8/9/2024 OC Today-Dispatch by OC Today-Dispatch

OC Today-Disp a atch

Wind battle on two fronts

City Hall promises suit, county balks at pier plan

Resort Mayor Rick Meehan says local government will sue the federal government if it approves US Wind’s plans for an offshore wind project. It’s hired a law firm and has co-plaintiffs. Page 10

The Worcester County Commissioners say they will do whatever they can to prevent US Wind from getting the wetlands permit needed to build a pier in the West Ocean City Harbor. Page 83

PHOTO COURTESY JAMES ACUNA FROM HOOKED WORLDWIDE

CRUISING BACK

Two of the 207 boats who fished on Tuesday of the 51st Annual White Marlin Open are pictured returning to their respective marinas.

8.9 Lime Green 1-4pm

Nick Hundley 6-9pm

8.10 RyMac 1-4pm Kasey Briggs 6-9pm

8.11 Schizophrenic Boogiemen 1-4pm

8.12 Steve Bowers 1-4pm

8.13 Troy Mawyer 1-4pm

8.14 Bryan Dorsey 1-4pm

Jon Phesant 6-9pm

8.15 Kasey Briggs 1-4pm

3-6PM

Big blues, single white lead WMO

First-place white marlin could win $4.18M in 51st annual fishing tournament

By Steve Green Executive Editor

(Aug. 9, 2024) The 51st Annual White Marlin Open is underway with less boats than recent years but prize money on par and suspense running high with a firstplace white marlin worth more than $4 million and two huge blue marlin rocking the home marina.

There are 318 boats competing for $8.5 million in prize money in this year’s tourney. While down from previous years, the tournament still maintains the title of the largest and richest billfishing tournament in the world. This year’s boat participation is the lowest number since 2015 when 307 boats registered. This year’s payout of $8.5 million is the fifth largest in the tourney’s long history, however.

As far as comparison to previous years, there were 400 boats in 2023 and a purse of $10.5 million for the 50th anniversary edition; 408 boats in 2022 seeking a share of the $8.6 million; 444 boats in 2021 with $9.2 million up for grabs; 433 boats in 2020 and $6.8 million; and 404 boats and $6.1 million in 2019.

The days leading up to this year’s

tournament were marred by the threat of Hurricane Debby, which reduced the participation of smaller boats due to ocean conditions expected to worsen toward the end of the week. In advance, the tournament was proactive and added an extra day to the tournament, making it a three out of six-day event. Back in 2020, tropical activity impacted

the event resulting in a seven-day window being approved by tournament organizers.

On Thursday, 196 boats fished after three busy days of heavy offshore activity. The strategy for boat captains seemed to be fish early and often this year rather than wait till the last day as

BREAKFAST Monday-Thursday 9-11am Friday-Sunday 8am-Noon

PHOTO COURTESY OF FISH IN OC

The Waste Knot was sitting pretty Thursday morning atop the leaderboard of the White Marlin Open with a 77.5-pound white marlin worth $4.18 million after three days of fishing.

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By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(Aug. 9, 2024) City officials this week voted to advance another round of budget amendments to a second reading.

At Monday’s regular meeting, the Ocean City Council approved a second budget amendment for fiscal year 2024 on first reading. The changes reflect adjustments to revenues and expenses, and a $200,000 reduction in the use of prior year reserves.

“I honestly don’t think we’re going to end up taking that much out of fund balance but there are a lot of expenses and some revenues that aren’t in the system yet …,” Budget Manager Jennie Knapp told the council last week. “It’s the best I can do at this point.”

Last Tuesday, Knapp presented the council with additional budget changes since the first round of amendments were made earlier this spring. And with little discussion, the council voted unanimously to advance the changes to this week’s meeting for a first reading.

“This is to adopt FY 2024 budget amendment number two,” City Solicitor Heather Stansbury said Monday. “This was presented to you at the July 30 work session.”

As proposed, the amendment rec-

See CITY Page 10

City amends budget projection

Continued from Page 6

ognizes additional revenues and revenue adjustments, including a $1.4 million increase in grants, donations and interest on investments, a $158,071 increase in revenues from building permits, service charges and fines and forfeitures, and a $527,023 increase in the town’s advertising budget to account for state tourism grant dollars the town received. The budget amendment also includes funding increases for police and fire overtime, beach patrol part-time salaries, and a $250,000 state grant to offset expenses related to the Oceans Calling Festival.

The change also reflects a $500,000 transfer for the sports complex project, $200,000 for the Edgewater Avenue bulkhead project, and $60,000 for the Northside Park community room ceiling project. The budget also includes additional funding for pensions and the use of $470,000 from the capital maintenance fund to repair the south patio and stairs at the Ocean City convention center, to name a few items. With no further discussion, the council on Monday voted 6-0, with Councilwoman Carol Proctor absent, to approve the changes on first reading.

OC mayor confirms lawsuit likely against federal gov’t

Resort, private companies working with law firm on legal action if BOEM OKs

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(Aug. 9, 2024) Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan said the town will sue the federal government if it approves US Wind’s plans for an offshore wind project.

At the end of Monday’s council meeting, Meehan announced that the town has hired a law firm and will join several co-plaintiffs in suing the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) should it issue a federal permit to US Wind for the construction of its offshore wind project, to be located roughly 10 miles from Ocean City’s coast. With a final decision to be issued later this year, Meehan asked community members to join the town in its fight.

“We are unanimous in our opposition to this project,” he said on behalf of the Mayor and Council. “Unfortunately, our state elected officials and our federal elected officials, the majority, do support this project, as does the governor. So this is a David and Goliath fight. We believe we’re right.”

Last week, BOEM released its final environmental impact statement (EIS) for US Wind’s construction and operations plan, which details the company’s intent to construct more than 100 wind turbines within a lease area located roughly 10 miles from shore. Nancy Sopko, senior director of external affairs for US Wind, said the report marks the end of the agency’s two-year environmental review, and that a Record of Decision could be issued as early as next month.

“We’re not surprised by what we see in the FEIS; in fact, we’re happy that BOEM chose our proposed project as their preferred choice for approval,” she said. “US Wind designed the projects to be protective of natural and socioeconomic resources by

including hundreds of ‘mitigation measures,’ such as significantly reducing sound underwater during construction to protect marine mammals. The fact that BOEM chose US Wind’s project plans as their preferred alternative means that we’ll be able to develop our entire federal lease area and maximize delivery of offshore wind energy to the region.”

In total, the final EIS released last week evaluates the offshore wind project that US Wind proposes to build, as well as a range of alternatives. If approved, officials say the project could generate up to 2,200 megawatts of renewable energy and power up to 770,000 homes.

However, the wind farm could have some adverse effects, both short- and long-term, BOEM reported in its 500-plus-page document. One of the top concerns among residents and officials in Ocean City is the effect the wind farm would have on the viewshed. The EIS acknowledged those concerns last week, stating that the project “would result in major impacts.”

“There’s a lot of talk about the benefit the wind turbines would bring to the state of Maryland, power, of course, clean energy, although it’s not really allocated specifically or directly to the state of Maryland. Also, that it’ll create jobs, revenue for the state, investments in Sparrows Point in the Baltimore Harbor,” Meehan said Monday. “Well, our position from the very beginning is that all those things would still happen, and they would, if the turbines were located further offshore. But that, to this point, has fallen on deaf ears.”

The environmental report also considered several other factors in the construction and operation of the offshore wind project. BOEM reported the project could result in minor to moderate impacts on water quality, wetlands, and coastal habitat, as well as disturbances to marine mammals. In terms of commercial

MEEHAN Page 12

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Meehan: Lawsuit will be a ‘total town effort’

Continued from Page 10

and recreational fishing, BOEM said project construction, operation and decommissioning could affect port and fishing access.

The report also evaluated navigation and vessel traffic, concluding that the project could result in changes to navigation routes, degraded radar signals, and increased difficulty in offshore search-and-rescue operations and surveillance missions. Short-term impacts on recreation and tourism are also expected as a result of construction and cable installation, but the agency reports new offshore reefs and structures could result in sightseeing opportunities.

The full document is now available in the Federal Register and on BOEM’s website, setting in motion a

public comment period that will conclude in the coming weeks. Simply put, the final environmental impact statement will inform BOEM’s decision whether to approve or disapprove US Wind’s construction and operations plan.

If approved, Sopko said US Wind could begin some onshore work as early as 2025. Officials with the Town of Ocean City, however, say they will challenge BOEM should plans move forward.

“We have decided that if BOEM issues a favorable Record of Decision, that the Town of Ocean City will sue BOEM, which is the federal government, and we have hired a law firm to do that and we have co-plaintiffs that we’re working with throughout this city to sign on with us,” Meehan said Monday.

Meehan said the closest wind turbine would be located 10.7 miles from the coast of Ocean City, and that the proposed turbines would stand more than 900 feet tall, or thrice the tallest building in Ocean City. While the town initially asked for the turbines to be moved further east, he said it has since been forced to oppose the project in its entirety. He also shared concerns regarding ratepayer subsidies.

“At this point, because we have not had any support for that, we have no alternative but to be in total opposition to the project that’s now being presented,” he said. “And through the process, I think we’ve also learned of all the concerns of our commercial fishermen, our recreational fishermen and some of the other environmental entities and some of their

concerns about what’s being proposed. And I think when you see the list of those that have signed on as coplaintiffs for our lawsuit, you’ll see it touches just about every part of Ocean City and every business or every entity that you can imagine. It’s a total town effort.”

When reached for comment this week, City Manager Terry McGean would not disclose who the potential co-plaintiffs could be. During Monday’s meeting, however, officials encouraged community members to join in the town’s efforts.

“I think we’ve been consistent and vigilant in our opposition,” Meehan said. “Our position is that if we don’t stand up for ourselves, nobody else will. And I think that’s exactly the way everybody up here has felt for the last seven years.”

While those in opposition argue the project would affect viewsheds, property values and offshore fishing and wildlife, those in support say the US Wind project supports renewable energy goals and local jobs. CEO Jeff Grybowski said last week that BOEM’s final EIS puts the company one step closer in bringing the project to fruition.

“We are well on our way to putting Maryland’s offshore wind goals that much closer to reality,” he said in a statement. “We applaud BOEM for the comprehensive and thorough review of our federal permit application. We are now one step closer to securing all of our federal permits by the end of this year and look forward to the day we can get steel in the water.”

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Ocean City amends code for cannabis dispensaries, use

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(Aug. 9, 2024) Proposed code changes will allow the Town of Ocean City to further regulate cannabis dispensaries, products and consumption.

On Monday, the Ocean City Council approved the first reading of two ordinances addressing cannabis and cannabis dispensaries within municipal limits. The vote comes less than a month after the Ocean City Planning Commission agreed to forward the changes to the council with a favorable recommendation.

During the 2024 session, the Maryland General Assembly adopted House Bill 805, which clarified the authority of jurisdictions to impose certain distance requirements for cannabis-related businesses. Simply put, the legislation allows the Town of Ocean City to adopt code language to prohibit a licensed cannabis dispensary from being located within 100 feet of any residential zones; 500 feet of any preexisting school, childcare facility, public park, playground, recreation center, library or place of worship; or 1,000 feet or up to half a mile of any other cannabis dispensary.

In June, a proposed code amendment stating as much was brought to

the planning commission for review. And in July, following a public hearing, the commission voted to advance a favorable recommendation to the Mayor and Council, but with an amendment to allow operating hours between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m., or the hours allowed under state law.

Back on the agenda this week, the council voted 6-0, with Councilwoman Carol Proctor absent, to adopt the code amendment on first reading with no discussion.

“This incorporates the zoning regulations for cannabis and cannabis dispensaries,” City Solicitor Heather Stansbury told the council.

The council this week also voted to pass the first reading of a companion ordinance to amend several sections of the town code for the regulation of cannabis products and cannabis consumption. The changes as proposed would prohibit the consumption of cannabis while riding or transporting horses to and from the beach, add references to cannabis dispensaries and micro dispensaries as licensed occupations, prohibit the sale or consumption of cannabis products in dry nightclubs, and prohibits the advertising of cannabis products on taxicabs, among other things.

Mitrecic suggests staggered terms for county elections

within Worcester, have staggered terms. While he noted it was unlikely that an entire board would be replaced in any given election, he said he didn’t like the idea that it could.

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(Aug. 9, 2024) Commissioner Joe Mitrecic asked county leaders this week to consider staggered terms.

At the close of Tuesday’s commissioners meeting, Mitrecic called on county leaders to evaluate terms ahead of the 2026 election. Every four years, all seven board seats are up for re-election.

“We replace the entire board every election, and in an election year we could actually end up with seven new commissioners,” he said. “Looking at the slate for the next election, two years from now, this may in fact be the time to look at staggering the positions in two different election cycles.”

Mitrecic said he has considered the possibility of staggering board terms since he was first elected. With Commissioner Jim Bunting stating he would not seek re-election, and he himself weighing his options, he said he wanted to have a discussion now.

“Certainly, I don’t know if I’m running again, but if I was looking at a two-year term instead of a four, I might,” he said. “And if one of the other commissioners was on the fence, and we could change that to a two-year term, that would give us our stagger. It would be four elected to a four-year term and three elected to a two-year term in the next election, and then after that you would just go on four-year terms.”

Mitrecic noted that most other counties, as well as municipalities

“We’re looking at a lot of different things, and I think that’s one of the things we really need to look at,” he said. “You know, you could end up with seven new commissioners at the same time, which to me is a scary thought, but it may not be to anybody else … So I would like to start looking at that, if there’s any interest in it, and try to move that forward.”

Worcester County’s most recent election was held in 2022, during which the only uncontested seat was the one held by Mitrecic, who presents District 7 (Ocean City).

In District 1 (southern end of the county including Pocomoke), Caryn Abbott defeated incumbent Josh Nordstrom.

In District 2 (court-mandated minority district including part of Berlin), incumbent Diana Purnell defeated Catherine Freeman.

In District 3, which includes West Ocean City, Eric Fiori pulled ahead in a four-way race to fill a seat left by Bud Church’s departure from the commissioners.

In District 4, the western area of the county that includes parts of Berlin and Snow Hill, incumbent Ted Elder won by a six-vote margin.

In District 5, (most of Ocean Pines) incumbent Chip Bertino defeated challenger Grant Helvey. And in District 6, (northern area of the county including Bishopville) incumbent Jim Bunting defeated Richard Addis.

Most of the winners were determined in the primary race that summer.

Rating for discounted flood insurance program reviewed

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(Aug. 9, 2024) A report last week on Ocean City’s participation in the National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System highlighted efforts to improve the city’s status.

City Planner Bill Neville came before the Mayor and Council July 30 to provide a report on participation in the Community Rating System, a voluntary incentive program that encourages community floodplain management practices through discounted flood insurance premium rates. In its most recent review, the town maintained its Class 6 standing, which results in a 20% discount on flood insurance policies for most property owners in Ocean City.

“FEMA said there’s no action necessary on the part of the council,” he said, “but we were just encouraged to share some of this information.”

Neville told officials this week that roughly 70% of all insurance policies in effect in town are within the special flood hazard area. He said that was welcome news, as it meant a majority of properties within that zone were insured.

“I think it’s really good news,” he said. “It probably doesn’t pop out in

this report, but as we send the information out to the website, we want to just really highlight that.”

Neville said there were 21,000 policies that insured roughly half of the assessed value of structures in town. He added the Town of Ocean City is a net contributor to the flood insurance program, as annual premiums total more than $5.6 million, while average claims over the lifetime of the city’s participation in the program totaled $239,772.

“So depending on how you look at it, we’re banking into the system for the day that we have a big storm coming to town,” he said, “or we can certainly read that as that we’ve achieved the goal that FEMA wanted us to achieve, which is to encourage our property owners to get flood insurance to make sure we’re protected community and that that’s the basis of providing the discount under the community rating system.”

Neville told officials this week that 211 properties in Ocean City are excluded from the 20% discount, as they are minus rated. He said they are older properties likely built before the city’s building standards were increased. However, he said staff want to educate the community on reducing flood risk.

“We obviously want to let everybody know that when their flood insurance premiums are due, that they can count on that 20% discount in the town based on our higher standards that we have,” he said. “But if you are not getting the 20%, I’ll be glad to take the call and help try to find an answer to that … One of our recommendations is that we continue to actively reach out to the people on that list and try to work with them to make sure that they can work toward qualifying for the CRS discount.”

Neville said the town was encouraged to increase its outreach to residents and schedule meetings with local insurance agencies to talk about changes in insurance rates. When Mayor Rick Meehan asked how the city could increase its discount to 25%, Neville said it was roughly 300 points away from achieving the next level.

“The 300 points that we would need are significant,” he replied. “So it’s a matter of staffing and probably an effort across departments to really get out and do more projects and get more people in the community involved. I can probably put a separate recommendation together about how to get the next 300 points, and we have anywhere from three to five years, or, if all of a sudden we feel like we’ve made a significant change, you can apply each year for re-review.”

Meehan said he would be interested in seeing the recommendations.

“This requires some significant effort that would probably be good if we knew what that was and had that as our goal,” he said.

New rural director hears county’s

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(Aug. 9, 2024) Local officials this week tasked Maryland’s new rural economic strategy director with communicating Worcester County’s concerns regarding wind and solar initiatives and the impacts they could have on agriculture and tourism.

On Tuesday, former Republican delegate Carl Anderton came before the Worcester County Commissioners in his new role as the director of rural economic strategy for the state of Maryland. Appointed by Democratic Gov. Wes Moore’s administration to advise on economic growth opportunities in rural communities, Anderton said he will be working with local governments to voice concerns and share ideas.

“The governor wants to know what’s going on in these areas of the state,” he

told the commissioners. “He wants a centralized focus solely on the rural parts of the state to find out what the state is doing well, what we can do better, and how the state can get out of the way. So my goal was to take ideas from you … and take those to the governor and see what we can do to help economies thrive in all parts of the state.”

Commissioner Chip Bertino kicked off Tuesday’s discussion by welcoming Anderton in his new capacity. He said he believed that rural counties like Worcester were often overlooked and questioned how Anderton would advocate for local communities.

“My impression is that the rural counties are often ignored by the state and by the governor and by the legislature. The needs that we have, the concerns that we have, often fall on deaf

ears when it comes to solar, when it certainly comes to windmills off the coast,” he said. “What is your expectation for success in articulating the needs and concerns of the rural counties, and that you’ll find a receptive ear, not just one that listens but one that actually acts?”

Anderton said it was something they would find out together. However, he said his years as a state delegate, working across party lines to support his constituents, would serve him well in his new role.

“The governor wants a direct line of communication – I guess through me – and so we’re going to do that,” he replied. “We’re going to take ideas up there, concerns about offshore wind, solar, whatever the concerns are.”

For his part, Commissioner Joe Mitrecic said he was concerned about

the cost of doing business. He said he had read where Maryland was second to California in terms of business climate.

“I mean how can we continue to try to increase economic development and have businesses come to Maryland when it costs them the second most in the country?” he asked.

Anderton said it was a valid point and one that he would share with the governor.

“The goal is whatever ideas you have, let’s take them to the governor,” he said. “We have that conduit now, to take those ideas and see what will be acted upon.”

Commissioner Ted Elder, however, said he was most concerned about state control over large-scale solar projects, as well as the proposed offshore wind project.

“Our number one industry is agriculture and our number two is tourism,” he said, “and we’re the only county in the state that’s being attacked – by the state – on both of those fronts.”

In recent years, commissioners have expressed concerns regarding solar projects being developed on prime agricultural lands. Currently, county code permits utility scale solar systems in several zoning districts, so long as the lot exceeds 50 acres. However, the Maryland Public Service Commission has the ultimate authority on projects more than two megawatts.

“The state, anything over two megawatts, is taking total control of it as far as zoning, all the regulations,” he said, “and we’re receiving basically nothing in return for that.”

Elder said he wanted to see the county have some control on where large-scale solar projects were placed. He added that the county received no tax benefit when agricultural land was converted to solar farms.

“We get the headaches and the worries from it, but we get no benefit as a county government,” he said.

Anderton said he would continue to work with county leaders. He said he would also attend meetings for the Maryland Association of Counties.

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Efforts to rebuild pavilion ongoing

By Stewart Dobson Editor

(Aug. 9, 2024) The remains of the Bishopville Park pavilion that was flattened during a “microburst” in late May will remain where they are until county government officials and the county’s insurer establish what it will cost to remove and rebuild the structure.

“Human Resources has been handling the insurance claim through LGIT (Local Government Insurance Trust), which has hired a building consultant to do an evaluation of the shelter,” county Public Information Officer Kim Moses said last week.

“HR is still waiting to hear back from them. Recreation and Parks has received a quote through a cooperative contract to clean up and rebuild.

Once they hear back from LGIT, they will begin the cleanup and rebuild using the existing slab,” she said.

The pavilion was destroyed in a May 24 microburst, which the National Weather Service describes as a narrow but violent downdraft of wind (like a tornado in reverse) that can occur during thunderstorms.

As the weather service explains it, microbursts form when 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 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.

The May 24 thunderstorm storm also generated a microburst in midtown Ocean City, where the wind destroyed parts of the roof on a condominium building but left adjacent properties unscathed.

Moses said county Parks Superintendent Jacob Stephens expects to hear from LGIT by the end of this week.

MALLORY PANUSKA AMES/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

The remains of the Bishoville Park pavilion that was flattened during a “microburst” in late May are pictured on Aug. 5.

Delaware man arrested in connection to resort assault

(Aug. 9, 2024) Through a coordinated effort between Maryland and Virginia law enforcement agencies, Antonio Garcia, 33, of Millsboro, Delaware, was arrested in connection to a sex offense involving a minor that occurred last week in Ocean City.

According to a news release from the Ocean City Police, officers responded to a hotel near 117th Street and Coastal Highway about a sexual offense that occurred midafternoon on July 31. Officers met with a mother who informed them that her 6-year-old son was sexually assaulted by an unknown adult male in a publicly accessible bathroom at the hotel. The mother told officers that she could identify the male, and several concerned citizens chased the suspect until they lost sight of him near an alleyway on 116th Street.

A forensic interview of the juvenile was conducted regarding the incident. The juvenile described what occurred during the assault and provided a detailed description of the suspect. The description provided by the juvenile was similar to the male

observed on surveillance footage officers collected from nearby businesses. A public assistance social media post was disseminated asking for assistance in identifying the suspect.

On Aug. 2, the release said detectives with the Major Crimes Unit received a tip from a reliable source who believed the suspect in this case was Antonio Garcia. Detectives were able to gather additional evidence to identify Garcia as the suspect. Detectives obtained a warrant for Garcia’s arrest for third-degree sex offense, fourth-degree sex offense, second-degree assault, false imprisonment and indecent exposure.

Detectives reportedly had reason to believe that Garcia had left the Ocean City area. They requested a GPS location ping on Garcia’s phone based on the information. Garcia’s phone pinged in Virginia. Detectives believed Garcia was attempting to evade law enforcement.

Through a coordinated effort between the Patrol Division, Criminal Investigation Division: Major Crimes Unit, and the Virginia State Police Division Six, Garcia was found and taken into custody in Villa Heights, Virginia. He is currently awaiting extradition back to Maryland.

Antonio Garcia

Ocean City Police warn public about ‘scare tactic’ scam

(Aug. 9, 2024) The Ocean City Police Department recently learned about an email and phone scam featuring someone posing as Chief Ross Buzzuro.

