5/31/2024 OC Today-Dispatch

OC Today-Disp a atch

Post gets police docs

Litigation ends with newspaper getting access to records

In looking into the Ocean City Police Department’s use of force, The Washington Post said the state’s public records law dictated that certain documents should be made available. The OCPD disagreed. The Post won, mostly.— Page 3

Micro means small, but the damage left by a storm last Friday was no small thing.— Pages 12-13

Ocean City, as viewed from Cape Isle of Wight, is shrouded in a thin layer of fog in this photo taken last Saturday.

system.

Judge sides with newspaper over use of force documents

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(May 31, 2024) The Mayor and Council is considering its options following a recent court judgment that partially sided with The Washington Post in its request for use of force records.

On May 24, Worcester County Circuit Court Judge Brian Shockley ordered the Mayor and City Council to provide The Washington Post with use of force records and internal reviews it had requested from the Ocean City Police Department back in 2021. The decision comes two months after a court hearing in which attorneys for both parties presented their motions for summary judgment.

“The Mayor and City Council are aware of the Court’s decision regarding the lawsuit with The Washington Post,” City Manager Terry McGean said this week. “The opinion is being reviewed at this time, and the Mayor and Council are considering all options related to the Court’s decision.”

In 2021, following two high-profile arrests on the Boardwalk, Post reporter Steve Thompson filed records requests with the Ocean City Police Department seeking data and internal reviews relating to police officers’ use of force. The complaint, first filed

in December of 2022, said the department failed to provide information for three of the requests – one seeking use of force data from Jan. 1, 2016 to June 30, 2021, one seeking internal reviews of two use of force incidents that occurred on the Boardwalk in June of 2021, and one seeking all reviews and investigations of a lieutenant’s actions on the Boardwalk the night of May 31, 2020.

“At issue here, Mr. Thompson made three requests to the Department seeking records related to use of force by Ocean City officers, but he has not received all of the information he seeks and to which he is entitled under the law,” the complaint reads.

During the motions hearing in March, Bruce Bright, attorney for the Mayor and City Council, said two of the records requests were denied as they constituted personnel records. He noted that while Anton’s Law, which was cited in the newspaper’s lawsuit, allows the public access to police misconduct records, he argued the records in question did not involve misconduct. He also argued that any use of force recorded during an arrest or incident is reviewed by the department. He noted, however,

See JUDGE Page 75

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Rec complex now Bayside Park at 3rd Street

Compromise

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(May 31, 2024) Ocean City’s downtown recreation complex will now be known as Bayside Park at 3rd Street.

Following nearly two months of back-and-forth discussion, the Ocean City Council reached some sort of compromise this week in the renaming of the downtown recreation complex. The decision to take on the moniker Bayside Park at Third Street came two days before city officials were set to cut the ribbon on the redeveloped property.

“It would be nice to have a name to

call the park,” Recreation and Parks Director Susan Petito told the council Tuesday.

In early April, the council voted 43, with Councilmen John Gehrig, Frank Knight and Council Secretary Tony DeLuca opposed, to approve Third Street Park as the new name of the bayside complex between 3rd and 4th streets. While several names were initially presented to the town’s recreation and parks committee, members at the time failed to reach a consensus and the decision was ultimately brought to the public in an online survey.

Officials reported that 99 of the 300 respondents favored the Third Street Park moniker used by locals for decades. At the next week’s meeting, however, Gehrig asked the council to revisit the naming issue at a

future work session.

Back on the agenda Monday, City Manager Terry McGean noted the recreation and parks committee had determined the park should not be named after an individual or corporate sponsor, but that officials had yet to select a moniker. With a ribboncutting ceremony set for May 30, DeLuca suggested the council hold off on selecting a name and leave it up to local school children. He said Councilman Will Savage had initially made that suggestion at an earlier meeting.

“There are a few things that the council and mayor don't do, and that's paint colors for buildings and naming a park,” he said. “That's not in our job description.”

Gehrig, however, suggested some sort of compromise. While he said he

didn’t like the Third Street Park moniker, he said it could still be incorporated into the new name.

“My point is there’s a way to bring the two together,” he said. “That’s where Oriole Park at Camden Yards came from.”

With some councilmembers in favor of Third Street Park, and others in favor of some blended name, a motion was ultimately made to rename the downtown recreation complex Bayside Park at 3rd Street.

The motion passed in a 4-3 vote, with DeLuca, Councilman Peter Buas and Council President Matt James opposed.

“I think we can come up with a blended name that respects the old and has the new,” Knight said this week.

Three cops suspended amid internal misconduct probe

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(May 31, 2024) Three officers with the Ocean City Police Department have been suspended pending the results of an investigation involving workplace misconduct.

On April 24, the Worcester County Police Accountability Board received a complaint alleging workplace misconduct among five officers on the force. As of Thursday, three are on suspension pending an administrative investigation by the Ocean City Police Department.

“The Ocean City Police Department’s Office of Professional Standards is currently conducting an Administrative Investigation in reference to the allegations,” said Ashley

Miller, deputy communications manager for the department. “Per current statutory requirements, all findings will be sent to the Worcester County Administrative Charging Committee. Three of the five individuals have been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation. Another individual has been transferred from the Patrol Division to the Support Services Division. Again, this is an ongoing administrative investigation.”

Officials reflect on Police Accountability Board to date

By Charlene Sharpe Associate Editor

(May 31, 2024) While the new oversight system mandated by the Maryland Police Accountability Act is causing strife and contention in some parts of the state, law enforcement officers in Worcester County say they’re working well with the Police Accountability Board.

As some counties struggled to set up their boards and others have been

The complaint details one female officer’s alleged interactions with four coworkers – including one supervisor – on separate occasions between 2022 and 2024. In his written statement to Cpl. Michael Karsnitz, the complainant recounted his ex-girlfriend’s relationships with those named.

“On Wednesday March 17th I notified all of the wives involved …,” the complaint reads. “After doing this and consulting with some close friends I decided to call Internal Affairs and got them involved because I knew this wouldn’t stop unless they got involved.”

flooded with complaints about police, here in Worcester County the Police Accountability Board (PAB) has quietly established a schedule of quarterly meetings. While there are complaints to be reviewed by the board’s charging committee, the PAB spends the bulk of its time communicating with law enforcement and learning local agencies’ policies and procedures. Berlin Police Chief

See ACCOUNTABILITY Page 78

Community College to meet with a third named coworker.

The complaint details several instances in which the female officer conducted the alleged affairs, both on and off duty, with the four named coworkers. In one recounting, the complainant shared explicit text message conversations between the officer and one of her colleagues, including mentions of a sex tape the two had made in 2022. In another, he shared details of a supposed yearslong relationship between her and another coworker.

“Between May 18th, 2023 and April 14th, 2024 their communication never stopped. It would come in waves, through text, phone calls or meeting up …,” the complaint reads, “I communicated how uncomfortable it made me but again she lied and said it was work related all the time.”

In that instance, the complainant said the pair had confessed to sending inappropriate Snapchat photos while one was on a work trip to Ohio and that the coworker acknowledged an “intimate and emotional” relationship that spanned five years.

In another recounting, the complainant alleges the female officer skipped CIT training at Wor-Wic

“A couple weeks later while at dinner … she told me she was going on a recruitment trip with [name redacted] at the end of the month …,” the complaint reads. “Again, I went thru her phone found text between her and [name redacted] saying they want to go on a date and stay in one room together.”

The complaint also mentions a fourth relationship between the officer and a supervisor. The complainant alleges the two would send Snapchat messages.

“She told me she would work out with [name redacted] and share advice about technique/form in the gym,” the complaint reads. “I believe this was inappropriate communication because he was a supervisor and she was sending him pictures.”

In total, the complaint lists five officers from the Ocean City Police Department, including one supervisor and another in a supervisory position within a separate division. The department reports all findings will be sent to the county’s charging committee, which reviews complaints and investigations of police misconduct to determine whether an officer should be charged. Miller said the suspensions will not impact police coverage this summer.

“The Ocean City Police Department will have a full complement of officers on duty heading into the busy summer season,” she said.

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Repairs underway following last week’s storm damage

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(May 31, 2024) Cleanup from a storm that damaged a midtown condo and took down a pavilion in Bishopville continues this week.

On May 24, a storm moved through northern Worcester County, bringing with it rain and high winds that brought down the Bishopville Park pavilion and tore off a roof at a 53rd Street condominium in Ocean City. At the county level, officials say they will be working with Worcester’s insurance carrier, Local Government Insurance Trust (LGIT), to address the park’s property damage.

“We will need to wait until we get information back before we can make plans to rebuild and replace the pavilion,” Kelly Rados, the county’s recreation and

parks director, said Tuesday. “We won’t know what the full financial impact of rebuilding the pavilion is until we get the information back from insurance. It is possible that Program Open Space grant funding could be utilized if needed.”

Rados said county officials first received reports of the property damage through a 911 call last Friday. Parks staff, including the parks superintendent and the parks crew leader, immediately responded to assess the damage and rope off the area, she said. Delmarva Power was also called to cut off power to the pavilion area.

“There was no other damage to the park or any other amenities at Bishopville park,” she added. “The Playground is still currently open for public use.”

Rados noted the Bishopville pavilion is one of Worcester County’s most utilized and rented pavilions.

“Our Staff has contacted those with future rentals and are working with them to reschedule to other county pavilions where possible,” she said.

Last Friday’s storm also impacted Ocean City, where a roof was ripped off a 53rd Street condo, littering the surrounding area. Work to repair the building is ongoing, and no injuries were reported.

“Once again Mother Nature flexed her muscles and reminded us all of what an isolated storm event can produce in the way of property damage,” said Ocean City Public Works Director Hal Adkins.

“What appears to be an example of Horizontal Wind Shear blew thru the area of 53rd bayside. We faced a similar event over two decades ago that tore a path of destruction across OC from roughly 65th to 75th, tracking from the bay in a SW to NE direction.”

PHOTO COURTESY CAMPOS MEDIA

The roof of the bayside Ocean City condominium was damaged last Friday by a burst of wind.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH The roof on the pavilion of the Bishopville Park is pictured Friday afternoon.

What happened last Friday? Most likely, a microburst

By Stewart Dobson Editor

(May 31, 2024) The strongest gust of wind to hit Ocean City during last Friday morning’s thunderstorm was a quick blast of slightly less than 21 mph. That, at least, is the official wind speed recorded at the inlet by the NOAA weather station at Coast Guard Station Ocean City.

Nevertheless, something much different happened just 4 miles north on the bayside, where an exceptionally narrow pillar of wind five or even six times as strong blew the roof off a condominium at 53rd Street. Equally curious was that this shaft of air hit with such precision that only the corner units of the Bayspot condominiums suffered any damage.

How can this be, one might ask, that NOAA’s sensitive instruments down at the inlet failed to notice the hurricane-force occurrence at 53rd Street? Moreover, how could such a powerful wind not affect neighboring properties, such as Macky’s Bayside located immediately next door?

Chalk it all up to the vagaries of the weather phenomenon known as the “microburst,” which has been described as a tornado in reverse but is more scientifically explained by the National Weather Service as “a localized column of sinking air (downdraft) within a thunderstorm and is usually less than or equal to 2.5 miles in diameter.”

As the weather service explains it, microbursts occur when the updrafts of warm air in those towering cumulonimbus thunderheads are so strong (50 mph and up) that they suspend water droplets and hail in the storm cell’s upper reaches. Ultimately, these droplets cool, thereby weakening the updraft until it can no longer hold all the water and this column of cool air and moisture rushes to the ground in one mighty, but narrowly focused, whoosh.

The wind speeds in these downdrafts have been clocked at 100 mph and higher, according to the National Weather Service, but because they’re so confined and occur and disappear so quickly — generally 5 minutes or less — they don’t always show up on the weather radar. It is also why they can go undetected by weather instruments located a short distance away.

This phenomenon is common in the southeast in the summer, but it’s only made noticeable by the pocket of damage left in its wake, as occurred at Bayspot, and probably leveled that picnic pavilion at the county park in Bishopville.

No one can say what the wind velocity was in either of these locations, but suffice to say that the National Weather Service and a host of other scientific institutions agree that the wind speed of a microburst can easily match that of an EF1 tornado ... just in a different direction.

The graphic demonstrates how a microburst forms according to the National Weather Service. The quick formations often cannot be forecasted by meteorologists.

Open space requirements reviewed

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(May 31, 2024) Officials say they will continue to explore open space requirements as part of a comprehensive plan update.

Last week, members of the Ocean City Planning and Zoning Commission met with staff to continue their discussions on the town’s comprehensive plan update. As officials look to rewrite the plan’s environment and water resources chapters, commissioners shared their interest in improving open space as properties are redeveloped.

“Our goal is to rewrite the requirements, put in things that make sense for the town and give us some direction for the future,” said City Planner Bill Neville.

In recent months, town staff and members of the planning commission have been reviewing the town’s comprehensive plan as part of a 10-year update. Last week, officials met with the town’s environmental engineer, Jenelle Gerthoffer, to review potential improvements to the environment and water resources chapters. Neville told officials that the Maryland Department of Planning had identified those topics as ones that needed additional information.

“This is one of two areas where the Maryland Department of Planning advised us we need to follow a new

process,” he explained, “and one that includes new information in addition to updating the basic chapters we have looked at otherwise.”

Neville noted that the town has been tasked with addressing climate change and water resource protection, with an emphasis on water sources, wastewater treatment and stormwater discharge. He noted, however, that Ocean City has been proactive in tackling these topics.

“The town has been doing the right things,” he said. “So this isn’t an exercise on what we should be doing. It’s how do we continue to manage the operation of the town in a way that is standard.”

Neville told officials that Ocean City’s comprehensive plan will look different, as the town is now a built-out community. He said growth must now be looked at in terms of redevelopment, not development. When asked how redeveloped properties must comply to updated environmental standards, Gerthoffer said it would be based on stormwater disturbance and critical area.

“For critical area, if greater than 50% of the property is being disturbed then they have to comply to the critical area regs fully,” she explained. “Or if it’s a full teardown, they have to comply with the critical area regs.”

As planners consider the town’s growth in the coming years, Neville questioned if now was the time to in-

clude open space requirements within the comprehensive plan. Commissioner Palmer Gillis said he liked the idea of using open space requirements to encourage mixed-use development and discourage fully residential development on commercial properties.

“I’m just throwing that out there,” he said. “I’m worried about, after I’m gone, that Ocean City is going to be a whole bunch of condos.”

Commissioner Joel Brous said he also liked the idea of promoting green space in Ocean City. He said he wanted to see more plantable area and bigger garages for residential conversions.

“I think we should really crack down on pervious and open space,” he said.

Commission Chair Joe Wilson said he supported the concept of an open space fund for developers who cannot meet open space requirements. He said those who are unable must pay a fee.

“If you can’t provide it, it gives the rec and parks department an opportunity to improve what we do have,” he said.

Neville noted the idea of implementing open space requirements based on the type of land use is something that could be explored as staff rewrite the two chapters. He said he liked the idea of tying multiple chapters – such as housing and environment – together.

“We are in the thinking stage,” he said, “so this all helps.”

Homeowner incentive prog. now permanent

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(May 31, 2024) Following a successful four-year run, resort officials this week agreed to make a pilot program that incentivizes homeownership within Ocean City a permanent fixture.

On Tuesday, staff came before the Mayor and Council with a request to extend the city’s Primary Residence Incentive Program. Following a lengthy discussion, however, officials agreed to make the pilot program a permanent program in Ocean City and reassess discounts on a yearly basis.

“I feel good with where it is,” said Councilman John Gehrig. “I think the program is successful. It’s being used and there’s certainly development in town.”

In 2020, the Mayor and Council established a Primary Residence Incentive Program, a two-year pilot program to encourage full-time homeownership in Ocean City. Simply put, the program lowers the cost of a new primary residence by waiving certain building permit fees up to $7,500 and refunding certain local property taxes up to $2,500.

In 2022, the pilot program was renewed for another two years. With that extension set to expire in June, staff came before the Mayor and Council this week with a request to extend the program once again.

“I think it’s been a successful pro-

gram,” City Planner Bill Neville said. “Certainly, the people who have been through it very much appreciated the benefit that has been provided to them, and I think at this point we are reaching a spot for consideration of a renewal.”

Neville noted that since its inception, the incentive program has resulted in more than 70 applications and 24 new or substantially improved homes, along with property tax rebates once primary residency is confirmed. While implementing the program has cost nearly $300,000, Neville said it had resulted in a new or improved residential construction value of more than $8 million.

“We’ve had a conversation in house about whether to continue this as a pilot program through the series of renewals or whether it might need to be formalized in some fashion,” he explained. “But again, I think that just to explore the benefit, the participation, the ability to consider this on a renewable basis, at this point staff would recommend going ahead and extending this by resolution.”

Council Secretary Tony DeLuca noted that those who participate in the program have the potential to receive up to $10,000 in fee waivers and rebates. However, he questioned the success of the program, as officials noted property owners in recent years have shown more interest in the property tax rebate.

“Do you think six [homes] a year is a

success?” he asked. “To me, 100 would be a goal. I’d like to know from the council if there’s an appetite to perhaps make this a more substantial incentive, if people are only taking advantage of the $2,500.”

DeLuca estimated that those who move to Ocean City pay between $4,000 and $5,000 in property taxes, while those who move to Delaware pay between $900 and $1,000. He questioned if the property tax rebate was enough to incentivize people to choose Ocean City as their full-time residence.

Neville, however, said the program’s success was not measured by the number of primary residences built or improved, but by the number of permanent residents the town maintained.

“At the time the program was adopted, year-round residency was about 7,000,” he said. “Current census data says about 6,900. So I think the success may be measured in making sure there wasn’t a loss of permanent residents rather than actually being able to move the needle forward on the number that are actually here in any given year.”

For his part, Gehrig said he was fine with keeping the property tax rebate at $2,500. However, he said he did have an interest in extending the program.

“It provides a lot of benefits for residents to Ocean City,” he said. “Our services are top of the line, and it’s worth every penny here.”

Neville added that the program has also been beneficial to the town in other ways. He noted that the program has been included in the town’s comprehensive plan update.

“The state wants us to do a full review of what is our town doing to address the affordability problem with housing and availability,” he said. “As it turns out, when I put the list together of everything the town has already done, this ended up being one of those line items that showed the town has taken a proactive stance in trying to make housing more affordable. It sends a good message when we complete the plan and send it to the state for review.”

While he agreed the tax rebate was sufficient, Councilman Peter Buas questioned if the permit fee waiver was enough. He noted that permit fees and construction costs have increased in recent years.

“Would there be any appetite to raise the potential discount on permit fees?” he asked.

Gehrig reiterated that he was satisfied with the current discounts. But he noted the town could do more to promote the program.

“Maybe it’s awareness,” he said. “If we’re going to make this permanent, then maybe we need to create more awareness in our marketing.”

DeLuca’s motion to make the program permanent and evaluate it annually passed unanimously.

OC Council updates entertainment policy

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(May 31, 2024) New and improved policies are expected to give town staff and officials more guidance when it comes to entertaining guests and accepting tickets as part of an ongoing effort to promote Ocean City.

On Tuesday, City Manager Terry McGean presented the Mayor and Council with revisions to the town’s entertainment policy. Following a lengthy discussion earlier this year about the need for revisions, he told officials this week he was presenting a policy that allowed more flexibility for certain expenditures.

“There were concerns regarding some limitations or restrictions in the entertainment policy,” he said. “So we have worked with the city solicitor, the tourism director, and finance and budget managers to make some changes to this policy.”

During the budget process this spring, officials expressed their desires to give certain department heads and officials more leeway when it comes to “selling the town” to potential vendors or sponsors. As presented this week, the revised policy clarifies business meal and alcohol allowances per person and adds other approved entertainment expenses, such as golfing and sporting events,

with a cap of $200 per person.

“In general, the changes that were made, we tried to make clear that the policy is flexible,” McGean said.

The policy has also been revised to include a mandatory quarterly review of all entertainment expenses to ensure the fall within IRS guidelines. With little discussion, the council voted 7-0 to approve the revised entertainment policy.

‘First is business development, second is employer recruiting, and then third is employee morale.’

City

The council this week also voted to adopt a new ticket policy. McGean said town employees occasionally receive sports or concert tickets as part of a sponsorship agreement or special event on town property, and that a policy would outline procedures for accepting and distributing such tickets.

marked tickets can only be given to specific employees, including the city manager and deputy city manager, the tourism and business development, sales, marketing, special events and convention center directors, and the sports sales manager. Those tickets must be reported in a financial disclosure form. Unearmarked ticket, or tickets with no specific recipient, will be distributed by the tourism and business development director.

Manager Terry McGean

“Similar to the last one, this has been a somewhat long endeavor with myself and the director of tourism and the city solicitor and the state ethics folks to come up with something that was acceptable to all,” he said.

McGean said the policy outlines procedures for both earmarked and unearmarked tickets. He said ear-

“He essentially becomes the ticket administrator and then he, or she, determines who gets those tickets based on priority issues that are important to the town,” McGean explained. “First is business development, second is employer recruiting, and then third is employee morale. So the ticket administrator can just distribute tickets on that basis, pretty much in that order of priority.”

McGean said the policy also addresses tickets from government entities and tickets for ceremonial roles and functions.

“There are some other issues that we put in there, transferring tickets, selling tickets, other prohibitions that

we have in the policy as well to address that if you have these tickets, what you can or cannot do,” he said. “In some cases the ticket you may get can be to a suite and then there is additional food that has to be purchased. The additional food or whatever gets purchased in the suite, that would fall under the entertainment policy. So the $90 per person allowance. So that’s how something like that would be covered under this policy.”

McGean clarified that the ticket policy only addresses town staff and that elected officials would still follow state and city ethics guidelines. He noted that the state ethics commission had worked with the town to allow a ticket policy.

“We are pretty unique,” he said. “There aren’t many entities in Maryland that are sponsoring the Orioles.”

After agreeing to amend the policy to allow a town employee to accept two tickets to ceremonial events, the council voted 6-0, with Councilman Peter Buas absent, to adopt the ticket policy.

“Technically anything over $20 you aren’t supposed to take …,” McGean said. “If you receive these tickets and it is directly related to your job with the city, we are allowing it to occur through this policy.”

Berlin council unanimously supports constant tax rate

By Charlene Sharpe Associate Editor

(May 31, 2024) Elected officials approved a $14 million budget that includes funding for key projects such as a new public works facility, an employee step and grade system and design guidelines this week.

The Berlin Town Council voted 40 on Tuesday to approve the town’s fiscal year 2025 budget, which at $14 million is almost 24% higher than the current year’s budget. Council members said the spending plan would allow the town to accomplish several of its goals.

“I think it’s pretty solid and a good look for fiscal year ’25,” Councilman Jack Orris said.

The town hosted its annual public

hearing on the proposed budget during Tuesday’s council meeting. The spending plan, which was drafted by the mayor and staff and adjusted by elected officials during budget work sessions this spring, includes proposed revenues of $14,257,116, an increase of 23.8% over the current year. The budget includes a bond that will allow the town to build a new public works facility.

As for the enterprise funds, the proposed electric department budget is $8.5 million, though $1 million of that is a bond for the town’s new AMI metering. The water department budget is proposed at $5.4 million, though $2 million of that is a transfer from reserves. The town’s sewer budget is proposed at $7.1 million with $2.2 million from reserves and the town’s stormwater budget is $1.3 million with $388,000 of that being a transfer from reserves.

The tax rate for the coming year is flat at $0.8275 per $100 of assessed valuation. For a $400,000 residence in Berlin, the annual tax bill at the current tax rate will be $3,310. The town’s net assessable real property base now stands at $551 million.

The only comment during Tuesday’s public hearing came from Berlin Fire Company President David Fitzgerald. He said the town was not meeting the funding request from the fire company for EMS operations. The town is providing $484,000, which is a $75,000 increase over the prior year’s funding, but about $100,000 less than requested.

“We appreciate the increase however it does not meet the proposal that was submitted,” he said.

Following closure of the public hearing, Orris said he felt good about the budget, as it did not include a tax increase for residents but had allowed the town to set up a step and grade system for its employees and had also allowed the town to provide more funding to the Berlin Fire Company.

“It was a good team effort,” Mayor Zack Tyndall said. “We appreciate the hard work the finance team does.”

Councilman Steve Green said the budget was allowing the town to do a lot of good things. He said he supported the concept of incremental tax increases coming into elected office to avoid a repeat of the major tax increase five years ago, but hadn’t wanted to see residents charged more this year because the town’s property tax revenues had increased $300,000 by keeping the tax rate due to rising property values. Green said he also didn’t wanted a tax increase the same year the town was instituting a step and grade system.

“I think we have done a great job for our employees,” he said. “I didn’t want it to be looked at that we in-

CHARLENE SHARPE/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Berlin Fire Company President David Fitzgerald addressed the Berlin Mayor and Council Tuesday night during the budget public hearing.

Citizens back new community center grant

By Charlene Sharpe Associate Editor

(May 31, 2024) Several Berlin residents voiced support this week for the town’s plan to seek grant funding for a community center on Flower Street.

