to accomplish to those around you.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20

Pisces, this week invites you to slow down and recharge your batteries as much as possible. You might feel pulled to spend time alone or simply get away for a few days.

WPS FOREIGN LANGUAGE HONOR SOCIETY INDUCTIONS

Last week, 28 students from Worcester Preparatory School were inducted into the Pablo Picasso Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica and Societe Honoraire de Francais Chapitre Bastille during the WPS Spanish and French Honor Society Induction Ceremonies.

Above, this year’s inductees of the WPS Pablo Picasso Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica, include, front from left, Head of School Dr. John McDonald, Lyla Roberts, Isha Garg, Avery Roselle, Aurora Holland and Keerat Pandher; second row ,Head of Upper School Carol Evans, Emma Nordstrom, Lara Owens, Reagan Mathews and Spanish teacher Bianca Geesaman; third row, Kyler Phillips, Michael Hall, Jack Adkins, John Wells, Benjamin Holloway and Spanish teacher Kira Gauger; and, back, Justin McGovern, Jackson Griffin, Gavin Mann, Daniel Kirwan and Jude Anthony. Dawson Davis is not pictured. At right, inductees of the WPS Societe Honoraire de Francais Chapitre Bastille include, front from left, Head of School Dr. John McDonald, Alicia Walker, Meredith Walston, Olivia Soares, Gabriella Damouni and Sydney Parker; second row, from left, are Head of Upper School Carol Evans, Matthew Armstrong, Caleb Walston, Jacob Lev, Ronen Poddar and French teacher Elaine Burg. SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Calendar

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

Fri., April 4

OC MAHJONG CLUB

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Join in for a morning of playing tile Mahjong. Feel free to bring your own tile set. All adults are welcome. 410-5241818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

PEEP-SCAPES

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 2 p.m. Bring a shoe box to crate a Peep scene. Craft supplies and peeps provided. Scenes will be displayed in the Berlin Library. For ages 12-18 years. 410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

MINECRAFT PARTY

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 2 p.m. Join the library for a block party with gaming, crafts and more. For ages 6-18 years. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

LOST TREASURES OF THE ‘TITANIC’

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 2 p.m. This lecture takes a closer look at and tells the stories of some of the treasures lost on that fateful night. Art Historian Mallory Mortillaro zooms for this presentation. 410-208-4014

ANNUAL FISH FRY

Holy Savior Catholic Church Parish Hall, 1705 Philadelphia Ave., Ocean City, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Fired cod, French fries, homemade coleslaw, choice of tomato bisque or MD crab soup, dessert and beverage. Cost is $12 for adults and $6 for kids 11 years and younger.

APRILS FIRST FRIDAY

Art League of Ocean City, 504 94th St., Ocean City, 5-7 p.m. Meet the artists, enjoy hors d’oeuvres, and see the new exhibits by a variety of local artists. Free. All are welcome. Refreshments provided. https://artleagueofoceancity.org, 410-524-9433

KIGHTS OF COLUMBUS BINGO Fridays - Knights of Columbus, 9901 Coastal Highway, behind St. Luke’s Church. Doors open at 5 p.m., bingo starts at 6:30 p.m. Light snacks available before bingo and at intermission. 410-524-7994

Sat., April 5

BERLIN CELEBRATES VINTAGE & VINYL 14 S. Main St. Parking Lot, Berlin, 9

a.m.-4 p.m. Sound Storm Records, Pitts Street Treasurers, Viking Tree, Outtens Delights, Uptown Emporium. The Merry Haven, Blazer, Bleached Butterfly and more. Rain date is April 6.

TOWN OF BERLIN COMMUNITY YARD SALE

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 3 Church St., Berlin, 7:30 a.m. Proceeds will go toward outreach for the Church Mouse Ministry at St. Paul’s.

SPRING FLEA INDOOR/OUTDOOR FLEA MARKET

Ocean Pines Community Center, 235 Ocean Parkway, 8 a.m.-noon. Vendors selling gently used clothing, household items, collectables and more. Rain or shine. Spaces are $25 and include one 8 ft. table and two chairs. Stop by and get registered or call 410-641-7052.

2ND ANNUAL BREAKFAST WITH THE EASTER BUNNY & EASTER EGG HUNT

Dry Dock 28, 2709 N. Philadelphia Ave., Ocean City, 8:30 a.m.-noon. Includes kids crafts, activities and the Easter Bunny. Seatings at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Easter egg hunts at 9:40 a.m. and 11:40 a.m. Advance tickets are discounted: 443-978-0680, www.randycrew.com.

SPRING CRAFT DAY

Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 301 Market St., 10 a.m.-noon. A variety of spring crafts available. For ages 6-11 years. 410-957-0878, www.worcesterlibrary.org

SATURDAY WRITERS

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 10 a.m. Novice and established writers gather to share their writing projects. Structure includes critiques and appreciation, market leads and writing exercises. Drop ins welcome. 410-641-0650

FRIED FISH / FRIED CHICKEN / BAKED

CHICKEN PLATTERS TO GO

Calvary United Methodist Church, 8607 Ironshire Station Road, Berlin, 10:30 a.m. Platters cost $13 and include homemade potato salad, macaroni salad, fried potatoes ’n onions, greens and string beans. Also available are biscuits, corn bread, drinks, rice pudding, cakes and more.

EASTER EGG HUNT

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 11 a.m. Collect candy and prizes as you hunt down Easter eggs. Age hunt divisions will be

ages 0-5 years, 6-8 years and 9-11 years. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

FARMERS & ARTISANS MARKET

Saturdays - White Horse Park, 239 Ocean Parkway, 9 a.m. to noon. Shop for everything from fresh local produce to unique handmade artisan goods. Open to the public.

Sun., April 6

ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT BREAKFAST WITH THE EASTER BUNNY

American Legion Synepuxent Post 166, 2308 Philadelphia Ave., Ocean City, 8-11 a.m. Breakfast with the Easter Bunny. Menu includes eggs, pancakes, bacon, ham, sausage, hash browns, coffee, orange juice, gravy and biscuits. Cost is $15 for ages 4 years and older.

GOSPELRANZA CONCERT AND DINNER

Bethany United Methodist Church, 8648 Stephen Decatur Highway, Berlin, 4:30 p.m. Features local gospel singers and workship dancers. Chicken parmesan dinner to follow concert. Cost is $20. Reserve tickets: 410-641-2186.

BERLIN FLEA MARKET

Sundays - Uptown Emporium Parking Lot, 13 S. Main St., Berlin, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Vendor opportunities available. Julie, 410-726-9012; Bill, 410-629-9656

SEWING FOR A CAUSE

Sundays - Buckingham Presbyterian Church, 20 S. Main St., Berlin, 10:30 a.m. to noon. Learn how to sew while making a difference. 410-641-0234

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES MEETING

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

Mon., April 7

NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK SCAVENGER HUNT

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St. Celebrate National Library Week with a fun scavenger hunt around the library and complete book themed riddles for a prize, April 7-12. For families. 410-6323495, www.worcesterlibrary.org

NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK COMMUNI-TREE

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., Berlin. Stop by the Berlin Library to leave a note to populate the Communi-Tree, April 7-12. 410641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

LITTLE LEARNERS: OCEAN CITY FIRE AND RESCUE FEATURING MAX THE THERAPY DOG Museum of Ocean City, 217 S. Baltimore Ave., 10-11 a.m. The Ocean City Fire Department will be visiting with not only

engines, but an extra special guest, Max the therapy dog. Registration requested: ocmuseum.org. 410-289-4991

STORY TIME: FRIENDS & FAMILIES

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Crafts, songs and stories. For ages 0-5 years. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

OC KNITTING GROUP

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

ESL CONVERSATION CLUB

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 2 p.m. Come join other non-native English speakers for casual conversation practice and a short lesson prepared by an ESL instructor. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

GREAT BOOKS DISCUSSION

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 2:30 p.m. Discuss selections from the Great Books Foundation. The group is reading from Book 6 of the Great Conversations Anthology. Today’s focus is on “R. U. R.” by Karel Capek. 410-208-4014

RESEARCHERS MEET UP

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 3 p.m. Meet with fellow researchers to discuss local history, get tips from the local history librarian and work on the citizen research projects. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org

CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP

John H. “Jack” Burbage, Jr. Regional Cancer Care Center, 9707 Healthway Drive, Berlin, 3-4 p.m. Families, partners and other caregivers share similar challenges and rewards of providing care for adults who have any type of serious illness. Nicole Fry, nfry@atlanticgeneral.org, 410-641-2626

WARHAMMER

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 4 p.m. Use the

Crossword answers from page 44

CALENDAR

library’s armies or bring your own. Tutorials and demos will be available, so novice and veteran players alike are welcome. For ages 12-18 years. 410-6410650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

WATERCOLOR BASICS

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 5 p.m. Artist Jan Coulbourne teaches this class about creating a piece of watercolor art. Registration required: 410-632-3495. www.worcesterlibrary.org

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

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

BRIDGE

Mondays - Ocean City 50plus Center, 104 41st Street, Ocean City, 12:30-3:30 p.m. Reserve a spot: Tish, 410-8043971. www.Worcoa.org/oceancity

DELMARVA WOMEN’S A CAPELLA CHORUS

Mondays - Ocean Pines Community Center, 239 Ocean Parkway, 6:00-8:00 p.m. All ladies who love to sing invited. Mary, 410-629-9383 or Carol, 302-242-7062.

OVEREATER’S ANONYMOUS

Mondays - Worcester County Library -

Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 7-8 p.m. No dues or fees. 410-459-9100

Tues., April 8

STORY TIME

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 10:30 a.m. Featuring seasonal themes designed to support early literacy skills with stories, songs and finger plays. For ages 0-5 years. 410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

MUSIC AND MOVEMENT

Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 301 Market St., 10:30 a.m. Sing silly songs, play rhythmic instruments and move to the beat. For ages 0-5 years. 410-957-0878, www.worcesterlibrary.org

DOCUMENTARY: ‘FREE FOR ALL: THE PUBLIC LIBRARY’

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 2 p.m. Celebrate National Library Week and learn something new about the history of libraries in America. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP

Atlantic General Neurology at the Atlantic Health Center, 9714 Healthway Drive, Berlin, 3:15-4 p.m. Group provides discussions, education on exercise,

nutrition, coping techniques, medications and developments in treatment. Kay Kinnikin, 410-641-4765, kkinnikin@atlanticgeneral.org

MILLENNIAL-ISH: BAD ART NIGHT

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 5:30 p.m. Join the library and other in their 20s-40s to make the ugliest art you can imagine. Stay until the end to vote on the best worst piece. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

SONG CELEBRATION

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 6 p.m. Bring a song to share with other players and writers. Originals encouraged. Listeners welcome. Hosted by Mikel Campbell. 410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

BOOK CLUB: ‘THE RADIUM GIRLS’ BY KATE MOORE

Tides & Vine, 106 W. Green St., Snow Hill, 6 p.m. Join in for an evening for books and wine. Stop by the library in advance to pick up a copy of the book. Must be at least 21 years of age. 410632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org

BEACH HEROES-OC

Tuesdays - Volunteer beach clean-up group meets from 9-10 a.m., year-round. Trash bags, grippers and gloves provided. Check the Facebook page “Beach

Heroes-OC” for weekly meeting locations. All are welcome.

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES MEETING

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

TAKE OFF POUNDS SENSIBLY

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

OC KNITTING CLUB

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

ARGENTINE TANGO PRACTICE

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

ZUMBA TONING TUESDAYS

Tuesdays - Northside Park, 200 125th St., Ocean City, 5:30 p.m. Zumba with optional light weights. zumbajoyceoc@gmail.com

WEIGHT MANAGEMENT AND WELLNESS GROUP

Tuesdays - Holy Trinity Cathedral, Continued on Page 48

CALENDAR

11021 Worcester Highway, 2-2:45 p.m. Use the weight loss program/app/plan of your choice. Free and open to everyone. 410-641-4882, www.htcanglican.org/activities.

Wed., April 9

BARIATRIC SUPPORT GROUP

Online Zoom call held the first and second Wednesday of each month. For nonsurgical patients. Atlantic General Bariatric Center, 410-641-9568

BABY TIME

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10 a.m. Songs, stories and giggles. For ages 0-2 years. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

PRESERVING THE PAST WITH PHOTOGRAPHS

Snow Hill 50plus Center, 4767 Snow Hill Road, 11 a.m. Learn how to keep your old photographs organized, safe and protected. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org

MERRY MAKERS: CLAY POT MARBLED WITH NAIL POLISH

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 11 a.m. Use colorful nail polishes to try the fun technique of marbling on clay pots. Registration required: 410-208-4014.

www.worcesterlibrary.org

PLANT THESE, NOT THOSE

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 2 p.m. Examine a selection of native plants that make great alternatives to non-natives and invasives. Discuss the importance of planing natives in landscapes. 410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

TRIVIA WITH JIM MECKLEY: SPRING, SPRANG, SPRUNG!

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 3 p.m. Test your knowledge of everything from Spring showers to May flowers. Prizes and refreshments provided. Admission is free and no registration required. 410208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

STROKE SUPPORT GROUP

Atlantic General Neurology at the Atlantic Health Center, 9714 Healthway Drive, Berlin, 3:15-4 p.m. For stroke survivors, family and friends. 410-6414765, bglime@atlanticgeneral.org

TABLETOP ROLE PLAYING GAME

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 5 p.m. Come play a selected role-playing game for teens. Registration required: 410632-3495. www.worcesterlibrary.org

KIWANIS CLUB MEETING

Wednesdays - Ocean Pines Community

Center, 239 Ocean Parkway, 8 a.m. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. Last Wednesday of the month meetings are offsite and information can be found on the website and Facebook. www.kiwanisofopoc.org.

Thurs., April 10

STORY TIME: ANIMALS

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10:30 a.m. Songs, dancing and crafts. For ages 2-5 years. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

STORY TIME ‘OPEN THIS LITTLE BOOK’

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 10:30 a.m. Stories, songs and rhymes. For ages 2-5 years. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org

LUNCHTIME LENTEN SERVICE AND SOUP LUNCH

St. Paul United Methodist Church, 405 Flower St., Berlin. Worship begins at noon followed by a light lunch. Rev. Dale Brown preaching and serving. bethany21811@gmail.com, 410-641-1286

F. SCOTT FITZGERALD & THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF ‘THE GREAT GATSBY’ Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 2 p.m. Frank DeLucco and Harry Burkett discuss the

novel and the tumultuous life of its author. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

BINGO

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 2 p.m. Lively game of bingo with fun prizes. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

ACCIDENTAL POETRY

Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 301 Market St., 2 p.m. Registration required: 410-957-0878. www.worcesterlibrary.org

TEEN CRAFT LAB

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 3:30 p.m. Chill, create and paint or dye a terracotta pot that is uniquely you. All supplies provided. For ages 12-18 years. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org

ONGOING EVENTS

NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK SCAVENGER HUNT

Snow Hill Library, 307 N. Washington St., April 7-12. Celebrate National Library Week with a fun scavenger hunt around the library and complete book themed riddles for a prize. For families. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org

Ocean Renaissance

APRIL 4, 2025 OC Today-Dispatch

SPEEDWORLD

Small Engine Mechanic. Year-round.

Wage starts at $15/hr & up based on experience. Benefits available. 443-754-1047

ADMINISTRATIVE

ASSISTANT

Administrative Assistant with excellent organizational, computer, people, creative skills, and the ability to learn a variety of systems. Position is Monday thru Friday with some weekends. Good knowledge of current and world history, geography, and culture is important. This is a long-term position and can be challenging. Send resume to: classifieds@ oceancitytoday.net or ADMIN, 11934 Ocean Gateway, Ste. 6, Ocean City, MD 21842

AMERICAN LEGION

2 Bartenders. Seasonal. Part-time. 2 Line Cooks, experience required. Part-time. Apply at Post, 2308 Philadelphia Avenue or call for information at 410-289-3166

HELP WANTED

Well established concrete company looking for YR FINISHERS & LABORERS. Experience preferred. Call 410-832-8251.

MECHANICAL

Person with mechanical ability to work at a WOC boat yard. Call 410-213-2296.

YR RENTAL

1BR, BA, kitchen, W/D, unfurnished. 2 adults. $1500 per mo. + utils. & sec. dep. Call Jean 410-524-0990 before 2 p.m.

WATERFRONT BAYSIDE

Newly remodeled 2BR, 2BA Condo in North OC. Full kitchen, LR, DR, W/D, balcony for sunsets. Perfect for crabbing, fishing, kayaking. 10 min. walk to beach. Weekly summer renals & long term seasonal Nov.-May. Contact Julie, 443-223-4623

SUMMER SEASONAL

Modern Condo 1BR/1BA Bayside, off 123rd St. 2 queen beds, furnished, full kitchen, washer/dryer, POOL, parking. Next to bars & restaurants. Near Northside Park (70 acres).

PROFESSIONALS ONLY, max. 3 renters. NO pets or smokers. $11K + sec. dep. & utilities. Email: jimreeves99md@gmail.com

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

RENTALS

WEEKLY RENTAL

Seasonal Weekly Rental only, Single family home, Berlin. 4BR, 3BA. $725/night. Call 484-319-7188 for details.