According to a news release, the scammer contacted a resident, informing them they owed money regarding inheritance fees. The scammer posed as Buzzuro, and included departmental information and a headshot of him in the email. The scammer said the resident would be arrested if they did not pay. The release said law enforcement officers will never call or email anyone stating they owe money and called the effort a “scare tactic scam.”

“The Ocean City Police Department, Chief Buzzuro, and/or other local law enforcement agencies would not contact a resident and request money (particularly in gift card form) over the phone or through email to handle legal matters,” the release said. “We encourage our residents and visitors not to send money electronically to anyone posing as a law enforcement officer seeking payment for court fines, warrants, failing to appear in court, or any other law enforcement/court matter.”

Officials also asked that anyone who receives a scam call or email of this sort to refrain from providing any pertinent information, and contact local law enforcement immediately.

“Email display names and phone numbers are easily spoofed to appear legitimate,” the release said. “If you receive a phone call from someone saying they are a member of our department, you can always hang up and call our office directly to ask pertinent questions based on the call.”

Those who receive suspicious emails can expand the address field to see if they match the department’s handle. The Ocean City Police Department’s official email handle is name@oceancitymd.gov.

Berlin announces 3rd historic ghost sign restoration

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer

(Aug. 9, 2024) The recreation of yet another historic advertising mural is planned for downtown Berlin.

After restoring two “ghost murals” from the 1950s on the sides of the Pitts Street building Pitts Street Treasures earlier this year, local artist Olga Deshields now has her sights set on the J.E. Parker building’s “Berlin Opera House Moving Picture Shows” painted display. The effort, funded by an $8,000 grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, is to remain connected and pay homage to the town’s past.

“We are so excited to see these iconic Berlin murals from the 1950s come back to life,” reads a spring Facebook post from the Town of Berlin Main Street Arts and Entertainment District.

Roughly two years ago, Berlin Historic District Commission member John Holloway suggested that the town restore faded promotional murals to enhance the area’s ancient charm. He was inspired after seeing the old painted advertisement for the G.M. Dryden General Merchandise store retouched in Snow Hill.

Berlin Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells asked residents and business owners on social media to share any old photos they may have of the designated buildings before the murals faded to facilitate the initiative.

“Restoring the faded ‘ghost mural’ advertisement is crucial as it revives a piece of our town’s history and preserves the story of our community for generations to come,” Wells said in April.

Deshields started that month with the American Sales Co. ad on the sides of a Pitts Street building with the help of reference photos from 1959.

Now, the Parker building mural is set to be restored, elevating the historic character of downtown Berlin even further.

“We are looking forward to working with the Berlin Historic District Commission, and a special thank you goes to John Holloway for the suggestion and vintage photo,” a Facebook post from the Town of Berlin’s Main Street & Arts and Entertainment District’s page reads.

There is no timetable at this point as to when the restoration will begin.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

An historic photo, left, shows the Berlin Opera House Moving Picture Show sign on the landmark Main Street building, pictured today on the right.

Two residential projects transfer utilities to county

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(Aug. 9, 2024) The developers of two new housing projects turned over water and wastewater infrastructure to the county for operation this week.

As part of their consent agenda Tuesday, the Worcester County Commissioners voted to accept turnover documents for water and sewer facilities constructed at two development projects – the Refuge at Windmill Creek near Ocean Pines and Salt Life Park in West Ocean City.

Public Works Director Dallas Baker said the infrastructure will now be incorporated into the county’s various water and wastewater systems for operation.

“These are just community turnover documents,” he told the commissioners this week. “These are tying into existing wastewater plants.”

County staff on Tuesday presented the commissioners with the paperwork related to two residential developments in northern Worcester County. The first project, the Refuge at Windmill Creek, will consist of 90 single-family homes, constructed at the former Pine Shore Golf property on Beauchamp Road near Ocean Pines. The community’s water and sewer infrastructure, which services 44 established lots, will be incorporated into the Ocean Pines Service Area water system and River Run Service Area wastewater system for operation by the county.

The second project, Salt Life Park, consists of 34 mobile home sites located off Old Bridge Road in West Ocean City. The community’s water and sewer utilities will be incorporated into the county’s Mystic Harbour Service Area water system and Ocean City Service Area wastewater system.

While staff recommended the acceptance of the communities’ utilities this week, Commissioner Joe Mitrecic questioned the process of accepting wastewater utilities.

“These wastewater plants, they’re going to be alright,” he asked, “and not like some of our other wastewater plants that we’ve taken over?”

Baker clarified that the county was not taking over anyone’s wastewater plant but was simply incorporating the water and sewer utilities into the county’s existing systems. With no further discussion, the commissioners voted to approve the consent agenda, which included the acceptance of the turnover documents.

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Ocean City, MD Inlet Park-

Where the Boardwalk Begins

Sept. 6 & 7, 2024

Friday & Saturday 11am – 7pm Wine Tastings 11am – 6pm Plus Stage in the Sand with Local Live Music Featuring Byrd Dog & the Road Kings

Visit our website for NEW music lineup!

Featuring Wineries from Maryland

Micro-Brew & Domestic Beer for purchase (no samples)

Delmarva Cuisine & Quality Arts & Crafts

Tickets

Buy $35 Tickets online @ www.winefest.com Tickets are Limited.

$45 General Admission includes:

One Day Admission, Commemorative Wine Glass & Wine Samples with Photo ID.

Children $15 Anyone under 21 must be accompanied by parent. Under 12 years of age free.

Bring Your Chairs & Blankets & Enjoy Our Bands in the Sand. No Outside Food or Beverages allowed.

Advance Ticket Sales

OC Convention Center For additional information Call 410.280.3306 or Visit www.winefest.com

Christmas in July benefit held

(Aug. 9, 2024) Jolly Roger Amusement Parks recently celebrated Christmas in July with the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program. Guests visited Jolly Roger at the Pier and Jolly Roger Park at 30th Street on July 24 and 25 for Christmas in July activities and fun giveaways.

Jolly Roger Amusement Parks partnered with the Marine Corps Reserve, which collected new, unwrapped toys or $20 donations at multiple locations at Jolly Roger at the Pier and Jolly Roger 30th St. on both days. When guests donated a new, unwrapped toy, or gave a $20 donation, they received a 20% discount to be applied to any Jolly Roger purchase.

This year, Jolly Roger Amusement Parks collected and donated $2,672 in cash donations, and 200 unwrapped toys. Christmas in July celebrations were held at Jolly Roger at the Pier and Jolly Roger Park at 30th Street. Guests were able to have free Jolly Pix taken with Santa Claus and watch special holiday performances by Circus Smile, Dastardly Dave the Pirate, and Lollipop the Clown. They also received fun Christmas in July swag and snapped pictures with the pirate mascot, who walked around the parks several times throughout the events.

In years past, the Toys for Tots local program has donated over 10,000 toys to over 5,600 local children.

Jolly Roger staff members and U.S. Marine Corps Reserve members are pictured with some of donated items during Jolly Roger’s recent Christmas in July event.

Air Show franchise change approved with revised dates

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(Aug. 9, 2024) Citing a change in date, resort officials this week approved a new franchise for the OC Air Show.

Last year, the Mayor and Council granted OC Air Show LLC a franchise for the sale of food, beverages and merchandise on certain areas of public property for the 2023, 2024 and 2025 air shows. This winter, however, the city amended its agreement with the promoter to change its 2024 show date from the traditional mid-June weekend to Aug. 24-25.

To that end, City Solicitor Heather Stansbury came before the council this week with an amendment to the resolution adopted last year.

“This is granting a franchise for the sale of food, beverages and merchandise on

certain areas of public lands for the Ocean City Air Show onto OC Air Show LLC,” she told the council Monday. “This resolution recognizes that there was a date change from June to August for 2024.”

With no further discussion, the council voted 6-0, with Councilwoman Carol Proctor absent, to adopt a resolution granting the food, beverage and merchandise franchise to OC Air Show LLC.

This year’s air show will be held Aug. 24-25, with performances to begin at noon. The Italian Air Force Frecce Tricolori team, returning to the U.S. for the first time since 1992, will headline. The lineup also features performances from the F-22 Raptor Demo Team, the EA-18 Growler Team, and the West Point Parachute Team, as well as an Air Force Heritage Flight and a Navy Legacy Flight.

Annual fall kite festival approved for Sept. 19-22

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(Aug. 9, 2024) An annual kite festival will return to the beach next month following approval from the city council.

On Monday, the City Council had before it a request to approve the Sunfest Kite Festival as part of its consent agenda. The annual event, scheduled to take place on the beach between 4th and 6th Streets in late September, will feature displays, demonstrations, giveaways and more.

Hosted by the Kite Loft, the Sunfest Kite Festival will return to Ocean City for its 46th year. The event will include a giant kite air show, sport kite and quad kite demos, free sport kite lessons and a pop-up night fly, to name a few. The free festival will also feature a Running of the Bols race.

Applicant Jay Knerr, owner of the Kite Loft and representative for the Maryland International Kite Expo, requested the council’s approval this week to host the private event from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, Sept. 19-22, on the beach between 4th and 6th streets. The applicant is required to pay the town $1,050 in private event fees. The council this week approved its consent agenda with the private event request included.

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OC Film Challenge Night planned

(Aug. 9, 2024) The Ocean City Film Festival will be presenting Film Challenge Night, showing the entries into the 7th Annual Ocean City Film Challenge, this weekend.

The screenings are free to the public and take place this Saturday, Aug. 10, at the tennis courts in Little Salisbury Park, next door to the Ocean City Center for the Arts at 502 94th St. bayside.

Gates open at 7 p.m. with films beginning at 8 p.m. All are welcome, and advanced tickets are not required. Guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs. In case of inclement weather, the films will be shown indoors at the Arts Center next door.

Ten entries were received into the 2024 challenge and will be screened on Film Challenge Night with a total run time of about 80 minutes.

The 7th Annual Ocean City Film Chal-

lenge inspired filmmakers to produce an original short film no longer than 15 minutes and made between July 1 and July 31. Films were required to be shot in Ocean City or outside of Ocean City but with the resort central to the premise.

The ten films set for screenings are:

“Swedish Fish” directed by Fiona O’Brien

“Why Not” directed by Joan Floyd

“The Lot” directed by Joe Joyce

“Ocean vs. Bay” directed by Marlon Wallace

“Staring Contest” directed by Jackson Dutton

“The Boardwalk” directed by Erik Espinosa

“Ocean City Summer Heat Drones On” directed by Thomas Taylor

“Shoreside News” directed by Myah Stokes

“Dating in 2024” directed by Jesse

Bowes

“Thirsty” directed by Josh Vine

“Ocean City is a great place to tell a story, and the entries into this year’s challenge are creative and inspiring ,” B.L. Strang-Moya, creative director of the OC Film Festival, said in a news release.” On last year’s Film Challenge Night, more than 120 audience members gathered under the stars for a magical evening, and we invite everyone to come share the night and see the films with us this year.”

The OC Film Festival will announce the winning films on Film Challenge Night and award prizes, which include an Ocean City hotel stay, swag bag, and two all-access passes during the 2025 OC Film Festival. The films will also be screened at the Film Festival, set March 6-9.

The Ocean City Film Festival and the Ocean City Film Challenge are programs of the Art League of Ocean City.

Berlin museum to host lawn concert for free on Sunday

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By Tara Fischer Staff Writer

(Aug. 8, 2024) The Calvin B. Taylor House Museum will welcome the Berlin Airlift band on its lawn Sunday, Aug. 11, at 6 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to dress in their “grooviest” gear to win a prize.

The event is free, and music listeners may bring a chair or blanket to relax and enjoy the tunes.

Museum President Melissa Reid said beer and wine will be for sale. The wine will be donated by Cheers.

The band is comprised of local musicians. According to Reid, the name Berlin Airlift was born from a concert almost held in the town in the 1970s. The late Hale Harrison of the Harrison Group Resort Hotels and Restaurants had connections with promoters who wanted to bring a festival like Woodstock to the area. The series of concerts was to be called “Berlin Airlift.”

The museum president said the Harrison family owned the land around Stephen Decatur High School at the time and some parcels still today. The idea was that the event would take place in the space and attract popular 1970s rock bands.

The festival organizers were getting permits and discussing logistics with the local government when politicians started to push against the musical venture. Reid said that residents at the time were worried it would be too similar to Woodstock and bury Worcester County with car traffic and rowdy tourists.

Reid’s father was a lawyer during the proposed concert conversations. “He was attending meetings about what a concert on that level could have done in terms of overwhelming resources,” she said.

While the massive festival never took off, the Berlin Airlift band pays homage to that period in the town’s history.

Residents are encouraged to enjoy the musical stylings on the facility’s lawn on August 11. Reid said that proceeds from beverage sales will go toward “telling stories of the museum.”

The concert is the second to last Sunday concert hosted by the Taylor House this summer. On September 8, Berlin and Worcester County citizens can close the season with an 80s-style party with music from the band Full Circle. Attendees are encouraged to dress on the theme for the retro occasion. Berlin

SUBMITTED PHOTOS/OC TODAY-DISPATCH IT’S OFFICIAL: ORANGE CRUSH MD’S OFFICIAL

COCKTAIL

Bragging rights were on the line last month when a friendly competition between senators determined whether Delaware or Maryland could proclaim the orange crush as its official state drink. After a mixology contest involving U.S. Sens. Ben Cardin, of Maryland, and Chris Coons, of Delaware, a panel determined Cardin’s drink to be the best. West Ocean City’s Harborside, home of the original crush on the commercial harbor, was well represented at the competition with co-owner Chris Wall serving as a panel judge. Above, from left, are Wall, Senator Chris Van Hollen (Maryland), Harborside co-owner Lloyd Whitehead, Cardin (Maryland), Coons (Delaware) and Senator Tom Carper (Delaware). Below, Cardin and Coons are pictured mixing up drinks for the judges.

“OCEAN CITY CHRONICLES”

OCEAN CITY CHRONICLES

BUNK MANN’S NEWEST BOOK ON OCEAN CITY HISTORY

“Ocean City Chronicles” is the final book in Bunk Mann’s 3 volume historical series which began with “Vanishing Ocean City’ in 2014 and continued with ‘Ghosts In The Surf” in 2019. Centered around his articles in Ocean city’s award-winnning newspaper the Maryland Coast Dispatch , his latest book features 285 of the most popular ones over the past 12 years. It includes hundreds of photos of long vanished hotels & restaurants, the great storms & fires, deep sea fishing, boardwalk attractions & amusements, and stories of the people who turned a small 19th-century fishing village into a modern, yearround destination. “Ocean City Chronicles” is a comprehensive history of Maryland’s famous oceanfront resort in a hardbound coffee table book featuring cover art by noted artist, Paul McGehee. Supplies are limited so order your copy today!

Ocean City Chronicles can be ordered online at vanishingoceancity.com. Visit the website for further information and photos.

“Ocean City Chronicles” will be available at select location in Ocean City, Berlin, Ocean Pines and online. If you liked “Vanishing Ocean City,” & Ghosts In The Surf’ then you will love Bunk Mann’s third book of photos and OC history.

BOOKS AVAILABLE AT THESE LOCATIONS:

OC Lifesaving Museum

Fager’s Island

Donaway Furniture

Mann Properties

Seacrets

Crabs To Go

Wockenfuss Candies

Berlin Auto Wash

Toy Town

The Buzzed Word

OC Chamber Of Commerce

M.R. Ducks

Malibu’s Surf Shop

OC Art League

Caprichos Books

Kitty’s Flowers

Victorian Charm

Park Place Jewelers

Copy Central

Framing Corner

Ocean Gallery

Mann & Gray Insurance

Shrimp Boat

My Place in Sea Watch Condo

Skipjack Heritage Museum, Chance, MD

Weekend’s county fair will wrap up inaugural ag week

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(Aug. 9, 2024) There will be some of the same agricultural exhibits, petting zoos, carnival games and more at this weekend’s Worcester County Fair, but there will be a load of new activities and vibes for attendees to enjoy.

From Aug. 9-11, community members are invited to take part in the annual Worcester County Fair. Now spearheaded by the Worcester County Recreation and Parks Department, this year’s event will feature a new location and more activities, as well as an abundance of live music, food and drinks.

“It is going to be a great time for family and friends to go and enjoy everything Worcester County has to offer here,” said Lauren Ahlers, marketing co-

ordinator for Worcester County Recreation and Parks.

Earlier this year, it was announced that Worcester County Recreation and Parks would take charge of hosting the 2024 county fair. Recreation and Parks Deputy Director Jacob Stephens noted that officials, seeing the success of other events the department put on, had asked for assistance in revitalizing the event.

“The county saw a slight decline in the Worcester County Fair over the last several years, and they knew that the recreation and parks department held fairly large special events …,” he explained. “They wanted us to bring new ideas.”

The result, officials say, is a new and improved Worcester County Fair. Ending a years-long run at Byrd Park in Snow Hill, this year’s event will relocate to John Walter Smith Park, home of Worcester County Recreation and Parks programming.

The fair kicks off Friday, Aug. 9 with a ribbon cutting at 4:30 p.m. Featured events include livestock shows, a cake auction and a performance from the Jimmy Charles Band, which will take the stage at 6 p.m. and play until 8 p.m.

“This is a free concert to the public,” Ahlers said.

The festivities continue on Saturday, Aug. 10, beginning at 10 a.m. Featured events include a Wheels that Heal Car Show, a pipeline eating contest, a cornhole tournament, 4H Fashion Revue and various livestock shows, as well as a petting zoo (noon-6 p.m.) and demonstrations.

The fair will conclude on Sunday, Aug. 11, with a Jeep show, a local band showcase including The Homeschool Dropouts at 11:30 a.m. and Folk Villains at 1:30, livestock shows and an awards presentation beginning at 2:30 p.m. For the livestock events, a horse show will be held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; livestock viewing from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; and livestock costume contest at 11 a.m.

Ahlers noted that 4-H displays, as well as a kids zone complete with inflatables, carnival games and a first bite fish tank, will also be offered throughout the weekend. The fair will also host a school supply drive to benefit Worcester County G.O.L.D.

“We will also have a beer garden and food trucks along with 50 local vendors,” she said.

For more information on the Worcester County Fair, or to view the fair schedule, visit worcestercountyfair.org, or check out the Worcester County Fair Facebook page.

The fair is just one of several area events to be showcased as part of Worcester County Agriculture Week, held Aug. 3-11. The week began with the Blessing of the Combines and culminates with the Great Pocomoke Fair and the Worcester County Fair.

“We’re trying to bring it all together with Agriculture Week,” Stephens said.

A schedule of events for this weekend’s Worcester County Fair is pictured.

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Firefighter Bush treasures years of service

By Steve Price Contributing Writer

(Aug. 9, 2024) This week we are proud to recognize Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company Honorary Member Kenneth (Ken) Bush.

Ken graduated from the University of Maryland engineering program with a bachelor of science degree in fire protection in 1976. After graduation, he began his career with the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office. He currently serves as the chief fire protection engineer for the Fire Marshal’s Office.

Ken’s first involvement with the volunteer fire service was as a result of seeking inexpensive housing while attending the University of Maryland in 1972. The College Park Volunteer

Fire Department offered free room for people who joined and agreed to be active volunteer members for that department. He remained a live-in member at College Park until he graduated from UMCP and later served as a sergeant, captain and assistant chief with the College Park Volunteer Fire Department.

As part of his assigned duties with the State Fire Marshal’s Office, Bush often worked with members of the Ocean City Fire Marshal’s Office on certain projects in Ocean City. He would often stay overnight in one of the OCVFC stations, using his Maryland Firefighter and Apparatus Operator Certifications to volunteer as a part of the fire service operations while in Ocean City.

He was nominated and accepted as an honorary member of the OCVFC on Sept. 13, 1988. During his years as an honorary member, Bush has served as a firefighter/crew member on Engine 3 and performed as a driver/operator for Engines 1, 2, 3 and 9; Rescue 7; Tower 5 and Snorkel 11.

When asked to reflect on his years as a member of the OCVFC, Firefighter Bush replied, “I have appreciated the opportunity to participate in many events with the OCVFC and the ability to associate with many of the past and current members of the OCVFC representing all aspects of the Ocean City community. To this day, I sincerely treasure that association and look forward to keeping in con-

tact with the members for years to come.”

Bush recalls two significant events in his career with the OCVFC. The first was when Firefighter Jeff Dieter was tragically killed fighting a fire at the Saute Café on Aug. 16, 1983. Ken knew several of Jeff’s family members and was working with his mother, who was secretary for Ocean City Fire Marshal Dave Lankford at the time of the incident.

The second event was bittersweet and involved Ocean City Deputy Fire Marshal Michael Sacca.

Mike served as one of the ushers at Ken’s wedding in May of 1991 but was diagnosed with cancer shortly thereafter and sadly passed in October 1991. This was a tremendous professional and personal loss for Firefighter Bush.

Chief Fire Protection Engineer Bush has been associated with the fire service for 50 years and is especially proud to be a part of a group of technical and professional persons whose primary interest include the adoption and enforcement of reasonable code requirements that consider the life safety as a principal feature. An example of those efforts occurred in Ocean City with his appointment to the Special Ocean City High-Rise Task Force by Mayor Jim Mathias. The Task Force was the basis for the modern Ocean City fire code, which is still enforced today to protect the lives and property of residents and visitors to the city.

Given the opportunity to pass on advice to members of the cadet program or other young men and women with an interest in the fire service, Bush said: “I will never forget a simple word that was passed on to me by my first volunteer fire chief. His statement recounted that before you speak or take any other action, do one simple thing - “THINK”! In fact, a small plaque that said only “THINK” was mounted on the pump panel of each fire department pumper used by the College Park Volunteer Fire Department. If you stop to consider the actions that you plan to take before implementing them, you will be more likely to meet with success and just might avoid an unintended consequence.”

We are grateful to Fire Protection Engineer Bush for his life-long commitment to fire prevention in Maryland.

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

Kenneth (Ken) Bush

AUGUST 9, 2024 OC Today-Dispatch 47

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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.

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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

CARPENTERS & CARPENTERS HELPERS

PoolGeneral 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.

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

of Maryland Extension 4-H

Position #129694

University of Maryland Extension seeks full-time 4-H Program Assistant. This position works under the direction of the 4-H Educator to support the Worcester County 4-H Educator with various programming efforts including 4-H outreach within the after school and in-school settings, as well as community outreach programs and club development. This position will work within the office, schools, community events and outside locations. High School Diploma or GED AND Five years’ experience performing a variety of duties in support of the teaching, demonstration, and advising work of Extension agents or in community outreach, health care, research, or social services programs.

All candidates MUST apply online. See the detailed position announcement, including base salary, at: https://ejobs.umd.edu for position #129694

The University of Maryland offers an extensive benefits package.

Apply by August 16, 2024. EOE

RENTALS

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, $2,000. Contact Julie 443-223-4623

1BR, 2BA

Ocean & Bay Views

Diamond Head Condominium, 2 80th St., Unit 302, Oceanside Newly Renovated Cable, internet, streaming TV, pool, elevator. Sleeps 5. Linen service provided. Aug. 1-Sept. 30, 2024 Mid-town Ocean City 1-800-492-5832

YR Ocean Pines Two story, 3BR, 2.5BA, screened porch, open decks, fireplace, large garage. No smoking, no pets. Good credit. $2,400 per month, plus all utilities. 301-509-6515

COMMERCIAL

Commercial Office

Space/Warehouse

West Ocean City with Kitchen & Full Bathroom. Available Sept. 1st. $1,500 per month. Two units available, side by side. Call 301-748-1977.