The Berlin Town Council on Tuesday hosted a public hearing for Berlin’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application, which seeks $500,000 to assist with development of a community center at the site of the multi-purpose building on Flower Street.

“I’m so overwhelmed right now,” said resident DJ Lockwood, president of the Berlin Community Improvement Association. “To get to this point is incredible. I hope we can keep pushing forward.”

Sara Gorfinkel, Mayor Zack Tyndall’s executive assistant, said the town was seeking input for its planned fiscal year 2025 CDBG application. She explained the town was asking for $500,000 from the $8.1 million the state had available to assist in development of the long-discussed Flower Street community center. She said the grant would help the town demolish the structures currently on the site, which include the multi-purpose building as well as Head Start facilities, so the site could be prepared for future building. The new facility planned would continue to support Head Start and would also incorporate after-school and summer

Budget passed, officials pleased

programs run by Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services.

“We are very excited about the possibility of a Berlin community centner,” said Worcester Youth and Family’s Dr. Jennifer Leggour.

She said the nonprofit’s summer program had outgrown its current facility and could be housed in the community center, as could some of Worcester Youth’s mentoring programs.

Berlin resident and Worcester County Commissioner Diana Purnell thanked the town’s elected officials for getting the community center project to this point.

“We are just so happy,” she said. “It is a needed effort. It begins to make Berlin whole in a lot of areas… You’d be surprised what one major project can do for a community and a

town.”

Her husband Gabe credited the town with purchasing land and consolidating the parcels that now make up the community center site.

“Berlin saved us,” he said. “Mayor you did a great job. I’d like to say that this, you’ve been talking about one Berlin. This truly brings the community more together. When you invest in your community especially the minority communities, you don’t know how much that enhances the attitudes of the people that live in those communities.”

Resident Janice Smack also expressed her appreciation.

“This is a big project and Berlin deserves it,” she said.

Councilman Jay Knerr asked if there was a plan in place to relocate Head Start during construction.

Gorfinkel said she was in communication with Shore UP, which runs Head Start, and was working on a plan to temporary relocate the program.

Councilman Dean Burrell said it had taken fortitude for the Berlin Community Improvement Association to turn over its property to the town to allow the consolidation of the parcels for the community center. He praised the nonprofit as well as town officials for their work in getting to the point the town could start seeking grant funds for a community center.

“This is a brilliant and needed project,” he said. “I just want to thank the partners that have come together to facilitate this endeavor.”

The council voted 4-0 to adopt a resolution authorizing submittal of the CDBG application.

creased taxes because of our desire to help our employees.”

Green added that the budget included reinvestment, with projects like street paving, but also included money for key studies such as an impact fee study and the creation of design guidelines.

“I think it’s a very well-rounded budget,” he said.

Councilman Jay Knerr said meetings with department heads regarding their needs had been very helpful during the budget process.

“It helped bring the budget into focus,” he said.

Councilman Dean Burrell said he too was pleased with the way the budget had turned out.

“I am especially pleased with how we started it — we started it with trying to look out for those folks that provide these day to day services for the citizens,” he said. “We started with our staff and I am so pleased that we took that initiative this year to look out for our staff first and then we built the budget. This time next year we will be able to evaluate what we’ve done.” Continued from Page 20

Ocean City advances houseboat rental ban

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(May 31, 2024) Despite the threat of a lawsuit, city officials this week voted to move forward with an ordinance prohibiting houseboat rentals.

On Tuesday, the council voted unanimously to advance an ordinance prohibiting houseboat rentals to first reading. The decision comes more than a month after city officials learned of an operator’s intentions to rent houseboats within corporate limits on a short-term basis.

“Our recommendation is to move forward with an ordinance for first reading,” said Deputy City Manager JR Harmon.

In April, the council voted unanimously to have staff develop recommendations for banning houseboat rentals after discovering listings for a

short-term rental operation at a downtown marina. While the town views houseboats as floating structures –which are prohibited by town code –representatives for the operator, Sea Rocket Houseboats LLC, argue they are vessels consistent with marina use.

Back on the agenda Tuesday, Harmon said the council had noted two concerns regarding houseboats – the preservation of marine-related activities and the proliferation of short-term rentals on houseboats. He said the ordinance being presented to officials this week incorporates those concerns and provides a definition for houseboat. He said the ordinance also prohibits the commercial use of houseboats within city limits.

“No person, firm, association, partnership, or corporation shall operate or cause the operation, or allow the

same, a houseboat for rent, hold out a houseboat for rent, or sell, lease or allow the use of any site, slip, dock, bulkhead, piling or space for the location of a houseboat,” Harmon said. “You can see in that part the issuance of any other business license under this chapter should not be permitted.”

During public comments, attorney Demetrios Kaouris, representative for Sea Rocket Houseboats, said has client was willing to work with the city to reach some sort of compromise. He said Sea Rocket Houseboats had offered to apply for a noise permit, pay any outstanding dues on the operator’s existing short-term rental, and ensure adequate parking for guests. He added that his clients had also offered to limit their operations to one houseboat for the coming summer season.

no choice but to proceed with litigation to have the circuit court decide whether the town does or does not have appropriate authority to regulate this particular activity,” he said. “And we firmly believe that this activity is regulated entirely by state law and is preempted by state law and as such the town is without authority to enact legislation.”

Councilman Peter Buas said he understood the need to regulate such activity in town but wanted to ensure the ordinance did not impact charter boats.

“I just want to make sure that this language doesn’t overlap with that use,” he said.

“The current legislation as proposed and as currently drafted is simply an outright prohibition on houseboats and really undertakes no efforts to try to arrive at some common-sense regulations and limitations that might suit everybody,” he said.

Kaouris urged the council to work with his clients and allow them to operate this season. He said attempts to regulate such activity could be revisited at the end of the summer, should any issues arise.

“If not, then it seems like we have

After further discussion, the council agreed to move the ordinance to a first reading and to consider Buas’ concerns regarding charter boats. Council President Matt James also asked town staff to explore the unlicensed short-term rental that Sea Rocket Houseboats is currently operating at the downtown marina.

“They do not have a business license or a rental license for that …,” City Manager Terry McGean explained. “If we find out that the boat is currently being rented out then that would be a violation of city ordinance and they would be subject to fines for every day that occurs.”

Bishopville man dies in Back Creek Rd. crash May 26

(May 31, 2024) A local man died in an accident Sunday night.

On May 26, around 8:13 p.m., Worcester County Sheriff’s deputies responded to Back Creek Road in Bishopville for a single motor vehicle crash that resulted in the death of Harold J. “Bucky” Gray Jr., 56, who lived nearby. Gray, a 1986 graduate of Stephen Decatur High School, was a local horseman, having driven and trained horses for most of his life.

Members of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office’s crash reconstruction unit responded to the scene and assumed the investigation. Anyone with information pertaining to the crash is asked to call Deputy First Class Chris Parr at cparr@co.worcester.md.us.

MICROBURST DAMAGE

Though officially may never be known, most officials believe the damage caused last Friday morning to the Bayspot condominium building on 53rd Street, left, and a canal dock on 106th Street were caused by what is known as a “microburst,” which is described by the National Weather Service as a tornado in reverse and largely undetectable on radar. See more on pages 12 and 13.

OC’s junior firefighter camp recognized by state agency

(May 31, 2024) The Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) recently announced the Ocean City Fire Department (OCFD) as this year's recipient of the prestigious EMS for Children (EMS-C) Award. This honor is part of the statewide celebrations during EMS Week, dedicated to recognizing the vital contributions of EMS personnel across Maryland.

The OCFD has been distinguished for its innovative Jr. Firefighter Camp, a program designed to educate children aged 7 to 14 on essential lifesafety skills and introduce them to the firefighting profession in a safe, interactive environment. Since the camp's inception in 2020, over 308 unique campers have participated, with a significant number returning, prompting the creation of a Sr. Fire Camp in 2023 for advanced learners.

The camp is staffed by a dedicated team of Firefighters, Paramedics, EMTs, and two elementary school teachers. It offers a hands-on learning experience that covers a wide range of activities from CPR and radio communication to the use of firefighting equipment. Partnering with agencies such as the Maryland State Police, Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, Ocean City Police Department K-9, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and MSP Aviation Command, the camp fosters a comprehensive educational environment.

"It is an honor for our department to be recognized by MIEMSS,” said Ocean City Fire Chief Richie Bowers. “Our goal with the Jr. Firefighter Camp has not only been to prevent the 911 call but to also foster early interest in public service careers. We are thankful to our state partners and local collaborators for helping us make this program a success. This recognition underscores our commit-

ment to community engagement and safety education."

The award highlights the Ocean City Fire Department's commitment to community safety and education, emphasizing the importance of teamwork, cooperation, and early education in emergency preparedness.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Pictured, from left, are Dr. Theodore R. Delbridge, executive director of MIEMSS; Deputy Fire Chief Chris Shaffer; OCFD Community & Department Engagement Officer Ryan Whittington; Dr. TimothysP. Chizmar, State EMS medical director; and Administrative Coordinator Christie Boden.

Berlin scores grants for music

By Charlene Sharpe Associate Editor

(May 31, 2024) A new round of grant funding is expected to help make sure live music remains a part of popular Berlin events.

The Berlin Arts and Entertainment District and Berlin Main Street recently received grants from the Worcester County Arts Council. A $3,000 grant will ensure the Edelweiss Band once again performs at Berlin Oktoberfest while a $1,500 grant will pay for live music at the Berlin Farmers Market.

“Nothing makes an event better than live music,” said Ivy Wells, the town’s economic and community development director. “Plus it helps our local musicians and creates a vibe downtown that can’t be matched.”

The Worcester County Arts Council typically offers two rounds of grant funding each year. In this latest round the Berlin Arts and Entertainment District received the funding needed to continue live music at the farmers market through September while Berlin Main Street got the funding to support the entertainment at Oktoberfest.

Wells said her department relies heavily on grants to support projects in Berlin. A $500 grant from the Worcester County Arts Council will be funding a new “Random Acts of Art” project that will have Happy Now Creations sporadically leave bits of art throughout town.

“It’s similar to Banksy,” Wells said. “You’ll never know when it’s going to pop up in our Arts and Entertainment District.”

She said her department was in the process of applying for more façade grant funding from the state. While she’s out of funding for the popular grant program now, she’s hopeful to receive a grant to be able to once again offer the program to local property owners in January 2025.

In addition to other funding applications she’s working on, Wells said she’s trying to get another Community Safety Works Business District Grant from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. Last year, the town received $76,300 for security cameras, barricades and modular vehicle barriers.

“This time we applied for lighting funds so we could add historic lampposts to Pitts Street and William Street,” Wells said.

Wells noted that the town had recently received confirmation from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development that Berlin would be receiving its entire $500,000 strategic demolition grant for the Heron Park demolition project now that work was underway and in line with the original grant application.

“We had to show proof we were continuing with the project and things were moving ahead,” she said.

Officials discussing future of ADUs in Berlin

By Charlene Sharpe Associate Editor

(May 31, 2024) As a state task force prepares to address accessory dwelling units, Berlin planning officials are trying to determine what if any sorts of additional units should be permitted in town.

The Berlin Planning Commission is expected to discuss accessory dwelling units — things like in-law apartments and tiny homes — in the coming weeks as the Maryland Department of Planning Accessory Dwelling Unit Policy Task Force

prepares to issue its final report in June.

“That final report from what I can see looks like it could contain draft language that you all might want to start looking at,” Rick Baldwin, the town’s planning consultant, told the Berlin Planning Commission in May. “Does this fit the Town of Berlin?”

The commission included a discussion of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) during its last meeting. Staff said there was at least one person in town who’d asked about constructing

one and that the town’s code did not truly address the issue. Baldwin said there was no minimum square footage for an ADU in the code.

“A tiny house, a term that’s in popular use, is completely undefined in our code,” Baldwin said.

He told the commission that during the 2023 session, the Maryland General Assembly passed Senate Bill 382, which established the ADU task force to study the placement of ADUs on land zoned for single family homes. The task force is expected to study best practices for standardizing

the ADU process. Commission member Newt Chandler asked if the town would be able to create its own rules regarding ADUs. Baldwin said that was correct but the town should put some tools in its toolbox regarding ADUs if they were going to be promoted statewide. He said the code should address the issue.

“The town could be clear about what it is that it wants,” he said. “(Route) 611’s not that far away. You see what they’d got. The question is, ‘is that what we want?’”

A fireplace, vaulted ceiling, and skylight highlight the living room, which is open to the eat-in island kitchen with newer appliances. Spacious laundry room, formal dining room, home Office/family Room. No lawn to mow, just relaxing on the front porch or rear deck after your

Cascio: ‘need to get ahead of it before it comes to us’

Chandler said he could think of nothing worse than a rental unit in every backyard.

“Most people bought their property with the expectation of the quiet enjoyment of that property,” he said. “It’s unfair if their neighbor puts a rental unit in their backyard, that affects their qualify of life. Once the residents figure out this is coming I think they’ll be totally against.”

Matt Stoehr, chair of the commission, agreed the town would likely get requests for ADUs and the commission had to be prepared to handle those.

“Put tools in the toolbox,” Baldwin said.

Resident Gabe Purnell said there was a need for more housing. He said tiny houses might be good for the east side of Berlin.

“Our need on the east side is totally different than on the west side,” he said. “We’re supposed to be a part of the town, too. You haven’t taken any considerations about the needs on the east side. We cannot compete with this side of town. It needs to be investigated. It needs to be researched. We’ve got to find a balance to where the east side can continue to survive.”

Resident Bronwyn Betz said she didn’t want short-term rentals everywhere but thought there might be situations where ADUs would be helpful, such as for family members.

“You could think about regulations that wouldn’t allow renting it,” she said. “Maybe it has to be a family type situation.”

Resident Samantha Pielstick said the town’s comprehensive plan talked about infill and affordable housing. She said ADUs could help with those.

“The generation that is coming up right now loves this concept,” she said. “They don’t want 4,000 square feet.”

She said the town just needed to figure out what type of ADUs it wanted to permit and define that in the code.

Commission member Ron Cascio said it wasn’t as if every single-family lot would add an ADU.

“We need to get ahead of it before it comes to us,” he said. “That’s why we need to have the discussion, to learn about the type of housing. There’s all kinds of reasons to have them but you can’t just put one in your backyard, turn your toolshed into one. It’s not that easy.”

Veteran shares personal message on Memorial Day

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer

(May 31, 2024) Residents flocked to the Memorial Day ceremony at the Worcester County Veterans Memorial in Ocean Pines to honor fallen United States Military men and women with music, speakers, and demonstrations on Monday, May 27.

“Memorial Day honors all who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our county,” Veterans Memorial Foundation President Marie Gilmore said in a press release issued by Ocean Pines Association Director of Public Relations and Marketing Josh Davis on May 21. “This year’s ceremony, as before it, will honor the brave men and women who served our country and lost their lives.”

Robert Smith, a U.S. Air Force Vietnam veteran and career member of the U.S. Army Reserves, was the keynote speaker for the event.

“For some of us, Memorial Day means something very personal, where you get to mourn a loved one or a family member that died during war times for their country,” Smith said in his address. “For others, it means remembering and honoring our American military people, men and women, who died in the line of duty.”

The veteran said that both descriptions hold value to him, as he lost his father in World War II, his uncle in the Pearl Harbor attack, and his brother in the Vietnam War. Smith rounded out his speech by recognizing the importance of the holiday and honoring fallen heroes.

“My granddaughter was talking to me the other day…she said that her class just finished studying the history of Memorial Day,” he said. “So, I asked her what Memorial Day means to her. She said, ‘Memorial Day is for those who have fallen in the line of duty.’ There are 300 people standing here, and I guarantee you if I were to ask everyone that question, you would either have an answer close to these or one of your own that means something very special to you, as a veteran, a spouse, or a family member. In closing, I would like to read you my answer. ‘Memorial Day is a day to remember those who died while serving in the military in all wars.’”

The ceremony also honored local Gold Star families. These individuals have experienced the loss of an immediate family member in the line of active-duty military service. According to Davis, the term originates from World War I, when houses would fly banners with a blue star for every close relative in combat. A gold star would replace the previous marking if the soldier had fallen.

Member of the Maryland East Chapter of the Ex-Prisoner of Wars Walter Webster presented a

Speaker lost dad, brother in wars

honor all POWs, former and current. A Purple Heart wreath was placed on the memorial grounds, and a rifle volley honored the fallen military men and women.

The National Anthem was sung by Stephen Decatur High School Senior Trista Harner, the Delmarva Chorus

Director Carol Ludwig performed “Some Gave All,” “God Bless the USA” was delivered by U.S. Army Green Beret Randy Lee Ashcraft, and the “Medley of Service Anthems” was vocalized by the Delmarva Chorus.

The OC Pipes and Drums performed “Amazing Grace,” and “Last

Full Measure of Devotion” was sung by Glenn Mohr and St. Luke’s Contemporary Choir members. Snow Hill Middle School student Elliot Larsen read her poem “Unsung Heros,” and to conclude the Memorial Day ceremony, the flags at the grounds were raised.

TARA FISCHER/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

A small flag is pictured before the crowd that assembled Monday to observe Memorial Day in Ocean Pines.

BERLIN FLEA MARKET

Governor vetoes notices change

By Mallory Panuska Ames Digital Editor

(May 31, 2024) Members and representatives of the Maryland Delaware DC Press Association no longer have to worry about a piece of 2024 legislation that they feared could “decimate and potentially prompt the closure of local news outlets,” following a governor veto last week.

House Bill 1258, which passed the House and Senate unanimously, would have ended the long-standing practice of publishing public estate notices in newspapers and their associated websites. The legislation would have centralized the notices on only government-operated websites. According to a letter from MDDC Executive Director Rebecca Snyder, the change would have effectively pulled “critical information for creditors and heirs into a subject-specific website that requires a user to have reliable internet access and to know where to look for the information.”

MDDC members, and other local journalism representatives asked Gov. Wes Moore (D) to veto the bill because of the potential “seismic change in the local media landscape,” including loss of revenue and potential closure of local outlets. Not to mention, it threatened “the livelihoods of countless journalists, editors and other media professionals who work tirelessly to keep our communities informed” and “deprives readers of access to vital information about government proceedings and community events, thereby undermining civic engagement and transparency,” Snyder’s letter said.

In Moore’s veto letter, which was issued May 23, he applauded the effort of Del. Elizabeth Embry (D-43A), the bill’s sponsor, for attempting to relieve the financial burden of publishing public notices in print on state and local governments and individual residents. However, he said “there is also a vital public interest in ensuring the existence of thriving independent local media.”

“In fact, democracy can not function effectively in the absence of a free press that provides objective information to the citizenry about crucial events in government and in our communities,” the letter said. “... Public notice requirements have helped sustain much of the local print media in Maryland as print advertising dollars have dried up and the entire print media industry has consolidated and downsized. Many communities in the state now suffer from a lack of press coverage of local news, undermining public accountability. To so rapidly remove such a large source of advertising revenue as estate notices without considering the impact on the future of local media in Maryland could have severe consequences.”

Moore’s veto letter added that he wished a compromise could have been reached that would have supported Embry’s efforts, but since there was no time to find one, he opted to nix the bill.

By Steve Price Contributing Writer

(May 31, 2024) This week we are pleased to recognize Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company Active Firefighter David A. Williams.

Williams has served as a career firefighter with the Anne Arundel County Fire Department for the past 27 ½ years.

Williams said he joined the OCVFC in November of 2010 for the opportunity to help others in our resort community. During his 13 ½ years of active service with the OCVFC, he has served as an active firefighter, lieutenant and fire apparatus driver/operator, and has been actively involved in training members in the safe operation of Fireboat #1. Williams has also served several years as a member of the board of directors.

Williams recalls being on a “training mission” in the Ocean City Inlet on Fireboat #1 with fellow OCVFC members Rob Korb and Jason Bloom. They responded to a call for service for a 46-foot Bertram sportfishing boat on fire in the ocean about a mile off the Ocean City beach. Williams and his crew assisted the US Coast Guard in extinguishing the fire and rescuing the passengers from the burning vessel.

Williams is proud of the opportunity to share his firefighting knowledge and experience with members of our OCVFC program.

Given the opportunity to pass on advice to members of our cadet program or other young men and women with an interest in joining the fire service, Williams said: “Train! Train! Train! People call 911 on the worst day of their lives and it is our job to respond. We must always be on our ‘A’ game and ready to give 100% to those in need.”

We thank Williams for his many years of service and commitment to protecting the lives and property of the residents of Anne Arundel County and our Ocean City neighbors and visitors to our community.

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

WELCOME

David Williams

Location, Location, Location! Enjoy Privacy & Nature with this Beautiful Turn Key 2 Bedroom on a Large

Pine Tones Chorus spring concert planned for June 9

(May 31, 2024) At 3 p.m., June 9, the Pine Tones Chorus will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a spring concert at the Community Church at Ocean Pines at Route 589 and Beauchamp Road.

Admission is $20 and payable at the door, cash or check.

The concert, “Gershwin and Friends,” features several medleys of Gershwin songs, with each segment reflecting its own musical theme. One medley, for example, combines songs such as “Fascinating Rhythm” and “I Got Rhythm.” Another joins “My Love is Here to Stay,” “Embraceable You,” and other Gershwin songs with soft, gentle themes.

Soloists, familiar to local audiences, will include soprano Evonne Lee singing “Summertime,” and tenor Paul Yannuzzi singing “I Got Plenty O’ Nuttin.’” Both songs are from Gershwin’s folk opera Porgy and Bess.

Broadway and choral musician, Mac Huff, arranged the Gershwin series of medleys. He has also preserved the decades-long favorites of fans of Irving Berlin and Cole Porter.

Additional variety in the program is provided with other selections,,such as “Second Hand Rose,” a favorite from Streisand, “You’ve Gotta Have Heart,” and “Route 66” from Manhattan Transfer, among others.

The Pine Tones Chorus is made up of

about 35 singers from Ocean Pines, Ocean City and nearby areas. The chorus is under the direction of Jenny and Pete Anderson. The Pine Tones Chorus has been entertaining local audiences in the Ocean Pines and Ocean City areas since 1984.

For additional information, call the Chorus President, Dave Holloway at 410-641-5672, or Jenny Anderson at 443-655-5636

Funding for Pine Tones Chorus activities comes from admissions, sponsorships and grants, for example, from the Worcester County Arts Council, Maryland State Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. The organizations are dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

The Pine Tones Chorus is pictured performing during a concert in 2022.

COMMUNITY/SCHOOLS

FISHER AWARD WINNER

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Robert F. Jones was recognized as the 2024 recipient of the Bob and Kathy Fisher Award by the Worcester County Historical Society at their spring banquet. The award is given annually to one whom has shown a love for and a dedication to the preservation of the history of Worcester County. From left, Jefferson Moak, WCHS president; Jones; and Newt Weaver, past WCHS president.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY OFFICERS, BOARD

The Worcester County Historical Society announced their new officers and board members during their spring banquet in Pocomoke City. Front, front from left, are Alicia Gibson, treasurer; Jefferson Moke, president; Cara Downey, vice president; and Erin Pogue, secretary. In rear from left board members Hunter “Bunk” Mann, Newt Weaver, Mabel Rogers, Daniel Mumford, Karen Neville, Vanessa Dennis, and Jef Bacon.

RESEARCH PROJECTS

Ocean City Elementary School fourth grade science students recently worked with Worcester County Public Schools’ Coach of Instructional Technology and Innovation Nick Genovesi to learn how to create interactive presentations using the Numbers app on their iPads. Students will use the program to share the information they have been gathering for animal research projects. The culminating activity for the unit will be a field trip to the Smithsonian Zoo in Washington, D.C.

PHOTO COURTESY DAVID J. LANDIS SR.

SNOW HILL HIGH HONOREES

At the May awards ceremony for graduating Snow Hill High School students, Kiwanis Club of Ocean Pines-Ocean City Scholarship Committee Chair James Maratea awarded scholarships to seniors, pictured from left, James Maratea, Emily Manning, Anthony Huslander and Kyana Beck.

PHOTO

PHOTO COURTESY OCEAN CITY BERLIN OPTIMIST CLUB

Wor-Wic Community College President Deborah Casey, left, and Ocean City Berlin Optimist Club President Christina Dolomount-Brown award Stephen Decatur High School graduating senior Nicholas Hernandez Lara $1,500 to attend Wor Wic Community College.

PHOTO COURTESY WORCESTER PREPARATORY SCHOOL

VISUAL ARTS WINNERS

Two Worcester Preparatory School fourth graders recently won first and third places in the inaugural Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club’s Visual Arts Competition. Pictured, from the left, are WPS Lower Art School Teacher Cathy Roman, Optimist Art Contest Chairperson Sharon Sorrentino, WPS fourth graders Tobi Blaska and Priya Garg, Optimist President Christina Dolomount-Brown and WPS Head of Lower School Sara Timmons. The competition will result in the creation of the 2025 Optimist International Calendar. Tobi’s artwork will advance to be judged on the Optimist International level.