House To Share In Ocean Pines. Fully furnished, all utilities & WiFi included. No pets, no smoking. Large Room, $800; Regular Room, $700. 443-880-2486

ROOMMATES

HOUSESHARE IN BERLIN

$600 per month. Nonsmoker, no pets. 443-513-0190

COMMERCIAL

Commercial Space for Lease.

2-3 Units available, can be divided or joined. Approx. 800-1000 sq. ft. ea. Busy major road in Town of Berlin. Call 443-880-8885

2 Office/Retail Spaces available in West Ocean City. Approximately 1656 sq. ft. and 1728 sq. ft. Call 443-497-4200

Industrial Space Yard and Storage Shed. Approx. 10x25+/Route 90/Bishopville. Call 443-497-4200.

LARRY’S HANDYMAN

SERVICE

No job too small. Entrance doors, interior doors, storm doors, shower doors, drywall repairs and paint, laminate floors, interior paint. Over 40 years of carpentry experience. Please call Larry, 410-251-9066

LOST

LOST RING

Lost Ruby Platinum Ring, Downtown OC.

FOR SALE Get Boost Infinite! Unlimited Talk, Text and Data For Just $25/mo! The Power Of 3 5G Networks, One Low Price! Call Today and Get The Latest iPhone Every Year On Us! 855-977-5719

Get DISH Satellite TV + Internet! Free Install, Free HDDVR Upgrade, 80,000 OnDemand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-855-4076870

for power outages today with a GENERAC Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5-Year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-855-993-0969 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move.

VEHICLES WANTED

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

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

Rosenberg & Associates, LLC

4340 East West Highway, Suite 600

Bethesda, MD 20814

(301) 907-8000

www.rosenberg-assoc.com

SUBSTITUTE

TRUSTEES’ SALE OF IMPROVED REAL PROPERTY

10833 SAINT MARTINS NECK ROAD BISHOPVILLE, MD 21813

Under a power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust from Stanley Johnson, Jr. dated October 29, 2004 and recorded in Liber 4301, folio 632 among the Land Records of Worcester County, MD, default having occurred under the terms thereof, the Trustees will sell at public auction at the Circuit Court for Worcester County, at the Court House Door, One W. Market St., Snow Hill, MD 21863, on

APRIL 15, 2025 AT 3:55 PM

ALL THAT FEE SIMPLE LOT OF GROUND, together with the buildings and improvements thereon situated in Worcester County, MD and more fully described in the aforesaid Deed of Trust. Tax ID #05-006392.

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

Terms of Sale: A deposit of $20,000 in the form of certified check, cashier's check or money order will be required of the purchaser at time and place of sale. Balance of the purchase price to be paid in cash within ten days of final ratification of sale by the Circuit Court for Worcester County. Interest to be paid on the unpaid purchase money at the rate pursuant to the Deed of Trust Note from the date of sale to the date funds are received in the office of the Trustees. There will be no abatement of interest in the event additional funds are tendered before settlement or if settlement is delayed for any reason. The noteholder shall not be obligated to pay interest if it is the purchaser. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE FOR THE PURCHASER. There will be no reduction of interest due to overpayment of deposit. Adjustment of all real property taxes (excluding recapture of previously reduced or exempt taxes) and any other public charges or assessments, to the extent such amount survive foreclosure sale, including water/sewer charges, and ground rent to be adjusted to date of sale and paid at execution of the deed, except where the secured party is the purchaser, and thereafter assumed by the purchaser. All due and/or unpaid private utility, water and sewer facilities charges, condo/HOA assessments and Columbia Assoc. assessments, to the extent such amount survive foreclosure sale, are payable by the purchaser without adjustment. Cost of all documentary stamps, transfer taxes, recaptured taxes (including but not

limited to agricultural taxes), and settlement expenses shall be borne by the purchaser. Purchaser shall be responsible for obtaining physical possession of the property. Purchaser assumes the risk of loss or damage to the property from the date of sale forward. Additional terms to be announced at the time of sale. If the Trustees are unable to convey good and marketable title, the purchaser's sole remedy in law and equity shall be limited to a refund of the deposit without interest. If the purchaser fails to go to settlement, subject to order of the court, the entire deposit (including any amount received over the advertised deposit amount) shall be forfeited to the Trustees as liquidated damages for all losses occasioned by the purchaser's default and purchaser shall have no further liability. In the event of a resale, the defaulting purchaser shall not be entitled to receive the surplus, if any, even if such surplus results from improvements to the property by said defaulting purchaser and the defaulting purchaser shall be liable to the Trustees and secured party for reasonable attorney’s fees and expenses incurred in connection with all litigation involving the Property or the proceeds of the resale. Defaulting purchaser waives personal service of any document filed in connection with such a motion on him/herself and/or any principal or corporate designee, and expressly agrees to accept service of any such document by regular mail directed to the address provided by said purchaser at the time of the foreclosure auction. Trustees' file number 22-000801-MD-F-1.

Diane S. Rosenberg, Mark D. Meyer, et al., Trustees

OCD-3/27/3t

COATES, COATES & COATES, P.A.

W. HANK FISHER, III, ESQ. 6200 COASTAL HIGHWAY, SUITE 300

OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE

ESTATE NO. 20566

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the District Court of Lincoln County, Kentucky appointed Deborah Ann Shoemaker, 2 Foxenfields Abbots Ripton Huntingdon Cambridgeshire, PE28 2PW as the Foreign Personal Representative of the Estate of Arvil Stinnett who died on December 29, 2024 domiciled in Kentucky, America.

The Maryland resident agent for service of process is W. Hank Fisher III whose address is 6200 Coastal Hwy., Ste. 300, Ocean City, MD 21842-6698.

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

All persons having claims against

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

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

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

Deborah Ann Shoemaker

Foreign Personal Representative Terri Westcott Register of Wills

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

Name of Newspaper: Ocean City Digest

Date of first publication: March 20, 2025

OCD-3/20/3t

MELVIN J. CALDWELL JR., ESQ. CALDWELL & WHITEHEAD, P.A. 109 CAMDEN STREET, P.O. BOX 4520

SALISBURY, MD 21803-4520

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20570 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF LAWRENCE J. WILCKENS AKA: LAWRENCE JOHN WILCKENS

Notice is given that Patricia Ortiz Cachay, 6 Bearberry Rd., Berlin, MD 21811-2049, was on March 13, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Lawrence J. Wilckens who died on November 26, 2024, with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 13th day of September, 2025.

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

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

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

ister of Wills.

Patricia Ortiz Cachay

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 20, 2025

OCD-3/20/3t

Neil Eskin Eskin Law, LLC

Attorney for the Plaintiff 1700 Reisterstown Road, Ste. 212 Baltimore, MD 21208 (410) 343-9125

neil@eskin-law.com

AIS#: 1406170091

Tax Lien Hedge, LLC C/O Eskin Law, LLC

1700 Reisterstown Road, Suite 212 Baltimore, MD 21208

Plaintiff v. Joseph R. Kane P.O. Box 1329

Rehoboth, DE 19971 and

State of Maryland

Office of the Attorney General S/O Anthony G. Brown, Attorney General 200 Saint Paul Place Baltimore, MD 21202 and Worcester County Treasurer's Office

S/O Phillip G. Thompson, Collector 1 W. Market St. Room 1105 Snow Hill, MD 21863 410-632-0686 and

All unknown owners of the property described Below; all heirs, devisees, personal representatives, and executors, administrators, grantees, assigns or successors in right, title, interest, and any and all persons having or claiming to have any interest in the property and premises situate in the Worcester County, known as 205 Market Street, Snow Hill, MD 21863, and described as Legal Description 75' X 495' X 78' X 475' 205 E MARKET ST SNOW HILL Being known as District 02 Account Number 024470 on the Tax Roll of the Collector of Taxes.

Defendants IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY CASE NO.: C-23-CV-25-000071

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this proceeding is to secure the foreclosure of all rights of redemption from tax sale on the property known as 205 Market Street, Snow Hill, MD 21863, in Worcester County, State of Maryland, sold by the Director of Treasury for Worcester County, State of Maryland to Tax Lien Hedge, LLC, the Plaintiff.

A DESCRIPTION of the property in substantially the same form as

the description appearing on the Certificate of Tax Sale is as follows: Legal Description 75' X 495' X 78' X 475' 205 E MARKET ST SNOW HILL, District 02 Account Number 024470 Known as 205 Market Street, Snow Hill, MD 21863. The complaint states among other things that the amount necessary for redemption has not been paid. It is thereupon this 12th of March, 2025, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Ordered, that notice be given by the insertion of a copy of this Order in some newspaper having a general circulation in Worcester County once a week for three consecutive weeks, warning all persons interested in the property to appear in this Court by the 11th day of May, 2025, and redeem the property and answer the Complaint or thereafter a final judgment will be entered foreclosing all rights of redemption in the property and vesting in the Plaintiff a title to said property in Fee Simple, free of all liens and encumbrances.

Beau H. Oglesby Judge

True Copy Test: Susan R. Braniecki Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County MD OCD-3/20/3t

Neil Eskin

Eskin Law, LLC

Attorney for the Plaintiff 1700 Reisterstown Road, Ste. 212 Baltimore, MD 21208 (410) 343-9125 neil@eskin-law.com AIS#: 1406170091

Tax Lien Hedge, LLC

C/O Eskin Law, LLC 1700 Reisterstown Road, Suite 212 Baltimore, MD 21208

Plaintiff v.

Ernest T. Fischer

6698 Fowling Creek Drive Preston, MD 21655 and State of Maryland Office of the Attorney General S/O Anthony G. Brown, Attorney General 200 Saint Paul Place Baltimore, MD 21202 and Worcester County Treasurer's Office

S/O Phillip G. Thompson, Collector 1 W. Market St. Room I I 05 Snow Hill, MD 21863 410-632-0686 and

All unknown owners of the property described Below; all heirs, devisees, personal representatives, and executors, administrators, grantees, assigns or successors in right, title, interest, and any and all persons having or claiming to have any interest in the property and premises situate in the Worcester County, known as Torquay Road, Ocean City, MD 21842, and described as Legal Description LOT 23 BLK 28 SEC CW TORQUAY RD PL CAPE ISLE OF WlGHT Being known as District IO Account Number 004942 on the Tax Roll of the Collector of Taxes. Defendants

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY CASE NO.: C-23-CV-25-000067

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this proceeding is to secure the foreclosure of all rights of redemption from tax sale on the property known as Torquay Road, Ocean City, MD 21842, in Worcester County, State of Maryland, sold by the Director of Treasury for Worcester County, State of Maryland to Tax Lien Hedge, LLC, the Plaintiff.

A DESCRIPTION of the property in substantially the same form as the description appearing on the Certificate of Tax Sale is as follows: Legal Description LOT 23 BLK 28 SEC C W TORQUAY RD PL CAPE ISLE OF WIGHT, District 10 Account Number 004942 Known as Torquay Road, Ocean City, MD 21842.

The complaint states among other things that the amount necessary for redemption has not been paid.

It is thereupon this 12th of March, 2025, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Ordered, that notice be given by the insertion of a copy of this Order in some newspaper having a general circulation in Worcester County once a week for three consecutive weeks, warning all persons interested in the property to appear in this Court by the 12th of May, 2025, and redeem the property and answer the Complaint or thereafter a final judgment will be entered foreclosing all rights of redemption in the property and vesting in the Plaintiff a title to said property in Fee Simple, free of all liens and encumbrances.

Brian D. Shockley Judge Test: Susan R. Braniecki Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County MD OCD-3/20/3t

Neil Eskin

Eskin Law, LLC

Attorney for the Plaintiff 1700 Reisterstown Road, Ste. 212 Baltimore, MD 21208 (410) 343-9125

neil@eskin-law.com

AIS#: 1406170091

Tax Lien Hedge, LLC

C/O Eskin Law, LLC

1700 Reisterstown Road, Suite 212 Baltimore, MD 21208

Plaintiff v. Jason Anthony Bowen 607 Ravenstone Lane Durham, NC 27703 and State of Maryland

Office of the Attorney General

S/O Anthony G. Brown, Attorney General 200 Saint Paul Place Baltimore, MD 21202 and Worcester County Treasurer's Office

S/O Phillip G. Thompson, Collector l W. Market St. Room 1105 Snow Hill, MD 21863 410-632-0686 and

All unknown owners of the property described Below; all heirs, devisees, personal representatives, and executors, administrators, grantees, assigns or successors in right, title, interest, and any and all persons having or claiming to have any interest in the property and premises situate in the Worcester County, known as 210 Flower Street, Berlin, MD 21811, and described as Legal Description 60 3 X 92 E STDE FLOWER STREET BERLIN Being known as District 03 Account Number 034569 on the Tax Roll of the Collector of Taxes. Defendants IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY CASE NO.: C-23-CV-25-000065

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this proceeding is to secure the foreclosure of all rights of redemption from tax sale on the property known as 210 Flower Street, Berlin, MD 21811, in Worcester County, State or Maryland, sold by the Director or Treasury for Worcester County, State or Maryland to Tax Lien Hedge, LLC, the Plaintiff.

A DESCRIPTION of the property in substantially the same form as the description appearing on the Certificate of Tax Sale is as follows: Legal Description 60 3 X 92 E SIDE FLOWER STREET BERLIN, District 03 Account umber 034569 Known as 210 Flower Street, Berlin, MD 21811.

The complaint states among other things that the amount necessary for redemption has not been paid. It is thereupon this 12th of March, 2025, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Ordered, that notice be given by the insertion of a copy of this Order in some newspaper having a general circulation in Worcester County once a week for three consecutive weeks, warning all persons interested in the property to appear in this Court by the 13th of May, 2025, and redeem the property and answer the Complaint or thereafter a final judgment will be entered foreclosing all rights of redemption in the property and vesting in the Plaintiff a title to said property in Fee Simple, free of all liens and encumbrances.

Brian D. Shockley Judge

True Copy Test: Susan R. Braniecki Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County MD OCD-3/20/3t

Neil Eskin

Eskin Law, LLC

Attorney for the Plaintiff

1700 Reisterstown Road, Ste. 212 Baltimore, MD 21208 (410) 343-9125 neil@eskin-law.com AIS#: 1406170091

Tax Lien Hedge, LLC

C/O Eskin Law, LLC

1700 Reisterstown Road, Suite 212 Baltimore, MD 21208 Plaintiff v.

John Groton

705 Walnut Street

Pocomoke, MD 2 I 851 and Ralph Groton

705 Walnut Street

Pocomoke, MD 2 I 85 I and

Robert Reed

705 Walnut Street Pocomoke, MD 2 I 851 and Mary Kay Reed 705 Walnut Street Pocomoke, MD 21851 and State of Maryland

Office of the Attorney General S/O Anthony G. Brown, Attorney General 200 Saint Paul Place Baltimore, MD 21202 and

Worcester County Treasurer's Office

S/O Phillip G. Thompson, Collector 1 W. Market St. Room 1105 Snow Hill, MD 21863 410-632-0686 and

All unknown owners of the property described Below; all heirs, devisees, personal representatives, and executors, administrators, grantees, assigns or successors in right, title, interest, and any and all persons having or claiming to have any interest in the property and premises situate in the Worcester County, known as 17 Somerset Avenue, Pocomoke, MD 21851, and described as Legal Description LOT 8 BLK B 17 SOMERSET AVE PL POCOMOKE HEIGHTS Being known as District 01 Account Number 025694 on the Tax Roll of the Collector of Taxes.

Defendants IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY CASE NO.: C-23-CV-25-000069

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this proceeding is to secure the foreclosure of all rights of redemption from tax sale on the property known as 17 Somerset Avenue, Pocomoke, MD 21851, in Worcester County, State of Maryland, sold by the Director of Treasury for Worcester County, State of Maryland to Tax Lien Hedge, LLC, the Plaintiff.

A DESCRIPTION of the property in substantially the same form as the description appearing on the Certificate of Tax Sale is as follows: Legal Description LOT 8 BLK B 17 SOMERSET AVE PL POCOMOKE HEIGHTS, District 01 Account Number 025694 Known as 17 Somerset A venue, Pocomoke, MD 21851. The complaint states among other things that the amount necessary for redemption has not been paid. It is thereupon this 12th of March, 2025, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Ordered, that notice be given by the insertion of a copy of this Order in some newspaper having a general circulation in Worcester County once a week for three consecutive weeks, warning all persons interested in the property to appear in this Court by the 13th day of May, 2025, and redeem the prop-

erty and answer the Complaint or thereafter a final judgment will be entered foreclosing all rights of redemption in the property and vesting in the Plaintiff a title to said property in Fee Simple, free of all liens and encumbrances.

Brian D. Shockley Judge

Test: Susan R. Braniecki

Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County MD OCD-3/20/3t

Neil Eskin

Eskin Law, LLC

Attorney for the Plaintiff 1700 Reisterstown Road, Ste. 212 Baltimore, MD 21208 (410) 343-9125

neil@eskin-law.com

AIS#: 1406170091

Tax Lien Hedge, LLC

C/O Eskin Law, LLC 1700 Reisterstown Road, Suite 212 Baltimore, MD 21208

Plaintiff v.