Commercial Space for Lease.

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

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

DONATIONS

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

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

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

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

MISC. FOR SALE

MISC./OTHER

Those high summer clouds, Just like our moments apart, Chasing each other!

Get Boost Infinite! Unlimited Talk, Text and Data For Just $25/mo! The Power Of 3 5G Networks, One Low Price! Call Today and Get The Latest iPhone Every Year On Us! 855-977-5719 Get DISH Satellite TV + Internet! Free Install, Free HDDVR Upgrade, 80,000 On-Demand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-855407-6870

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

NOTICE OF SALE

PROPERTY KNOWN AS 403 Market Street Pocomoke City, MD 21851

By agreement of the record owners, Titus Enterprises, LLC and LMS Homes, LLC, the following described property is to be sold at auction, to be held at:

403 MARKET STREET POCOMOKE CITY, MARYLAND 21851 ON AUGUST 26, 2024, AT 2:30 P.M.

ALL property situate in Worcester County known as Account Number 01-022830 described as 70’ X 150’ N SIDE 403 MARKET STREET The improvements thereon being known as 403 Market Street, Pocomoke City, Maryland, 21851.

TERMS OF SALE: A deposit of Eight Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($8,500.00) will be required of the purchaser in the form of cash, certified or cashier’s check at the time and place of sale, or other form of security, at the sole discretion of the auctioneer. The balance in cash will be due at settlement which shall be within twenty-one (21) days after the sale, unless said period is extended by the owners for good cause shown. Time is of the essence for the Purchaser. The Property will be sold subject to all conditions, liens, restrictions, and agreements of record affecting same, if any. Taxes, water charges, sanitary commission charges, condominium fees and assessments, assessments and liens or encumbrances for sewer, water, drainage, or other public improvements completed or commenced on or prior to the date of sale or subsequent thereto, if any, are to be adjusted and apportioned as of the date of sale and are to be assumed and paid thereafter by purchaser, whether assessments have been levied or not as of date of settlement. The cost of all documentary stamps, transfer taxes, document preparation and title insurance shall be borne by the Purchaser. Purchaser is responsible for obtaining physical possession of the property, and assumes risk of loss or damage to the property from the date of sale. If Purchaser fails to pay the balance of the purchase price following the sale, the deposit shall be forfeited and the property resold at the risk and cost of the defaulting purchaser. If the owners are unable to convey good and marketable title to the property, the purchaser’s sole remedy at law or in equity shall be limited to the refund of the deposit to the purchaser. Upon refund of the deposit, the sale shall be void and of no effect, and the Purchaser shall have no further claim against the owners. The improvements are being sold in an “AS IS” condition, with no warranties expressed or implied, with Purchaser responsible for any and all housing or zoning code violations. The risk of loss passes at date of sale. The auctioneer reserves the right to reject any and all bids in his sole

discretion. For information, please contact the undersigned.

Peter S. Buas, Esq. Williams, Moore, Shockley & Harrison, L.L.P. 3509 Coastal Highway Ocean City, Maryland 21842 (410) 289-3553 pbuas@whmsh.com OCD-8/8/3t

JAMES E. CLUBB, JR., ESQ. 108 8th Street Ocean City, Maryland 21842

FORECLOSURE SALE

VALUABLE IMPROVED REAL ESTATE

31 MYSTIC HARBOUR BLVD. BERLIN, MARYLAND 21811

By virtue of a Statement of Lien recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland, and pursuant to an Order of the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland in Case No. C-23-CV-24000122, the undersigned Trustee will offer for sale at public auction in front of the property located at 31 Mystic Harbour Blvd., Berlin, Maryland 21811, on

FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2024 AT 9:00 AM

ALL that certain lot or parcel of land lying and being situate in the Tenth Election District of Worcester County, Maryland, which is more particularly designated as Lot Number 246, in Block J, Section 3-B, in Mystic Harbour, as shown on the plat entitled Mystic Harbour Subdivision Section 3B recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland in Plat Book No. 139, folio 69, et seq.

The property will be sold in an as is condition and subject to conditions, restrictions and agreements of record affecting the same, with no warranties or guarantees, and will be sold subject to a Deed of Trust recorded among the aforesaid Land Records in Liber No. 5509, folio 192, said Deed of Trust having had an original principal balance of $210,000.00 on May 24, 2010. The Trustee reserves the right to reject any and all bids.

Terms of Sale: A deposit in the amount of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) will be required at the time of sale, such deposit to be in a cashier=s or bank check, or in other form as the Trustee may determine acceptable, in his sole discretion, with the balance to be paid in cash at time of settlement. The date of settlement shall be 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 deposit, the Seller may exercise any of its legal or equitable rights against the defaulting pur-

chaser. The undersigned reserves the right to waive the deposit requirements as to the purchaser representing the interest of the party secured by the Lien. Taxes, homeowners association dues and wastewater charges will be adjusted to the date of sale and thereafter assumed by the purchaser. All costs of conveyancing, including transfer and recordation taxes, shall be paid by the Purchaser. The Purchaser shall be responsible for obtaining possession of the property. In the event the undersigned is unable to convey marketable title, the sale will be null and void and the Purchaser=s sole remedy will be the return of the deposit without interest.

For more information, call: James E. Clubb, Jr. Trustee 410-289-2323 OCD-7/25/3t

McCabe, Weisberg & Conway, LLC 312 Marshall Avenue, Suite 800 Laurel, MD 20707 www.mwc-law.com

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEES’ SALE

OF IMPROVED REAL PROPERTY

762 OCEAN PARKWAY

OCEAN PINES, MD 21811

Under a power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust from Lasharon S. Mills and Tromaine D. Briddell, dated December 10, 2020 and recorded in Liber 7896, folio 43 among the Land Records of Worcester County, MD, default having occurred under the terms thereof and at the request of the parties secured thereby, the undersigned Substitute Trustees will offer for sale at public auction at the Circuit Court for Worcester County, at the Court House Door, One W. Market St., Snow Hill, MD 21863, on AUGUST 20, 2024 AT 3:55 PM

ALL THAT FEE SIMPLE LOT OF GROUND AND THE IMPROVEMENTS THEREON situated in Worcester County, Maryland and more fully described in the aforesaid Deed of Trust. The property is improved by a dwelling.

The property, will be sold in an "as is" condition and subject to conditions, restrictions, easements, encumbrances and agreements of record affecting the subject property, if any, and with no warranty of any kind.

Terms of Sale: A deposit in the form of cashier's or certified check, or in such other form as the Substitute Trustees may determine, at their sole discretion, for $27,000 at the time of sale. If the noteholder and/or servicer is the successful bidder, the deposit requirement is waived. Balance of the purchase price is to be paid within ten (10) days of the final ratification of the sale by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland. Interest is to be paid on the unpaid purchase price at the rate of 5% per annum from date of sale to the date the funds are received in

the office of the Substitute Trustees, if the property is purchased by an entity other than the noteholder and/or servicer. If payment of the balance does not occur within ten (10) days of ratification, the deposit will be forfeited as liquidated damages. The purchaser agrees that the property may be resold pursuant to an order of court, waives personal service upon themselves and/or any principal or corporate designee of any documents filed regarding the failure to pay the purchase price within ten (10) days of ratification and expressly agrees to accept service by first class mail of said documents at the address provided by the purchaser in the Memorandum of Sale. The purchaser will not be entitled to any surplus or profits arising from the resale even if they are the result of improvements made by the purchaser. There will be no abatement of interest due from the purchaser in the event settlement is delayed for any reason. Taxes, ground rent, water rent, and all other public charges and assessments payable on an annual basis, including sanitary and/or metropolitan district charges, and front foot benefit charges, if applicable, to be adjusted for the current year to the date of sale, and assumed thereafter by the purchaser. Condominium fees and/or homeowners association dues, if any, shall be assumed by the purchaser from the date of sale. The purchaser shall be responsible for the payment of the ground rent escrow, if required. Cost of all documentary stamps, transfer taxes (including agricultural transfer taxes, if applicable), and all settlement charges shall be borne by the purchaser. The sale is subject to a post sale audit of the loan, including but not limited to an analysis of whether the borrower entered into a loan modification agreement, filed bankruptcy, reinstated or paid off the loan prior to the sale. The Substitute Trustees will convey either insurable or marketable title. If the Substitute Trustees are unable to convey insurable or marketable title or, the post sale audit concludes that the sale should not have occurred, or the sale is not ratified by the court for any reason, the purchaser’s sole remedy in law or equity shall be limited to the refund of the deposit without interest even if the purchaser has made improvements to the property. Upon refund of the deposit, the sale shall be void and of no effect, and the purchaser shall have no further claim against the Substitute Trustees. Purchaser shall be responsible for obtaining physical possession of the property. The purchaser at the foreclosure sale shall assume the risk of loss for the property immediately after the sale. (Matter #24-600169).

Laura H. G. O'Sullivan, et al., Substitute Trustees

McCabe, Weisberg & Conway, LLC

312 Marshall Avenue, Suite 800 Laurel, MD 20707

www.mwc-law.com

SUBSTITUTE

TRUSTEES’ SALE OF IMPROVED REAL PROPERTY

5 EVERGREEN COURT BERLIN, MD 21811

Under a power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust from Kelley E. Galyen a/k/a Kelley E. Gaylen, dated December 26, 2006 and recorded in Liber 4859, folio 684 among the Land Records of Worcester County, MD, default having occurred under the terms thereof and at the request of the parties secured thereby, the undersigned Substitute Trustees will offer for sale at public auction at the Circuit Court for Worcester County, at the Court House Door, One W. Market St., Snow Hill, MD 21863, on

AUGUST 13, 2024 AT 3:55 PM

ALL THAT FEE SIMPLE LOT OF GROUND AND THE IMPROVEMENTS THEREON situated in Worcester County, Maryland and more fully described in the aforesaid Deed of Trust. The property is improved by a dwelling. The property, will be sold in an "as is" condition and subject to conditions, restrictions, easements, encumbrances and agreements of record affecting the subject property, if any, and with no warranty of any kind.

Terms of Sale: A deposit in the form of cashier's or certified check, or in such other form as the Substitute Trustees may determine, at their sole discretion, for $8,000 at the time of sale. If the noteholder and/or servicer is the successful bidder, the deposit requirement is waived. Balance of the purchase price is to be paid within ten (10) days of the final ratification of the sale by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland. Interest is to be paid on the unpaid purchase price at the rate of 5% per annum from date of sale to the date the funds are received in the office of the Substitute Trustees, if the property is purchased by an entity other than the noteholder and/or servicer. If payment of the balance does not occur within ten (10) days of ratification, the deposit will be forfeited as liquidated damages. The purchaser agrees that the property may be resold pursuant to an order of court, waives personal service upon themselves and/or any principal or corporate designee of any documents filed regarding the failure to pay the purchase price within ten (10) days of ratification and expressly agrees to accept service by first class mail of said documents at the address provided by the purchaser in the Memorandum of Sale. The purchaser will not be entitled to any surplus or profits arising from the resale even if they are the result of improvements made by the purchaser. There will be no abatement of interest due from the pur-

chaser in the event settlement is delayed for any reason. Taxes, ground rent, water rent, and all other public charges and assessments payable on an annual basis, including sanitary and/or metropolitan district charges, and front foot benefit charges, if applicable, to be adjusted for the current year to the date of sale, and assumed thereafter by the purchaser. Condominium fees and/or homeowners association dues, if any, shall be assumed by the purchaser from the date of sale. The purchaser shall be responsible for the payment of the ground rent escrow, if required. Cost of all documentary stamps, transfer taxes (including agricultural transfer taxes, if applicable), and all settlement charges shall be borne by the purchaser. The sale is subject to a post sale audit of the loan, including but not limited to an analysis of whether the borrower entered into a loan modification agreement, filed bankruptcy, reinstated or paid off the loan prior to the sale. The Substitute Trustees will convey either insurable or marketable title. If the Substitute Trustees are unable to convey insurable or marketable title or, the post sale audit concludes that the sale should not have occurred, or the sale is not ratified by the court for any reason, the purchaser’s sole remedy in law or equity shall be limited to the refund of the deposit without interest even if the purchaser has made improvements to the property. Upon refund of the deposit, the sale shall be void and of no effect, and the purchaser shall have no further claim against the Substitute Trustees. Purchaser shall be responsible for obtaining physical possession of the property. The purchaser at the foreclosure sale shall assume the risk of loss for the property immediately after the sale. (Matter #2013-42873).

Laura H. G. O'Sullivan, et al., Substitute Trustees

OCD-7/25/3t

STEPHANIE SCALES SHERRIN ESQ. SCALES LAW GROUP 11032 NICHOLAS LANE, STE. A202

BERLIN, MD 21811

NOTICE OF

APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20287 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF DOROTHY L. SAMUELS

Notice is given that Barbara A. Nester, P.O. Box 1178, Prince George, VA 23875-1000, was on July 22, 2024 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Dorothy L. Samuels who died on June 21, 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 represen-

tative or the attorney.

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 22nd day of January, 2025.

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

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

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

Barbara A. Nester

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: July 25, 2024

OCD-7/25/3t

BEFORE THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION OF MARYLAND

IN THE MATTER OF CHABERTON SOLAR SNOW LLC’S APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY TO CONSTRUCT A 4 MW SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC GENERATING FACILITY IN WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND CASE NO. 9714

NOTICE

OF PUBLIC COMMENT HEARING

An evening public comment hearing in the above-entitled matter is scheduled for Monday, August 19, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. at Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, Snow Hill Meeting Room, 307 N. Washington Street Snow Hill, Maryland 2186, via In-Person and virtual platform, concerning Chaberton Solar Snow LLC’s application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) from the Maryland Public Service Commission.

The hearing will be live streamed and members of the public can participate virtually. If you would like to participate virtually, please send an email to psc.pulj@gmail.com by 12:00 Noon on August 16, 2024. Otherwise, you may watch the public hearing on the Public Utility Law

Judge (PULJ) Division’s YouTube Channel, https://bit.ly/2X6wLiP. Written comments on the proposed Project may be submitted on or before August 23, 2024 electronically through the Commission’s Public Comment Dropbox, which can be accessed through the Commission’s website at www.psc.state.md.us, or by first-class mail with the Commission’s Chief Clerk, Jamie Bergin, Maryland Public Service Commission, 6 St. Paul Street, 16th Floor, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. All comments must include reference to Case No. 9714

Pursuant to the Commission’s March 13, 2020 Notice of Waiver and Relaxed Filing Requirements, no paper copies need to be submitted if the filing is public in nature and no more than 25 pages in length. The Commission encourages parties to use the Commission’s “e-file” system for filing. Instructions for e-filing are found under the “Tools” section of the Commission’s website under the “Make a Public Comment” tab. Which can be accessed via the following link: https://www.psc.state.md.us/make-apublic-comment/.

OCD-7/25/4t

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

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of DEE MATTHEW COLE Estate No. 20277 Notice is given that FRANCES W COLE whose address is 5505 DOUBLE BRIDGES RD SNOW HILL, MD 21863-2525 was on JULY 15, 2024 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of DEE MATTHEW COLE who died on JULY 01, 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 15th day of JANUARY, 2025

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

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY

ONE W MARKET STREET

ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE

SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074

OCD-7/25/3t

KIRK G. SIMPKINS ESQ

SIMPKINS & SIMPKINS, P.A.

P.O. BOX 550

PRINCESS ANNE, MD 21853 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of VERNON RALPH ROTHSCHILD Estate No. 20280 Notice is given that ELIZABETH ROTHSCHILD whose address is 300 MILL STREET UNIT C & D SALISBURY, MD 21801 was on JULY 15, 2024 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of VERNON RALPH ROTHSCHILD who died on JULY 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 (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 15th day of JANUARY, 2025

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

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-7/25/3t

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

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of DEBORAH JOYCE

ARNOLD Estate No. 20246 Notice is given that ZACCHEUS ARNOLD whose address is 2921 MISTWOOD FOREST DR CHESTER, VA 238317043 was on JULY 16, 2024 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of DEBORAH JOYCE

ARNOLD who died on JANUARY 30, 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 16th day of JANUARY, 2025

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

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-7/25/3t

Law Offices of Jeffrey Nadel

4041 Powder Mill Road, Suite 200 Calverton, Maryland 20705 240-473-5000

Jeffrey Nadel

Scott Nadel

Daniel Menchel

4041 Powder Mill Road, Suite 200 Calverton, MD 20705

Substitute Trustees

Plaintiff v.

Steven Craig Tamalavicz, Jr., PR for the Estate of Kathleen Joyce Tamalavicz aka Kathleen J. Tamalavicz

12212 Cygnet Lane

Bishopville, MD 21813

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

Civil No. C-23-CV-24-000064

NOTICE

Notice is hereby given this 22nd day of July, 2024, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, that the sale of the property mentioned in these proceedings, made and reported, will be ratified and confirmed, unless cause to the contrary thereof be shown on or before the 19th day of August, 2024, provided a copy of this notice be inserted in a weekly newspaper printed in said County, once in each of three successive weeks before the 12th day of August, 2024.

The Report of Sale states the amount of the foreclosure sale price to be $211,000.00. The property sold herein is known as 12212 Cygnet

Lane, Bishopville, MD 21813. Susan R. Braniecki Clerk of the Circuit Court

True Copy Test: Susan R. Braniecki Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County MD OCD-7/25/3t

JOHN P CUSTIS ESQ

CUSTIS LAW OFFICE 1408 S SALISBURY BLVD SALISBURY, MD 21801-7127

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of MARY ELIZABETH WARD TILGHMAN AKA: BETTY W TILGHMAN Estate No. 20285 Notice is given that HOWARD VICTOR TRADER whose address is 4025 STOCKTON RD POCOMOKE CITY, MD 21851-2649 was on JULY 22, 2024 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of MARY ELIZABETH WARD TILGHMAN who died on MARCH 05, 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 22nd day of JANUARY, 2025

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

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-7/25/3t _________________________________

SHAFFER LAW OFFICE

PATRICK D. HANLEY JR. 836 S. MAIN ST., STE. 101 BEL AIR, MD 21014-4169

NOTICE

TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ESTATE NO. 20286

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Chancery Court of Sussex County, Delaware appointed Trudy Jones LaGarde, 4822 Old Sharptown Rd., Laurel, DE 19956-4016 as the Per-

sonal Representative of the Estate of James Lewis LaGarde who died on March 09, 2024 domiciled in Delaware, America.

The Maryland resident agent for service of process is Patrick D. Hanley, Jr. whose address is 836 S. Main St., Ste. 101, Bel Air, MD 210144169.

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

All persons having claims against the decedent must file their claims with the Register of Wills for Worcester County with a copy to the foreign personal representative on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or (2) Two months after the foreign personal representative mails or delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Claims filed after that date or after a date extended by law will be barred.

Trudy Jones LaGarde 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: July 25, 2024

OCD-7/25/3t

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

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20284 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF KATHLEEN MARIE RICHTER Notice is given that Charles W. Ritcher, 617 Salt Spray Rd., Unit 1, Ocean City, MD 21842-5079, was on July 22, 2024 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Kathleen Marie Richter who died on June 29, 2024, without a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 22nd day of January, 2025.

(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.

Charles W. Ritcher

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: July 25, 2024

OCD-7/25/3t

JAMES W. ALMAND ESQ

AYRES JENKINS GORDY & ALMAND, PA

6200 COASTAL HIGHWAY, SUITE 200

OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of LEO EDWARD CHOATE Estate No. 20292 Notice is given that SANDRA SUE ADAMS CHOATE whose address is 404 GLENMEADE CIR PURCELLVILLE, VA 201323061 was on JULY 24, 2024 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of LEO EDWARD CHOATE who died on DECEMBER 16, 1982 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 24th day of JANUARY, 2025

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

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY

NOTICE OF PASSAGE OF BILL 24-06

WORCESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Take Notice that Bill 24-06 (Taxation and Revenue Article – Reinvestment and Repair Special Revenue Fund) was passed by Commissioners Abbott, Bertino, Bunting, Elder, Fiori, Mitrecic, and Purnell on July 16, 2024.

A fair summary of the bill is as follows:

The bill establishes a Worcester County Reinvestment and Repair Special Revenue Fund, into which all funds received from the State under § 1-322 of the Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article of the Maryland Code must be paid as required by law. The fund is intended to fund community-based initiatives intended to benefit low-income communities.

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 and is available for public inspection in Room 1103 of the Worcester County Government Center. In addition, 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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TOWN OF BERLIN, MARYLAND

OF A PUBLIC HEARING ORDINANCE 2024-05

AMENDING CHAPTER 108, ENTITLED ZONING, ARTICLE V, ENTITLED SITE PLAN REVIEW, SECTION 108-272, ENTITLED PROCEDURE

AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF BERLIN, MARYLAND, A MARYLAND MUNICIPAL CORPORATION, AMENDING CHAPTER 108, ENTITLED ZONING, ARTICLE V, ENTITLED SITE PLAN REVIEW, SECTION 108-272, ENTITLED PROCEDURE.

The Ordinance was introduced for a first reading during the Regular Session Meeting of the Mayor and Council on Monday, July 22, 2024, at 7:00 PM. The Public Hearing on the Ordinance will be held during the Regular Session Meeting of the Mayor and Council on Monday, August 12, 2024, at 7:00 PM at Berlin Town Hall, 10 William Street, 2nd Floor, Berlin, MD 21811.

The hearing is open to the public, and public testimony is encouraged. Persons with questions regarding

this hearing may call 410-641-2770 for further information.

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NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Estate No. 20283 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF JOSEPHINE DOWNING

Notice is given that Valerie Holden, 204 Heritage Throne Way, Edgewood, MD 21040-3448, was on July 22, 2024 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Josephine Downing who died on June 19, 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 22nd day of January, 2025.

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

Valerie Holden 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: August 01, 2024

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NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20293

TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF

THOMAS M. ELLINGSEN

AKA: THOMAS MICHAEL JOSEPH ELLINGSEN

Notice is given that Michael Ellingsen, 28 Warren Rd., Apt. B, Baltimore, MD 21221-6968, was on July 25, 2024 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Thomas M. Ellingsen who died on

July 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 25th day of January, 2025.

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

Michael Ellingsen 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: August 01, 2024

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NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20196 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF JOHN SAUNDERS BURKE

Notice is given that Deborah K. Burke, 9 Spruce Ct., Berlin, MD 21811-1666, was on July 25, 2024 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of John Saunders Burke who died on April 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 25th day of January, 2025.

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

Deborah K. Burke

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: August 01, 2024

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ERICA A. R. REDMOND

8562 FORT SMALLWOOD RD. PASADEA, MD 21122-2634

NOTICE

TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ESTATE NO. 20288

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Orphan’s Court of Delaware County, Pennsylvania appointed Richard Carter Jr., 81-1 Drexelbrook Dr., Drexel Hill, PA 19026-5561 as the Personal Representative of the Estate of Richard Dunn Carter who died on September 23, 1992 domiciled in Pennsylvania, America.

The Maryland resident agent for service of process is Erica A.R. Redmond whose address is 8562 Fort Smallwood Rd., Pasadena, MD 21122-2634.

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

(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.

