Recruitment of operators on hold, as council, staff decide how or whether popular service will roll next summer. — Page 6
New Buckingham Elem. funding pledged by state
A memorandum of understanding between county, school board and state means new school will be built after all. — Page 74
Court to commissioners: explain vote on
After majority vote rejects request from Snow Hill antique store, judge tells officials they need to say why. — Page 22
PHOTO COURTESY JP CATHELL PHOTOGRAPHY
The aurora borealis, rarely seen this far south, lights up Assateague last week courtesy of a major solar storm.
City may alter bus fare for non-resident senior riders
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Oct. 18, 2024) Members of a resort committee this week supported a recommendation to do away with halfpriced bus fare for non-resident seniors.
In June, Transit Manager Rob Shearman presented the Ocean City Transportation Committee with a recommendation to amend the city’s policy on half-priced bus fare for nonresidents ages 60 and older. While staff said they wanted to continue to provide that service, they recommended eliminating the need to administer a physical bus pass to do so.
When the committee opted to take no action, the recommendation was brought to the Mayor and Council for discussion. However, the recommendation gained no traction at the council level either, and the policy remained unchanged throughout the summer season.
Back on the agenda this week, Shearman told transportation committee members he wanted to revisit the policy now that the summer season had passed. He noted that from Memorial Day to Labor Day, only 113 non-residents had applied to receive a senior bus pass at the four distribution locations throughout town.
“It’s not really a heavily utilized policy,” he said.
Shearman noted the town’s policies and procedures manual lays out certain provisions for senior bus passes. First, it provides Ocean City residents and property owners ages 60 and older with free bus fare. Second, it provides nonresidents ages 60 and older with half-priced bus fare. Both require those eligible to obtain a bus pass.
Shearman added there is also a federally imposed policy that bus riders 65 and older are entitled to half-priced fare without the need for a special card. He said the city should consider implementing that same no-card policy for non-resident bus riders ages 60 and older.
“My recommendation is we continue offering the policy of half fare to nonresidents 60 and older, but that we eliminate the requirement for them to go to one of these four locations and get a card verifying that eligibility,” he said. “I think we could verify the eligibility on the bus the same way that we verify those 65 the older presently.”
However, both Councilwoman Carol Proctor and Mayor Rick Meehan said they did not support a change that required bus drivers to take on the added task of verifying the age of non-resident riders. Meehan then suggested that the town do away with the non-resident senior bus passes altogether.
“If we only have 113 people getting the card, why don’t we just give the break to Ocean City residents 60 or older, and everybody else it’s’ 65 and older,” he said. “They follow the federal guidelines.”
Shearman said he would support that recommendation, as it would reduce the amount of paperwork employees are tasked with at the four distribution locations.
“It would still reduce the paperwork burden for these four places, to have this thing to keep track of and train their staff on, for something that’s not well utilized,” he said.
After further discussion, officials agreed to move forward with the recommendation.
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Tram future remains unclear in Ocean City after tragedy
Committee meeting centers on bus staffing with little talk about tram drivers
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Oct. 18, 2024) The future of the Boardwalk trams remains unclear as discussions on driver and conductor recruitment for next summer were noticeably absent from Tuesday’s transportation committee meeting.
On Tuesday, Transit Manager Rob Shearman presented members of the Ocean City Transportation Committee with an update on staffing within the town’s bus division. While officials will soon begin the process of recruiting bus drivers for the 2025
summer season, Shearman said a decision to return the Boardwalk trams next year has yet to be made. Staffing of the trams was not broached during Tuesday’s committee gathering.
“A decision hasn’t been reached on that,” he said following this week’s meeting. “There are some legal questions that need to be worked out first.”
Tram service was suspended in the weeks following an Aug. 20 incident, in which a tram driving south on the concrete lane of the Boardwalk struck and killed an unidentified toddler who was running west from the beach onto the Boardwalk near Dorchester Street. And last month, transportation officials confirmed that trams would not run for the remainder of the year.
Shearman said this week the police department’s investigation into the Aug. 20 fatality has not yet concluded. Once those results are provided, he said, tram operations would adjust accordingly.
Until then, transportation officials are busy preparing for next summer. Noting that a staffing shortage within the bus division had resulted in fewer deployments this summer and several shift vacancies for the upcoming Sunfest event, Shearman said he and other city officials were evaluating hiring incentives and recruitment initiatives for 2025.
STEVE GREEN/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
The Jeep-led Boardwalk tram is pictured during the 2022 OC Air Show heading south with about 35 riders.
No decision on Boardwalk tram
Continued from Page 6
“We have a meeting scheduled tomorrow with the city manager and the city budget director to discuss seasonal wages and incentives for 2025,” Shearman told committee members Tuesday. “So I think that’s obviously the important first step, is to figure out what those numbers are before we then hit the streets to really start the recruiting push.”
Shearman said the transportation department had 10 fewer bus drivers than it did in 2023. He said some of the recruitment efforts for next season include placing buses at shopping centers, attending job fairs and reaching out to local colleges. He said the city could also market to potential bus drivers who live across the bridge and want to relocate to Ocean City for the summer season.
“I think it’s safe for us to say that
for drivers who are willing to work evenings and weekends, I think we can probably safely say you have availability up to 40 hours if you want them,” he explained. “So I think maybe we can incorporate that into our marketing, just to let people know, especially if they’re considering relocating for the summer, that yes you’ll be able to work as much as you want up to and including 40 hours, provided you are available when we need you most.”
Council Secretary Tony DeLuca, a committee member, said the city needed to bolster its bus staffing ahead of next summer. He encouraged the department to push its recruitment efforts.
“We’re getting closer and closer to 50 [drivers],” he said. “The day when we have 40 drivers, and 50 buses is a real problem.”
Special event zone will be in place for next year’s bikers
City council agrees with task force recommendation after reviewing event data
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Oct. 18, 2024) Ocean City will implement a special event zone for next year’s OC Bikefest.
With a recommendation from the Ocean City Motor Event Task Force in hand, the City Council voted unanimously this week to approve a special event zone for the 2025 OC Bikefest. The decision comes weeks after task force members convened a meeting to discuss what appeared to be a troublesome motorcycle event in September.
“The police chief was very clear that the special event zone, when we first pursued that, particularly for H20i and the Cruisin’ events, the special event was not put in place for Bikefest because the event was always run smoothly and did not warrant the need for a special event zone,” Mayor Rick Meehan said. “He went over statistics from the last Bikefest this past fall, and he now believes that it does warrant it based on the stats and the police records, that it does warrant enacting that special event zoning during Bikefest. So that’s the recommendation, that’s why it changed.”
The special event zone – created in 2018 and improved in 2020 – allows the Town of Ocean City to reduce established speed limits and enhance
penalties during the city’s motorized special events. The designation has been largely effective in curbing reckless and illegal driving and stopping the unsanctioned pop-up car rally that took over the resort in years past.
Late last month, however, the city’s motor event task force met to discuss whether a special event zone would now be needed for OC Bikefest, held Sept. 11-15. While police activity remained rather consistent this year, several incidents – including a hit-and-run that critically injured a local teen – resulted in community members calling on officials to implement the same designation it used for spring and fall Cruisin’ events. Officials say the most troublesome statistics from this year’s motorcycle event were the number of collisions, noise complaints and bike thefts that had occurred in town.
“I think in the best interest of public safety moving forward we should strongly consider a special event zone, to at least lower a few speeds,” Police Chief Buzzuro said at the time. “If we can lower the number of accidents, it’s well worth it.”
With a recommendation from the town’s task force, the council voted 70 on Tuesday to implement a special event zone for the 2025 OC Bikefest. Council President Matt James encouraged staff to also work with the Bikefest promoter.
“We should have standards,” he said, “and if we have high standards we will have the high-class events we talk about.”
North OC beach stands headed to auction in Dec.
In all, 20 of the 70 streets available for live bidders
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Oct. 18, 2024) An auction of several beach parcels will proceed following council approval this week.
The Town of Ocean City will soon seek franchise bids for 16 north-end beach parcels, two mid-beach parcels and two south-end parcels. On Tuesday, the Ocean City Council voted unanimously to move forward with a live auction in December.
“That auction is planned for Wednesday, December 4 at 10 a.m. in the council chambers,” City Clerk Diana Chavis said.
The town currently franchises 70 beach equipment parcels spanning the entire Ocean Beach, with the parcels divided into three sections –south end, mid beach, and north end. Each year, one of those three sections
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BETHANY HOOPER/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
City Clerk Diana Chavis is pictured presenting details about the upcoming auction of beach stands before the Mayor and Council Tuesday.
Beach stands set for live auction at City Hall Dec. 4
is auctioned off, with the highest bidders receiving a three-year contract to rent umbrellas, chairs and cabanas on the beach. The town’s code also provides one option for first-term contract renewals at an annual fee of 10% greater than the initial term.
This year, operators of two northend parcels exercised their option to renew their first-year contracts. The remaining 16 will be auctioned off to the highest bidder.
The council voted this week to proceed with the auction, which is scheduled for Dec. 4. Officials also agreed to include four other parcels in the auction – two mid-beach parcels and two south-end parcels. In her memo to the council, Chavis noted that the two mid-beach parcels will be avail-
able for a two-year contract, as those parcels received no bids in the 2024 auction or when a sealed bid was conducted shortly after. The two southend parcels will be available for a one-year contract, as the current operator is relocating to Florida.
“The second highest bidder for those declined to take them, so that’s why I’m including them in this auction in December,” she told the council Tuesday.
Bids for each parcel start at $500.
In the most recent auction of northend parcels, the lowest bid received was $660 for 85th, 86th and 87th street beaches while the highest bid received was $37,950 for the Fountainhead, Carousel and 118th Street beaches.
EXPERIENCE YOU CAN TRUST
Candidates talk growth, livability
By Brian Shane Staff Writer
(Oct. 18, 2024) Police officer salaries and rental home restrictions in Ocean City dominated the discussion at candidate’s forum for the seven men vying for four seats on the Town Council.
“On the Eastern Shore, we have one of the worst starting salaries for police officers,” said council candidate Jake Mitrecic, when asked whether Ocean City’s starting salary for police at $56,259 measures up with Ocean Pines at $61,000.
“We’re not retaining officers the way we need to be. Part of that just comes down to dollars and sense,” Mitrecic added. “If we can’t offer you a signing bonus and a competitive salary, then how are we meant to keep you here? If you’re working six days a week and you’re getting blackout dates for when you can and can’t take leave, then you’re losing the best part of living in this town.”
Mitrecic added that he’d support pay raises for unionized resort police officers at the next round of collective bargaining.
About 150 people attended the event, held Wednesday night at the Carousel hotel and hosted by the Ocean City firefighter’s union, IAFF Local 4269. The Q&A was moderated
Ocean City Today-Dispatch Editor Stewart Dobson. The video also was live-streamed.
Other candidates at the forum included incumbents Tony DeLuca and John Gehrig, and newcomers Tony DeSanctis, Denis Jenkins, George Leukel, and Larry Yates.
Yates, a retired career police officer, said he would consider an increase to property taxes to pay for increased police pay.
“No one wants their taxes raised, but if that’s what it takes, it is safety above money. It is necessity versus
nicety. In all seriousness, we need to look at that as a practical matter. We just cannot continue doing what we’re doing. The salaries are not adequate. The don’t have time off and they are worked to the bone,” he said. Jenkins, when council candidates were asked how to handle short-term residential rentals, replied that “people should be allowed to have them” and said he would support looking into legislation for 30-day rental minimums.
“Short-term rentals do cause housing to be more expensive for the peo-
BRIAN SHANE/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan, left, and Councilman Peter Buas are pictured during the candidates forum Wednesday night.
Election will fill four seats Nov. 5
ple that want to actually come and live in this town,” Jenkins said, “because it takes away some of the homes people could be living in. If you want to look at it from that point of view, then short-term rentals are a bad thing.
“However,” he added, “as a property owner, who’s to say I can’t make a little extra money with my property if I want to rent it out?”
Tony DeLuca, a councilman since 2014, said he supports a 5- to 7-day minimum for short-term rentals in residential and mobile home districts. “I don’t think it should be two or three (days) in R1 or MH,” he said. “I support two per bedroom plus two children under 10.”
John Gehrig, elected in 2016, said rental websites like AirBnB and VRBO have disrupted the market, and “that just means we need to adjust.”
“We need occupancy limits,” he said. “Nightly rentals in neighborhoods is completely unacceptable. If someone wants a nightly rental, there’s thousands of other options in Ocean City.”
Candidates also fielded questions about municipal residency requirements for council candidates, plans for a youth sports complex, and density of residential development on the north end of town.
Notably, candidate Leukel sported not just blue jeans and a ballcap, but a customized short-sleeve white Tshirt adorned with patriotic imagery and emblazoned with GEORGE LEUKEL ’24. All other candidates wore a dress shirt, tie, and blazer.
Mayoral Questions
The forum also included a face-off between mayoral candidates Peter Buas, a first-term councilman, and Mayor Rick Meehan, who were asked to share their views on why they want the job and how they’d do it.
Buas, an attorney who works in Ocean City, said that while he and Meehan agree on policy goals, he said he believes his blend of experience, background, connections, and skill set make him “the ideal choice” for mayor.
“Basically, the job of mayor is to get everyone on the same page,” Buas said in his closing statement. “And right now, I don’t think we’re on the same page as our partners. I think our relationships have grown stagnant.
“What I do believe,” he added, “is that a new face can go a long way in breaking some of these logjams and try and get us moving in the right direction with our partners. I really think now is the right time for a new mayor to step in.”
With 18 years in office, no mayor has ever served the resort longer than Meehan, who was elected in 2006 and has rarely faced real opposition
in subsequent biennial mayoral elections. Meehan is also a Realtor in town.
“Being mayor is a job I take very seriously,” he said. “I have built those relationships in Annapolis, so that when we have major issues, I was able to go to committee chairmen and get those pieces of legislation passed
– or, held back, if in fact they didn’t benefit the town.”
Meehan also noted that he’s been certified in various elements of federal emergency preparedness because, during a formal state of emergency, the mayor is authorized to take over command of the town’s emergency services and response.
“It’s come into play on three occasions: during Hurricane Irene, Superstorm Sandy, and also during the COVID pandemic,” Meehan said in closing. “It’s essential you have a mayor in place that has the background to be able to address those situations that are imperative to all of us. I plan to continue to do that.”
BRIAN SHANE/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
Pictured, from left, are candidates Tony DeSanctis, Jake Mitrecic, Larry Yates, Denis Jenkins, Councilman John Gehrig, George Leukel and Councilman Tony DeLuca.
CLASSICS ON DISPLAY
SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
while the Inlet parking lot is a popular viewing area for the vehicles, Cruisin Ocean City also hosted an indoor car show as part of last weekend’s annaul fall event.
National IV bag shortage affecting the area
aging the situation using alternative methods to administer medications and fluids where possible, such as injections, oral medications, or smallervolume intravenous bags.
By Brian Shane Staff Writer
(Oct. 18, 2024) Hurricane Helene’s impact on a major manufacturer of intravenous fluid bags has left hospitals across Delmarva in short supply and scrambling to find work-arounds.
It’s a supply-chain disruption that may take weeks to sort out, according to Toni Keiser, vice president of public relations for Atlantic General Hospital.
The Berlin hospital is “continuing to monitor our IV solution inventories daily and are working closely with the Maryland Department of Health and other agencies to mitigate the impact on clinical operations,” she said.
In Salisbury, TidalHealth is man-
The hospital has protocols in place to manage the shortage and ensure that critical needs are still being met, and staff physicians are finding alternative sources to maintain our supply, according to spokesman Roger Follebout.
‘Coming
disruptions has been on everyone’s minds.’
Healthcare have not been negatively impacted, though staff continues to keep a close count on IV inventory, according to Dr. Paul Sierzenski, senior vice president and chief medical officer. Beebe was notified that Baxter would be distributing at 40 percent of their normal volume of supplies, and that figure will soon rise to 60 percent, he said.
Senior vice president and chief medical officer
Dr. Paul Sierzenski
“In many cases, these alternatives work just as effectively,” he said. “Our bedside nurses and other clinicians are encouraging patients to ask questions and bring us their concerns so we can quell rumors and continue to help them understand their plan of care.”
In Delaware, patients at Beebe
“Coming through COVID, the issue of potential supply disruptions has been on everyone’s minds,” Sierzenski said in an interview. “We, just like many other organizations have some really rapid response policies and approaches where there is such a disruption. Right now we are doing well and are here for the community.”
Beebe has more than 60 sites of care throughout Sussex County, including two campuses in Rehoboth Beach and a hospital in Lewes.
To mitigate impact of the shortage, Beebe is considering when it’s appropriate to use alternative medications or solutions – like going from intravenous to oral – and “that is all guided by the science,” Sierzenski said.
The entire U.S. medical system is reeling from this unexpected shortage of hospital-grade intravenous bags, caused by Hurricane Helene during the week of Sept. 24-29. The storm surge flooded and severely damaged a manufacturing hub of Baxter Global, a global supplier of intravenous solution and IV bags.
Baxter in an Oct. 14 statement said the company has hundreds of remediation contractors on-site to aid in cleanup efforts at its Western North Carolina facility, and returned 1,000 employees back to work last week.
“Our goal is to begin restarting North Cove production in phases by the end of this year,” the statement said. “We do not yet have a timeline for when we expect production to be fully restored to pre-hurricane levels.”
There are shortages of normal saline IV fluids, normal saline irrigation fluid, sterile water irrigation, and dextrose 5% IV fluids, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Baxter facility provides a “significant” portion of IV solutions irrigation fluids, and peritoneal solutions to the U.S. medical system.
Since Helene hit, the federal government has been “in constant communication” with Baxter and other manufacturers to address gaps in the supply chain, according to DHHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. His agency is also preparing for the impacts of future storms and working to move product away from “the next potentially catastrophic storm.”
Abortion rights on the ballot but voter confusion exists
By Brian Shane Staff Writer
(Oct. 18, 2024) Maryland voters will decide this Election Day whether to enshrine abortion rights into the state Constitution.
If approved, the ballot referendum would establish reproductive freedom as a “fundamental right,” including a mother’s right to prevent, continue, or end a pregnancy.
“The state many not, directly or indirectly, deny, burden, or abridge the right unless justified by a compelling state interest achieved by the least-restrictive means,” according to the text of the proposed amendment.
against Question 1,” she said. “When I talk to certain constituents and talk through the issue, some who support abortion believe at the same time there should be limits to abortion, which this amendment would preclude. They also are concerned about their parental rights.”
Carozza also noted that, while other states have tightened restrictions on reproductive rights, Maryland “went the other direction and expanded the rules, by allowing non-physicians to perform abortions. Already in Maryland law, there’s no limit, all the way up to birth. This amendment, in essence, has no limits.”
The statewide referendum – which will appear as Question 1 on the ballot – was set in motion by a bill during the General Assembly’s 2023 legislative session, the result of which puts the question to voters.
That initiative was sponsored by the legislature’s highest levels of leadership, House Speaker Adrianne Jones and Senate President Bill Ferguson, both Democrats. Both the House and Senate passed the bill on party-line votes, and the measure was signed into law by Gov. Wes Moore.
Local legislators who opposed the measure included Del. Wayne Hartman (R-38C), former Del. Carl Anderton (R-38B), Del. Chris Adams (R-37B), and Sen. Mary Beth Carozza (R-38).
Carozza in an interview said she objects to the fact that neither the ballot question nor the amendment mention age limits or parental notifications for abortions – the word “adult” does not appear in the amendment, she noted – which she and her Republican colleagues unsuccessfully attempted to include in the bill’s language.
“You can be pro-choice and vote
Existing Maryland law states that abortions are permitted until fetal viability. Beyond that, they are permitted if the life or health of the pregnant woman is in danger, or if the fetus has a serious defect or disorder. It also requires minors to inform their parents before seeking an abortion, although some exceptions do exist.
In addition, abortions must be performed by a “qualified provider” like a doctor, nurse practitioner, or midwife, according to a legislative analysis. Such medical providers are not liable for civil damages or criminal penalties if an abortion is “made in good faith and in the qualified provider’s best clinical judgement using accepted standards of clinical practice.”
The referendum comes because of the Supreme Court decision to end federal oversight of abortion rights in the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson case. The justices overturned the landmark 1973 case of Roe v. Wade by holding in Dobbs held that the Constitution does not confer abortion rights.
The Dobbs ruling set the stage for state lawmakers across the country to
See STATE Page 22
STEVE GREEN/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
In politically conservative northern Worcester County, signs of opposition to the statewide referendum on abortion have been prevalent.
Snow Hill zoning decision heading back to county
By Brian Shane Staff Writer
(Oct. 18, 2024) A judge is ordering Worcester County leaders to re-evaluate their denial of a petition to rezone a Snow Hill site from agricultural to commercial.
“When the town of Snow Hill wants it, people who live around there want it, I just – I don’t understand,” said attorney Hugh Cropper, who filed the appeal in Worcester County Circuit Court.
