Horoscope

our employees and not bringing any income in either,” Thaler said. “So, I appealed to our board of directors to put in the money for the donation, and they donated $900 for the first round of the kits, which provided the initial 350.

“Our board felt very committed to helping the youth,” she continued. “As a non-profit organization, even though we’re facing a lot of financial challenges right now, we couldn’t turn our back on the kids of Worcester County ... they need us.

In addition to the art supplies, the Art League also provided a Heart with a Hug poster for families to color and post to their windows to show their support for emergency responders and essential workers.

Thaler also asking the organization’s grant providers to raise more money to pay for another round of 350 kits.

Mullis of the Worcester County Arts Council was happy to help the students in any way she could.

“We know how challenging it is for [students] to be away from school, from teachers, from their normal environment and being at home, a lot of students don’t have access to essential materials,” Mullis said. “It was very important for us to reach out and show support to the schools and show that the community really cares for our schools.

“I hope the students will feel comforted by the fact that there are community organizations thinking about them,” she continued. “I hope that Continued from Page 25

they will be able to create something colorful and inspiring to help them move forward.”

The Worcester County Arts Council also gave 350 kits, and if the need arises, will donate more in the near future.

Mills is thrilled that the Art League and Arts Council was able to help.

“We thought it was important, because while we do have a lot of students with materials at home, we also are very aware that we have a large number of students who don’t have access to those things at all,” Mills said.

“Within the first week of online learning, we got a couple of responses from kids saying that they didn’t have drawing paper at home and to please accept this assignment in a different material because they didn’t have things like crayons or markers.

“We knew there was a gap, but it became more evident as the learning began,” she continued. “We really wanted to quickly get some materials to students for them to complete assignments with those materials.”

In addition to the kits helping students perform their assignments, Mills also believes it will be useful for students’ emotional and mental health.

“It’s also a way for students to create in a time of crisis, art and music … their special area subjects are so important because it allows them to express emotion,” Mills said. “It allows them to work through their feelings of anxiety or depression at this time. Those areas are vital right now.”

PHOTO COURTESY AMARA MILLS Art material kits, donated by the Art League of Ocean City and the Worcester County Arts Council in Berlin, include paper, markers, colored pencils, crayons and erasers, among other items.

Mental health, Mills said, is just as important to student’s education as math, science and English and helps keep them engaged.

“Getting a student to talk about music at the dinner table from an activity that they did or getting them to sit down and create a drawing. It just releases so much stress, it helps calm children. It’s really important to make sure that we don’t just ignore those content areas right now, but rather embrace them in a way that allows students to physically and mentally be well.”

Fifty of the school material kits will be available at each food site location offered by the Worcester County Public Schools.

REAL ESTATE REPORT Market will change after covid-19

(May 1, 2020) We all want to see the pandemic come to an end, but realize the return to normal life will be a gradual progression—and one that will bring along changes in the way we live.

When it comes to real estate and your home, some of the changes that might come about in your home design and renovation decisions could be:

Home offices: With many working from home right now, if you don’t already have a designated home office, you are probably working from your kitchen counter or your dining room table.

Additions might include home office space that will allow for uninterrupted video conferencing calls.

Touchless in-home technology: Touchless faucets and light switches,

By Lauren Bunting

Contributing Writer

as well as voice-controlled home automation should see a surge with the constant need to hand wash and the reminder to wash your hands after you touch anything and before you touch your face.

There is even technology being introduced that automatically opens doorknobs for hands-free entry to your home.

HVAC purification systems: Homeowners will want to be able to breathe easy that the air in their own homes is safe.

Taking the next step beyond a one room air purifier, upgrades to whole house HVAC systems are available, such as the award-winning REME HALO in-duct air purifier, which reaches every cubic inch of air that your central ac can reach.

This whole home in-duct air purifier is designed to reduce odors and air pollutants and it’s effective against particulates, microbials and gases.

This system has been thoroughly tested on airborne and surface bacteria and viruses, such as MRSA, e-coli, and Norwalk, to name a few.

Bigger pantries: The need to stock up on food essentials to minimize trips to the grocery store, which in turn, minimizes your risk of exposure to an airborne virus, will prompt more homeowners to expand their pantry closets.

Hand washing sink options: With the need to increase hand washing to prevent the spread of the virus, adding utility sinks in garages and half bathrooms could be on the rise. – Lauren Bunting is a licensed

Associate Broker with Atlantic Shores Sotheby’s International Realty in Ocean City.

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, others want to lure you into their shenanigans, but you don’t need to worry about falling prey. You stick to your own ways of doing things. TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, you may need to take a different and unusual approach to get things accomplished this week. Do not be afraid to take the bull by the horns if it is necessary. GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 Thinking outside of the box is something that you do with frequency, Gemini. Although others may not be sure of your unconventional methods, you always get things done. CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 Cancer, anxiety about starting a new path or chapter in your life is completely normal. Look forward to all of the positive things that may be in store soon enough. LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 Lend a helping hand to someone who may need a vote of confidence or some words of support this week, Leo. Your efforts will be appreciated very much. VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 Make the most of luck that comes to you this week, Virgo. Do not speculate why such good fortune comes your way, but embrace it with an open heart. LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 Do not rush to judgment on any situation or person for the time being. All of the facts have not come to light or sharpened. But the truth will soon reveal itself, Libra. SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 Scorpio, someone close to you needs space this week, so give them some room to breathe. Find a way to keep busy as this person works through what he or she needs. SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 Sagittarius, a competitive coworker is pushing hard to be on top. Use this as motivation as you to strive to become the best version of yourself you can be. CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 Capricorn, you feel confident moving forward with a relationship after a heart-to-heart talk. Now this week you can cultivate this relationship even further. AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 Share your thoughts and feelings with someone who is unbiased if you want an accurate assessment of what you need to do to improve, Aquarius. A willing listener is quite helpful to you. PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 Pisces, you will need patience in spades this week. Others may not be able to maintain your pace, so give them the benefit of the doubt.