Richard Carter Jr. Foreign Personal Representative

Terri Westcott Register of Wills One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074

Name of Newspaper: Ocean City Digest

Date of first publication: August 01, 2024

ERICA A. R. REDMOND, ESQ. FRAME & FRAME ATTORNEYS AT LAW

8562 FORT SMALLWOOD RD. PASADENA, MD 21122-2634

NOTICE

TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ESTATE NO 20289

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the ORPHANS COURT of DELAWARE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA appointed Richard Carter Jr. whose address is 81-1 DREXELBROOK DR., DREXEL HILL, PA 19026-5561 as the PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE of the Estate of FRANCES MOORE CARTER who died on AUGUST 01, 2022 domiciled in PENNSYLVANIA, USA

The Maryland resident agent for service of process is ERICA A. R. REDMOND whose address is 8562 FORT SMALLWOOD RD., PASADENA, MD 21122-2634. At the time of death, the decedent owned real or leasehold property in the following Maryland counties: WORCESTER

All persons having claims against the decedent must file their claims with the Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY with a copy to the foreign personal representative on or before the earlier of the following dates:

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

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-8/1/3t

NOTICE

OF APPLICATION FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE

Application has been made by the Undersigned for a Transfer of a Class: "D" BEER-WINE-LIQUOR

License: 7 Day, By: Cynthia P. Longwell, 306 South Church Street, Snow Hill, Maryland 21863; Guriqbal Singh, 10600 Busick Court, Gainesville, Virginia 20155.

For: 5 Rivers Liquor Mart, LLC

For the premises known as and located at:

T/A: Town Market Basket

308 East Market Street

Snow Hill, Maryland 21863

Formerly: Rudra One, Inc.

There will be a public hearing on the application in the Board Room, Room 1102 in the Government Center, Snow Hill, Maryland, on: August 21, 2024 @ 1:00 P.M.

The Board welcomes written or

oral comment at said public hearing from any interested party.

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NOTICE

OF APPLICATION FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE

Application has been made by the Undersigned for a Promoter's License

For: OC Jams, LLC

T/A: OC Jams

OC BikeFest - September 11, 2024, through September 14, 2024 Hours for Alcoholic Beverage Sales - Begins 1:00 P.M. and ends 11:00 P.M. each day Location for salesOcean City Inlet Parking Lot, Ocean City, Maryland 21842

There will be a public hearing on the application in the Board Room, Room 1102 in the Government Center, Snow Hill, Maryland, on: August 21, 2024 @ 1:50 P.M.

The Board welcomes written or oral comment at said public hearing from any interested party.

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CHRISTOPHER T WOODLEY ESQ WILLIAMS, MOORE, SHOCKLEY & HARRISON 3509 COASTAL HIGHWAY OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of PAUL D PETERSON Estate No. 20295 Notice is given that CORINNE L IVEY whose address is 11 ALEXANDRIA CT BERLIN, MD 21811-3814 was on JULY 30, 2024 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of PAUL D PETERSON who died on JUNE 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 30th day of JANUARY, 2025

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

ister of Wills. TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY ONE W MARKET STREET

ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE

SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074

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CYNTHIA B MACDONALD PO BOX 33

SALISBURY, MD 21803-0033

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of RUTH NEUHOFF MOORE AKA: RUTH MOORE Estate No. 20294 Notice is given that SUSAN MOORE MCJUNKIN whose address is 32036 IVORY GULL WAY MILLSBORO, DE 19966-7332 was on AUGUST 02, 2024 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of RUTH NEUHOFF MOORE who died on JULY 22, 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 2nd day of FEBRUARY, 2025

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

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-8/8/3t _________________________________

SMALL ESTATE NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 20279 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF WILLIAM EMORY SHOCKLEY JR.

Notice is given that Wanda F. Bunting-Layfield, 33355 Main St., Dagsboro, DE 19939-3806, was on July 30, 2024 appointed personal representative of the small estate of William Emory Shockley who died on August 16, 2023, with a will. Further information can be ob-

PUBLIC NOTICE

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

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

These three weeks of notification begins on DATE: 08/09/2024

N/A

2018 AUDI S6 BLK 4D WAUFFAFC8JN027920 N/A

2007 HONDA ACCORD SILVER 4D 1HGCM56407A053845 N/A 456-24 2016 DODGE CHARGER GRAY 4D 2C3CDXBG0GH327979 N/A 495-24 1995 HONDA ACCORD RED 4D 1HGCD5634SA044999 N/A 627-24 2015 MERCEDES C300 WHI 4D 55SWF4KB0FU003908 N/A 641-24 2010 CHRYSLER 300 WHI 4D 2C3CA2CV1AH328672 N/A All vehicles will be sold at auction on-line at www.govdeals.com. For details call 410-723-6643.

AUTH: Ross Buzzuro Chief of Police

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment 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.

Wanda F. Bunting-Layfield

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: August 08, 2024

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NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of JEAN C. DEGLER Estate No. 20251 Notice is given that SANDRA RICHARDS whose address is 1233 CARROLLTON LN, OCEAN PINES, MD 21811-9480 was on JULY 31, 2024 appointed personal representative(s) of the small estate of JEAN C. DEGLER who died on JUNE 05, 2024 with a will. Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or

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by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.

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

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY

TOWN OF OCEAN CITY ORDINANCE

2024-20

RE: Cannabis Products and Dispensaries

Notice is hereby given by the Mayor and City Council of Ocean City, that Ordinance 2024-20 was introduced for first reading at their meeting of August 5, 2024. Second reading is scheduled August 19, 2024. A complete text of the ordinance is available for review in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall 3rd Street and Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, MD 21842, or online at oceancitymd.gov in the August 5, 2024, agenda packet. This ordinance amends Chapter 110, entitled Zoning, to define and regulate cannabis products and cannabis dispensaries.

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TOWN OF OCEAN CITY ORDINANCE

2024-21

RE: Cannabis Products, Consumption and Dispensaries

Notice is hereby given by the Mayor and City Council of Ocean City, that Ordinance 2024-21 was introduced for first reading at their meeting of August 5, 2024. Second reading is scheduled August 19, 2024. A complete text of the ordinance is available for review in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall 3rd Street and Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, MD 21842, or online at oceancitymd.gov in the August 5, 2024, agenda packet. This ordinance amends several sections of the Town Code for the regulation of cannabis products, consumption and dispensaries.

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SMALL ESTATE NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of JOHN D. HUNTER AKA: DOUG HUNTER Estate No. 20298 Notice is given that INEZ RENEE HUNTER-MORISON whose address is 26360 DELMAR RD, DELMAR, MD 21875-2542 was on AUGUST 01, 2024 appointed personal representative(s) of the small estate of JOHN D HUNTER who

died on JULY 19, 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.

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

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY

ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074

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NOTICE

OF 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, August 22, 2024 AT 6:00 PM

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 110-93(2), Powers of the Code, an appeal of Section 110-94(3)(a) has been filed to request a special yard exception from the front yard to allow for a new single-family home to be built to legally nonconforming front yard setbacks of 7.1 feet and 6.2 feet. The site of the appeal is described as the Revised Lots of 174 and 190 of the Original Town of Ocean City Plat. It is further described as being on the southeast corner of St. Louis Avenue and Car-

oline Street and is locally known as 211 Caroline Street in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.

APPLICANT: RESORT HOMES, LLC (BZA 2699, #24-09400021)

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-8/8/2t

Thomas J. Kokolis, Esq. 110 North Washington Street, Suite #500

Rockville, MD 20850

IN THE ORPHANS’ COURT FOR (OR) BEFORE THE REGISTER OF WILLS FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND

IN THE ESTATE OF: PERRY HAVEY ESTATE NO. 18162

NOTICE OF JUDICIAL PROBATE

To all Persons Interested in the above estate:

You are hereby notified that a petition has been filed by Thomas J. Kokolis, Esq., 110 North Washington Street, Suite #500, Rockville, MD 20850 for judicial probate of the will dated September 18, 2007 (and codicils, if any, dated) and for the appointment of a personal representative. A hearing will be held at One W. Market Street, Court Room 4, Court House, Snow Hill, MD

21863 on October 01, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.

This hearing may be transferred or postponed to a subsequent time. Further information may be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills. Terri Westcott Register of Wills

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

Phone: (410) 632-1529

Newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest

Publication Date: August 8, 2024

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SMALL ESTATE NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

ESTATE NO. 20299

TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF DORIS MAE ERNST

Notice is given that Frank W. Ernst Jr., 147 Pinehurst Rd., Berlin, MD 21811-1620, was on August 02, 2024 appointed personal representative of the small estate of Doris Mae Ernst who died on June 08, 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.

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

Frank W. Ernst Jr. 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: August 08, 2024

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Things I Like...

By Steve Green

Obsessing on the Olympics

A steak hot off the grill for dinner

Driving with my teenager

Pat McAfee’s show

Young parents talking about their babies

Good sportsmanship at the Olympics

The vibe during Surfers Healing day

The first sunny day after a few bad ones

Volunteers partnering for a good cause

A pool dip after a beach day

Showing my kids photos they don’t remember

vanishing vanishing OCEAN CITY

WITH BUNK MANN

One of Ocean City’s most popular amusement rides from the late 1960s to the mid-1980s was the mini-roller coaster known as the Wild Mouse. Located on the corner of Baltimore Avenue and South Division Street the tiny two passenger cars elicited screams from most who dared to ride them.

Although never reaching a height above 35 feet the quick turns and drops of the Wild Mouse made up in thrills for what it lacked in height –one turn in particular made riders believe they were ready to sail out on top of the traffic on Baltimore Avenue.

Originally owned and operated by Melvin Amusements, the Wild Mouse was acquired by Trimpers Rides in 1971 and remained one of their top attractions for over a decade. It was replaced by the iconic Tidal Wave roller coaster in the summer of 1986.

To purchase one of Bunk Mann’s books, click over to www.vanishingoc.com.

Photo courtesy of Brandon Seidl/Ocean City Oddities

New director

The Art League of Ocean City recently welcomed Jessica Bauer as its new director of development.

She will be responsible for fundraising for the nonprofit organization and fostering partnerships and support from the community.

Bauer, who has more than 20 years of marketing experience and many local connections, lives in Public Landing, and studied fine art at West Chester University and graphic design at Pennsylvania College of Art & Design.

Formerly director of marketing at Trimper Rides, she has led companies through successful ad campaigns, events, and new platform rollouts. Development is a natural progression for Bauer, giving her the opportunity to educate, illuminate, and demonstrate how the art league is a setting for fostering creativity and building relationships.

Activity guide online

The latest issue of the Ocean Pines Activity Guide, the association’s twice-annual listing of amenity programs and classes, is now available online.

Physical copies should be mailed to homeowners within the next few weeks.

The issue showcases fall and winter 2024 programs, classes and other events of Ocean Pines’ Recreation and Parks, Aquatics, and Racquet Sports amenities. There is also information on offerings from the Golf Club, Farmer’s and Artisans Market, and Ocean Pines food and beverage operations.

To view the Ocean Pines Activity Guide, visit oceanpines.org/web/pages/activityguide.

Wor-Wic inauguration

Wor-Wic Community College will hold an inauguration ceremony for its third president, Deborah Casey, at 10 a.m., Sept. 20, at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center in Salisbury.

The public is invited to join the celebration, which will feature local and national speakers, community performances, community service activities and a formal investiture.

The event will cap off several weeks of events and activities at the college, which will include a national poet and performer; community service efforts by employees and students such as a blood drive, beach cleanup and a food drive; a STEAMposium highlighting faculty and student innovation and research; a community arts and music showcase and more.

Look for more information about the events, which are also open to the public, closer to the mid-September dates. Visit worwic.edu/inauguration for more information.

Pines pickleball

The fourth installment of

The event each year draws several hundred players and spectators. It is the only pickleball tournament with cash prizes held on the Delmarva Peninsula. For players, registration is $45, and the registration deadline is Sept. 27. To register, visit pickleballden.com/externaltournament/5282529.

Organizers are also seeking sponsors for the event at three different levels: gold ($1,000), silver ($500), and bronze ($250). For information on sponsorships, contact Debbie Donahue at ddonahue@oceanpines.org.

For tournament information, contact Jamie Lowe at tournaments@sportsoffice365.com.

5K Hero Run

The Wor-Wic Community College Foundation is sponsoring a 5K Hero Run, or 2mile walk, with the 2024 First Responder Team Cup Challenge, at 9 a.m., Oct. 5, at

the college campus on the corner of Route 50 and Walston Switch Road in Salisbury. Check-in and registration begin at 8 a.m.

Both events are open to the public. The First Responder Team Cup Challenge is open to employees of any law enforcement, fire, or emergency medical services agency. They will compete in teams of two to three runners for the coveted cup currently held by the Ocean City Police Department.

The first 100 registrants are guaranteed to receive an event shirt. All participants are invited to stay afterward for the awards ceremony and refreshments.

The entry fee is $25 per person, or $35 per person after Oct. 2, and $5 for the kids’ event. Third-party processing fees will be applied to online registrations. Proceeds will benefit the students of WorWic.

For more information to register, visit worwic.edu/5K or call 410-334-2965.

Who’s Where When

BLU CRAB HOUSE COURTYARD

410-289-3322

24th Street & Coastal Hwy.

Fri., Aug. 9: Bryan Russo

Sat., Aug. 10: Margot & Val

Sun., Aug. 11: Monkey Paw

Wed., Aug. 14: Lime Green

Thurs., Aug. 15: Cup Of Joe

BUXY’S SALTY DOG & DRY DOCK 28

410-289-BUXY

28th Street Coastal Hwy.

Sat., Aug. 10: Coastal Cats

Every Sun. Locals Party w/ DJ Deogee

CAPTAIN’S TABLE

410-289-7192

15th & Boardwalk

In The Courtyard Marriott Fridays & Saturdays: Phil Perdue on Piano

CARRIBBEAN POOL BAR

410-289-6181

In The Plim Plaza Hotel

109 N. Atlantic Ave.

Fri., Aug. 9: The Rogue Citizens & Pistol Whipped

Sat., Aug. 10: Blynd Ambition & Lime Green

Sun., Aug. 11: Mercury Agenda & Naked Nation Duo

Mon., Aug. 12: Dave Sherman & Endless Ember Duo

Tues., Aug. 13: Reform School & Dust N Bones

Wed., Aug. 14: Fil Rhythm & AJ Jesson

Thurs., Aug. 15: Mike Mead & Eric & Silver Heart

COCONUTS BEACH BAR

410-289-6846

Oceanfront At Castle

In The Sand Hotel

37th & 38th Streets

Fri., Aug. 9: Cool Change & Monkee Paw

Sat., Aug. 10: The Everafter & The Royal Flush Band

Sun., Aug. 11: Mutt Sanders & Lauren Glick Band

Mon., Aug. 12: Nate Clendenen & Remy & Lyons

Tues., Aug. 13: Jack Bannon & Dave Hawkins & Joe Mama

Wed., Aug. 14: Cup Of Joe & Bell Bottom Blues

Thurs., Aug. 15: Shortcut Sunny & Chris Diller Duo

COINS PUB

410-289-3100

28th Street Plaza

On Coastal Hwy.

Fri., Aug. 9: First Class

Sat., Aug. 10: Jim Long & Bone Daddy

Every Sun.: DJ Wax

Thurs., Aug. 15: DJ Giddy Up

CRABCAKE FACTORY

BAYSIDE

302-988-5000

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

Sun., Aug. 11: Margot & Val

Wed., Aug. 14: Hurricane Kevin

CRAWL STREET TAVERN

443-373-2756

Wicomico St., Downtown O.C.

Fri., Aug. 9: Dust N Bones

Sat., Aug. 10: Punk Night - The Goons & More

FAGER’S ISLAND

410-524-5500

60th St., In The Bay

Fri., Aug. 9: DJ RobCee, The Heat & The Cold Sweat Horns & The John Fraze Project

Sat., Aug. 10:

Best Beats On The Beach

Beach Bar: Saturday, August 10 JAH WORKS Seacrets: Friday & Saturday, August 9 & 10

THE HEAT & THE COLD SWEAT HORNS Fager s Island: Friday & Saturday, August 9 & 10

MARTEN & THE FLANNELS Purple Moose Saloon: Thursday, August 15

LOWER CASE BLUES

Fager s Island: Monday, August 12

MARGOT & VAL

Crabcake Factory Bayside: Sunday, August 11

SCHIZOPHRENIC BOOGIEMEN

The Wedge: Sunday, August 11

THE GOONS

Crawl Street Tavern: Saturday, August 10

FITZKEE BROTHERS BAND

Fager s Island: Monday, August 12

FIRST CLASS Coins Pub: Friday, August 9

THE ROGUE CITIZENS

Carribbean Pool Bar: Friday, August 9

Harborside: Saturday, August 10 • 1 p.m.

Pickles Pub: Saturday, August 10 • 9 p.m.

MONKEE PAW

Coconuts Beach Bar: Friday, August 9

Purple Moose: Friday & Saturday, August 9 & 10

Who’s Where When

The Heat & The Cold Sweat Horns, DJ Dnial & The Loop

Sun., Aug. 11: DJ Vybe & Deadeye Stare

Mon., Aug. 12: Great Train Robbery, Lower Case Blues, Fitzkee Brothers & DJ N9NE

Tues., Aug. 13: DJ RobCee & Latin Night

Wed., Aug. 14: DJ Wax & DJ Hector

Thurs., Aug. 15: DJ Groove

GREENE TURTLE WEST

410-213-1500

Route 611, West OC Sat., Aug. 10: TBA

HARBORSIDE

410-213-1846

South Harbor Rd., West End O.C.

Fri., Aug. 9: DJ Billy T Sat., Aug. 10: DJ Bigler & The Rogue Citizens Sun., Aug. 15: 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, Aug. 10: The Rogue Citizens

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

Fri. & Sat., Aug. 9 & 10: Tripwire

Sun. & Mon., Aug 11 & 12: Lithium & Candy

Thurs., Aug. 15: Doc Marten & The Flannels

SEACRETS

410-524-4900

49th St. & Coastal Hwy.

Fri., Aug. 9: Full Circle, DJ Connair, DJ Bobby O, Jah Works & Lost In Paris Sat., Aug. 10: DJ Cruz, DJ Connair, DJ Bobby O,DJ Davie, DJ C-Miller, Dear Zoe, Jah Works, My Hero Zero & Cherry Crush Band

Sun., Aug. 11: Triple Rail Turn, DJ Mary Jane, DJ C-Miller, Zion Reggae Band & Amish Outlaws

Mon., Aug. 12: Blake Haley, DJ E-State, DJ Wax & My Hero Zero

Tues., Aug. 13: DJ Wax, Opposite Directions, DJ C-Miller & Turning The Tide

Wed., Aug. 14: DJ E-State, Full Circle Duo, DJ Cruz, DJ C-Miller & The Benderz

Thurs., Aug. 15: John McNutt Duo, DJ Cruz, DJ Connair, DJ C-Miller, New Direction & Go Go Gadjet

THE WEDGE

410-289-5121

806 S. Atlantic Ave.

Sat., Aug. 10: RyMac & Kasey Briggs

Sun., Aug. 11: Schizophrenic Boogiemen

Mon., Aug. 12: Steve Bowers

Tues., Aug. 13: Troy Mawyer

Wed., Aug. 14: Bryan Dorsey & Jon Phesant

Thurs., Aug. 15: Kasey Briggs

VISTA ROOFTOP

410-390-7905

13801 Coastal Hwy.

Friday, Aug. 9: Steve Kuhn

TRIPWIRE

Shore break conditions require understanding

By Kristin Joson Contributing Writer

(Aug. 9, 2024) Playing in the surf is fun. It is undoubtedly one of the main reasons many people come to the beach for vacation and is one of the least expensive and fun things you can do at the beach. Each season we have several weeks in various areas of the beach when shore break is present in Ocean City. Shore break is when waves build as they approach shores and break in very shallow water, or even directly onto the beach. This most commonly occurs in Ocean City on areas of the beach that do not have a prominent

sand bar. Shore break can be very dangerous for bathers of all ages and can cause severe injury, paralysis, and even death.

Shore break can occur anywhere in Ocean City and depends on the shape and depth of the sea floor bottom (bathymetry). When waves get to shallow water near the shore, their height increases, so a three-foot wave can become a five- or six-foot wave that will then “break” onto the beach with incredible force. As the wave approaches, the increased depth of water will lift your body (buoyancy) and cause your feet to lose contact with the bottom and reduce your stability. Once this happens your body can be propelled with a great amount of force, and when you hit the bottom or beach,

the wet sand, is like hitting concrete.

The patrol always advises people not to body surf or boogie board in shore break, but people do not always listen. Some of the injuries sustained are minor although even an abrasion to the forehead or a bloody nose is treated as the most serious spinal injury as a precaution, due to the mechanism of injury. However, other injuries sustained can be much more serious. For this reason, our SRTs go through extensive training and review of a technique that was perfected in Ocean City to remove a suspected head or neck injury without causing further damage.

Shore break can cause many problems for children and elderly or less mobile individuals. Please make sure you are standing near your child at all times

so they don’t get knocked down and pulled out into the ocean by the wave action. Elderly or less mobile individuals tend to get stuck in the area where waves are breaking on shore, and often time will get knocked down repeatedly. When exiting the water, watch the incoming waves so you do not get caught off guard.Another hazard that people don’t think about is standing close to shore and allowing waves to strike you in the back, which is like being in a rear end car collision, which may result in a whiplash type of neck injury.

Remember: “When in doubt, don’t go out,” and “Keep your feet in the sand until the lifeguard’s in the stand”. As added protection for you and your friends, always locate the nearest stand with a guard and swim on that beach.

BERLIN PEACH FESTIVAL

BLESSING OF THE COMBINES

STEVE GREEN/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

The Calvin B. Taylor House Museum hosted its 16th Annual Peach Festival last Saturday on its lawn featuring a variety of vendors, including those devoted to all things peach, as well as live entertainment by the George and Pat Bilenki Duo, below right.

PHOTOS COURTESY MAKENZIE LAMBERTSON

Downtown Snow Hill celebrated its annual Blessing of the Combines last Saturday with a variety of activities and vendors, but the highlight was once again the parade celebrating local farmers. Along with combines, the parade included the Snow Hill ROTC Color Guard, antique tractors, lawn mowers club, the Delmarva Watermelon Queen and more.

by Steve Green

CThe Adventures of Fatherhood

hange can be hard to process in life, but it’s especially difficult when it comes to raising kids.

This summer has been one of these seasons of change. Beckett, 16, and Carson, 14, are much different now than they were just a summer ago. When I think of them today, I waffle between being sad and longing and excited and grateful. It’s a sea of grey when it comes to how I feel about all these changes in my teenage boys, but the fact is it doesn’t matter what I think. Change is happening and it’s occurring at a fast clip.

There are signs of major independence. These occasions are celebrated openly but jeered a bit privately, especially the fact they don’t really want to hang out with their parents at this stage in their lives. For Beckett, this summer has been about being with his girlfriend, working to save money for a car, the beach and pool and hanging with friends. For Carson, he had Summer Academy for five weeks and is now relaxing and doing what he likes, especially electronics.

As I see parents preparing to take their teens to college in the coming weeks, I can’t help but feel the emotions. Beckett will be a junior. College visits will be taking place soon. I want the college experience for him, but the mixed emotions are there. There are days when I feel like psychologically, he’s already gone. Then there are instances when his emotions hit, or he feels overwhelmed, and I see glimpses of my little boy who still needs his mom and dad. I welcome those moments, although they typically occur when he’s stressed or hurt by something.