“I thought the comp plan was all about reutilization of existing properties. What do they want this lady to do, go build another 11,000 square foot building and let this one fall apart?” he added.
A year ago, Amy Kelly of Black Water Relics wanted to turn her vacant warehouse on Market Street into a antique shop. Moving forward with the project relied on re-zoning the land, so she hired Cropper to represent her for the zoning change.
Worcester’s planning commission gave the green light to Kelly’s project and passed it along to the Worcester County Commissioners for approval. In a subsequent hearing with the commissioners, Cropper asserted that the site’s 1992 designation as agricultural property was a mistake.
At a meeting held Aug. 3, 2023, the commissioners held a public hearing on the issue and voted 3-4 to reject that request – but failed to explain why. At the commissioners meeting, Snow Hill Area Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Snow Hill argued for the rezoning as a means to encourage economic development. Commissioner Joe Mitrecic motioned to approve the rezoning request but it failed 3-4 with Commissioners Caryn Abbott, Chip Bertino, Jim Bunting and Eric Fiori opposed. After the meeting, the commissioners told a reporter their individual reasons. Bertino said he
Page 23
State electorate to decide matter
Continued from Page 20
enact their own abortion plans.
As of January 2023, 14 states had abortion bans are in place. Another nine states have abortion bans on hold, and several others are challenging abortion bans in state courts, according to an analysis by the Maryland Department of Legislative Services. Maryland would join 17 states and the District of Columbia as states where the right to abortion is protected by law. Voters in California, Michigan, and Vermont already have approved ballot initiatives that establish the right to abortions in their respective state constitutions.
Commissioners must revisit denial
didn’t feel a zoning mistake had been made when it was labeled A-1. Fiori said rezoning the property would hurt the county’s comprehensive plan and it was important to retain the county’s agricultural heritage. Abbott said there was farm land surrounding the property, making the rezoning “a stretch.” Bunting worried about the zoning change setting a precedent.
The lack of a public explanation at the meeting for their denial is what led Worcester County Circuit Court Judge Brian Shockley on Oct. 4 to vacate and remand the commissioners’ decision.
The judge in a 12-page opinion said that, by not saying explicitly why they rejected the zoning appeal, the commis-
sioners who voted down the measure created an “analytical gap” between the petitioner’s case and their final ruling.
“No relevant or useful evidence was generated. No further discussion, questions, or debate occurred. … Nonetheless, the Commissioners proceeded to deny the rezoning application,” Shockley wrote in his Oct. 4 opinion.
The judge also said the commissioners effectively rejected the findings and recommendations of the Planning Commission, putting the burden on they themselves to present clear evidence that would support a rejection of the zoning appeal.
“There is nothing in the record to indicated that the Commissioners engaged in any public discussion, debate, fact
finding or analysis prior to the issuance” in their decision, Shockley wrote.
The judge also mentions in his report that there was a matter of some confusion during the public hearing – that the county heard the case as a zoning discussion about two parcels, while the petitioner Kelly only had sought re-zoning for one parcel.
Cropper, the attorney, said the commissioners are bound by the judge’s order to now reconsider the zoning change at a future public hearing.
“There was absolutely no evidence to the contrary. Not a shred. And it was a mistake because there’s nothing you can do with it as A1. It has no viable use in the A1 district. It was a mistake in 1992 and it remains a mistake today,” he said.
The Worcester County Commissioners objected in a 4-3 vote to a rezoning request that would have allowed Black Water Relics to transform a vacant warehouse near Snow Hill into an antique shop.
Deputies honored for efforts to save child’s life in July
By Brian Shane Staff Writer
(Oct. 18, 2024) When the 911 call came in for an unresponsive child at Frontier Town, it only took two minutes for sheriff’s deputies Noah King and Chris Parr to both respond from nearby road duty.
They found an 8-year-old girl unresponsive in her car seat, not breathing, and with no detectable pulse.
Acting Cpl. King pulled her from the minivan and watched as the girl’s eyes
rolled back in her head. Laying her on the ground, Cpl. Parr began chest compressions. They rotated doing CPR to the point where they were administering life-saving aid for almost 15 minutes.
“It felt like an eternity,” King said in an interview.
It was the afternoon of July 10. Emergency medical crews arrived the on scene and took over. Tension filled the air as a growing crowd of people surrounded the life-saving efforts. First responders feared the girl was on the verge of not surviving.
Then – a shout from the paramedics: We have a pulse.
The girl was rushed to the Ocean City airport and airlifted to Nemours Children’s Hospital in Wilmington. By the next day, the deputies got word that she had returned to almost normal.
“It’s the kind of feel-good story people hope for,” King added.
Authorities later learned that the child, visiting with her family from Pennsylvania, suffers from a history of pre-existing medical issues due to a complex and rare diagnosis.
For first responders in moments of crisis, even when emotions are running high, King said that you have to push past it and focus on the matter at hand.
“We’re paid problems solvers, in more ways than one,” said King, 27. “It sounds really cliché, but we can worry about being upset later. In the meantime, we need to devote all our training, knowledge, and resources to solving this problem.”
For their quick response and lifesaving efforts, both deputies were named Employee of the Quarter by Worcester County Sheriff Matt Crisafulli.
“In my mind, that’s miraculous –she was getting ready to be declared dead, and they were able to get a pulse back,” Crisafulli said. “Had it been five or 10 minutes more, those extra minutes would have made the difference in a life-or-death situation. It doesn’t get any more heroic.”
JACK CHAVEZ/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
For their quick responses in saving the life of an 8-year-old girl, Acting Cpl. Noah King (left) and Cpl. Chris Parr (right) were named Employee of the Quarter by Worcester County Sheriff Matt Crisafulli (center).
Bronco Beach Bash set for 2nd run in Ocean City
(Oct. 18, 2024) Live Wire Media & Events, along with Krawl Works, has announced details for this weekend’s 2nd Annual Bronco Beach Bash presented by Preston Ford.
The event features several elements for the Bronco enthusiast to enjoy. Morning beach cruises on Saturday and Sunday will start at 8 a.m. A sand course built on the beach between the Inlet and the Pier will feature three shifts daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. A show and shine competition will be held with awards for different eras of the iconic Bronco.
The center piece of the Bronco Beach Bash is the vendor alley, which features new Broncos from Preston Pittsville Ford. You can stop by and test drive one of these amazing offroad vehicles, talk to the sales team about the current inventory, and the Bronco editions. You will also see Audio Works & Kicker onsite with sound systems for your Bronco or any other vehicle you may need to upgrade your system.
Others vendors include BWT Offroad to check out the selection of wheels and tires from major brands. Other vendors like EZ 4x4, Krawl Works, Eastern Shore Bronco Restoration, Trail Seven, and North East Classic Ford Parts will be showcasing their products and services. This is like a Bronco and 4x4 expo all in one. There is no charge to check out the vendors and admire the Broncos on display. DJ Hook will spin tunes all weekend. Times for the vendor zone will be 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Inlet parking lot.
This year organizer Brad Hoffman of Live Wire said the “Million Dollar Bronco” will be on display fresh off rookie of the year performance at King Of The Hammers. This vehicle is owned by Chaos Performance out of Winchester, Va. It was built to compete at the highest level of offroad racing, the unlimited class. Come take pictures next to this custom one of a kind beast.
Returning for the second year with components of a build in progress will be Eastern Shore Bronco Restoration, showing off what it takes to restore an older Bronco. These experts can discuss with anyone looking to restore one of these classics and exactly what it would take.
The event’s kickoff party will be held Friday night starting at 6 at Blu Crabhouse with a costume contest with prizes open to the public. On Saturday night, from 5:30-8 p.m., there will be a private party at Seacrets Moorely Hall to premiere the 2024 Bronco Beach Bash Movie, featuring footage from this year’s event. Later that evening Fast Eddie’s will host a special event.
SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
A lineup of Broncos is pictured lined up in the Inlet parking lot during last year’s first event celebrating Ford’s popular make and model.
with 1 BR w/bath on level 1. A
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Brick dedication announced for beloved ‘Sarge’
(Oct. 18, 2024) Friends of William Lawrence “Sarge” Garlitz will host a brick dedication ceremony at the Worcester County Veterans Memorial in Ocean Pines on Friday, Nov. 1, at 11 a.m.
Garlitz, who passed away in April, served in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army, and was a tireless volunteer.
A Lonaconing, Maryland native, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1961, serving in various locations including French Morocco during the Vietnam era and Florida during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He later joined the U.S. Army in 1974, providing security at Fort Meade, and returned to the Air Force in 1988, where he was involved in major operations, including a record-breaking drug bust in Texas. Garlitz earned multiple commendations and medals throughout his career, ultimately retiring with the rank of master sergeant after serving in locations such as England, Japan, and Dover Air Force Base.
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Garlitz was a dedicated community member involved in various organizations, including the Boy Scouts, VFW, American Legion, and Vietnam Veterans of America. He worked closely with former Sen. Jim Mathias to pass legislation benefiting veterans, such as allowing slot machines for nonprofits in Worcester County, displaying POW/MIA flags at state buildings, and allowing veterans to have “veteran” on their driver’s licenses. He also served in leadership roles within the American Legion and was active in his local church, St. Mary’s Refuge of Sinners.
The ceremony will include a brief dedication and the placement of the new brick into the existing memorial.
The Worcester County Veterans Memorial at Ocean Pines draws thousands of people each year for Memorial Day and Veterans Day events, along with hundreds of local schoolchildren for annual educational programs.
The Veterans Memorial broke ground on Veterans Day 2004. The main part of the memorial is a large circle of brick pavers honoring U.S. military men and women, surrounded by brick-wall monuments for each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces and flags for each branch flying high in the air. Under each brick wall is sand from the beaches of Normandy.
“The bricks and pavers tell the story. Those are the veterans that local families wanted to honor,” Veterans Memorial Foundation President Marie Gilmore said. “Anyone can purchase a brick for $75, and it’s inscribed with the name of someone who has served, or a paver for $150, which allows four lines of information.”
Proceeds help support the memorial and its education and outreach programs.
For more information, visit wocovets.org.
GOLF TOURNEY RAISES $109K
The Atlantic General Hospital Foundation held its 2024 Robert E. Warfield Memorial Tournament on Thursday, September 19, at the Ocean City Golf Club. The event was attended by 206 golfers on 51 teams, who each played a total of 18 holes. Participants, volunteers and Atlantic General staff shared a day full of golf, great food, and fun. With the help of many sponsors, the event raised more than $109,000 for the Atlantic General Hospital Foundation. Proceeds from the tournament enable Atlantic General Hospital, a not-for-profit healthcare organization, to
the
of the
and visitors of our community through a coordinated care deliver y system that provides access to
care, personalized service and education. Above, Michael and Matt James of James Hospitality present a $12,500 sponsorship donation to Atlantic General
and Fall Golf Classic committee members. James Hospitality’s Carousel Group has been the tournament’s Legacy Sponsor for 25 consecutive
Fa n l i l lov
AGH announces new prescription delivery service
(Oct. 18, 2024) Atlantic General Hospital announced a new partnership with ScriptDrop, a leader in prescription delivery solutions, to offer same-day prescription deliveries for patients of its Berlin and Ocean Pines AGHRx RediScripts Pharmacy locations.
This service, available Monday through Friday, is provided at no cost to patients within a predefined delivery radius, offering a convenient and timely way for patients to receive their medications.
The partnership with ScriptDrop was chosen due to the platform’s ability to accommodate fluctuating patient volumes and changing delivery addresses, giving Atlantic General Hospital the flexibility it needs to meet the varying demands of its patient population. By streamlining prescription access, this collaboration is designed to support better patient outcomes, ensuring patients can stay adherent to their medication regimen.
“With the launch of our new sameday prescription delivery service, we’re not just providing convenience; we’re meeting a vital community need in Berlin and Ocean Pines,” said Jeff Kukel, Pharm.D. “When building out the service offerings in our new pharmacy location just outside Ocean Pines, Atlantic General Health System’s providers cited lack of transportation as a significant barrier to effective healthcare for many of their patients and identified same-day home medication delivery as a top priority. This initiative ensures that everyone has easy access to their medications, enhancing health outcomes and fostering a stronger, healthier community. We’re thrilled to be working with ScriptDrop.”
According to a recent survey, 82% of patients report that prescription delivery helps them remain adherent to their medication plans. This increased adherence can play a significant role in reducing hospital readmissions, improving long-term health outcomes for the community Atlantic General Hospital serves.
“We are excited to work alongside Atlantic General Hospital to improve medication access for their patients,” said Amanda Epp, CEO of ScriptDrop. “Our goal is to provide a seamless, reliable solution that enhances patient adherence and contributes to overall health, helping people stay on track with their treatments and avoid unnecessary hospital visits.”
The service offers two-hour prescription deliveries for urgent needs and same-day delivery for less urgent requests, at no additional cost to patients who live within 15 miles of one of
Club continues preparations for holiday craft fair
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer
(Oct. 8, 2024) The Ocean Pinesbased Pine’eer Craft Club is set to host its 13th Annual Holiday Craft Fair next month.
On Saturday, Nov. 2, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the group will welcome shoppers at the Ocean Pines Community Center to browse hand-made items by local artisans and crafters, many created by Pine’eer Club members.
Holiday-themed creations, including pottery, paintings, jewelry, wreaths, stained glass, home decor, pet products, American Girl Doll clothes, cross-stitched goods, and more, will be available for purchase.
“We encourage everyone to come early, as many of the most popular items sell out quickly,” event co-chair Debbie Jiwa said in a press release issued by Ocean Pines Association Director of Public Relations and Marketing Josh Davis. “Our bake sale, a favorite among attendees, is usually sold out by noon.”
Fairgoers will have the opportunity to buy one-of-a-kind pieces like fabric-decorated plates, quilted items, and gourd ornaments. The press release noted that the Kiwanis Club will also be in the Community Center’s Marlin Room, selling breakfast and lunch options.
Proceeds from the Holiday Craft Fair will be used to bolster the Ocean Pines community. The Pine’eer Craft Club, established 50 years ago in 1974, has donated more than $177,000 to local organizations, including the Ocean Pines Police and Fire departments, Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks, and the Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation.
The group is dedicated to giving back to the neighborhood. The Artisan Gift Shop, an extension of the Pine’eer Craft Club, is open Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The shop will also welcome patrons from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Fridays throughout December.
The shop sells handmade décor, jewelry, and other items created by club members. Like the craft fair, profits are donated to the Ocean Pines Community.
Shoppers are welcome to browse the Artisan Gift Shop in White Horse Park each weekend. The store offers a jewelry section chock-full of earrings and bracelets, handbags and totes, baby items like crocheted blankets, hats, sweaters, plaques, baby bibs, and home décor pieces.
The Nov. 2 Holiday Craft Fair is free to enter. For more information, contact Jiwa at djjb7855@yahoo.com.
• 4 BRs, 3.5 BAs (with 2 Primary Suites) in desirable community.
• Architectural columns in light-filled Living & Dining areas.
• Hardwood flooring, Great Room cathedral ceilings, gas fireplace & built-in cabinetry.
• Chef’s kitchen center island, breakfast bar, gas cooktop, double oven, Corian counter tops, upgraded cabinets, ceramic tile floors & backsplash.
• 1st floor suite BA standalone claw foot tub, Italian-imported tile, double vanities & oversized glass tile shower.
• 2nd floor Suite plus 2 BRs & full BA.
• Laundry room with newer washer/dryer leads to oversized 2-car garage.
• Backyard cleared area with great views of nature & wildlife.
• New aluminum fenced backyard & stone patio with hot tub.
• In-ground 12’ x 24’ pool 5’ deep with solar pool cover.
•
crawlspace, newer roof, 2 new HVAC units, newer washer, newer hot water heater, irrigation system & central vacuum system.
• 2023 Updates include new trim, fresh paint & updated shutters.
• HVAC, plumbing & extermination contracts are all transferable.
• A fantastic opportunity for comfortable living in a vibrant amenity filled community.
• Please refer to enhancement sheet for complete list of upgrades.
$575,000 4 BR, 3 BA HOME AT END OF CUL-DE-SAC
& entertaining.
• New roof & Dryer in 2023. New Furnace & Hot Water Heater 2019
• Encapsulated Dry Zone Crawl Space checked annually; Terminex quarterly checks.
• Amenity-filled community with pools, parks & recreational facilities.
• All Furnishings are negotiable.
CHARACTER COUNTS
MARLINS FOR MASON SUPPORT
Worcester Preparatory School recently raised over $2,000 for Marlins for Mason through a special dress-down day. Students donned purple attire to show their support for local 5-year-old Mason Prather, who is bravely living with Dravet Syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy. The fundraising initiative, organized by senior student Jayden Scopp, aimed to raise awareness and support research for a cure for Dravet Syndrome. Pictured, from left, are Head of Upper School Carol Evans, the Prather family, Scopp, and Head of School Dr. John McDonald.
WESTERN NC FUNDRAISING
The Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company has launched a grassroots fundraising campaign to benefit the Western North Carolina Association of Firefighters. Hurricane Helene has brought devastation to communities across North Carolina. Every dollar raised will go directly to the firefighters who are striving to rebuild their lives in the months ahead. Checks can be made payable to the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company, Inc. (NC Relief Fund) in care of President Steve Price and drop them off for deposit at the Bank of Ocean City’s West Ocean City location. Call in advance at 410-4305155 if want to hand deliver donations through Oct. 25. Above, OCVFC President Stephen Price and OCVFC Past Chief David Cropper were impressed with the donations received during last weekend’s Cruisin Boardwalk parades.
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Family’s roots run deeper than wine vines on property
By Alexandra Grier Contributing Writer
(Oct. 18, 2024) Nestled just off Route 589 and 113, is a cozy little farmhouse now known as Windmill Creek Winery. It is not just another winery, as the ownership’s vines go far deeper than the roots of wine vines themselves. Though the community welcomed the opening of Windmill Creek Winery in 2018, the rich history of this little farm goes back over a century.
Jeannie and Barry Mariner are a part of a family well-ensconced within Worcester County for decades. The farmhouse was originally built by Lemuel Showell III in1858. Edwin Mariner purchased the farm on Oct. 10,1924 from Showell and settled his family there. Last week the farm
earned the title of a “Century Farm” and the house is registered with the National Registry of Historic Places.
The original parcel that was purchased was well over 150 acres that expanded beyond the current location of Showell Elementary School. Barry’s grandparents, Ed and Gertrude, were married 34 years and farmed corn and soybeans on the property where Edwin also was the head of the local farm bureau. Before inheriting the farm in August of 2015, Barry grew up in a home across the field from the property with his father, also named Barry. When Ed passed, the property was divided among the children and much of the acreage was sold off and many of the personal relics were taken to the new homes by his children. Barry’s father continued running the lush farmland until his death in 2015.
When Barry’s father passed, the farm and property were left to his son Barry and Jeannie. But what to do with such a magnificent piece of property so rich in their family history? At first, Jeannie and Barry thought turning the property into an Airbnb would be a wonderful idea but after discussing with their daughter, Brittany, who studied enology and viticulture, the new idea was set in motion. Jeannie said it was if a light bulb went off and with it, a new era for the farm and home had begun.
Brittany, who just married in August, is a key part to the success of Windmill Creek Winery. A true family business, Brittany’s passion does not fall far from the family tree, literally. Barry remembers well that no family gathering was complete without a little homemade wine. His grandfather would distill this “moonshine/wine” substance for family consumption. Barry said his grandfather would distill anything that grew on the farm including crabapples.
When the family inherited this rich land, the thought of selling never crossed their minds but preservation would be a long haul. They began restoration immediately which included tremendous guidance from a well-known community member and uncle to Barry, Reggie Mariner. Known for his own magical creation of Mariner’s Country Downs, Reggie helped direct them in restoring the family home that he too had grown up in. The restoration took three and a half years and included finding treasures like the old kitchen with coal burning stoves as well as an old root cellar that used to store the Mariner’s food with blocks of ice that were cut from St Martin’s River then hauled to the farm.
Jeannie and Barry relish in their family’s history and love the little discoveries they continue to make as they put the pieces back together to allow us to join them on a trip back to a simpler time. Some of the “aunties” have
Jeannie Mariner is pictured sorting through family memorabilia including a photo of Ed and Gertrude Mariner who purchased the farm from the Showell family 100 years ago.
PHOTO COURTESY
ALEXANDRIA GRIER
Mariner family leading winery
brought their antiques and memorabilia back to the farm where they cou;d be displayed again and enjoyed by all. Many of the walls of the charming farmhouse adorn paintings created by Aunt Bebee Winterbottom, Barry’s father’s twin, who began her artistic journey at a very young age while at the farm. Not every memory is warm and fuzzy though, Barry was told stories of how his father’s water glass on his nightstand would have a rim of ice on it in the morning. Aunt Bebee recalls how the wind could travel through the horsehair plaster on the porch creating the “magic carpet” in the house to raise. But one of the biggest treasures was that of when antiquing in Easton and finding the very needlepoint chair Barry would sit and do his homework while visiting his grandparents. The chair was promptly purchased and returned to the farmhouse.