Lou Alice Lockhart

11275 Highway 98, West, #6-407 Miramar Beach, FL 32550 and Ocean Pines Association, Inc.

S/O The Corporation Trust, Inc., R.A.

2405 York Road, #20 I Lutherville Timonium, MD 21093 and State of Maryland

Office of the Attorney General

S/O Anthony G. Brown, Attorney General 200 Saint Paul Place Baltimore, MD 21202 and Worcester County Treasurer's Office

S/O Phillip G. Thompson, Collector 1 W. Market St. Room 1105 Snow Hill, MD 21863 410-632-0686 and

All unknown owners of the property described Below; all heirs, devisees, personal representatives, and executors, administrators, grantees, assigns or successors in right, title, interest, and any and all persons having or claiming to have any interest in the property and premises situate in the Worcester County,known as 108 Nottingham Lane, Ocean Pines, MD 21811, and described as Legal Description LOT B-10-069 7672 SQ FT NOTTINGHAM LN PL OCEAN PINES SEC IO Being known as District 03 Account Number 099075 on the Tax Roll of the Collector of Taxes. Defendants IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY CASE N0.: C-23-CV-25-000072

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this proceeding is to secure the foreclosure of all rights of redemption from tax sale on the property known as 108 Nottingham Lane, Ocean Pines, MD 21811, in Worcester County, State of Maryland, sold by the Director of Treasury for Worcester County, State of

Maryland to Tax Lien Hedge, LLC, the Plaintiff.

A DESCRIPTION of the property in substantially the same form as the description appearing on the Certificate of Tax Sale is as follows: Legal Description LOT B-10-069 7672 SQ FT NOTTINGHAM LN PL OCEAN PINES SEC I 0, District 03 Account Number 099075 Known as 108 Nottingham Lane, Ocean Pines, MD 21811.

The complaint states among other things that the amount necessary for redemption has not been paid.

It is thereupon this 12th of March, 2025, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Ordered. that notice be given by the insertion of a copy of this Order in some newspaper having a general circulation in Worcester County once a week for three consecutive weeks, warning all persons interested in the property to appear in this Court by the 13th day of May, 2025, and redeem the property and answer the Complaint or thereafter a final judgment will be entered foreclosing all rights of redemption in the property and vesting in the Plaintiff a title to said property in Fee Simple, free of all liens and encumbrances.

Brian D. Shockley Judge

True Copy Test: Susan R. Braniecki Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County MD OCD-3/20/3t

ROBERT E RICHARDS ESQ

RICHARDS & RICHARDS P. A. 11253 LOCKWOOD DR STE B SILVER SPRING, MD 20901-4566

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of DALE KUNZE Estate No. 20571 Notice is given that STEPHEN W KUNZE whose address is 6716 OREM DR LAUREL, MD 20707-3238 was on MARCH 14, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of DALE KUNZE who died on FEBRUARY 16, 2025 with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 14th day of SEPTEMBER, 2025

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

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

(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two

months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-3/20/3t

Neil Eskin

Eskin Law, LLC

Attorney for the Plaintiff 1700 Reisterstown Road, Ste. 212 Baltimore, MD 21208 (410) 343-9125 neil@eskin-law.com AIS#: 1406170091

Tax Lien Hedge, LLC C/O Eskin Law, LLC 1700 Reisterstown Road, Suite 212 Baltimore, MD 21208

Plaintiff v.

Greenspring Home Builders, LLC

S/O Vincent L. Abell, R.A. 10308 Bristolwood Court Laurel, MD 20708 and State of Maryland Office of the Attorney General S/O Anthony G. Brown, Attorney General 200 Saint Paul Place Baltimore, MD 21202 and Worcester County Treasurer's Office

S/O Phillip G. Thompson, Collector 1 W. Market St. Room 1105 Snow Hill, MD 21863 410-632-0686 and *

All unknown owners of the property described Below; all heirs, devisees, personal representatives, and executors, administrators, grantees, assigns or successors in right, title, interest, and any and all persons having or claiming to have any interest in the property and premises situate in the Worcester County, known as 113 Eighth Street, Pocomoke, MD 21851, and described as Legal Description LOT 33 80' X 133' EIGHTH ST PL BERWYCK Being known as District 01 Account Number 032143 on the Tax Roll of the Collector of Taxes.

Defendants IN THE ClRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY CASE NO.: C-23-CV-25-000068

ORDER OF

PUBLICATION

The object of this proceeding is to secure the foreclosure of all rights of redemption from tax sale on the property known as 113 Eighth Street, Pocomoke, MD 21851, in Worcester County, State of Maryland, sold by the Director of Treasury for Worcester County, State of Maryland to Tax Lien Hedge, LLC, the Plaintiff.

A DESCRIPTION of the property in substantially the same form as the description appearing on the

Certificate of Tax Sale is as follows: Legal Description LOT 33 80' X I 33' EIGHTH ST PL BERWYCK, District 01 Account umber 032143 Known as I 13 Eighth Street, Pocomoke, MD 2 1851. The complaint states among other things that the amount necessary for redemption has not been paid. It is thereupon this 12th of March, 2025, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Ordered, that notice be given by the insertion of a copy of this Order in some newspaper having a general circulation in Worcester County once a week for three consecutive weeks, warning all persons interested in the property to appear in this Court by the 11th day of May, 2025, and redeem the property and answer the Complaint or thereafter a final judgment will be entered foreclosing all rights of redemption in the property and vesting in the Plaintiff a title to said property in Fee Simple, free of all lie Beau H. Oglesby Judge

True Copy Test: Susan R. Braniecki Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County MD

OCD-3/20/3t

EMILY LEE

6325 WOODSIDE CT., STE. 110 COLUMBIA, MD 21046-3226

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20526 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF HONG KI KIM

Notice is given that Jung Ja Kim, 5229 Pommeroy Dr., Fairfax, VA 22032-3921, was on March 14, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Hong Ki Kim who died on January 30, 2023, without a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 14th day of September, 2025.

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

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

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

Jung Ja Kim

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 20, 2025

OCD-3/20/3t

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of ELISABETH S. PRICHARD Estate No. 20512 Notice is given that WOODWARD CLARK PRICHARD whose address is 18 CAPE MAY PL., BERLIN, MD 21811-1310 was on MARCH 11, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of ELISABETH S. PRICHARD who died on JANUARY 22, 2025 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 11th day of SEPTEMBER, 2025

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

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

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

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-3/20/3t

GINA D. SHAFFER, ESQ. SHAFFER LAW OFFICE 11033 CATHELL RD. BERLIN, MD 21811-9328

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20501

TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF JACK EDWARD CALDWELL Notice is given that Gregory F.

Caldwell, 36098 Lumberyard Ln., Willards, MD 21874-1350, was on March 14, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Jack Edward Caldwell who died on November 29, 2024, with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 14th day of September, 2025.

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

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

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

Gregory F. Caldwell

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 20, 2025

OCD-3/20/3t

ARNOLD R. SILBIGER

SILBIGER & SILBIGER ATTORNEYS AT LAW 5420 CARVILLE AVE. BALTIMORE, MD 21227-2705

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of EDGAR L. UDICH Estate No. 20569 Notice is given that JULIE A. PARKS whose address is 5608 OAKLAND RD., BALTIMORE, MD 21227-3918 was on MARCH 12, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of EDGAR L. UDICH who died on FEBRUARY 19, 2025 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, 2025

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

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

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

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-3/20/3t

THOMAS K. COATES ESQ. COATES, COATES & COATES, P.A.

6200 COASTAL HIGHWAY, SUITE 300

OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20573 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF RICHARD S. LUDLAM

Notice is given that Elizabeth B. Ludlam, 10206 Twilight Gun Ln., Berlin, MD 21811-2746, was on March 18, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Richard S. Ludlam who died on January 20, 2025, with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 18th day of September, 2025.

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

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

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

Elizabeth B. Ludlam

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 27, 2025

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NOTICE

OF PUBLIC HEARING WORCESTER COUNTY BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS AGENDA

THURSDAY APRIL 10, 2025

Pursuant to the provisions of the Worcester County Zoning Ordinance, notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held in-person before the Board of Zoning Appeals for Worcester County, in the Board Room (Room 1102) on the first floor of the Worcester County Government Center, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland. Audio and video recording will take place during this public hearing.

The public is invited to view this meeting live online athttps://worcestercountymd.swagit.co m/live

6:30 p.m. Case No. 25-21, on the lands of Sean Alvarado, requesting two (2) after-the-fact variances to the side yard setback from 16.3 feet to 9.2 feet (to encroach 7.1 feet) for a kennel and from 16.3 feet to 9.0 feet (to encroach 7.3 feet) for a garage in the R-1 Rural Residential District, pursuant to Zoning Code §§ ZS 1116(c)(4), ZS 1-122(c)(1)A1, ZS 1205(b)(2) and ZS 1-305, located at 6626 Snow Hill Road, Tax Map 46, Parcel 60, Tax District 2, Worcester County, Maryland.

6:35 p.m. Case No. 25-20, on the lands of Maria Guintu, requesting an after-the-fact variance to the rear yard setback from 30 feet to 26.6 feet (to encroach 3.4 feet) for steps from an open deck in the R-2 Suburban Residential District, pursuant to Zoning Code §§ ZS 1-116(c)(4), ZS 1206(b)(2) and ZS 1-305, located at 35 Robin Hood Trail, Tax Map 21, Parcel 224, Section 10, Lot 1163, Tax District 3, Worcester County, Maryland.

6:40 p.m. Case No. 25-23, on the lands of the Ocean Pines Association, Inc., requesting a special exception to allow two (2) electronic community signs on Manklin Creek Road, approximately 450 feet from MD 589 and on Cathell Road, approximately 650 feet from MD 589, in the C-2 General Commercial District, pursuant to Zoning Code §§ ZS 1-116(c)(3) and ZS 1-324(c)(9), located on Tax Map 16, Parcel 112, Lot D4, Tax District 3, Worcester County, Maryland.

6:45 p.m. Case No. 25-22, on the lands of Lawrence and Joan Buchanan, on the application of Hugh Cropper, IV, requesting a variance to the rear yard setback from 30 feet to 15.8 feet (to encroach 14.2 feet) and to the side yard setback

from 6 feet to 4.9 feet (to encroach 1.1 feet) for a proposed two-story addition in the R-4 General Residential District, pursuant to Zoning Code §§ ZS 1-116(c)(4), ZS 1-208(b)(2) and ZS 1-305, located at 12937 Swordfish Drive, Tax Map 27, Parcel 533, Block E, Lot 9, Tax District 10, Worcester County, Maryland.

6:50 p.m. Case No. 25-24, on the lands of Snow Hill Property LLC, on the application of Kristina Watkowski and Hugh Cropper, IV, requesting a variance to the minimum lot width requirement from 200 feet to 150 feet (a reduction of 50 feet) for a proposed mosque in the C2 General Commercial District, pursuant to Zoning Code §§ ZS 1-116(c)(4), ZS 1-210(b)(8) and ZS 1305, located at 12004 Ocean Gateway, Tax Map 26, Parcel 130, Tax District 10, Worcester County, Maryland.

6:55 p.m. Case No. 25-25, on the lands of Coastal Square LLC, on the application of Mark Cropper, requesting a variance to the front yard setback on Samuel Bowen Boulevard from 50 feet to 25 feet (to encroach 25 feet) for a proposed commercial building in a shopping center in the C-3 Highway Commercial District, pursuant to Zoning Code §§ ZS 1-116(c)(4), ZS 1211(b)(2) and ZS 1-305, located at 11238 Ocean Gateway, Tax Map 26, Parcel 474, Tax District 3, Worcester County, Maryland.

7:00 p.m. Case No. 25-19, on the lands of JSJ Partners LLC, on the application of Jonathan Anders, requesting a special exception for a private noncommercial building for the storage of personal property in the A-1 Agricultural District, pursuant to Zoning Code §§ ZS 1116(c)(3), ZS 1-201(c)(34) and ZS 1-305, located between dualized US 113 and old Worcester Highway approximately 1,500 feet north of MD Route 90, Tax Map 15, Parcel 236, Lot 5, Tax District 3, Worcester County, Maryland.

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BWW Law Group, LLC 6003 Executive Blvd., Suite 101 Rockville, MD 20852

ANDREW J. BRENNER, et al. 6003 Executive Blvd., Suite 101 Rockville, MD 20852

Substitute Trustees/ Plaintiffs vs.

WILLIAM E. SHOCKLEY (DECEASED)

MARY F. SHOCKLEY (DECEASED)

10116 McAllister Road Berlin, MD 21811

Defendant(s) IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND

Case No. C-23-CV-24-000302

NOTICE

Notice is hereby given this 20th day of March, 2025, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, that the sale of the property mentioned in these proceedings and described as 10116 McAllister Road, Berlin, MD 21811, made and reported by the Substitute Trustee,

will be RATIFIED AND CONFIRMED, unless cause to the contrary thereof be shown on or before the 21st day of April, 2025, 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 14th day of April, 2025.

The report states the purchase price at the Foreclosure sale to be $169,000.00.

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-3/27/3t

REGAN J. R. SMITH ESQ. WILLIAMS, MOORE, SHOCKLEY & HARRISON LLP 3509 COASTAL HWY. OCEAN CITY, MD 21842-3334

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20584

TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF JANICE LYNN SCHMITT

Notice is given that Jacqueline Grace, 4538 Perkins Ct., Belcamp, MD 21017-1425, was on March 21, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Janice Lynn Schmitt who died on February 17, 2025, 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 21st day of September, 2025.

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

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

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

Jacqueline Grace 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 27, 2025

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REGAN J. R. SMITH ESQ. WILLIAMS, MOORE, SHOCKLEY & HARRISON LLP 3509 COASTAL HWY. OCEAN CITY, MD 21842-3334

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20585 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF PATRICIA G. BAKER

Notice is given that Chad E. Baker, 1105 Crowfoot Ln., Silver Spring, MD 20904-1322, was on March 21, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Patricia G. Baker who died on January 04, 2025, 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 21st day of September, 2025.

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

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

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

Chad E. Baker

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 27, 2025

Estate No. 20542 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF ROBERT ELLSWORTH JOHNSON

Notice is given that Sharon Atherton, 7 Misty Shore Dr., Berlin, MD 21811-2714, was on March 18, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Robert Ellsworth Johnson who died on January 13, 2025, with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 18th day of September, 2025.

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

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

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

Sharon Atherton 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 28, 2025

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REENA J. PATEL ESQ.

LAW OFFICE OF MARIANNA BATIE

1321 MOUNT HERMON RD., STE. B SALISBURY, MD 21804-5303

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

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MARIANNA BATIE ESQ. LAW OFFICE OF

MARIANNA BATIE 1321 MOUNT HERMON RD., STE. B SALISBURY, MD 21804-5303

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of NANCY ANNE ROCK Estate No. 20583 Notice is given that MARGARET ELLEN DOBUCKI whose address is 1919 NORMANDY DR., WOOSTER, OH 44691-1435 was on MARCH 21, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of NANCY ANNE ROCK who died on FEBRUARY 21, 2025 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 represen-

tative 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 21st day of SEPTEMBER, 2025

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

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

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

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

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NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of ELAINE M. SOBOTA AKA: ELAINE MARIE SOBOTA Estate No. 20578 Notice is given that JAMES ALLEN SOBOTA whose address is 37096 LONGMOOR FARM LN., HILLSBORO, VA 20132-2864 was on MARCH 19, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of ELAINE M. SOBOTA who died on MARCH 05, 2025 with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 19th day of SEPTEMBER, 2025

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

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

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

ister of Wills. TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET

ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE

SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074

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NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of JOHN EDWARD FLEMING JR Estate No. 20580 Notice is given that ROGER C. FLEMING whose address is 33010 NASSAU LOOP, LEWES, DE 19958-3729 was on MARCH 20, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of JOHN EDWARD FLEMING JR who died on DECEMBER 20, 2024 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 20th day of SEPTEMBER, 2025

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

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

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

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

SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074

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B. RANDALL COATES ESQ COATES, COATES, & COATES 204 WEST GREEN STREET P O BOX 293

SNOW HILL, MD 21863

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of BRUCE WAYNE WARD SR

Estate No. 20577 Notice is given that ANGELA L CASTILLO whose address is 7132 AYRES LN RD SNOW HILL, MD 21863-4116 was on MARCH 18, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of BRUCE WAYNE WARD SR who died on FEBRUARY 19, 2025 with a will.

Further information can be ob-

tained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 18th day of SEPTEMBER, 2025

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

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

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

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-3/27/3t

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS BOARD OF PORT WARDENS

Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 106 ”Waterways,” Article II – “Shoreline Development” of the Code of the Town of Ocean City, Maryland, hereinafter referred to as the Code, same being the Port Wardens Ordinance of Ocean City, Maryland, notice is hereby given that public hearings will be conducted in the Council Chambers of City Hall located at 301 Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, Maryland.