COMMUNITY/SCHOOLS

WPS CONVOCATION

The annual Worcester Preparatory School Academic Convocation ceremony was held May 21, where awards were given for academic achievement in all subject areas and service to the school. [Above] Sophomore

SNOW HILL HIGH SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED

the

Emily Manning-$4,000, Kayla Cook-$4,000, James Sills-$4,000, and

received $7,000, is not pictured due to participation in a state track

POCOMOKE GRADS EARN SCHOLARSHIPS

PHOTOS COURTESY WORCESTER PREPARATORY SCHOOL

Ansh Batra accepts the Head of School Highest Academic Award for Grades 9-11 from Head of School John McDonald.

PHOTO COURTESY OCEAN CITY BERLIN OPTIMIST CLUB

The Ocean City Berlin Optimist Club award six Snow Hill High School students Friends of Youth Scholarships, totaling $35,000, at

senior awards ceremony on May 22. Pictured, from left, are Optimist Member Lee Holloway, Madison Brinker-$7,000, Ellie Black$9,000,

Optimist Member Dena Holloway. Logan Hurney, who

competition.

PHOTO COURTESY OCEAN CITY BERLIN OPTIMIST CLUB

The Ocean City Berlin Optimist Club awarded nine Pocomoke High School students Friends of Youth Scholarships, totaling $42,000, at the senior awards ceremony on May 23. Pictured, from left, are Aiden Clayton-$6,000, Brooke Benton-$6,000, Dashawna Smith-$6,000, Amber Jester-$4,000, Mandy Chau-$4,000, Emily Knight-$4,000, Ava Skorobatsch-$4,000, Aaron Nelson-$4,000, and Samantha Lambertson-$4,000.

Sixth grader Lea Jaoude accepts the Head of School Highest Academic Award for Grades 6-8 from McDonald.

Junior Danielle Carr accepts the Best All-Round Student Award for Grades 9-11 from McDonald.

Eighth grader Elena Gjoni accepts the Best All-Round Student Award for Grades 6-8 from McDonald.

Worcester Prep graduate commits to Naval Academy

Simons will compete on Division I gymnastics team

(May 31, 2024) Dylan Simons, who graduated last Friday from Worcester Preparatory School, will be inducted into the Naval Academy Class of 2028 on June 27, marking the beginning of six challenging weeks of basic midshipman training during Plebe Summer.

On May 21, Simons received his Certificate of Appointment from U.S. Naval Academy Blue and Gold Officer Steven Rakow during the Academic Convocation Ceremony at WPS.

Simons has signed to join the United States Naval Academy, committing to the Division I Men’s Gymnastics team, and majoring in

Mechanical Engineering. Throughout high school, Simons maintained an intense 20-hour-per-week commitment to gymnastics, rising to a Level 10 Maryland State Champion gymnast.

Simons was adopted from an orphanage in Siberia, Russia, along with his brother, Hunter. Both have attended WPS since pre-K and graduated together on May 24.

During his time at WPS, Simons has earned his spot on the Head of School List and is a member of the Charles R. Jenkins Chapter of the National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society. Along with gymnastics, Simons has excelled on the WPS tennis and cross country teams.

On May 21, Dylan Simons received his Certificate of Appointment from U.S. Naval Academy Blue and Gold Officer Steven Rakow during the Academic Convocation Ceremony at WPS.

Free turtle nest protection covers now available

(May 31, 2024) Thanks to a sponsorship from The Home Depot in Berlin, the Maryland Coastal Bays Program is offering free turtle nest protection covers for residents who have witnessed turtles laying eggs on their properties and are interested in protecting the nests.

June begins the nesting season for the Diamondback Terrapin, Maryland’s state reptile. Last year, MCBP received calls from concerned residents who had witnessed terrapins laying eggs on their properties and later, found the nests had been destroyed.

One property owner reported witnessing sixteen nests on his property predicated by crows. Crows, raccoons, and foxes will decimate an entire nesting area.

Terrapins are masters of concealing their nests to the human eye, so unless residents see turtles creating nests, they probably won’t notice them on their properties. But predators can sniff them out, or in the case of the crows, keep a watchful eye on a terrapin making a nest and when it retreats back to the bay, take advantage of the freshly laid eggs.

With the assistance of New Jersey organization Project Terrapin, MCBP received guidance on creating simple protection covers for area residents who see nests and want to provide protection. MCBP volunteers assembled 50 nest protection covers on World Turtle Day, which are now available to the public for free.

For more information, or to obtain a nest protection cover, send an email to mcbp@mdcoastalbays.org or call Sandi Smith at 410-213-2297 extension 106.

Things I Like...

By Steve Green

Berlin’s Memorial Day Parade

Dropping my kids at school after a long weekend

The movie, “Hidden Figures”

When the weather is not a weekend factor

Watching people dance in the sand

Sitting on a Boardwalk bench and taking it all in

Old T-shirts from places no longer in business

Turning the cell phone off every now and again

Old photos that bring back forgotten memories

Excuses police officers hear from people

A beer on a cruising boat

vanishing vanishing OCEAN CITY

COASTAL WELCOMES 11 NEW MEMBERS

The Coastal Association of REALTORS® welcomed 11 new members during New Member Orientation this month. The orientation is a requirement for all members of the Coastal Association of REALTORS®. Attendees are introduced to services provided by the association. The class is held quarterly. “We welcome these new members and wish them the best of luck,” Coastal Association of REALTORS® President Brigit Taylor said. “The market is constantly evolving and so are the dedicated REALTOR® professionals that serve our area. This is a great time to join the real estate profession.”

Pictured are, back from left, Nevan Sawyer with Coldwell Banker Realty – 123, Evald Maceno with Long & Foster Real Estate Salisbury, Erin Myers with Long & Foster Real Estate Inc, Lindsay Mooney with SVN/Miller Commercial Real Estate, Timothy Morgan with Keller Williams Realty of Delmarva

– Salis, Doug Roderus with Keller Williams Realty Delmarva; and, front, Bill Carson with Keller Williams Realty of Delmarva North-BB, Graham Salvo with eXp Realty LLC-Fulton, Carol Stange with Merideth Fine Properties, Desmond Stuart

Naomi Workman (19031964) was a vital part of Ocean City's communications structure from 1919 to 1960. She began working for the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone company as a switchboard operator at age 16 and retired after 40 years of service. It was said that she could locate any Ocean City resident at any hour of the day or night in an emergency - just give her the name and five minutes to track them down.

She became a local heroine during a huge storm on February 4, 1920. At the age of 17 and confined to a wheelchair she stayed at her post for 15 hours as waves threatened to destroy the building in which she was working while coordinating rescue operations. In recognition of her courage and devotion to duty she was awarded the Theodore Vail medal for distinguished service. Unable to walk due to a childhood bout with polio, Miss Workman lived a rich and rewarding life. She died in 1964 much respected and loved by the residents of Ocean City.

To purchase one of Bunk Mann’s

goc.com.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

with Long & Foster Real Estate-Salisbury and Erica Jones with Coldwell Banker Realty-Salisbury.

Registration now open for annual golf tournament

(May 31, 2024) The community is invited to join the Worcester County Developmental Center at the Ocean City Golf Club for the annual Bill Gibbs Memorial Golf Tournament.

The tournament, sponsored by Pam and Macky Stansell, will be held Tuesday, June 11. Registration opens at 12:30 p.m. and lunch will be served. Shot gun start will be at 1:30 p.m., followed by dinner, awards, and post play.

The Gibbs family and the Dough Roller organization will be a major financial supporter as they continue the legacy of the Dough Roller founder, father, and husband, Bill Gibbs.

A registration form to golf or sponsor can be obtained by contacting Cecil Tull at ABC Printers at 410-2132022, Jack Ferry at 570-956-4722, or visiting WCDC at 8545 Newark Road in Newark.

All proceeds from the golf tournament go toward client services. Donations help provide employment opportunities, residential services, day habilitation programs and community-based support to adults who live with disabilities. Partnerships help WCDC in its mission to enable clients to achieve their highest level of economic and social independence. All contributions are tax deductible in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code. WCDC is a 501(c)(3) corporation.

The WCDC is celebrating 50 years of providing supports for adults with disabilities in Worcester, Wicomico and Somerset counties, so representatives are considering this a golden anniversary tournament. WCDC is committed to empowering adults with disabilities to be inclusive members of society capable of independent thinking and advocating for themselves to create rich, meaningful lives.

For those who are unable to participate, but would like to support WCDC, tax deductible contributions can be mailed to WCDC, P.O. Box 70, Newark, Md. 21841.

by Steve Green

OThe Adventures of Fatherhood

n the heels of last week’s column about graduation speeches, I have to share the best graduation speech I have ever heard.

A 24-year-old woman from New Jersey with non-verbal Autism, Elizabeth Bonker was one of Rollins College’s five valedictorians in 2022, achieving a perfect 4.0 GPA. The four other valedictorians requested Bonker deliver the speech during the graduation ceremony. Her speech was presented through a text to speech program. It was amazing.

Her story hits close to home for my family as our 14-year-old son Carson is non-verbal with autism. He works with speech therapists multiple times a week and utilizes a device to articulate speech, although it brings severe anxiety for him.

I shared this woman’s speech last year and I thought I would again as her message was sincere about service and making a difference, let alone the unique and inspiring manner in which she delivered it. Here are some excerpts from the moving speech from this beautiful soul. I encourage you to search the internet for the full video.

“… today we celebrate our shared achievements. I know something about shared achievements because I am affected by a form of autism that doesn’t allow me to speak. My neuromotor issues also prevent me from tying my shoes or buttoning a shirt without assistance. I have typed this speech with one finger with a communication partner holding a keyboard. I am one of the lucky few non-speaking autistics who have been taught to type. That one critical intervention unlocked my mind from its silent cage, enabling me to communicate and to be educated like my hero Helen Keller. …

During my freshman year, I remember hearing a story about our favorite alumnus, Mister Rogers. When he died, a

handwritten note was found in his wallet. It said, “Life is for service.” You have probably seen it on the plaque by Strong Hall. Life is for service. So simple, yet so profound.

Classmates, you have shared your passion for service within our community. Our friends in the sororities and fraternities raise money for so many worthy causes. Our friends at Pinehurst weave blankets for the homeless. The examples are too numerous to list. Rollins has instilled in all of us that service to others gives meaning to our own lives and to those we serve.

Viktor Frankl wrote about the power of sharing in his book, Man’s Search for Meaning. While suffering in the Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz, he noted how, despite the horror, there were prisoners who shared their last crust of bread. He writes, “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms — to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”

We all have been given so much, including the freedom to choose our own way. Personally, I have struggled my whole life with not being heard or accepted. A story on the front page of our local newspaper reported how the principal at my high school told a staff member, “The retard can’t be valedictorian.” Yet today, here I stand. Each day, I choose to celebrate small victories, and today, I am celebrating a big victory with all of you.

The freedom to choose our own way is our fundamental human right, and it is a right worth defending, not just for us, but for every human being.

I want to publicly thank Rollins College for taking a chance on me. For caring about every student. For being a place where kindness lives.

Dear classmates, today we commence together. But from here, we will choose our own ways. For me, I have a dream. Yes, just like Martin Luther King,

Jr., I have a dream: communication for all. There are 31 million non-speakers with autism in the world who are locked in a silent cage. My life will be dedicated to relieving them from suffering in silence and to giving them voices to choose their own way.

What is your dream? … Whatever our life choices, each and every one of us can live a life of service—to our families, to our communities, and to the world. And the world can’t wait to see our light shine.

So, my call to action today is simple. Tear off a small piece from your commencement program and write “Life is for service” on it. Yes. We gave you the pens to really do it. Let’s start a new tradition. Take a photo and post it on social media. Then put it in your wallet or some other safe place, just as Mr. Rogers did. And when we see each other at our reunions, we can talk about how our commencement notes reminded us to serve others.

We are all called to serve, as an everyday act of humility, as a habit of mind. To see the worth in every person we serve. To strive to follow the example of those who chose to share their last crust of bread. For to whom much is given, much is expected.

God gave you a voice. Use it. And no, the irony of a non-speaking autistic encouraging you to use your voice is not lost on me. Because if you can see the worth in me, then you can see the worth in everyone you meet.

My fellow classmates, I leave you today with a quote from Alan Turing, who broke the Nazi encryption code to help win World War II. “Sometimes, it is the people no one imagines anything of who do the things no one can imagine.” Be those people. Be the light! Fiat lux. Thank you.”

(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.)

Beach Patrol issues ocean safety reminders

By Kristin Joson Contributing Writer

(May 31, 2024) We all love to see the lifeguards up in the stands and managing their beach. It is a sign that summer is finally here. I think it is safe to say that we are all ready to let those sunny vibes flow. It seems everyone associates the beach with relaxation and fun. We want everyone to enjoy their time at the beach and stay safe while experiencing their adventures. No matter where you’re headed, we’ve rounded up eight major safety tips.

1. Only swim when a lifeguard is

on duty. We are dedicated to guarding and maintaining safety along Ocean City’s beaches seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. With that being said, let me remind you of one of our most important messages; “Keep your feet in the sand until the lifeguard is in the stand!” The ocean is unpredictable, and statistics show that most of the drownings in the world occur during a time when lifeguards are not on duty. In Ocean City, Maryland over 95% of all drownings that have occurred in the near 90 years of the Beach Patrol, have occurred when guards were not on duty.

2. Check in with the lifeguard. We also encourage you to say hello to the lifeguard each time you visit and ask

about current conditions. Each day they write a beach or ocean tip on the back of their stand. Be aware that currents will naturally push you down the shore, so make a point to know where you started. Try remembering a stable landmark like the lifeguard’s stand or a particular condo or building on shore. Take time to notice which way the current is moving. Return to that spot in the water regularly so you’re never far from a lifeguard. Parents also have had moments of panic when suddenly there child is no longer where they last saw them, only to see them running back from a block down the beach, due to this long shore current.

3. Watch for rip currents. Waves don’t always break evenly along the shore. And when they don’t — i.e., when they break more strongly in some areas than others — it can cause a circulation in the water that produces a rip current. They’re the number one hazard for beachgoers and can pull even the strongest swimmers out to sea. According to the National Weather Service RIP currents are the 2nd or 3rd leading cause of weatherrelated deaths in the US each year. If you see a current of choppy, off-colored water extending from the shore,

steer clear. If you do get pulled out, stay calm, save your energy (let the current carry you for a while), and keep breathing. Don’t try to swim against the current! Gain your composure and start swimming parallel to the shore until you’re out of the current. Then turn and swim diagonally towards the shore. If you can’t make it to the shore, wave your arms and make noise so someone can see or hear you and get help. The best advice, again, is to check in with the lifeguard.

4. Be aware of the waves. They’re much more powerful than you think. We have found that injuries resulting from strong waves can range from simple sprains, broken collarbones, and dislocated shoulders to more serious injuries including blunt organ trauma and spinal injuries (which can lead to paralysis). Another culprit to be aware of is shorebreak, or waves that break directly on shore (rather than breaking a few yards out and rolling in more slowly) — These waves in particular have the potential to cause serious neck and spinal injuries. Never put your back to the waves (letting large waves impact your back can result in the same type of injury as a rear end auto collision).

Eight major tips to remember

Just be sure to check in with the SRT before hitting the surf to ask about the wave conditions for the day.

5. Sand holes can be dangerous. People love to dig holes at the beach. But it can be dangerous because they can collapse on the people digging them. Once a person is buried in the sand it is very difficult to dig them out. Even a small hole can trap you. Just as a person can drown in a small amount of water, it doesn’t take a very deep hole to trap a child. The rule followed by the Beach Patrol is that holes may only be as deep as the knee of the smallest person in the group.

6. Stay sober. Alcohol doesn’t only affect judgment; it can also dehydrate you, increasing the likelihood of heatrelated sicknesses. The beach may seem like a great place to relax and enjoy alcoholic beverages; however, it is both illegal and unsafe to do so. The combination of alcohol’s effects on dehydration and disorientation resulting in impaired judgment creates the rationale on why Ocean City does not allow alcohol on its beaches. Alcohol depletes your body of the vital fluids it needs to keep you up and running throughout the day, and it can also give swimmers a false sense of confidence when it comes to ocean swimming. Almost every guard has a story about rescuing a swimmer who drank too much alcohol. A person who has a healthy understanding of the ocean and their own swimming ability might not usually head out very far, but after a few drinks they might find themselves feeling braver.

7. Save your skin. Just one blistering sunburn in childhood or adolescence more than doubles a person’s chance for developing melanoma (skin cancer) later in life. Racking up more than five sunburns at any age also doubles the risk for melanoma. Keep the burns at bay by slathering on a high quality broad-spectrum sunscreen of 30 or higher (our guards use Panama Jack for sun protection). Make sure you have a source of shade like hats, umbrellas, tents that are readily available (especially during the sun’s peak hours of 10am to 4pm). Remember if you are using an umbrella for shade, you are responsible for its safe use, never leave it unattended if you leave the beach and keep an eye on wind direction and changes in weather. Your eyes can also be damaged by exposure to the suns UV rays, so never forget to wear a pair of high quality sun glasses.

8. What to bring and not to bring to the beach - Always bring any medications that you might need in an emergency (epi pen, appropriate snack for diabetics, heart medication, etc.). Also bring plenty of water because once you are thirsty you are already becoming dehydrated. Don’t forget footwear, because on a hot day

the sand can cause very serious 2nd degree burns by just crossing the beach to your towel. Never bring valuables to the beach. Leave them at home, in your condo or in your car and have an extra set of keys with you. Let the summer adventures begin in Ocean City, and always remember to “Keep your feet in the sand until the lifeguard is in the stand!”

If you think you would like a position with the Beach Patrol, ask any of our Surf Rescue Technicians or visit our website at JoinBeachPatrol.com. We are still hiring for this summer with a test scheduled for Saturday, June 1. There is no certification required and we pay you $20.00 hr. while we train and certify you. As an added incentive the city is offering a $500 signing bonus.

ercises last summer.

Who’s Where When

BUXY’S SALTY DOG & DRY DOCK 28

410-289-BUXY

28th Street Coastal Hwy.

Every Sunday Locals Party w/ DJ Deogee

CAPTAIN’S TABLE

410-289-7192

15th & Boardwalk

In The Courtyard Marriott

Fridays & Saturdays: Phil Perdue on Piano

COCONUTS BEACH BAR

410-289-6846

Oceanfront At Castle

In The Sand Hotel

37th & 38th Streets

Friday, May 31:

Darin Engh & Solid Maybe

Saturday, June 1:

Kevin Poole, & Joe Mama

Sunday, June 2:

Hurricane Kevin & 33 RPM

Monday, June 3:

Nate Clendenen & The Rogue Citizens

Tuesday, June 4:

The Jamn’ Brothers & Dave Hawkins & Joe Mama

Wednesday, June 5:

Aaron Howell Duo & Bell Bottom Blues

Thursday, May 30:

Kevin Poole Solo & The Chest Pains

COINS PUB

410-289-3100

28th Street Plaza

On Coastal Hwy.

Friday, May 31:

Lennon & The Leftovers

Saturday, June 1:

Jim Long & Beach Bandits

Every Sunday: DJ Wax

CRABCAKE FACTORY

BAYSIDE

302-988-5000

37314 Lighthouse Rd., Rte. 54, Selbyville, DE

Sunday, June 2: Uncle Ward

Wednesday, June 5: Chris Diller

CRAWL STREET TAVERN

443-373-2756

Wicomico St., Downtown O.C.

Friday, May 31:

Josh Pryor & The Contraband

Saturday, June 1:

Michael Sky & National Recording Artist Kash’d Out w/ Dale & The Zdubs

FAGER’S ISLAND

410-524-5500

60th St., In The Bay

Friday, May 31:

Denim N Lace, DJ RobCee & The Rogue Citizens

Saturday, June 1:

Jumper, John Frase Project & DJ Mary Jane

Monday, June 3:

DJ Hector, Deadeye Stare & Schizophrenic Boogiemen

Tuesday, June 4:

Latin Night w/ DJ Patana

Wednesday, June 5: DJ Wax

GREENE TURTLE WEST

410-213-1500

Route 611, West OC

Saturday, June 1: TBA

Best Beats On The Beach

CHEST PAINS

Coconuts Beach Bar:

THE DUNEHOUNDS

Harborside: Saturday, June 1 • 1 pm

Pickles Pub: Saturday, June 1 • 9 pm

NATIONAL RECORDING ARTIST KASH’D OUT Crawl Street Tavern: Saturday, June 1

LIGHT UP THE MOON

Seacrets: Monday & Tuesday, June 3 & 4

LENNON & THE LEFTOVERS Coins: Friday, May 31

KEVIN POOLE & JOE MAMA Coconuts Beach Bar: Saturday, June 1

OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS

Harborside: Sunday, June 2

Seacrets: Tuesday, June 4

SCHIZOPHRENIC BOOGIEMEN Fager’s Island: Monday, June 3

DAVE MATTHEWS TRIBUTE BAND

Seacrets: Wedesday, June 5

Seacrets: Friday, May 31

Wednesday, June 5

Who’s Where When

HARBORSIDE

410-213-1846

South Harbor Rd., West End O.C.

Friday, May 31: DJ Billy T

Saturday, June 1:

Dunehounds & DJ Harvey Cinco

Sunday, June 2:

Opposite Directions & Wayne Blake

Wednesdays: DJ Billy T

Thursdays: Dust N Bones Duo

PICKLES PUB

410-289-4891

8th St. & Philadelphia Ave.

Fridays: Beats By DeoGee

Saturday, June 1: Dunehounds

Sundays: Beats By Styler

Mondays: Karaoke w/ Wood

Tuesdays: Beats By Wood

Wednesdays: Beats By Styler

Thursdays: Beats By DeoGee

PURPLE MOOSE

SALOON

410-289-6953

Between Caroline & Talbot Sts. On The Boards

Friday & Saturday, May 31 & June 1: Alter Ego

SEACRETS

410-524-4900

49th St. & Coastal Hwy.

Friday, May 31:

Cheezy & The Crackers, Full Circle, DJ Connair, DJ Bobby O & Kristen & The Noise

Saturday, June 1:

South Penn Dixie, Cheezy & The Crackers, Screaming Monkeys, DJ Cruz, DJ Connair & DJ E-State

Sunday, June 2:

Triple Rail Turn, DJ Mary Jane, DJ Davie, DJ E-State & The Benderz

Monday, June 3: DJ Wax, Blake Haley, DJ E-State & Light Up The Moon

Tuesday, June 4:

DJ Wax, Opposite Directions, DJ E-State & Light Up The Moon

Wednesday, June 5: DJ E-State, Full Circle Duo, Dave Matthews Tribute Band & 9th Gear

Thursday, June 6:

John McNutt Duo, Go Go Gadjet, DJ Cruz, DJ E-State & DJ Connair

THE WEDGE

410-289-5121

806 S. Atlantic Ave.

Sunday, June 2:

Jason Lee

Thursday, June 6:

Kasey Briggs

VISTA ROOFTOP

410-390-7905

13801 Coastal Hwy.

Friday, May 31: Steve Kuhn

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20

You may have a chance to get to know someone better this week, Aries. Trust your instincts rather than listening to what is running through the rumor mill.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21

Taurus, you may be ready to shake things up in regard to your social life or even with a professional pursuit. Work out the path you want to take.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21

Following your curiosity may lead you down some interesting paths, Gemini. Things can change on a moment’s notice, so be prepared to respond.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22

An intellectual debate could grow somewhat tiresome this week, Cancer. You need to know when to pull out of the conversation to help maintain your mental well-being.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23

Have an important conversation with a loved one, Leo. You need to clear up a misunderstanding that has been growing more significant. Once you take care of this, smooth sailing awaits.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22

You may want to rely on someone else to bring some stability and comfort to your life, Virgo. Now may be the time to seek out a new relationship.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23

Libra, have a good time over the next couple of weeks. You deserve it. Recognize that fun interactions do not necessarily have to be shallow experiences. You can learn something new even while being entertained.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22

It might feel like your peer group has shifted in a way that no longer gels with you, Scorpio. It may be time to find some new friends who share your current interests.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21

You may seek validation from peers or even people on social media if you feel like you are being inhibited by current insecurities, Sagittarius. Others can corroborate your value.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20

Proactive changes you make this week may improve your love life, Capricorn.That can be a good thing if you have encountered relationship issues lately.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18

Aquarius, setting out on an impulsive adventure could be worth the effort right now. It can be refreshing to spend time outside your usual surroundings.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20

Putting up a tough front may be a protection strategy right now, Pisces. Over time, you may need to let your guard down and ask for some help if the situation is chronic.

SUNDAY SERVICE

The annual Memorial Sunday Service was held in the Town of Berlin last Sunday morning. Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall presided over the event with the presentation of colors and raising of flags by the honor guards from the American Legion Posts #123 and #231; songs by Teola Brittingham, chaplain of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit #231; placing of the memorial wreaths by legion post and auxiliary officials; a reading to remember the honored dead; and many other featured events. Pictures from the ceremony are above and below on page 52.