Today the home opens its doors to all. Everyone is welcome to stroll through the properly restored farmhouse and surrounding property. From the meticulously maintained grounds to the elegant charm of the home, a peaceful oasis beckons. One can grab a table or bring a blanket to enjoy the live music offered every weekend year-round with a glass of wine or crafted beer. A walk around the property can’t help but bring a tranquil smile to your face. So many nooks and
notions to explore including a swing for two. A particular spot that warms Barrys heart is the Anvil located near the barn. This was the center of an active part from his past. The family has taken great effort to restore and create such a warm and welcoming place to visit and revisit.
Windmill Creek Winery earned her namesake from the actual Windmill Creek that bordered the East side of the original property. This property was later donated to Showell Elementary School. Windmill Creek starts in a feeder stream behind the school. The alluring wine label pulls you in with its artwork of windmill paddles turning to flower petals. To be a Maryland winery, you must use 51 percent of Maryland fruit. The Mariners use some of the fruit from their farm along with grapes sourced from other Maryland producers to create their eclectic wine menu.
Jeannie says they created their wine list by shooting down the middle to appeal to many palates. It is a solid list with a small reflection of sweet wines. Every year they meet with their winemaker to discuss what they will be creating.
Windmill Creek’s wine list displays 12 wines offering varietals ranging from a Viognier to a Petite Petit with a splash of Sparkling Rose tossed in. Enjoy a flight or glass while at the farm but be certain to take a couple of their gorSee CENTURY Page 42
PHOTO COURTESY ALEXANDRIA GRIER
Jeannie and Barry Mariner now make their own wine and beer on the family farm located north of Ocean Pines.
Laser resurfacing is a cosmetic procedure
hair removal provides numerous
‘Century Farm’ mark recognized
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geous bottles home with you.
The Garden Grill at Windmill Creek Vineyard and Winery offers an extensive list of delicious appetizers, soups, salads, handhelds and entrees. From crab dips and shrimp skewers to Mahi Rubens and Maryland’s own Twin Crab Cake dinner, the food is simply delicious. Each item on the menu also suggests an optimum pairing from Windmill Creek’s wine menu.
Every year the Mariners embellish upon their magic with a new addition/project all while keeping up with everything else. An 18-winter igloo village was added to keep the outdoor festivities going year-round and give the farm a soft glow. Although there are many nestley seats to enjoy inside the farmhouse, complete with Live Music every weekend, now patrons can reserve an igloo for a magical night under the stars or a soft snowfall. These cozy spaces are perfect for a group of your favorite people to enjoy an evening of wine and fondue complete with music piped in.
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Two years ago, Barry began playing around with beer brewing and today, the “beer guy” has embellished the wine menu with a crafted beer side.
On Thursday, Oct. 10, the Mariners’ farm was given the rare, distinguished honor of being a Century Farm. This award, from the Governor and Department of Agriculture, goes to families that have kept their farm continuously running within the same family. To honor of the 100th anniversary of the Mariner Family Farm, the Mariners had a Fall Festival last Saturday. A presentation by the Department of Agriculture and other dignitaries was made to the Mariner family and many generations of Mariners were there to share in this honor. The talented Mariner family continues to keep its rich roots alive while creating a magical
PHOTO COURTESY ALEXANDRIA GRIER
The Mariner family celebrated the recent recognition as a “Maryland Century Farm” with state dignitaries and elected officials this month.
Candidates talk school bd. issues ahead of election
Andes, McComas facing challengers for re-election
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer
(Oct. 18, 2024) The Worcester County Board of Education will see contested races for the District 3 and District 5 seats. Voters may cast their ballots for their preferred candidate on Tuesday, Nov. 5 at the respective district polling places, with countywide early voting offered Oct. 24-31, from 7 a.m.-8 p.m., at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center.
Dr. Jon Andes
Dr. Jon Andes, the District 3 incumbent for the Worcester County Board of Education race, is defending his seat from challenger Cheryl Middleton.
Andes earned a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education/Social Studies from Bloomsburg State College, a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Loyola College of Baltimore, and a Doctor of Education in Education Policy, Planning, and Administration from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Andes’ career began as a social studies teacher at Havre de Grace High School in Harford County. While working at HGHS, he was promoted to assistant principal and then principal, where he led the school to a National Blue Ribbon School designation. Andes was then promoted to assistant superintendent for personnel and staff relations for Harford County Public Schools.
In 1996, Andes became the Worcester County Public Schools superintendent, a role he held from 1996 to 2012. When he started, WCPS ranked 19th out of 24 school systems on state tests. It was under his reign that Worcester became number one. In 2012, Andes became a professor of practice at Salisbury University, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses. He is the author of a book on funding public schools in Maryland, “Taking the Mystery Out of Funding Maryland Public Schools,” published by the International Council of Professors of Educational Leadership.
In 2020, Andes was elected to the Worcester County Board of Education. Notably, as a board member, Andes served on the feasibility study/workgroup to build a new Buckingham Elementary and renovate Berlin Intermediate School. Andes is a member of the Atlantic
Jon Andes
Worcester school board candidates profiled
General Hospital Board of Trustees, Delmarva Council Boy Scouts of America Tri-County Council Advisory Board and Merit Badge Counselor, and the Snow Hill Rotary Club. He volunteers with Delmarva Pets on Wheels Therapy Dog Program and is on the Chamber Music by the Sea Planning Committee. In addition, Andes and his wife Laurie created three endowed scholarships to support the next generation of teachers.
Dorothy Shelton Leslie Dorothy Shelton Leslie is challenging incumbent Elena McComas for the Worcester County Board of Education’s District 5 seat.
Leslie said she raised her two sons in Cecil County, Maryland, and has lived in Ocean Pines for over 20 years. She has seven grandchildren of
her own and another seven grandchildren through her husband.
“Their school and sports events keep us joyously busy,” she said.
Her list of experiences include teaching elementary school, reading, and adult education, acting as a product manager for early childhood materials, working as a sales trainer for Clement Communications, working as an adjunct professor at University of Delaware, serving on the National Reading Council, serving on the State of Delaware testing committee, acting as a senior National Consultant for McGraw-Hill and Houghton Mifflin Publishing, serving as a Speaker for National, re-
gional, and local educational meetings such as International Reading Association and State Reading Conferences, and a supervisor of reading, social studies, ESL, libraries, and staff development.
The candidate also acted as a consultant for Prentice Hall Publishing Company, authored a social studies book on Delaware, several articles in the Reading Teacher and other published magazines, and received the Administrator of the Year Award from the Delaware Library Association.
Leslie served on the boards of directors for several groups, including the Worcester County Arts Council, the Ocean Pines Pinetones, and the Pines Players. The candidate is a Community Church of Ocean Pines and the Wheels That Heal Car Club member and has volunteer experience with Angels Attic and Nook at Community Church and the Lions Club essay contest.
The contestant is a singer who participates in choral and musical groups like the Ocean Pines Pinetones, Local Vocals of Ocean Pines, Psalm 66 Praise Band, and the Pines Players.
Elena McComas
Elena McComas is the District 5 incumbent. She is defending her seat from challenger Dorothy Shelton
Leslie.
McComas grew up on the Eastern Shore in Salisbury. The candidate graduated from Wicomico High and attended the University of Maryland, College Park, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Science Education. After marriage and three children, McComas returned to teaching and earned her Master of Science in molecular biology from Johns Hopkins University. She spent 25 years as a middle and high school biology teacher. She opened two new high schools in California, serving seven years as high school science department chair, overseeing substantial budgets for high schools of 3,000 students.
McComas also spent five years as a college instructor, student teacher supervisor, and grant coordinator at California State University Long Beach. The incumbent said she has an “expanded view of education from student teacher preparation to classroom teaching to school leadership.”
In her personal life, McComas’ husband was a pastor, and as a pastor’s wife, she was “excited to be involved in and lead several church and community ministries.”
Elena McComas
Dorothy S. Leslie
Incumbents, challengers participate in Q&A session
After retirement 11 years ago, McComas and her husband moved back to the Eastern Shore and immediately became active in the community.
“With education being my passion and love, I decided to run for our Board of Education in 2016 and was elected,” she said.
As a Worcester County Public Schools board member, McComas served as vice president and president. She stepped up as president in 2021 after former position holder Eric Cropper passed away unexpectedly.
“As president, it was during difficult and tragic times, losing a special friend and then navigating the challenges of the pandemic,” the incumbent said. “I am thankful for the competence and resilience of our amazing district personnel, teachers and staff during those difficult times. My overall experience on the school board has taught me to listen and research when new ideas are presented to maximize student involvement and minimize possible negative impacts.”
Cheryl Middleton
Cheryl Middleton is challenging Dr. Andes for the District 3 seat in the Worcester County Board of Education election.
Middleton is a retired executive
who has worked for Fortune 500 companies in high-level positions and consulted with Global Fortune 1000 companies in innovation and strategic planning. Her clients, based in Europe, South Africa, and the US, include BMW AG (Munich), Siemens AG (Munich), Sony Electronics Design, the NationsBank/Bank of America merger, the US Air Force, Towers Watson, Munich Re, and others. She also co-founded two software companies, one of which was acquired by IBM.
The candidate said she “understands the needs of the community with respect to long-term planning and educational needs, and is adept at problem-solving and developing, managing and analyzing multi-million-dollar budgets.” According to Middleton, her areas of expertise include strategic business problem identification and solution development and implementation, process re-design, idea generation, business development and marketing, new product and services development, facilitation, and executive coaching.
See CHALLENGERS Page 78
Cheryl Middleton
Who’s Where When
BLU CRAB HOUSE COURTYARD
410-289-3322
24th Street & Coastal Hwy.
Thursday, October 24: Dueling Pianos
BUXY’S SALTY DOG & DRY DOCK 28
410-289-BUXY
28th Street Coastal Hwy.
Friday, October 18: Full Circle
CAPTAIN’S TABLE
410-289-7192
15th & Boardwalk
In The Courtyard Marriott
Fridays & Saturdays: Phil Perdue on Piano
COCONUTS BEACH BAR
410-289-6846
Oceanfront At Castle
In The Sand Hotel 37th & 38th Streets
Friday, October 18:
Darin Engh & The Lime Green Band
Saturday, October 19:
Hurricane Kevin & The Doug Kaetz Band
Sunday, October 20:
Carly Twingg & Monkee Paw
Thursday, October 24: Full Circle
COINS PUB
410-289-3100
28th Street Plaza
On Coastal Hwy.
Friday, October 18: Jack Bannon
Saturday, October 19: Rick & Regina
CRABCAKE FACTORY BAYSIDE
302-988-5000
37314 Lighthouse Rd., Rte. 54, Selbyville, DE
Friday, October 18: Bilinki Duo
Wednesday, October 23: Full Circle Duo
CRAWL STREET TAVERN
443-373-2756
Wicomico St., Downtown O.C.
Friday, October 18: Squeaky Feet
Saturday, October 19: Rogue Citizens
FAGER’S ISLAND
410-524-5500
60th St., In The Bay
Friday, October 18:
The John Frase Project & DJ Groove
Best Beats On The Beach
MISSPENT YOUTH
Fager’s Island: Saturday, October 19
VERTIGO RED
Purple Moose Saloon: Friday & Saturday, October 18 & 19
DJ GROOVE Fager’s Island: Friday, Oct. 18
DJ MARY JANE Seacrets: Friday, Oct. 18 DJ WAX Pickles Pub: Tuesdays
JACK BANNON Coins Pub:
BIGLER Harborside:
PHIL PERDUE Captain’s Table: Fridays & Saturdays
DJ GIDDY UP Coins Pub: Saturday, Oct. 19
JASON LEE The Wedge: Sunday, Oct. 20 BEATS BY DEOGEE Pickles Pub: Thursdays & Fridays
DARIN ENGH Coconuts Beach Bar: Friday, Oct. 18 BEATS BY
LIGHT UP THE MOON
Seacrets: Friday & Saturday, October 18 & 19
RICK & REGENIA
Coins Pub: Saturday, October 19
BILINKI DUO
Crabcake Factory Bayside: Friday, October 18
Harborside: Saturday, October 19
OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS
Seacrets: Friday, October 18
Harborside: Sunday, October 20
20
JJ BILLINGS
Fager’s Island: Saturday, October 19
THE GAB CINQUE BAND
Seacrets: Saturday, October 19
SQUEAKY FEET
Crawl Street Tavern: Friday, October 18
Who’s Where When
Saturday, October 19:
Groovalicious, Misspent Youth, JJ Billings & DJ Vybe
GREENE TURTLE WEST
410-213-1500
Route 611, West OC
Thursday, October 31:
DJ Rupe
HARBORSIDE
410-213-1846
South Harbor Rd., West End O.C.
Friday, October 18:
DJ Billy T
Saturday, October 19:
Mercury Agenda & DJ Bigler
Sunday, October 20:
Opposite Directions
Wednesday, October 23:
DJ Billy T
Thursdays: Dust N Bones
PICKLES PUB
410-289-4891
8th St. & Philadelphia Ave.
Fridays: Beats By DeoGee
Saturday, October 19:
Tranzfusion
Sunday, October 20:
Beats By Styler
Mondays: Karaoke w/ Wood
Tuesdays: Beats By Wax
Wednesdays: Beats By Styler
Thursdays: Beats By DeoGee
PURPLE MOOSE SALOON
410-289-6953
Between Caroline & Talbot Sts. On The Boards
Friday & Saturday, October 18 & 19: Vertigo Red
SEACRETS
410-524-4900
49th St. & Coastal Hwy.
Friday, October 18:
DJ Flight, DJ Connair, DJ Mary Jane,
Opposite Directions, & Light Up The Moon
Saturday, October 19:
DJ E-State, DJ Davie, DJ Cruz, Light Up The Moon, & The Gab Cinque Band
Thursday, October 24:
DJ Connair & Opposite Directions
THE WEDGE
410-289-5121
806 S. Atlantic Ave.
Sunday, October 20: Jason Lee
MONKEE PAW
Coconuts Beach Bar: Sunday, October
THE JOHN FRASE PROJECT
Fager’s Island: Friday, October 18
MERCURY AGENDA
Churches plan benefits for student workers
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Oct. 18. 2024) Two local churches are partnering to raise funds for an international student program.
Now through December, St. Matthews By The Sea United Methodist Church will be selling wreaths to raise funds for the International Student Outreach Program (ISOP) at Holy Savior Catholic Church in Ocean City. Anne Hodges, point person for fundraising activities at St. Matthews, said the effort Is a way to show appreciation for the students who support the local economy each summer.
“We think it’s definitely a worthy cause,” she said. “They come with hopes and aspirations and work so hard for us all summer, we thought it was a good opportunity to give back.”
In the early 2000s, Anne Marie Conestabile launched ISOP – a program to help J-1 students – through her church, Holy Savior on 17th Street and Philadelphia Avenue. And in 2005, St. Matthews in Fenwick Island began supporting Holy Savior’s ministry by providing funds and serving meals to hundreds of international students, multiple times each summer.
“It’s so remarkable what a wonderful support system that St. Matthews
is for our free dinners,” Conestabile said. “They have about 125 volunteers from their church that take students to the store, to the hospital, come to dinners, serve, and help clean up. They provide financial support as well.”
Conestabile said Holy Savior feeds between 500 and 600 students a week, in addition to its popular Christmas in July dinner celebration, which attracts more than 1,000 students. But feeding hundreds of young adults adds up, officials say.
“Everything has gotten so expensive,” Conestabile said. “Food and drinks are skyrocketing. So the expense is almost double what we used to spend for dinners.”
At St. Matthews, the church’s Neighbors Helping Neighbors ministry is partnering with Holy Savior to raise funds for the international student dinners, which Hodges said provides individuals a chance to receive free meals and prizes, as well as fellowship. She said those interested in supporting the international workforce can purchase live wreaths, swags and centerpieces through the Christmas Wreath and Holiday Greens Fundraiser. Arrangements range from $35 to $55.
“The prices are great, the quality is great, but the cause is tremendous,”
she said.
Hodges said those interested can place their orders online at giftitforward.com with the fundraising code “STMATTDE001” to have arrangements shipped directly to them. However, those interested in receiving a discounted rate can place an order through St. Matthews and pick up in person between Nov. 25-29. Online orders are accepted through Dec. 1, and in-person orders are due by Oct. 27.
“They are decorated and last a long time,” she said of the arrangements.
CROSSWORD
For more information, or to order through St. Matthews, call the church office at 302-537-1402, Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to noon.
Those who do not want to purchase an arrangement, but want to support the outreach program can make donations to St. Matthews, with “International Student Dinners” written in the memo, or Holy Savior, with “ISOP” written in the memo.
“We appreciate the students for being here and supporting our city,” Conestabile said. “So it’s a win-win situation for everybody.”
ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20
Aries, you might find it challenging to assess a situation this week. Always stick to what your instincts are telling you as they are rarely wrong. Try not to get sidetracked by small details.
TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21
You may find a need to be more assertive at work, Taurus. Your ideas are sound, so don’t hesitate to share them with colleagues. Others will appreciate your insight.
GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21
Communication may be the key for you this week, Gemini. It is an excellent time to network and share your ideas. Be concise in your interactions to avoid misunderstandings.
CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22
Cancer, consider new habits that promote well-being and balance. It is important to focus on your health and tailor routines to that end. Find time to reflect on your goals and ambitions.
LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23
It’s a great time to express yourself through art, hobbies, or social activities, Leo. Romance also could be in the cards, so make space for some fun and connection in your personal life.
VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22
This week could be focused on family matters and your home life, Virgo. It’s an excellent time to organize your space and strengthen family bonds. You also can work on personal goals.
LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23
Social interactions this week are bound to be lively and stimulating, Libra. It can be easy to get carried away, so balance your social life with some quiet time to recharge.
SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22
Financial matters might be in focus this week, Scorpio. Make a plan to review your budget and figure out how to save more. You may want to consider new investments.
SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21
You might experience a boost in energy and optimism this week, Sagittarius. It’s always a good idea to focus on personal goals and any ambitions that you might have.
CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20
Capricorn, an exercise in reflection and introspection might be a good idea this week. It is time for some personal growth, including figuring out ways to be more receptive to feedback.
AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18
Aquarius, your innovative ideas may receive some positive attention, so don’t be afraid to share with others. Social interactions rev up, but be sure to balance social life with downtime.
PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20
This is a good week to reassess your professional aspirations and take practical steps toward achieving them, Pisces. Put out some feelers to your employment network.
by Steve Green
IThe Adventures of Fatherhood
hope I remember last week for the rest of my life.
It all started on Monday when Pam told me Carson wanted to go to his school’s Homecoming. She then proceeded to shock me with how he wanted to invite his two special needs friends, Carma Jean and Brooklyn, as dates. He wrote a card and asked if they wanted to go to Homecoming as friends, and they said yes. Parts of the rest of the week were spent on the upcoming special event on Saturday.
It’s a surreal thing living out an experience that could stay with you the rest of your life. It’s how I felt last Saturday as Carson prepared for Homecoming at Decatur. Beckett also went to the school’s Homecoming with his girlfriend. It was fun having them both get dressed for the same event. Outside of weddings and funerals, it was their first dress up event at the same school.
Beckett and his girlfriend met at a friend’s house for pictures and dinner. After a few pictures there, Pam and I then took Carson to meet his dates. Pam and the moms decided to meet at the bench on the east side of the school. The bench is special as it represents a memorial and remembrance opportunity for Lakelyn Draheim and Josh Alton. Draheim, 5, was designated Homecoming Princess in 2022 and Alton, 17, as Homecoming King before they passed away. It was special to meet there as flowers were left on the bench for Homecoming, presumably by family members.
One of the most memorable parts of the special night was Carma Jean getting out of her vehicle all dressed up and looking beautiful. She raced over to Carson with a huge smile and immediately grabbed his hand. Carson is a hand holder and Carma Jean knows this, as she often grabs his hand. It was incredible to see their connection. She never left his side.
Brooklyn then arrived and looked equally beautiful. Brooklyn has an engaging personality who seems wise beyond her years. She has a wonderful sense of humor and has us all giggling before, during and after photos.
Meanwhile, our Carson looked dapper in blazer and tie and seemed incredibly calm about everything. He clearly has a bond with these young ladies, and they understand him. While it was never said, I think these friends take good care of Carson at school, and they all look out for each other. Brooklyn told her mom that Carson is a gentleman, and as his dad that hit my heart.
In so many ways, Carson is like everyone else. In some, distinct ways, however, he is different. He is nonverbal with Autism and has severe anxiety. With these girls, our Carson seems at ease, and this comfort level is awesome to see. I think their relationship is truly helping our guy in school and life.
After photos, another lasting memory was watching Carson and his two dates holding hands and walking along the sidewalk to the school dance. All of us parents were not sure if we should accompany them along the walk. Pam ended up volunteering to usher them to the door. It was all so normal. After all, why shouldn’t it be? They deserve to have a Homecoming – or a “dance party” as Brooklyn called it -- like all the neurotypical kids. Watching these three together was magic. Those were some of the happiest moments I can recall. It gets my heart still today reflecting on it days later.