Thursday, April 10, 2025 2:00 PM

PW 25-027 A request has been submitted to install one boat lift with associated pilings and one PWC lift with associated pilings maximum channelward distance 49’. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 701 HARBOUR DR Parcel # 8020A1544B- in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.

OWNER: Dominic DuBois APPLICANT: McGinty Marine Construction

PW 25-028 A request has been submitted to install 40’ of replacement vinyl bulkheading not to exceed 18” channel ward; and to replace existing dock with a new 7’ x 40’ parallel dock and replace existing perpendicular pier with a new 5’ x

30’ pier; and to install one boatlift with associated pilings maximum channelward for all work 50’. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 187 PINE TREE RD Parcel # 8020A1309B in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.

OWNER: Pine Tree Road, LLC, c/o Ken Meckley

APPLICANT: McGinty Marine Construction

PW 25-029 A request has been submitted to install one 4 piling boat lift on existing pilings, removing a 2’ section of pier to accommodate; maximum channelward extension 17’. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 2205 PHILADELPHIA AVE UNIT 204D Parcel # 4236 -D204 - in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.

OWNER: James Bilotta & Alexandra King

APPLICANT: Kayla Short

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NOTICE

OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS DIVISION TOWN OF OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND

PROPOSED EAGLES LANDING GOLF COURSE RESILIENCY PROJECT

The Town of Ocean City seeks approval for grading proposed improvements at the Eagles Landing Golf Course located at 12637 Eagles Nest Road, Berlin, Md. 21811, a portion of which is situated with the Critical Area and will necessitate Critical Area Buffer impacts. Comments or inquiries may be directed to the Town of Ocean City’s Environmental Programs Division no later than April 8, 2025; Attn: Ms. Jenelle Gerthoffer, 410-289-8825 (office), 410-289-8703 (fax), jgerthoffer@oceancitymd.gov.

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BEFORE THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION OF MARYLAND

IN THE MATTER OF TPE MD WO73, LLC’S APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY TO CONSTRUCT A 5.0 MW SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC GENERATING FACILITY IN WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND

CASE NO. 9772

NOTICE

OF VIRTUAL PUBLIC COMMENT HEARING

The Maryland Public Service Commission will hold a public comment hearing to consider TPE MD WO73, LLC’s application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and

Necessity (CPCN) to construct a 5.0 MW solar electric generating facility approximately ½ mile northwest of the intersection of Old Ocean City Boulevard and Main Street, Berlin, MD.

DATE: Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.

TIME: 7:00 p.m. EDT

PLACE: Virtual Meeting

If you would like to speak at the hearing, please sign up through the Public Service Commission’s website www.psc.state.md.us/ by Monday, May 5, 2025. To sign up, under “Featured Topics” take the following steps: click on Public Comment Hearing Signup; click on Case No. 9772; click on May 6, 2025; select 7:00 p.m. and click “next” then enter your name and email address; click “Schedule Event.” You will receive a zoom link for the meeting once you have completed the sign-up process. A recording will also be available via the Public Utility Law Judge’s (PULJ) YouTube Channel, www.youtube.com/channel/UCYK5 mu0UMAUOqSQowRq2TIQ/.

Written comments may be submitted electronically or by first-class mail. Comments submitted electronically must be submitted through the Commission’s Public Comment Dropbox, which can be accessed at www.psc.md.us. Instructions are available at www.psc.state.md.us/make-a-publiccomment. Comments submitted by first-class mail must be addressed to Jamie Bergin, Chief Clerk, Maryland Public Service Commission, William Donald Schaefer Tower, 6 St. Paul Street, 16th Floor, Baltimore MD 21202. All comments must include a reference to Case No. 9772.

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NOTICE

OF APPLICATION FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE

Application has been made by the Undersigned for a Class: "B" BEERWINE-LIQUOR License: 7 Day, By: Aseel Hussein Mohsen, 12723 Whisper Trace Drive, Ocean City, MD 21842.

For: 14 Atlantic, Inc.

For the premises known as and located at:

T/A: BAI-TEE Bakery 1401 North Atlantic Avenue Ocean City, Maryland 21842

There will be a public hearing on the application at the Worcester County Government Center, Room 1102, Snow Hill, Maryland, on: April 16, 2025 @ 1:05 P.M.

The Board welcomes written or oral comments at said public hearing from any interested party. Information regarding this hearing can be found at www.co.worcester.md.us.

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NOTICE

OF APPLICATION FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE

Application has been made by the Undersigned for a "B" B/W/L 7 Day

and a Request to designate as Multiple License #3 for a Class: "B" BEER-WINE-LIQUOR License: 7 Day, By: Patrick Brady, 10702 Flower Street, Berlin, Maryland 21811; and Jaroslaw Struk, 199 Intrepid Lane, Berlin, Maryland 21811.

For: UnCuffed, Inc.

For the premises known as and located at:

T/A: PJ's Pizzeria 12806 Ocean Gateway Ocean City, Maryland 21842

There will be a public hearing on the application at the Worcester County Government Center, Room 1102, Snow Hill, Maryland, on: April 16, 2025 @ 1:10 P.M.

The Board welcomes written or oral comments at said public hearing from any interested party. Information regarding this hearing can be found at www.co.worcester.md.us.

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NOTICE OF APPLICATION

FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE

Application has been made by the Undersigned for a Class: "A" BEERWINE-LIQUOR License: 7 Day, By: Shereen Ismail Ramadan, 12648 Whisper Trace Drive, Ocean City, MD 21842.

For: 1st Stop OC, Inc.

For the premises known as and located at:

T/A: 1st Stop 106 North Division Street Ocean City, Maryland 21842

There will be a public hearing on the application at the Worcester County Government Center, Room 1102, Snow Hill, Maryland, on: April 16, 2025 @ 1:15 P.M.

The Board welcomes written or oral comments at said public hearing from any interested party. Information regarding this hearing can be found at www.co.worcester.md.us.

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NOTICE

OF APPLICATION FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE

Application has been made by the Undersigned for a Transfer of a Class: "B" BEER-WINE-LIQUOR License: 7 Day, By: Edward Bennett Braude, 8627 Saddlecreek Drive, Berlin, Maryland 21811; Alsa M. Calimova, 260 Mumfords Landing Road, Berlin, Maryland 21811; and Shavkat 0. Ismailov, 22261 Sims Terrace, Ashbarn, VA 20168.

For: Shavi CO, LLC

For the premises known as and located at:

T/A: Fat Daddy's 216 South Baltimore Avenue

Ocean City, Maryland 21842

Formerly: Aus, Inc.

There will be a public hearing on the application at the Worcester County Government Center, Room 1102, Snow Hill, Maryland, on: April 16, 2025

@ 1:20 P.M.

The Board welcomes written or oral comments at said public hearing

from any interested party. Information regarding this hearing can be found at www.co.worcester.md.us.

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NOTICE of Public Hearing Worcester

County Disposal of Surplus Real Estate

The County Commissioners of Worcester County, Maryland propose to quitclaim a 7,211 square foot parcel and a 2,437 square foot parcel of land located in the Town of Snow Hill on the northeasterly side of Bank Street and the southwesterly side of Bank Street, shown as a portions of Lot 61 and Lot 95, respectively, on a plan entitled “Subdivision of the Lands of the County Commissioners of Worcester County, Maryland” to the Town of Snow Hill for zero consideration.

The Public Hearing on this disposal of surplus real estate will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 10:40 a.m. in the County Commissioners’ Meeting Room Room 1101 Government Center, One West Market Street Snow Hill, Maryland 21863

Questions may be directed to Candace Savage, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, by calling 410632-1194, or by email at csavage@co.worcester.md.us.

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Neil Eskin Eskin Law, LLC Attorney for the Plaintiff 1700 Reisterstown Road, Ste. 212 Baltimore, MD 21208 (410) 343-9125 neil@eskin-law.com AIS#: 1406170091

Tax Lien Hedge, LLC C/O Eskin Law, LLC 1700 Reisterstown Road, Suite 212 Baltimore, MD 21208 Plaintiff v.

Analytic Process Realty Group, Inc. S/O Donald C. Holmes, R.A. 11O Mill Street P.O. Box 279 Greensboro, MD 21639 and State of Maryland Office of the Attorney General S/O Anthony G. Brown, Attorney General

200 Saint Paul Place Baltimore, MD 21202 and Worcester County Treasurer's Office

S/O Phillip G. Thompson, Collector 1 W. Market St. Room 1105 Snow Hill, MD 21863 410-632-0686 and

All unknown owners of the property describedBelow; all heirs, devisees, personal representatives, and executors, administrators, grantees, assigns or successors in right, title, interest, and any and all persons having or claiming to have any interest in the property and premises situate in the Worcester County, known

as Salisbury Road, Ocean City, MD 21842, and described as Legal Description OUTLOT A 16996 SQ FT SALISBURY RD SUB PAR A MARY BIRCH RESID TRUST Being known as District 10 Account Number 356059 on the Tax Roll of the Collector of Taxes.

Defendants IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY CASE NO.: C-23-CV-25-000064

ORDER OF

PUBLICATION

The object of this proceeding is to secure the foreclosure of all rights of redemption from tax sale on the property known as Salisbury Road, Ocean City, MD 21842, in Worcester County, State of Maryland, sold by the Director of Treasury for Worcester County, State of Maryland to Tax Lien Hedge, LLC, the Plaintiff.

A DESCRIPTION of the property in substantially the same fonn as the description appearing on the Certificate of Tax Sale is as follows: Legal Description OUT LOT A 16996 SQ FT SALISBURY RD SUB PAR A MARY BIRCH RESID TRUST, District 10 Account Number 356059 Known as Salisbury Road, Ocean City, MD 21842.

The complaint states among other things that the amount necessary for redemption has not been paid. It is thereupon this 25th of March, 2025, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Ordered, that notice be given by the insertion of a copy of this Order in some newspaper having a general circulation in Worcester County once a week for three consecutive weeks, warning all persons interested in the property to appear in this Court by the 25th day of May, 2025, and redeem the property and answer the Complaint or thereafter a final judgment will be entered foreclosing all rights of redemption in the property and vesting in the Plaintiff a title to said property in Fee Simple, free of all lie Beau H. Oglesby Judge

True Copy

Test: Susan R. Braniecki Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County MD OCD-4/3/3t

RACHEL B HARRIS ESQ PO BOX 62 POCOMOKE CITY, MD 218510062

SMALL ESTATE NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS N OTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of DENISE STURGIS Estate No. 20588 Notice is given that LEROY STURGIS whose address is 215 10TH ST APT 114 POCOMOKE CITY, MD 21851-1643 was on MARCH 25, 2025 appointed personal representative(s) of the small estate of DENISE STURGIS who died on MARCH 03, 2025 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 represen-

tative or the attorney.

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

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

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

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

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY

ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-4/3/1t

BRIAN M. SPERN, ESQ.

3701 OLD COURT ROAD SUITE 24

BALTIMORE, MD 21208

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of WILLIAM J. MCGRAW Estate No. 20531 Notice is given that BRIAN M. SPERN, ESQ. whose address is 3701 OLD COURT RD STE 24 BALTIMORE, MD 21208-3901 was on MARCH 27, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of WILLIAM J. MCGRAW who died on JANUARY 29, 2024 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 27th day of SEPTEMBER, 2025

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

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

(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other de-

PUBLIC NOTICE

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

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

These three weeks of notification begins on DATE: 03/28/2025

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

AUTH: Michael Colbert

I-Chief of Police OCD-3/27/3t

livery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

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

OCD-4/3/3t

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20581 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF ROBERT J. SULLIVAN

Notice is given that Martin Sullivan, 6143 Taylor Landing Rd., Girdletree, MD 21829-2805, was on March 25, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Robert J. Sullivan who died on March 07, 2025, 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 25th day of September, 2025.

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

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

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

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

Martin Sullivan 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: April 03, 2025

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20590 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF WALTER KEIR JR.

Notice is given that Scott Keir, 12217 Bennett Rd., Herndon, VA 20171-1611, was on March 27, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Walter Keir Jr. who died on March 01, 2025, 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 27th day of Septem-

ber, 2025.

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

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

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

Scott Keir

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: April 03, 2025

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TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS To all persons interested in the estate of RAY HUGH SHEPHERD SR Estate No. 20587 Notice is given that LORI LYNN CALLOWAY whose address is 8421 LOGTOWN RD., BERLIN, MD 21811-2107 was on

MARCH 24, 2025 appointed personal representative(s) of the small estate of RAY HUGH SHEPHERD SR. who died on MARCH 15, 2025 with a will.

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

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

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

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

(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.

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-4/3/1t

SMALL ESTATE NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of WILLIAM MILLER SR. Estate No. 20591 Notice is given that WILLIAM JAMES MILLER whose address is 2380 WORCESTER HWY., POCOMOKE CITY, MD 21851-2712 was on MARCH 27, 2025 appointed personal representative(s) of the small estate of WILLIAM MILLER SR. who died on OCTOBER 02, 2022 without a will.

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

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

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

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

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

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

OCD-4/3/1t

NOTICE

OF PUBLIC HEARING MAYOR & COUNCIL OF SNOW HILL, MARYLAND

Tuesday, April 29th, 2025 at 5:00 PM

Pursuant to the provisions of the Charter of the Town of Snow Hill Section 45 notice is hereby given that a PUBLIC HEARING is scheduled on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. at the Special Meeting of the Mayor and Council of Snow Hill at Worcester County Government Center, Boardroom, Room 1102, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, MD 21863. The purpose of the hearing is to consider the proposed Fiscal Year 2026-2027 General Operating and Water & Sewer Budgets.

The public is cordially invited to attend and offer comments and opinions on the draft budget. For further information concerning this public hearing or for a copy of the draft please contact the Town Manager’s Office, 103 Bank Street, Snow Hill, Maryland, 21863, #410-632-2080.

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NOTICE TO CREDITORS

OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE

ESTATE NO. 20510

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Orphans’ Court of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania appointed Coy Womble Jr., 5742 Larchwood Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19143-1912 as the Personal Representative of the Estate of Sharon Milbourne who died on April 24, 2013 domiciled in Pennsylvania, USA.

The Maryland resident agent for service of process is Michelle D. Ray whose address is 124 Holland Ave., Salisbury, MD 21804-4461.

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

All persons having claims against the decedent must file their claims with the Register of Wills for Worces-

ter County with a copy to the foreign personal representative on or before the earlier of the following dates:

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

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

Coy Womble Jr.

Foreign Personal Representative Terri Westcott Register of Wills One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074

Name of Newspaper:

Ocean City Digest

Date of first publication: April 3, 2025

OCD-4/3/3t

DAVID C. BLITZER ESQ.

MID ATLANTIC LEGAL GROUP LLC

WISE & BLITZER ATTORNEYS AT LAW 101 LOG CANOE CIRCLE, STE. M

STEVENSVILLE, MD 21666

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES ESTATE NO. 20592

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the ORPHANS’ court of MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA appointed MORGAN DOBSON whose address is 423 INKWELL CT., OXFORD, PA 19363-1826 as the EXECUTRIX of the Estate of KARLA MILBOURNE DOBSON who died on FEBRUARY 18, 2023 domiciled in PENNSYLVANIA, USA

The Maryland resident agent for service of process is DAVID C. BLITZER ESQ. whose address is 101 LOG CANOE CIR., STE. M, STEVENSVILLE, MD 21666-2106

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

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

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

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

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

STEPHANIE SCALES SHERRIN SCALES LAW GROUP 12417 OCEAN GTWY STE 11 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842-9525

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of PATRICK L MILLER Estate No. 20596 Notice is given that ROBERT L MILLER JR whose address is 834 THISTLE CT THE VILLAGES, FL 32163-4115 was on MARCH 31, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of PATRICK L MILLER who died on FEBRUARY 21, 2025 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 30th day of SEPTEMBER, 2025

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

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

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

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-4/3/3t

Providers join skin clinic

Local plastic surgeon Dr. Robert J. Davis and Barbara Nazelrod have joined Atlantic General Health System to provide care at a newly created skin clinic dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancers.

cancer, providing care coordination and evaluation of suspicious skin lesions including common skin cancers and melanomas. She has more than 20 years of experience in diagnosing and excising cancerous skin lesions and works alongside Davis to ensure patients have the best possible outcomes, with tissue conservation in mind.

search at Salisbury University, she couldn’t have imagined being called upon to launch research opportunities across the world. Until now.

are enthusiastic about their research potential but may be unsure about how to begin.

Davis, who is board certified in plastic surgery, has been serving patients of Atlantic General Hospital for more than 30 years. Davis is a graduate of University of Maryland School of Medicine and completed a general surgery residency at Union Memorial Hospital, in Baltimore, and a plastic and reconstructive surgery residency at University of North Carolina School of Medicine, North Carolina Memorial Hospital, in Chapel Hill. He is passionate about skin cancer prevention, education and early diagnosis. Davis’s surgical treatment approach emphasizes preservation of the skin’s natural look to reduce scarring after excision of cancerous tissues, and he provides skin reconstruction as needed.

Barbara Nazelrod cares for patients with known or suspected skin

Certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, she completed her adult nurse practitioner studies at the College of Notre Dame of Maryland, in Baltimore, after beginning her healthcare career as a registered nurse.