COMMUNITY LEADERS

EARN ANNUAL AWARDS

The Ocean City Knights of Columbus Council #9053 held its Annual Community Awards Ceremony to recognize the efforts of community members who serve their neighborhoods and educate local young people. Sen. Mary Beth Carozza and Del. Wayne Hartman were on hand to recognize the distinguished citizens. Pictured, front from left, are Hartman, Josie Cover (Most Blessed Sacrament School Teacher of the Year), Dee Matthews (president -Lady Knights Auxiliary), Ceil Fox (Lady Knight of the Year), Ann McDermott (Lady Knight Special Lifetime Achievement Service Award), Duane Phillips (OC Firefighter of the Year) and Carozza; back, from left, are Kevin Hughes (K of C Council #9053 Knight of the Year), Vinny Tomaselli (OC Paramedic of the Year), Jim Matthews (K of C Council #9053 Grand Knight), Dempsey Stewart (Worcester County Prosecutor of the Year), Captain James Grady (OC Police Chief), Tom Herwig (K of C Council #9053 Community Program Director) and Kris Heiser (State’s Attorney for Worcester County). Honored but not pictured were Trinette Stillman (principal of MBSS), Cpl. Ryan Flanagan (OC Police Officer of the Year) and Patrick Mumford (OC Volunteer Firefighter of the Year).

Blue cheese, bacon compound

By Deborah Lee Walker

Contributing Writer

(May 31, 2024) What is reality? And is veracity a component of cooking?

Absolutely, let us explore how truth and knowledge emulsify to produce a completely different product.

Before progression takes place, let us define reality. Reality is the independent nature and existence of everything knowable, whether it is by logical inference or empirical observation.

With this information, let us use butter as an example and deconstruct it for better comprehension. Butter is a dairy product made from fat and protein compounds of churned cream. This is a fact understood by all. But what a chef does with this knowledge distinguishes him from other cooks.

There are countless ways to use butter. But the underlying element is that butter is used as butter. What if you were to change the actual physicality of butter so it takes on a new flavor and purpose, almost like a sauce. If this sounds appealing, you might want to think about compound butters.

Compound butters unsurprisingly start with butter. You can use salted or unsalted butter, but I prefer to use salted butter. This way you do not have to constantly taste the butter for the level of salt.

The butter has to be soft when making compound butter. Take it out of the refrigerator a few hours prior to making it. Then, beat the butter in an electric mixer with paddle attachment for five minutes. This step will make the butter light and airy.

Flavor the butter to your liking. Fresh herbs, cheeses, aromatics, and seasonings are your best options. Just make sure everything is finely chopped.

There are several ways to present your compound butter. Chilling the butter five to 10 minutes facilitates this process.

Instead of making one large roll, consider several smaller ones. Compound butter freezes well and can be stored for future use. When ready to serve, simply slice it into ½-inch slices. This is the easiest to serve compound butter.

Another simple option is to fill ramekins with your flavored compound butter. This a straightforward but effective way to add sophistication to hot rolls.

Quenelleing butter is another possibility for soups or stews. A quenelle is a fancy term where one takes two identical spoons and passes the food between them, forming a quenelle or football shape. It takes a little practice, but once you get the hang of it, it is a great option in your repertoire of presentation. The prettiest way to serve compound

butter is to pipe it through the star tip. Place the tip into the bag, add the soft butter, and pipe it into little rosettes. Chill the butter in a single layer on a parchment or waved paper-lined baking sheet.

Grilling season is in full swing and there is nothing better than a cowboy steak smothered with a slab of blue cheese, bacon compound butter. If you want to wow your guests and family, you must give this recipe a try. Enjoy!

Blue Cheese, Bacon

Compound Butter

Ingredients

1 stick salted butter, softened 4 ounces blue cheese crumbles 1 ½ slices cooked bacon, finely chopped

½ teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon fresh parsley, finely chopped ½ teaspoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped

1 teaspoon dried marjoram few pinches black pepper few pinches crushed red pepper seeds

1. Add room temperature butter to a mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer for 5 minutes.

2. Add blue cheese crumbles and mix well with a fork.

3. Add remaining seasonings to the butter mixture and mix well.

4. Transfer the compound butter onto a sheet of plastic wrap. Shape the butter into a log shape. Roll the log of butter in the plastic wrap and twist the ends to seal it.

5. Place the compound butter in an empty cardboard tube that holds toilet paper. Place hands on both ends and push inward, this will fill the cardboard tube and act as a mold. Refrigerate until it hardens, about two hours.

6. Remove compound butter from tube and plastic wrap. Place compound butter on a chopping board and slice into ½-inch slices. Top blue cheese, bacon compound butter on a hot, grilled steak.

Secret Ingredient – Butter

“With enough butter, anything is good.”

Julia Child

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, 4-9 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. Closed Monday. Open Tuesday through Friday, 2 p.m. and Saturday through 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 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

BLU CRABHOUSE & RAW BAR, JAY’S CAFÉ & ICE CREAM, THE EMBERS

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

Come visit all your culinary options at this block of fun, including the landmark Embers Restaurant with a new, innovative vision as well as Blu where fresh seafood is king. Be sure to stop in Jay’s for a tasty treat as well as an ocean of caffeinated offerings. There’s fun activities for kids of all ages here as well with a miniature golf course and an arcade.

■ FISH TALES

2107 Herring Way, Ocean City, 410-289-0990, ocfishtales.com

Bayfront marina dining offered here with a huge menu to satisfy guests of all ages. Enjoy a drink from a hanging chair or fish tacos at your table while the kids play in a playground build in the sand. Food and drink menus offer enough of a variety to meet all needs.

■ HARBOR WATCH

806 S. Atlantic Ave., Ocean City, 410-289-5121, 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 Thursday through Monday. Happy Hour: Thursday, Sunday and Monday, all night long featuring $10 select appetizers, $6 crushes, $4 select draft. Call for banquet and large-party details.

■ PICKLES PUB

706 Philadelphia Ave., Ocean City, 410-2894891, 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.

■ THE WEDGE BAR

806 S. Atlantic Ave, Ocean City, www.thewedgeoc.com

$-$$ | Full bar

Panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, bay and Assateague Island. Enjoy small plates, sandwiches and grilled burgers. Happy Hour, Sunday through Thursday, 3-6 p.m. Open Sunday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

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 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.

■ COCONUTS BEACH BAR & GRILL

3701 Atlantic Ave., Ocean City, 410-289-6846, castleinthesand.com

A tropical open-air patio steps from the beach. A unique place for lunch or dinner with a menu featuring all the customary items and a few Ocean City-based surprises. Guests can also enjoy beach service for lunch and cocktails. Be sure to check out the daily entertainment schedule.

■ 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’S 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

CLOSED JAN. 21 AND REOPENING FEB. 1.

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

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

Enjoy one of the restaurants at the Carousel. Fine Ocean Front dining with a beautiful view. The Reef 118 is open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday through Sunday serving breakfast, lunch and dinner and 49 p.m. Monday through Thursday serving dinner. The Bamboo Lounge is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Sunday and 4-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

■ 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.

■ TAILCHASERS RESTAURANT & DOCK BAR

12203 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 443-6647075, tailchasersoc.com

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

A coastal casual farm to table restaurant with a fun dockside family friendly atmosphere. Menu changes with the seasons and cocktails are handcrafted with care. Bring the whole family for lunch or dinner along the canal. Kids playground available to keep the littles entertained.

■ 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, 302539-3020, Beach-net.com/dirtyharrys

$ | Kids’ Menu | Full bar

Don’t let the name fool you, the food is home cooking at its finest. Established 25 years ago but recently under new ownership. 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 410-6417222, 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. Thursday through Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

■ 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. Open Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

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.

■ SHRIMP BOAT

9724 Stephen Decatur Hwy., West Ocean City, 410-213-0448, shrimpboatoc.com

Since 1989, a spot for locals and visitors to enjoy fresh local seafood straight off the boats. Dine-in seating also available. It’s all sourced local and fresh and a free shrimp sample available.

Calendar

Fri., May 31

PBR OCEAN CITY CLASSIC

Hugh T. Cropper Inlet Parking Lot, 809 S. Atlantic Ave., Ocean City, 6 p.m. A chance to see talented, professional bull riders going head-to-head with powerful bucking bulls. Tickets: https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/28079/o cean-city-inlet.

MAHJONG CLUB

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. A fun morning of playing tile Mahjong. Feel free to bring your own tile set. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

Sat., June 1

PBR OCEAN CITY CLASSIC

Hugh T. Cropper Inlet Parking Lot, 809 S. Atlantic Ave., Ocean City, 6 p.m. A chance to see talented, professional bull riders going head-to-head with powerful bucking bulls. Tickets: https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/28079/o cean-city-inlet.

CRAFTY SATURDAY: CAMP OCEAN PINES

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10 a.m. Join in for fun camptastic crafts. For all ages. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

ASSATEAGUE ADVENTURES

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 10:30 a.m. A ranger-led adventure featuring crafts, puppets, stories and cool props from Assateague Island National Seashore. A different adventure each week. 410-6410650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

FURNACE TOWN SUMMER MUSIC SERIES

Furnace Town Historic Site (Nassawango Iron Furnace), 3816 Old Furnace Road, Snow Hill, 5-8 p.m. Music by Bryan & The Barn Owls with their Americana tunes. Beer, wine, burgers and dogs available. Admission cost is $10 for adults and $5 for kids 5-15 years. www.furnacetown.org/events

FARMERS & ARTISANS MARKET

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

Sun., June 2

PBR OCEAN CITY CLASSIC

Hugh T. Cropper Inlet Parking Lot, 809 S. Atlantic Ave., Ocean City, 2 p.m. A chance to see talented, professional bull riders going head-to-head with powerful bucking bulls. Tickets:

https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/28079/o cean-city-inlet.

ARTS DAY IN THE PINES

Veterans Memorial Park, Race Track Road, Ocean Pines, 12-4 p.m. Spring fundraiser featuring an Artisan Marketplace, a Kids’ Zone, bounce houses and kids art activities,”Art League’s Got Talent” performance, food, drink. Free admission. artleagueofoceancity.org, 410-524-9433

NATIONAL CANCER SURVIVORS DAY CELEBRATION

Berlin Fire Hall Conference Center, 220 N. Main St., 1-3 p.m. Join in to celebrate survivors, inspire those recently diagnosed and provide support to families. RSVP requested: Jill McGuire, 410-6296313.

BERLIN FARMERS MARKET

Sundays through Sept. 8 - Pitts Street, Commerce Street and Main Street, Berlin, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Featuring more than 35 farmers, food cultivators, bakers, distillers, seafood, meat, eggs and more.

https://berlinmainstreet.com/farmersmarket/

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES MEETING

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

Mon., June 3

STORY TIME: LIBRARIANS FAVORITES

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Listen to some of Ms. Savannah’s favorite stories, songs and a craft. For ages 0-5 years. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

WARHAMMER

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 4 p.m. Play Warhammer, a table-top miniatures game of strategy. Use the library’s armies or bring your own. Tutorials and demos available. All levels welcome. For ages 12-18 years. 410-641-0650

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

FOAM MARBLING PAPER

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 5 p.m. All supplies provided. Using shaving cream and paint to create marbled paper. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org

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, 302-2427062.

OVEREATER’S ANONYMOUS

Mondays - Worcester County LibraryOcean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 7-8 p.m. No dues or fees. 410-459-9100

Tues., June 4

STORY TIME: ‘BIG AND SMALL’

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

PLAY TIME

Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 301 Market St., 10:30 a.m. A variety of activities and toys. Play and socialize with other families. For ages 2-5 years. 410-957-0878, www.worcesterlibrary.org

BABY TIME

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 10:30 a.m. Songs, rhymes and stories. Stay after to socialize with other families. For ages 2 years and younger. 410-6323495, 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

MASTER GARDENERS PLANT CLINIC

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 11 a.m. Join Master Gardener Ginny Rosenkranz to discuss all things plants. Bring questions and feel free to show your plants as well. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

RIGHT WHALE FILM SCREENING AND DISCUSSION

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 2 p.m. Get ready for World Oceans Day by watching a documentary about endangered right whales. Followed by a focus group discussion, for adults, as part of a graduate student project. 410-524-1818

TUESDAY CRAFTERNOON

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 2 p.m. Make a

bouquet of roses out of ribbons. All materials provided. Registration required: 410-641-0650. www.worcesterlibrary.org

ANIME CLUB - SUMMER SESSIONS

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 4 p.m. Special showings of anime episodes, play bingo and win prizes. For ages 1316 years. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

LEGO MASTERS CHALLENGE

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 4:30 p.m. Join in for a LEGO challenge event. All materials provided. For ages 6-12 years. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

SAFE BOATING COURSE

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 6-9 p.m. Held June 4, 5 and 6. Cost is $20 for all three evenings. Register: Barry Cohen, 410-935-4807, CGAUXOC@gmail.com.

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, 11021 Worcester Highway, 2-2:45 p.m. Use the weight loss program/app/plan of your choice. Free and open to every-

SENIOR SCHOLARSHIPS PRESENTED

The Ocean City Berlin Optimist Club awarded 13 seniors scholarships at the 2024 Stephen Decatur High School Senior Awards Ceremony May 16, totaling $86,000.  Ten students were awarded the “Friends of Youth Scholarship.” Pictured, from left, are Membership Chairman Roger Pacella, Optimist President Christina Dolomount-Brown, Daniel Karcheuski-$14,000, Austin Pusey-$9,000, Jamie Consigli-$9,000, Grace Short-$6,000, Olivia Mazza $6,000, Faith Haddad-$4,000, Jonah Ridgely-$2,000, Madeline Shirk-$2,000, Ethan Justice-$2,000, and Abigail Melito-$2,000.

CALENDAR

Continued from Page 58

one. 410-641-4882, www.htcanglican.org/activities.

Wed., June 5

MOVIES ON THE BEACH

Carousel Oceanfront Hotel & Condos, 11700 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 8:30 p.m. Enjoy a free movie on the beach every Wednesday evening, weather permitting. This week features “Elemental.” Bring chairs, snacks, warm clothing. Schedule: www.ococean.com/things-to-do/freefamily-fun.

BARIATRIC SUPPORT GROUP

Online Zoom call on the first and second Wednesday of each month. For non-surgical 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

ADULT CRAFTERNOON: ART ROCKS!

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 2 p.m.

See what you can create with rocks, a canvas and your imagination. Limit 30. First come, first served. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

FAMILY RAINBOW CRAFTS

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 3 p.m. Show your support during Pride Month by making a flag, button or sticker. Families and teens may drop in any Wednesday in June from 3-5 p.m. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org

DIABETES SUPPORT GROUP

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 5-6 p.m. The group provides discussion and education on the topic of diabetes. Patti Yocubik, 410-641-4217, pyocubik@atlanticgeneral.org

CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP

John H. “Jack” Burbage, Jr. Regional Cancer Care Center, 9707 Healthway Drive, Berlin, 6-7 p.m. Monthly support group for caregivers to share similar challenges and rewards of providing care for adults who have a serious illness. Nicole, nfry@atlanticgeneral.org, 410-641-2626

KIWANIS CLUB MEETING

Wednesdays - Ocean Pines Community Center, Assateague Room, 239 Ocean Parkway, 8 a.m. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. Third Wednesday meetings are offsite and will be updated monthly on the website and Facebook. Guests are welcome. www.kiwanisofopoc.org

Thurs., June 6

CPAP MASK FITTING

Atlantic General Hospital’s Sleep Disorders Diagnostic Center, 9733 Healthway Drive, Berlin. A free, mask fitting clinic for patients who are having trouble adjusting to their CPAP equipment. Appointment required: Robin Rohlfing, 410-641-9726.

BEACH SINGLE 55 PLUS MEET AND GREET

Thursdays - Nick’s Kitchen + Bar, 14410 Coastal Hwy., Ocean City, 4-6 p.m. 215385-4993, BeachSingles.org

STORY TIME: CAMP OCEAN PINES

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10:30 a.m.

Have you ever wondered what camp was like? Come find out. For ages 2-5 years. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

PLAY TIME

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

OC CHESS CLUB

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Enjoy a relaxing game of chess every Thursday at the library. 410-5241818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

PREVENTING COGNITIVE DECLINE

Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 301 Market St., Pocomoke City, 2 p.m., Learn how gardening is good for your body and your brain. 410-9570878, www.worcesterlibrary.org

ONGOING EVENTS

2025 KIWANIS LOTTERY TICKETS ON SALE

On sale every Saturday morning at the Ocean Pines Farmers Market from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. One $20 ticket is good for all 365 drawings in 2025. Benefits the youth of the community.

CREATIVE KIDS CORNER

Ocean City library, 10003 Coastal Hwy., during June. Come grab an art kit to create at the library or take it with you. Most supplies are included. For ages 0-5 years and 6-11 years. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

PIRATE ADVENTURE MURAL Pocomoke library, 301 Market Street, Pocomoke City, from June 17 through

August 24. Every week will feature a different craft to add to your pirate ship mural. For ages 6-11 years and 12-18 years. 410-957-0878, www.worcesterlibrary.org

STREAM STATION

Berlin library, 13 Harrison Ave., during June. Visit the STREAM Station to take part in crafts and activities exploring science, technology, reading, engineering, art and math. Take a craft kit home too. For ages 0-5 years and 6-11 years. 410641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

TEEN STEAM STATION

Berlin library, 13 Harrison Ave., during June. Each hands-on activity will focus on art, math, science, enginering or technology. Create jewelry using binary code, construct a flying glider, design your own city out of recycled material and more. Challenges change each week. For ages 11 years and older. 410-6410650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

OCEAN CITY-BERLIN ROTARY CLUB

Meets the first and third Wednesday of each month at Don’s Seafood & Chop House at the South Gate of Ocean Pines, 6 p.m. ocberlinrotary@gmail.com

Crossword answers from page 52

PHOTO COURTESY OCEAN CITY BERLIN OPTIMIST CLUB

MAY 31, 2024 OC Today-Dispatch 61

MARKETPLACE

Growing Flight Academy with campuses in Berlin, Maryland and Georgetown, Delaware seeks Exceptional Candidate to join our team. Professional Friendly office environment. F/T Weekend availability is a plus. Year Around Position. Responsible for student interaction, dispatch and check in of flights, filing, retail sales and keeping our offices neat and clean. Must be customer oriented and be proficient in data entry and have good computer skills. Previous office or educational experience necessary.

Please forward resume to mfreed@flyoceanaviation.com

We prefer initial contact be through e-mail only. Qualified applicants will be contacted for in person interviews.

Thunderbird Beach Motel Now Hiring

MAINTENANCE and FRONT DESK CLERK

All shifts. Competitive pay. Apply in person. 32nd St., Baltimore Ave. Monday through Friday from 9am-3pm.

TOWN

Maintenance Tech IV

The Town of Snow Hill is accepting applications for the position of Maintenance Tech IV

PAY RATE: Hourly, TBD commensurate with qualifications/ experience. Full-time, health insurance, retirement, vacation, sick, personal and holidays.

JOB SUMMARY: Under the direction of the Public Works Supervisor, this individual operates and trains on noncommercial and commercial weight vehicles (over 26,000 pounds); performs semi-skilled and skilled labor work; uses hand and power operated tools, operates, and maintains various small gas powered, electrically driven, and/or hydraulically operated machinery and equipment; assists in the repair of streets and parks, as necessary; Ability to apply acquired knowledge to increasingly varied and complex tasks; Ability to perform duties independently and as part of a team and complete assigned tasks by the established deadlines.

High school graduate or equivalency plus 7 years of experience in all phases of maintenance, CDL Class B required. Visit www.snowhillmd.gov for Job Description and Employment Application.

TO APPLY: To request an application form, send resume with salary requirements to: execadmin@snowhillmd.com or Town of Snow Hill, Michelle Beckett-El Soloh, P.O. Box 348, Snow Hill, Maryland 21863

SEAHAWK MOTEL

EXP DAYTIME SEASONAL HOUSEKEEPER

Apply in Person, 124th St. & Coastal Hwy. 410-250-3191

MARINE TECHS and BOAT

YARD HELPERS wanted for West Ocean City boat yard. Call 410-213-2296.

Help Wanted: FT, Seasonal, Front Desk, Housekeeping, Laundry. Walk in to fill out application. Safari Hotel, 13th Street and Boardwalk. 410-289-6411

FLORAL DESIGNER

Part time experienced Floral Designer willing to learn computer program, customer service, and work some Saturdays. Looking for a responsible person to fill in when owner is not available. Please contact us by e-mail oceancityflorist@aol.com, phone 410-250-1636 or stop by the shop: Ocean City Florist, 12909 Coastal Hwy.

BUILDING MAINTENANCE

HELP WANTED

Full or part time at The Irene Condominium, 11100 Coastal Highway. Great work environment, friendly beachfront building, competitive hourly wage. Duties include routine maintenance, minor repairs, light painting and grounds keeping. Light physcial labor is required. Text or call Ed at 443-415-8000.

2 Professional CooksExperience. Night shift 3:309:30. Flexible weekdays and weekends. Must be available for weekends. Must be able to lift 40 lbs. or more. Apply in person, American Legion Post 166. 410-289-3166

Building Attendant. Full & Part Time. Day & Evening Shifts. Memorial thru Labor Day. Dependable, conscientious individual to monitor building, grounds, pool and parking. Send resume to Fred@paradiseoc.com or call 410-250-1111.

Hiring Manpower

o Experience preferred.

o Tools, transportation & valid driver’s license are a plus.

o Excellent pay and a competitive benefits package available.

Please Apply Online: https://www.allstatesconst.com/delmarva-renovations-careers Or Contact Our Office at 410-352-9800

TOWN OF BERLIN EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES: DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND ZONING POLICE OFFICER

We are looking for motivated individuals to come to work for the Town of Berlin. We are currently seeking a Planning Director and a Police Officer.

Overview of employee benefits: Members of the Maryland State Retirement System (LEOPS for Police Officers), a competitive health benefits package including a health reimbursement account, employer-paid life insurance, 100% tuition reimbursement, vacation accruals based on tenure, 12 sick days per year, 16 paid holidays per year, two personal days per year, and much more!

Apply: Qualified candidates can submit a confidential Town of Berlin application, a resume, and three professional references to the Town’s Human Resources Director at kjensen@berlinmd.gov. Applications can be found under the employment section of our website at https://berlinmd.gov/employment/ or you can call 410-641-2770 and arrange to pick one up at 10 William Street Berlin, MD 21811. EOE/M/F/V/D.

OC Hair & Nail Studio. Now accepting applications for Full or PT NAIL TECH & HAIR STYLIST. Sign on bonus w/established clientele. Please call 410524-7606 for interview.

Cleaners - Vacation rentals needed for OC and Pines. Experience preferred but not required. OC Purifiers. Call or text 443-397-1189 or email Karen@ocpurifiers.com.

Small Engine Mechanic Year-round. Competitive Wages. 443-754-1047

AUTOMOTIVE

GREAT OPPORTUNITIES

Auto Parts/Marine Parts Store with huge Retail department, is now hiring for: Parts Associates (will train). Locations in: Ocean Pines, Clarksville & Long Neck. Great Pay & Benefits. Must have Great Customer Service Experience. Call: 302-344-9769.

Cleaners Wanted for Ocean City, MD If you are a conscientious individual or team looking for great pay and minimal hours on summer Saturdays in OC, then we are the cleaning company for you. Exp. Preferred. Cell phone and vehicle required. 443-880-0525

Pool -

General Maintenance. Outdoor work, lifting heavy objects. Mechanical, basic pool pump & motors, CPO a plus / not required. Able to pass CPO test. Summer includes weekends & long hours; working alone or with others 410-289-4902 ask for Suzanne.

SEEKING WORK

Seeking Work: Small and Large Jobs. 44 years experience in construction. Patch work, landscaping, painting, etc. Call/leave a message, 443-754-7709.

RENTALS

OC Summer with possible extension into late fall. Clean, furnished, Single Family Home @ 26th St. 3BR, 1.5BA. Avail. immediately. 410-524-0663

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

Waterfront Bayside - Newly remodeled 2BR, 2BA Condo in North OC. 4 steps to ground level off your private balcony. Full kitchen, LR, DR, W/D, balcony w/tables + seating for 6. Seasonal/ monthly Dec.-April, $2,200. Contact Julie 443-223-4623

SUMMER SEASONAL

RENTAL 2BR, 2BA Bayfront, Quiet 94th St. area. $13,000 for season. Call Beach Real Estate, 410-629-0224.

Industrial Warehouse. Space: 1500 sq. ft. Masonry construction, 18’ high ceiling, large garage door, bathroom, yard and storage shed. Approx. 10x25+/Route 90/Bishopville. Call 443-497-4200.

1 Office/Retail Space available in West Ocean City. Approximately 1656 sq. ft. Call 443-497-4200

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

WANT TO BUY

WANTED TO BUY: Vintage signs, old advertising items, military memorabilia, antique toys, decoys, and small antique items. Call/text, 443-880-3082

ESTATE SALE

5/29-6/02, 9am-6pm Antiques, well-kept! 2 DEEP CHANNEL DRIVE BERLIN, MD 21811

Community Yard Sale Mystic Harbour Community off of Rt. 611. Sat., 6/1/24.