After the kids went into the dance, the parents stood around for a while before finally realizing we should probably leave the school grounds. Pam and I didn’t make it far, however, as we had a date night at Arby’s across the highway. We wanted to be close just in case Carson wanted to leave the dance. Pam had given Carson a note to hand to an adult or his
friends if wanted to leave. He never used that note, however.
What I have noticed in recent weeks is a significant change within our guy. There is a desire now to be involved. During our TOPSoccer program Pam and I lead for special needs kids, Carson recently opted to pick out a blue shirt. The players wear yellow but the buddies – typically high school kids who are matched up with those with disabiltiies – wear blue. Carson, 14, now wants to be a buddy.
We have seen this same level of interest in playing Unified Tennis. He started with just participating in the home practices and this week he took part in an away match at Bennett in Salisbury. On the way over he fell asleep. He was all out of sorts when he woke up for a few minutes because he was worried he slept through it. I calmed him when I told him we are still on our way.
Back to Homecoming, after a couple hours, the kids were tired and ready to wrap up the night. Carson smiled the whole way home and I know he was internally proud of himself. His parents sure were, and it was as special for us as it was for him. I think events like that build his confidence. My hope is Carson understands he has the right to be involved just like anyone else. We are grateful for our school community for embracing inclusion. We will never take it for granted.
As we were waiting up for Beckett to get home on Homecoming night, I went and checked on Carson in his room. I was shocked to see him still awake at midnight. It seems our cool freshman now thinks he gets to stay up late at night just like his brother. He laughed when I came into his room and rolled over to sleep. It was a fitting example of him continuing to find himself.
(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.)
What to know when it comes to buying a board
By Dave Dalkiewicz Contributing Writer
(Oct. 18, 2024) How does an individual determine what kind or type of surfboard is best for their needs and situation?
First up would be where the surfer stands in their progression such as beginner, intermediate, or advanced. For purposes of this column let’s talk about the beginner.
Any surfer needs floatation and stability. This is especially true for the beginner. A board with generous length, width and thickness is desirable. A five foot, 100-pound youngster won’t need the same equipment as a six foot, 200-pound adult. The board should be fairly easy to paddle, catch waves and even sit on. A word of caution: as easy as it might be to observe a surfer out on the water, and read or talk about a board, it’s going to be a big difference once in the water. Lots of practice will be needed.
Try to gather as much information as possible through reading, talking to likeminded friends, or seeing what’s available on the internet. Seek help in local surf shops. Most personnel in these shops are happy to offer advice and encouragement. Rentals are available and even a lesson or multiple lessons.
Finding a more user friendly wave would be ideal. Assateague Island is an area that can frequently have such conditions and parts of southern Ocean City as well, although most of the waves in town are breaking close to the beach in more of a shore break fashion. Once again, caution is advised.
Try to learn as much as possible about the ocean and its ever changing conditions and moods. It’s quite the foreign world and one that should always be approached, considered and looked upon with the utmost respect. Always respect the ocean.
— Dave Dalkiewicz is the owner of Ocean Atlantic Surf Shop in Ocean City
BFC’S MACK
The Berlin Fire Company displayed its 1924 Mack at last weekend’s cruisers event, organized by the Berlin Chamber of Commerce. Local resident Bryan Lecompte had the opportunity to sit on the truck with 54year member Charlie Townsend. Over the summer, Lecompte purchased a Patrick Henry painting of the truck during a past Christmas parade with Townsend driving the vehicle.
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
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
Open to the public. A full-service restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner inside and Signature smash burgers, fresh cut fries, handhelds, signature salads, and much more. Indoor and outdoor bar. Fresh squeezed crushes, frozen drinks, tropical libations. Dine in or carry out. Open 7 days a week. Breakfast on weekends, 8-11 a.m. The kitchen is open until 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and at least 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The bar is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and at least midnight Friday and Saturday.
■ CAPTAIN’S TABLE
15th Street and Baltimore Avenue, in The Courtyard by Marriott, Ocean City, 410-289-7192, captainstableoc.com
$$ | 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 Monday through Wednesday at 4 p.m. and Thursday through Sunday at 11:30 a.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. Open Thursday through Sunday, 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
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
A Common Ground Hospitality concept, a passion driven restaurant group servicing the coastal community. The goal is honor creativity and innovation by design. With passion at the heart of everything, unique dining concepts are paired with honest hospitality and well-made food sourced with fresh local ingredients and seasonal harvests. Craft and full bar available. Open daily 11:30 a.m.
■ LONGBOARD CAFÉ
6701 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 443-664-5693, longboardcafe.com
$$-$$$ | Full bar
Casual Dining … Refined. Open for lunch and dinner. A wide range of gourmet burgers, innovative tacos, salads and sandwiches to full dinner entrees featuring fresh local fish prepared in a variety of styles, beef, shellfish and pasta. All our sauces, salsas, dressings, etc. are meticulously house made. We use fresh local sources wherever possible and pre-
mium ingredients such as our chuck, brisket and short rib custom blended burgers. Closed Tuesday. Call for reservations.
■ MARLIN MOON RESTAURANT
3301 Atlantic Ave., in the Double Tree Hotel, Ocean City 410-289-1201, marlinmoonocmd.com
$$ | 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
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
Open Sunday through Friday at 11 a.m., 10 a.m. on Saturdays, close at 2 a.m. Enjoy a tropical atmosphere and dine under the palms in our outdoor, kid friendly dining area or try a Seacrets Beachin' Cocktails in the Bay with live music every day open to close. The club is open every night in the summer. Try our famous jerk chicken with homemade honey mustard sauce, Pushcart Trio, a true Jamaican dish or a hearty wrap, sandwich or delicious burger. We have it all at Seacrets.
UPTOWN 91st to 146th streets
■ ALBERTINO'S BRICK OVEN & EATERY
13117 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 410-2502000, albertinosoc.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
Featuring the best brick oven pizza, always handmade with fresh ingredients, Italian-American 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
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-
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.
“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.
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. Open: Monday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
WEST OCEAN CITY
■ BREAKFAST CAFE
12736 Ocean Gateway, Route 50 east, West Ocean City, 410-213-1804, breakfastcafeofoc.com
All the traditional breakfast options available here in a casual, diner setting. Open daily closing at 2 p.m.
■ CANTINA LOS AGAVES MEXICAN GRILL
12720 Ocean Gateway #7, West Ocean City 410390-3914, cantinalosagaves.com
$$ | Kid’s menu | Full bar
Ocean City’s newest Mexican restaurant and bar. Offering delicious and generous portions of the tastiest traditional and not so traditional #MexicanEats you have ever tried. Open daily at 11 a.m. Serving food until 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Bar open til 11 p.m.
■ DUMSER’S DAIRYLAND
West Ocean City: Route 50 east; Boardwalk locations: 501 S. Philadelphia Ave., 49th Street, 123rd Street, Ocean City, dumsersdairyland.com
This classic ice cream shop is a tradition for many families. Voted O.C.’s “Best Ice Cream” for the past 20 years, Dumser’s is celebrating decades of serving the shore, and the ‘40s-style décor takes you back in time. With locations throughout Ocean City, treating your tastebuds to this signature homemade ice cream is easy. The 49th and 124th streets locations offer vast lunch and dinner menus (breakfast too at 124th) in addition to a wide variety of ice cream treats.
■ GREENE TURTLE WEST Route 611, West Ocean City, 410-213-1500
Proudly serving West Ocean City since January 1999, The Greene Turtle features a beautiful 80seat dining room, large bar area with 54 TVs with stereo sound and game room with pool tables. With an exciting menu, The Greene Turtle is sure to please with delicious sizzling steaks, jumbo lump crab cakes, raw bar, homemade salads and more. Live entertainment, Keno, Turtle apparel, kids menu, carry-out.
■ HARBORSIDE BAR & GRILL
12841 Harbor Rd., West Ocean City, 410-2131846, weocharborside.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
Home of the original Orange Crush drink with an extensive menu offers a wide variety of appetizers, fresh seafood, steak & pasta entrees, as well as juicy burgers and sandwiches. Whether seeking a full dining experience or just a crush or two, the team will be sure to take excellent care of you and yours. Monday-Wednesday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Thursday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
■ 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.
Jumbo Lump, ham amuse-bouche
By Deborah Lee Walker Contributing Writer
(Oct. 18, 2024) The holiday season is around the corner and entertaining will be in full swing.
Remaining true to one’s style and budget are imperative for successful merriment.
That being said, how can a host upscale their menu and keep the cost down? Amusebouchées are a clever way to serve an expensive ingredient at an affordable price.
The tiny, tantalizing amuse bouche (pronounced uh-MYUZ-boosh) is a single bite intended to stimulate the taste buds. As its name implies, “amuse the mouth,” is a tasty teaser. Whimsical flavors swirl into a sensorial ecstasy and is indicative of what is to come.
Flavor, texture, and color are key elements to consider. Since it is a single bite, careful contemplation of every aspect is a given. Each component must stand on its own but harmony is the ultimate goal. Imagination and inspiration are not an ingredient of “chance.” Personal taste and confluence of memories incorporate expression which is the subliminal path to success.
Amuse-bouches attained fame during the Nouville Cuisine movement, which was known for its emphasis on smaller, more intense flavors.
One will not find an amuse-bouche on a menu. Chefs offer the free course as a means of expressing their artistic ingenuity.
However, dining at home is not bound by the rules of restaurants. The concept of a single bite allows hosts to embellish their menu and at the same time regulate portion control.
The Eastern Shore is known for its seafood and unspoken delights create ascension to different degrees. The Maryland Blue Crab is a delicacy indeed. One might go so far as declaring the sweet meat as the “star” of the Chesapeake Bay.
Crab meat is delicious and can stand on its own. When adding ingredients to the succulent meat, one must be careful not to overpower it.
Decades ago, I had the pleasure of eating at Haussner’s Restaurant. The restaurant closed in 1999 but memories of “Smithfield Ham and Crab Sauté” still tease my tastebuds.
The dish was called a sauté, but it was actually cooked in the broiler. Lump crab meat, crispy pieces of Smithfield ham, and butter were the essence of the dish. Taking traditional dishes and putting a modern spin on them is a way to keep menus fresh and inviting. Consider jumbo lump crab meat, slivers of Virginia ham, garlic, parsley, and a splash of lemon juice sauteed in olive oil and then placed on a toasted baguette slice. Don’t be fooled by this tiny bite, it is packed with deliciousness.
With this thought in mind, one has choices. Jumbo lump is pricey, so lump or claw meat are perfectly acceptable.
Virginia ham is salty and can be replaced with prosciutto. No matter what protein you choose, make sure it is crispy.
Believe it or not, but the slicing of the baguette needs to be addressed. Typically, I like to slice the baguette on an angle so the circumference area is larger allowing more toppings. It is also more pleasing to the eye.
If you cut the baguette straight, the surface area is smaller, which allows for smaller portions of filling.
Jumbo Lump Crab Meat and Virginia Ham Amuse-Bouche is a decadent starter and can be made in approximately 30 minutes. Enjoy!
Ingredients
1 small baguette
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
½ pound jumbo lump crab meat
1/3 cup julienne strips of Virginia ham, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley splash of fresh lemon juice kosher salt to taste
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Slice baguette into 1/4-inch slices. Using a pastry brush, apply a light coating of olive oil to the bread and toast until golden brown, about seven minutes.
2. In the meantime, in a medium sauce pan over medium heat, sauté ham with remaining olive oil and butter until crispy.
3. Add the remaining ingredients ex-
cept for the crab meat, and cook until garlic is translucent.
4. Add crab meat and cook until meat is hot. Be care full to not break up the clumps of crab.
5. Add a dollop of crab filling onto each slice of baguette.
6. Place Jumbo Lump Crab Meat and Virginia Ham Amuse-Bouches on a serving plate. It can be served as a passed hors d’oeuvre or a stationary starter.
Secret Ingredient – Size
Only by trying on other people’s clothes do we find what size we are. — John Lennon
COMMUNITY/SCHOOLS
SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH LEGION DONATION
American Legion Post 166 Leathernecks, at its October meeting, presented Worcester County GOLD with a donation of $1,000. Accepting the donation from Leathernecks Vic Freeman and Jon Pearl were GOLD board members Amber Ray and Joe Schanno. Members of Post 166 Leathernecks are veterans of all military branches of service, the Post Auxiliary, and Sons of the American Legion.
SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
SCHOOL SUPPLIES DONATED
Parishioners at St. Paul’s Episcopal in Berlin recently collected school supplies for students and teachers at Buckingham Elementary School. Between the parishioners’ donations and the cash donation from The Church Mouse Thrift Shop of Berlin, there was enough collected to make 31 baskets of school supplies for teachers’ classrooms. Principal Chris Welch graciously accepted the donations of school supplies and distributed them to teachers for use in their classrooms.
The Ocean City Chapter of the Sons and Daughters of Italy collected clothing, food, and other necessities from its members to be sent south to help unfortunate residents caught up in the recent hurricanes. One collection center was Treasure Beach RV Park on Route 54, where club members Dan and Mindy Nardone brought items donated at an SDOI membership meeting to be added to three tractor-trailers filled with donations for victims of Hurricane Helene from individuals and other local organizations.
SHREDDING DAY HELD
St. Paul’s Episcopal Berlin held its second annual document shredding event in the St. Paul’s parking lot on Sept. 14. Many people came out with boxes of personal documents to shred. As part of the shredding event, St. Paul’s collected canned goods to donate to Spirit Kitchen. With such a great turnout, the church had many boxes of food to give to Spirit Kitchen to help support the worthy cause.
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RECESS BREAK
Ocean City Elementary PreK-3 students from Mrs. Casale and Mrs. Hammond’s class took a little break from learning to enjoy recess time on the playground with friends.
are
Michael Dunworth, Theo Rothermel, Trent Sechrest, Meyer Molloy and Kruz Oltman.
DESIGN WINNER
Worcester County Garden Club member Jackie Davies, pictured, received top design awards at the recent Federated Garden Clubs of Maryland District 1 “Spirit of America” Flower Show in Easton. Her multi-rhythmic “Patriots Path” design won both the Designer’s Choice Award and the Holiday Excellence Award. She also received the Evelyn Williams/Joanna Cato Perpetual Award for demonstrating the most creativity. The Worcester County Garden Club is a member of Federated Garden Clubs of Maryland, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization, whose mission is to provide support, leadership and education for garden clubs and the public about best practices for horticulture, conservation, and landscape design. Individuals interested in learning more about Worcester County Garden Club can contact the membership chair at WorCtyGardenClub@gmail.com.
SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
Pictured
Fatih Mustafa,
ALOC PARTY OF THE YEAR
The Art League of Ocean
held its annual “pARTy of the Year” on Oct. 9 at the Embers Restaurant in
The theme was “Wonderland” and featured fine food and beverage, live
a beautiful sunset, and a cast of Alice in Wonderland characters performed by the Lower Shore Performing Arts Company. The event is an annual fundraiser for the programs of the nonprofit local arts organization. Above left are Doctors
SUBMITTED PHOTOS/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
City
Ocean City.
music,
Curtis Asbury and Sara Mohagadam. Above right are Reid and Amy Tingle.
Among the crowd attending last week’s annual celebration of the arts were Velda and Patrick Henry, above left; Mary Beth Carozza, Rina Thaler, Sharyn O’Hare and John Sisson, above right; John Rego and Crystal Collins, below left; and Steve and Dawne Pappas and Virginia Pappas and Jack Burbage.
vanishing vanishing OCEAN C C ITY
With Bunk Mann
Surfing became popular in Ocean City in the mid-1960s. George Pittman and Bill Wise opened Ocean City’s first surf shop (called the Eastern Surfer) in 1964 in the basement of the Sandy Hill Motel.
The less crowded beaches of north Ocean City quickly became the favorite surfing areas in the days before the high-rise condominiums.
This 1965 photo shows the famous “Surfer Bus” on 94th Street and Coastal Highway. Surf boards were rented for $2 an hour or $10 for the day.
Things I Liike...
By Steve Green
Homecoming pics on social media
Smell of a baby after a bath
The energy of a playoff baseball game
A bonfire with friends
Monday morning sports highlights
When technology does make things easier
Kids laughing from their rooms
Wings with a kick and football
A Friday off for a long weekend
Birds following a tractor in a field
When teens show empathy
To purchase one of Bunk Mann’s books, click over to www.vanishingoc.com.
Photo courtesy George Pittman
Calendar
Submit calendar items to: editor@oceancitytoday.net. Submission deadline is 5 p.m. Monday, the week of publication. Local submissions have priority. Area event listings are subject to space availability.
Fri., Oct. 18
BRONCO BEACH BASH
Hugh T. Cropper Inlet Parking Lot, 809 S. Atlantic Ave., Ocean City, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. A celebration of “everything Bronco!” welcoming all makes and models. Featuring Sand Course, Vendor Village, Show & Shine and After Parties. https://broncobeachbash.com, 443-3665944
FAMILY BEACH BONFIRE
Ocean City beach at 130th Street, 6-8 p.m. Cost is $3 per youth; $5 for adults, 18 years and older; or $15 maximum per family. Pre-registration is encouraged. https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/departments/recreation-parks/, askrec@oceancitymd.gov, 410-250-0125
FAMILY FUN NIGHT PUMPKIN PAINTING
Ocean Pines Community Center, 235 Ocean Parkway, 6-8 p.m. Bring your own pumpkin or purchase one at the event ($6). Admission cost is $5 for Ocean Pines residents and $6 for non-residents. All decorations and paint provided. Register: 410-641-6057.
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.worcesterlibrary.org
FANDOM FRIDAY
Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 2 p.m. Spend your day off school at the library. Play Nintendo Switch games and do crafts and activities: Mario, Pokemon, and other favorite characters. For all ages. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org
EXPLORING LATIN AMERICAN ART
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 2 p.m. A talk about the Mexican Muralist movement, moving into photography and Surrealism/Realism, and then through post1945 abstractions. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org
BOOK OF THE MONTH CLUB: ‘THE MAN WHO COULD MOVE CLOUDS’ BY INGRID ROJAS CONTRERAS
Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 2 p.m. Copies of the book are available at the Berlin Library circulation desk. 410-641-0650,
www.worcesterlibrary.org
FRIED FLOUNDER DINNER
Bowen Um Church Hall, 8423 Newark Road, Newark. 4:30 p.m. Fried flounder dinner with Mac & cheese, green beans, cornbread, dessert and beverage. Carryouts available. Cost is $10.
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., Oct. 19
BRONCO BEACH BASH
Hugh T. Cropper Inlet Parking Lot, 809 S. Atlantic Ave., Ocean City, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. A celebration of “everything Bronco!” welcoming all makes and models. Featuring Sand Course, Vendor Village, Show & Shine and After Parties. https://broncobeachbash.com, 443-3665944
AUTUMN HOME SHOW WITH ARTS & CRAFTS AND FAMILY FALL FEST
Roland E. Powell Convention Center, 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Three shows in one. Admission is $6 for adults and free for kids 13 years and younger, military, fire and police with ID. Schedule of events: https://oceanpromotions.info.
OKTOBERFEST
Historic Downtown Berlin, 124 N. Main St., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Featuring The Edelweiss Band, The Dunehounds, Cascading Carlos, Scales-n-Tails, sidewalk sale, local craft beer and food. Free kids crafts and face painting.
HALLOWEEN SWIM
Ocean Pines Sports Core Pool, 11144 Cathell Road, 5-8 p.m. Halloween crafts, games, music and food. Costume Contest for a chance to win a free daily pool pass. Admission cost is $8 residents, $10 nonresidents, $6 swim members, $2 nonswimmers. 410-641-5255
FREE COMMUNITY FLU CLINIC
Gudelsky Family Medical Center (DriveThru), 10614 Racetrack Road, Ocean Pines, 8 a.m.-noon. Providing flu vaccinations for those ages 13 years and older. No appointment required. High-dose vaccines available and billed to Medicare
Continued on Page 62
Furniture • Exercise Equipment
Outside Play Sets • WiFi Security Cameras • TV Mounting
FOR FASTEST SERVICE: We need your address & contact information and exact brand name, model #’s and quantity. Email us a copy of your receipt/pictures.
Sasha@AtlanticAssemblers.com 302-569-9732
Continued from Page 61
or insurance for those 65 years and older. www.agh.care/flu
OCEAN PINES FARMERS & ARTISANS
MARKET PUMPKIN FESTIVAL
White Horse Park, 239 Ocean Parkway, Ocean Pines, 9 a.m.-noon. Choose your perfect pumpkin, get lost in the artisan village and enjoy a glass of fresh-pressed apple cider.