“Our region has a high incidence of skin cancers, with Worcester County reporting the highest rate of melanoma in the state of Maryland and surrounding region. We’re fortunate to have this opportunity to work with Dr. Davis and Barbara Nazelrod to create this clinic. Access to early detection and treatment is critical for our community,” said Don Owrey, president and CEO of Atlantic General Hospital.

Individuals with concerning spots can call Atlantic General Skin Clinic at 410-641-4765 to schedule an evaluation.

Faculty member a Scholar

When Dr. Sherry Maykrantz found her passion for undergraduate re-

Next year, she will spend several months in Prague teaching at one of the oldest universities in the world igniting students’ research passion as a 2025-26 U.S. Fulbright Scholar.

“I’m proud to have Dr. Maykrantz represent Salisbury University through the prestigious Fulbright Program,” said SU President Carolyn Ringer Lepre. “This opportunity allows our faculty to extend their scholarly pursuits globally, while enriching the educational journey of our students. We are thrilled for the honor she has received and the opportunities her connections and experiences will create for our students here at Salisbury.”

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Fulbright is America’s flagship international exchange program.

“This opportunity directly correlates to what I’m most passionate about surrounding undergraduate research,” said Maykrantz, associate professor of public health in SU’s College of Health and Human Services. “I enjoy working with students who

“Some may feel overwhelmed by the complexity or believe that research is limited to laboratory settings. My goal is to introduce the possibilities of research to all students, regardless of their discipline.”

Through the initiative, Maykrantz, the first faculty member in SU’s School of Health Sciences to serve as a Fulbright, will spend the spring 2026 semester helping to launch a student undergraduate research conference at Charles University, one of the oldest universities in the world in continuous operation.

“Today’s students are the future of change in this data-driven world, and exposing them to research I hope will cultivate a strong international research pipeline between the universities with many opportunities for collaboration to come,” she said.

She will also teach public health courses, help develop international health curriculum and potentially explore options to establish a research hub similar to SU’s Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (OURCA).

At SU, Maykrantz has taught public health courses, mentored students at international research conferences and led study abroad excursions in several countries including Italy, Por-

Continued on Page 63

S. Maykrantz

B. Nazelrod

Robert J. Davis

April denotes Fair Housing Month

By Lauren Bunting Contributing Writer

(April 4, 2025) April is nationally recognized as Fair Housing Month and a time for REALTORS® to reaffirm their commitment to ensuring equal access to housing for all. This year marks the 57th anniversary of the passage of the Fair Housing Act, the landmark civil rights law signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on April 11, 1968. The Fair Housing Act made discrimination in housing transactions unlawful.

Refuse to rent to you or sell you housing because of your race, national origin, or any of the other Federal protected classes.

Set different terms, conditions, or privileges for sale or rental of a dwelling

All counties in Maryland abide by Federal and State definitions of Protected Classes listed below. There are several counties and cities that have additional protected classes (Worcester, Wicomico and Somerset do not have any additional protected classes).

Federal: Color, Familial Status, National Origin, Physical or Mental Disability, Race, Religion and Sex (i.e., gender)

State of Maryland: Marital Status, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Source of Income

Under the Fair Housing Act it is illegal to:

Fail to design and construct housing in an accessible manner

Refuse to make reasonable accommodations for persons with a disability if the accommodation may be necessary to afford such person a reasonable and equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling

Tell you housing is unavailable when in fact it is available

Provide different housing services or facilities

Deny you property insurance in a discriminatory manner

Refuse to provide you with infor-

BUSINESS BRIEFS

tugal, Austria and Spain. She also is SU’s Maryland Charity Campaign chair and OURCA director.

“Through my experience with study abroad, I’ve seen that there’s a desire and reciprocal hunger to learn from each other and share research and

mation regarding mortgage loans, deny you a mortgage loan, or impose different terms or conditions on a mortgage loan

Show you apartments or homes only in certain neighborhoods

Advertise housing to preferred groups of people only

Conduct property appraisals in a discriminatory manner

Harass, coerce, intimidate, or interfere with anyone exercising or assisting someone else with their fair housing rights

If you believe your rights have been violated, you can call the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights at 410-767-8600 or to initiate an inquiry, visit www.mccr.maryland.gov.

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

ideas,” she said. “In keeping to the mission of the Fulbright of improving mutual understanding and support of peaceful relationships, and lending to the mission that all universities and higher education can agree on, I hope to do just that through this fellowship.”

MARKETPLACE

Winter weather delays Ocean Bowl project

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(April 4, 2025) Acknowledging that winter weather had delayed construction in recent months, Recreation and Parks Director Susan Petito said a new administration building at the Ocean Bowl Skate Park would be finished later than initially planned.

Last fall, construction began on a new administration building at the southwest corner of the Ocean Bowl Skate Park. While hoping to complete the project ahead of the summer season, Petito said on Monday that winter weather had caused construction delays.

“The building project is a bit behind schedule because of the winter weather we’ve had this year, but at this moment, we are looking at mid-June to early July for completion,” she said this week. “We will work cooperatively with the contractor, Delmarva Veteran Builders, to assure we can open the skate park for our first summer skate camp.”

Last May, city officials celebrated the reopening of the new and improved Bayside Park at 3rd Street. The redeveloped property, located between 3rd and 4th streets, is now home to new walking paths, playgrounds, and ball courts, as well as an added street skate component at the Ocean Bowl Skate Park.

But recreation and parks staff last

spring noted that they had not yet closed the book on the project, as a second phase of redevelopment was planned for the fall with the construction of a new Ocean Bowl administration building.

To that end, the Ocean City Council last summer received 10 bids, ranging from $1.37 million to $2.22 million, for the construction of the administration facility. When bids came in well over the $800,000 budget, city staff agreed to increase the project total to $1.5 million.

“The original budget for this building was around $800,000,” City Manager Terry McGean told the council at the time. “When the original estimates came in, we realized we had a problem.”

In August, the council selected Delmarva Veteran Builders to complete the work, which would be funded in part by grants Petito had secured for the project. And in the fall, construction began at the skate park.

As planned, the new administration

building will feature a shaded skater lounge and public restrooms on the first floor, and a skate park office and observation decks on the second floor, Petito said this week. The facility will also include ramping and elevator access to the second floor, making it an ADA-accessible building.

Simply put, Petito said the building will serve as a headquarters for both the skate park and other Bayside Park activities.

BETHANY HOOPER/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Work continues at the Ocean Bowl Skate Park, pictured above, where a new administration building is being constructed at the property’s southwest corner.

OC halts max building height conversation

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(April 4, 2025) Citing the importance of preserving the character of Ocean City’s downtown area, officials this week agreed not to continue a discussion on raising the maximum building height.

The topic was first presented in 2022, when the mayor and Ocean City Council met with members of the Ocean City Planning Commission in one of their first joint sessions.

Simply put, rather than measure the maximum building height from base flood elevation, freeboard or grade, city staff proposed a new calculation for the downtown and upper downtown overlay districts that

Museum

showing Ocean City’s past opening this May

(April 4, 2025) The highly anticipated grand opening of the newly renovated Museum of Ocean City will take place on Thursday, May 1.

This ribbon cutting is to celebrate the completion of all exhibits being installed for the general public to view. The celebration begins at 10:30 a.m. with a warm welcome to guests, followed by an official ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m.

After the ceremony, attendees are invited to meander through the museum’s newly expanded exhibits, which showcase Ocean City’s evolution from a quaint seaside resort to the vibrant destination it is today.

“We are thrilled to welcome the community and visitors to experience the stories, artifacts, and memories that make Ocean City so unique,” said Christine Okerblom, Museum Curator for the Life Saving Station Museum and the Museum of Ocean City. “This renovation allows us to bring our history to life in new and exciting ways.”

The event is free and open to the public, and guests will have the opportunity to explore interactive displays, historic photographs, and engaging narratives that paint a vivid picture of Ocean City’s past.

Stay informed with our digital newsletter

Interested in getting more information more quickly than our weekly OC TodayDispatch delivers? Our five-days-a-week digital newsletter might be just what you need. We have developed an in-your-morningemail product (with updates for breaking news) and invite you to give it a try.

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Sign up and get three months free by emailing subscriptions@oceancitytoday.net or visit the OC Today-Dispatch online.

measured height from an elevated first floor above ground-level parking.

Officials at that time said the modification was intended to reduce flood risk and the deficiency of off-street parking as properties are redeveloped.

From there, the City Council moved to have staff prepare a proposed code amendment that would permit an alternative measurement in the special flood zoning areas and in the downtown overlay districts. And at the next joint session, held in February of 2024, staff presented the changes to the two bodies with an unfavorable recommendation, citing multiple conflicts with the city’s zoning, building and fire code standards.

The council ultimately decided to have staff pause work and revisit the issue at the next joint session, which was held Tuesday.

“This is an ongoing item that has been

under discussion,” Planning and Community Development Director George Bendler told council members and resort planners this week. “Do we want to continue conversations with this topic?”

Officials, however, expressed no interest in discussing the issue further.

Planning Commissioner Joe Wilson said raising the building height downtown could affect the streetscape.

“I didn’t like it because I thought it could damage the streetscape, particularly downtown,” he said. “I’d rather maintain the streetscape that we have.”

While officials argued that the change could eliminate the parking nonconformity that currently exists downtown, Wilson noted it would do little to improve character and walkability.

“If you look along Baltimore Avenue, you’ve got some really nice houses that have been there for a long time, and then

you have … an elevated building with condos on top,” he said. “I just think it ruins the streetscape, personally, especially for walkability downtown.”

Mayor Rick Meehan acknowledged that the council had recently changed the building height for interior blocks between St. Louis Avenue and Baltimore Avenue, as it generally depicted the height in those neighborhoods. However, he said the amendment being proposed would impact the overall landscape of downtown Ocean City.

“It’s so contradictory to what those neighborhoods are,” he said.

After further discussion, the council and planning commission agreed to stop their discussions on building height.

“There’s no further appetite to discuss it from anybody,” Council President Matt James said. “It’s dead until somebody else brings it up.”

Bertino rallies Ocean Pines to fight proposed rate hike

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer

(April 4, 2025) Worcester County and Ocean Pines officials pledged at a public meeting this week to fight a proposed budget plan that could increase Pines ratepayer bills to make up millions of dollars in water and wastewater debt despite the wooded community’s minimal contribution to the deficit.

At a March 29 meeting of the Ocean Pines Board of Directors, Worcester County Commissioners Chip Bertino and Jim Bunting told board members that one budget plan could raise water and wastewater quarterly bills by an estimated $32 for the 18,000 ratepayers within 11 Worcester County service areas.

Last month, the proposal was presented at a Worcester County Commissioners meeting as a solution to covering financial insufficiencies. The spending blueprint has not been approved yet, but Bertino said it is the only option at present.

Ocean Pines officials argue the plan will unjustly affect Pines residents and have urged community members to join their efforts to oppose it.

“We need your support,” OPA Director Elaine Brady said, addressing the Ocean Pines homeowners. “We’ve got to fight this thing.”

Those living in the Ocean Pines service are being encouraged to email the commissioners and write letters to the editors to raise awareness of the financial plan. Bertino and Bunting are also set to host a town hall on Wednesday, April 23, at 6 p.m. at the Ocean Pines Library, and a public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, May 6, at 6 p.m. in Snow Hill.

“The Ocean Pines service area is in the crosshairs of a very unfair proposal,” Bertino said.

The attempt to launch a community rally follows the FY26 Water/Wastewater Enterprise Funds budget presentation at a county commissioners meeting on March 18. The proposal to raise rates by about $32 a quarter in all service areas aims to make up a $2.1 million deficit for the fiscal year ahead.

A water/wastewater discussion group consisting of staff and Commissioners Ted Elder, Eric Fiori, and Bunting created the proposal. Bertino said the team met three times, and a majority voted to present the plan given to the commissioners last month.

Ocean Pines’ actual share of the losses is $116,699. Ocean Pines boasts 10,000 of the 18,000 utility users countywide, making it the largest service area. As such, Bertino noted that the fee bump should be only $1 to $3.

The commissioner added that other service areas, like West Ocean City, also would be billed unfairly under the outline. The proposal looks to raise fees equally across the service areas, yet not all are responsible for the accumulated debt.

For example, while Ocean Pines’s share of the financial insufficiencies is relatively small, Riddle Farm’s enterprise fund shortfall is slightly over $1 million.

In addition to the $2.1 million deficit in fiscal year 2026, there is an impending $6 million debt accumulated by financial mistakes that must be paid back over 10 years beginning in fiscal 2027.

Bertino said the deficit accrued because “over many years when there was a shortage in one fund, financial transfers were made – without commissioner approval – from another fund.”

“Eventually, there was no money to transfer,” he continued. “In short, money transfers were made on paper between fund accounts that had no money in them.”

The commissioners were made aware of the situation in September. To address the crisis, the governing group unanimously approved a transfer of around $9 million from the general fund to the Enterprise Funds.

Of that, $2.7 million was designated as a grant to the Riddle Farm service area. The remaining $6.3 million was provided as a loan with an interest rate of around 5% to be paid back to the general fund over 10 years beginning in fiscal 2027.

See WATER Page 67

TARA FISCHER/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Worcester County Commissioner Chip Bertino attended a public Ocean Pines Board of Directors meeting last week to inform residents of a proposed water/wastewater fee structure that could spike rates.

Water and sewer bills could go up

Continued from Page 66

Bertino said that if the plan of raising quarterly bills equally across the 11 service areas to address the FY2026 deficit were implemented, that model could address the looming $6 million shortfall.

“If the proposed plan is approved, it could be used as a model to require Ocean Pines ratepayers to help repay the $6 million loan beginning in FY 2027 even though the district contributed nothing to the debt,” Bertino said.

Brady assured residents that board members are taking steps behind the scenes in case the county commissioners elect to approve the plan this summer.

The directors wrote a letter to the county commissioners, urging them to reconsider the budget. The correspondence was made public earlier this week.

The OPA group also maintained that the proposal goes against the county code, which requires the Enterprise Funds to be self-sustaining.

“The intentions of the FY2026 budget for Water/Wastewater Enterprise Funds raise considerable concern among the Ocean Pines Service Area ratepayers,” the letter reads. “The Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors request that Ocean Pines be held harmless from the debts of all other Water/Wastewater Service Areas.”

New floor approved for Pines gym

OPA approves hardwood for community center after water damage from leak

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer

(April 4, 2025) The Ocean Pines Community Center will soon have a new gym floor after a pipe break in February caused water damage to the current hardwood.

At a meeting earlier this week, the Ocean Pines Association’s Board of Directors unanimously approved proceeding with the staff recommendation to pay $62,300 to Dynamic Sports Construction for a new community center gym floor. The decision follows a situation in which a leak caused water damage to the existing hardwood surface.

Dynamic Sports Construction has been selected to replace the current floor with a DynaForce System. OPA Recreation and Parks Director Debbie Donahue said the new installation would be a poured floor with padding underneath.

“DynaForce is a hybrid system of multipurpose athletic flooring that provides support and durability for all athletes,” the vendor’s website reads. “It merges the best attributes of sheet and poured systems to de-

liver truly amazing basketball court flooring… DynaForce is about superior performance, safety, and flexibility.”

According to Donahue, this system, which has been implemented at spots like the Salisbury Salvation Army, is shock-absorbing to the body and helpful when playing sports like basketball.

“We have proposed that we move forward with a poured floor,” the recreation and parks director said. “There’s no seams, there’s no padding on the top that can get ripped from chairs or anything of that nature. It is, to me, the best option. If we have the water problem again, it will roll out, and we will mop it up. It’s not anything that will cause this type of damage.”

The contractor’s website says a benefit of the planned flooring is that the seamless, non-porous surface can enhance performance, durability, and sanitation.

A pipe break occurred over a weekend when the building did not receive many visitors, so the situation was not discovered until several days later, exacerbating the problem.

Donahue said the problem was the gym’s radiant floor heating system.

“There has been some misunderstanding about what happened [to

the gym floor],” she said at the March 29 OPA Board of Directors meeting.

“It wasn’t coming from outside; it isn’t a massive leak underneath the flooring; it was an O-ring in the piping that runs the water to the radiant heat. It was a minor thing that, once in the wall, could not be detected until, unfortunately, the water was on the floor.”

Donahue maintained that the community center’s radiant heat system is beneficial despite the leak.

“We do have radiant heat in every room in the community center, which is a great thing actually to do it that way because of yoga ladies and Pilates, and when you’re on the floor, it makes a huge difference in being able to do those exercises and do those classes,” the recreation director said.

OPA General Manager John Viola added, “There is radiant heat throughout the [community center] because of a lot of programs, with people laying on the floor, and the floors were cold.”

OPA staff reviewed options to fix the gym floor and talked to people in recreation departments and schools “from here to Illinois about their experiences with flooring types and companies.

by Steve Green

WThe Adventures of Fatherhood

ednesday was Autism Awareness Day. Autism plays a key role in my daily life, thanks to my 15-yearold Carson. But Tuesday was one of those abnormal days when the disorder won the morning but not the day.