Author Jess Johnston’s post on her Facebook page hits the mark as far as relevance to me. It read,

“The hardest part about raising older kids is slowly letting them go.

I used to wish bedtime would come sooner, now I wish it wouldn’t come.

I used to wish for a weekend away, now I just wish they’d stay home for the weekend.

I used to wish they’d give me a little more space and let me catch my breath or go to the bathroom without interruption. Now I’d drop anything to hang out with them.

I used to rush through dinner time so we could finish this insane day. Now every time we’re all in the same house for dinner I wish I could hit pause.

I used to be desperate for adult conversations. Now I can’t wait to talk to my becoming-adult kids.

I used to wish for a quiet moment, a quiet house, a quiet drive. Now I miss them when they’re not around. The silence feels too quiet now.

Sometimes I still wish for a house that stayed clean for longer than 10 seconds, but I know when my sink is no longer overflowing with dishes, and the floor isn’t covered in socks and papers and books and water bottles, I’d give just about anything to get that mess back.

I know these days are numbered, and I’m silently begging time to slow down.

Don’t blink, I tell myself, you’ll miss too much.

The hardest part about raising older kids is slowly letting them go. The best part is getting to see them fly.”

arson loves to be involved and help, especially if it’s task involving repetition and order. It’s why a few times a year he handles dishwashing duties at our church, Stevenson United Methodist, during breakfasts or dinners. All the dirty dishes are stacked in front of him, and he knows what to do. It’s the process he likes. After everything is done and put away, I can see a sense of pride in him for a job done. I like to tell him it’s a job well done, and he gets embarrassed.

For the last couple years, Carson and his mom have helped sell crabcakes, peach teas, peach cobblers and waters in front of the church during the annual

Peach Festival in Berlin. This year was to be no different and he was planning to work with his buddy, Mr. Sonny, who he is familiar with from kitchen duties as well as growing up in the church. Mr. Sonny was excited to team up with Carson and there was no question he was sincere.

These two made a great team and Mr. Sonny seemed to especially enjoy working with Carson. It does my heart good to see people embrace Carson with a full awareness of his differences and disabilities. Though he has his struggles, he’s fully capable and should never be underestimated.

During the event, I watched from afar for about 15 minutes before I came over.

I could see Mr. Sonny talking with Carson, who is nonverbal. Mr. Sonny knows just because Carson doesn’t talk it doesn’t mean he is not aware and understand what’s happening around him. I saw smiles and dialogue and real teamwork and interaction.

Mr. Sonny and Carson turned out about 1,000 peach iced teas with Carson filling the cups with ice and his friend filling them with the drink. When I stopped by to check out Carson, Mr. Sonny reported all was great except when Pam intervened in their work. He was kidding, of course, but Carson really got a kick out of telling his mom to turn around and tend to her job taking money. There was something so normal about my special needs son seemingly being embarrassed by his mom’s intervention in his job at hand.

What I am learning time and time again is Carson makes people better. He’s not aware of it, but it’s a natural gift, I think. He brings out the best in people including the most special human traits of compassion and empathy. My son sure does make me better without even knowing. I think he will do this for many others throughout his life

(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.)

Nominations open for annual CFES service awards

(Aug. 9, 2024) The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore annually celebrates local philanthropic service through its annual awards. Winners are announced each year at the Community Foundation Annual Meeting, which will be held Nov. 1.

The awards are considered among the most prestigious philanthropic service honors in the Lower Shore region. Recipients must first be nominated for an award and then selected by a committee of community volunteers. The Foundation is accepting nominations now until Aug. 31, for the Richard A. Henson Award for Nonprofit Excellence, the Frank H. Morris Humanitarian Award, and the Mary Gladys Jones Volunteer of the Year Award.

To nominate an individual or organization for one of the awards, visit CFES.org/awards and complete the application.

The awards are as follows:

Mary Gladys Jones Volunteer of the Year Award — Recognizes an individual who has made outstanding, sustained and unselfish contributions to community service. The Foundation will grant $1,000 to the Volunteer of the Year Award winner’s charity of choice.

Richard A. Henson Award for Nonprofit Excellence — Presented annually to a qualified 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in Somerset, Wicomico, or Worcester counties which has implemented a program or project that has made an outstanding contribution to the well-being of residents of the Lower Eastern Shore. The Foundation will grant a $5,000 donation to the recipient.

Frank H. Morris Humanitarian Award — Recognizes an individual who has made outstanding, sustained, and unselfish contributions to community enrichment and whose vital ideas and personal sacrifices exemplify the philanthropic spirit of our community. The Foundation grants $2,500 to the Morris Award winner’s charity of choice.

Rip currents can be helpful during ocean paddle out

By Dave Dalkiewicz Contributing Writer

(Aug. 9, 2024) In most any sand bottom ocean beach locale, rip currents are always a possibility. Rips, as they are often called, are the enemy of the unknowledgeable and unsuspecting swimmer. Plenty of people come to the beach for rest and relaxation and for a good number of these vacationers rip currents are quite the nemesis.

Rips are like valleys on the ocean bottom. Water will flow away from shore through these valleys at a faster pace than the surrounding water and can be more prevalent in bigger swells and as the tide is receding. Rips can open or close at almost any time and are affected by the tide, wind, and swell.

Any ocean lifeguard will be familiar with rip currents and most would probably be glad to share their knowledge upon request. He or she would most likely suggest to swim parallel to shore to escape the grip of the rip and use breaking waves to return to shore. Rips are the number one reason why a guard has to enter the water and help a swimmer in need.

Thus far we have at least a bit of advice to the ocean swimmer, but what about the wave rider? To be brief, rip currents can be the foe of the swimmer but a friend to the surfer, body boarder, or stand-up-paddler. Yes, anyone riding waves. The rip can act like a conveyor belt to aid the wave rider in paddling out to the line-up, which is the area in the water where the waves are breaking.

It’s hard to imagine, with most of Ocean City’s waves breaking so close to the beach, but in larger swells using rip currents can have a dramatic effect. The trick lies in trying to spot them. Usually the water in a rip will have a slightly different color and as was said will be moving away from shore at a faster rate than the water on either side of the rip current. Plus, waves will not want to break in the rip due to the valley or deeper water of the rip as was referred to earlier in this article. Again they are not always so easy to see but are very useful in getting past waves breaking inside, or closer to the shoreline. It can take some time and observation in learning to identify this facet of moving water.

I’ve also heard of rip currents described as keyholes, which can be a help in their explanation. They’re a sort of passage way in getting the wave rider to where they want to be, in the line-up ready to catch a wave.

Eastern Shore Physical Therapy

Club treats Italian student workers to dinner, local gifts

(Aug. 9, 2024) The Sons and Daughters of Italy of Ocean City lodge once again treated students from Italy who are in town as summer workers, with a traditional American dinner and gifts.

The 15 young men and women dined on fried chicken, pulled pork, baked beans, macaroni and cheese, and cole slaw. The lodge members gifted them with tote bags containing a variety of items, including snacks, chips, candies, sunscreen, a discovery map of Ocean City and surrounding areas, and a coupon to visit the Ocean

City Lifesaving Museum. The Women’s Club of Ocean Pines donated 40 souvenir pens for the bags. The lodge hosts a dinner for the J1 Italian students every year. This year the students came primarily from the north of Italy: Lombardi, Piedmonte, Veneto, Liguria, Toscana. They have jobs in a variety of positions at the following nine Ocean City businesses: Bad Monkey, De Lazy Lizard, Dead Freddies, Dough Roller, Francos Pizzeria, Jolly Roger at the Pier, Telescope Pictures, Crab Bag, and the Kite Loft.

CROSSWORD

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20

Aries, keep moving forward when you find yourself in a tough situation. It’s best not to linger, but to find an path forward. Wait for the dust to settle before getting involved.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21

Taurus, you have a tendency to go overboard at times. Perhaps take a more middle-of-the-road strategy this week when a task falls in your lap. Give it time before acting.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21

Gemini, you have a lot going on in your life right now to keep you busy. With so much happening, try not to worry about what is going on with others. Stay in your lane.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22

Family matters may be causing you some strain this week, Cancer. While it is nice to get together, it also can cause some stress. Space out visits so you can recharge in between.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23

Leo, don’t worry if you can’t see the path forward too clearly right now. Things will be revealed in due time and you’ll have all the information you need to proceed.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22

Virgo, when a difficult arises, your first response is to get right in the middle of it and try to work things out or force it to go away. That isn’t always the most effective approach.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23

Libra, when it comes to your personal passions, you are full speed ahead and very regimented in the path you take. Put those skills to the test this week with a new venture.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22

Scorpio, if anyone assembled a crack team of experts to get through tough times, you certainly would be included. You’ll help a loved one with a last-minute problem soon enough.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21

You have a natural curiosity and zeal for life, Sagittarius. These traits may cascade over others and inspire them to try new things this week. Join along in the fun.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20

Someone from the past could come back into your life, Capricorn,. He or she could provide some answers you have been looking for. Stay tuned and be a good listener.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18

You soon get the opportunity to hang out with someone you haven’t seen in awhile, Aquarius. You may stay up late catching up on all of the moments you have missed lately.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20

A mistake that someone else made will be a learning experience for you, Pisces. This experience could serve as a cautionary tale of how to approach life or similar situations.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Smoked salmon sushi fun, artistic dish to serve guests

By Deborah Lee Walker Contributing Writer

(Aug. 9, 2024) The origins of sushi might surprise you. If you guessed China, you are correct.

Sushi dates back to the fourth century BC. Sushi of today is quite different from its humble beginnings. Fish was salted, wrapped in fermented rice, and stored for a few months. When ready for feasting, the rice was discarded and the fish was the only part that was consumed.

Over time, sushi spread throughout China and eventually made its way into the Japanese diet at the end of the Muromachi period (eighth century). The Japanese preferred to eat the fish with rice. Raw fish wrapped in rice was no longer a form of preservation but rather a new cuisine.

Making sushi rolls is another subject for consideration. It can be intimidating process, but practice produces confidence. Following is a step-by-step guide for rolling sushi.

Lay the bamboo mat on a hard, flat surface. Cut the nori sheet in half. Place the nori sheet with its rough side facing

up. The longer sides are placed horizontally on the mat.

Use your fingers to carefully spread the rice over the nori. Make sure that you leave a 1-inch space at the top and bottom of the nori sheet. This prevents the rice from spilling out of the roll. You want the rice to be thin and consistent.

The next step is the filling and the choices are unlimited. Common ingredients include raw fish, crab, tuna, tempura, mango, asparagus, cucumber and avocado.

Place your desired strips of vegetables and fish horizontally onto the rice in the middle of the sheet. Be careful not to add too much or it will be difficult to roll.

Then place your thumbs beneath the bamboo mat and lift the edges a little. After that, curve your fingers to make a rolling motion on the bamboo mat. Repeat this step a second time to make sure the roll is fully compressed.

Once it is shaped properly, unroll the mat and place the role on a cutting board. Using a very sharp knife, moisten the knife with water, and cut the sushi into even portions.

Simply take slices of smoked salmon and line them up on a sheet of plastic wrap. Make sure the edges touch so you have one

cohesive sheet of smoked salmon.

Using the back of a small pan, gently pound to make sure the salmon is thin and consistent.

Spread a layer of soft cheese such as Boursin, flavored cream cheese, or goat cheese onto the smoked salmon.

Add a few thin strips of cucumber, avocado, and chopped chives horizontally onto the cheese.

Lift the plastic wrap and gently roll the salmon until it is tight and compact. Twist the ends of the plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Then place in the freezer for 5 minutes.

Using a serrated knife, cut the rolls into bite size pieces. Garnish with white sesame seeds, black sesame seeds, and chives.

Smoked salmon sushi is packed with flavor and a fun, artistic way to serve smoked salmon. Your guests will love your cleverness. Enjoy!

Secret Ingredient – Education “Education is not the filling of the pot but the lighting of a fire.”

— W.B. Yeats

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.

■ CABANAS BEACH BAR & GRILLE

Located in the Plim Plaza Hotel, 109 N Atlantic Ave., 2nd Street & the boardwalk, Ocean City, 410524-1776, www.cabanasoc.com

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

Open to the public. A full-service restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner inside and Signature smash burgers, fresh cut fries, handhelds, signature salads, and much more. Indoor and outdoor bar. Fresh squeezed crushes, frozen drinks, tropical libations. Dine in or carry out. Open 7 days a week starting with breakfast 8-11 a.m. The kitchen is open until 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and at least 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The bar is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and at least midnight Friday and Saturday.

■ 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, 410-289-3322, 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 everyday 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Call for banquet and large-party details.

■ PICKLES PUB

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

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

Easy to find with plenty of free parking, serving lunch, dinner and entire diverse menu until 1 a.m. Also nightly entertainment year-round and a great place to watch all the sports on an ocean of televisions including a giant high-def screen. Also four pool tables on site. Lunch and dinner and entire menu until 1 a.m. Open all year from 11:30 a.m.-2 a.m., seven days a week.

■ PIT & PUB

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

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

■ 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 Citybased 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, 410-723-4665, 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, 443-664-5693, 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 pre-

mium ingredients such as our chuck, brisket and short rib custom blended burgers. Closed Tuesday. Call for reservations.

■ MARLIN MOON RESTAURANT

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

$$ | Full bar

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

■ SEACRETS

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

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

Open Sunday through Friday at 11 a.m., 10 a.m. on Saturdays, close at 2 a.m. Enjoy a tropical atmosphere and dine under the palms in our outdoor, kid friendly dining area or try a Seacrets Beachin' Cocktails in the Bay with live music every day open to close. The club is open every night in the summer. Try our famous jerk chicken with homemade honey mustard sauce, Pushcart Trio, a true Jamaican dish or a hearty wrap, sandwich or delicious burger. We have it all at Seacrets.

■ 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 mouthwatering 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 4-9 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. Nightly Ice Shows starting June 24.

■ THE CRAB BAG

ing at its finest. Owned and operated by Ginny Swann and family for 19 years. Popular for the breakfast but getting rave reviews for lunch and dinner, too.

■ NANTUCKETS

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

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

■ TWINING’S LOBSTER SHANTY Rte. 54, Fenwick Island, Del., 302-436-2305, twiningshanty.com

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

OCEAN PINES

■ CLUBHOUSE BAR AND GRILLE

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

$$ | Full bar

Indoor and outdoor dining with sweeping views of the 18th green and pond, the Clubhouse Bar and Grille serves freshly prepared breakfast and lunch items with a full bar menu. Thursday through Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

■ OCEAN PINES YACHT CLUB

WEST OCEAN CITY UPTOWN

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.

■ 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

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, 302-5393020, Beach-net.com/dirtyharrys

$ | Kids’ Menu | Full bar

Don’t let the name fool you, the food is home cook-

$$ | 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.

■ OC DINER

12744 Ocean Gateway, Rt 50 east, West Ocean City, 410-390-5112

Kids’ Menu

Best homemade breakfast and lunch. Local’s favorite breakfast served all day. Dine-in and carry-out.

Open 7 a.m. to 3 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.

Fri., Aug. 9

51ST ANNUAL WHITE MARLIN OPEN

Harbour Island, 412 14th St., Ocean City. World’s largest and richest billfishing tournament with projected payout to exceed more than $10 million. Free to view weigh-ins held daily from 4-9:15 p.m. https://whitemarlinopen.com

MARLIN FEST

Ocean City Inlet Jetty, 809 S. Atlantic Ave., 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Free event featuring live-streaming of the White Marlin Open weigh-ins, music by “BK from Radio Ocean City” (12-4 p.m.), food & drink, vendors and WMO merchandise. https://marlinfest.com, 302-519-3176

BABY TIME

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 10:30 a.m. Stories, rhymes and finger plays. For ages 0-2 years. 410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

MAHJONG CLUB

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Join in for a fun morning of playing tile Mahjong. Feel free to bring our own tile set. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterli-

brary.org

STEAM SOCIAL

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 11 a.m.noon. Build, experiment and create with a variety of materials. For ages 5 years and older. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org

ARTISTIC ARENA: MYTHICAL CREATURES

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 1 p.m. Create your own mythical creature using Air Clay. All materials provided. For ages 611 years and 12-18 years. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

SEWING SEEDS OF LOVE

Buckingham Presbyterian Church, 20 S. Main St., Berlin, 1-3 p.m. Summer sewing workshop for ages 8 years and older. The group will be working on beginner pillowcases. Cost is $20. Register: Debbie, 443-430-4948.

MUSIC INSPIRED ART

Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 301 Market St., 2 p.m. Close your eyes, listen to a selection of music, then choose from a variety of supplies to draw what you imagined. Registration required: 410-957-0878. www.worces-

terlibrary.org

VOLUNTEER’S BBQ

Art League of Ocean City, 502 94th St., Ocean City, 5-7 p.m. You’re invited to come out for great food and a fun time as we celebrate YOU, our wonderful volunteers! 410-524-9433

‘GRACEWAY’ IN CONCERT

St. Matthews By the Sea UMC, 1000 Coastal Highway, Fenwick Island, 7 p.m. Featuring “Graceway.”

KIGHTS OF COLUMBUS BINGO

Fridays - Knights of Columbus, 9901 Coastal Highway, behind St. Luke’s Church. Doors open at 5 p.m., bingo starts at 6:30 p.m. Light snacks available before bingo and at intermission. 410524-7994

Sat., Aug. 10

OCEAN PINES ANGLERS CLUB MEETING

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 9:30 a.m. A Youth Events slide show will be presented, as well as updates on club charter trips, regulations and all things fishing. All welcome. Jack Barnes, 410641-7662

FIBER CRAFTS IN THE GARDEN

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 10 a.m. Bring any fiber craft you are working on for camaraderie and refreshments in the beautiful garden. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org

CRAFTY SATURDAY: SNACK ATTACK

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10 a.m. Come celebrate all your favorite summer time treats: watermelon, cookies and root beer floats. For all ages. 410-2084014, 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. For all ages. 410-641-0650

FREE KIDS CRAFT

Art League of Ocean City, 502 94th St., 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Bring the kids and do something creative with them and for them. Projects change each week. No reservations needed. Free and open to all. www.artleagueofoceancity.org, 410-

Continued on Page 76

CALENDAR

524-9433

GRAVITY PAINTING

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 1 p.m. This activity combines science and art to demonstrate the force of gravity in a STEAM-filled project that promotes creative thinking. For all ages. 410-6410650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

POWELLVILLE ALL YOU CAN EAT SHRIMP AND FRIED CHICKEN FEAST

Powellville Volunteer Fire Company, 5085 Powellville Road, Pittsville, 6-9 p.m. Tickets $35. Come enjoy all you can eat shrimp and chicken while supporting a local fire department! 410-835-8181

FILM NIGHT - OC FILM CHALLENGE

502 94th St., Ocean City, 8-10 p.m. Join us under the stars to watch the next generation of film stars! 410-524-9433

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., Aug. 11

BALTIMORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA’S MUSIC FOR MARYLAND CONCERT

Roland E. Powell Convention Center, 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 3-5 p.m. Tickets $10. Featuring modern masterpieces and beloved classics. Tickets are available at “pay-what-you-wish” pricing, with a suggested donation of $10 per ticket. Reservations: www.bsomusic.org/music-for-maryland.

SUNDAES IN THE PARK WITH FIREWORKS

Northside Park, 200 125th St., Ocean City, 7-9 p.m. Live music by “Kittyback” (classic country rock), kid-friendly entertainment, ice cream and fireworks. https://www.ococean.com/things-todo/free-family-fun/sundaes-in-the-park/

SUNDAY NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM

Calvin B. Taylor House, 208 N. Main St., Berlin, 6 p.m. Featuring “Berlin Airlift.” www.taylorhousemuseum.org

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS BREAKFAST

Knights of Columbus (behind St. Luke’s Church), 9901 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 8-11:30 a.m. Breakfast includes two kinds of eggs, sausage, bacon, scrapple, creamed chipped beef and biscuits, pancakes, juice and coffee. Cost is $15 for adults and $7 for youth 8 years and younger.

CRABCAKE SANDWICH FUNDRAISER

St. Paul’s by-the Sea Episcopal Church, 302 Baltimore Ave., noon to 7 p.m. Crabcake sandwich with chips for $12. Carry-out only. Uncooked crabcakes also available. Walk in through the Third Street entrance or drive-thru pickup in alley. Pre-order: 410-289-3453 by Aug. 9.

BERLIN FARMERS MARKET

Sundays through October - Pitts Street, Commerce Street and Main Street, Berlin, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. Featuring more than 50 farmers, bakers, growers, brewers, food cultivators, distillers, creators and artists. Also free kids art projects, petting zoo, face painting and live music. https://berlinmainstreet.com/farmersmarket/

BERLIN FLEA MARKET

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

SEWING FOR A CAUSE

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

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES MEETING

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

Mon., Aug. 12

OC BEACH DANCE PARTY WITH FIREWORKS

Caroline St. Stage, 2 N. Atlantic Ave., Ocean City, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Beachside dance party featuring “DJ Rupe.” Free fireworks show starts at 9 p.m. All ages welcome. https://www.ococean.com/things-todo/free-family-fun/oc-beach-danceparty

MONDAY MORNING MOVIE AND MUNCHIES

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10 a.m. Featuring “Raya and the Lost Dragon.” Munchies provided. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

STORY TIME: PETE THE CAT

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

WRITING FOR WELLNESS

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 1:30 p.m.

Writing about stressful experiences like illness may boost health and psychological well-being. This group uses exercises to stimulate creative expression. 410208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

TRUE CRIME BOOK CLUB: ‘THE ART THIEF: A TRUE CRIME STORY OF LOVE, CRIME, AND A DANGEROUS OBSESION’

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 2 p.m. Join in for an afternoon of true crime. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

STORY TIME AT THE FARM

Chesapeake Bay Farms, 4111 Whitesburg Road, Pocomoke City, 2 p.m. Visit the

Chesapeake Bay Farms for a special story time. Stick around to feed some of the animals. For ages 2-5 years. 410957-0878, www.worcesterlibrary.org

GENEALOGY RESEARCH

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 3-6 p.m. Need help finding your roots? Come by the second Monday of each month and the local history librarian can help navigate the library’s print and online sources. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org

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

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

BRIDGE

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

DELMARVA WOMEN’S A CAPELLA CHORUS

Mondays - Ocean Pines Community Center, 239 Ocean Parkway, 6:00-8:00 p.m. All ladies who love to sing invited. Mary, 410-629-9383 or Carol, 302-2427062.

OVEREATER’S ANONYMOUS

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

Tues., Aug. 13

RUNAWAY BRIDE GUIDED TOUR

Berlin Maryland Welcome Center, 14 S. Main St., 4-5 p.m. Celebrating the 25th Anniversary with a guided tour of filming locations in Berlin. Reservations: 410-629-1716. A $5 donation collected. https://berlinmainstreet.com/Runaway-Bride-Walking-Tour.pdf

STORY TIME: ‘COLORS’

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

SCALES & TALES

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 10:30 a.m. Informative and entertaining program uses live birds of prey and reptiles to promote stewardship of wildlife and other natural resources. For ages 6-11 years. 410-632-3495, 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

STORY TIME WITH MERMAID TASHA

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 2 p.m. Mermaid Tasha will read her book and lead an eco-friendly mermaid craft. For ages 6-11 years. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

MURDER MYSTERY

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 3 p.m. A body has turned up inside a popular ride at a seaside amusement park. Come to play carnival games and help investigate. For ages 12-17 years. 410-5241818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP

Atlantic General Neurology, 314 Franklin Ave., Berlin, 3:15-4 p.m. Providing discussions and support, along with education on exercise, nutrition, coping techniques, medications and developments in treatment. Kay Kinnikin, 410-641-4765, kkinnikin@atlanticgeneral.org

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS SEAFOOD NIGHT Knights of Columbus (behind St. Luke’s Church), 9901 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 5-6:30 p.m. Menu for all ages including steamed crabs and steamed shrimp. Crabs must be pre-ordered by calling 410-524-7994 Monday or Tuesday morning.