WORCESTER COUNTY DEMOCRATS’ SPIRIT OF THE PARTY PANCAKE BREAKFAST
Ocean City 50plus Center, 104 41st St., 9 a.m.-noon. Pancakes, sausage, fruit and drinks. Featuring a Board of Education Candidate Forum and information on upcoming Democratic candidates. Cost is $15 in advance or $20 at the door. worcesterdems.org, 410-804-3971
STEAM SATURDAY
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 9 a.m.4 p.m. Join in anytime during the day to use your creativity and complete the STEAM Building challenge. For ages 0-5 years and 6-11 years. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org
WALK WITH A DOC
South Gate Pond, Ocean Pines, 9-10 a.m. An Atlantic General representative will speak on a topic of their expertise, and then lead the group for a walk. First 10 participants received a $10 WalMart gift card. amarzola@atlanticgeneral.org, 410-641-9268
STORY TIME: DOGS
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10 a.m. Learn more about man’s best friend for National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month. Bring your stuffed animal so they can hear the story too. For all ages. 410-208-4014
FAMILY LIBRARY DAY: BUILD IT
Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 301 Market St., 10 a.m. Build and create with a variety of items. For all ages. 410-957-0878, www.worcesterlibrary.org
CRAFTY SATURDAY: HALLOWEEN
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Create some spooky crafts to celebrate the season. For ages 0-11 years. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org
CHICKEN BBQ
St. Paul United Methodist Church, 405 Flower St., Berlin, 11 a.m. Cost is $15 for 1/2 BBQ chicken platter with two sides, roll and drink or $12 for 1/2 BBQ chicken, roll and drink. Proceeds benefit the church’s Men’s Ministry.
TANGER OUTLETS REHOBOTH BEACH TO HOST INAUGURAL BARKTOBER EVENT
Tanger Rehoboth Beach - Seaside, 36470 Seaside Outlet Drive, Rehoboth Beach, 13 p.m. Event includes pet costume contest and parade. Free and open to the public. tanger.com/rehoboth
ROAST BEEF AND CHICKEN PARMESAN DINNER
Bethany United Methodist Church, 8648 Stephen Decatur Highway, Berlin, 5 p.m. Roast beef and chicken parmesan dinner with sides and dessert for $15. Dine in or take out. Pre-orders recommended: 410614-2186 or Bethany21811@gmail.com.
FARMERS & ARTISANS MARKET
Saturdays - White Horse Park, 239 Ocean Parkway, 9 a.m. to noon. Shop for everything from fresh local produce to unique handmade artisan goods. Open to the public.
Sun., Oct. 20
BRONCO BEACH BASH
Hugh T. Cropper Inlet Parking Lot, 809 S. Atlantic Ave., Ocean City, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. A celebration of “everything Bronco!” welcoming all makes and models. Featuring Sand Course, Vendor Village, Show & Shine and After Parties. https://broncobeachbash.com, 443-3665944
AUTUMN HOME SHOW WITH ARTS & CRAFTS AND FAMILY FALL FEST
Roland E. Powell Convention Center, 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Three shows in one. Admission is $6 for adults and free for kids 13 years and younger, military, fire and police with ID. Schedule of events: https://oceanpromotions.info. 410-2138090
RUN THE BOARDS LIKE ROB
606 S. Atlantic Ave., Ocean City, 8-10 a.m. A 5k run and 1 mile fun walk in memory of Rob Schultheis. Come support his family, friends and the Salisbury University Alumni Association, which he loved so much. info@tcreventmanagement.com
GOSPEL CONCERTS
St. Matthews By the Sea UMC, 1000 Coastal Highway, Fenwick Island. Featuring “Heaven 4 Shore” for 9:30 a.m. church service and “The Hyssongs” for the 6 p.m. concert. Free admission, love offering accepted. Debby Dudley, 302228-7809
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
THE ART OF BERLIN
Sundays through October - The Berlin Welcome Center Lot, 14 S. Main St., 9
a.m. to 1 p.m. The Merry Haven presents A Local Makers Market.
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., Oct. 21
STORY TIME: PUMPKINS
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Crafts, songs and stories. For ages 0-5 years. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org
FIBER ARTS
Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 301 Market St., 11 a.m. Bring your own fiber art project (crochet, knitting, etc.) and join in for a casual meet up to work on projects. 410-957-0878, www.worcesterlibrary.org
Friends of the Ocean Pines Library members are invited to a membership meeting at 1 p.m., followed by a Halloween party at 2 p.m. All are welcome for the “Dean of Doo Wop’s” 1950s faves. 410-208-4014
TRUE CRIME BOOK CLUB
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 2 p.m.
Featuring “The Poinsoner’s Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York” by Deborah Blum. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org
The group is reading from Book 5 of the Great Conversations Anthology. Today the group will focus on ‘The New Organon’ By Francis Bacon. 410-2084014, www.worcesterlibrary.org
Join in for a Lego challenge event. All materials provided. For ages 6-11 years. 410-208-4014
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
MURDER AND MAYHEM RODE THE RAILS
Worcester County Library - Snow Hill
Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 5:30 p.m. By 1907, railroads where the largest cause of violent death in the nation. Historian Mike Dixon will discuss stories of murder, mayhem and other calamities. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org
BRIDGE
Mondays - Ocean City 50plus Center, 104 41st Street, Ocean City, 12:30-3:30 p.m. Reserve a spot: Tish, 410-804-3971. 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., Oct. 22
POP-UP FARMERS MARKET
Flower St. Field across from Henry Park, 125 Flower St., Berlin, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP - WIC & seniors) checks and WIC Fruit & Vegetable checks welcome here.
STORY TIME: ‘PUMPKINS’
Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 10:30 a.m. Stories, songs and fingerplays. For ages 0-5 years. 410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org
STORY TIME: AUTUMN LEAVES
Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 301 Market St., 10:30 a.m. Stories, songs and crafts. For ages 0-5 years. 410-957-0878, 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
HOMESCHOOL HISTORY
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 12 p.m.
Crossword answers from page 52
CALENDAR
Learn facts about different historical time periods through reading, writing and games. For ages 6-11 years. 410-5241818, www.worcesterlibrary.org
CHAIR YOGA
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 2 p.m.
Certified yoga instructor, Therese O’Boyle, teaches this class that stretches and strengthens in a gentle manner. Registration required: 410-524-1818. www.worcesterlibrary.org
Join Worcester Tech teacher Silviya Gallo with her Laser Shop wooden structures. Be ready to decorate and design. For ages 6-11 years. 410-208-4014
ARTSCAPE: AT THE PARK
Cypress Park Nature Trail, Pocomoke City, 5:30 p.m. A casual meetup for artists of all levels to share techniques and explore different mediums. Basic painting and sketching supplies for use or bring your own. Weather permitting. 410-957-0878
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. 410-2894725
OC KNITTING CLUB
Tuesdays - Worcester County LibraryOcean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m.
ARGENTINE TANGO PRACTICE
Tuesdays - Experienced dancers and others interested in watching or learning more are welcome, 7-9:30 p.m. No partner required. Info: TangobytheBeach.com.
ZUMBA TONING TUESDAYS
Tuesdays - Northside Park, 200 125th St., Ocean City, 5:30 p.m. Zumba with optional light weights. zumbajoyceoc@gmail.com
WEIGHT MANAGEMENT AND WELLNESS GROUP
Tuesdays - Holy Trinity Cathedral, 11021 Worcester Highway, 2-2:45 p.m. Use the weight loss program/app/plan of your choice. Free and open to everyone. 410641-4882, www.htcanglican.org/activities.
Wed., Oct. 23
BARIATRIC SUPPORT GROUP
Meets online via Zoom the third and fourth Wednesdays of each month. For surgical patients. Atlantic General Bariatric Center, 410-641-9568
BABY TIME
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10 a.m. Songs, stories and giggles. For ages 0-2 years. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org
GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP
Atlantic General Hospital, Conference Room 1, 9733 Healthway Drive, Berlin, 3-4:30 p.m. Providing participants with hope for the future. Gail Mansell, 410641-9725, gmansell@atlanticgeneral.org
ENGINEERING CHALLENGE: HOVERCRAFT
Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 301 Market St., 4 p.m. Choose from a variety of supplies to build a hovercraft that you can test in the wind tunnel. For ages 6-11 years. 410-957-0878
FAIRYTALE
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 4:30 p.m. Join in for a reading of “The Three Billy Goats Gruff” and create your own bridge. For ages 6-11 years. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org
THRILLER THRIFT SHOP PAINT NIGHT
Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 5 p.m. Turn a thrift shop painting into a creep work of art by adding ghosts, graves and other scary scenes. All supplies provided. Must pre-register: 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org.
KIWANIS CLUB MEETING
Wednesdays - Ocean Pines Community Center, 239 Ocean Parkway, 8 a.m. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. Third Wednesday meetings are offsite and information can be found on the website and Facebook. www.kiwanisofopoc.org.
Thurs., Oct. 24
SUNFEST
Hugh T. Cropper Inlet Parking Lot, 809 S. Atlantic Ave., Ocean City, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Music, arts & crafts, food, kidfriendly activities, tractor rides, craft beer, Halloween Beach Maze, Howl-OWeen Pet Parade, Trunk or Treat and more. Free admission. https://www.ococean.com/sunfest/
BEACH SINGLE 55 PLUS MEET AND GREET
Thursdays - Harpoon Hanna’s, Fen wick Island, DE, 4-6 p.m. 215-385-4993, BeachSingles.org
REPUBLICAN WOMEN OF WORCESTER COUNTY’S OCTOBER MEETING AND LUNCHEON Worcester Technical High School, 6270 Worcester Highway, Newark, 10:30
a.m.-1 p.m. Guest speaker will be Brigadier General (Ret.) John Tiechert, a recent Maryland Senate candidate. Cost is $25 and is all inclusive. To sign up: gopwomenofwc@gmail.com.
NARFE (NATIONAL ACTIVE AND RETIRED FEDERAL EMPLOYEE) MEETING
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10 a.m. Speaker will be Anne Healey of CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield. Karleen Hagan, 703-729-2103
STORY TIME: ‘THE LITTLE OLD LADY WHO WASN’T AFRAID OF ANYTHING’
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10:30 a.m. Everyone is afraid of something … except for this little old lady. Or is she? See what gives her the willies. 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. Join in for a variety of activities and toys. Play and socialize with other families. For ages 2-5 years. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org
MAKE AND LEARN: CYANOTYPES
Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 301 Market St., 2 p.m. Learn about the invention of the cyanotype, photo paper that turns blue when exposed to light, and make your own. Registration required: 410-957-0878. www.worcesterlibrary.org
LET’S TALK MOVIES - ‘HALLOWEEN’
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 2 p.m. Month movie club, where the group discusses timeless classics and newer box office hits. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org
ENGINEERING CHALLENGE: TALLEST PAPER TOWER
Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 3:30 p.m. Build the tallest tower possible using nothing but paper and tape. Test your engineering skills during the MD STEM Festival event. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org
CREATIVE ENGAGEMENT; EMPOWERING CAREGIVERS SYMPOSIUM - OPENING PARTY & FUNDRAISER
Art League of Ocean City, 502 94th St., 6-8 p.m. Tickets for Opening Party ($50), Symposium ($20), bundle ($65). Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/creativeengagement-empowering-caregiverssymposium-tickets-909348274167?aff=o ddtdtcreator. 410-524-9433
ONGOING EVENTS
HALLOWEEN SCAVENGER HUNT
Ocean City library, 10003 Coastal Highway, Oct. 21-31. Stop by to grab a scavenger hunt sheet and search the Kids and
YA area’s high and low for all things Halloween. Finish the hunt and reveal a secret message. For ages 0-5 years and 6-11 years. 410-524-1818.
BERLIN PUMPKIN SCAVENGER HUNT
Find all of the painted pumpkins for your chance to win $100. Pick up and return your entry form at the Berlin Welcome Center foyer. Open 24/7. Contest runs Oct. 1-30.
PRE-HOLIDAY SHOWING
Ocean Pines library, 11107 Cathell Road, Oct. 1-Dec. 31. A pre-holiday showing of original art work. 410-208-4014
OCTOBER INSPIRATION CHALLENGE
Snow Hill library, 307 N. Washington St., Art, photography or poetry competition for all ages. The theme for October is “Sticks and Stones.” Due by Oct. 23. 410-632-3495
OCEAN PINES VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT RAFFLE
Win a 2024 F-150 4X4 Supercrew 5.0L V8. Tickets cost $100. All registration, sale, etc. expenses covered by O.P.V.F.D. Drawing will take place when all of the tickets have been sold. For more information: www.opvfd.com/f-150.
QUEEN OF HEARTS
Weekly virtual drawings on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. Winner receives 60 percent of jackpot. www.opvfd.com/queen-ofhearts. Sponsored by the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department.
2025 KIWANIS LOTTERY TICKETS ON SALE
On sale every Saturday morning at the Ocean Pines Farmers Market from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. One $20 ticket is good for all 365 drawings in 2025. Benefits the youth of the community.
OCEAN CITY-BERLIN ROTARY CLUB
Meets the first and third Wednesday of each month at Don’s Seafood & Chop House at the South Gate of Ocean Pines, 6 p.m. ocberlinrotary@gmail.com
2024 JUST WALK CHALLENGE
Get the most miles of physical activity between Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 and be crowned the Just Walk Worcester Champion of 2024. Sign-up for Just Walk Worcester and report your monthly miles: https://justwalkworcester.org/. 410-632-1100, Ext. 1110
OCEAN CITY CHAPTER OF THE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF ITALY
Meets every month (except July and August) at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 9901 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 6:308:30 p.m. Membership is open to individuals of Italian descent and their spouses. www.sonsofitalyoceancity.com
POLISH AMERICAN CLUB OF DELMARVA
Meets the second Wednesday of each month (except July and August) at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 9901 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 2-4 p.m. A social organization of men and women of Polish or Slavic descent.
Ocean Aviation Flight Academy seeks Office Assistant
Growing Flight Academy with campuses in Berlin, Maryland and Georgetown, Delaware seeks Exceptional Candidate to join our team. Professional Friendly office environment. F/T Weekend availability is a plus. Year Around Position. Responsible for student interaction, dispatch and check in of flights, filing, retail sales and keeping our offices neat and clean. Must be customer oriented and be proficient in data entry and have good computer skills. Previous office or educational experience necessary.
Please forward resume to mike@flyoceanaviation.com
We prefer initial contact be through e-mail only. Qualified applicants will be contacted for in person interviews.
o Experience
o Excellent pay and a competitive
package available.
Apply Online: https://www.allstatesconst.com/delmarva-renovations-careers Or Contact Our Office at 410-352-9800
Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor: Physician Assistant- Faculty Position
The School of Pharmacy and Health Professions at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore invites applications for the position of Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor in the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program. This is a fulltime, tenure-track, 12-month position.
The position will report to the Program Director and will collaborate with other PA faculty, and staff to support the program’s mission and ensure compliance with ARC-PA accreditation standards. The program is dedicated to allotting time and resources for the professional development of all faculty and staff. Salary and rank for the position is commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Required Qualifications
• Master’s degree from an ARC-PA accredited program.
• Current NCCPA certification.
• Two to three years of clinical experience.
• Current license or eligibility for licensing as a physician assistant in the State of Maryland.
PT Dental Hygienist for busy office in Ocean City, MD. Please call 410-213-1032. Small Engine Mechanic Year-round. Competitive Wages. 443-754-1047
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.
NOW HIRING!
• DRIVER Call Pam 410-726-7061 or apply within 56th Street
MONTH TO MONTH RENTAL
2BR, 1BA Apartment, West OC off Golf Course Rd.
$1,100/mo., security deposit ($1,100) and first month’s rent due at move in. Please contact Pauline at 410-390-1374.
WEEKLY RENTALS
$300-$500 per week. October-May. 301-331-2209
Seeking YR & Seasonal Rentals! Call Howard Martin Realty 410-352-5555.
WINTER RENTAL
Downtown OC
2BR, 2BA. Renovated Apt. Central HVAC, W/D, cable TV. WiFi included. Occup. lmtd. to 2. No smoking/pets. Ref. & credit ck. req.
$800/mo. + utils. 410-202-6353
Bedroom / 1 Bath Laundry on premises. 877-289-1616 www.bbapartmentsoc.com
HOUSE FOR YEARLY RENT 3BR, 2BA, West OC. W/D. No smoking/pets. $2,250/month plus electric. Available November 1. Call 410-213-1633 for information.
Nice 2BR, 2BA, on the water in Ocean City, MD. $1,450 per mo. + utils. Call Karen, 443-880-5727.
ROOMMATE Older woman seeking same to share 2BR, 2BA Cozy Midtown Apt. For 11/1 occupancy. No pets, smoking outside ok. Must submit application. Please call 443-513-1421. Houseshare. Furnished rooms in South Ocean Pines. All inclusive. $800 per month. Year-round. No smoking. No pets. Call 443-880-2317.
16 ACRES
Perked, surveyed and ready to build your own private oasis, dream home, man cave, horse farm, etc. Just outside of Bishopville on Rt. 610. Close to tax free shopping, schools & hospital. $325,000 Call Howard Martin Realty, 410-352-5555.
Space located at Assateague Square Center at 9808 Stephen Decatur Hwy., West OC. Please call 443-783-2125 for more information.
Commercial Office Space in West Ocean City. 800 sq.ft. w/high ceilings, bathroom, climate controlled, great lighting, end unit. Totally re-done. $1,200 per mo. + utils. Avail. Now. 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.
MISC. FOR SALE
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
Industrial Space Yard and Storage Shed. Approx. 10x25+/Route 90/Bishopville. Call 443-497-4200.
2 Office/Retail Spaces available in West Ocean City. Approximately 1656 sq. ft. and 1728 sq. ft. Call 443-497-4200
DONATIONS
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.
Inseparable, Peanut butter and jelly, My pillow and you!
Classifieds
410-723-6397
www.baysideoc.com www.oceancitytoday.com
Classifieds Deadline is 5pm Monday
CLASSIFIED AD NETWORK
Get DISH Satellite TV + Internet! Free Install, Free HDDVR Upgrade, 80,000 OnDemand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-855-4076870 FOR SALE
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.
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
REAL ESTATE
We Buy Houses for Cash AS IS! No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy three step process: Call, get cash offer and get paid. Get your fair cash offer today by calling Liz Buys Houses: 1-866-541-7929
SERVICES
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
ROBINS & ROBINS, P.A.
128 East Main Street
Salisbury, Maryland 2l801
SECURED PARTY’S SALE OF MOBILE HOME
1996 Cedr Mobile Home Trailer
835-8906. For information regarding the lease and park rules, contact Charles Aldinger at 717-683-8807.
Pete Richardson Auction Sales, Inc. 410-546-2425
OCD-10/10/3t
McCabe, Weisberg & Conway, LLC
312 Marshall Avenue, Suite 800 Laurel, MD 20707 www.mwc-law.com
The Farmers Bank of Willards (“Secured Party”) will offer for sale at public auction a 1996 Cedr Mobile Home Trailer registered in the name of Brian Douglas Gifford located at Lot 18 Four Seasons Park, 12024 Ocean Gateway, Ocean City, MD 21842, together with 115 shares of stock in Four Seasons Park, Inc., with proprietary lease appurtenant to stock ownership. [Note: Park rules prohibit the lease of any lot to a person who does not own stock in the corporation.] The auction will be held at the aforesaid location of the mobile home on
MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2024 AT THE HOUR OF 10:00 A.M.
CANCELED CANCELED
TERMS OF SALE. The property will be sold to the highest bidder, who will be required to tender on account of the purchase price at the time and place of sale cash, certified funds, or check acceptable to the undersigned, in the amount of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), with the balance of the purchase price to be paid on or before November 15, 2024. The deferred portion of the bid price shall be evidenced by the Promissory Note of the Buyer, bearing no interest provided settlement is made and the full price tendered on or before November 15, 2024; otherwise, the deferred portion of the bid price shall bear interest from the date of sale at the rate of six percent (6%) per annum. Buyer shall be entitled to possession upon payment of the purchase price in full, time being of the essence. Real Estate taxes for the current fiscal year re Lot 18 will be pro-rated to the date of closing.
Secured Party makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, with respect to the mobile home. The successful bidder(s) will take the mobile home in its AS IS and WHERE IS, with all faults and defects, if any.
Take notice, the mobile home is situated within the Four Seasons Park and is therefore subject to the park’s rules. The successful bidder(s) may or may not be approved as tenants of the mobile home park. If the mobile home is to be placed in a mobile home park, the park may have rules and lease provisions that affect you and the mobile home. You should contact the park office to obtain and carefully review a copy of the lease and rules for the park before you enter into a contract to purchase a mobile home. Due to land restrictions in some areas in the State, a mobile home may be placed only on property that is within a mobile home park.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, please contact Mary W. Dryden, AVP Special Assets for The Farmers Bank of Willards, at 410-
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
OCTOBER 22, 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 docu-
ments 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 #2013-42873).
Laura H. G. O'Sullivan, et al., Substitute Trustees
OCD-10/3/3t
REGAN J. R. SMITH ESQ. WILLIAMS, MOORE, SHOCKLEY & HARRISON LLP 3509 COASTAL HIGHWAY OCEAN CITY, MD 21842
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20366 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF WADE NEFF ROTH
Notice is given that Debra Mullen, 315 5th St., Walnutport, PA 18088-1318, was on September 24, 2024 appointed Personal Represen-
tative of the estate of Wade Neff Roth who died on June 25, 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 24th day of March, 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.