The day began as expected with the same goal. To get Carson into school in the right frame of mind to be productive. All was fine until we parked in front of his school. It was like the flip of a switch. Something went off.

After some nudging, he got out of the car and walked into school to meet his teacher. He immediately turned toward a wall in the vestibule and would not move. He ignored his teacher as well as me for about 15 minutes. It was rude, but life is not that simple with a special needs individual. Options were presented and none of them were agreed to, including just heading home. Eventually, after his teacher walked away, Carson grabbed me by the arm and violently pulled me into school toward a classroom. Multiple attempts to break free and remind him I can’t be in school were fruitless. After a few minutes of stalemate, I desperately agreed to walk to his classroom with his teacher.

When these situations arise, it’s a true guessing game with our non-verbal son. It’s grasping at straws to find a path forward amid a feeling of helplessness. Patience is above all the must.

We were walking far too fast to his classroom when he suddenly started running in a different direction. The first door he attempted to open was locked. The next room’s door was open, and he sprinted into it, through another door, into a small classroom and to a bathroom. The mystery had been solved. He had an emergency bathroom issue and clearly had come down with a stomach bug.

After using the bathroom, he agreed to go home. This was big because typ-

ically he wants to stay in school. We left without further incident, but if only he would have communicated. In this case, I think the bug simply hit him hard and he was confused. He just knew he did not feel well but didn’t know why.

This is Autism.

It’s ugly. It’s frustrating. It’s confusing. It’s complex. It’s sad.

It’s tough to manage these situations as they are unfolding. I have come to dread these moments of turmoil. The disability takes control, leaving those around Carson powerless. Carson’s teacher and I had the best intentions.

We were looking for answers.

In a previous year on Autism Awareness Day, my wife posted on social media, “Autism is a journey we never planned, but we sure do love our tour guide.” It’s a beautiful expression for a disorder that’s anything but pretty.

Autism made some headlines last week thanks to a Survivor episode involving a contestant on the spectrum and her bond with another contestant. It was an amazing exchange and an emotional showcase of empathy. However, it’s critical to understand Eva has high-functioning Autism today. She is living an independent life and attends college where she’s an athlete. She is exceptional.

Most of us living with Autism are not that fortunate. Autism presents on a spectrum with a range of disabilities. If you have met one person with Autism, you have done just that. You have met one person. The next one you meet will have an entirely different set of circumstances.

Soon after Carson was born in 2009, we knew something was different. When he was 3 years old, we learned through genetic testing he had a duplication of chromosome 7. It’s an abnormality with no cure resulting in major developmental delays, anxiety, social phobias, speech and language delays, ADHD, psychological impairments and cardiac and renal defects.

A few years later, after we realized his therapies and care would not be covered by insurance, we were advised

to seek an Autism diagnosis. I remember it like it was yesterday. The doctor walked into the room, observed Carson and tried to connect with him, summing up in 10 minutes the diagnoses was warranted.

It’s oftentimes easier to explain our child as autistic. It doesn’t matter to me. I could care less about labels. I just want the best for him. If having a diagnosis of Autism will allow him access to more services, it’s fine.

All I know is our family is on an uncomfortable roller coaster ride. On this journey we have incredible highs and disturbing lows. We have tremendous anxiety over what’s next. There are scars from disturbing behaviors only special needs parents can fathom.

National Autism Association posted on its social media this message, “Even if a person with Autism cannot speak or respond, they still hear your words and feel your attitude. So be kind, compassionate and uplifting … always.”

In his world today, thanks largely to a supportive public school system, Carson faces much more acceptance than ignorance. It’s not something to be taken for granted. It might not always be that way. He is different, no doubt, but not less. Though he never wants to be the center of attention, he often makes himself so because of his own actions and uniqueness. This was the case on Tuesday morning at his school.

The key to life is patience. It’s difficult, but critical to wading through the daily challenges with our guy. Accepting and having an awareness of our reality – rather than trying to change and fix him — is important because it’s the only way to ensure he lives his best life today and tomorrow. He’s amazing in so many ways but struggles to get through life without a ton of help.

It's our reality, but it’s also our blessing. It’s simply all about the approach. (The writer is the executive editor of OC Today-Dispatch. He and his wife, Pamela, are proud parents of two boys. This weekly column examines their transition into parenthood and all that goes along with it. E-mail any thoughts to editor@mdcoastdispatch.com.)

Local bank offers grant funds for area nonprofits

(April 4, 2025) Taylor Bank announced it is accepting applications for 2025 grants from the bank’s For Good Fund.

In 2023, the bank introduced the For Good Checking Account. For customers who chose to enroll, a portion of every debit card transaction has been directed to the For Good Fund. From those contributions, approximately $15,000 will be awarded in this grant cycle to nonprofit organizations that strengthen and enhance local communities. Individual grants will range from $1,000 to $5,000.

“We are thrilled to enter the current year grant cycle of our For Good Fund,” said Andrea Adams, Chief Retail Banking Officer and Co-Chair of Taylor Bank’s Giving Committee. “With the incredible support of our community, we’re excited to continue empowering nonprofits to make a lasting difference and strengthen the places we call home.”

Applications are available on Taylor Bank’s website. Your completed application must be submitted by June 1.

The For Good Fund was created to support local nonprofits, with an emphasis on supporting low-income communities including:

• Neighborhood Development such as programs that create affordable housing opportunities, support vulnerable homeowners, and help revitalize neighborhoods.

• Workforce Development and Education such as programs that promote financial literacy and provide skills training for young and economically-disadvantaged residents.

• Basic Human Services such as food, housing and fuel programs, and others that provide immediate and long-term solutions for those facing economic hardship. Who is eligible?

To apply, you must be a not-for-profit organization recognized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code in good standing with the IRS. Taylor Bank will prioritize organizations serving Sussex County, Delaware; Worcester County, Maryland; Accomack County, Virginia; and Northampton County, Virginia. The bank’s Giving Committee will evaluate each grant request.

Tech School livestream monitors baby goats

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer

(April 3, 2025) Worcester Technical High School’s live stream, called the “Kidding Kam,” is offering agricultural students a deeper dive into the intricacies of animal health this semester.

The Kidding Kam is a project spearheaded by the WTHS agricultural program to provide students with a deeper look at the labor process of goats. A press release by Worcester County Public Schools announcing the initiative says that the endeavor is in partnership with the University of Maryland Extension and allows students to manage and help the animals as they prepare to “kid out” or give birth.

The Kidding Kam has been featuring two pregnant does, or adult female goats, named Faith and Samantha. Faith is recognizable by her brown and white coloring, while Samantha is dark brown, almost black, and white. The animals are being housed in the WTHS’s agricultural lab.

Worcester Tech’s IT Department and Digital Audio Program have created a livestream to allow students to check in on the animals when they are not in school. Community members can also join in on the fun by going to https://youtube.com/live/B1RB_an2 UBE?feature=share.

Last week, Faith delivered two baby goats, a boy and a girl, right on her due date of March 26. WTHS announced the twins’ birth on Facebook, describing each kid.

The male is black with brown legs and long ears, while the female is black and white with “elf ears.” The social media post maintains that the elf ears are normal and are a result of genetics. The update also adds that the students were keeping a close eye

on the livestream and could give their teacher a heads up when the doe’s water broke.

Samantha is still expecting. Her due date is April 12.

The school system’s press release provides details on the goat kidding process to provide further information and spur community involvement. Some highlights include the fact that it’s normal for does to have twins or triplets every time they give birth, like in the case of Faith, who had twins last week, and that expectant birth signs are softening above the tail head, stretching while laying down, and a dropped low abdomen.

The interactive program benefits the young learners, as many of the students enrolled in the tech school’s agricultural program hope to one day have a career in veterinary sciences.

“This project gives [students] hands-on practice with animals that are not only mature but dairy animals that are in a production stage and keeping young animals healthy,” said Jessica Flores, WTHS’s agricultural teacher.

Flores maintained the project teaches students the accountability involved in supporting the health of animals. Each day, they are assigned to feed and water the goats, clean the pen, and complete daily health care checks.

“The students learn how much responsibility is required in taking care of and maintaining good animal welfare and wellbeing,” the agricultural teacher said.

Some planning was needed to get the project off the ground. According to Flores, the students were to be prepped on the details of doe labor and health to ensure they could keep a watchful eye on the animals.

“Students must be knowledgeable of goat behavior and learn the signs of parturition, the act of giving birth,

to be on the lookout,” the teacher noted.

Flores added that the Kidding Kam was made possible with the help of Program Advisory Members of the University of Maryland Extension and the Berlin-located Rusted Star Ranch for offering animals and supplying bedding and expertise.

The educator mentioned that the WTHS has had animals in its lab for past student projects. However, the Kidding Kam is the first to offer a live feed.

“It’s addictive and fun,” Flores said.

$5 Bag Sale

Atlantic United Methodist Church Thrift Shop 105 4th Street, Ocean City

Monday & Tuesday, April 7 - 9:00a.m. to 2:00p.m. April 8 - 9:00a.m. to 11:00a.m. Got To Make Room For Spring/Summer Items.

Store Closed Wednesday & Thursday, April 9 & 10 For Restocking GRAND RE-OPENING WITH EVERYTHING SPRING & SUMMER April 11 - 10a.m.-2p.m.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

The Tech School’s “Kidding Kam” gives insight into the lives and birth of baby goats.

vanishing vanishing OCEAN CITY

WitH Bunk Mann

The Ocean City beachfront has changed dramatically over the past 70 years. In this picture (circa 1955) taken from a balcony at the old Commander Hotel, the narrowness of the beach in that era is evident, and the photo was taken on low tide.

The placement of the umbrellas suggests a windy day and an old wooden jetty can be seen stretching from the umbrella line into the breakers. All the umbrellas in the ‘50s were rented from beach stands as few had private beach equipment in those days. The Boardwalk was narrow with no seawall to protect it. The seawall would not be completed until 1991 as part of the beach replenishment project.

The town limits ended at 26th Street for most of the 1950s. They would be extended to 41st Street in 1957 and to the Delaware line in 1965.

To purchase one of Bunk Mann’s books, click over to www.vanishingoc.com. Photo courtesy John Hurlock

Things I Like...

By Steve Green

Visiting new places

College campus vibes

Trying new things

Close high school lacrosse games

Disturbing shows that stay in your head

A new foal on Assateague

When an IT transition goes smooth

A day with no mail at home

Learning something from my kids

Stocking bird feeders

Spring’s first grass cut

Tram loss will carry budget impact for city

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(April 4, 2025) Transportation officials report the suspension of tram service will impact the department’s budget heading into fiscal year 2026.

As part of a public works budget presentation Wednesday, Transportation Manager Rob Shearman told the Ocean City Council his department has effectively zeroed out tram revenues for the year ending June 30, 2026. With no money coming in, and bills still left to pay, he said a roughly $440,000 contribution from the city’s general fund would be needed.

“Tram revenue, obviously we have not budgeted anything for this coming fiscal year,” he told the council. “And hold that thought … because it has a major impact on the numbers you are about to see.”

While tram revenues were budgeted at $1.5 million last year, Shearman said projections were reduced to zero considering the tram operation’s suspension. As a result, advertising revenues for the transportation department are also projected to decrease in the coming fiscal year.

However, the lack of tram operations will result in some savings, as supply, energy and personnel costs will decrease.

“Overall, the personnel costs are going down 12.3%,” Shearman said, “largely attributable to the tram division.”

In the coming fiscal year, Shearman said the transportation department will

receive general fund contributions totaling $1.6 million for the bus division, $439,751 for the tram division and $585,000 for matching grant funds.

“We are still budgeting for some fixed costs within the tram division, totaling almost $440,000,” Shearman said, “which largely includes the debt service on the carriages.”

Officials question construction budget

City officials on Wednesday also reviewed water and wastewater budgets, as well as the airport, service center and vehicle budgets.

Staff also delved deeper into the construction budget, which revealed that the public works department plans to spend $80,000 on bulkhead replacement at the end of Winter Harbour Drive in the coming year. Council President Matt James questioned if street ends could be sold to adjacent property owners.

“It might be an opportunity where we don’t have to spend $80,000 a street end,” he said.

City Manager Terry McGean said it was unlikely the city could sell a street end, but that staff could explore options.

Mayor Rick Meehan also questioned a $51,000 line item for the rental of variable message signs, which are used for Bikefest and the spring and fall Cruisin’ events.

“Is that something we should purchase in the long run?” he asked.

Public Works Deputy Director Woody Vickers said the department rented the signs every year. He noted that for $17,000, the city received 10 signs for a month.

“If you were to buy 10 of them, you’re talking about a little over $300,000,” he said.

Councilman Tony DeLuca questioned if the city could charge the Bikefest and Cruisin’ events for the sign rentals. McGean said it was unlikely for the Cruisin’ promoter, as the city had provided the promoter with incentives to move the 2025 spring event. However, he said the charge could be considered for Bikefest.

“Right now, it is not part of their contract,” he replied.

Solid waste contract to increase

Solid Waste Manager Brian Scarborough also presented his department’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2026. Included in the spending plan, he said, was an increase in transport and tipping fees.

As part of a contract with Reworld (formerly Covanta), Scarborough noted that fees would increase from $104.98 per ton to $109.70 per ton. He said the city estimates that 33,000 tons of waste would be transported in 2026.

“The contract has been budgeted at $3,528,000, which is an increase of $175,545 over FY25,” he said.

City searches for engineer

The lack of a city engineer was also

discussed during this week’s budget discussions. Joe Kurtz, the interim city engineer, said administrative staff were making every effort to fill the position.

“It’s currently vacant,” he told the council. “Hal [Adkins, public works director] is addressing options for filling this position.”

McGean noted that the position has remained vacant since May of last year, when former city engineer Paul Mauser left to take a job in Sussex County.

He said the city has dealt with two different recruiting firms, both of which noted the salary range the city is offering – listed as $100,000 to $128,000, with an additional signing bonus and relocation assistance – is fair.

“We’re making it work right now, but it’s difficult,” he said.

Kurtz this week also presented the city council with a review of beach replenishment funding in fiscal year 2026. He said payment to the state’s beach maintenance fund was expected to increase to $430,000.

“For beach replenishment, the last renourishment was in 2021…,” he said. “The United States Army core engineer hopes to award a contract in the summer of 2025 for completion in September 2025 to April 2026. No federal funding has been identified and secured as of this date. For cost sharing, the United States Army Corps of Engineers is 53%, and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources is at 47%.”

Opinions

Federal funding cut flows to Worcester

As if the State of Maryland didn’t already have enough problems scrounging up money to bridge the great divide between revenues and expenditures for the year ahead, now it must find a way to cover the loss of $418 million in federal education funds it thought it already had.

The Baltimore Banner reported Tuesday that the Trump Administration last Friday reversed course on a pledge to award up to that amount in pandemic recovery funds to Maryland, with U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon saying the department had given the schools too much time to spend the money.

Maybe it did and maybe it didn’t, but that’s beside the point for the schools that have spent their allocations according to the rules and now won’t be reimbursed.

Worcester County Public Schools is among those left holding the empty bag, having spent $512,000 based on state and federal assurances that it would get the money back in a pair of grants. Now, it doesn’t look like that will happen.

While that’s just a small percentage of this school system’s budget, it remains that covering that debt is just one more thing for which local institutions and taxpayers are responsible.

That’s the real rub in all this. As the U.S. Department of Education almost certainly will say it is cutting federal spending, the fact is it is just reassigning its debt to a smaller group of taxpayers instead of spreading the cost nationwide. In essence, no tax dollars are being saved when they have already been spent.

Neither the local school system nor the state Department of Education can be faulted for taking advantage of a federal funding program that was guaranteed ... at the time.

Again, whether this was a good program or a case of excessive federal spending is not the issue. That would be how schools and other publicly funded institutions proceed now that they they know a deal’s a deal until it isn’t.

PUBLIC EYE

Hardworking, or not

Now that my 401K has become more like a 201K, I want to reflect on last week’s topic of how “Hardworking Americans” always get the short end of the stick.

By Stewart Dobson

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As some readers might recall, whenever government money is being squandered, it seems always to come out of the pockets of “Hardworking Americans” rather than from the pockets of Americans who are just putting in the time.

It occurred to me since last week that I did a poor job of explaining who these other working Americans are, and how to avoid hiring them. After all, you wouldn’t want to hire a Milli Vanilli Working American over a Hardworking American.

So, what is a Milli Vanilli Working American? As pop music fans might recall, it’s a pretender, named after the hot duo that crashed and burned in 1990, when they were caught on stage lip-syncing to a recording of someone else’s singing.

They were mouthing the lyrics when their backstage recording got stuck ... got stuck ... got stuck. And that was that.

Therefore, a Milli Vanilli Working American is one who fakes being a Hardworking American until they crash in front of you.

You: Hey, would you please run this form over to HR for me?”

Them: Sure thing. Right away. Watch me go ... By the way, who is ‘HR,’ anyway?”

Then there is the Coastal Worker. This is the person who coasts along with the workday tide and only rises to the occasion every 12 hours or so.