BOOK CLUB: ‘THE KITCHEN HOUSE’ BY KATHLEEN GRISSOM

Tides & Vine, 106 W. Green St., Snow Hill, 5:30 p.m. Join Snow Hill Library and Tides & Vine for an evening of books and wine. Stop by the library to pick up your book anytime. Must be at least 21 years old. 410-632-3495

SONG CELEBRATION

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 6 p.m. Share songs with other players and writers in an encouraging space. Originals encouraged. Listeners welcome. 410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

BEACH HEROES-OC

Tuesdays - Volunteer beach clean-up group meets from 9-10 a.m., year-round. Trash bags, grippers and gloves provided. Check the Facebook page “Beach Heroes-OC” for weekly meeting locations. All are welcome.

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES MEETING

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

TAKE OFF POUNDS SENSIBLY

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

OC KNITTING CLUB

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

CALENDAR

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

Wed., Aug. 14

MOVIES ON THE BEACH

Carousel Oceanfront Hotel & Condos, 11700 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 8:30 p.m. Featuring “Luca.” Enjoy free movies on the beach every Wednesday through the summer. Movie lineup: https://www.ococean.com/things-todo/free-family-fun/.

FAMILY FUN NIGHT

Ocean Pines Yacht Club Pool, 1 Mumfords Landing Road, 6-8 p.m. Featuring swimming, DJ, games and prizes. Cost is $3 for swim members; $5 for residents and $7 for non-resident. No cost if not swimming. Food available. Wednesdays through Aug. 21. 410-641-7052

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

PLAY TIME

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10 a.m. Join in for imaginative play and social interaction. For ages 0-5 years. 410-2084014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

SCALES & TALES

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Informative and entertaining program uses live birds of prey and reptiles to promote stewardship of wildlife and other natural resources. For ages 6-11 years. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

BOOK CLUB: ‘RUN ROSE RUN’ BY DOLLY PARTON AND JAMES PATTERSON

Snow Hill 50plus Center, 4767 Snow Hill Road, 11 a.m. Stop by the library or the 50plus Center to pick up a book anytime, then meet for a great discussion. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org

ARTISTS PAINT OC: A PLEIN AIR EVENT

Art League of Ocean City, 502 94th St., Ocean City, 1-7 p.m. For five days, 50

artists compete for the top prizes of cash and prestige as they spread out across the area to paint famous vistas. 410-5249433

ADVENTURES IN ART HEISTS

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 2 p.m. Art

Historian Mallory Mortillaro talks about the underworld of stolen art as the group examine some of history’s greatest art heists. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

ADULT CRAFTERNOON: POM POM ANIMALS

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

Turn some yarn into a new friend. Limit 30. First come first served. 410-5241818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

UPCYCLED BOOK PURSE

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

TABLE TOP ROLE PLAYING GAME

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 5 p.m.

Play selected role playing games for adults and teens. Registration required: 410-632-3495. Limit 10. www.worcesterlibrary.org

PAINT & SIP

Ocean Pines Community Center, 235 Ocean Parkway, 6-8:30 p.m. Cost is $27 and includes wine and crackers. Register: 410-641-7052.

KIWANIS CLUB MEETING

Wednesdays through Aug. 26 - Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 8 a.m. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. Third Wednesday meetings are offsite and information can be found on www.kiwanisofopoc.org.

Thurs., Aug. 15

CAPT. STEVE’S POOR GIRLS OPEN

Bahia Marina at Fish Tales, 2107 Herring Way, Ocean City, 4-9 p.m. One of the largest women only Billfish Release Tournament. Featuring more than 800 anglers, vendors, raffles and 50/50 drawing. Benefits breast cancer research. www.poorgirlsopen.com, 410289-0990

SUNSET PARK PARTY NIGHT

Sunset Park, 700 S. Philadelphia Ave., Ocean City, 7-9 p.m. Enjoy a free concert and sunset views over the Isle of Wight Bay. Featuring “Teenage Rust” (classic rock). http://www.ococean.com/thingsto-do/

CONCERT IN THE PARK

White Horse Park Pavilion, 235 Ocean Parkway, Ocean Pines, 7-9 p.m. Featuring “Dusty Vinyl.” Free family-friendly entertainment. Bring chairs and blankets. BYOB permitted, concessions for

sale. Held Thursdays through Aug. 22. 410-641-7052

CPAP MASK FITTING

Atlantic General Hospital’s Sleep Disorders Diagnostic Center, 9733 Healthway Drive, Berlin. For patients who are. having trouble adjusting to their CPAP equipment. The service is free but requires an appointment: Robin Rohlfing, 410-641-9726.

SCALES & TALES

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 10:30 a.m. Informative and entertaining program uses live birds of prey and reptiles to promote stewardship of wildlife and other natural resources. For ages 6-11 years. 410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

STORY TIME: WE’RE GOING ON A LION HUNT!

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

Join in on a lion hunt in this week’s story. Songs, stories and crafts. 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

STORY TIME AT THE PARK

Northside Park, 200 125th St., Ocean City, 10:30 a.m. Join in and wiggle, sing and read interactive stories together. Story time will be at the picnic pavilion by the playground. Rain location is inside the Ocean City Library. For ages 0-5 years. 410-524-1818

SCALES & TALES

Pocomoke Forest Nature Center, 3461 Worcester Highway, Snow Hill, 2 p.m. Informative and entertaining program uses live birds of prey and reptiles to promote stewardship of wildlife and other natural resources. For ages 6-11 years. 410-957-0878, www.worcesterlibrary.org

JOHNNY CASH: TIMELESS

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 2 p.m. Frank DeLucco and Harry Burkett examine the “Man in Black.” 410-2084014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

LEGO MASTERS CHALLENGE

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 2 p.m. Join in for a LEGO challenge event. All materials provided. For ages 6-12 years. 410208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

SPOOKY SUMMER BOOK CLUB

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 4:30 p.m. Select a classic horror, mystery, or thriller (think Poe, Dracula, The Yellow Wallpaper, etc.). Refreshments served. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org

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

ONGOING EVENTS

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE

Pocomoke library, 301 Market St., during August. Choose a mystery adventure from the display to read. Fill out the brief form inside and return it to the library to be entered into the drawing for a prize. 410-957-0878, www.worcesterlibrary.org

CREATIVE KIDS CORNER

Ocean City library, 10003 Coastal Highway, during August. Come grab an art kit to create at the library or take it with you. Most supplies included. For ages 05 years and 6-11 years. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

STREAM STATION

Berlin library, 13 Harrison Ave., during August. Kids up to 11 years can visit the STEAM Station to take part in crafts and activities exploring science, technology, reading, engineering, art and math. Take a craft kit home too. 410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

TEEN STREAM STATION

Berlin library, 13 Harrison Ave., during August. Each hands-on activity will focus on art, math, science, engineering or technology. Create jewelry using binary code, construct a flying glider, design your own city out of recycled material and more. For ages 11 years and older. 410-641-0650, 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

Crossword answers from page 72

Worcester County Tobacco Retailers Care About Our Kids!

The Worcester County Health Department and the Worcester County Sheriff s Department work together to prevent the sale, distribution, and consumption of tobacco products by those under age 21. Out of the 155 tobacco retailers in Worcester County, all 155 establishments were randomly visited between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024, by local law enforcement for the purpose of attempting to buy tobacco products by an underage cadet. The following tobacco retailers had an employee who requested an ID and refused to sell tobacco to a person under the age of 21. Please join the Worcester County Health Department and the Worcester County Sheriff s Department in congratulating these establishments. Please stop in and say “Thank You” to:

420

9TH

DAMOKEE 11022 Nicholas Lane Unit 3, Ocean Pines

DINE & DASH CASINO BAR

10218 Racetrack Road Attn: Wendy Burton, Berlin

DOLLAR GENERAL 16880 11234 Five L Dr, Berlin

RITA'S WORLD/LIQUOR WINE BEER 11007 Manklin Creek Rd, Berlin

DOLLAR GENERAL STORE 1636 5600 Market Street, Snow Hill

DOLLAR GENERAL STORE 372 511 Linden Ave, Pocomoke City

DOUBLE EAGLE GOLF 11605 Masters Lane, Ocean Pines

DUCK IN 607 Lynnhaven Drive, Pocomoke City

DUCK INN II 5610 East Market Street, Snow Hill

EXXON FRIENDSHIP 10709 Grays Corner Rd, Berlin

EZ FOOD STORE 716 Philadelphia Ave, Ocean City

FOOD LION #2614

11007 Manklin Creek Road #2, Berlin (OP)

FOOD LION 397

9935 Stephen Decatur Hwy, Ocean City

FOOD LION 658 10126 Old Ocean Blvd, Berlin

FRONTIER TOWN RV RESORT CAMPSTORE 8428 Stephen Decatur Highway, Berlin

GOLD COAST BEER AND WINE 11401A Coastal Highway, Ocean City

GRAND RESORT WEAR 2121 Atlantic Avenue, Ocean City

HIGGINS CRAB HOUSE NORTH 12801 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City

ISLAND OUTFITTERS 11700 Coastal Highway, Ocean City

JACOBS MINIT MARKET 3107 Philadelphia Avenue, Ocean City

K & K BEACH ACCESSORIES BY EVEREST CARRYOUT 714 Philadelphia Ave, Ocean City

KADDY MART 426 W Market Street, Snow Hill

KRSNA (CIGAR WORLD & CIGARETTES) 10818 Ocean Gateway Unit D, Berlin

LINKS AT LIGHTHOUSE SOUND 12723 St Martins Neck Rd, Bishopville

LIZZYS BEACH STORE 201 N Atlantic Ave, Ocean City

MARLIN MARKET 9636 Stephen Decatur Hwy, Ocean City

NEW YORK NEW YORK

101 N Atlantic Ave Unit 2, Ocean City

NEWARK STATION 7167 Worcester Highway, Newark

NY PIERCING

409 Atlantic Ave Store 103, Ocean City

OC CONVENIENCE STORE 1201 Atlantic Avenue Unit 104, Ocean City

OC COOL TOPICS

9 N Atlantic Ave, Ocean City

OC COOL TOPICS 107 North Boardwalk Unit 3, Ocean City

OC DOLLAR STORE

203 N Philadelphia Ave, Ocean City

OC FOOD MARKET

300 S. Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City

OC VAPE 1101 Atlantic Ave, Ocean City

OCEAN PINES GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB 239 Ocean Pkwy, Ocean Pines

OCEAN REEF 1701 Atlantic Avenue, Ocean City

OCEAN TAPS 13201 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City

OCEANS MARKET 14107 Coastal Highway, Ocean City

PANAMA JACK 1701 Atlantic Avenue, Ocean City

PICKLES PUB 706 Philadelphia Avenue Suite 11, Ocean City

PITT STOP BEER & WINE 9040 Worcester Highway, Berlin

RITA'S WORLD OF WINE 11007 Manklin Creek Unit 8, Berlin (OP)

RITE AID 319 10119 Old Ocean City Blvd, Berlin

RITE AID 3835 11401 Coastal Highway, Ocean City

RITE AID 3837 505 Linden Ave, Pocomoke City

RITE AID 4917 11011 Manklin Creek Road, Berlin (OP)

RIVER RUN GOLF COURSE 11605 Masters Lane, Berlin

ROYAL FARMS #107 12826 Ocean Gateway, Ocean City

ROYAL FARMS 178 10633 Ocean Gateway, Berlin

RT 50 EXXON 12827 Ocean Gateway, Ocean City

RT 50 EXXON 12177 Ocean Gateway, West Ocean City

SHELL-YOUR STORE MARKET 10137 Old Ocean City Blvd, Berlin

SHOP KWIK 10140 Old Ocean City Blvd, Berlin

SHOPPERS PARADISE 1507 Atlantic Ave, Ocean City

SHORE SIDE SHOP 2 108 S Atlantic Ave, Ocean City

SMITHS MARKET 11740 Old Worcester Hwy, Showell

SMOKE ON THE WATER 9636 Stephen Decatur Highway Unit 4,

City

MAYTALK 607 Atlantic Ave Unit 103, Ocean City

MD PIERCING 901 Atlantic Ave Unit 2, Ocean City

MITCHELLS MARKET 401 Philadelphia Avenue, Ocean City

MARLIN MARKET 9636 Stephen Decatur Hwy, Ocean City

MITCHELLS MARKET 827 Second Street, Pocomoke City

500 South Atlantic Avenue Store 2, Ocean City

MONTEGO BAY SUPER THRIFT 12903 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City

RUM POINTE SEASIDE GOLF LINKS 7000 Rum Pointe La, Berlin

RX TATTOO AND BODY PIERCING 201 Atlantic Ave, Ocean City

SEACRETS 117 W 49th St, Ocean City

SEASIDE DELI BEER AND WINE 7207 Coastal Highway, Ocean City

SENOR CIGARS 3314 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City

SHAWARMA BOYS & GRILL 5 Philadelphia Ave, Ocean City

WEAVER

WEST-O

HomeAbility helps buyers with disabilities

By Lauren Bunting

Contributing Writer

(Aug. 9, 2024) The Maryland Mortgage Program (MMP) offers a special loan product called HomeAbility, and it’s designed to assist Maryland homebuyers with disabilities finance their home purchases.

member who is disabled (regardless of age).

sion on the application.

It is entirely CDA’s decision as to the sufficiency of the documentation.

This is a Conventional Loan product and provides up to 95% LTV in a first lien and up to 25% (with a maximum of $45,000) in a second lien to assist with down payments and closing costs. The combined LTV may not exceed 105%.

The interest rate for the first lien is posted on the interest rates page located on MMP’s website at mmp.maryland.gov/Lenders/Pages/ Interest-Rates.aspx. The second lien has a rate of 0% and payment is deferred for the life of the first lien, but becomes payable upon sale, refinance, or transfer of the home.

To be eligible for HomeAbility, one of the borrowers has disabilities or one of the borrowers is a guardian for, resides with, and is the principal caregiver for an immediate family

Disability is documented by submitting a CDA "Certificate of Disability" completed by a health, mental health, or disability professional; and /or by submitting proof of income from Social Security Administration (i.e. SSI or SSDI), VA or former employer. The proof is a copy of the borrower's disability policy, award letter or benefits statement from the benefits payer (insurance company, employer or other qualified disinterested party), per FNMA's guidelines. It could also be documented by submitting proof of application for disability benefits evaluation and a copy of the Social Security Administration office’s deci-

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Medical accreditations

TidalHealth’s Richard A. Henson Cancer Institute in Ocean Pines was one of three regional facilities that was recently awarded a three-year term of accreditation in radiation oncology as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology.

This product is designed for borrowers with combined qualifying income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income. The income and purchase price limits are also posted on MMP’s website. The limits are subject to change when Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac update their income limits, usually once a year. Unless otherwise stated, all requirements and guidelines of the Maryland Mortgage Program apply, including household income limits.

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

Radiation oncology, or radiation therapy, is the careful use of high-energy radiation to treat cancer. A radiation oncologist may use radiation to cure cancer or to relieve a cancer patient’s pain.

According to a news release, TidalHealth’s Richard A. Henson Cancer InContinued on Page 82

REAL ESTATE MARKETPLACE

stitute in Salisbury and TidalHealth Allen Cancer Center in Seaford, Delaware were also awarded accreditations.

The ACR is the nation’s oldest and most widely accepted radiation oncology accrediting body, with over 700 accredited sites, and 30 years of accreditation experience. The ACR gold seal of accreditation represents the highest level of quality and patient safety. It is awarded only to facilities that meet specific requirements based on practice guidelines and technical standards developed by ACR after a peer-review evaluation by board-certified radiation oncologists and medical physicists who are professionals in the field.

Patient care and treatment, patient safety, personnel qualifications, adequacy of facility equipment, quality control procedures, and quality assurance programs are assessed. The findings are reported back to the facility and provide the practice with a comprehensive report they can use for continuous practice improvement.

To learn more about radiation oncology, or any of the comprehensive cancer care services offered by TidalHealth, visit tidalhealth.org/cancerservices or call toll-free at 1-866-922-6237.

Firm acquisition

As part of Becker Morgan Group’s ongoing strategic growth initiatives, the company recently announced the acquisition of Adams & Hodge Engineering, a civil engineering firm based in the Raleigh, North Carolina, area.

Founded in 2015 by Donnie Adams, and Andrew Hodge, Adams & Hodge specializes in residential and commercial land development design and construction management.

The partnership marks a pivotal moment for Becker Morgan Group, expanding the company’s footprint on the East Coast and enhancing the ability to service clients in the Carolinas.

Along with technical excellence, Adams & Hodge is renowned for its client-centric approach, aligning seamlessly with Becker Morgan Group’s core values of dedicated client service and innovative yet functional design solutions.

Raleigh becomes Becker Morgan Group’s sixth office, joining its location in Salisbury, and offices in Wilmington, North Carolina; Charlotte, North Carolina; Dover, Delaware; and Newark, Delaware.

Commission bullish on wind developer’s wetlands permit

State’s environment dept. forwards favorable nod to Md. Board of Public Works

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(Aug. 9, 2024) County officials say they will do everything they can to oppose US Wind’s wetlands permit application.

Last week, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) announced it would forward a favorable recommendation to issue US Wind a wetlands permit for the construction of a pier and bulkhead on Harbor Road in West Ocean City. With the application now advancing to the Maryland Board of Public Works for final approval, commissioners this week agreed to make their opposition known.

“This is detrimental to our commercial fishing harbor,” Commissioner Joe Mitrecic said.

During Tuesday’s meeting, Environmental Programs Director Bob Mitchell provided the Worcester County Commissioners with an update on a wetlands permit application that US Wind had submitted to the state. The company plans to construct a pier and replacement bulk-

head at 12929 and 12933 Harbor Road for the development of an operations and maintenance facility.

“Essentially, the granting of this license is going to initiate property transfers that are going to foreclose on the last two buy operations in the harbor,” Mitchell said. “The county commissioners established the Commercial Marine District to protect the industry.”

Mitchell told commissioners that while the Maryland Department of the Environment had responded to technical and environmental concerns raised during the public comment process, it had failed to consider the economic impact an operations and maintenance facility would have on commercial fishing. He added that MDE’s response to comments collected during its review of the application also referenced the development of a “fisheries compensation agreement,” for which there had been no outreach.

“There’s no compensation, there’s been no outreach, and there’s been no communications for anything related to the harbor,” he said.

Mitchell said he had drafted a letter of opposition to send to the Maryland Board of Public Works, a

See MITRECIC Page 84

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Mitrecic calls MDE’s support ‘unbelievable’

three-member body that includes the governor, treasurer and comptroller. Mitrecic, however, said he also wanted to speak in opposition before the state board.

“They’re comparing this to any other bulkhead project, which is like no other bulkhead project that this county has ever seen,” he said. “I would say that we need to send a letter, and I would like permission to go to the Board of Public Works meeting and testify against it when that happens.”

Mitrecic said proposed operations and maintenance would hurt Worcester County’s commercial fishing harbor. Commissioner Eric Fiori agreed.

“You know, for the state to come in and trump all our local codes, it’s just

outlandish,” he said. “I mean, just unbelievable.”

Commissioner Chip Bertino suggested all commissioners attend the Board of Public Works meeting to oppose the application. The commissioners ultimately supported a motion “to throw everything at it we possibly can.”

“We need to turn this down,” Mitrecic said. “This is in our county. We ought to be able to fight this …”

As proposed, US Wind’s operations and maintenance facility will serve as the primary location for planning and coordinating wind turbine and offshore substation operations for US Wind’s offshore wind projects, to be located off the coast of Ocean City.

According to company officials, the facility will feature an onshore of-

fice, marine coordination center and warehouse space, as well as quayside and berthing areas for its crew transfer vessels. To moor its vessels at the proposed site, US Wind has planned upgrades to the existing pier structure.

In its report to the Board of Public Works, the Maryland Department of the Environment last week issued a favorable recommendation to approve US Wind’s wetlands permit application. The agency reports it had received oral testimony from 43 individuals at a March public hearing, with 40 in opposition to the project and three in favor. The agency also received 202 emails and seven letters, with 119 in opposition, 81 in support and three neutral. The department reports 37 of the 119 correspondences in opposition were spe-

cific to the wetlands application.

“After reviewing the proposed activities, the Department determined that the applicant, US Wind Inc., is within its riparian rights to construct a 353 foot long by 30 foot wide concrete pier with associated timber fenders, all with a maximum of 30 feet channelward of the mean high water line; and construct 383 linear feet of replacement steel bulkhead within a maximum of 18 inches channelward of the mean high water line,” MDE’s R. Miles Simmons said in a statement last week. “The Department has determined that the proposed pier and bulkhead are consistent with State law and regulations and are a reasonable exercise of riparian rights to allow for reasonable access to State waters and protect the shoreline from erosion.”

Paranormal probe planned for Berlin mermaid museum

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer

(Aug. 9, 2024) A team of paranormal investigators have selected the Berlin Mermaid Museum as a space of interest for potential spooky ongoings.

The group’s mission is to unveil any phantom apparitions lurking in the halls of the historic structure.

The Mermaid Museum has operated on Jefferson Street in downtown Berlin since March 2021. The facility is committed to highlighting the myth of the sea creature, with oddities ranging from Mexican votive paintings showcasing mermaids to Japanese fishermen’s “spirit charms” and costume tails.

Smithsonian Magazine reported in August 2021 that the space on the second floor of the historic building displays “mermaid scales” discovered on the Isle of Wight and walls dedicated to tracking sightings of the mythical fish from the first century C.E. to 2017.

Now, the Pasadena, Marylandbased Dead of Night Paranormal Investigators have their ghostly equipment pointed at the museum to capture any otherworldly visitors. This time, the focus is not on mermaids but on spine-chilling spirits.

Mermaid Museum owner Alyssa Maloof said that she was contacted by investigator Olen Prince on May 3. Prince, who was on a trip to Berlin with his wife, was captivated by the museum. He reached out to the business to schedule a time for him and his team to evaluate any mysterious, unearthly activity.

The mermaid expert said that em-

Paranormal investigation eyed

Continued from Page 84

ployees of the oddity exhibit have reported their own paranormal occurrences. A curator captured an unexplainable moving cabinet door on video; another noted sets of footprints where there had been none the night before at closing time.

The strange experiences may be connected to the ancient history of the property. According to Maloof, the museum’s structure is an old Odd Fellows building. The

Odd Fellows is an international fraternal order founded in England in the 1600s and formally brought to the United States, beginning in Baltimore in 1819. The fraternal order is also committed to elevating the values of love, friendship, truth, faith, hope, and charity and promoting harmony among people and nations through universal brotherhood and sisterhood.