PETS/PET SUPPLIES

When veterinary care is unavailable or unaffordable, ask for Happy Jack® animal healthcare products for cats, dogs, & horses. At Tractor Supply® & Southern States® FOR SALE

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

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

DISH Satellite TV + Internet! Free Install, Free HDDVR Upgrade, 80,000 On-Demand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-855407-6870

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

VEHICLES WANTED DONATE YOUR CAR/TRUCK/ RV - Lutheran Mission Society

COUNCIL OF CO-OWNERS OF BOARDWALK ONE, INC.

P.O. BOX 762

Ocean City, MD 21842

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND

C-23-CV-24-000014

COUNCIL OF CO-OWNERS OF BOARDWALK ONE, INC.

P.O. BOX 762

Ocean City, MD 21842

Plaintiff v.

High Hopes Inc, et al. Defendants

TRUSTEE’S SALE OF

TIME SHARE INTERVALS IN Boardwalk One Condominium OCEAN CITY, MD

By virtue of the power and authority resulting from a Claim of Lien recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland, in Liber 8599 folio 15, and pursuant to the Order of the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland for case no. C-23-CV-24-000014, the undersigned Trustee will offer for sale at public auction on the steps of the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, located at 1 West Market Street (Main Entrance), the following described property located in Snow Hill, Worcester County, Maryland, on Monday, June 3, 2024, at 11:00 AM the following timeshare intervals:

with no warranties and guarantees. A secured party may bid and shall be excused from deposit requirements. The Trustee reserves the right to withdraw any interval from the sale and/or to reject any and all bids.

Terms of Sale: A deposit in the full amount of the sales price per time interval will be required at the time of sale, such deposit to be in cash, check, or electronic payment. Cost of all documentary stamps, transfer taxes, 2024 maintenance fees and all other settlement costs shall be borne by the purchaser at settlement. The date of settlement shall be within fifteen (15) days after final ratification by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland. Time being of the essence; otherwise, the deposit will be forfeited, and the property will be resold at the risk and expense of the defaulting purchaser, or in any manner designated by the Trustee; or, without forfeiting the deposit, the Seller may exercise any of its legal or equitable rights against the defaulting purchaser. The purchaser waives personal service of any papers filed in connection with its failure to settle within ten days of ratification and expressly agrees to accept service by first class mail at the address provided by the Purchaser as identified on the Memorandum of Sale. The defaulted purchaser shall not be entitled to any surplus proceeds resulting from said resale even if such surplus results from improvements to the property by said defaulted purchaser. For more information, call: Ayrika Fletcher, Esq., Trustee, at 443.672.8107.

OCD-5/23/3t

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

7601 ATLANTIC AVENUE, UNIT #21

OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

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 $31,000 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.

faulting 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 23000812-MD-F-1.

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

OCD-5/23/3t

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

1966 Greenspring Drive, Suite LL2 Lutherville-Timonium, Maryland 21093 (410) 238-2840

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEES' SALE OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY

6 90th Street, Unit #1, Ocean City, MD 21842

Under a power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust from James T. Axe and Barbara K. Axe, dated May 3, 2018 and recorded in Liber 7208, Folio 365 among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland, with an original principal balance of $191,250.00, default having occurred under the terms thereof, the Substitute Trustees will sell at public auction at the Circuit Court for Worcester County, 1 West Market Street, Snow Hill, MD 21863, Courthouse Door, on

Each time interval being one per year in the corresponding unit, each being part of the Boardwalk One Condominium Time-Share Regime, including an undivided interest in the common elements thereof, as established pursuant to a Declaration of Condominium and Timeshare recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland and subsequent Declarations of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions, as to each condominium and recorded among the aforesaid Land Records.

The property will be sold in an “as is” condition and subject to conditions, restrictions and agreements of record affecting the same, if any, and

Under a power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust from Kenneth Maher and Jennifer Maher dated November 28, 2005 and recorded in Liber 4593, folio 259 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

JUNE 11, 2024 AT 3:55 PM

ALL THAT FEE SIMPLE LOT OF GROUND, together with the buildings and improvements thereon situated in Worcester County, MD and described as Unit No. 21 in the "Beachcrest Condominium" and more fully described in the aforesaid Deed of Trust. Tax ID #10-085659.

The property, which is improved

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, the deposit shall be forfeited, to the Trustees for application against all expenses, attorney’s fees and the full commission on the sale price of the above-scheduled foreclosure sale. In the event of default, all expenses of this sale (including attorney’s fees and the full commission on the gross sale price of this sale) shall be charged against and paid out of the forfeited deposit. The Trustees may then re-advertise and resell the property at the risk and expense of the defaulting purchaser or may avail themselves of any legal or equitable remedies against the defaulting purchaser without reselling the property. 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 de-

Monday, June 3, 2024 AT 11:00 AM

ALL THAT FEE-SIMPLE LOT OF GROUND and the improvements thereon situated in Worcester County, MD and more fully described in the aforesaid Deed of Trust. The real property is known as 6 90th Street, Unit #1, Ocean City, MD 21842, Tax ID #10-321204 Tax Map 0115, Grid 0017, Parcel 1288A. Terms of Sale: The property will be sold “as is” and subject to conditions, restrictions, easements and agreements of record affecting same, if any and with no warranty of any kind. A deposit of $15,800.00 in the form of cash, cashier’s check, certified check, or other form as the Substitute Trustees determine acceptable, is required at the time of auction. Balance of the purchase price to be paid in cash within ten days of final ratification of sale by the Circuit Court for Worcester County. At the Substitute Trustees’ discretion, the foreclosure purchaser, if a corporation or LLC, must produce evidence, prior to bidding, of the

legal formation of such entity. The purchaser, other than the Holder of the Note, its assigns, or designees, shall pay interest on the unpaid purchase money at the rate of 4.5% per annum from the date of foreclosure auction to the date funds are received in the office of the Substitute Trustees.

In the event settlement is delayed for any reason , there shall be no abatement of interest. All due and/or unpaid private utility, water and sewer facilities charges, or front foot benefit payments, are payable by the purchaser without adjustment. Real estate taxes and all other public charges, or assessments, ground rent, or condo/HOA assessments, not otherwise divested by ratification of the sale, to be adjusted as of the date of foreclosure auction an assumed thereafter by the purchaser. Cost of all documentary stamps, transfer taxes and settlement expenses, and all other costs incident to settlement, shall be borne by the purchaser. Purchaser shall be responsible for obtaining physical possession of the property. Purchaser assumes the risk of loss or damage to the property from the date of sale forward.

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

NOTE: The information contained herein was obtained from

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

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

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

Tidewater Auctions, LLC

305 West Chesapeake Avenue, Suite 105

Towson, Maryland 21204

410-825-2900

www.tidewaterauctions.com

www.auction.com

OCD-5/16/3t

COATES, COATES, & COATES, P.A.

RAYMOND D. COATES JR, ESQ 6200 COASTAL HIGHWAY, SUITE 300 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE

TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ESTATE NO. 20195

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Orphans’ court of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania appointed Michelle D. Leonard, 840 West Montgomery Ave., #507, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 as the Executrix of the Estate of Sandra Leonard AKA: Sandra A. Leonard who died on April 01, 2012 domiciled in Pennsylvania, USA.

The Maryland resident agent for service of process is Raymond D. Coates Jr., whose address is 6200 Coastal Highway, Ste. 300, Ocean City, MD 21824.

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.

Michelle D. Leonard

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: May 16, 2024

OCD-5/16/3t

VICTORIA L. O’NEILL ESQ.

AYRES JENKINS GORDY & ALMAND P.A.

6200 COASTAL HIGHWAY SUITE 200 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20114 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF JOHN J. SHIPLEY

Notice is given that Victoria L O’Neill Esq., 6200 Coastal Hwy., Ste. 200, Ocean City, MD 21842-6697, was on May 10, 2024 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of John J. Shipley who died on November 22, 2021, without a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 10th day of November, 2024.

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.

Victoria L. O’Neill Esq. 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: May 16, 2024

IN THE ESTATE OF JANET ELENE GOBBETT

Notice is given that Gary Lee James, 11014 Trappe Creek Dr., Berlin, MD 21911-3556, was on May 10, 2024 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Janet Elene Gobbett who died on April 03, 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 10th day of November, 2024.

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.

Gary Lee James 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: May 16, 2024

OCD-5/16/3t

VICTORIA L. O’NEILL ESQ. AYRES JENKINS GORDY & ALMAND P.A.

6200 COASTAL HIGHWAY SUITE 200 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20190 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED

OCD-5/16/3t

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20194 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF RICHARD JOHN HAJEWSKI

Notice is given that Paul Edward Hajewski, 121 Augusta Dr., Ocean View, DE 19970-3277, was on May 07, 2024 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Richard John Hajewski who died on February 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 7th day of November, 2024.

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.

Paul Edward Hajewski

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: May 16, 2024

OCD-5/16/3t

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Estate No. 20178

TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF OLIVER E. ROBINSON III

AKA: OLIVER ELLWOOD ROBINSON III

Notice is given that John J. Robinson, 6928 Rock Hall Rd., Rock Hall, MD 21661-1235, was on May 09, 2024 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Oliver E. Robinson III who died on April 02, 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 9th day of November, 2024.

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.

John J. Robinson

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: May 16, 2024

OCD-5/16/3t

MAUREEN F.L. HOWARTH

AYRES, JENKINS, GORDY & ALMAND, P.A.

6200 Coastal Highway, Suite 200 Ocean City, Maryland 21842

NOTICE OF TAX SALE

OF PROPERTY IN THE TENTH ELECTION DISTRICT, SUB-DISTRICTS 101-109, WORCESTER COUNTY, OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND

Town of Ocean City, Maryland municipal taxes and assessments under levies of the tax years 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 on the properties hereinafter described being due and in arrears and unpaid; and in order to compel the payment of the same, together with interest thereon, Attorney and Advertising Fees of $258, and the costs of attending the proceeding, as provided by law, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me as the City Manager and Collector of municipal taxes in the Tenth Election District, Worcester County, Ocean City, Maryland as provided by the Acts of the General Assembly of Maryland (Tax-Property Article Section 14-808 et seq. of the Annotated Code of Maryland), the undersigned City Manager and Collector of Taxes, will sell at public auction, at City Hall, 3rd Street and Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, Maryland, on

FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2024 AT THE HOUR OF 10:00 A.M.

the below described properties:

Item 1 10-247772 and 15638338252: Described as Holiday Plaza Condominium, Unit 307, 2801 Baltimore Avenue, Assessed to Alyas Abady and Ayesha Abady, Assessed Value $168,400, Wastewater, Interest and Penalties Due $596.01.

Item 4 10-198747 and 13223729946: Described as Montego Bay Mobile Home Park, Lot 1550, Section 4A, Lot Size 3600 Sq. Ft., 13308 Colonial Road, Assessed to Bungarra, LLC, Assessed Value $125,200, Wastewater, Interest and Penalties Due $894.79.

Item 5 10-099145 and 16303913088: Described as Ponte Vista Condominium, Unit 208, 735 Bradley Road, Assessed to Michael Davids Dawson, Assessed Value $218,600, Wastewater, Interest and Penalties Due $1,151.57.

Item 6 10-141966 and 159097-

20508: Described as Sea Watch Condominium, Unit 1300, 11500 Coastal Highway, Assessed to Defrancesco Properties, LLC, Assessed Value $723,600, Wastewater, Interest and Penalties Due $1,328.74.

Item 7 10-315883 and 15738149588: Described as Mako Condominium, Unit A, 803 142nd Street, Assessed to Raphael NII Darku Dodoo, Assessed Value $117,900, Wastewater, Interest and Penalties Due $839.05.

Item 8 10-053706 and 11454357234: Described as Sand and Foam Condominium, Unit 8, 210 Trimper Avenue, Assessed to Erin C. Driscoll, Assessed Value $146,800, Wastewater, Bulk Pickup, Interest and Penalties Due $868.96.

Item 9 10-140579 and 2827520256: Described as Sea Watch Condominium, Unit 705, 11500 Coastal Highway, Assessed to Elmo M. Gayoso and Ofelia Loot Gayoso, Assessed Value $351,600, Wastewater, Interest and Penalties Due $1,165.67.

Item 10 10-287472 and 12957745260: Described as Harbor Sails Condominium, Unit 406, Phase I, 169 Jamestown Road, Assessed to Christopher G. Guest, Assessed Value $142,400, Wastewater, Interest and Penalties Due $810.78.

Item 11 10-205417 and 3448931124: Described as El Marlyn Condominium, Unit 3, 5 80th Street, Assessed to Robert J. Hoffman and Sherry Hoffman, Assessed Value $145,800, Wastewater, Interest and Penalties Due $1,196.73.

Item 12 10-085659 and 10666710866: Described as Beachcrest Condominium, Unit 21, 7601 Atlantic Avenue, Assessed to Kenneth B. Maher and Jennifer Maher, Assessed Value $214,500, Wastewater, Interest and Penalties Due $823.59.

Item 14 10-190134 and 928128398: Described as Montego Bay Mobile Home Park, Lot 1375, Section 1, Lot Size 3600 Sq. Ft., 13205 Atlantic Boulevard, Assessed to Nancy Carol Devaughn McLaughlin, Assessed Value $122,900, Wastewater, Interest and Penalties Due $788.88.

Item 15 10-316650 and 8315949722: Described as San Remo Condominium, Unit 204, Building A, 5401 Coastal Highway, Assessed to Erick D. Rohl, Assessed Value $192,900, Wastewater, Interest and Penalties Due $1,188.96.

Item 16 10-262623 and 4303940908: Described as Jamaica Condominium III, Unit 104, 12304 Jamaica Avenue, Assessed to Joan E. Seidenspinner, Assessed Value $123,900, Wastewater, Interest and Penalties Due $768.46.

Item 17 10-139465 and 8580120058: Described as High Point North Condominium, Unit 6-E, 11400 Coastal Highway, Assessed to Suzanne M. Sheredy, Assessed Value $228,200, Wastewater, Interest and Penalties Due $909.22.

Item 18 10-249325 and 6234338516: Described as Bradley on the Bay Condominium, Unit 203, Building A, Phase IV, 3701 Coastal Highway, Assessed to John J. Shipley and Patricia A. Shipley, Assessed Value $180,500, Wastewater, Interest and Penalties Due $1,035.64.

Item 19 10-221595 and 142161-

33724: Described as Crab Cove Condominium, Unit 6, 607 Osprey Road, Assessed to Shawn D. Spurry and Kim M. Spurry, Assessed Value $195,700, Wastewater, Interest and Penalties Due $962.38. OCD-5/16/4t

SHAFFER, MCLAUCHLIN & STOVER, LLC

ERIC E. MCLAUCHLIN, ESQ. 4690 MILLENNIUM DRIVE, SUITE 200 BELCAMP, MD 21017-1525

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ESTATE NO. 20193

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Register of Wills court of Sussex County, Delaware appointed Justyna M. Rosenburg, 10710 Piney Island Dr., Bishopville, MD 21813-1452 as the Personal Representative of the Estate of Robert Kurt Rosenburg who died on June 09, 2022 domiciled in Delaware, USA.

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.

Justyna M. Rosenburg

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: May 16, 2024

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HOLLY A. MUSSELMAN, ESQ. 201 W. PADONIA ROAD, STE. 101 LUTHERVILLE TIMONIUM, MD 21093

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20129 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF LOUIS DAVID

Notice is given that Lisa Goretsas, 1103 Barley Cutter Rd., Hampstead, MD 21074-1510, was on March 28, 2024 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Louis David who died on January 05, 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 28th day of September, 2024.

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.

Lisa Goretsas 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 04, 2024

NOTICE OF

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APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20199 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF TRACY M. NIKSICH

Notice is given that Jennifer Pastorius, 120 53rd St., Unit Q201, Ocean City, MD 21842-5395, was on May 10, 2024 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Tracy M. Niksich who died on April 30, 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 10th day of November, 2024.

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.

Jennifer Pastorius 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: May 16, 2024

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PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 110, Zoning, of the Code of the Town of Ocean City, Maryland, notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be conducted by the Planning and Zoning Commission in the Council Chambers of City Hall located at 301 Baltimore Avenue in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland on:

TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 2024

At 7:00 pm ORDINANCE TO AMEND SUBSECTION (C) OF SECTION 110-884, OUTDOOR DISPLAY OF MERCHANDISE STANDARDS FOR PROPERTIES FRONTING ON ATLANTIC AVENUE (BOARDWALK).

Section 110-884 - Outdoor display of merchandise standards for properties fronting on Atlantic Avenue (boardwalk).

(c) Outdoor display as described in sections (a) and (b) shall be subject to the following enforcement procedures:

(1) The business owner may be issued a municipal infraction with a fine of $500 for the initial violation. A confirmation letter and copy of the citation will be sent to the property owner.

(2) The business owner may be issued a municipal infraction with a fine of $1,000 for the second violation.

(3) The business owner may be issued a municipal infraction with a fine of $1,000 for a third violation. The display permit and the ability to display shall l be suspended for two weeks beginning the day after the third violation. A confirmation letter of the suspension and a copy of the citation will be sent to the property

owner. The business owner must remove the outdoor display completely within twenty-four (24) hours of receiving the suspension notice.

(4) Any further violations shall result in additional municipal infractions and shall result in the revocation of the outdoor display permit and the ability to display for four (4) months. The business owner must remove the outdoor display completely within twenty-four (24) hours of receiving the revocation notice. After four months, the business owner may apply for a new one-year display permit provided the business owner is in compliance with subsection (5) below.

(5) No business owner shall be issued/re-issued a display permit if the the business owner has any outstanding, unpaid, municipal infractions.

(6) Failure to abide by the requirements set forth in this Section may result in the suspension or revocation of the violator’s business license as set forth in Section 14-38.

APPLICANT: PLANNING AND ZONING STAFF (FILE #2414100001)

At 7:15 pm ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTIONS 110-831.27 SUBSECTION (F) AND SECTION 110-865.25 SUBSECTION (6) OF THE DOWNTOWN AND UPPER DOWNTOWN DESIGN OVERLAY ZONE DISTRICTS, NONCONFORMING SIGNS, TO REMOVE THE SUNSET PROVISION AND MAKE ASSOCIATED AMENDMENTS

Section 110-831.27(f) - Nonconforming signs.

(3) Any nonconforming sign except those identified in subsection (f)(2) as prohibited signs and window signs shall be removed, replaced, or made to conform to the requirements of this division when it is:

a. Changed or replaced with another sign; however, the face or copy of a nonconforming sign may be changed without bringing the sign into conformity, providing such changes are nonstructural in nature.

b. Structurally altered so as to extend its useful life.

c. Expanded or enlarged.

d. Relocated.

e. Repaired or re-established after damage by more than 50 percent of its value at the time of the damage or destruction.

f. Modified in any way that would increase the degree of nonconformity.

(4) Nonconforming window signs which exceed the aggregate window coverage stipulated in subsection (e)(2) of this section shall be made to conform to the requirements of this section within one year after adoption of the ordinance from which this article is derived or within 90 days from a written notice of violation.

(5) Nothing in this section shall prevent ordinary maintenance performed on a nonconforming sign or sign structure.

(6) All existing unpermitted signs, not otherwise determined to be an existing permitted non-conforming sign, shall be removed or made to

conform with the requirements of this division within 90 days from a written notice of violation.

Section 110-865.25(6) – Nonconforming signs.

b.

1. All existing signs, which are identified in subsection (4) of this section as prohibited signs shall be removed within 90 days of the effective date of the ordinance from which this division is derived or within 90 days from a written notice of violation, with the exception of the signs described in subsection (4)c, (4)j and (4)k of this section.

2. Signs described in subsection (4)c which obstruct the view in any direction at a street intersection in accordance with section 66-10 shall be removed within six months of June 20, 2016, or within 30 days from a written notice of violation.

3. Signs described in subsections (4)j and (4)k of this section (i.e. signs containing flashing, blinking, revolving or rotating lights and roof signs), must be removed within 18 months of June 20, 2016 or within 30 days from a written notice of violation.

4. All existing unpermitted signs, not otherwise determined to be an existing permitted non-conforming sign, shall be removed or made to conform with the requirements of this division within 90 days from a written notice of violation.

c. Any nonconforming sign except those identified in subsection (6)b as prohibited signs shall be removed, replaced, or made to conform to the requirements of this division when it is:

1. Changed or replaced with another sign; however, the face or copy of a nonconforming sign may be changed without bringing the sign into conformity, providing such changes are nonstructural in nature.

2. Structurally altered so as to extend its useful life.

3. Expanded or enlarged.

4. Relocated.

5. Repaired or re-established after damage by more than 50 percent of its value at the time of the damage or destruction.

6. Modified in any way that would increase the degree of nonconformity.

d. Nonconforming window signs that exceed the aggregate window coverage stipulated in subsection (5)b.5.v of this section shall be made to conform to the requirements of this section within one year after adoption of the ordinance from which this division is derived or within 90 days from a written notice of violation.

e. Nothing in this section shall prevent ordinary maintenance performed on a nonconforming sign or sign structure.

APPLICANT: PLANNING AND ZONING STAFF (FILE #2414100002)

No oral or written testimony will be accepted after the close of the public hearing.

Public hearings that are not completed at one meeting may be continued without additional advertised notice provided the Commission Chairperson announces that the hearing will be continued and gives

persons in attendance an opportunity to sign up for written notice of the additional hearing dates.

For further information concerning this public hearing, please contact the Department of Planning and Community Development, Room 242, City Hall, 301 Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, MD 21842. Phone 410-289-8855.

PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION

JOSEPH P. WILSON, CHAIRPERSON

MAUREEN HOWARTH, ESQ. ATTORNEY OCD-5/16/3t

Tax Certificate Consultants Inc. c/o James F. Truitt, Jr. 20 East Timonium Road, Suite 100 Timonium, Maryland 21093

Plaintiff v.

Amith Sethi

Savita Sethi 12507 SUNSET AVE - UNIT 16F and Worcester County, Maryland (for Maryland Annotated Code 141836(b)(1)(v) purposes only) and

Any and all person having or claiming to have any interest in the fee simple in the properties and premises situate, lying and being in the County of Worcester described on the Tax Rolls Worcester County Collector of State and County Taxes for said County known as: 12507 Sunset Avenue, Unit 16F, Ocean City, MD 21842, 10th (Tenth) Election District, described as All that lot of land and imps UNIT 16 BLDG F PH II SUNSET AVE & RT 611 PL MEYER'S SIDING CONDO IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY IN EQUITY

Case Number: C-23-CV-24-000083

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this proceeding is to secure the foreclosure of all rights of redemption in the following property 12507 Sunset Avenue Unit 16F, Ocean City, MD 21842 in the County of Worcester, sold by the Collector of Taxes for the County of Worcester and the State of Maryland to the Plaintiff in this proceeding: All that lot of land and imps UNIT 16 BLDG F PH II SUNSET AVE & RT 611 PL MEYER'S SIDING CONDO

The complaint states, among other things, that the amounts necessary for redemption have not been paid.

It is thereupon this 13th of May, 2024, 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 general circulation in Worcester County once a week for three (3) successive weeks, warning all persons interested in the property to appear in this Court by the 13th of July, 2024, and redeem the property 12507 Sunset Avenue Unit 16F, Ocean City, MD 21842 and answer the complaint or thereafter a final judgment will be entered fore-

closing ail rights of redemption in the property, and vesting in the Plaintiff's title, free and clear of all encumbrances.

Beau H. Oglesby JUDGE

True Copy Test: Susan R. Braniecki

Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County, MD OCD-5/23/3t

NOTICE

OF INTRODUCTION OF BILL 24-03

WORCESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Take Notice that Bill 24-03 (Zoning – Farm-based slaughterhouses) was introduced by Commissioners Abbott, Bertino, Bunting, Elder, Fiori, and Purnell on May 7, 2024.

A fair summary of the bill is as follows:

§ ZS 1-201(c)(34). (Adds a special exception use for the use of a structure for the slaughtering and processing of livestock raised or maintained on the farm, excluding rendering plants or facilities, not to exceed six hundred square feet in gross floor area.)

A Public Hearing will be held on Bill 24-03 at the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, Room 1101 – Government Center, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 10:30 a.m.

This is only a fair summary of the bill. A full copy of the bill is posted on the Legislative Bulletin Board in the main hall of the Worcester County Government Center outside Room 1103, is available for public inspection in Room 1103 of the Worcester County Government Center once County Government Offices are opened to the public. In the interim, a full copy of the bill is available on the County Website at www.co.worcester.md.us.

THE WORCESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

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NOTICE

OF INTRODUCTION OF BILL 24-04

WORCESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Take Notice that Bill 24-04 (Zoning – Private, noncommercial storage buildings) was introduced by Commissioners Abbott, Fiori, Mitrecic, and Purnell on May 7, 2024. A fair summary of the bill is as follows:

§ ZS 1-201(c)(34). (Adds a special exception use for private, noncommercial buildings for the storage of personal property.)

A Public Hearing will be held on Bill 24-04 at the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, Room 1101 – Government Center, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 10:35 a.m.

This is only a fair summary of the bill. A full copy of the bill is posted on the Legislative Bulletin Board in the main hall of the Worcester County

Government Center outside Room 1103, is available for public inspection in Room 1103 of the Worcester County Government Center once County Government Offices are opened to the public. In the interim, a full copy of the bill is available on the County Website at www.co.worcester.md.us.