Not to be overlooked is the Busy-Busy Working American (also known as a Hummingbird Worker) who is so busy flitting around with jobs of their own invention that they can’t do the ones you want them to do: “Sorry, boss, but I’m right in the middle of my monthly ballpoint pen inventory. And then I have a ton of paper-shuffling to do.”

There are others, of course, such as Whine Merchant Workers, who complain about everything ... in a nasally voice, and Upstairs Workers, who believe regular work is beneath them.

What follows are some examples of answers that might come out in an interview and suggest that this candidate is a whiny, coasting, lip-syncing slug.

Interviewer: “Let’s get started.”

Candidate: “OK, How many sick days do I get?

Interviewer: “What kind of income are you looking for?”

Candidate: “Well, in Dubai they pay ...”

Interviewer: “What are you looking for in a job?

Candidate: “What will my title be?”

Interviewer: “The job description ...”

Candidate: “Job description? I don’t need no stinking job description.”

Interviewer: “We work a 40-hour week.”

Candidate: “Yeah, yeah, but how many actual working hours?

Interviewer: “Questions. comments?”

Candidate: “My family has booked a vacation for the entire month of July and I ...”

Hire the following:

Interviewer: “Let’s get started.”

Candidate: “I don’t get sick, I think vacations are a waste, I like long hours, and, please, I’d like my job title to be ‘Hey you!”

Between the Lines

By Steve Green

There are some government meetings when the best part comes at the end from the elected officials’ comments and remarks from the public. In the case of this week’s County Commissioners meeting, it was the elected officials’ time to comment that was most compelling. Of course, the commissioners choose to not offer the public time to comments during routine meetings - only when required by law through public hearings – so there was nothing there.

This week’s meeting featured some lively commentary from the commissioners. There were two interesting discussions held in an otherwise mundane meeting. The nature of the discussion confirms the current divide among the group and the changing dynamics since the commission voted to change presidents, from Commissioner Chip Bertino to Commissioner Ted Elder.

The topics also prove perplexing as on one hand the commissioners voted 2-5 against a motion by Bertino (seconded by colleague Jim Bunting) to have the magnifying glass put on its own treasurer’s office through a pricy external audit. Seeking to provide transparency to the impacted ratepayers, Bertino wants a better understanding of how the current budget problems came to be regarding the service area accounts. The county is audited every year as required, but it appears Bertino wants to focus the spotlight on the treasurer’s office business practices rather than all aspects of government spending and revenues.

The external audit was ultimately rejected by the commissioners. In explaining the need for an audit, Bertino showed his frustration with the county, saying, “Given the fact that we’re seeing problems with the enterprise fund, it’s only fair to have a concern about the entire finance department. I’m hoping that it comes back with a clean bill of health. We had a $9.2 million situation. Whatever we pay for an audit should include a review of the entire operation, because we don’t know what we don’t know.”

Then, in a strange turnabout, the commissioners unanimously supported Commissioner Caryn Abbott’s motion to formally request the state’s legislative audits department review the Board of Education. The school system is due for a state audit some time before 2028, but Abbott thinks the sooner the better. It’s worth noting the state pays for this audit. The point was then made how the state’s audit team uncovered major issues within a school system in another jurisdiction in Maryland. In making the motion for the state audit, Abbott said, “I thought it would be a good tool for the schools and the taxpayers, especially with a new superintendent coming in.”

Just to recap here, a dive further into micromanaging the schools gets passed with little discussion, but a review and evaluation of the county’s treasurer’s office over bad decisions and concerns about transparency was denied. Sure, as required, the state should audit the school system. However, to push for the school system audit by the state within minutes of denying an examination of the county’s own treasurer’s office is disturbing, The commissioners want to audit the school board but not its own finance department. There’s more to the story here, of course, but the optics are foul.

The county’s reluctance to outsource an audit of its finance department is understandable because it will burden staff tremendously. However, within minutes of saying no to the internal audit, it was wrong of the commissioners to then agree to having the state audit the school board, when the school system’s budget is already audited each year. Consistency is important, but there’s a level of hypocrisy that had to be highlighted and should not be tolerated.

Budget time is in full swing. From early budget reviews, it appears most governments in the area are looking to hold the line on the property tax rates. The County Commissioners seem to be the only local government weighing a tax decrease. I like the concept of at least considering reducing the property tax rate because of the $18 million revenue increase the county stands to receive from assessments climbing under the current tax rate. There’s no inclination yet whether the commissioners will see fit to reduce the tax rate but the options have been presented. Even if the tax rate stays the same in the county and in Berlin and in Ocean City, residential property owners will be paying more due to property values climbing. Those who reside in their primary homes here are protected by the Homestead Tax Credit, but secondary owners will see the biggest hit. During a budget meeting this week in Ocean City, some light was shed on the budget impact associated with the tram service being cut. Budgeted tram revenues totaled $1.5 million last year based on ridership and advertising. Without the tram, personnel costs for the transportation department are forecast to decline 12%, but there is a hit to the city’s budget from the tram not being in operation. About $439,000 will need to come from the general fund to offset tram expenses associated with the debt service on the carriages the Jeeps pulled.

Budget penalizes Ocean Pines ratepayers

Editor,

(The following letter was sent to the Worcester County Commissioners with a copy sent to this newspaper for publication.)

This letter is in response to the FY2026 budget draft that was put forward for the Water/Wastewater Enterprise Funds during your Commissioners’ meeting on Tuesday, March 18th. We find your proposal to burden all 11 Water/Wastewater Service Area ratepayers with ~2,188,000 in shortfalls accumulated over many years to be unfair. The Ocean Pines Service Area only contributed ~$116,699 to the shortfalls. The approval of the budget put forward for the upcoming fiscal year would penalize rate payers in the Ocean Pines Service Area in the amount of ~$2,021,301. ($2.188,000 in total debts - $116,699 in actual Ocean Pines Service Area shortfalls) and would set a precedent for further financial hardship of the residents of Ocean Pines.

Your proposal obligates Ocean Pines Service Area ratepayers to pay 55.6% (10,000 Ocean Pines Service

Area ratepayers / 18,000 countywide ratepayers) of a debt that is mostly not associated with the Ocean Pines Water/Wastewater Service Area. It appears that your intention is to evade public attention from the issues connected to the misappropriation of enterprise funds within your finance office:

Contrary to county financial protocols, reports are that disbursements were being made absent of approval or oversight by the County Commissioners.

These financial inconsistencies were discovered in February 2024 during the implementation of new budgeting procedures and not as a result of either an internal or external financial audit.

No personnel have been held accountable for the financial inconsistencies within the Enterprise Funds operations.

The plan brought forward to resolve the Enterprise Funds debt is inconsistent with the county code that defines 11 Water/Wastewater service areas within Worcester County to be self-sustaining, meaning income should equal expenses.

Ocean Pines rate payers have a responsibility to pay for the operations

of our system that provided us with clean water and effluent processing and nothing more. The intentions of the FY2026 budget for Water/Wastewater Enterprise Funds raise considerable concern among the Ocean Pines Service Area rate payers.

The Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors request that Ocean Pines be held harmless from the debts of all other Water/Wastewater Service Areas.

Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors

Lack of connection in next generation Editor,

Reading Zainab Mirza’s opinion piece titled “Ocean City Raised Us –Step Up for The Next Generation”, I could not help but think wow – I wish I grew up here.

However, I have watched the sunrise at the inlet eating donuts, I have picked crabs with friends. And, Although I have never convinced an employer to host a retreat on Assateague Island, my brother, while a counselor in a youth detention facility, did convince his employer to allow him and some colleagues to bring the some of the teenagers to camp on Assateague Island for a long weekend.

lunch and chatted with my friends, I started to notice something puzzling.

There were four tables of families scattered throughout the restaurant, all in matching gear, all four families from the same team. They were not sitting together, did not acknowledge each other and acted as if they did not even know each other.

As I sat there with my friends, I could not help but think of the Pledge of Allegiance. Throughout the course of our past, present and future, we are all connected by an invisible string called humanity.

We will not agree with each other on everything – not even close. But we are all on this shared experience and we can either be adversaries or allies. “United we stand, divided we fall.”

Jennifer Bodnar Ocean Pines

Short-term rental petition group misleading public Editor,

This letter is to implore Ocean City residents not to sign the petition.

The group of investors and real estate agents who are currently collecting signatures to reverse the Ocean City Council’s fair and well thought out regulations for Short-Term rentals in R-1 districts are using misinformation to achieve their goal. That’s why OC citizens should not sign their petition.

All these things are why my family moved here – the beauty of the landscape, the community of the people and the glorious time between September and March when the beauty of our surroundings belongs almost entirely to us – the residents, the locals.

Last weekend, I met some friends at the Bayside Skillet for lunch. I noticed there was a Cheer Competition at the convention center and fondly remembered travel baseball, travel soccer and gymnastics competitions.

What a tight knit group we were. The kids were all teammates and friends. The parents – from all walks of life – socialized even outside of game days and tournament weekends. My oldest is almost 30 and my youngest is 22. I still have friends from that period in my life and so do my kids – keeping in touch less often but keeping in touch. As I ate my

Have an opinion?

The very first mistruth is saying our Council “quickly passed” the short-term zoning requirements. As you can see from my letter below, written to the council in 2015, debate & consideration has been going on for years. I outlined the argument in favor of preserving the few R-1 neighborhoods in Ocean City in July 2015, from a local family, business owner and long-term homeowner’s point of view. Nothing has changed. Help us preserve all that is good about life in Ocean City, Please Don’t Sign the Petition.

To the Distinguished Members of the Ocean City Council:

Over the last several years, Ocean City’s smaller, single-family neighborhoods have begun to struggle with the challenges that come with the

We invite you to share it, but all letters are subject to verification, so please include your name and phone number. All letters are subject to editing for space and to protect the author and this newspaper from legal action. Email letters to editor@oceancitytoday.net. For questions, call 410-723-6397.

Photo by Stephen Pryce Lea

Photo

Photo by Stephen Pryce Lea

trendy week-to-week rental home that has grown in popularity via the internet.

Before the “VRBO Phenomenon” began (Vacation Rental by Owner), week to week rentals in Ocean City were (generally) limited to Condominiums, Townhouse and Apartments in R2, R3 & LC1 districts. Now through the internet or through local real estate firms, a vacationing family or group may choose to stay for a week or a mini week in one of Ocean City’s R1 housing communities.

The question before us is how does the city protect the property rights of its residents; the taxpayers, the voters, the families who chose to buy into an R1 zone, where the code specifically mentions “the sanctity, quiet enjoyment”, “health and safety” of the community? We are now seeing homes that are not occupied by the owners being leased (perhaps not on purpose) to 12-15 individuals, with 10 + cars or trucks parked out front, in some cases. Large groups or multifamily families packed into a singlefamily home is not what we had envisioned, nor is it what our zoning code allows for, and it cannot be policed with week-to-week rentals.

There are a little over 7,000 yearround, voting residents in Ocean City. Our comprehensive plan calls for maintaining the R1 districts, to encourage more people to reside, participate in Ocean City government and raise their families in town. Many of us moved here permanently to raise our families with full knowledge that the town swells to 300,000 people in the summer and that Special Events such as Cruiser Weekend, Bike Week, Springfest, Sunfest, the Air Show and all the other activities that Ocean City hosts are all part of the ebb & flow of life in a popular tourist town. WE ARE OKAY WITH THAT. We aren’t deterred by any traffic, or noise or anything else that comes with living in Ocean City be-

cause we understand it and that is why many of us chose a quiet, single family R1 neighborhood to escape to, which we thought would be protected by code. We wouldn’t have to worry about week-to-week transients checking out our teenage daughters, or 12 enthusiastic bachelorettes next doors for the weekend, making sure it’s the loudest, most unforgettable weekend that the bride to be will never remember. We wouldn’t have to worry, because we settled in an R1 community.

Leaders of the real estate industry have come out in force. Their focus is on industry and money, it’s their job. Their job is not to focus on quality-oflife issues or to attract year-round residents or to preserve a viable voting community in Ocean City. That is the city’s job.

We are asking that members of the Ocean City Council listen to the desires of its residents. We ask that you maintain the integrity of separate zoning districts; zoning that controls density and separates types of tourism/commercialism and residential districts, all of which maintains balance, property values, quality of life, and prosperity for all.

Please follow the Planning & Zoning Board’s recommendation to adopt an R1A zoning district for single family neighborhoods that wish to preserve their quality of life and promote the health, safety and welfare of their neighborhoods.

Patti Miller Ocean City

US Wind using ‘bait and switch’ tactics

Editor,

As I read the articles concerning US Wind and the path they have chosen to invest in the ocean wind turbines off the coast of Ocean City, I am reminded of techniques used in the past to entice people by words to buy

into the deals proposed.

Many years ago there was a practice of businesses known as “Bait and Switch.” The advertisements would show items with an awesome price. Interested buyers would arrive to the business and were quickly greeted with the information that they were out of the advertised item, but they quickly offered something else. For those who experienced that, we found the item offered was rarely as good or as low in price.

So now, as we look back to the information shared at the beginning of the announcement of placing the Ocean Wind Turbines off the coast of Ocean City, do we see changes made from those first plans presented to all? Was a wind farm by US Wind located 10.7 miles offshore? Did the number of turbines increase?

Were we made aware that each blade of the over 100 Ocean Wind

Turbines would be the length of a football field? Did the height of the turbines become more than three times the height of the tallest condo building in OC? Are those changes in line with what we expected? Are they the best changes for our community? Was US Wind’s offering as good as we thought? Did we take the bait, and then see a switch?

Sadly, I am hearing about US Wind wanting two potential harborside properties in West Ocean City. The businesses are Martin Fish House and Southern Connection Seafood. The purpose of obtaining those properties is so a future operations and maintenance facility can be constructed to service the 114 turbines at their wind farms off the coast of Ocean City.

What will this mean to our commercial fishing businesses? It does

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Continued from Page 75

not look promising. US Wind is offering compensation packages for those who may no longer be able to operate their businesses in the harbor. I hear there is a deadline for that compensation to be reached. Just what is the dollar amount needed to buy someone’s future dream and experience loving what you do? What is the dollar amount to no longer be able to have the history and enjoyment of this harbor and the fresh seafood they catch? What is the value of keeping what we have ?

We have seen the “Bait and Switch” example with our Ocean Wind Turbines. Hopefully our harbor can remain as is. This could be possible if we do not support US Wind and there desire to purchase the two properties in the harbor. We should not buy their reasons and decisions - hook, line, and sinker.

Anita Welsch Bishopville

Fixes needed at Riddle Farm facility

Editor,

I was surprised to see buried in the March 28 OC Today-Dispatch article Mismanagement in county’s service area handling found, that the County Commissioners were supposedly just being made aware of the financial

disaster at the Riddle wastewater treatment plant. As far back as 2011, during my years as the Assateague Coastkeeper, I was aware the plant was not operating properly and could pose a water pollution problem to Turville Creek. In fact, in 2011, Maryland Department of Environment levied a fine against Worcester County because the plant was not in compliance.

In conversations with county department heads they acknowledged the plant had failed infrastructure and was temporarily diverting partially treated effluent to the Ocean Pines wastewater treatment plant because 'the part was too expensive to replace at that time.' That was the year 2011.

Since 2011 I watched the ‘pump and dump’ operation go on year after year and it continues today. The ‘Riddle Problem’ was dumped into my neighborhood of Cape Isle of Wight with the tanker trucks pumping the Riddle’s wastewater into the Ocean City treatment system.

Since 2024, several days a week, I watch the tankers dump the 'Riddle Problem' into a sewer line at the OC Chamber of Commerce which I believe leads to yet even another wastewater treatment facility.

Let’s not even get into the whole ‘EDU Shell Game’ the county operates with our wastewater service

areas, and stick to what we know is happening and that is each time a tanker leaves the Riddle plant it is costing Worcester taxpayers a LOT of money and this has been going on for over a decade.

Talk about wasteful spending! As a West Ocean City resident I am not happy to hear I may have to pay for the 'Riddle Problem' through higher sewer rates.

Despite the county seeking over a million dollars in Federal Funding to fix the “Riddle Problem” in 2023 it appears that solution never materialized. Every Maryland resident pays a tiny 'flush tax' into the Bay Restoration Fund (BRF) that is designated for upgrading wastewater treatment facilities in the state and also helping waterfront property owners upgrade their onsite septic systems.

Maybe it is time for our County Commissioners and our lower Shore Delegation to do what is necessary to secure funding from the BRF (perhaps spend that proposed Ocean City harbor eminent domain $1.5 million dollars on the Riddle Problem instead) and do the right thing by rebuilding the Riddle wastewater facility so it operates properly without wasting taxpayer dollars and threatening the health of our coastal bays.

Kathy Phillips West Ocean City

Berlin’s electric department wins Gold Designation

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer

(April 4, 2025) The Town of Berlin Electric Utility Department has earned a Gold Designation under the American Public Power Association’s Safety Award of Excellence for maintaining safe operating practices in 2024.