Prince said that his interest in the building came from the symbol above the door, a traditional marking of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. As he specializes in historic structures, his curiosity was piqued.

The investigator’s entrance into the paranormal business in 2012 was based on his historical intrigue and desire to help people.

“You can’t always call the police or the fire department,” he noted. “Psychiatric doctors will think it’s some-

thing else. You have to have someone else you can call.”

The Dead of Night team, founded by Prince, includes investigators Tammy Leishear, Jimmy Leishear, Jay Leishear, Allison Blankenship, medium Jennifer Garrett, tech specialist Brandon Garrett, electronic voice phenomenon specialist Heather Prince, and a pastor to perform house blessings. Also integral to the organization is licensed counselor Tracy Harris because, according to Prince, “not everything is paranormal, and sometimes it is just grief.”

Still, the group often encounters unexplainable situations. The founder detailed a home investigation in Lynchburg, Virginia, describing it as “demonic.”

A family originally owned the house in the 1940s and 1950s, where a girl died after being pushed down the stairs. The structure was sold in the 1980s, and the new resident’s son’s girlfriend passed after coincidentally tumbling on the steps.

The Dead of Night team investigated the space. During the evaluation, Prince said that while the pastor was performing a blessing, the back door opened, revealing an ominous figure staring at the group. The researcher believes that the family is currently trying to sell the home.

“It’s not always the house,” he

See TEAM Page 87

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DAY ONE TRADITION

Shepherd’s Crook launches August food collections

(Aug. 9, 2024) Shepherd’s Crook Food Pantry recently announced the start of its third annual “August is Shepherd’s Crook Month” food drive that will take place for the entire month.

This year’s drive aims to collect essential items and raise money to support people in need throughout the community. Residents and businesses are invited to help make the event a success. Shepherd’s Crook is currently serving almost 2,000 people per month and must buy food from local grocery stores. The annual food drive is a crucial initiative that helps ensure the pantry’s shelves are stocked and that critical support can be provided to people experiencing food insecurity. Each week, organizers request items that are always in high demand. To help, the following non-perishable food items are requested during the listed dates.

Week One (Aug. 1-11) — Evaporated milk; Maruchan yakisoba chicken and Maruchan yakisoba beef varieties (please no spicy flavors)

Week Two (Aug.12-18) — Canned beans: black and light red kidney; canned fruit: pineapple chunks, peach slices, mixed fruit cocktail; canned whole kernel corn.

Week Three (Aug. 19-25) — Toilet paper; Amour beef stew

Week Four (Aug. 26-31) — Hormel Compleats: salisbury steak with sliced potatoes, meatloaf with gravy and mashed potatoes, roast beef, chicken breast with gravy and mashed potatoes, rice and chicken, turkey and stuffing

For anyone who wants to help through the year, donations of unexpired non-perishable food items can be dropped off between 10 a.m. and noon on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and

PHOTOS BY STEWART DOBSON, LEFT, BILL FUHRER, RIGHT

About 200 of the 318 registered boats in the 51st Annual White Marlin Open fished on the first day of the tournament. Thousands came to the Inlet as well as The Wedge overlooking the ocean to watch and cheer on the participating anglers and fishing vessels. Ocean 98 broadcast live from The Wedge. Also pictured above is the crowd watching along the Inlet.

Food pantry’s August outreach

Continued from Page 86

Saturdays at the pantry location at St. Paul’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church on Third Street.

Businesses, schools, and community groups are also encouraged to host their own food drives and contribute the collected items to Shepherd’s Crook.

Financial contributions can be made as well. The money allows organizers to buy perishable items. Donations can be made online through the or by contacting Shepherd’s Crook directly.

Extra volunteers are also needed for cooking and serving meals four days a week.

To participate, or for more information on how to support the feeding ministry, visit the organization’s website at stpaulsbythesea.org/shepherds-crook, or contact Jody Farley at (410) 2893453 or jfarley@stpaulsbythesea.org.

Shepherd’s Crook Food Pantry is a ministry of St. Paul’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church on Third Street in Ocean City. For 25 years, the church and the food pantry volunteers have been dedicated to alleviating food insecurity and providing assistance to individuals and families in need.

Team to explore spooky activity

Continued from Page 85

said. “You could have a whole new condominium building, but still paranormal activity. It’s about the history of the space.”

The spooky organization is always looking for new members and even teaches classes. The medium explains the psychic aspect of paranormal work while the investigators discuss the different types of hauntings and the importance of looking for a logical explanation first. The team also has lessons on the equipment they use.

Prince said that Dead of Night employs an array of devices during its

investigations, including electromagnetic field meters, an SBox Ghost Scanner for radio frequency sweeping, and digital recorders.

Anyone interested in joining the paranormal group can visit its Facebook page or contact Prince at ojprince83@icloud.com.

The haunting exploration at the Mermaid Museum is scheduled for the evening of Saturday, Aug. 10. Any audio or video secured by the ghost hunters will be shared with the exhibit’s operators.

“I hope they find a happy ghost who loves its home and mermaids,” Maloof said.

Invasion of South France in ‘44 was controversial call

By Dr. Sam Ghaleb Contributing Writer

Summer Kids

Kids

This week, 80 years ago, Allied soldiers landed on the Mediterranean coast of southern France. This invasion force was not as large as the DDay force. However, an armada of more than 860 warships, transports, and various naval crafts had to be assembled in order to land and support the troops on the beaches of the French Riviera.

Among the warships supporting the landing force was the light cruiser USS Brooklyn. The late Robert E. Wimbrow, of Whaleyville and father of Robert, Harry and Howard, served aboard that ship.

Originally, the invasion of southern France was named “Operation Anvil.” It was renamed “Operation Dragoon” in August 1944. To some of the Allied leaders, the decision to initiate “Operation Anvil” was a highly controversial one. Launching an invasion in southern France meant that the weight of Allied power in Italy would move west as opposed to going straight into the heart of Europe. To some, this was a signal that a decision had already been taken to leave central Europe – Czechoslovakia and central Germany – and the Balkans, to the advancing Red Army.

The planning for “Operation Anvil” showed a split between the approaches of American chiefs-of-Staff and their British equivalents. The same was true between President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

For Roosevelt, “Operation Anvil” was part of what he called the “grand strategy” as was discussed at the 1943 Tehran Conference. Roosevelt believed that a 10-division invasion of southern France combined with the attacks at Normandy would split the German Army in Western Europe in two. Churchill and the British chiefsof-staff expressed their concern that such a concentration of effort and resources would leave Stalin and his Red Army with the great prize of central Europe and the Balkans.

However, a combined landing in northern and southern France never occurred. The issue was not political but rather logistical. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower (“Ike”), the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces, knew that he needed a specific number of landing crafts for D-Day.

These landing crafts would require support from a specific number of naval ships that would be transferred from northern France. However, Eisenhower was not prepared to jeopardize D-Day in Normandy by reducing the number of landing

Eisenhower decided that Normandy was a greater priority and that Anvil would have to wait until the Allies had pushed inland.

Allied Combined Chiefs continued to argue about a landing in southern France even after D-Day. Arguments were put forward for a landing in the Balkans or the Bay of Biscay as alternate choices.

Eisenhower originally favored a landing at Bordeaux but recognized that any of the large ports in southern France represented a good choice. Neither he nor Gen. George C. Marshall favored a landing in the Balkans and Marshall publicly questioned why the British wanted to land there.

Eisenhower needed a deepwater port to land supplies and men. He believed that the ports in liberated northwestern France simply could not cope with the logistical problems of moving and supplying a large number of troops and their equipment. However, the ports of Marseilles and Toulon on the Mediterranean coast of southern France looked promising.

Eisenhower had 40 to 50 divisions waiting to be transferred to Europe from the U.S. He knew that the port of Cherbourg in northwestern France could not handle such numbers, but Marseilles and Toulon combined with Cherbourg could.

Churchill continued to argue for

the Allies to continue their push up the Italian Peninsula and then into France. This avoided any need for an amphibious landing. If successful, it would also have destroyed the German forces in Italy. Churchill thought that the future of “Operation Anvil” was truly bleak. He also appealed directly to Roosevelt and reminded him not to sacrifice a successful campaign in Italy for the sake of another.

Roosevelt replied that he would not depart from the “grand strategy” discussed at Tehran. He also reminded Churchill that November 1944 was election year in America and that he also had political considerations. A successful “Operation Anvil” combined with the success in Normandy would put him in a very good political position.

The only concession Roosevelt made to Churchill was to rename the campaign “Operation Dragoon.”

Churchill agreed to what Roosevelt wanted but with no enthusiasm. He informed Roosevelt that the British would do all they could to ensure success but he hoped that “Operation Dragoon” would not ruin any other “greater project.”

The overall command for “Operation Dragoon” was given to Lt. Gen. Jacob Devers, of the U.S. Sixth Army Group. The bulk of Gen. Devers’ force was the U.S. Seventh Army, commanded by Gen. Alexander Patch,

and comprised of the 3rd, 36th, and 45th Infantry Divisions of the VI Corps, commanded by Lucien Truscott Jr., and the 1st Allied Airborne Task Force.

France also contributed its 1st Armored Division, under the command Gen. Jean de Lattre de Tassigny. Furthermore, the naval component of the invasion force, under the command of Vice-Adm. Henry K. Hewitt of the US Navy, included six battleships, four aircraft carriers, 20 cruisers, and 98 destroyers.

Opposing the Allies was Gen. Johannes Blaskowitz, commander of German Armeegruppe G. This Armeegruppe guarded the Atlantic coast along the Bay of Biscay, and the French Mediterranean coast. This force included 11 under-strength divisions consisting of aging veterans as well as men of German descent known as, “Volksdeutsche,” from Poland and Czechoslovakia.

The defense of the invasion area along the French Riviera was assigned to the Nineteenth Army under the command of Gen. Friedrich Wiese. The only battle-hardened unit in Gen. Wiese’s Nineteenth Army was the 11th Panzer Division, which fought the Red Army at the greatest tank battle in history near Kursk, in the Soviet Union, in July 1943.

German intelligence was aware of an impending Allied invasion. How-

ever, the exact area was thought to be around the port of Genoa in Italy. The Germans concluded that the Allied battle plan would consist of airborne and glider operations further up in the Rhone River, possibly near Avignon. Their conclusion left them defensively weak along the entire coastline. By Sept. 10, units of “Operation Dragoon” linked up with Patton’s Third

Continued on Page 91

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

The USS Brooklyn was an important warship in the invasion of the Mediterranean coast of southern France. A Whaleyville resident served on the ship.

Water Aerobics

OBITUARIES

CHERYL TAUSTIN

Ocean City

The art of the obituary is one for which I am unprepared. Especially for our mother, Cheryl Miller Taustin, a woman who, yes may have lived with grace and grit for 70 years but who had so much more to live. This task comes to me far sooner than I ever could have imagined.

The obituary is also an art with which I take much offense, too often becoming a list of accomplishments, achievements, jobs — less a mourners’ lament and more an over edited reduction of life put into words implying a life is only as good as the tasks we achieved. While our mother loved a list, she knew that we are not the sum of our productivity or our job but the strength of our integrity, creativity, and our voice. And she graced so many with hers.

As a touring cabaret singer, she traveled to nightclubs and restaurants adorning the space with the standards, Broadway classics, and popular hits of the era. It was on her stop at the Embers Restaurant in Ocean City where she met her husband, Jay Taustin, and grew roots from which she raised three chil-

dren.

Until her last day, she played pickle ball, took art classes, sang, and rode horses. She advocated for the arts, the environment, for equal rights, animal protection, and love — for everyone. She made her opinions known and served as an inspiration and fierce advocate for causes that celebrate living. Cheryl was an active player in life who made resounding entrances and profound exits.

Cheryl built community as a founding member of Temple Bat Yam, where she served as a cantorial soloist for over 30 years. Her voice calling us to be present, give back, and perform acts of love and kindness. Her voice will forever reverberate in the recesses of our hearts.

She was the joy in the Taustin Group and the heart of the Taustin family.

But I fear perhaps we have devolved into that list.

Perhaps an obituary is solely a way to inform you that my mother died on Aug. 5, 2024, in a place she loved, with the people she loved, doing what she loved. Or that a service was scheduled for 10 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 8, at Temple Bat Yam, and a gathering to celebrate her life followed at BLU Crabhouse and Raw Bar at 1:30 p.m. If that is

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Cheryl Taustin

OBITUARIES

what these are meant to do, then task complete. For those who knew her, grieve. To those who didn’t, we are sorry you missed the show. But to all, keep graciously and peacefully living your life; our mother would never wish for you to stop on her account.

Her legacy will be carried forward by her husband Jay; three children, Khari (Ari), Cole (Briana) and Kyler (Louie); granddaughter Luciana; brother Fred (Linda); Bonnie, best friends, loyal companions.

Flowers come and go, but joy and hope ripple outward. Please donate in her memory to arts organizations, the humane society, or causes that celebrate life.

ANNA TREASA MYLES Ocean City

Anna Treasa Myles, 98, passed away peacefully at her home in Ocean City, on July 28, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Born on April 19, 1926, in Newark, New Jersey, she was the daughter of Anthony Capacchione and Carmela Galiatto. Anna had a captivating vibrant energy and unwavering love for her family. She was

WORLD WAR II

Continued from Page 89

Army, coming from Normandy, while the remainder of Gen. Blaskowitz’ Armeegruppe G escaped through the Vosges Mountains leaving 130,000 of their own surrounded by the Allies. As a result of “Operation Dragoon,” in four weeks, the Allied pincer movement was established and a southern supply route to the Allies was opened. In the end, the operation became known as the “Champagne Campaign.” This name was used by members of the 442nd Japanese American Regimental Combat Team which landed in southern France and spent some time on the Riviera. Allied losses were moderate for such an operation. The US suffered 2,050 killed, captured or missing, and 7,750 wounded. The French suffered more than 10,000 casualties. The Germans suffered more than 7,000 killed, 20,000 wounded, and more than 130,000 captured, in southern France. Overall, this operation was considered to be a great tactical and strategic success for the Allies. Prior the publication of this article, Dr. Ghaleb passed away. At the time of his passing, he was retired from the Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) China Lake, in Ridgecrest, California. He was also an Adjunct Professor at Cerro Coso Community College, teaching physics.

Next week: Falaise

happiest when friends and family gathered to eat, drink, dance and celebrate. Anna loved spending time in the kitchen, creating delicious Italian meals and especially enjoyed late nights drinking coffee at the table telling stories and laughing.

Her life was full of simple pleasures she cherished. Anna's green thumb kept her porch and yard a bright canvas of colors and life. She perfectly crocheted baby outfits, blankets, and ring pillows for all of life’s special occasions. Anna also loved art. Her patience and skill with coloring books were unmatched.

Anna’s fierce independence, sense of humor, and tremendous capacity to love and bring people together will be her legacy.

She is lovingly remembered by her children, Joe (Patsy), Pat (David), Margie, Debbie (Steve), Cammie (Larry); 12 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

She rejoins her beloved late husband, Joseph, in eternal peace.

Anna’s memory will forever live on in our hearts.

Services to celebrate Anna’s life were scheduled for Aug 6 at Donaldson’s Funeral Home at 313 Talbot Ave., in Laurel. Viewing and visitation was from 10-11 a.m., followed by a prayer service at 11 a.m. Burial was set for 12:30 p.m., the same day at

Continued on Page 95

Car Quest

Anna Myles

Opinions

Alternate terms for commissioner

Worcester County Commissioner Joe Mitrecic made a good point this week when he said the timing is right to begin the process of instituting staggered terms for the commissioners. As it is, the seven commissioners serve four-year terms and stand for election in non-presidential election years. The next commissioner election will be in 2026.

That gives county officials plenty of time to prepare for this switch in the commissioner election process, beginning with the addition of a referendum question to this year’s presidential election ballot asking voters whether the commissioners should be elected all at once or on an alternating basis.

Mitrecic concedes that while it is unlikely that voters would install seven new commissioners at one time under the current election schedule, it is possible and that makes him uncomfortable.

But beyond that, electing three commissioners in one year and electing four others two years later could make the commissioners more responsive to the public.

By instituting alternating commissioner terms, a controlling commissioner majority could be broken up earlier if it fell out of favor with the public.

Otherwise, a voting bloc whose policies become unpopular can remain in power for the duration regardless of how disenchanted with that group the public might be.

To effect this change, according to Mitrecic, three commissioner seats would be up for two-year terms in the 2026 election and the remaining four seats would be for the standard four-year terms. The first three would run for four-year terms in 2028, with the final four up for reelection in 2030.

The county code would have to be amended to allow for such an election setup, which is why the commissioners need to consider this possibility now in order to put the question on this fall’s ballot.

It’s not that complicated and, as Mitrecic said, the time to do it is now.

PUBLIC EYE

What about bowling?

As the Olympics continue and the sports juggernaut of table tennis threatens to overtake watermelon seed-spitting as the next big thing, it appears that I’m not quite finished commenting on these games.

There’s just so much to work with in this global celebration of strength, grace, artistry, skill and “what the ...?” moments that a further examination is not just inviting but is fully warranted.

let’s see — the seven who play badminton.

And yet, badminton is an Olympic sport. I could see its inclusion in the games if you had to serve the birdie while performing a doubleback high twisty flip, but otherwise it’s kind of s-l-o-w-w-w-w-w.

That’s because the birdie’s design causes it to lose speed quickly during its flight to the opponent’s side of the net.

NEWS

EDITOR STEWART DOBSON; EXECUTIVE EDITOR STEVE GREEN

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By Stewart Dobson

Take table tennis, for instance. Sure, ping pong is still a popular sport, and many of us have played it or even had tables at home at some point in our lives.

But I feel it falls short of being ... umm ... enthralling. Maybe it’s just me, but I think it’s odd when a player who’s about to serve holds the ball about an inch away from the face like some kind of conspiracy is being hatched. I don’t know why, but to me it looks like a robin eyeballing a worm.

The thing is, when we had our ping-pong setup during my early teen years, I was faced with a serious decision: “Hmmm, what’s going to be the most fun? Playing the best two out of three games against someone who’s going to beat me or setting the ball on fire?

Suffice to say the latter did not result in your run-of-the-mill puff of smoke. No sir, it was more like the clouds of Venus.

Besides, once the smoke clears, you could then say, “Let’s go fishing,” which is not an Olympic sport, even though 50 million Americans go fishing every year as compared to —

If you were to do the play-by-play, for instance, it would sound like this: “Beringoonski smashes a serve, it sails above ... the ... net ... a-n-d -... o-v-e-r-r- ... to Lestoilova, who hits a return shot that sails .... a-c-r-o-s-s-s ... t-h-e ... neettttt ....”

Pretty exciting, right?

And sure, I also played badminton when I was a kid, but gave it up when I kept losing and found that trying to burn the birdie will land you in counseling.

Just kidding. I never tried to burn the birdie, but I did try to catch fish with the net.

The thing is, many so-called sports, such as “Breaking” “Sport Climbing” and “3x3 basketball” were added after Olympics officials heard the pleas of enthusiasts who felt their pursuits were being overlooked.

That’s how it’s been since the ancient Olympics in Greece in 776 BC, when a person named Koroibos won the games’ only event — the 600 foot race.

Not long thereafter, according to legend, a great cry arose from the Greek masses and hordes of angry citizens descended on Greek officialdom, howling, “What? No bowling?”

Surely, if trampoline jumping is an Olympic sport, stay turned for paddleball in 2030.

Between the Lines

By Steve Green

The tough talk on the proposed offshore wind farm has reached new heights. It seems Ocean City and Worcester County officials – as well as some prominent private businesses – have accepted the federal and state governments are firmly in support of offshore wind turbines. These permitting agencies are pushing forward no matter local opposition. Therefore, the previous private talks of legal action have now gone public. A lawsuit against the federal government is unprecedented for Ocean City and it will come with an enormous price tag, but the juice appears to be worth the squeeze for the city and an unidentified group of co-plaintiffs. Ocean City has long maintained its goal of protecting the viewshed from the beach. The turbines have gotten larger but have not been pushed further east. The turbines will be clearly seen from the beach and that’s unacceptable to many.

It seems as soon as BOEM issues the inevitable recommendation for offshore wind the city is planning to file an injunction in federal court. In a statement this week, Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan acknowledged, “this is a David and Goliath fight.” The most revealing aspect of this week’s comments is the unified opposition front evidently being built. Meehan said, “the Town of Ocean City will sue BOEM, which is the federal government, and we have hired a law firm to do that, and we have coplaintiffs that we're working with throughout this city to sign on with us.”

What a strange summer it has been. It’s fitting the White Marlin Open would require some pivoting due to a painfully slow tropical system. For our area, it seems the system – something called an upper level “boundary” – has been more of an issue this week than Debby.

What’s made the recent week also particularly weird has been the return of frigid ocean temperatures after a brief warm up last week. For instance, on Wednesday, NOAA reports the Inlet water temperature was 58.6 degrees at 11:12 a.m. Four hours earlier, the water temperature in the same spot was 69.4 degrees. On Thursday morning at 7:24, the water temperature was 63.5 degrees. It’s typically in the low- to mid-70s in August.

The cold water has resulted in daily fog banks over the ocean and beach. In fact, on Monday, Aug. 5, there were numerous reports of lifeguards calling people in from the ocean due to poor visibility. When questioned, one lifeguard said, “I can’t help them if I can’t see them.” It’s just been a weird summer.

***

A fun aspect to follow each year during the White Marlin Open is the release data. This summer has been a weak year for offshore fishing by all accounts. The trend seems to be playing out after three days of fishing in this year’s tourney. The catch numbers are typically much higher but the release rates remain impressive especially for billfish. Here’s the stats by species for releases with the boated in parathesis and the release percent: white marlin, 300 (2), 99%; blue marlin, 40 (2), 95%; spearfish, one; sailfish, eight; tuna, zero (31); and dolphin, zero (two). There have been no qualifying wahoo or swordfish caught as of Thursday morning.

***

A guilty pleasure of mine is following gasoline prices, especially in an election season when they often get tossed around as a political football. Gas Buddy recently conducted a survey of 2,167 stations in Maryland. The good news is unleaded gasoline prices are lower than a year or month ago, but they remain far higher than most of us are accustomed to in our lives. In fact, when I got my license in 1992, the average unleaded gasoline gallon cost was $1.19 (which does not account for inflation over 32 years). As of Aug. 5, the average price for a gallon of unleaded gasoline is $3.38, which is 18 cents lower than a month ago and 39 cents less than a year ago. For comparison’s sake, on Aug. 5, 2020, the average price was $2.27 and on Aug. 5, 2014, it was $3.50. What does it say? Not much except to say fuel prices continue to be turbulent due to a variety of factors.

***

It was shocking to hear the news of Cheryl Taustin’s sudden passing on Sunday morning. Cheryl was a bright light who is gone far too soon at the age of 70. She had an aura of positivity and joy about her. For me, I always left a conversation with Cheryl better off than when it began. She had a certain charisma and sincerity that made her unique. The beautiful obituary summed her up well, saying, “She was the joy in the Taustin Group and the heart of the Taustin family … For those who knew her, grieve. To those who didn’t, we are sorry you missed the show. But to all, keep graciously and peacefully living your life; our mother would never wish for you to stop on her account.”

Abortion amendment should be opposed

Editor,

Do not allow abortion and the Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment become part of the Declaration of Rights within the Maryland Constitution. Vote AGAINST THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT in the upcoming November Elections.