THE WORCESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OCD-5/23/2t

KELLY R GILLETT ESQ LAW OFFICE OF DAWN A NEE, LLC PO BOX 791 3179 MAIN STREET MANCHESTER, MD 21102-0791

NOTICE

TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES ESTATE NO. 20211

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the SUPERIOR COURT - CHANCERY DIVISION court of BURLINGTON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY appointed JEANNE D ASHMORE whose address is 83 BORDENTOWN CROSSWICKS RD CROSSWICKS, NJ 08515-9709, WILLIAM C ASHMORE JR whose address is 83 BORDENTOWN CROSSWICKS RD CROSSWICKS, NJ 08515 as the PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES of the Estate of SANDRA P ANDERSON who died on MARCH 10, 2024 domiciled in NEW JERSEY, UNITED STATES

The Maryland resident agent for service of process is KELLY R GILLETT, ESQ whose address is P O BOX 791 / 3179 MAIN STREET MANCHESTER, MD 21102. 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 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

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20201

TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF EILEEN MEEHAN PATRICK

Notice is given that Kevin D. Patrick, 1106 Euclid Ave., Apt 324,

Charlotte, NC 28203-6597, was on May 13, 2024 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Eileen Meehan Patrick who died on April 24, 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 13th day of November, 2024.

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.

Kevin D. Patrick 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: May 23, 2024

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NOTICE

OF PUBLIC HEARING

WORCESTER COUNTY BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS AGENDA

THURSDAY JUNE 13, 2024

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. 6:30 p.m. Case No. 24-43, on the lands of Robert Smith, on the application of Omar Kassen, requesting a variance to a left side yard setback from 8 feet to 4.42 feet (to encroach 3.58 feet) for a proposed garage in the R-2 Suburban Residential District, pursuant to Zoning Code §§ ZS 1-116(c)(4), ZS 1-206(b)(2) and ZS 1305, located at 19 Dove Lane, Tax Map 16, Parcel 42, Section 5, Lot 159, Tax District 3, Worcester County, Maryland.

6:35 p.m. Case No. 24-44, on the lands of Glen Dubois, requesting a variance to a left side yard setback from 20 feet to 10 feet (to encroach 10 feet) for a proposed garage in the A-1 Agricultural District, pursuant to Zoning Code §§ ZS 1-116(c)(4), ZS 1-201(b)(5) and ZS 1-305, located at 7322 Libertytown Road, Tax Map 30, Parcel 78, Tax District 3, Worcester County, Maryland.

6:40 p.m. Case No. 24-42, on the lands of Patrick St. Dennis, on the application of Ryan McManus, requesting a variance to the left side yard setback from 6 feet to 2.5 feet (to encroach 3.5 feet) and a variance to the rear yard setback from 30 feet to 26.4 feet (to encroach 3.6 feet) for proposed steps from a second floor deck in the R-3 Multi-family Residential District, pursuant to Zoning Code§§ ZS 1-116(c)(4), ZS 1-207(b)(2) and ZS 1-305, located at 187 Teal Circle, Tax Map 16, Parcel 41, Section 4, Lot 280, Tax District 3, Worcester County, Maryland.

6:45 p.m. Case No. 24-38, on the lands of Monica Foell, requesting an after-the-fact variance to the left yard setback from 6 feet for an accessory structure to 3.09 feet (encroaches 2.91 feet), for an existing shed in the R-2 Suburban Residential District, pursuant to Zoning Code Sections ZS 1-116(c)(4), ZS 1206(b)(2) and ZS 1-305, located at 10314 Bristol Road, Tax Map 21, Parcel 8, Section A, Block 3, Lot 15, Tax District 10, Worcester County, Maryland.

6:50 p.m. Case No. 24-39, on the lands of Matthew Pyles, on the application of Mark Cropper, requesting a variance to reduce the Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area Buffer from 100 feet to 35 feet (to encroach 65 feet) associated with the installation of a proposed driveway, pursuant to Natural Resources Code §§ NR 3-104(c)(4), NR 3-111, and Zoning Code §§ ZS 1-116(m)(1), located on Marshall Creek Road approximately 517 feet west of the terminus of Marshall Creek Road, Tax Map 49, Parcel 139, Lot 3, Tax District 4, Worcester County, Maryland.

6:55 p.m. Case No. 24-40, on the lands of John Talbott, on the application of Ray Patel, requesting a special exception to allow multi-family dwelling units contained in, as a part of or attached to a principal commercial structure in the C-2 General Commercial District, pursuant to Zoning Code Sections §§ ZS 1116(c)(3), ZS 1-210(c)(5) and ZS 1325, located at 11006 & 11008 Manklin Meadows Lane, Tax Map 21, Parcel 266, Phases 3 & 4, Tax District 3, Worcester County, Maryland.

7:00 p.m. Case No. 24-45, on the lands of Hugh Cropper, IV, requesting a special exception to allow a single family dwelling in the RP Resource Protection District, pursuant to Zoning Code Sections §§ ZS 1-116(c)(3) and ZS 1-215(c)(1), located on the north east corner of Boxiron Road and Truitt’s Landing Road, Tax Map 80, Parcel 1, Lot 1, Tax District 2, Worcester County, Maryland.

7:05 p.m. Case No. 24-32, on the lands of Build Pines, LLC, on the application of Hugh Cropper, IV, re-

questing a special exception to allow contractor shops, a variance to the right side yard setback from 50 feet to 44 feet(to encroach 6 feet) for a proposed contractor shop building, a variance to the right side yard setback from 50 feet to 45.5 feet and a variance to the left side yard setback from 50 feet to 36.5 feet for the conversion of an existing building to a contractor shop, in the A-2 Agricultural District, pursuant to Zoning Code Sections §§ ZS 1-116(c)(3), ZS 1-116(c)(4) and ZS 1-202(c)(13), located at 10529 Flower Street, Tax Map 25, Parcel 275, Tax District 3, Worcester County, Maryland.

7:10 p.m. Case No. 24-21, on the lands of Cellar House Farm, LLC, on the application of Hugh Cropper, IV, requesting a special exception to allow an Agritourism facility and the use of not more than thirty percent of the gross acreage of a lot or parcel, for the agritourism uses and structures, also requesting a special exception to allow the accessory use of a principal agricultural structure or use of land for the commercial hosting of non-agricultural functions and events in the A-1 Agricultural District, pursuant to Zoning Code Sections §§ ZS 1-116(c)(3), ZS 1-209(c)(9), ZS 1-201(c)(32), ZS 1322, ZS 1-323 and ZS 1-325, located at 2634 Cellar House Road, Tax Map 69, Parcel 25, Tax District 7, Worcester County, Maryland.

7:15 p.m. Case No. 24-46, on the lands of Frederick Eisenbrandt, on the application of Hugh Cropper, IV, requesting a special exception to allow the accessory use of a principal agricultural structure or use of land for the commercial hosting of nonagricultural functions and events in the A-1 Agricultural District, pursuant to Zoning Code Sections §§ ZS 1-116(c)(3), ZS 1-201(c)(32) and ZS 1325, located at 11930 Ocean Gateway, Tax Map 26, Parcel 260, Tax District 10, Worcester County, Maryland.

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B. RANDALL COATES ESQ. COATES, COATES, & COATES 204 WEST GREEN STREET P.O. BOX 293 SNOW HILL, MD 21863

SMALL ESTATE NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 20018 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF THOMAS MICHAEL MUNSON

Notice is given that Thomas J. Munson, 70431 3rd St., Covington, LA 70433-5496, was on May 24, 2024 appointed personal representative of the small estate of Thomas Michael Munson who died on November 18, 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 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.

Thomas J. Munson

Personal Representative True Test Copy Register of Wills for Worcester County Terri Westcott

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

Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest

Date of publication: May 30, 2024

OCD-5/30/1t _________________________________

SMALL ESTATE NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 20207 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF BRENTWOOD HOWARD LOUNGE

Notice is given that Deborah Lounge, 301 Piedmont Ct., Berlin, MD 21811-1691, was on May 21, 2024 appointed personal representative of the small estate of Brentwood Howard Lounge who died on April 01, 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 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.

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

Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest

Date of publication: May 30, 2024

OCD-5/30/1t

SMALL ESTATE NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 20210 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF ELAINE BEATRICE BEVIS

Notice is given that Christopher Iacona, 8905 Pheasant Rd., Berlin, MD 21811-2483, was on May 22, 2024 appointed personal representative of the small estate of Elaine Beatrice Bevis who died on May 11, 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 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.

Christopher Iacona Personal Representative True Test Copy Register of Wills for Worcester County Terri Westcott

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

Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest

Date of publication: May 30, 2024

OCD-5/30/1t

NOTICE

Crown Castle is proposing to install three telecommunications utility structures located at the following sites within Ocean City, Worcester County, Maryland: 014255-PR consists of a 25 foot pole near 1909 Marlin Drive (38 20 57.24 N / 75 4 50.66W); 014258-PR consists of a 36 foot pole near 178 Old Landing Rd (38 24 59.86 N / 75 3 53.26 W); 014260-PR consists of a 36 foot pole near 401 Bering Road (38 24 19.66 N / 75 3 47.67 W). The facility is not expected to be FAA lighted. Crown Castle invites comments from any interested party on the impact of the proposed action on any districts, sites, buildings, structures or objects significant in American history, archaeology, engineering or culture that are listed or determined eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places and/or specific reason the proposed action may have a significant impact on the quality of the human environment. Specific information regarding the project is available by contacting EBI Consulting, Project #014255PR, 21 B Street, Burlington, MA 01803, or at 504.458.4444.

OCD-5/30/1t

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, June 13, 2024

At 2:00 p.m.

PW 24-027 A request has been submitted to construct a 6’ x 40’ parallel platform and a 4’ x 6’ pier over rip-rap; to install one boat lift with associated pilings. All construction maximum channelward distance of 14’. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 314 S HERON GULL CT Parcel # 6069A-91 in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.

OWNER: Keith Coffin

APPLICANT: McGinty Marine

Construction

PW 24-028

A request has been submitted to remove existing pier and install a new 5’ x 50’ pier; to in-

stall one boatlift & one double PWC lift with associated pilings not to exceed maximum channelward extension of 50’. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 808 32ND ST Parcel # 4481 -24 in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.

OWNER: Jacqueline Pester

Babcock

APPLICANT: McGinty Marine Construction

PW 24-029 A request has been submitted to install one boatlift with associated pilings maximum channelward extension of 26’. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 2109

HERRING WAY Parcel # 3266134in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.

OWNER: Bahia Hermosa, Inc

APPLICANT: J. Stacey Hart & Assoc.

PW 24-030 A request has been submitted to install 96’ of replacement vinyl bulkhead (not to exceed 18” channelward), relocate an existing boatlift, install one new boatlift and one PWC lift with associated pilings. All work maximum channelward extension of 24’. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 404 BERING RD Parcel # 9984 -22 in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.

OWNER: Frank Lanigan

APPLICANT: Hidden Oak Farm, LLC

PW 24-032 A request has been submitted to install a 12’ x 12’ floating platform secured by one 3” diameter pipe. The maximum channelward extension is 718’ behind the Ropewalk Restaurant in Assawoman Bay. The coordinates are: 38.24953N/75.352.97W. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 8203 COASTAL HWY Parcel # 0128A-6 in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.

OWNER: RWOC Properties, LLC APPLICANT: Image Engineering OCD-5/30/2t

BROOK-LYN CORP., LLC Plaintiff, 4 North Park Drive, Suite 510 Hunt Valley, MD 21030 v.

STACY L. STOTLER Defendant, 352 Nottingham Road Hagerstown MD 21740 Baltimore MD 21215 and THE COUNTY OF WORCESTER Defendant, Serve on: Roscoe Leslie, County Attorney 1 West Market Street, Rm 1103 Snow Hill, MD 21863 and ) ALL PERSONS THAT HAVE OR CLAIM TO HAVE ANY INTEREST IN PROPERTY described as: Item 62 10-098521 and 142265-12988: Described as The Chateau Condominium Unit 104B, Assessed to Stacy L. Stotler, Assessed Value $185,667, Wastewater, Interest and Penalties Due $1,117.51. In the Tenth Election District of Worcester County, MD, Sub District 10. Defendants, In the CIRCUIT COURT for

WORCESTER County, Maryland Civil No. C-23-CV-24-000104

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this proceeding is to secure the foreclosure of all rights of redemption in the following property located in WORCESTER County, Maryland, described by the certificate of sale below, and more fully described in a Deed cited below, among the Land Records for WORCESTER County, Maryland, sold by the Collector of Taxes for Ocean City, Maryland to the plaintiff in this proceeding:

Item 62 10-098521 and 14226512988: Described as The Chateau Condominium Unit 104B, Assessed to Stacy L. Stotler, Assessed Value $185,667, Wastewater, Interest and Penalties Due $1,117.51. In the Tenth Election District of Worcester County, MD, Sub District 10.

(deed reference: Liber 7013, folio 446 Worcester County land records)

Address: 718 Mooring Road, Unit B104, Ocean City, MD 21842

The complaint states, among other things, that the amounts necessary for redemption have not been paid.

It is thereupon this 24th of May, 2024 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 (3) successive weeks, waming all persons interested in the property to appear in this Court by the 27th of July, 2024 and redeem the property referenced herein 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, free and clear of all encumbrances.

Brian D. Shockley JUDGE

True Copy Test: Susan R. Braniecki Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County MD OCD-5/30/3t

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS

TOWN OF OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND

Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 110 of the Code of Ocean City, Maryland, hereinafter referred to as the Code, same being the Zoning Ordinance for Ocean City, Maryland, notice is hereby given that public hearings will be conducted by the Board of Zoning Appeals for Ocean City, Maryland in the Council Chambers of City Hall located on Baltimore Avenue and Third Street, in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland on: Thursday, June 13, 2024

AT 6:00 PM

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 110-93(3), Powers of the Code, an appeal of Section 110-95(1)(a) has been filed to request (1) a variance of 5.2 feet from the 10-foot separation distance requirement for a 6’ X 12’ proposed addition to be 4.8’ from a neighboring unit; (2) a variance of 0.2 feet from the 5-foot side yard setback for a 6’ X 12’ proposed addition to be 4.8 feet from the side property site line; and (3) a variance of 4.8 feet from the 10-foot separation distance requirement for a proposed covered deck to be 5.2’ from a neighboring unit. The site of the appeal is described as Lot 110 of Sundowner Mobile Home Park Plat It is further described as being located on the south side of Denny Lane and is locally known as 111 Denny Lane, in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.

APPLICANT: JOHN L. STANTON (BZA 2690 #24-09400012)

AT 6:10 PM

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 110-93(2), Powers of the Code, an appeal of Sections 110-94(3)(a) has been filed to request a special yard exception from the front yard setback to allow for the screened enclosure of an existing covered patio. The site of the appeal is described as Unit #5 of Lot 7 of the plat entitled “33rd Street Shopping Plaza Condominium.” It is further described as being located on the east side of Coastal Highway and is locally known as 3316 Coastal Highway, in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.

APPLICANT: OC WASABI (BZA 2692 #24-09400014)

AT 6:20 PM

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 110-93(2), Powers of the Code, an appeal regarding Sections 110-99 has been filed to request an amendment to BZA Case 2581 #2109400003 to allow for a pergola to be constructed over a portion of the 6 parking spaces that were waived as part of that application. The site of the appeal is described as Lots 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, for Building 1 and Lots 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23 for Building 2, Block 87, of the Fenwick Plat. It is further described as being located on the west side of Coastal Highway and is locally known as Beach Barrels at 13207 Coastal Highway, in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.

APPLICANT: RAYMOND MCGRATH (BZA 2693 #2409400015)

Further information concerning the public hearings may be examined in the office of the Department of Planning and Community Development in City Hall.

Christopher Rudolf, Chairman Maureen Howarth, Attorney OCD-5/30/2t

New nurse practitioner

Ginger Wille recently joined TidalHealth Primary Care in Berlin as a certified nurse practitioner.

Wille received her first bachelor’s degree in health science with a focus in health education from Excelsior College in Albany, New York. She later earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Salisbury University and her master’s degree in nursing from Chamberlain University.

She began her career at TidalHealth in 2013, offering comprehensive patient care as a charge nurse/registered nurse. During that time, she specialized in working with the cardiac interventional team ensuring seamless prep and recovery of patients undergoing cardiac procedures. She attended to a diverse range of inpatients with cardiac, medical, and surgical needs in the acute-care setting, with and without telemetry monitoring. She is certified as an advanced cardiac life support provider, along with telemetry, and NIH stroke certified.

Wille is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. When she is not seeing patients, she

More Md. bills of significance

By Lauren Bunting Contributing Writer

(May 31, 2024) In 2024, the Maryland General Assembly convened on Jan. 10 and adjourned on April 8. Maryland Realtors issues a recap of all of the pertinent legislation affecting the real estate industry. This week’s summary is covering the Common Ownership Communities related legislation that passed, which all goes into effect Oct. 1.

HB 159/SB 465Electric Vehicle Recharging

This bill prohibits condominiums and HOAs from enacting unreasonable prohibitions against the installation of electric vehicle recharging equipment by unit owners.

HB 280/SB 446 Local Condominium and Homeowners Associations Repair Funds

Counties and municipalities may establish local funds for the purpose of repairing or rehabilitating infrastructure within Common Ownership Communities.

HB 309/SB 15 Cooperative Housing Corporations - Dispute Settlement

The dispute process for cooperatives is adjusted to extend the time-

frame for members to correct violations from 10 to 15 days, grant members the right to request hearings, and written notice of violations and advance notice of hearing dates.

SB 665 Maryland Condominium Act - Amendments to the Declaration

The threshold of unit owners required to amend a condominium’s declaration is reduced from 80% to 66 2/3% once the developer has sold all units.

One important piece of Condominium Act legislation to note that did not pass, was HB 281/SB 1157, which would have increased the timeframe for condominium and HOA communities to comply with existing reserve study requirements from three years to five years, and offer additional flexibility to meet reserve requirements. The effective date of HB 107 Reserve Study law was Oct. 1, and condominium and homeowners associations’ have three years from that date to fund, according to their reserve studies, regardless of how many units are within the association. There are no exemptions for condominium associations.

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

Ginger Wille

Performing arts center clears major hurdle

(May 31, 2024) A plan for a new Salisbury University performing arts center in downtown Salisbury is advancing following an overwhelmingly positive Wicomico County Council vote that will provide SU with the property to build the facility.

Council members voted 6-1 to allow a $1-per-year lease of the University-owned building at 909 S. Schumaker Drive, along with approximately 10 surrounding acres, for up to 30 years to facilitate moving the Wicomico County Library’s flagship facility, the Paul S. Sarbanes Library, to that property. Speakers at the meeting noted this transaction would provide Wicomico County with the nicest library on the Eastern Shore and possibly all of Maryland.

In exchange, SU will acquire the library’s current location at 122 S. Division St., with plans to demolish the building and construct a performing arts center. The project represents a $100 million investment in downtown Salisbury.

“Salisbury University is excited for

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Noon-3pm

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the opportunity to expand its presence in downtown Salisbury,” said Dr. Maarten Pereboom, dean of SU’s Charles R. and Martha N. Fulton School of Liberal Arts. “The new performing arts center will serve not only as a new venue for the arts at SU, but as a space for education and community engagement beyond the traditional University campus with a sizable economic impact on the region.”

While the relocated Sarbanes branch will remain the county’s flagship library, a smaller library will be established in downtown Salisbury, continuing to provide walkable resources for community members in that area.

The need for a new library building has become more urgent in recent years as the downtown facility faces a crossroads near the end of its expected lifespan. Last renovated in 1980, the building is in need of some $15.7 million in upgrades, according to a 2022 feasibility study. Replacing the building at its current location would cost an estimated $26 million, according to the study.

As part of the agreement, library

AN VIEWS

officials would be responsible for approximately $8 million in renovations at the Schumaker Drive building, including replacing an HVAC system that failed in 2022, necessitating the building’s closure to the public since then. With the recent council vote, the library is eligible to request up to 84% of that cost be covered through the Maryland State Library Agency’s Capital Grants Program, which would leave the county with a total out-ofpocket cost of about $1.25 million.

In addition to the cost savings vs. remaining at its current site, the move also is expected to allow the library to provide nature education and programming at the Schumaker Drive location, and to reopen the picturesque grounds to the public.

At the council meeting, Seth Hersh-

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Continued from Page 73

enjoys going to the beach, boating, traveling, visiting new places, and going to her kids’ sporting events. She is married with four children and two stepchildren. Her husband is on active duty, and they enjoy staying involved with military events.

Wille is accepting new patients at TidalHealth Primary Care at 9950 Main St. in Berlin. To schedule an appointment, call 410-912-6710.

Wor-Wic honored

Wor-Wic Community College received a 2023 Paragon Award from the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations (NCMPR) at the council’s national conference in Seattle, Washington.

The award, for social media post, celebrates the college’s communications team for its work on promoting

May 30 - June 6

berger, Wicomico County Library director, noted that downtown development has made parking more of a challenge for those who most often frequent the library, including the elderly and families with young children. He expects the 130 free parking spaces at the Schumaker Drive building to provide better accessibility for those populations.

SU is in discussions with the City of Salisbury regarding the need for additional and dedicated parking downtown and public transportation to best accommodate the planned performing arts center, and expects solutions to be in place before the center opens in four to five years. Hershberger also noted the library has been in talks with Shore Transit to discuss the need for a bus stop near its new home on Schumaker Drive.

women in the commercial driver’s license program.

“When you tell your college’s story well, you ensure that your students can find themselves, and the supports and services they need, at your institution,” said Jeff Julian, NCMPR’s 2023-24 president. “It’s evident in the winning entries that our members are committed to serving their students.”

The 2023 Paragon Awards drew 1,531 entries from 210 colleges across the country and were judged by 65 professionals from the marketing and public relations industry. NCMPR’s Paragon Awards recognize outstanding achievement in design, strategy and communication at community and technical colleges. It's the only national competition of its kind that honors excellence exclusively among marketing and public relations professionals at two-year colleges.

12346 Old Bridge Rd, West OC3BR/2BA

at $239,750Shelly Wilson/Salt Life 12346 Old Bridge Rd, West OC2BR/1BA

at $179,900Shelly Wilson/Salt Life 4 S Herroon Gull Court, Ocean City 4BR/4.5BASingle Family$1,399,900Nancy Reither/Coldwell B 905 Lighthouse Avenue, Ocean City3BR/2.5BASingle Family$849,900Nancy Reither/Coldwell B 6937 Crreeekhaven Drive, Selbyville 4BR/2.5BASingle Family$759,900Nancy Reither/Coldwell B 81st St. #706 Rivendell, Ocean City3BR/3.5BA Condo $780,000Nancy Reither/Coldwell B 11602 S. Hills Drive, Berlin 5BR/4.5BASingle

Reither/Coldwell B 9 Drawbridge Road, Ocean Pines4BR/3BA

Saturrdday 1:30-3:30pm Sunday 10am-1pm Sunday 1:30-3:30pm14

11000 Coastal Hwy., #1703, OC2BR/2BA

McNamara/Coldwe 11000 Coastal Hwy., #1703, OC2BR/2BA

4 68th St., Sea Lodge, Ocean City2BR/2BA

McNamara/Coldwe

Judge rules for paper but denies full video request

Continued from Page 3

that a use of force review does not equate to an investigation of misconduct. To that end, the department denied Thompson’s requests for documentation regarding three Boardwalk incidents.

The court order issued last week, however, sided with The Washington Post as it relates to their request for use of force records and internal reviews. Eric Feder, the newspaper’s attorney, told the court in March that no exemptions under the Maryland Public Information Act applied in the case and that the Post had a right to access the requested records. He noted that even without Anton’s Law, use of force reports generated by officers are not classified as personnel documents.

“A simple record of what occurred, when it occurred and who was involved does not constitute a personnel record,” he said.

It should be noted that The Washington Post also sought unredacted video footage from a City Watch Camera that captured a 2020 Boardwalk incident. The court denied the request without prejudice.

“It is this 24th of May, 2024, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, Ordered, that Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment be, and the same is hereby, Granted In Part, as it relates to Count I (the UOF Reports) and Count II (the UOF Reviews) of Plaintiff’s Complaint and is hereby, Denied, without prejudice, as it relates Count III (the Wrench video) of the Complaint,” the order reads. “Defendant’s Motion for summary judgment is correspondingly Granted In Part and Denied In Part; and it is further Ordered that Defendant shall provide Plaintiff with the requested UOF Reports and UOF Reviews as requested in the Amended Complaint within thirty (30) days from the date of this Order; and it is further Ordered, that Plaintiff’s request for attorneys’ fees is Denied.”

STUDENTS AWARDED

Optimist Teacher’s Scholarships, totaling $30,000, were awarded this week to three Stephen

and

Decatur High School students.

Pictured, from left, are Membership Chairman Roger Pacella, Trevor Smith$10,000, Olivia Mazza-$10,000, Faith Haddad$10,000,

Optimist President Christina DolomountBrown.