Per a release issued by the town this week, Berlin’s Electric Utility Department was recognized for its commitment to safety through APPA’s annual Safety Award of Excellence, receiving the gold distinction in the category for utilities with 15,000 to 29,999 worker hours of yearly worker exposure.

APPA’s website says their safety award “recognizes public power utilities prioritizing safety in their dayto-day operations.”

“The Town of Berlin is proud of our safety culture,” Town Administrator Mary Bohlen said in the announcement. “This award is a testament to the safety culture we have built and the hard work that Town recognized for safe operating practices in ‘24

See BERLIN Page 77

Berlin staff safety applauded

goes into ensuring that our team members have a safe work environment.”

Utility departments are presented with Diamond, Platinum, or Goldlevel designations based on factors like their incident rates and responses to an application that displays the effectiveness of safety programs.

Over 200 utilities entered the annual APPA Safety Awards for 2024. Applicants are categorized according to their number of worker hours and then ranked based on the most incident-free records and the overall status of their safety culture.

“The incidence rate is based on the number of work-related reportable injuries or illnesses and the number of worker hours during 2024, as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA),” the municipality’s announcement states.

Per APPA’s website, the application process involves providing facts and figures in three categories: lagging indicators, leading indicators, and optional, non-graded essay questions.

Lagging indicators measure the “occurrence and frequency of past events, like the number or rate of injuries, illnesses, and fatalities,” the award’s application guidebook says. These factors also show the departments’ historical safety performance and are “traditionally used to identify deviations from established safety goals.”

Organizations must also detail the leading indicators or proactive steps a utility prioritizes to ensure a safe working environment.

APPA’s application handbook maintains that these measures play a key role in preventing worker fatalities, injuries, and illnesses and promoting continuous safety

improvements.

The leading indicators category asks utilities if they track metrics. Some of these evaluations could include near miss frequency rate (NMFR), injury frequency rate (IFR), lost time injury frequency rate (LTIFR), injury severity rate (ISR), total recordable incident rate (TRIR), days away restricted or transferred (DART), and safety compliance rate.

The utilities are then scored based on their application responses. They can receive up to 60 points in the lagging indicators category and up to 40 points in the leading indicators group.

A diamond certificate is given to departments with 90 or more points, a platinum certificate is for those receiving 80 to 89 points, and a gold certificate yields 70 to 79 points.

APPA’s application guide website says that the method for awarding points for reportable cases was revised for the 2024 award year to include a weighted system that ensures smaller utilities with fewer worker hours are not “disproportionately affected by the number of incidents reported in the award year.”

Berlin, in the 15,000 to 29,999 worker hours of yearly worker exposure category, received a gold designation.

“Harnessing electricity to keep our communities powered is vital work that can be dangerous, even deadly if the proper attention isn’t paid to tried-and-true safety practices,” said Jon Beasley, chair of APPA’s Safety Committee and Vice-President of Electric Cities of GA in the Berlin-issued press release. “This award honors utilities that hold fast to these practices and put the safety of their personnel and their customers above all else.”

APPA’s Safety Award of Excellence is a 60-plus-year-long tradition.

Red Army seizes ancient Slovakian capital

By Peter Ayers Wimbrow III Contributing Writer

(April 4, 2025) Today, 80 years ago, the Seventh Guards Army, commanded by Mikhail Stepanovich Shumilov, captured the Slovakian capital of Bratislava. Gen. Shumilov’s Seventh Guards Army was part of the Second Ukrainian Front, commanded by Ukrainian Marshal Rodion Malinovsky.

The thousand-year-old city of Bratislava (Preßburg in German, Pozsony in Hungarian) was, and is, the capital of Slovakia, which, until 1919, had been a part of Hungary. During the 16th Century, it had served as the Hungarian capital while Budapest was occupied by the Turks. Bratislava was the fourth Axis capital captured by the Red Army.

Bratislava is located on both sides of the Danube River and is 38.5 miles from the border of the Czech Republic and 37.3 miles from the Austrian capital of Vienna. It currently has a population of 500,000.

Marshal Malinovsky’s Second Ukrainian Front had been assigned the task of capturing Bratislava and Brno, the capital of Moravia. The Second Ukrainian Front was assisted by the Soviet Danube Fleet, commanded

by Rear Adm. Klostakakov. Bratislava was defended by the Hungarian Third Army, commanded by Col. Gen. Vitéz József Heszlényi, and the German Sixth Army, commanded by Hermann Balck. Gen. Heszlényi, after being captured by the Americans, and repatriated to the Soviets, committed suicide by slashing his wrists.

By April 2, the Soviets had captured the airport.

The next night, the Germans destroyed the Danube River bridges. Soldiers of Gen. Shumilov’s Seventh Guards Army entered and captured the city on the evening of April 4, 1945.

Until 1919, Slovakia had been a part of the Kingdom of Hungary and the Dual Monarchy of Austria-Hungary. After WWI, under the Treaty of Trianon, it was separated from Hungary and joined with the Czech provinces of Bohemia and Moravia by the victorious Allies to create Czechoslovakia. As originally constituted, Czechoslovakia contained 13.5 million inhabitants, of

which less than half were Czechs, 3.5 million were Germans, two million were Slovaks and another 1.5 million were Ruthenians and Hungarians.

A Catholic priest, Father Andre Hlinka, had begun a movement, culminating in a political party, advocating greater equality for the Slovaks and autonomy for Slovakia — the Slovak People’s Party. Upon Father Hlinka’s death in August 1938, the party leadership was assumed by Father Jozef Tiso. As seen from its two leaders, the party had a decided Catholic bent.

Ultimately, on March 14, 1939, Slovakia achieved its independence — with much help from the German Reich — and Father Tiso became its leader, taking the title “Vodca,” which means “Leader” in Slovakian.

The fat father (he was 5’9” and weighed more than 300 lbs.) joined the German Führer, the Italian Duce, the Romanian Conduc tor, the Croatian Poglavnik, the Norwegian Fører, the Burmese Naingandaw Adipadi, the Indian Netaji, the Spanish Caudillo, and the Turkish Milli ef, with that title.

To show its appreciation, Slovakia joined with Germany in the invasion of Poland — the original “Coalition of

the Willing!” Minister of Defense, Gen. Ferdinand atloš led Slovakia’s Field Army Bernolák into Poland. It was attached to Germany ´s Fourteenth Army, commanded by Wilhelm List. Three fighter squadrons also joined the Luftwaffe in attacking Poland from the sky.

Gen. atloš’ Field Army Bernolák captured 1,350 prisoners for a loss of 18 dead, 46 wounded and 11 missing. The Slovakian Air Force — Slovenské Vzdusné Zbrane(SVZ) —- lost two planes. Approximately 226 square kilometers with 4,280 inhabitants, most of whom were Slovakians, were incorporated into Slovakia.

For the next two years, Slovakia would enjoy relative peace and prosperity, as the Reich purchased everything that Slovakia grew or produced, and tens of thousands of Slovakian citizens worked in the German war industries. But when the Reich launched Operation Barbarossa against the U.S.S.R., the Slovak Republic once again took up arms against fellow Slavs.

For that contribution, casualties would exceed 7,000. Slovak units saw action in the encirclement and capture of Kiev and the capture, and loss of,

Continued on Page 79

Mikhail Stepanovich Shumilov

Steven B.Wright, DMD • Daniel Luckenbaugh, DDS

Katie Townsend, DMD • Dustin Venables, DMD Katelyn Vincent, DMD • Stephanie Smith, DDS

JAMES EDWARD TRUMMEL

Ocean Pines

James Edward Trummel, age 85, passed away on Sunday, March 23, 2025, at his home in Ocean Pines. Born in Elmhurst, Illinois, he was the son of the late Verne Trummel and Earville Dooley Trummel.

James proudly served in the Marine Corps as a captain during the Vietnam War. He later obtained degrees in both engineering and law. He worked as a lawyer and industrial engineer. James was an avid reader and enjoyed golf. He was also a member of the Ocean Pines Association. He is fondly remembered as a very intelligent man and will be dearly missed by those who knew him.

WORLD WAR II

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Rostov-on-the-Don, in 1941, and the push into the Caucasus in 1942. Command of these troops was given, first to Jozef Turanec, then to Štefan Jurech and finally to Elmer Lendvay.

In the meantime, in September 1941, the first “Nuremberg” type laws were passed. The following year the deportations to the camps began. More than 100,000 Slovakian Jews perished. Hitler once commented that, “It is interesting how this little Catholic priest, Tiso, is sending us the Jews!”

Along with the Kingdoms of Romania and Bulgaria, Slovakia declared war on the U.S. and U.K. on Dec. 12, 1941.

Father Tiso, after fleeing to Austria, was captured by the Americans in June 1945, and extradited to the reconstituted Czechoslovakia, where he was tried in October 1945 by the Czechoslovak National Court. He was found guilty, on April 15, 1947, of “ . . . state Treason, betrayal of the Slovak national uprising and collaboration with Nazism.” He was sentenced to death.

He appealed to Edvard Beneš, the president of Czechoslovakia, for clemency. However, the president denied it. On April 18, 1947, Father Tiso, dressed in his clerical garb, was hanged. The execution was botched, so he died slowly of suffocation.

Dr. Vojtech Tuka suffered the same fate, even though he was confined to a wheelchair, on Aug. 20, 1946. He was a rabid anti-Semite, who had served as Slovakia’s Foreign and Prime Minister prior to his incapacitation. He was succeeded by Father Tiso’s cousin, Štefan Tiso, who was also convicted, sentenced to life in prison, and died in prison on March 28, 1959, at the age of 61.

Slovakia disappeared as an independent country, for almost a halfcentury — until Jan. 1, 1993, when it

He is survived by his wife, Lucretia Trummel; sons Jeff Moreland (Jenny), and Richard Graeber (Katie); a daughter, Debra Moreland; a sister, Joan Gatewood; niece Lindsey Nelson (David); and four grandchildren, Derek Graeber, Kaitlyn Nelson, Zach Nelson, and Avery Nelson. Cremation followed his death. No formal services are planned at this time. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to The Community Church at Ocean Pines. Letters of condolence can be sent to the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are in the care of The Burbage Funeral Home.

EVERETT LEE DONAWAY

Whaleyville

Everett Lee Donaway, age 86, passed away on Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Salisbury, Maryland. Born in

Whaleyville, he was the son of the late Harry Edward Donaway and Olevia Rosina Donaway (Lewis).

On April 26, 1958, he married his best friend and the love of his life, Shirley Ann. Together, they raised 5 children. Unless he was at work, it was rare to find one without the other. He drove for Perdue Farms and in fact was the first bulk haul driver to receive the Million Mile Driver award, an accomplishment that he was very proud of. He retired from Perdue to care for Shirley in the last years of her life; again, demonstrating his never-ending love for her. They loved people watching on the boardwalk, visiting family, going to the movies and simply enjoying the simple moments in the quiet of their home of over 40 years. There was nothing that he wouldn’t do for her.

was in his trips to town with family, visits from his friends and loved ones and finding ways to make those around him laugh. If you stayed long enough you would hear all about those around him that he loved, including but not limited to his greatest little love, his great-great granddaughter, Samiya Lynn.

He is survived by a daughter, Jeannette Fay Gaunt (Richard), a son, David Donaway, a sister, Barbara Adkins, six grandchildren, Joanie Reid, Richard Reid, Daniel Reid, Tiffani Harris, Everett Jack Gaunt, and David Donaway,19 great-grandchildren and was also blessed to have multiple great-great grandchildren. In addition to family, he is survived by his best friend, Mark Phillips (Mary).

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Shirley Ann Donaway; his daughter Myrna Kay Reid; and two sons, Johnny Ray Donaway and Michael Donaway.

parted company with the Czechs.

Next week: Death of a President Mr. Wimbrow writes from Ocean City, Maryland, where he practices law representing those persons accused of criminal and traffic offenses, and those persons who have suffered a personal injury through no fault of their own. He can be contacted at: wimbrowlaw@gmail.com.

If you knew Everett, you knew that he didn’t enjoy any sports unless it involved a motor. He enjoyed watching Nascar races, drag racing and in his younger years, rebuilding cars for fun. He enjoyed music and dancing and even sang karaoke both for his own enjoyment and during church services.

In his last years, his greatest joy

A funeral service will be held on Friday, April 4, 2025, at 2 p.m. at The Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin. A viewing will take place one hour prior. Letters or condolences can be sent to the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org. Arrangements are in the care of The Burbage Funeral Home.

James Trummel

Everett Donaway

Sports & Recreation

Young Decatur team looking to grow after early losses

By Bruce C. Walls Contributing Writer

(April 4, 2025) Stephen Decatur’s girls lacrosse team lost their second game of the week last Friday, falling to Kent Island 12-9.

Decatur opened the season with a tour of Cambridge before falling to Arundel 14-10 last Wednesday. On Friday March 28, the Buccaneers of Kent Island came to town with the young Seahawks looking for a rebound.

The Seahawks graduated 13 seniors last year, and Coach Lindsay Owens said the team’s youth has shown in the early season.

“We lost our entire defense and our goalies, but we have a lot of our middies and attack back,” Owens said.

“But we are very young and new to a lot of things, a lot of our girls are just trying to figure everything out, especially on our defensive end.”

Decatur started strong against the Bucs grabbing a 2-1 lead with the first quarter ending tied 3-3. After exchanging goals, Kent started to click offensively, leading 10-7 heading into the third quarter. Each team scored twice in the second half with Kent prevailing 12-9.

Scoring two goals apiece for the Seahawks were Lily Carson and Mara Mills, while Caitlin Shimko, Jill Burton, MB Morse, Ava Konyar and Kennedy Kirby each scored one goal.

“Today I think our inexperience

and our youngness kind of showed,” Owens said after the game. “I think emotions and the competitive game got the most of us. I think we played hard, but we did not play together. Kent Island is an awesome team. They really took it to us. I think there are moments of greatness that we saw. We played competitively but we threw a lot away especially at the end when it really counted and we needed that possession. Kent Island capitalized on our turnovers.”

DECATUR WRESTLERS PLACE

PHOTO COURTESY SUSAN TAYLOR-WALLS

Sophomore Kennedy Kirby emerges from the group with a ground ball with teammate Julia Gordy providing support.

PHOTO COURTESY SUSAN TAYLOR-WALLS Ava Konyar is met by a defender near the face of the goal against Kent Island. Konyar netted a goal in the home loss.

PHOTO COURTESY SUSAN TAYLOR-WALLS

With a knee pad to match the annual “pink” game, Lily Carson moves toward the crease for one of her two goals on the game. She added an assist.

Two wrestlers on Stephen Decatur’s varsity team competed at the highest level last weekend in Virginia Beach during the 36th Annual High School Nationals, which annually brings wrestlers from all over the country to compete. The event is considered the premier wrestling tournament in the county. Junior Elijah Collick, pictured center, finished in second place in the 120-pound men’s division, making him the first finalist in Decatur history. Additionally, on the women’s side, senior Chaniah Bernierm above right left, placed third in her weight division.

Prep lax starts season with three straight home wins

By Bruce C. Walls

Contributing Writer

(April 4, 2025) The Mallards boys lacrosse team is picking up from where they left off last year – with a winning streak.

Worcester Prep has begun the season with three straight wins, defeating Sussex Central, 19-5, Cape Henry Collegiate 13-10 and Bennett on Tuesday, 16-8.

Against the Clippers of Bennett, the Mallards won a hard-fought game against the Clippers of James M. Bennett. Senior Ryan Mann was the high scorer of the day with six goals and one assist. Sophomore Danny Kirwan added five goals. Junior midfielder Max Carpenter scored three goals and sophomore attackman Karrigan Russell-Wood added a goal.

The Mallards flexed their muscle from the start, winning six face offs in the first quarter to the Clippers’ two. Worcester Prep won 13 total face offs while James M. Bennett won eight.

At halftime, the Mallards were ahead, 9-2. The Clippers had 11 ground balls and the Mallard’s scooped up 37.

Kirwan, who missed last season due to a pre-season injury, said after the game, “Yeah, it was a good day for us. I think I have really great teammates, especially Ryan (Mann) and Karri (Karrigan Russell-Wood) getting all those feeds from them.”

The team has five seniors, five juniors, 10 sophomores and two freshmen.

“We don’t have a lot of numbers; we rely on the same kids that run up

and down the whole game,” said Head Coach Drew Haugh. “We don’t have a lot of depth, but the kids that are out there and playing, they played hard. We won a lot of face offs, which is al-

ways nice. We’ve got two goalies that are both doing a nice job. We split them by quarters. We’re moving along and hopefully will have some success this week on Thursday and Friday.”

PHOTO COURTESY SUSAN TAYLOR-WALLS

Attackman Karrigan Russell-Wood is pictured taking a shot on goal in the first half against Bennett. The sophomore converted one goal on seven shots and added two assists.

PHOTO COURTESY SUSAN TAYLOR-WALLS

Senior Ryan Mann works toward the goal from behind. He had six goals and an assist on the afternoon against the Clippers.

PHOTO COURTESY SUSAN TAYLOR-WALLS

Sophomore Danny Kirwan scoops a ground ball after junior Paxton Mault controlled the faceoff. Kirwin scored five goals in the win over Bennett.