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Fundraiser Tuesday to help local pay for lung transplant

By Hunter Hine Staff Writer

(June 9, 2023) Party for Emily, a fundraiser to help support Ocean City resident Emily Heiner who is in recovery from a double-lung transplant surgery, will be held at Buxy’s Salty Dog on 28th Street on June 13 from 6-10 p.m.

“We are anticipating a massive crowd there to support Emily,” said Sandy Abrams, a friend of Heiner and her husband, Scott, who is helping organize their fundraising.

The party will feature a pig roast, happy hour drink prices, jam sessions from local musicians and an air guitar contest, Abrams said. There will also be silent and Chinese auctions, mystery prize boxes, cupcake raffle tickets and other activities.

Tickets are $25 per person and can be bought at the door. About 200 tickets are available, or as many people as they can fit inside the restaurant.

Fifteen of Heiner’s friends are volunteering to help with the event.

Heiner has been in recovery since she received the surgery on April 12 at Johns Hopkins. She had three previous calls to surgery fall through and waited for about four weeks on the donor’s list.

Heiner recently moved from the ICU to the MICU, and is now living in a standard room for the rest of her time at Hopkins.

“She is breathing on her own for the first time in about 20 years. No air tank, no oxygen generator,” Abrams said. “She still has a long way to go, but everyday sees progress.”

Heiner needed the surgery because of a collapsed right lung, which resulted from cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease that affects many organs, but most prominently the lungs.

A CF patient’s lungs fill with overly sticky mucus that blocks airways and traps infections.

“Basically, CF feels like, the best way I can describe it, is like breathing through a straw all the time,” Heiner said on March 27.

Ravens Parade

The Ravens Roost parade traveled north in the south driving lanes of Baltimore Avenue last Saturday as Ravens fan groups from all around the state walked, drove or traveled in floats. Pictured is Mayor Rick Meehan and Katy Durham heading off near the front of the parade.

Although Ravens Roosts are not directly affiliated with the Ravens, the team and organization sent some official members to represent them. Pictured is the Ravens mascot Poe dressed for a swim as he walks the parade path.

Boss Baby

Christopher Casale Jr., 16 months, barely fills the seat of a giant CocaCola Adirondack chair on a recent trip to Northside Park. Christopher Jr.’s father, Christopher Casale, said his son loved the new play area and seeing all of the visitors walking their dogs.

Special Birthday

For WWII veteran Morris Semiatin’s 97 birthday on June 1, his son Ben took him to 32 Palms at the 32nd Street Hilton Oceanfront Suites, the 100th local restaurant the two have visited together since fall of 2020. Pictured are Ben and Morris surrounded by 32 Palms staff.

Guest Speaker

From left, Kiwanis Club of Ocean Pines-Ocean City President Bob Wolfing and Lindsay Richard, the community engagement director for Freeman Arts, pose during a recent Kiwanis Club meeting. Richard was the guest speaker at the meeting, where she shared stats and information about the Selbyville

Art League Donation

Aubrey Sizemore, volunteer and event coordinator for the Art League of Ocean City, left, receives a $1,000 sponsorship check for Arts Day in the Pines from Sharon Sorrentino of the Ocean City/Berlin Optimist Club. Arts Day in the Pines is a free event hosted by the Art League that will feature more than 50 artisans and art activities. The event is set 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., June 24, at Veterans Memorial Park in Ocean Pines.

New Members

The William E. Esham, Jr. Chapter of the Cum Laude Society at Worcester Preparatory School welcomed seven new members at a ceremony on April 27. Front from left, are new members Elaina Elrick, Sara Freih, Vanesska Hall and Isabella Huber. From left in back are Assistant Head of School/Head of School Mike Grosso, new members Parker Tingle, Jenna Hess and Lorelei Campbell, and Head of School John McDonald. The Cum Laude Society is a national organization founded in 1906 that honors the world’s academic excellence in secondary schools. Worcester Prep is the only school on the Eastern Shore with an established Cum Laude Chapter.

New Officers

The First State Detachment recently held elections for new officers at Ocean City American Legion Post 166. Pictured, from left, are Elected Commandant Al Soto, Senior Vice Commandant Tom Redding, Junior Vice Commandant Milt Warren, Judge Advocate Don Coffin, Paymaster Gene Dankewicz, Adjutant Rhonda Soto, Sgt.-at-Arms Chuck Schaub, Chaplain Vic Freeman, Web Master Rick Schumann, and Quartermaster Lynda Kundrat.

Bike Rodeo

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