PHOTO COURTESY OCEAN CITY BERLIN OPTIMIST CLUB

Berlin to resume talks on potential Heron Park sale

By Charlene Sharpe Associate Editor

(May 31, 2024) Berlin officials are expected to once again discuss the potential sale of a portion of Heron Park in July.

Members of the Berlin Town Council agreed this week to talk once again about selling parcel 57, the portion of Heron Park with the old processing plant, in the near future. While they shared their initial views during Tuesday’s meeting, Councilman Dean Burrell advocated for a specific discussion item to be set for a future meeting.

“I think this topic is of such importance to the wellbeing of the Town of Berlin it deserves to be included on our agenda,” Burrell said.

At the close of Tuesday’s meeting, Councilman Jack Orris brought up the issue of Heron Park. He said now that the council had adopted a budget for the coming year he felt there was time to talk about parcel 57, where a portion of the old processing plant is currently being demolished.

Councilman Steve Green said he wanted the town to sell it but didn’t want to go through the entire RFP (request for proposals) process again, as the town had already gone through an extensive process and had opted not to sell. Councilman Jay Knerr agreed that he too would like to sell the parcel with some sort of abridged RFP process. Burrell questioned what that process would be.

“One of the things that came out of our previous discussion is you don’t know what you want,” Burrell said. “I wonder if we’re there yet.”

He said the town purchased the former Tyson plant so it would have control over what would go there.

“The original tenants of that facil-

ity, it caused a lot of strife with the town with it being a chicken processing plant located within the corporate limits of the Town of Berlin,” he said. “I’d just like for us to give this discussion the time it needs.”

Town Administrator Mary Bohlen said the town didn’t need to go through the RFP process.

Orris acknowledged the concerns from some council members had resulted in the last vote not to sell the property but pointed out if those concerns had been addressed a sale shouldn’t be ruled out. Last summer the council voted 3-2 to end all sale discussions with Coastal Venture Properties with Burrell, Knerr and Shaneka Nichols in favor and Green and Orris opposed.

Knerr said his concerns had been the number of EDUs (equivalent dwelling units) attached to the property as well as any redevelopment’s potential to compete with downtown businesses.

Burrell said officials needed more information, such as the amount of EDUs a potential skate park at Heron Park would need, as well as what would be required for the site’s future public works building, before the decision to sell could be made.

Mayor Zack Tyndall said there wouldn’t be a definitive answer on that until plans for the future facilities were completed.

Burrell said if proposals were being accepted, he wanted anyone who was interested to be able to present. Tyndall questioned if there should be an asking price for the property.

“I think the conversation starts at $1.2 million,” Green said, referencing the last appraisal done with the property zoned commercial.

Presentations planned for July 8 meeting

Bohlen said she felt officials needed to reach a consensus on what they would consider for the property.

“That’s what we’re doing here,” Tyndall said.

Council members indicated they didn’t want the types of retail that would compete with downtown businesses but said they’d support healthcare facilities.

Finance Director Natalie Saleh asked if there was an urgent need to sell parcel 57. She pointed out the town was going to build a public works facility nearby and would be installing utility infrastructure very close to the site, which would make it more valuable.

“What is the need today to sell this property?” Saleh said.

Bohlen added that the sale of the property for $1.2 million would not

satisfy the debt associated with Heron Park.

“This is a valuable conversation to have, you can have it now, but to Natalie’s point I think we’d be doing a disservice to move too quickly,” she said.

Green said he wanted to sell the property because it was an embarrassment and an eyesore to the town.

“What’s in it for us? To improve that property once and for all,” he said.

Tyndall said he understood Saleh’s point as well as Green’s concern.

“What we do know is it does not look good. We need to do something,” he said, adding that he didn’t want to see the building covered in graffiti as it has been.

Knerr said selling the property would put it back on the tax rolls. He

said that when the RFP had been done before the town had only gotten two proposals.

“There’s not a lot of people willing to invest money in a property like that,” he said.

Tyndall said that if the council was again entertaining proposals for parcel 57, he’d like to reach out to entities that had expressed interest before — Natelli Communities, Palmer Gillis and Jack Burbage.

The council agreed to hear

Park presentations at its July 8

ing.

Heron

meet-

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Demolition of the former Tyson poultry processing plant is pictured last week.

Accountability body formed by Md. mandate

Continued from Page 10

Arnold Downing says that effort to build a foundation of understanding kept Worcester County from experiencing the conflicts seen elsewhere in Maryland.

“We are parts of a single process,” Downing said. “It’s not a situation where we’re adversaries.”

The Maryland Police Accountability Act of 2021, which replaced the Law Enforcement Officer’s Bill of Rights as the system for police discipline, went into effect in July 2022. As a result, Worcester County had to create a police accountability board, a charging committee and a trial board. The seven-member accountability board — appointed by the Worcester County Commissioners — met for the first time in Sept. of 2022. Since then, the PAB has received 12

complaints. While the most recent two are still under investigation, all but one of the remaining 10 were determined to be unfounded by the PAB’s charging committee. In December 2022, the PAB received a complaint from a citizen who said a Pocomoke officer had been disrespectful. The officer’s department recommended a written reprimand and more training. The PAB’s charging committee agreed with the discipline.

In 2023, citizens filed complaints alleging police had conducted unlawful traffic stops, harassment and unlawful detainment, among other charges. According to Roscoe Leslie, the county’s attorney, complaints can be filed directly with the PAB or through the agency whose officer is the subject of the complaint. The

charge is then investigated by the officer’s department. The internal report is forwarded to the charging committee, which then reviews the materials and issues a ruling.

“All complaints are addressed impartially and thoroughly,” said Greg Tate, chair of the PAB.

Tate, who after working for the Ocean City Police Department, Maryland State Police and the federal government wanted to give back to the community by serving on the PAB, said he believes the board is doing what it was meant to do. He said it has enhanced transparency and increased trust between law enforcement and the community. He stressed that the board and its charging committee take complaints very seriously.

Worcester County State’s Attorney Kris Heiser confirmed that in two of the unfounded complaint cases, her office filed charges against the individuals for filing false complaints. She noted that the complaint form itself warned signatories they could be criminally charged for making a false statement to the PAB.

“Since the PAB was created, my office has only filed charges against two individuals for filing false complaints,” Heiser wrote in an email. “These charging decisions are only

made after the PAB has determined that no police misconduct occurred. When the PAB determines that no police misconduct occurred, but there is a written allegation that police misconduct did occur, we are often asked to review the case for a charging decision because there are only 2 reasonable conclusions: (1) either the PAB is wrong and police misconduct did occur, or (2) the PAB is correct, meaning that someone made a false allegation about police misconduct. In the 2 cases that we charged, the evidence (primarily body-worn camera footage) clearly showed that both individuals had lied repeatedly about their interactions with police throughout their written complaints to the PAB, which is a crime.”

The court did not side with Heiser, however.

“…watching these tapes and listening to these officers testify, I find that—it’s not my job in this case to find it, but I find zero police misconduct,” the judge said in the first case. “Every officer in this case was professional in their interaction with the defendant. How she felt about it is another whole story. She’s a difficult person to deal with. I get that. That’s pretty obvious from these tapes here. She’s not the type of citizen that the

Body cameras assist in reviews

police would want to deal with each day. But that’s their job. They’ve got to deal with difficult people who are going to come into the police station and make complaints, and it’s not rising to the level of a criminal investigation that they disagree with this person.

She has a constitutional right to be heard. To bring criminal charges against her in this case has a chilling effect against her constitutional rights…”

Heiser stood by her decision to file charges.

“I agree with the court’s statement that the evidence established that there was zero police misconduct in this case,” she said. “I respectfully disagree with the court’s statement that filing criminal charges has a chilling effect on any constitutional right of this defendant. No one has a constitutional right to lie to the police accountability board or to falsely accuse police of misconduct, and my office will continue to prosecute all criminal acts as is our duty and obligation.”

As for the complaints the PAB’s charging committee is reviewing, officials say body camera footage has played a key role in exonerating officers. While some departments had cameras already, the Police Accountability Act made body-worn cameras a requirement.

“It really makes things a lot quicker,” Downing said.

He added that there are still shortcomings, however, as one body-worn camera can’t capture every angle. When there is an incident that needs to be reviewed, investigators review footage from all officers who were present with activated body cameras.

“The cameras help us so much,” he said. “But what we’ve also learned is one camera doesn’t see it all. We have to look at all the officers’ cameras.”

While the charging committee is

tasked with investigating misconduct complaints, the PAB itself spends time studying the policies and procedures of local law enforcement agencies and communicating with department representatives regarding community initiatives. Downing said he and his fellow chiefs have shared departmental use of force and de-escalation policies, statistics and recruitment efforts with the board. He said PAB members have asked about prom safety initiatives, outreach efforts and how hate crimes are handled.

“None of those things are part of the job of the PAB but what it did was help them to have an understanding of what we do every day,” Downing said.

He praised Worcester County for bringing the parties together and encouraging understanding and communication. That, he believes, is how Worcester County has avoided the chaos experienced elsewhere in the state. He credits the PAB with having the foresight to work to get an understanding of police policies early on.

“We’ve had zero conflict,” he said. “We feel that we’re each a part of a single process. We know what our job is. It hasn’t changed.”

When complaints are received by a department, the internal investigation findings are presented to the charging committee.

“If they don’t agree they have the ability to come up with a different thought process and move in a different way,” he said. “When they have questions they ask. We’ve always come at the same place in the end.”

For his part, Tate said he knew that any time he needed more information he could pick up the phone and call any local agency.

“I think we have an excellent relationship with our departments,” Tate said.

Worcester LEADS detailed for school board

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer

(May 31, 2024) Worcester County Public Schools educators presented the Worcester LEADS initiative, dedicated to fostering a positive learning environment, at the Tuesday, May 21 WCPS Board of Education meeting.

Worcester County Public Schools Coordinator of Equity and Multicultural Education Michael Browne spearheaded the project, which was made possible by a COVID-19 relief grant. The educator was joined by Buckingham Elementary teachers Colby Haines and Staci Aperance to discuss the initiative at their school.

The goals of BES’s Worcester LEADS, which stands for Leaders Engaging in Academic Development for Students, include increasing student engagement, promoting educational

excellence, building relationships, and creating a positive climate, culture, and a sense of belonging for all.

Six faculty members at the elementary school are currently participating in the program, including counselor Staci Aperance, math resource teacher Liz Glover, first-grade teacher Susan Gray, kindergarten teacher Jessica Grimes, Music and Movement teacher Colby Haines, and pre-K-4 teacher Ali Semanchik.

“The team ranges from all different content areas, so the nice thing about developing skills is that they learn how to lean on each other’s strengths and create meaningful events for our staff and students,” Haines said.

According to the presentation team, to qualify, interested educators must participate, organize, or facili-

tate leadership activities assigned by their principal, which may include peer instructional support, peer observations, or collaborative planning, actively participate in a leadership book study with District LEADS facilitators, attend one approved regional leadership conference, and complete at least 50 hours outside their regular work hours to receive the Tier III Stipend.

“With this project, we wanted to make sure that the individuals participating had a focus on student growth,” Browne said. “As our educators advance with their skills, we look forward to transitioning that to our students, so they are also advancing. To be eligible to be a Worcester LEADS teacher, you must be a certified employee, have tenured status, and have an effective or highly effective evaluation rating from the previous school year.”

The program at Buckingham is modeled after the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, Georgia.

“Ron Clark Academy is a model school that has a vision for transforming classrooms, engagement, and culture,” Aperance said, “It is like a teacher’s Disney World.”

Haines said the participating students and staff are placed in houses or teams, and the teacher leaders act as cheerleaders for their groups and the entire school community.

Additionally, thanks to community partnerships, the program includes house competitions, field days, and other fun events.

Haines noted that the program has increased attendance rates and improved the school’s overall culture.

There are currently 21 Worcester LEADS county-wide. BES has six, Pocomoke Elementary has one, Showell Elementary has one, Pocomoke Middle School has two, Snow Hill Middle School has 1, Pocomoke High School has two, Snow Hill High School has two, and Worcester Technical High School has three.

BOE presents awards to graduating seniors

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer

(May 31, 2024) As the academic year draws to a close and seniors anticipate that walk across the stage, the Worcester County Board of Education recognized the outstanding school system’s artists, musicians, and future leaders and teachers at their Tuesday, May 21 meeting.

The Worcester County Board of Education began by honoring the student representatives from Stephen Decatur High School, Pocomoke High School, and Snow Hill High School.

At each meeting during the academic year, seniors from the county’s three high schools reported on their facility’s activities and successes to the board.

WCPS Coordinator of Public Relations and Special Programs Carrie Sterrs honored SDHS student Deliyah Holland, who will be attending Howard University and majoring in political science and minoring in criminology, SHHS student Catelina Luzader, who is heading to William Peace University in North Carolina to double major in business administration and pre-law and play volleyball, and Treston Melvin, who is off to New York City to attend the American Musical and Dramatic Academy.

“Thank you all for what you have done this year,” board member Elena McComas said, addressing the graduating representatives. “Thank you for sit-

ting through some pretty long meetings. Thank you for sharing all the wonderful things happening at your schools. Without that, I’m not sure we would know. I wish you all the best. You have such bright futures.”

WCPS Coordinator of Instruction Tamara Mills recognized outstanding visual arts and music students. “The arts are integral in our children’s education,” she said.

Mills began by celebrating the Superior Solo and Ensemble All-State honorees. SDHS students Jonah Ridgely and Chandler Smith were given certificates to commemorate their success. Ridgely, who is off to Boston in the fall to attend the Berkley College of Music, was recognized as an All-State Senior Jazz Band awardee.

Decatur students Saylor Amos and Logan Donmoyer were commemorated for their All-Shore Senior Band achievement.

SDHS student Elizabeth Buppert was recognized for All-State Choral, and she and fellow musician Adelaide Dawkins were celebrated as All-Shore Senior Choral honorees.

Mills rounded out the musical awards by mentioning Worcester Technical High School’s new Digital Music and Video Production program. The class is slated to be available beginning in the 2024-2025 academic year and will be open to juniors and seniors.

The instruction coordinator also recognized three student artists for the superintendent’s collection and shared their works, which will be displayed in the boardroom.

The meeting showcased art pieces from PHS senior Alexia Shepherd, who received second place in the United Way Art Contest, SHHS student Alexa Arnold, who is off to Post University in Connecticut to play volleyball, and Katie Gordon from Stephen Decatur High School, who will attend the Rhode Island School of Design.

The Dr. Andes Grow Our Own Scholarship winners were celebrated at the May 21 meeting. The scholarship was set up as a retirement gift to Andes, the former superintendent and current Worcester County Board of Education member, to help future teachers pay for college.

“I was honored by the board of education dedicating this scholarship to me when I retired in 2012,” Andes said. “It was the best gift I ever received in retirement because it is a living legend. It’s paying it forward to the future.”

To qualify for the scholarship, Andes maintains that students must complete their post-secondary education on time and cost-effectively and, upon graduation, apply to Worcester County Public Schools.

The board recognized graduating seniors Dakotah Trader from PHS, Olivia Mazza from SDHS, and Maggie Harris-Blackburn from SHHS for securing the Andes scholarship.

The Worcester County Board of Education is scheduled to hold a special budget work session on Thursday, June 6. The open meeting will convene at 4:30 p.m.

Bull riding returns to inlet lot for third year this weekend

By Mallory Panuska Ames Digital Editor

(May 31, 2024) While the Professional Bull Riders event coming to the Ocean City inlet this weekend is one of hundreds held across the world, organizers argue that the local setting, with the sand and beach on the horizon and amusement rides in the background, is “the most picturesque.”

resort beginning Friday and lasting through Sunday, with some of the best bull riders in the world going head-to-head with world-renowned and bucking bulls inside an arena created with 750 tons of dirt in the inlet parking lot.

“We’re 30 yards from the ocean, which is phenomenal, that’s the best backdrop we can get,” PBR Senior Vice President Robert Simpson said this week of the three-day event beginning tonight. “To actually be bucking bulls by the sand and literally have the water about 30 yards away it’s pretty cool.”

Simpson said the roughly 70 PBR events held each year are typically put on inside large indoor arenas, such as Madison Square Garden in New York City and the Staples Center in L.A.

“It’s usually NBA and NHL arenas that we play, that’s kind of our typical footprint,” Simpson explained. “But in the summertime it gives us some opportunity to go outside to do some different things … It’s still the same event and it’s still the same setup but it’s in Ocean City.”

The Challenger Series PBR Classic is making its third appearance to the

Simpson said crews began setting the stage last Tuesday, broke for Memorial Day weekend, and started right back up earlier this week. Organizers trucked in steel beams totaling the length of six football fields to construct the rows of tall bleachers that will hold 5,000 seats each performance night.

As of Wednesday, Simpson said tickets sales were steady but not off the charts. But he expected interest to pick up as the events get closer.

“We rely a lot on a lot of walk ups, people on the Boardwalk, a lot of tourist traffic. That’s why Ocean City is Ocean City,” he said. “Hopefully we’ll had a decent amount of sales. We still have tickets for all three performances, but Saturday night will be sold out.”

Simpson advised anyone who wants to attend Saturday’s show, beginning at 6 p.m., to buy tickets in advance, as it’s been the most popular night. Friday’s show also begins at 6 p.m., and Sunday’s show is a matinee,

Challenger Series PBR Classic to

run Friday-Sunday

beginning at 2 p.m.

Simpson said organizers are expected to bring in more than 70 bulls for the three-day event, and have a contract agreement to house them at Goody Hill Farms outside of Berlin.

“We literally construct housing,” he said. “We bring in panels and gates and everything to house the bulls for the whole weekend.”

The daily events, which are part of the Professional Bull Riding circuit, will also be broadcast live in Pluto TV and available for streaming after the air dates.

Simpson said PBR and the city are good partners, and have been for the past three years. He said the event has grown in popularity since its debut in 2021, and he hopes to keep it an annual tradition.

Simpson said he and everyone in the organization abide by all local and special event regulations and ordinances, bring people to town, and give Ocean City exposure on national television through what he called a “winwin” partnership. The resort also has a title sponsorship for the event, which is officially called the Ocean City PBR Classic.

The relationship with the city and other local partners is important to Simpson and the PBR team, as he wants to ensure it remains a community event that everyone can enjoy.

“As we go, we just invite the community to be involved. Come to the event, support the event. We’re trying to build just an annual event that Ocean City can call their own,” Simpson said. “Locally, if somebody hasn’t been to the event we just invite them out because once they see it, they’ll be hooked. It’s an old adage that I only have to sell somebody one time to come to the event because once they come it’s phenomenal and they come back.”

For more information about the Ocean City PBR Classic, including ticket prices and sales, visit https://pbr.com/events/170331.

Ocean City Elks Lodge 2645

The 2nd Annual Carroll Wagner Scholarship Golf Tournament May 13, 2024

One hundred sixty-eight golfers enjoyed The 2nd Annual Carroll Wagner Scholarship Golf Tournament at Bear Trap Dunes in Ocean View on 05/13/2024. Thank you to all sponsors and participants that took part in this event either by playing, donating and/or volunteering. The over $20,000 raised solely at this tournament was headed by Chairman Bill Thompson which he spearheaded in 1996. This annual event has given $300,000 to the fund.

A few of our sponsors are shown below. Thanks again.

The

Carroll Wagner Scholarship Golf Tournament

Abi's Dinner

Auxiliary of Elks 2645

Baja Amusements

Barn 34

Bartending by Bettyanne

Bayside Resort Golf Club

Bayside Wines & Spirits

Baywood Greens

Bear Trap Dunes

Bethany Massage & Healing

Big Fish

Boar's Head

Bull on the Beach

Captain Mack's Fish House

Casual Designs

Crabs to Go

Cripple Creek Golf & Country Club

Diamond Nails

Donna's Cut & Curl

Eagle's Landing Golf Course

Fager's Island

Fisher's Popcorn

Food Lion

Fresh Market

Giant Food

Glen Riddle Golf Club

Grand Prix

Green Turtle

Grotto Pizza

Harris Teeter

Helen Smith

Hit the Deck

Kitty's Flower Shop

La Vie Nail Salon

Lobster Shanty

Lombardi's Mio’s

Nutters Crossing Golf Course

OC Elks 2645

OC Hair & Nail Studio

OC Massage

OC Nails

Ocean City Department of Tourism and Business Development

Ocean City Golf Club

Ocean Pines Golf Club

Ocean Resorts Golf Club

Patty Jeans

Pepsi Bottling Venture

Pit-N-Pub

Ray Perrone Barbershop

River Run Golf Club

& Community

Rooster's Nest

Rum Pointe Seaside Golf Links

Sally Borman

Seaside Country Store

Sentral Services

Tequila Mockingbird

Thai O-Cha Restaurant

Wags to Riches

Walgreens

Weis Markets

West Fenwick Car Wash

Zoom Car Wash

FILE PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

A bull rider tries to stay on a bucking bronco during last year’s Ocean City PBR Classic at the inlet. This year’s event begins tonight and lasts through Sunday.

Opinions

OC tries to build population base

Ocean City’s two-year program of offering prospective homeowners tax breaks and fee waivers if they establish fulltime residency here became permanent this week in a unanimous City Council vote that makes sense, as far as it goes.

As City Planner Bill Neville told the council, these incentives appear to have stopped the resort’s small but steady decline in population in recent years.

Still, it remains to be seen what the long-term impact of the Primary Residence Incentive Program will be, since it assumes that the destabilization of the resort’s population is strictly a matter of money.

Money is just one of the factors at work, and that includes the effect of skyrocketing real estate prices on tax bills. Also money-related is the possibility of big financial rewards for long-time homeowners who can cash in and move on.

Still, other people — and that includes many business owners and managers — have moved to the mainland to exchange living and working in Ocean City’s increasingly noisy fast lane for living while not working in the relative peace and quiet of purely residential neighborhoods.

Meanwhile, similarly minded resort residents, especially those with no direct ties to the tourism industry, probably aren’t thrilled by the city’s effort to expand its business deep into the offseason. Those once-upon-a-time quiet months will disappear if city government’s push in that direction is successful.

To be clear, this publication directly benefits from this business growth and appreciates the success it has delivered. But not everyone sees it that way, and city officials need to take that into consideration as they decide how to proceed.

If population retention and business growth is what the mayor and council want, they will need to throw in that $10,000 to get people here, and come up with other incentives to keep residents here as Ocean City evolves along those lines.

You have to hand it to the scientific minds at work in North Korea for creating a real stinker of an assault on, or insult to, its southern neighbor this week.

NEWS

EDITOR STEWART DOBSON; EXECUTIVE EDITOR STEVE GREEN

ASSOCIATE EDITORS CHARLENE SHARPE, BETHANY HOOPER

DIGITAL EDITOR MALLORY PANUSKA AMES

STAFF WRITER TARA FISCHER

Contact News Room: editor@oceancitytoday.net SALES

ACCOUNT MANAGERS MARY COOPER, TERRI FRENCH, RENEE KELLY

CLASSIFIEDS/LEGALS PAMELA GREEN

Contact Sales: sales@oceancitytoday.net

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ART DIRECTOR COLE GIBSON; SENIOR PAGE DESIGNER SUSAN PARKS

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ADMINISTRATION

PUBLISHER/CONTROLLER CHRISTINE BROWN

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT GINI TUFTS web: oceancitytoday.com Facebook: facebook/mdcoastdispatch.com

By Stewart Dobson

In what must be the first aerial attack of its kind, North Korea floated some 260 doodoo bombs over the border, thus leading to a communique from the South Korean government to U.S. officials pleading, “Send lawyers, guns and money, the .... has hit the fan!”

The latter, of course, is from a song by the late, great Warren Zevon, who had no idea when he released it in 1978 just how applicable it would be in this circumstance. Coincidentally, on that same album was his song, "Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner,” whose services might also be called upon if those North Koreans keep up this kind of bad behavior.

But it is true, apparently, that the North Koreans launched somewhere around 260 weather-type balloons bearing payloads of manure and trash in a southerly direction.

Clever folks that those North Koreans are, they reportedly wrote “excrement” on the one of the payload-carrying bags just to be sure their dung ho troops would get clear instructions as to how to proceed.

The deployment of these devices did alarm

U.S. Department of Defense officials, who noted in an alert to the White House, that the North Koreans were guilty of breaching the multi-national agreement prohibiting any and all operations involving the enrichment of poo-tonium.

As of mid-week, only some of the balloons had landed on Korean soil, while others continued to be pushed along by prevailing winds, leaving open the possibility that one could even soar over the U.S., where policy dictates that it be allowed to float all the way to the Atlantic before being disposed of safely.

“Maverick, Maverick. This is Patuxent Naval Air Station. You are authorized to go out to sea and shoot the ... over.”

“Roger ... locked on. I’ve got tone. Fire ... And just in case, please pass along my apologies to the people of Bermuda.”

You do have to wonder what possessed the North Korean high command to pull such a stunt, besides just wanting to humiliate South Korea by dumping on them. But there could be more to this than meets the eye, too. We all know, for instance, that North Korea has been fiddling and fiddling with an intercontinental ballistic missile program.

Maybe, they’re not as far along as everyone thought and have given up on that idea and are pursuing another weapon. We’ll know soon enough, when North Korean leader Kim Jong Un presides over the firing of the world’s first incontinent ballistic missile.