Debra Mullen 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: October 03, 2024
OCD-10/3/3t _________________________________
NOTICE
OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
To all persons interested in the estate of LORRAINE G. SIGISMONDI Estate No. 20355 Notice is given that PHYLLIS LARKINS HACKEL whose address is 985 COUNTRY CLUB DR., WOOSTER, OH 446911409 was on SEPTEMBER 25, 2024 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of LORRAINE G. SIGISMONDI who died on AUGUST 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 25th day of MARCH, 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.
TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-10/3/3t
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 110, Zoning, of the Code of the Town of Ocean City, Maryland, notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be conducted by the Planning and Zoning Commission in the Council Chambers of City Hall located at 301 Baltimore Avenue in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland on:
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2024
At 7:00 PM
To consider amending Chapter 110, entitled Zoning, Article V, entitled Supplemental Regulations, Division 3, entitled Off-Street Parking, Section 110-935, entitled Design Standards, to allow tandem parking design, which does require another vehicle to be moved, to satisfy a portion of required residential parking (not including hotel and motel uses).
APPLICANT: PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION (PZ FILE #24-14100005)
At 7:05 PM
To consider amending Chapter 110, entitled Zoning, Article II, entitled Administration and Enforcement, Division 8, entitled Site Plan Review, Section 110-184, entitled Amendments and Additions to allow Zoning Administrator to exempt minor structures less than 500 gross square feet from Planning Commission review in certain circumstances.
APPLICANT: PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION (PZ FILE #24-14100006)
At 7:10 PM
To consider amending Chapter 110, entitled Zoning, Article V, entitled Supplemental Regulations, Division 1, entitled Generally, Section 110-886, entitled Employee Housing- Accessory and Non-Accessory, and Division 3, entitled Off-Street Parking, Section 110-932, entitled Minimum Number of Spaces, to allow, in certain circumstances, leased off-street parking to satisfy
requirements for accessory employee housing, and to allow a reduction in required parking spaces for accessory employee housing.
APPLICANT: PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION (PZ FILE #24-14100007)
No oral or written testimony will be accepted after the close of the public hearing.
Public hearings that are not completed at one meeting may be continued without additional advertised notice provided the Commission Chairperson announces that the hearing will be continued and gives persons in attendance an opportunity to sign up for written notice of the additional hearing dates.
For further information concerning this public hearing, please contact the Department of Planning and Community Development, Room 242, City Hall, 301 Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, MD 21842. Phone 410-289-8855.
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
JOSEPH P. WILSON, CHAIRPERSON
MAUREEN HOWARTH, ESQ., ATTORNEY OCD-10/3/3t
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
To all persons interested in the estate of JOHN COLEMAN TIMMONS Estate No. 20365 Notice is given that LINDA L. TIMMONS whose address is 7276 CHERRIX RD., SNOW HILL, MD 21863-4176 was on SEPTEMBER 24, 2024 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of JOHN COLEMAN TIMMONS who died on JULY 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 24th day of MARCH, 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.
TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County
ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
To all persons interested in the estate of JOSEPH GEORGE COOK Estate No. 20363 Notice is given that DANA LYNN FELTON whose address is 4540 LASATER TRL., COLORADO SPGS., CO 80922-1619 was on SEPTEMBER 24, 2024 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of JOSEPH GEORGE COOK who died on SEPTEMBER 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 24th day of MARCH, 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.
TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-10/3/3t
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES
ESTATE NO. 20369
NOTICE IS GIVEN that the CIRCUIT court of WINCHESTER CITY, VIRGINA appointed JENNIFER P. SCHAEFER whose address is 301 TAMARACK CIR., WINCHESTER, VA 22602-6764 as the PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE of the Estate of THERESA ANN PEACHEY AKA: THERESA MARKS PEACHEY who died on OCTOBER 21, 2023 domiciled in VIRGINIA, VIRGINA, USA
The Maryland resident agent for service of process is JAMES E. CLUBB JR. whose address is 108 8TH ST., OCEAN CITY, MD 218423831. 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.
TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-10/3/3t
RKW LAW GROUP
DIANE S. KOTKIN ESQ. 10 N. JEFFERSON ST., STE. 200 FREDERICK, MD 21701-3500
NOTICE
TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ESTATE NO. 20370
NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Orphans’ court of York County, Pennsylvania appointed Mark C. Magness, P.O. Box 313, Bel Air, MD 21014-0313; Catherine M. Young, 3017 Rocks Rd., Jarrettsville, MD 21084-1714 as the Executors of the Estate of Charles R. Magness Sr. who died on December 06, 2023 domiciled in Pennsylvania, America.
The Maryland resident agent for service of process is Diane S. Kotkin whose address is 10 N. Jefferson St., Ste. 200, Frederick, MD 21701-3500. At the time of death, the decedent owned real or leasehold property in the following Maryland counties: Worcester County.
All persons having claims against the decedent must file their claims with the Register of Wills for Worcester County with a copy to the foreign personal representative on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or (2) Two months after the foreign personal representative mails or delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Claims filed after that date or after a date extended by law will be barred.
Mark C. Magness
Catherine M. Young Foreign Personal Representatives
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: October 03, 2024
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Mayor & City Council Ocean City, Maryland
BID SOLICITATION
P02-25 – Eagles Landing Golf Course Improvements
The Mayor & City Council of Ocean City is seeking Proposals from qualified and experienced Vendors to provide for the Eagles Landing Golf Course Improvements and for said work to conform with the Proposal Documents.
BID Documents for the Eagles Landing Golf Course Improvements may be obtained from the Town’s Procurement Department by either e-mailing the Procurement Manager, Matt Perry, at mperry@oceancitymd.gov or Dawn Webb at dwebb@oceancitymd.gov, or by calling (410) 723-6643 during regular business hours, or via the Solicitations tab on the Town’s (https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/procurement-bids/) website. Vendors are responsible for checking this website for Addenda before submitting their BID’s. The Town is not responsible for the content of any Proposal Document received through any thirdparty service. Vendors are responsible for ensuring the completeness and accuracy of their Completed Proposal Documents.
The last day for questions will be on THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24TH, 2024, AT 3:00PM. Addendum will be posted by close of business on TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29TH, 2024.
Sealed BID Documents are due no later than TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH, 2024, BY 3:00 PM. BID submissions will be opened, read aloud, and then remanded back to staff for further review at the PROCUREMENT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8TH, 2024, AT 10:00AM. BID’s are to be submitted to the Procurement Office located at 214 65th Street, Ocean City, MD 21842, and the name of the Solicitation (Eagles Landing Golf Course Improvements) must be noted on the outside of the package.
Late BID Documents will not be accepted.
Minority Vendors are encouraged to compete for the Award of the Solicitation.
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BRIAN PETER COSBY NILES, BARTON & WILMER, LLP
12417 OCEAN GATEWAY #B-13
OCEAN CITY, MD 21842
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20374
TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF JUDY R. FISHER
AKA: JUDY RICKARDS FISHER
Notice is given that Barbara Lynn Fisher, 518 Manor Rd., Glen Burnie,
MD 21061-3715, was on October 03, 2024 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Judy R. Fisher who died on August 28, 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 3rd day of April, 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 Lynn Fisher 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: October 10, 2024
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NOTICE
OF APPOINTMENT
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
To all persons interested in the estate of PATRICIA A. COLLINS Estate No. 20373 Notice is given that STEPHEN R. COLLINS whose address is 3230 COON CLUB RD., HAMPSTEAD, MD 21074-1730 was on OCTOBER 03, 2024 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of PATRICIA A. COLLINS who died on SEPTEMBER 26, 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 3rd day of APRIL, 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.
TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-10/10/3t
Mayor & City Council Ocean City, Maryland
BID SOLICITATION
B01-25 – Northside Park Fence Replacement
The Mayor & City Council of Ocean City is seeking Proposals from qualified and experienced Vendors to provide for the Northside Park Fence Replacement and for said work to conform with the Proposal Documents.
BID Documents for the Northside Park Fence Replacement may be obtained from the Town’s Procurement Department by either e-mailing the Procurement Manager, Matt Perry, at mperry@oceancitymd.gov or Dawn Webb at dwebb@oceancitymd.gov, or by calling (410) 7236643 during regular business hours, or via the Solicitations tab on the Town’s (https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/ procurement-bids/) website. Vendors are responsible for checking this website for Addenda before submitting their BID’s. The Town is not responsible for the content of any Proposal Document received through any third-party service. Vendors are responsible for ensuring the completeness and accuracy of their Completed Proposal Documents.
A pre-proposal meeting will be conducted on OCTOBER 29TH, 2024 AT 10:00AM AT NORTHSIDE PARK RECREATION CENTER, 200 125TH STREET, OCEAN CITY, MD, 21842 IN THE WEST GYM CONFERENCE ROOM. The last day for questions will be on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH, 2024, AT 3:00PM. Addendum will be posted by close of business on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12TH, 2024
Sealed BID Documents are due no later than MONDAY, DECEMBER 9TH, 2024, BY 10:00AM. BID submissions will be opened, read aloud, and then remanded back to staff for further review at the MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION, ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10TH, 2024, AT 1:00PM. BID’s are to be submitted to the Mayor and City Council, Attention: City Manager; Room 230, 301 North Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, MD 21842, and the name of the Solicitation (Northside Park Fence Replacement) must be noted on the outside of the package.
Late BID Documents will not be accepted.
Minority Vendors are encouraged to compete for the Award of the Solicitation.
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NOTICE
OF PUBLIC HEARING MAYOR & COUNCIL OF SNOW HILL, MARYLAND, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29TH, 2024 at 5:00pm
Pursuant to the provision of the Snow Hill Town Charter Section 108 and Section 4-304 of the Local Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland notice is hereby given that a PUBLIC HEARING is scheduled on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. at the meeting of the Mayor and Council of Snow Hill at the Old Fire Hall, 212 West Green Street, in Snow Hill, Maryland,21863. The purpose of the Public Hearing is for public comment on:
1. Charter Resolution 2024-01, Amend Sections 18(b) and74(a)(3) of the Town Charter of Snow Hill to include the head of the Planning, Zoning, and Building Department in the list of department heads.
2. Charter Resolution 2024-02, Amend Section 11 of the Town Charter of Snow Hill to revise and clarify the process for adopting ordinances.
3. Charter Resolution 2024-03, Amend Section 13 of the Town Charter of Snow Hill to revise and clarify the process for referendums.
4. Charter Resolution 2024-04, Amend Section 58 of the Town Charter of Snow Hill to eliminate the requirement that a bond shall be submitted to referendum.
The public is cordially invited to attend and offer comments. For further information concerning this public hearing, please contact the Town Manager’s Office, 103 Bank Street, Snow Hill, Maryland, 21863, #410-632-2080.
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REGAN J.R. SMITH ESQ WILLIAMS, MOORE, SHOCKLEY & HARRISON LLP
3509 COASTAL HIGHWAY OCEAN CITY, MD 21842
SMALL ESTATE
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 20368 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF
SANDRA L. STRICKER
Notice is given that C. Terry Hough, 1925 Marlin Dr., Ocean City, MD 21842-5541, was on October 09, 2024 appointed personal representative of the small estate of Sandra L. Stricker who died on August 11, 2024, with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All persons having any objection to the appointment shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within 30 days after the date of publication of this Notice. All persons having an objection to the probate of the will shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within six months after the date of publication of this Notice.
All persons having claims against the decedent must serve their claims on the undersigned personal representative or file them with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or
(2) Thirty days after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within thirty days from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Any claim not served or filed within that time, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter.
C. Terry Hough 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: October 17, 2024
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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, October 24, 2024 AT 6:00 PM
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 110-93(3), Powers of the Code, an appeal of Section 110-95(1)(a) has been filed to request (1) a variance of 5.2 feet from the 10-foot separation distance requirement for a 6’ X 12’ proposed addition to be 4.8’ from a neighboring unit; (2) a variance of 0.2 feet from the 5-foot side yard setback for a 6’ X 12’ proposed addition to be 4.8 feet from the side property site line; and (3) a variance of 4.8 feet from the 10-foot separation distance requirement for a proposed covered deck to be 5.2’ from a neighboring unit. The site of the appeal is described as Lot 110 of Sundowner Mobile Home Park Plat It is further described as being located on the south side of Denny Lane and is locally known as 111 Denny Lane, in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.
APPLICANT: JOHN L. STANTON (BZA 2690 #24-09400012)
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-10/10/2t
NOTICE
OF PUBLIC HEARING MAYOR & COUNCIL OF SNOW HILL, MARYLAND
Monday, November 4, 2024 at 6:00 PM
Pursuant to the provisions of the Code of the Town of Snow Hill Section 110-134 notice is hereby given that a PUBLIC HEARING is scheduled on Monday, November 4, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at the meeting of the Mayor and Council of Snow Hill at the Old Fire Hall, 212 West Green Street, in Snow Hill, Maryland, 21863. The purpose of the hearing is to consider an ordinance to amend: CHAPTER 200, ENTITLED ZONING, ARTICLE II, ENTITLED DEFINITIONS; ARTICLE VIII, ENTITLED PERMITTED USES; ARTICLE IX, ENTITLED SUPPLEMENTAL USE REGULATIONS; AND ATTACHMENT 1 - TABLE OF PERMITTED USES OF THE CODE OF THE TOWN OF SNOW HILL, MARYLAND to address through reasonable zoning requirements the State’s legalization of adult use cannabis and creation of adult use cannabis dispensaries by addressing which zoning districts licensed dispensaries may be allowed in and the location of the same and to address the location for growers and processors of cannabis.
The public is cordially invited to attend and offer comments. For further information concerning this public hearing or for a copy of the ordinance please contact the Town Manager’s Office, 103 Bank Street,
Snow Hill, Maryland, 21863, #410632-2080.
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MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF SNOW HILL NOTICE OF PROPOSED LEGISLATION ORDINANCE 2024-15
NOTICE is hereby given by the Mayor and Council of Snow Hill that Ordinance 2024-15 was introduced for first reading at their regular meeting on October 8, 2024. A fair summary of the ordinance is as follows: adding to Chapter 170 entitled taxation, creating Article II, entitled real property- classes of property for tax rates; section 170-10 entitled real property- classes, which creates two classes of real property in the Town of Snow Hill and Article III, entitled real property- vacant building taxation; section 170-11 entitled Real property- vacant building real property tax- creating the process to establish a separate tax rate for vacant properties; providing necessary information to County and State agencies and removing a property from the vacant property tax rate list. The second reading will take place on November 12, 2024 at the regular Town Hall meeting. A complete text of the ordinance is available for review at Town Hall, 103 Bank Street, Snow Hill, MD 21863. OCD-10/17/1t
MARIANNA BATIE ESQ. LAW OFFICE OF MARIANNA BATIE 1321 MOUNT HERMAN RD., STE. B SALISBURY, MD 21804-5303
NOTICE
OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
To all persons interested in the estate of JOSEPH T. PASKO Estate No. 20367 Notice is given that JOSEPH JAMES PASKO II whose address is 8453 BAY RD., PASADENA, MD 21122-2925 was on OCTOBER 11, 2024 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of JOSEPH T. PASKO who died on AUGUST 25, 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 11th day of APRIL, 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.
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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IN THE ORPHANS’ COURT FOR (OR) BEFORE THE REGISTER OF WILLS FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND IN THE ESTATE OF:
ANTHONY F. CITRANO SR. ESTATE NO. 20151
PUBLIC NOTICE TO CAVEAT
To all Persons Interested in the above estate:
Notice is given that a petition to caveat has been filed by Anthony Citrano Jr., 18934 Shore Pointe Court, Unit 2903, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 challenging the will dated 02/09/2024.
You may obtain from the Register of Wills the date and tie of any hearing on this matter.
Terri Westcott Register of Wills Name of newspaper: Ocean City Digest Date of publication: October 18, 2024
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NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
To all persons interested in the estate of CLARENCE THOMAS POULSON Estate No. 13438 Notice is given that TYKISHA POULSON whose address is 680 FITZWATER ST., SPT. 103, SALISBURY, MD 21801-5120 was on OCTOBER 09, 2024 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of CLARENCE THOMAS POULSON who died on APRIL 29, 2009 with a will. Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 9th day of APRIL, 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 ear-
lier 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.
TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-10/17/3t
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
To all persons interested in the estate of B BARRY E. FISHER Estate No. 2 20320 Notice is given that L LILIAN A. GASTON whose address is 4216 CHILTON WAY, HIGH POINT, NC 27265-9582 was on S SEPTEMBER 13, 2024 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of BARRY E. FISHER who died on A AUGUST 23, 2023 without a will. Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 1 13th day of M MARCH, 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.
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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Call: 410-723-6397
Fax: 410-723-6511 or E-mail: legals@oceancitytoday.net
Clearing air on withholding taxes
Different rates often lead to confusion for residents, nonresidents during sales
By Lauren Bunting Contributing Writer
Anyone who sells a property in Maryland, but is a “non-resident” of the state of Maryland, must pay a withholding tax at the time of the sale of their property.
different withholding rates: one rate is for individuals and trusts at 8% and the second is for business entities at 8.25%. Simply put, a non-resident is a person who resides in another state or country. But the Comptroller’s office explains, “If you have an individual client who has lived in Maryland and was a Maryland resident, they will be a resident until they establish residency in another state.”
Who qualifies for an exemption?
The Maryland Office of the Comptroller, Revenue Administration Division, oversees this withholding tax, and sellers who are not residents of the state of Maryland must file for an exemption or partial exemption 21 days in advance of their settlement date.
A list of common misconceptions was provided as follows: Is it a tax?
The law has been in place since 2003, but there is still confusion about the withholding. There are two
BUSINESS BRIEFS
Dollar General remodeled
Dollar General recently announced it has remodeled its store at 105 Decatur St. in Berlin. In addition to the same categories, brands and products customers trust Dollar General to carry, the store now provides customers with an assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables.
“At Dollar General, we strive to be a positive business partner and good community neighbor in Berlin,” said Matthew Simonsen, Dollar General’s senior vice president of real estate and store development. “Although we are not a grocery store, we believe the addition of produce in our Berlin store highlights our commitment to deliver a pleasant shopping experience that includes affordable prices on quality products in a convenient location.”
While DG is not a grocer, the Company cares about and is invested in the health of its hometowns, currently offering fresh fruits and vegetables in more than 5,400 DG stores, giving the Company more individual points of produce distribution than any other U.S.
No, it is not a tax, but an estimated payment (withholding) toward any income tax liability that the seller may have as a result of capital gain. Why would the nonresident seller pay tax to Maryland on capital gains?
Because any income realized from the sale is Maryland income, regardless of where the seller lives. Income from the sale of Maryland real property is Maryland income and must be reported to Maryland.
Almost anyone will qualify for at least a partial exemption, but they must apply before closing. There are special situations that apply as well. One exemption is if the seller’s home qualifies as a principal residence under federal law. The nonresident seller may apply once the property is under contract and at least 21 days before closing. The earlier the seller is aware of this requirement, the better it is so that they may complete the application and gather information necessary to apply. Some of the basic information needed is proof of original purchase price or inherited value and proof of the contract sales price. The application for an exemption, MW506AE, may be found on www.marylandtaxes.com and questions can be emailed to nrshelp@comp.state.md.us.
-Lauren Bunting is the Broker of Record for Keller Williams Realty Delmarva in Ocean City, MD.
mass retailer or grocer. Dollar General’s produce set offers the top 20 items typically sold in traditional grocery stores, which includes a curated assortment of lettuce, tomatoes, onions, apples, bananas, strawberries, potatoes, sweet potatoes, lemons, limes, salad mixes and more.
Sports wagering record
With the kickoff of the football season in September, Maryland’s sports wagering market had the most successful month in its nearly three-year history, generating $9,379,598 in contributions to the state from a handle of $532,866,676. Sports wagering contributions go to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund, which supports public education programs.
Maryland’s first retail sportsbooks opened in December 2021, and mobile sports wagering launched in November 2022.
The $9.4 million contribution to the state in September 2024 was nearly triple the $3.2 million figure in Sep-
tember 2023. Previously, the top-performing month was January 2024, when sports wagering sent more than $8.2 million to the Blueprint Fund. There were 11 mobile platforms and 12 retail locations that operated during September 2024; 12 mobile sportsbooks and 13 retail locations operated during September 2023. Through the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2025 (July 2024 through September 2024), sports wagering contributions to the state totaled $21.2 million, compared to $9.1 million for the same period in FY2024.
“We’re encouraged that the sports wagering market continues to generate additional funding to support schools, and at the same time we also encourage everyone to be responsible about their betting,” said Maryland Lottery and Gaming Director John Martin. “Mobile wagering apps have tools that allow you to set limits on your activity. If you bet, please enjoy it in moderation and leave room to simply have fun watching the games and being a sports fan.”
