Snake buster

Who you gonna call?

Russ Lederman, that’s who, for snake removal

By Cindy Hoffman Staff Writer

(May 4, 2023) Snake charmer?

Snake whisperer? Russ Lederman prefers snake rescuer when you talk about what he does.

Lederman markets his free services as a snake rescuer on the Nextdoor app. He knows there are many people who suffer from ophidiophobia — an overwhelming fear of snakes — and he wants them to know he is here to help.

Lederman has been a snake lover since his days as a boy in Brooklyn, where there was a limited amount of wildlife. Even so, he would go to vacant lots in search of bugs and other animals.

“One day, I flipped a board and, wow, there was a snake. I was so thrilled, and I caught it. It was a Dekay’s snake. They are small, brown, harmless snakes that seem to have the ability to hang on in urban areas,” he said.

He later became a camper in upstate New York, where he was able to catch frogs and snakes. The

See PINES Page 5

Worcester County State’s Attorney Kristin Heiser filed the charges, 17 altogether, against Mailloux in circuit court last Friday. Four of the 17 are felonies, two of which carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prision.

The list includes charges such as failure to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in bodily injury or death, and failure to report an accident that involved bodily injury or death within 15 days of the incident happening.

On Monday, a summons was filed for Mailloux’s initial appearance in court, set for May 31. If Mailloux’s attorney enters an appearance on his behalf before the court date, then the initial appearance will be canceled, Heiser said.

“The whole point of the initial appearance hearing is to advise the de-

Jazz, Blues, Wine, Brews Sat. in Berlin

Season begins with 16th edition of Main St. festival

By Jack Chavez Staff Writer

(May 4, 2023) Vivacious vintners and toe-tapping trumpeters converge once again this Saturday as the Berlin Chamber of Commerce’s Jazz, Blues, Wine and Brews returns for its 16th year.

The Main Street corridor will be cordoned off to make way for several musical acts and upwards of 30 vendors ranging from local breweries, wineries, artisans and nonprofits.

“It’s a big kickoff to the event season on the shore,” said Berlin Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ryan Nellans. “It is an excellent chance to get a taste of what it is that we do locally, pun intended. It’s an exhibition of a lot of the art and crafts that our vendors have been honing over the winter.”

This year’s musical acts are headlined by jazz and blues outfit the Nighthawks. They’ll be preceded by the Rodney Kelley Jazz Experience, the Lowercase Blues and the Salisbury University Jazz Ensemble.

On top of the traditional offerings indicated by the event’s namesake, also on-hand will be photographers,