Some will say that no one knows when life begins in the womb, as if that somehow justifies the killing of an unborn baby. Our Declaration of Independence, states that we are all endowed by our Creator “…with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” It is our legal duty to err on the side of caution and assume life begins at conception, thus providing our unborn citizens the full protection of those Rights.

Abortion has had a devastating effect on our country’s financial stability. With over sixty million abortions since 1973, a major work force has been eliminated. These were citizens who would have contributed to our economy and would have helped to provide for the solvency of our Social Security system. The aborted would have been producers and consumers who would have enriched our nation.

Most important of all, abortion is morally wrong. In the Apostle’s Creed, we read that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. Who can deny that Jesus was a living person at that sacred moment of His conception, as He became like one of us?

There are many Biblical passages that provide proof that abortion is wrong in the eyes of God. Below are just some of them:

God knew Esau and Jacob before they were born, and He told their mother, Rebecca, that “Two nations are in your womb: two peoples shall stem from your body. …” Genesis 25:23.

Moses said to his people that the Lord, “…will love and bless and multiply you; He will bless the fruit of your womb…” Deuteronomy 7:13

The mother of Samson was told by an angel of the Lord, “As for the son you will conceive and bear, no razor shall touch his head, for this boy is to be consecrated to God from the womb. ...” Judges 13:5

Job said to God, “Your hands have formed me and fashioned me…Oh, remember that You fashioned me from clay!...Did You not pour me out as milk, and thicken me like cheese? With skin and flesh You clothed me, with bones and sinews knit me together.” Job 10:8-11

Referring to justice towards his servants, Job said “Did not He Who made me in the womb make him? Did not the same One fashion us before our birth?” Job 31:15

Job said “though like a father God has reared me from my youth, guiding me even from my mother’s womb?” Job 31:18

“You have been my Guide since I was first formed, my security at my mother’s breast. To You I was committed at birth, from my mother’s womb You are my God.” Psalm 22:10-11

“He Who fashioned the heart of each, He Who knows all their works.” Psalm 33:15

“On You I depend from birth; from my mother’s womb You are my strength…” Psalm 71:6

“Shall He Who shaped the ear not hear? or He Who formed the eye not see?” Psalm 94:9

“Truly You have formed my inmost being; You knit me in my mother’s womb. I give You thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works. My soul also You knew full well; nor was my frame unknown to You when I was made in secret, when I was fashioned in the depths of the earth.” Psalm 139:13-15

“Just as you know not how the Continued on Page 94

breath of life fashions the human frame in the mother’s womb, so you know not the work of God which He is accomplishing in the universe.” Ecclesiastes 11:5

“I too am a mortal man,…and a descendant of the first man formed of earth. And in my mother’s womb I was molded into flesh…” Wisdom 7:1

“He forms men’s tongues and eyes and ears, and imparts to them an understanding heart.” Sirach 17:5

“[E]veryone who is named as Mine, whom I created for My Glory, whom I formed and made.” Isaia 43:7

“[T]he people whom I formed for Myself, that they might announce My praise.” Isaia 43:21

“Thus says the Lord Who made you, your help, Who formed you from the womb…” Isaia 44:2

“Thus says the Lord…Who formed you from the womb: I am the Lord,

Who made all things…” Isaia 44:24

In the Second Book of Machabees, we find a mother who witnessed the brutal torture and murder of her seven sons. As she encouraged each to be brave as they faced death rather than offend God, “she said to them: I know not how you were formed in my womb, for I neither gave you breath, nor soul, nor life, neither did I frame the limbs of every one of you. But the Creator of the world, that formed the nativity of man, and that found out the origin of all, He will restore to you again in His mercy both breath and life,…” 2 Machabees 7:22-23

In the Book of Ezechiel, there are passages that reveal that God condemns the sacrificing of children in pagan rituals. These appear in Ezechiel 16:20-21, 16:36, and 23:3739. Likewise, God must be greatly saddened and angered by late term abortions, partial birth abortions and

so-called after birth abortions.

The Bible is so clearly instructive when we open our hearts, minds and souls to God’s sacred words. The good news is that God is willing to forgive all who have made the choice of abortion, as well as those who perform them. What a comfort to know that Our Father is so merciful and forgiving.

Vincent dePaul Gisriel Jr. Ocean City

Annual Ocean Pines book sale a success

Editor,

To the Ocean Pines community and surrounding area:

The Annual Ocean Pines Library Book Sale was held July 23 through July 29 and was a huge success with approximately $14,000.00 in sales that will be used for programs, events, children’s programs and other needs that the Ocean Pines Library supplies the public daily.

Those who attend this event know that it takes large numbers of volunteers and many hours to make this event happen. This year there were

Mail your letter to

over 126 volunteers who gave over 800 hours doing set-up, tear-down, cashiering, counting, organizing, greeting and doing the many tasks required to make this event run smoothly. It has also created many friendships, camaraderie, togetherness and above all, the love of the library and its operations.

The Friends of the Ocean Pines Library would like to thank all of those who volunteered their time, the library staff, the OP Police Department, the Ocean Pines Department of Public Works, the OC Today-Dispatch, The Courier, the Bayside Gazette, ABC Printing, Copy Central and to all the patrons who attended the book sale with their kindness and contributions of donations throughout the year.

The FOPL is looking for a person or people to chair the book sale for the future. Anyone interested can contact Jim Meckley at the Ocean Pines Library. Thank you again to the community and neighbors for all you do to make the Ocean Pines Library the flagship of public libraries.

Jim Meckley and Eileen Leonhart, book sale co-chairs

All letters are subject to editing for clarity and potentially libelous material

Continued from Page 91

Maryland National Memorial Park at 13300 Baltimore-Washington Blvd., in Laurel.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Coastal Hospice at P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, MD.

LLOYD EDSTON “EDDIE” JESTER JR. Ocean City

Eddie Jester passed away on July 31 and has gone to be with other family and friends in a far better home.

He had just turned 90 on July 5 and enjoyed a birthday celebration with many of the people he had impacted during his long life.

He was preceded in death by his father, Lloyd E. Jester Sr.; his mother, Irma J. Jester; his brother and sister-in-law, Capt. James and Elsie Jester; his uncle, Pvt. Lewis Jones (WWII KIA) and his wife Evaleen; his nephew, Master Sgt. Bob Jester and his wife Hattie; his niece, Rosetta Smith and her husband Drew; and his wife of 37 years, Kay. He was also preceded in death by his stepdaughters Theresa Burbage, Dawn Mumford and Sue Ellen Gates.

He graduated from Buckingham High School in 1952. He then attended Goldey Beacom College, graduating in 1954 with an associate of arts degree.

He enlisted in the United States Army in October 1954 and was attached to the 101st Airborne Infantry Division, serving as a personnel management specialist until receiving a hardship discharge in 1955.

Eddie worked at Magee Hardware and Service in Berlin for two years, serving as an inventory and counter clerk. He then joined the Delmarva Oil Co. team, delivering oil for eight years before advancing to office clerk for an additional 10 years.

All these were seasonal jobs, as he worked during the summers at Sportland Arcade in Ocean City, the family

business. He started out as a coupon boy and over a period of 60 years advanced to the position of president of the corporation. He retired on Dec. 31, 2010.

Eddie is survived by his daughters, Dana Gravenor (Bruce) of Deming, New Mexico, Tammi Jester of Novato, California, and Stacey Jester of Berlin; and son James (Annie) of Ocean City. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Paul Jones of Berlin, Kylie Clark of Los Gatos, California and Jenna Clark of Boston; and one great-granddaughter, Searra Duvall.

He also has the following stepchildren: Jerry Priestley (Debbie) and Melinda Jones (Steve). He has two step-grandsons, Alan and Aaron Stewart, and seven step-great-grandchildren.

He was a member of Lighthouse Church of God and served on its Board of Trustees.

There was a viewing for family and close friends on Sunday, Aug. 4, and a graveside service at Buckingham Cemetery on Tuesday, Aug. 6.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either Coastal Hospice or Lighthouse Church of God.

The family would like to thank the wonderful people at Coastal Hospice for their loving care during Eddie’s brief stay.

CHARLES REICH

Ocean City

Charles Reich, 72, passed away peacefully on Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, at Catered Living Memory Care in Ocean Pines.

Born in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Everett Reich and Rosella Brille Reich.

He retired as manager of the Research and Technology Center at US Steel in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, after a long career that took him to many countries across the world.

Chuck had many hobbies including running marathons, cycling, and

spending time on the beach, but his biggest passion was music. He was a seasoned drummer playing in many bands from junior high school and throughout the rest of his life. This passion was passed down to all four of his grandsons. Chuck even had the opportunity to play in a band with them for over ten years in Pittsburgh and the surrounding area. After his retirement he and his wife relocated to Ocean City, due to the many memories they made there on family vacations.

Above all, his favorite role was that of a grandparent, and Chuck treasured his time with the grandkids and loved being their Papa.

He is survived by his loving wife, JoAnne Nicklow Reich; daughter Carla Cataldo (Joe); son Derek Reich (Jessica); brother August Reich (Sandy); sister Priscilla Carme (Mike); and his four grandsons, An-

thony Cataldo (Brandy), Jordan Cataldo (Amanda), Blaine and Logan Reich.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his sister, Kathy Reich.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Hill Rd S.W, Lilburn, GA 30047 or at lbda.org/donate.

The family would like to thank the staff at Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center, Catered Living Memory Care, and Coastal Hospice for the special care they provided to Chuck.

Cremation followed his death. A memorial service was set to be held on Aug. 7, at the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin. Visitation was from from 11 a.m. to noon, with the service stating at noon.

Letters of condolence can be sent

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Lloyd Jester Jr.

Charles Reich

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to the family via burbagefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin.

At a future date, a Celebration of Life will be held back in his hometown area.

HORACIO VACCAREZZA

Ocean Pines

Horacio Vaccarezza, 88, of Ocean Pines, passed away peacefully and adored by his beloved family on Aug. 2, 2024.

He was the devoted husband and life-long partner of Margot; loving and unbelievable father of Claudia Gausepohl (Greg) and Diego Vaccarezza (Karin); and ‘Tata’ to four grandchildren, Nick and Alexis Gausepohl, and Jake and Daniel Vaccarezza. He also leaves behind a trail of people that he impacted through

his generosity, sense of humor, and spirit.

Horacio was born in Montevideo, Uruguay, to his late parents Ricardo and Esther Vaccarezza. Stories from his younger days are too numerous to tell but they all reflect great and lifelong friendships, a love of nature and animals, and an energy and love of life.

He immigrated to the United States in 1974 with his wife and two young children and worked tirelessly to provide a great life for his family. He loved soccer, having played as a young man and then dedicating himself to coaching and being a lifelong fan of his beloved Charruas from Uruguay.

Horacio moved to Ocean Pines in 2001 where he continued to make friends, always ready to lend a hand and undoubtedly find a solution hidden somewhere in his garage.

Visitation begins at noon, followed by a celebration of life at 1 p.m., on Aug. 14, at the Community Church of Ocean Pines.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Worcester County Humane Society.

VIVIAN FERN YOST Venice, Florida

Vivian Fern Yost, 96, of Venice, Florida, formerly of Selbyville, Delaware, died Sunday, Aug. 4,2024, at Macky and Pam Stansell House in Berlin. She was born in Hooversville, Pennsylvania, and was the daughter of the late Homer R. Sleek and Amy Adella (Ashbrook) Sleek.

Vivian was a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Venice, Florida. She loved to read, garden and spend time with her family but especially loved to dance.

She is survived by three children, Rodney Adelman of Goodyear, Arizona, Tammy Gott and husband Robert Asner of Bishopville, and Bonnie Suozzo and husband Robert of Bridgewater, New Jersey; two sisters, Dorothy Bostic and Marlene

Oppy; daughter-in-law Barbara Mann; six grandchildren, Valerie Collier (Anthony), Mansfield Edward "Luke" Gott III (Brittney), Joshua Gott, Christina Gott, Julia Suozzo and William Suozzo; and eight greatgrandchildren, Aiden, Camden and Weston Collier, Kaylie, Penelope, Sophia and Gabrielle Gott, and Aaliyah Shockley.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, William Emmett Yost; a son, William E. "Billy" Yost Jr.; grandson Jason Adelman; daughter-in-law Regina Adelman; two brothers, Jim Sleek and Earl (Buck) Sleek; and sister Janet Miller.

A funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 9, at BishopHastings Funeral Home 19 S. Main St. in Selbyville. Burial will follow at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Millsboro at 1 p.m. A visitation is set from 10-11 a.m., Aug. 9, at Bishop-Hastings Funeral Home, one hour before the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Grace United Methodist Church 400 Field Ave. East Venice, FL. 34285; Sonrise Church at 10026 Main St. Berlin, MD; and Salem Unted Methodist Church, 29 W. Church St., Selbyville, DE 19975.

Condolences may be sent by visiting bishophastingsfh.com.

Vivian Fern Yost

Weather impacts fishing days

is common practice. About 100 boats have one fishing day remaining after Thursday’s large participation rate.

At this week’s Mayor and Council meeting, Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan touched on the unique aspects surrounding this year’s tournament.

“… the number of boats is down from last year and that’s basically because many of the smaller boats just couldn’t participate because of the weather forecast and the potential weather we’re going to receive from the storm that’s moving up the coast,” said Meehan.

The mayor said White Marlin Open week is annually a highlight of the season in Ocean City.

“We want to welcome all the anglers and their families to Ocean City. We want to thank them for coming here and supporting what is known as the largest and richest billfish tournament in the world,” he said. “They’re great visitors. It’s nice to see them here. They’re excited to be here. We wish them all the best of luck and to be safe out there, you know, because the weather is going be a little difficult the next few days … In Ocean City, it might be the busiest week of the year, I think, or close to it, if not. So we hope everybody gets a chance to come down to Harbour Island, go out to the Marlin Fest. Do it soon because the weather is going to get a little iffy as we get to the end of the week. But they’re here. Let’s welcome them and let’s wish them all the best of luck.”

early part of the week with tuna dominating on Monday, billfish filling up the leaderboard on Tuesday and some bigeye tuna on Wednesday.

After three days, the top payout is due to the first-place white marlin hooked on Tuesday by Ven Poole of Raleigh, N.C. aboard the Waste Knot of Raleigh, N.C. The 77.5-pound white marlin has an estimated prize of $4.18 million as of Thursday morning. It’s worth noting there were no qualifying white marlin brought in during last year’s tournament. In 2022, a 77.5-pound white marlin hooked by Jeremy Duffie on the Billfisher of Ocean City took home firstplace honors and $4.1 million.

Tuesday was an active day at the scales at Harbour Marina. Following the white marlin were two huge blue marlin.

First came a 897.5-pound blue marlin caught by Lance Blakemore of Horseheads, N.Y. aboard the Stone Cutter out of St. Augustine, Fla. The massive fish stands to make $555,093 as of Thursday morning. Shortly after the big blue rocked the docks came some suspense as another blue marlin was brought in by the team of the Bobojo out of Manteo, N.C. Angler Hershel Martin of Montross, Va. brought in a 789.5-pound blue marlin, which is worth $481,087 after three days of active fishing.

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Though there were some unfavorable conditions, fishing was robust in the

Tuesday also changed up the tuna leaderboard with a 220.5-pound big eye tuna caught by Rob Jones of Cincinnati, Ohio aboard the Blue Runner of Pt. Pleasant, N.J. The first-place tuna is worth $1,038,365. On Wednesday, nu-

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The 897.5-pound blue marlin caught by the Stone Cutter ranks in the top five biggest fish ever caught during the White Marlin Open. As of Thursday morning, it was worth $555,000 for the fishing team.

Over the years, the number of boats participating in the White Marlin Open has gone up and down like the rolling sea, as this chart of the past 20 years shows. The money, on the other hand, has mostly gone up ... way up. One way to look at it is to divide the total purse by the number of registered boats. In 2005, which had the greatest number of participating boats over the past two decades, the split per boat would be about $6,013. In 2023, the prize money hit a record $10.5 million, which comes to $26,250 per boat. This year, with 82 fewer boats signed up and the purse down accordingly, the split per boat is even higher, coming in at $26,730. That’s why, when they call this the richest fishing tournament in the world, they’re not kidding.

Top tuna challenged at docks

Continued from Page 97

merous big eye tuna were weighed but none challenged the Blue Runner’s firstplace catch. After three days of fishing, the second place tuna is worth $209,809. The 193.5-pound big eye was caught by Jeff Green of Wildwood, N.J. aboard the Warden Pass of Cape May, N.J. Firmly in third place was a 191.5pound tuna caught by Summit, N.J. resident Mac Hugin on The Right Place worth $113,633.

The dolphin division could be a lucrative one for the team of Michael Jordan’s Catch 23 if all holds up through Saturday. Tuesday’s 32.5-pound beauty caught by Stuart, Fla.’s Patrick Field is worth $124,495 as of Thursday morning. In second place is a 31-pound dolphin caught by Westminster’s Andy Geldmacher aboard the Double Nickel worth $3,125.

In a posted day three recap, White Marlin Open organizers acknowledged the uncertainty in the days ahead due to the weather. The recap posted on the tournament website and through email read, “The remaining days will be pivotal as boats continue to navigate the challenging weather as Tropical Storm Debby moves closer to the Maryland

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coast. The boats may fish through Saturday this year, so changes could occur in difficult seas.”

Saturday is set to be the final day of fishing in this year’s White Marlin Open, followed by polygraph testing for potential winners on Sunday. Aug. 11 and an awards ceremony on Aug. 11 from 4-6 p.m. at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center.

PHOTO COURTESY OF FISH IN OC

The 220.5-pound big eye caught on Tuesday sustained some challenges Wednesday but it remains in first place and could net the Blue Runner a $1 million payday.

PHOTO COURTESY OF FISH IN OC

Soon after the first-place blue marlin was weighed, the Bobojo weighed in a 789.5 pound blue worth $481,087 as of Thursday morning.

Sports & Recreation

Three Decatur players excel at Sr. League World Series

By Bruce Walls Contributing Writer

(Aug. 9, 2024) Bailey Griffin, Ava Snelsire and Ryleigh Smith from Berlin made the Senior League Softball World Series.

Little League Baseball holds eight World Series tournaments around the world. The Senior League Softball World Series has been held for the past 21 years near Ocean City, just over the Delaware/Maryland line at Lower Sussex Pyle Complex in Roxanna, Del. World Series Tournament Director Martin Donovan said Lower Sussex took on the challenge because, “it provides good softball here and as long as we are running it, we can have the host team play. This has been a new experience…the first time the Philippines attended. They bowed and kissed your check … We have all been learning new customs from cultures from around the world.”

Little League is celebrating its 50th year anniversary this year. Historically over those 50 years, softball has brought together children and families from around the world, including Israel, Jordan, Russia, Germany, Japan, Canada, Australia, Poland, Mexico, China, Venezuela, South Africa and the

U.S.

This year’s slogan is Girl’s with Game, representing the East (Middletown, Delaware), West (Honolulu, Hawaii), Canada (Calgary, Alberta), Delaware District III (host team), Central (Beardstown, Illinois), Latin America (Guánica, Puerto Rico), Southwest (Gloster, Louisiana), Southeast (Irmo, South Carolina), Asia Pacific (Bacolod City, Philippines) and Europe-Africa (Haarlem, Netherlands).

The 10-day program started with arrivals on July 26 and 27 for room checks-ins, uniforms, photos and credentialing.

“The transition from the school buses to the charter buses from the airport made it better, more comfortable and they were more relaxed when they got here,” Donovan said.

Sunday was more photos and a get to know you pool party, barbeque, DJ and games. The excitement was in the air. Delaware’s team greeted the arriving teams with gift bags filled with Eastern Shore surprises. Opening Ceremonies included sponsors, elected officials and the first pitch.

At 6 p.m., Delaware D III played, gaining their first victory with 14 -0 against East. Griffin, Snelsire and Smith

Annual Pettolina Heels & Reels tourney awards $76K

(Aug. 9, 2024) The Ocean City Marlin Club’s 16th Annual Franky Pettolina Heels & Reels Tournament

featured 39 registered boats with a payout of $76,680.

Held last weekend, the tournament recognizes Pettolina, the longtime local boat captain and marlin club volunteer leader who left a major impact on the fishing community before his sudden passing in 2021.

Leading the way in prize money this year was the Marli with a tuna stringer total of 107.5 pounds worth $22,680.

In the billfish category, the team of the Real One collected 300 billfish release points and reeled in $17,640, followed by the Espadon with 300 points and $3,564 in earnings and the Lights Out with 300 points and a $2,376 payday.

Taking top honors in the mahi division and $15,210 was the Max Bet with a 27-pound mahi.

In the tuna division, it was the Fishticuffs taking first place with a 102.5-pound beauty worth $7,650,

– all standouts on Stephen Decatur’s varsity softball team — joined the D III team as it was the closest team to them.

“It is great to be here,” Griffin, who plays left field, said.

She had five hits and two RBIs and scored five runs during the tournament.

Snelsire, who plays second base said, “this is really cool.”

She had two hits and two RBIs and scored two runs.

Smith, the catcher, described the game as “totally awesome.”

She had six hits and six RBIs and scored five runs.

Head DE III coach Sarah Hoban has

been coaching this team for three years said this was her third World Series.

Hoban said she was, “very excited for the group of players she has, they are nice to everyone, involved and show a real team effort.”

On the second day, the team lost 4-3 against Southwest, followed by a win on day three against Latin America, 6-2. They had a one-day break and then on Aug. 2 they beat the Netherlands 12-2. On Aug. 3 they lost to Hawaii 9-7 and ended in fourth place.

The Central team from Illinois won the tournament with Southeast in second and Hawaii in third.

by the

worth

Following the fishing, an awards

followed

Marli with 58.5 pounder

$7,560.

ceremony was hosted at the Ocean City Marlin Club to distribute purse money.

PHOTO COURTESY SUSAN TAYLOR-WALLS

Berlin residents Ryleigh Smith, Ava Snelsire and Bailey Griffin are pictured during the Senior League Softball World Series.

PHOTO COURTESY OF OC MARLIN CLUB

The Fishitcuffs team, pictured at the awards ceremony at the Ocean City Marlin Club, collected a check for $7,650 for finishing first in the tuna division with a 102-pound yellowfin.

The team of the Marli posted a tuna stringer that would not be beat on Friday. The stringer turned out to be worth more than $22,000.

SCOTT LENOX

PHOTOS COURTESY FISH IN OC

Captain Monty Hawkins of the Morning Star has started to catch some nice inshore mahi like this beauty, hooked by an unidentified angler. Above right, this crew fishing on board the Boss Hogg had an incredible day catching a grand slam that consisted of two white marlin, a blue marlin and a sailfish.

PHOTOS COURTESY FISH IN OC

This big sea bass, above left, came by way of the Judith M fishing out of Bahia Marina. Above middle, John Biesecker and the crew of Line Dancer won first place in the Worcester County Chamber Flounder Tournament with a nice 22” keeper. Above right, Captain Mike Burt of Pumpin’ Hard put these guys on four white marlin, three yellowfin tuna and a mahi.

Below left, this 21” keeper flounder landed in the net of the Lucky Break with Captain Jason Mumford. Below middle, Luke Wrye fished the Route 50 Bridge where he lucked into this 30” keeper rockfish. Below right, Caleb Powell and Mitch Ferrell had six keeper flounder on Deadly Tackle Deadly Doubles with Gulp.