County leaders approve school construction
After months of talks, state and county agree on MOU for new Buckingham Elem.
By Brian Shane Staff Writer
(Oct. 18, 2024) Two long-awaited Worcester County school construction projects are officially moving forward after elected officials approved a funding plan that guarantees the county a record high $50 million in state aid.
On Tuesday, the county’s Board of Commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding between the commissioners, the school board, and the state’s Interagency Commission on School Construction. That state commission is the body providing the out-of-county funding.
The commissioners’ unanimous vote sets in motion plans for a brandnew Buckingham Elementary School to open in September 2030 and a renovated or replaced Berlin Intermediate School by 2031.
“I think that it’s time. The kids, the staff, the families deserve this new school,” said Christina Welch, principal of Buckingham.
A 37-year veteran of Worcester County schools, Welch was a member of the planning workgroup that in-
DAAYY/TIME Fri-Mon 11am-4pm H Mon-Fri 9am-4pm, Sat 11amMon-Fri 9am-4pm, Sat 11amFid13
cluded state and local officials, who negotiated all summer with state school construction officials on cost and square footage.
“We’re doing wonderful things for kids in a building that doesn’t hold enough capacity to do the things that are necessary in that space. So, we’re excited that the Commissioners ap-
proved that today, the recommendation of the workgroup,” she added.
Last month, the Board of Education approved that workgroup’s recommendation to proceed with design and construction of a new Buckingham, followed by a renovated or replaced Berlin Intermediate, according to Superintendent Lou Taylor.
One early option reviewed by the workgroup was to combine two schools into one new building, which the team concluded was impossible because the land available would not accommodate a 1,200-student facility.
School leadership next will begin
Oct. 17 - Oct. 24
73 King Richarrd d Rd., Berlin 4BR/2.5BASingle
Reither/Coldwell B 12 Garrreett Drive, Ocean Pines 3BR/2BA
35 Club House Rd., Ocean View, DE 3BR/2.5BA
Saturrdday 10am-Noon Sat & Sun 11am-4pm13 City
Nancy Reither/Coldwell B
Family $445,000 Kara Hawkins/Engel & V Vöölk
172 Seafarreer Lane, Ocean Pines 3BR/2.5BASingle Family$444,900 Power of 2 T Teeam/Hilema
44th St. Units 402 & 403, Ocean City1BR/1BA Condo$299,900/$319,900 T Teerry Riley/REMAX Shor
Saturrdday 11am-1pm Saturrdday 11:30am-2pm 37135 Club House Rd., Ocean V Saturrdday Noon-2pm
73 King Richarrd d Road, Berlin4BR/2.5BA Single Family $769,900 Nancy Reither/Coldwell B
35 Club House Rd., Ocean View, DE 3BR/2.5BA Single Family $445,000 Kevin Heselbach/Engel & V Vö ö 11727 Winding Crreeek Drive, Berlin4BR/3.5BASingle
Family$450,000Power of 2 T Teeam/Hilema 11602 S. Hills Drive, Berlin 5BR/4.5BASingle Family$1,849,900Nancy Reither/Coldwell B Southhampton Rd., Lighthouse Sound4BR/3.5BASingle Family$1,771,700 eg Er Grre rddie/BHHS/Pen 2905 Sand Bar Lane #3, Ocean City 4BR/3.5BA
Reither/Coldwell B 733BradleyRoad,OceanCity5BR/6BA/2.5BASingleFamily$2,950,000NancyReither/ColdwellB
BRIAN SHANE/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
Lou Taylor, superintendent of Worcester County Public Schools, addresses the Worcester County Board of Commissioners at its Oct. 15 meeting. The board voted to approve new terms that would fund construction of a new Buckingham Elementary School and Berlin Intermediate School.
New school estimated at $73.7M
design of the Buckingham replacement school within 60 days, pending approval of another agreement with Maryland Stadium Authority for design funds, according to Taylor.
The Stadium Authority is scheduled to approve funding for design at its Dec. 3 meeting. School officials will start schematic design in December. By April, they should have a schematic design with a floor plan, a front elevation, and a site plan, according to Joe Price, facilities planner for the school system.
School leaders detailed the project plans as follows:
Buckingham’s construction budget will be $73.7 million. The state will provide $25.8 million and the local share will be $47.9 million. The building will not exceed 90,837 square feet with anticipated minimum total occupancy of 622 pre-K through Grade 4 students. The project would begin in May 2027.
For Berlin Intermediate, cost estimates hover around $80 million, though that figure is still preliminary. The state share will be roughly $23 million and the county’s cost at $57 million.
Price also said that an architect for Berlin Intermediate will be selected by February, followed by a feasibility study in May with the architect’s rec-
ommendation to renovate or build a replacement school.
Overall, the new Berlin Intermediate won’t exceed 94,220 square feet with an anticipated minimum occupancy of 628 students in Grades 5-6. The project will break ground in May 2029.
For both schools, the state-county funding agreement also dictates that each building will include up to 3,000 square feet of cooperative-use space with community organizations.
The superintendent noted that this agreement provides Worcester with a historic level of school construction funding from the state – $48.9 million in for both projects. The last time the state contributed to a school replacement, it gave $8.2 million, for the $33.5 million Showell Elementary, which opened in 2021.
At least eight of the county’s 14 schools “are of an age and physical condition that will require major capital investments in the coming ten to twenty years,” the agreement notes.
Buckingham is more than 50 years old and has outlived its usefulness, according to school board president Todd Ferrante.
“After a while, you can only do so much to repair the infrastructure,” he said. “When schools get to be that old, they usually rebuild them. The
classrooms are smaller, there’s not adequate size. Certainly, the population has increased from when the school was built.”
Ferrante added that school leaders have serious safety concerns with Buckingham’s portable classrooms, which typically remain unlocked, with students back and forth from the main building all day.
Community members for years have been vocal supporters of a new Buckingham, noted Tom Simon, whose two young children attend the school. He was among many Berlin residents who joined a march through town in 2023 to advocate for the project and began a group called Worcester United.
“This is well overdue,” he said. “Buckingham is the largest Title 1 school in Worcester County, meaning that, you know, there is a large percentage of students that qualify for free and reduced meals. So, there is a high concentration of poverty.”
“Despite the building being old,” Simon added, “what makes Buckingham so magical is the people inside of it. The teachers and everybody that puts so much love and work into that place, they deserve the same quality building and chance for the kids they have at Showell and Ocean City Elementary and other places in the county.”
REAL ESTATE MARKETPLACE
Newly elected Berlin officials begin new terms
Burrell selected to continue as council vice president
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer
(Oct. 18, 2024) Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall and Councilmembers Jack Orris and Shaneka Nichols will officially serve the town until 2028.
On Tuesday, Oct. 15, the victors of the Oct. 1 mayoral and councilmember election were legally sworn into their roles.
Tyndall was sworn in by Worcester County Circuit Court clerk Susan R. Braniecki to serve another four years in the leadership role. He was initially voted in as mayor in 2020 and reelected for a second stint on Oct. 1 in an unopposed race.
“It has been an honor to serve the people of the Town of Berlin,” Tyndall said. “It has been an honor to work with our staff every day.”
Councilmember Orris (District 2), who ran as an unopposed incumbent, was sworn in Tuesday night, as was the District 3 incumbent Councilmember Nichols. Nichols defended her seat against challenger Daniel Packey in the recent election. Nichols came out on top, securing 62 votes, while Packey received four. The three officials will operate in their current positions for another four years.
Nichols said that she serves for the underrepresented Berlin individuals.
“It is not an easy task to sit here and to do this job … but I do enjoy what I do, and I would not do this if it weren’t for the fact that there are so many people like myself, mothers, parents, and people of color who don’t feel adequately represented when it comes to the Town of Berlin, or nationally, for that matter,” she noted. “I sit here not just for me, but for those mothers, those working folks, those people who are at home right now … feeding children or taking care of elderly who can’t be present. I appreciate you placing me here again to be the voice for those.”
Orris expressed his appreciation to the citizens of his district allowing him to continue to serve Berlin.
“It is an honor to be an elected official,” he said. “It is an honor because of the people that we serve. I have to say thank you to everyone in District 2 for allowing me to serve and represent the town again. I am looking forward to another four years.”
After the swearing-in formalities, Councilmember Dean Burrell, who represents District 4, was appointed to retain his role as vice president of the council.
Council members nominate each other or themselves to fill the position. Orris opted to throw his hat into the vice president ring. Burrell, who currently holds the role, also asked to be
Berlin Council member Shaneka Nichols is pictured with her family after being sworn into her second term Tuesday night by Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall.
Mayor, council members continuing service
considered again.
Burrell and Orris voted for themselves. Nichols cast her vote for Orris. Councilmember At-Large Jay Knerr and Councilmember Steve Green (District 1) chose Burrell.
Green voted for Burrell to maintain his vice president status so the official may conclude his long commitment to public service in the leadership post. Burrell’s current term ends on Oct. 13,
2026, when he plans to step down.
“This is certainly not personal,” Green said. “…[Burrell] has stated his intention to fulfill his term and his intention to move away from public life at that point, and I think to show respect for him and his 30 years now in office that I’d like to see him round out his career of public service with another two-year term as vice president.”
In a 3 to 2 vote, Burrell was again
appointed to serve in the leadership role.
Vernon Corey Davis and Michelle Gillespie were also sworn into the Parks Commission Tuesday night. The group operates on staggered terms, including one—and two-year membership lengths. Both individuals have expressed interest in serving for at least two years, and to maintain fairness, their names will be drawn from
a hat to decide how long each will act on the commission.
In a new tradition, Jamie Manaia, chairperson Andrea Weeg, Georgianna McElroy, and Victoria Spice Bauer were sworn into the Berlin Horticulture Advisory Committee. The members will serve for two years.
The council will meet in open session again on Monday, Oct. 28, at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.
Far left, Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall is pictured with his wife Chelsea, son Charlie and Clerk of Court Susan Braniecki after being sworn into his second term as mayor. Tyndall served a council term before becoming mayor. Left, Councilman Jack Orris officially begins his second term after his oath of office ceremony.
Challengers, incumbents discuss positions
Continued from Page 45
Middleton has over 30 years of experience serving on boards of directors for charitable organizations, homeowner associations, foundations, and a national organization dedicated to eliminating Esophageal Cancer (www.ECAN.org). She has lived in Maryland for 45 years and in Worcester County for five years. She serves on the Glen Riddle HOA Board of Directors and chairs an annual Christmas Drive to provide every resident at Diakonia with gift bags full of clothing, toiletries, Christmas treats, games, books, and toys. Last year, her efforts served 53 men, women, and children. Middleton also serves on the Communications Committee for her church, writing press releases and news items for local newspapers’ calendars.
In advance of the election, this newspaper posed two questions to each candidate.
Q. What distinguishes you as a candidate for the Board of Education? Provide at least three attributes you feel make you suitable for a board position.
Andes: Three attributes that qualify me to be a board of education member are my years of experience in education, my ability to be an active listener and my approach as a problem solver.
I have 49 years of experience working in public education as a teacher, school administrator, superintendent, university professor, and board member. That experience gives me the expertise and knowledge to help personnel in our school system adopt policies and practices to keep our students and staff safe, understand student achievement data to celebrate success and identify needs, and effectively implement the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. As a listener, I strive to ask the right questions and actively listen to understand the needs of our students, parents, staff, and bus contractors. I deeply care about our community. The only way to discover the needs of our community is to engage and listen.
By attending school activities like Back-to-School nights, student performances, and athletic contests, I have had the opportunity to engage, listen, and learn. From personal interactions, I share commendations and concerns with our school system leadership and board members with the goal of resolving problems. And I am a problem solver. I engage, listen and strive to find win-win solutions. As a “come here” who has lived here for 28 years, I chose to “stay here” and give back. Serving as a board member is one way that I strive to
make a lasting difference.
Leslie: With all my life experiences in over 40 years, I am the most qualified candidate and will hit the road running. I will do my homework and research needed to be knowledgeable about decisions coming before the board. I will not just rubber-stamp whatever comes before us. I am a hard worker who is passionate about education and student success for all. I am a good listener and have knowledge from a parent’s, a teacher’s, and an administrator’s point of view. I have helped to develop district-wide budgets and worked on improving instruction and student learning. I have a broad background in subject matter, both from teaching and from supervising multiple subjects. I also ran my own company until retirement, so I have both school and business experience. I will always decide on what is best for our students’ learning. I will be a fresh perspective for the board with a strong knowledge base to contribute to the leadership and wide range of decisions a school board must make. I am the best candidate.
McComas: As a lifelong educator with experience in teaching, in school leadership, and blessed to be part of a wide range of educational opportunities from middle school to college, I felt I could contribute to our educational system. Now, with seven-plus years’ experience on our school board, I have a foundation of working with district and school personnel and teachers and understanding our options and restrictions due to federal and state laws. We have limited local control, but I work diligently to ensure our parents can still be involved, including being able to opt out of certain curricula.
Although I have my personal opinions and beliefs, our community members have differing thoughts on various topics. It’s important to listen. Parent involvement is important to me, and I want to ensure parents have the oversight to be part of their children’s education. I’ve spoken with parents who have varying opinions. With Maryland’s Freedom to Read Act now in the picture, I’m thankful we have a protocol for our parents to prevent their students from checking out specific books if they are concerning to them.
There is no better way to learn about our schools, our personnel and our kids than through just being there. Regularly visiting classrooms, activities, events, and workshops is imperative. Whether it’s a MakerSpace class at Showell Elementary or a Safety Workshop being presented by Berlin Intermediate and Stephen Decatur Middle School, it becomes a learning experience, a community get-together, and an open communication line to parents and teachers.
Middleton: Understands the
challenges that teachers face: I come from a long line of public-school teachers and administrators—parents were teachers and guidance counselors, grandfather was an art teacher, uncle was a high school principal, and numerous cousins were teachers and superintendents of schools. I have also taught at the college level as an adjunct professor and was a guest lecturer at Georgetown and Harvard.
Strategic problem solver with a strong background in business: I worked as a professional consultant in the areas of innovation and strategic planning for decades. I understand the needs of the community with respect to long term planning and educational needs and am adept at problem-solving and developing and analyzing multi-million-dollar budgets.
Prioritizes students, teachers, and parents: I see the need to ensure that all students in Worcester County get an outstanding education and are prepared for life outside the classroom, regardless of what path they take. Teachers need to be supported and well-compensated as they teach our children, and Parents deserve to know what their children are being taught.
Q. What will be your priorities as a school board member? List at least three goals.
Andes: Three priorities are ensuring school safety, increasing student achievement, and expanding programs to bridge between high school and career.
I will continue to work with law enforcement to expand our School Resource Deputy (SRD) program, advocate building improvements, and promote proactive safety initiatives. On Maryland state tests, our students rank first in English / Reading and second in Mathematics. As a highly successful school system, we must celebrate our success while identifying areas for improvement. I will stress the need to analyze achievement data to identify student needs for intervention. We know students at, or above, grade level in grade 3 are consistently successful in grades 412. Therefore, I will work to enhance and expand our early childhood program.
Finally, we need to continue to implement opportunities for students to graduate prepared to enter a career that pays a living wage with benefits or attend technical school or college. As superintendent, I expanded our dual enrollment and advanced placement courses. I led the initiative to build Worcester Tech (WTHS), which opened in 2005. WTHS provides students with the opportunity to participate in an internship, earn a high school diploma, and achieve industry certification. This allows our graduates to immediately get a job in our
Andes, McComas square off against Middleton, Leslie
community, one that pays a living wage. As a board member, I will aggressively advocate for school safety, use data to hold the board and leadership team accountable for student achievement, and promote the expansion of our dual enrollment and career internship programs.
Leslie: 1. Take politics out of our schools and focus on core subjects and academic proficiency.
2. Improve school safety through consistent consequences for unacceptable student behavior.
3. Advocate for teacher compensation.
4. Require parental approval for their children to participate in curriculum and/or books with sexually explicit content.
5. Allow only biological girls in girls’ sports, bathrooms and locker rooms (find a solution for students who need an alternative that is not the girl’s bathroom).
6. More evening school board meetings and other ways of increasing parent involvement in their child’s education.
7. Support courses that prepare high school students for college, trade schools, school-to-work, and apprentice work so that all students are prepared for post-high school success.
McComas: We have had tremendous success in our Worcester County Schools in several areas over the past few years. My focus in the future is to continue that success.
Parental Involvement: We are in a partnership with parents concerning their child’s education. Parents must be able to exercise their responsibilities within the law, including opt-out options for certain curricula and being able to stop their students from checking out specific books from the library.
Continued Academic Excellence: This includes recruiting the best educators and staff and working to provide the salary raises they so deserve. This also means maintaining smaller class sizes. Along with outstanding teachers, small class sizes are our superpower, which are key reasons our kids have been so successful academically! In that vein, we must continue to support our arts and music education programs as well as all our technical high school programs which have amassed so many awards and allowed so many students to enter successful careers.
Safe Schools: Our teamwork of school administration and resource officers has made safety a priority. With new protocols in place and continued training (which I was privileged to attend), our school incidents dropped 28% last year to 2013 levels. The Maryland Dept. of Education has commended us and asked we share our successes with other counties. Obviously, continued focus is imperative and includes our district safety committee, comprised of administrators, teachers, and parents, to continue studying how we can continue to help make our schools even safer.
Middleton: 1. Take political agendas out of our schools and focus on core subjects and academic proficiency. 2. Ensure all our graduates have life skills and are prepared for trade, college, and/or career. 3. Allow only girls in girls’ bathrooms and girls’ sports. 4. Make our schools safer for students and teachers. 5. Require parental approval for curriculum and/or books with sexually explicit content. 6. Work diligently on the annual Board of Education budget to ensure that teacher compensation is prioritized. My opponent did not fight for these, but I will.
Exercise helps Pines woman battle cancer
Dawn Ament: ‘I refuse to stop living ... being fit helps me be defiant’ on journey
By Brian Shane Staff Writer
(Oct. 18, 2024) Dawn Ament has been to Africa three times. She’s jumped out of a plane and navigated whitewater rapids on the Colorado River. She’s even making plans to climb the ruins of an ancient Mayan pyramid in Mexico.
“I have never been one to shy away from a good challenge and adventure,” she said.
But Dawn’s latest adventure is her scariest and most personal yet: after beating a breast cancer diagnosis five years ago, her doctors say the cancer has returned.
The place where she’s found a way to stay physically healthy and maintain a positive outlook, however, is a lot closer to home than any of her adventures: her local fitness center.
“I’ve gotten into lately doing a little bit of CrossFit type stuff – lifting and doing burpees and ridiculous things that a 70-year-old woman shouldn’t be doing,” she said. “But I do them anyway and that’s always been my way.”
Dawn goes every other day to Planet Fitness in West Ocean City,
where she does yoga and stretching to accompany her cardio and weight training. In two years, she managed to shed 50 pounds off her 190-pound frame.
“I look in the mirror and I’m amazed,” she remarked. “I’m probably in better shape than I was in my
30s, as far as strength and all. And I was really strong back then.”
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer will affect one in 8 women in the U.S in their lifetime, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
But recent research offers some
hope. It seems to indicate that exercise is a powerful way to ward off the effects of a cancer diagnosis.
Exercise may make chemotherapy more effective, in part by reducing levels of inflammation and encouraging the creation of new blood vessels, according to a report from the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
And, while cancer weakens the immune system, exercise strengthens it, boosting the circulation of immune cells that fight back against cancer, the report shows.
That study resulted from an analysis of more than 100 clinical trials that examined the link between exercise and cancer treatment. One outcome is helping patients coming out of surgery recover faster with fewer complications.
A Baltimore native who makes her home in Ocean Pines, Dawn said her journey toward a new outlook toward exercise began in 2018. After a routine mammogram, doctors found a malignant lump.
Radiation treatment was successful, even as Dawn continued to work as a cardiac electrophysiology nurse through the COVID-19 pandemic. She stayed cancer-free for five years.
But, earlier this year, another mammogram showed that the breast cancer had returned.
“I had to do radiation again, get started back on my oral chemo again. Then, they started looking at other things and found a lump in my abdomen,” she said. “It turned out I had cancer in my kidney, just to really make this an all-inclusive event. They had to remove the kidney.”
“That’s when I had a pretty significant boo-hoo,” she added. “Exercise helped me wih coping with everything, because I was just getting slammed. Every time I turned
SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
Dawn Ament (right) says support from her friend Andra McKown (left) at Planet Fitness has helped her through a heavy emotional toll taken by her cancer diagnosis.
SUBMITTED PHOTOS/OC TODAY-DISPATCH CLUB AWARDS PRESENTED
The Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines-Ocean City held its annual Installation Dinner last week. The event us when new officers are installed and year end honors are given out by the club’s president. Pictured, from
Exercise brings ‘support team’
Continued from Page 80
around, they kept finding something else.”
Still, she feels that her exercise did help in her recovery, both physically and mentally. She was back on her feet in a week after her nephrectomy.