PUBLIC EYE

Between the Lines

By Steve Green

There was no gray area this week when it comes to Ocean City’s ordinance to prohibit houseboat rentals. Passed on first reading, the ban will evidently be challenged in court if it’s passed on second reading next month. The attorney for Sea Rocket Houseboats told the council this week his client wants to collaborate with the city on a middle ground but if there is no appetite for working together on a compromise legal action will be taken against the city.

At issue here is a unique business concept aimed at renting houseboats as short-term rentals in a downtown marina. The city is not interested in allowing this operation to begin, creating an ordinance to prohibit the commercial use of houseboats within Ocean City by prohibiting any business license being issued on the activity. Attorney Demetrios Kaouris was blunt with the city issuing a warning litigation will follow if this ordinance is passed. “The current legislation as proposed and as currently drafted is simply an outright prohibition on houseboats and really undertakes no efforts to try to arrive at some common-sense regulations and limitations that might suit everybody,” he said. The attorney said if an agreement cannot be reached with the city his client will, “have no choice but to proceed with litigation to have the circuit court decide whether the town does or does not have appropriate authority to regulate this particular activity. And we firmly believe that this activity is regulated entirely by state law and is preempted by state law and as such the town is without authority to enact legislation.”

At this point, the council appears unfazed by the legal threat.

***

There were a couple deep dives into the three-year-old Police Accountability Board in this week’s paper, including some misconduct allegations about several Ocean City police officers having internal extra-marital affairs. While interesting, I also found it compelling to learn folks who allege misconduct against officers can be charged if the State’s Attorney’s Office feels the claims are rooted in falsehoods. In two complaint cases that were dismissed by the board, State’s Attorney Kris Heiser said this week she file charges against two individuals because they made false statements to the board. The judge dismissed the charges, but Heiser stands by her decision to act against the complainants.

“… In the 2 cases that we charged, the evidence (primarily body-worn camera footage) clearly showed that both individuals had lied repeatedly about their interactions with police throughout their written complaints to the PAB, which is a crime,” Heiser said this week. “I agree with the court’s statement that the evidence established that there was zero police misconduct in this case,” she said. “I respectfully disagree with the court’s statement that filing criminal charges has a chilling effect on any constitutional right of this defendant. No one has a constitutional right to lie to the police accountability board or to falsely accuse police of misconduct, and my office will continue to prosecute all criminal acts as is our duty and obligation.”

It's an interesting situation here to observe moving forward when other misconduct allegations are made.

***

Kudos to Maryland Gov. Wes Moore for having the foresight to veto a bill related to public notice advertising that was unanimously passed by the House and Senate. House Bill 1258 would have delivered a major blow to community newspapers across the state because it would end the requirement that public notice on estates be placed in general circulation newspapers. The legislation instead created a central website by the state’s registers of wills offices.

In years past, this legislation has been lobbied against by newspapers but this year it slipped through until it was too late. Similar attempts will likely be made in future years, and newspapers will need to inform their representatives. In his veto letter, Moore wrote, “Many communities in the state now suffer from a lack of press coverage of local news, undermining public accountability. To so rapidly remove such a large source of advertising revenue as estate notices without considering the impact on the future of local media in Maryland could have severe consequences.”

***

In other news, we say “see you around” to a member of the family this week. It’s tough to be a respected, tough and fair journalist in a small community you have grown up in. Charlene Sharpe, who has been with the newspaper since 2014, has been able to juggle all the aspects that comes with this challenging terrain with skill and grace. As news spread this week about her departure next week for a job with Worcester County government, everyone said the same thing – she is a great writer who has always been fair, objective, balanced and professional. I agree wholeheartedly and will miss her.

Job creation overstated

Editor,

The wind energy companies are blitzing the airways and social media with commercials that offshore wind energy projects will increase jobs. This alleged job creation is highly overstated.

The industrialization of the U.S. East Coast with offshore wind turbine factories reduces U.S. jobs: Job Displacement: Projects displace jobs in traditional energy sectors (such as coal, oil, and natural gas) putting people out of work.

Tourism and Aesthetics: Offshore wind turbines negatively impact tourism by altering coastal views. Tourist destinations near wind farms will see reduced visitor numbers and reduced employment in the tourist industries of shore communities.

Fisheries and Access Restrictions: Fishermen are concerned about restricted access to fishing grounds due to wind farm installations. This will affect jobs in the fishing industry and our seafood supply.

Supply Chain and Foreign Companies: European companies dominate the offshore wind market. U.S. companies will lose out on supply chain opportunities and jobs. Some European companies try to hide their foreign ownership. U.S. Wind, approved to build off the Maryland coast, is a wholly owned subsidiary of an Italian company despite its name.

China dominates the manufacture of wind turbines.

Robert Borghese Ocean City

A no-brainer at play here

Editor,

(The following was sent as an open letter to County Commissioners.)

As a Worcester County Public School graduate who now is a parent of two children, I am very invested in the future of our school district. I wish some County Commissioners could say the same.

I wanted to raise my family where the schools are consistently ranked highly in the state when it comes to testing, outcomes, and service. Until now, I’ve felt that would be my children’s school career. But the growing salary gap between Worcester teachers and teachers in neighboring counties is taking a toll. For the past year, teachers have been talking about having to leave the County. Last week, a Dispatch article disclosed that some have already begun to do so. With the lowest salaries in the state, it’s unlikely Worcester will be able to attract top quality replacements.

The saddest part of this is it isn’t necessary. For the past year, the Commission has told the school board, “We won’t fund you because you didn’t give us enough detail in your budget.” So the board complied. Then the Commissioners said, “We don’t like what you’re spending money on.” So the board explained their reasons. Then, the Commissioners raised everyone’s hopes by

saying the teachers would get their requested raise. A week later, thy dashed those hopes. They said, “Teachers shouldn’t get more than the county employees.”

That would be fine if teachers had been getting as much as the county employees over the past few years. But they haven’t. Then the Commissioners said there is a budget deficit for next year, but there has been a surplus the past two years. So come on, Commissioners, just be transparent, like you asked of the school board.

Your public and social media comments have made it clear that you don’t trust, don’t respect, don’t care about education professionals, parents, and students. You’re looking for excuse after excuse not to give the school board the budget they requested. The only good thing about this is that you’ve made our community start paying attention to what happens in Snow Hill. We’re watching— closely—and we’re not happy.

I want my children to grow up feeling supported, encouraged, and in a safe environment for the duration of their education and I ask our elected officials to work WITH our Board of Education, NOT AGAINST them. It’s a no-brainer for the future of our children and the county’s economic health.

K. Grant Bishopville

Unacceptable stance

Editor,

Why should educators get a pay raise? I work as an Educational Assistant at Pocomoke High School, but I’ve mainly been the LIFT Facilitator, helping kids facing challenges like trauma and poverty. I’ve been in education for 8 years, studying for my Bachelor’s in Early Education, while being a single mom to two kids, managing a household, and holding down another job.

Since 2021, I’ve been providing my students with snacks, supplies, clothes, hygiene products, stress relief items, and fidgets. I’ve set up a Quiet Room with a bean bag, LED lights, and a fuzzy rug for calming in overstimulating situations. In my classroom, I teach restorative practices, self-regulation, soft skills, and effective communication to empower students to advocate for themselves in school and the community.

“We rise by uplifting each other.” In Worcester County at PHS, I bring home $17,040 annually. So, in this economy, in “The Happiest Schools on Earth,” is this acceptable?

Rasheeda Collier Pocomoke City

Time of year for flip-flops

Editor,

Last week a county commissioner switched up their vote. People were surprised and disappointed. Apologies were rendered. Why? Isn’t this the time of year for flip-flops. James Hughlett Berlin

80 years later, D-Day allied assault recalled

By Peter Ayers Wimbrow III Contributing Writer

This week, the 80th Anniversary of the Allied Assault on the beaches of Normandy, France — “Operation Overlord” — will be commemorated at the D-Day Memorial, in the small town of Bedford, in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.

The D-Day Memorial is located there because Bedford was home to Company A of the 116th Regiment of the 29th Division. The 29th Division, a National Guard Unit from Maryland and Virginia, and the 1st Division, “The Big Red One,” landed at what had been designated as “Omaha Beach” in Normandy.

They were commanded by Charles H. Gerhardt and Clarence R. Huebner. Company A was the first of the 29'ers to land on Omaha Beach. By the end of the first day, their casualty rate exceeded 90%. Of the 32 “Bedford Boys,” 19 were lost.

Bedford was a town of about 3,200. One of the Bedford Boys who did survive was a 19-year-old sergeant, J. Robert Slaughter, who was a founder, and later chairman, of the National DDay Memorial Commission.

The Normandy landing sites were divided by the Allied High Command into five beaches and given code names. From left to right, facing the

beaches, were “Sword,” “Juno,” “Gold,” “Omaha” and “Utah.”

The British 3rd Infantry Division, commanded by Maj. Gen. Tom Rennie, landed at Sword Beach. The 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, commanded by Maj. Gen. Rodney F.L. Keller, assaulted Juno Beach. Gold Beach was assaulted by the British Northumbrian Infantry Division, commanded by Maj. Gen. Douglas Alexander Graham and the British 79th Armored Division, commanded by Maj. Gen. Sir Percy Hobart.

Also landing with Gen. Rennie’s 3rd Division at Sword Beach was 177man Free French 1er Bataillon de Fusiliers Marins Commandos, commanded by Capitaine de Corvette, Philippe Kieffer, played by Christian Marquand, in “The Longest Day.”

The last survivor of that unit, Léon Gautier, died last year, at the age of 100, less than a month after participating in the 79th Anniversary commemoration of the invasion.

The Americans were assigned Omaha and Utah Beaches. The Fourth Infantry Division assaulted Utah Beach. Although the Division’s commander was Maj. Gen. Raymond O. Barton, the division was led ashore by Brig. Gen. Theodore Roosevelt III., son of Presi-

dent Theodore Roosevelt and cousin of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Gen. Roosevelt was among the first to land on Utah Beach and is portrayed by Henry Fonda in “The Longest Day.” He was the oldest soldier to land on any beach that day, and he was the only general to land by sea with the first wave of troops.

Meanwhile, on Omaha Beach, his son, Quintin Roosevelt II, a captain in “The Big Red One,” was landing. On July 12, Gen. Roosevelt would die of a heart attack and would be awarded the Medal of Honor, posthumously. He is buried in the American Cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach next to his brother Quentin, who was killed in WWI.

When his father, Teddy, was also posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 2001 for leading the “Rough Riders” at the Battle of San Juan Hill outside of Santiago de Cuba in the Spanish-American War, they became only the second father and son Medal of Honor winners, the first being the Generals MacArthur.

Prior to the sea-born landings, the All-American Paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division, commanded by Matthew Ridgeway, the Screaming Eagles of the 101st Airborne Division,

commanded by Gen. Maxwell D. Taylor, who was the first Allied general to land in France on D-Day, and the British 6th Airborne Division, commanded by Maj. Gen. Sir Richard N. Gale, dropped behind enemy lines.

German forces defending France were under the overall command of Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt, who was the Wehrmacht’s Senior Field Commander, and portrayed by Paul Hartmann in “The Longest Day.”

The coastal defenses were under the command of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, the erstwhile “Desert Fox,” played by Werner Hinz in “The Longest Day.” German defenses were hampered by a number of factors. These included, in no particular order: a split of defensive strategy that was never really resolved; (2) lack of accurate intelligence; (3) overwhelming Allied command of the air; (4) overwhelming Allied materiel superiority; (5) overwhelming Allied command of the sea; (6) Hitler’s interference.

Manning the defenses along the coast were 716th and 709th Static Infantry Divisions, under the command of Lt. Gens. Wilhelm Rickert and Karl-Wilhelm von Schlieben. These two divisions were not highly regarded by either side. They were composed of older men, men

Allied casualties much lower than expected

who were recovering from wounds, and “volunteers” from German occupied Soviet Union.

German high command never settled on a strategy to meet the invasion it knew was coming. Field Marshal von Rundstedt and most of the other officers advocated sucking the invaders in, surrounding them with German armor and annihilating them, as was done in Poland in 1939, France in 1940, and the Soviet Union in 1941.

But Field Marshal Rommel knew better. He knew that German armor would not be free to roam at will and surround the Allies, as was done earlier in the war under the air cover provided by the Luftwaffe. Once the invader was on the beach, given its material and aerial superiority, there would be no opportunity to throw it back. The resolution of this argument, of course, fell to Hitler, and he was unable to make a clear-cut decision. Reserving control of most of the Panzer units for himself, he placed them at a point where they could not easily get to the coast quickly.

To partly implement his theory, Field Marshal Rommel had, unbeknownst to the Allies, moved the 352nd Infantry Division, under the command of Lt. Gen. Dietrich Kriaiß, from St. Lô to Omaha Beach in March 1944.

Although the division itself had not seen combat, it was rated as a first-rate division, because it had been constructed around a cadre of veteran NCOs and officers. It was composed primarily of boys from the Hannover region. It was they that would meet the boys from Virginia and Maryland on Omaha beach, on June 6, 1944. The 352nd was ready. It had plotted out the beach and constructed fields of fire so that there was no area that was not covered.

Following Company A onto Omaha, was Company B from Lynchburg. Company B had been assigned to Berlin by the War Department after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Company B’s duties were to guard the beach, since Worcester County was on the front line. One of the members of Company B, Dick Wright, dated the late Eunice Q. Sorin.

Another member of Company B, the late Roland Horton, is survived by a nephew, Raymond R. Land, retired member of the Ocean City Police Department’s Mounted Unit. Although wounded, Mr. Horton did survive. Dick Wright did not, being killed on the beach, early on the morning of June 6. Among those manning the landing craft that were transporting the soldiers to the beaches were Ens. Hamilton P Fox Jr., who would later serve as the state’s attorney for Wicomico County from 1948 to 1956, and Motor Machinist Mate, 2nd Class Nathanael L. Henry. Both men went ashore to help wounded aboard their craft to transport them to safety. Machinist Mate Henry related to his son that the bilge

pumps were expelling 80% blood when within 50 yards of the beach.

Henry was awarded his second Silver Star for his bravery that day. His son, now deceased, was a Maryland State Trooper in this area, and a court bailiff in the Snow Hill District Court.

1st Sgt. Hiram H. Collins of Crisfield was killed when a German shell hit his landing craft, killing all aboard. His body was never recovered, but his brother, the late James Edward “Scoop” Collins Sr., named his middle son, Thomas Hiram Collins, who then perpetuated his uncle’s memory in the name of his restaurant in Vero Beach, Florida, Capt. Hiram’s, where his photo and Purple Heart are displayed.

Because of the 352nd, the situation at Omaha Beach was touch and go. The American soldiers had been told there really was no reason for concern. They were also told that the aerial bombardment would be so devastating that no one could possibly survive it, and if that didn’t do the trick, then the Naval bombardment from the huge guns on the battleships would surely do it. If nothing else, the troops were told, there would be plenty of shell craters and bomb craters in which to take cover.

Unfortunately, both the aerial and naval bombardment missed by a mile

and the defenders were not affected. In addition, the 352nd was a first rate division and there were no shell craters.

Finally, at 10 a.m., someone was able to radio for naval assistance and destroyers USS Frankford and USS McCook came within 800 yards and opened up at point blank range with their 5-inch guns. This, and the fact that the Germans began to run out of ammunition.

Also at 10 a.m., the 115th Regiment from the 29th Division — the Boys from Maryland — began coming ashore. Included in that regiment was the late John Sauer, and the late Marion Massey, whose son was formerly Ocean City’s and Ocean Pines’ Police Chief. At noon of the next day, the 175th Regiment, from Baltimore City, landed.

On D+3, James E. (“Snooks”) Lynch, from Berlin, who was a trigger man on an anti-aircraft unit consisting of four .50 cal. machine guns, mounted on a half-track, landed on Omaha Beach. He recalled that the first thing he saw was a cemetery.

Early the next morning, the Second Battalion of the 115th Regiment, was attacked by a German force and its commander Lt. Col. Edwin Warfield, father of local Realtor, the late Robert E. Warfield, was killed. Bob was two when his father left

home. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star and is buried at Colville Cemetery above Omaha Beach, which is the setting for the opening and closing scenes of “Saving Private Ryan.” Casualties

It is difficult to determine, exactly, the number of casualties suffered on DDay. Following are estimates. Between Sword and Gold Beaches, the British suffered 1,783 casualties, while the Canadians suffered 961 on Juno Beach.

On Omaha Beach, the Americans suffered 2,000 casualties, while only 197 were suffered on Utah Beach. The 6th British Airborne Division suffered 1,500 casualties, while the two U.S. airborne divisions suffered 2,500 casualties.

German casualties are estimated to be between 4,000 and 9,000. Fifteen thousand French civilians were killed.

Next Week: Oradour-Sur-Glane Mr. Wimbrow writes from Ocean City, Maryland, where he practices law representing people accused of criminal and traffic offenses, and people who have suffered personal injuries through no fault of their own. He can be contacted at wimbrowlaw@gmail.com.

OBITUARIES

RONALD L. ALBRIGHT

Berlin

Ronald L. Albright died May 12, 2024, at his home in Berlin after a brief illness.

Ronald was born on Feb. 12, 1936, in Roaring Springs, Pennsylvania. He was preceded in death by his parents, David Albright and Helen Marie Thomas Albright; as well as his brother, Ralph (Ike) and Winifred (Sis).

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Barbara Maye Horton Albright; as well as his son, Craig (Linda) of Chester; and daughter, Dana Bean (Chris) of Severna Park. He is survived by four grandchildren who were the greatest joys of his life, Savannah, Joshua, Elijah and Gillian. He is also survived by his sister, Janet Helbig (Randy); brother-in-law Donald (Beverly); as well as many nieces and nephews.

Ronald attended Altoona High School and graduated from Beaver Falls High School. After graduation, he moved to Washington D.C. where he met his wife Barbara.

He retired as a long time manager of the Sea Shell Restaurant in Oxon Hill. He was a life member of the Elks Lodge as well as a member of the Indian Head Moose Lodge.

His greatest pleasures in life were golfing, reading, crossword puzzles, the beach, and following his hometown teams: the Pittsburgh Steelers, Penguins and Pirates. He loved doing anything that involved family, especially his grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m., June 15, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church on Coastal Highway in Ocean City.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Department at www.ocvfc.com/page/donations, or

SUNSET SURF

1409 Philadelphia Ave, Ocean City MD 21842.

TAMMY LYNN BALSTER

Berlin

Tammy Lynn Balster, 58, passed away on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at Jefferson Washington Township Hospital in Sewell, New Jersey.

Born in Salisbury, she was the daughter of the late William Curtis Wooten and Jane Diane Harrison.

Tammy was employed by CVS Pharmacy for 30-plus years and was promoted to general manager. She won the National Paragon award due to her hard work and dedication. She spent countless hours at the store mak-

ing sure everything was to her standards, and loved and respected each and every one of her coworkers.

Her family was the most important thing to her, especially her son, Craig Balster Jr., and her one and only grandson Bryson Balster. Every Tuesday she would enjoy having dinner with her stepmother, Bonnie Wooten, and would spend countless hours talking on the phone.

She is survived by her son, Craig Balster Jr. (CJ); a brother, Donald Wooten (Vickie Miller); grandson Bryson Balster; and nieces and nephews Will, Brandon, Megan, Gabby, Michael and Molly.

She was preceded in death by her brothers, Dean Wooten and Darin Wooten.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, June 6, at The

Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin. A visitation will be held one hour prior. Letters of condolence can be sent to the family via burbagefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of The Burbage Funeral Home.

LINDA L. HERZBERG

Ocean City

Linda L. Herzberg, 80, of Ocean City, died Monday, May 20, 2024, at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin. She was born in Dunmore, West Virginia and was the daughter of the late Ford Bash and Dorothy C. (Sprouse) Bash.

She was the owner and operator of South Marlin Liquor in Baltimore. Linda was a member of High Tide Church in Dagsboro, Delaware, and Red Hats Club.

Linda is survived by four children, Russell E. Harrell and wife Debbie of Ocean View, Delaware, Jack E. Harrell and wife Kim of White Marsh, Bernard "Tom" Herzberg and wife Lorraine of Freedom, and Natalie Neff and husband Kyle of Florida; a brother, Eric Bash of Belair; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard T. Herzberg in 2015; a daughter, Nadine Herzberg; and two sisters, Sandra Scott and Beverly Gordon.

A funeral service will be held at noon on Friday, May 31, at High Tide Church, 28000 Nine Foot Road in Dagsboro. Friends may call one hour before the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to High Tide Church, 28000 Nine Foot Road, Dagsboro, DE 19939. Condolences may be sent by visiting bishophastingsfh.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF TYLER LAYTON

A solid wave in Ocean City is pictured cresting last week by a swimming photographer just as the setting sun’s light hits perfectly.

Tammy Balster

Ronald Albright

Linda Herzberg

Sports & Recreation

Decatur football team kicking off fundraising drive

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer

(May 31, 2024) The Stephen Decatur High School football team is seeking donations for team gear, equipment, the strength training center, and end-of-season celebrations.

According to Seahawks head coach Jake Coleman, the team needs new helmets, shoulder pads, and training equipment to “protect and develop the student-athletes.” Donations of any dollar amount can be submitted to the group’s Snap Raise fundraising page so the department may purchase these items.

“Football is extremely expensive, and our team raising funds for our needs and wants benefits the entire athletic department because boosters will have more money for all sports,” Coleman said.

These priorities include the group’s annual banquet and awards hosted at Seacrets to “celebrate the student-athletes,” new varsity and junior varsity uniforms, and an LED scoreboard to be utilized by all sports programs.

Coleman said the Seahawks have hosted similar fundraisers for four years. The donations will go toward a Bermuda grass practice field and irrigation system, safety gear for players, and a new Decatur Performance Center Weight Room for the entire athletic program.

“This commitment has increased player safety and cultivated a winning culture throughout all sports programs,” the Seahawk leader said. “Winning Decatur’s first football state title and going 14-0 does not happen without all those improvements and commitment.”

The Decatur Seahawks secured the school’s first 2A division state championship with a 21-13 win over Huntington on Nov. 30, 2023, at the Navy-Marine Corps Stadium in Annapolis.

“It’s our goal to represent our top-notch Worcester County Public School system on Friday nights in the fall in a first-class fashion in every aspect,” the head coach said. “We know our commitment to excellence gives back to the school, alumni, and the entire community.”

Donations will be accepted until Tuesday, June 25, and the group hopes to reach their goal of $15,000. As of Wednesday, May 29, the fundraiser’s second day, the Stephen Decatur Seahawks had received over $3,000.

Coleman expressed his appreciation for donors on the fundraiser page and urged them to share the initiative with social media, friends, and family. “We hope to continue to grow this program with your help,” he said.

FISHING PICKING UP

Season brings new restrictions

By Dave Dalkiewicz Contributing Writer

(May 31, 2024) All in one thought, all in one breath, it’s both amazing and common place. One can look at the calendar and know it’s coming but not really feel it until it actually happens. By now you’ve probably figured out that we’re referring to the start of the “season,” that being the one when most visitors migrate to the beach. It’s both a blessing and a curse, a poison and a cure. On the not-so-good side of the coin it’s tougher to get around on roads and highways. On the good side of that same coin it enables most local people to be able to make a living and

for visitors to enjoy themselves.

For the surfer it’s the same sort of conundrum. It’s more crowded on roads and highways and the areas that break the best will probably attract more surfers in the water. Plus restrictions come into play in Ocean City.

Surfing is not allowed between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. except for two beaches that rotate on a daily basis, that are roughly a block and one-half long. In recent times these beaches have been expanded, certainly a bonus for the wave rider. The beach area south of the pier downtown is also available for all-day surfing on weekdays.

As a slight possibility of mitigation there can be modifications to these restrictions. It’s relatively rare, especially during times when the beach is

crowded with swimmers. These possibilities might be when inclement weather occurs or if the water is particularly cold. At any rate it’s best to speak with the surf rescue technicians (lifeguards) on duty or to call the Beach Patrol office.

Of important note, during the pre10 a.m. and post-5:30 p.m. hours, when lifeguards are off duty and swimmers are still in the water, surfers can typically become unofficial lifeguards. It’s not unusual at all to hear tales of a surfer assisting a swimmer in trouble. Surfboards and body boards are excellent floatation devices. It’s always a good idea to watch out for each other regardless of the activity in the water.

The season is now “in.” Hopefully it will be prosperous and enjoyable for everyone.

PHOTOS COURTESY FISH IN OC

On Tuesday afternoon, there were several reports of a solid rockfish, flounder and bluefish bite in the coastal bays watershed. While fishing the south jetty in the Inlet, Rich Daiker, left, had a run on rockfish with several throwbacks but was able to keep this beauty at 30 7.8 inches and 14 pounds. In the coastal bays, anglers may keep one striped bass per person, per day, with a minimum length of 28 inches and a maximum length of 31 inches. Above right, Big Bird Cropper caught these big bluefish at the Route 50 Bridge. The biggest of catches measured more than 30 inches and weighed 8.5 pounds.