At the gym, Dawn’s routine involves 45 minutes of cardio on a treadmill or elliptical, and then 15 minutes of lifting free weights. She’s been comforted by new friends at the gym who have guided her through her latest diagnosis. She calls them “my support team.”
That includes Andra McKown, who works at the fitness center front desk. She and Dawn have grown close over the last two years.
“Dawn was coming in a lot. I noticed a big change in her weight. I could tell she had been working out,” McKown said.
“Then one day I saw her in the
bathroom, and she was crying. I asked her what was going on and if she was OK. She told me about her journey with cancer. I told her I’d pray for her. Since then, we’ve been friends, talking every day. She’s an inspiration to me,” she said.
Dawn will officially retire from nursing at the end of this year, a career that started when she was a teenage candy striper at Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore. Soon, she and her husband Larry will take a road trip to New Orleans and the Florida Keys.
And she still has those Mayan ruins on her to-do list.
“I’ve always been pretty defiant –I spent Ocean’s Calling at the festival,” she said. “I refuse to stop living. And I think that’s my big rallying cry. Being part of this gym and being fit helps me be defiant in the face of this diagnosis.”
left, are Outstanding Leadership and Service Award winners Ed Ahlquist and Kitty Wrench with President Bob Wolfing.
Also presented by President Wolfing was a Lifetime Achievement Award to, left, Dave Landis who is a 20-year member of the club
The 2024 “Kiwanian of the Year” Award was presented to Mary Page pictured with President Wolfing. It’s an honor that recognizes a year long dedication to service.
GHOST SIGN RESTORATION
The Town of Berlin’s latest effort to bring back former signage and historic marketing through artistic restoration is pictured on Main Street. The project was expected to be completed by week’s end.
STEVE GREEN/ OC TODAY-DISPATCH
OC church to host raffle to support community efforts
(Oct. 18, 2024) St. Paul’s by-theSea is excited to announce its “OC Beach Escape” raffle to benefit its outreach ministries, aimed at providing essential support to our community. The drawing will take place on Nov. 24, offering participants a chance to win fantastic prizes while supporting a worthy cause.
Raffle tickets are available for $20 each, and only 100 tickets will be sold, giving participants a 1:100 chance to win big! Prizes include: a 2night off-season hotel stay, a 3-night stay in a 3BR Board Walk Condo,4 restaurant gift cards, bike rental coupons and 4 rounds of golf. The winner, whether local or visitor, would certainly enjoy a beach escape. Alternately, the prizes would make great Holiday gifts for family and friends.
All proceeds will directly support our Outreach Ministries, of which our Shepherd’s Crook Food Panty is one, enabling us to continue providing vital services and support to those who need it most.
Generously making this raffle possible were donations by Belmont Towers, Residence Inn, Macky’s, The Shrimp Boat, Blu, Mione’s Pizza, Big Jim’s Bikes, and The Town of Ocean City. To purchase tickets, contact the church office at 410-289-3453, Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-1 p.m. or by email at office@stpaulsbythesea.org
Ocean City rec and parks to host free ‘Spook Out’ party
(Sept. 27, 2024) Members of the Ocean City Recreation and Parks department are inviting families and residents to a Halloween “Spook Out” Party, from 103 p.m., Oct. 27, at the Northside Park Ballfield.
The free community event promises to deliver thrills and excitement for all ages, with no pre-registration required.
Participants are required to bring one full bag of individually wrapped candy per child to help keep the festivities sweet and safe for all. The party will offer an array of activities, including carnival games, a corn
maze, and plenty of snacks. Whether you’re young or just young at heart, the event has something for everyone.
Attendees are asked to come dressed in their most creative costumes and take part in a costume parade.
Parents and children can participate, with plenty of opportunities to capture the moment at various photo spots and selfie stations set up throughout the event.
The event will take place rain or shine. In case of inclement weather, it will be held inside the gym.
Safe boating course offered next month in Ocean Pines
(Oct. 18, 2024) The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary will be offering the “Recreational Safe Boating Course” for the final time this year, Nov. 6-8, 6-8 p.m., at the Ocean Pines Library branch.
The Maryland Safe Boating Course is taught by certified instructors from the Ocean City Coast Guard Auxiliary who will be offering this comprehensive class. All the required material is covered plus information on local waters and nautical navigation.
The Maryland Boating Safety Education Act requires that anyone born after July 1, 1972 must possess
a Maryland Basic Boating Safety Certificate to operate a boat in the state of Maryland. Those attending the class, and passing the test will receive a Maryland Boating Certificate which is NASBLA approved and valid in all states.
A fee of $20 covers the cost of the course and materials. Checks should be made payable to USGCAUX 12-05 and mailed to USCGAUX 12-05, PO Box. 1682, Berlin, Md. 21811. Payment via PayPAL is also accepted. For more information, call Barry Cohen at 410-935-4807 or email CGAUXOC@gmail.com
Opinions
Voters see real race for mayor
Wednesday night’s candidates forum presented by the Ocean City chapter of the International Association of Fire Fighters at the Carousel Hotel made a couple of things clear: one, the City Council contestants generally agree on the big issues; two, this year’s mayoral election is going to be more about style than it is substance.
That’s not a criticism, given the consensus among candidates on topics such as wind turbines off the coast (No), boosting tourism (Yes), building a sports complex (Yes), keeping the tax rate low (Of course), and better pay for police (Yes).
As for making Ocean City more livable for its year-round residents, sure, even though most of the explanations relied on candidates’ previously stated positions on the need to increase tourism revenue to keep taxes in check.
With everyone agreeing of what needs to be done, the real distinction between the candidates is how they intend to approach the job should they be granted that opportunity.
Nowhere was that more evident than in the contest for mayor between long-time incumbent Mayor Rick Meehan and his challenger, Councilman Peter Buas.
As Buas noted during the session, he and Meehan are working off the same agenda, more or less, and only diverge on how they would go about addressing the issues that Ocean City faces now and could arise in the next two years.
Buas casts himself as one who wishes to collaborate more with the City Council in the search for solutions, while the image that Meehan projects is as someone who can get things done on his own.
Obviously, both approaches have their merits, and it’s up to the voters to decide which will best serve Ocean City’s interests, as well as their own, over the next two years.
It’s been a long time since Ocean City voters have seen a real mayoral contest, and as the IAFF forum made clear, this one is shaping up to be a real dandy.
PUBLIC EYE
A mind will wander
It was my great pleasure Wednesday night to serve as the moderator of the Ocean City candidates forum presented by the local firefighters union, because not only did I find out more about the candidates, I also learned something about myself.
“See?” said my wife, who watched the forum’s live stream so she wouldn’t have to wear a big hat to hide behind if she went in person and I said something stupid. “You went two whole hours without making a smart remark.
That’s a personal best!”
NEWS
EDITOR STEWART DOBSON; EXECUTIVE EDITOR STEVE GREEN
OC Today-Dispatch is published Fridays by FLAG Publications, Inc. 11934 Ocean Gateway, Suite 6, Ocean City, Md. 21842 410-723-6397 All content copyright 2024
By Stewart Dobson
I admit it was a struggle. For instance, I barely resisted the urge to say in the middle of the proceedings, “And now, council candidate so-and-so will do his platespinning routine as he talks about his life experiences. Cue the “Saber Dance” maestro!”
As entertaining as that would have been, I surmised that many people would have found it somewhat distracting and certainly less exciting than, say, a discussion of zoning and building densities.
This is even though I believe any discussion of zoning would be vastly improved if was set to music if only to let the audience know when something suspenseful is about to happen.
As it was, I followed the script and behaved accordingly, knowing that behind every dignified face, the brain can wander wherever it wants.
Between the Lines
By Steve Green
Thrilled to report at least one prediction I made for 2024 in this space will be incorrect. In the Jan. 4 issue, I wrote, “Buckingham Elementary School’s reconstruction effort will remain in a state of uncertainty as the Interagency Commission on School Construction favors a different strategy. The IAC views an expanded Berlin Intermediate as a more viable option, resulting in the county and legislative officials continuing to fight the new approach through much of 2024.” All indications were as 2023 closed this would be the case, but in a startling turn of events a new Buckingham Elementary is now on track for construction to begin in May 2027 and open potentially in time for the 2030 school year. This is great news for students in the Berlin area, as Buckingham is an aging facility and has been antiquated for many years. It’s absurd students at Buckingham learn in a building far inferior to the modern learning environments offered just miles away at Ocean City Elementary and Showell Elementary. This wrong is on target to be addressed, although the wait will be long nonetheless.
This turnaround is significant and is largely due to a couple key factors. First, the county agreed to fund about 65% of the total cost of the $73.7 million project (the state will spend $25.8 million and the county $47.9 million). The financial commitment was imperative from the state, however, to make this a reality, and officials have said the state’s funding allocation for Buckingham is unprecedented for Worcester County. The state has also committed significant funds for Berlin Intermediate School as well but the timeline is rough at best.
The most impressive aspect of this about-face by the state’s school construction folks was the community rallying for Buckingham. Chants of “Build the Bear” were proudly heard on Main Street one year ago during a parade of students, parents, elected officials and teachers dressed in green. While the public display was admirable, it was the work behind the scenes of a dedicated group of parents and educators working with the school board and county commissioners — and state — that has resulted in a MOU being approved to officially get the new Buckingham project moving ahead. It’s worth noting the parents who dedicated the time and resources to this effort are unlikely to see their own kids benefit from their labors with the long construction timeline. These folks were motivated by right and wrong and community pride rather than their own impact on their families. I find that commitment inspiring.
While it’s only mid-October, there is clearly much at play in Ocean City on the Boardwalk Tram. Time will tell the whole story, but the tram’s s short-term future for next summer remains unknown. The official statement from Ocean City Transit Manager Rob Shearman confirms as much. After a Transportation Committee meeting this week centered solely on staffing the city bus next summer with no mention of tram drivers, Shearman was asked by Associate Editor Bethany Hooper about the omission and whether it was an indication the tram service’s future is in doubt. Shearman said, “A decision hasn’t been reached on that. There are some legal questions that need to be worked out first.” Though questions abound, what’s clear is this issue is complex without easy answers and must go beyond the horrible loss of the toddler’s life on the Boardwalk in August. Sooner or later the city will disclose what’s happening.
For Ocean City voters, a great video resource is available to get an indepth look at the Mayor and Council candidates. The IAFF Local 4269 union hosted a well-attended candidate forum Wednesday night. There is an article in the paper this week by Staff Writer Brian Shane, and you can view the entire event on the union’s website at oceancityfireems.com.
Kudos to the organization’s leadership for hosting a well-organized forum with solid questions and a respectful format. The candidates agreed on more issues than not, but each has different backgrounds, perspectives and styles in articulating their views. Watching the video will educate voters on their choices for the four open council seats and the contested mayoral race. The latter matchup continues to fascinate me on several fronts.
Along the same lines, with early voting for races on the county and state ballot (not Ocean City) beginning next Thursday, Staff Writer Tara Fischer’s profile and question-and-answer spread on the two contested races for the Worcester County Board of Education positions deserves time as well from voters. While school board elections are nonpartisan, there are clearly some politics at play in these races.
Coal, gas concerns not a political matter
Editor,
The issue with coal fired electric plants and gas powered cars is not necessarily a political one. The world is almost out of both coal and gas. The failure to recognize that first is a total failure to be honest.
Shooting the messengers and attacking the solutions does not count as a position on the issues at hand. A well, the issue with our country’s border stems from a lack of bipartisan legislation only. A bill that would hire more border patrol agents, appoint more judges and build infrastructure to assist with drug apprehension has rotted away due to the Republicans in Congress. Biden/Harris has actually deported more people than Trump/Pence while the issue languished.
You can be real, or you can choose to be a modern day domestic terrorist spreading disinformation. The choice is yours to make soon.
Greg Gunther Snow Hill
County needs more early voting sites
Editor,
Over the years, voting has been made more convenient with vote-bymail and early voting added to Election Day voting. If the Worcester County Commission wants to ensure maximum voter participation, it should add another early voting site in southern end of the county.
Currently, early voting is conducted only at the Ocean City Convention Center, a 45-minute drive from Pocomoke City on a good day. It takes Snow Hill residents about half an hour to reach the convention center. No voter should have to drive that far to vote early.
I’m a resident of both Worcester and Sarasota County, Fla. and vote in Florida. While Sarasota County is larger than Worcester, their County
Commission and Supervisor of Elections offer 10 early voting sites across the County ensuring minimal drive time to vote. Seven of these early voting sites are in public library meeting rooms.
So, Worcester County could offer early voting at either the Pocomoke or Snow Hill libraries and eliminate the unreasonable drive time to the Ocean City Convention Center. Sarasota County sets up several tables/chairs for voter check-in, sets up a few ballot booths, and provides an optical scanner to accept and tabulate the ballots at each site. Staffing is minimal. The same could be done in Worcester County.
Voters who live from Pocomoke to Berlin would experience the same early voting convenience as voters who live in or close to Ocean City. Seems like a reasonable proposal, right? Then please do it.
Pat Rounds Ocean Pines
Cruisin weekend much enjoyed in OC Editor,
What a beautiful weekend all the cruisers in town over 3,000 registered for this event.
A special thank you to the Town of Ocean City and Mayor Rick Meehan also a big shout out to the Ocean City Police Department and MSP along with the OC Fire department and EMS.
A big thank you to all the businesses and Hotels who sponsor this great event it was definitely a success. The parade that went down the famous boardwalk seen 600+ cars on Thursday and a record of 778 cars on Friday along with another 450-plus on Saturday.
Overall, we can’t wait for the next Cruise event that’s in May 2025.
Lew Hubbard Ocean City
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Boat Lifts & PWC Sales, Installs & Repairs
from Page 85
Logging proposal requires awareness
Editor,
I am writing to bring awareness to an issue that affects us all. The Maryland Forest Service, a division of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, has released the draft of their 2025 annual work plan. This plan tells what forests in our area are going to be logged for timber.
I am the Reporter for the Worcester County 4-H club the Nature Adventurers. Recently, members of our club visited and hiked tract P06-25S-05 part of the Blue Bike trail. The trail is located just South of Pocomoke State Park and is accessed from 113 South. This 45 plus acre tract is supposed to be logged. Many of us have grown up camping, hiking and biking in these woods. We do not want this beautiful trail to be logged. There are many species that will lose their homes if this plan is not stopped.
I personally have gone birding in these woods and there are many different birds that depend on this forest. I know many experts have already contacted the Forest service about this tract and I hope their knowledge is listened too. Our future depends on conserving lands and ecosystems like this one.
For more information about the fight to stop this tract from being logged, search and join the group on Facebook called, “Friends of Maryland Forests.” Or go to the website Marylandforestfriends.org.
Also please consider writing to express your support for not logging this tract at this address: Forest Service, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, 580 Taylor Ave., E-1, Annapolis, MD 21401.
Ewan Betz Berlin
Council president explains position
Editor,
Over the last week, the Mayor and City Council have received numerous emails regarding Leslie Smith’s candidacy in the upcoming municipal election. Leslie has posted a video on social media stating that she will continue her campaign and is asking people to email me in an attempt to get her name on the ballot. Below, I have included information about the two topics mentioned the most in these emails.
Council Candidates voting – Per the Town’s Charter, the Council or a quorum of the whole number elected to the Council shall be the judges of the election and the qualifications of applicants for the office of Mayor or
City Councilman. Nobody running against Leslie voted against her eligibility. At the time of the vote, Councilwoman Proctor, seconded by Councilman Knight, moved to accept Leslie Smith’s candidacy for City Council. Councilwoman Proctor and Councilman Gehrig voted for this motion, Council President James, Councilman Savage, and Councilman Knight voted against it, while Council Secretary DeLuca abstained. Councilman Buas was not present for the vote. As discussed during this meeting, we acknowledge the conflicting position this could put incumbent candidates in and will work to amend the Charter before the 2026 municipal election.
Question of Residency – Per the Town’s Charter, the residency/domicile requirement is as follows: One who, for four months next preceding the election, has been and is, at the time of the election, a resident of and domiciled in the corporate limits of the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.
Four months preceding the election was July 5, 2024, and Leslie Smith claims that she became domiciled at her Ocean City residence on June 21, 2024. According to a report from Deckard Technologies, the property was rented from June 19 through June 26 and again from June 28 through July 14. The unit was rented for various dates through July, August, and September. During a search of Airbnb on August 22nd, Leslie’s unit was available for rent on multiple dates in September. As of Aug. 20, SDAT listed Leslie’s Bishopville address as her principal residence, and no Homestead Tax Credit application was on file for her Ocean City property. Given this data, I do not believe Leslie Smith established her domicile in Ocean City before the deadline outlined in section 401 of the Town’s Charter.
Matthew James Ocean City
(The writer is the council president.)
Halloween festival planned for Oct. 26
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer
(Oct. 17, 2024) The Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks Department will welcome residents for an afternoon of autumnal, spooky fun.
On Saturday, Oct. 26, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the OPA Recreation and Parks group is hosting a free Halloween/Fall Festival at White Horse Park. The event will feature costume competitions, face painting, a haunted house, carnival games, and food and refreshments sold by the Kiwanis Club.
“Witches and ghosts will be parading around as music fills the air,” a Facebook post by the OPA Rec and Parks Department reads.
The costume contests will be divided into age categories. The two and under group will compete at 11:30 a.m., three- to four-year-olds at noon, five- to seven-year-olds at 12:30 p.m., eight- to 10-year-olds at 1 p.m., 11- to 17-year-olds at 1:30 p.m., and the 18 and older crowd will spar off at 2 p.m.
The rec and parks department has requested volunteers for their “spooktacular” event. Individuals interested in helping can contact Debbie Donahue, the group’s director, at ddonahue@oceanpines.org or by calling 410-641-7052.
In keeping with the autumnal theme, OPA’s recreational group is hosting a Pumpkin-Painting Family Fun Night on Friday, Oct. 18, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Participants may bring their own pumpkin to decorate or purchase one from the recreation department for $6 upon arrival. A limited amount will be available.
Decorations and paint will be provided to attendees. The event is $5 for Ocean Pines residents and $6 for nonresidents. To register, contact 410-641-6057.
Have an opinion?
We invite you to share it, but all letters are subject to verification, so please include your name and phone number. All letters are subject to editing for space and to protect the author and this newspaper from legal action. Email letters to editor@oceancitytoday.net. For questions, call 410-723-6397.
FIRST FRIDAY
Pictured are photos from the Art League of Ocean City’s First Friday opening at the Ocean City Center for the Arts on Oct. 6.
The building-wide theme was “The Red Thread,” a show curated by Deborah Rolig of Berlin, that artistically explored the theme of connection. The exhibits will be up through Oct. 26 with free admission. SUBMITTED PHOTOS/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
Nancy Mitchell-honorable mention
Lisa Scarbath-third place
HungryJacks-Cassie Wait and Joan Ellen Clair
Raye Vallion Gillette
Garry Moore
MacArthur awarded Medal of Honor just like his father
By Peter Ayers Wimbrow III Contributing Writer
(Oct. 18, 2024) This week 80 years ago, Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in the Southwest Pacific Area, made good on his promise to return to the Philippines, which he had abandoned on March 12, 1942, leaving his embattled American and Filipino soldiers at Bataan and Corregidor, and flying to the safety of Australia.
For abandoning his troops, Gen. MacArthur was, to counter allegations of cowardice by Axis’ leaders, awarded the Medal of Honor. Since his father, Arthur, had received the same honor, they became the only father and son to have received the Medal of Honor until 2001, when President Theodore Roosevelt, posthumously, received it for his service during the Spanish-American War.
Gen. Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. received it for his service during the Normandy Invasion in June 1944. Both Roosevelts received their awards posthumously.
However, MacArthur argued that the United States had a moral obligation to liberate the Philippines. Having promised, on his departure from the Philippines, that “I shall return,” his prestige was on the line. Militarily, the admirals were probably correct, but the president, considering the postwar world, sided with MacArthur.
On Oct. 20, 1944, 100,000 soldiers from the 200,000-man Sixth Army, commanded by Walter Kreuger, began landing on the Island of Leyte at 10 a.m. From Sixth Army’s X Corps, commanded by Gen. Franklin C. Sibert, came the First Calvary Division, commanded by Maj.-Gen. Verne D. Mudge and the 24th Infantry Division, commanded by Maj. Gen. Frederick A. Irving. From Sixth Army’s XXIV Corps, commanded by
In July 1944, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt met with Gen. MacArthur, in Hawaii, “to determine the next phase of action against Japan.” Adms. Chester W. Nimitz, Commander-in-Chief, United States Pacific Fleet, and Earnest J. King, Chief of Naval Operations, advocated bypassing the Philippines and heading straight for Formosa.
John R. Hodge, came the 96th Infantry Division, commanded by Maj. Gen. James L. Bradley and the 7th Infantry Division, commanded by Maj. Gen. Archibald V. Arnold.
The defense of the Philippines had been entrusted to Tomoyuki Yamashita, who, on Oct. 10, 1944, took
command of the Fourteenth Area Army. Gen. Yamashita had been commander of the 30,000 men comprising the Twenty-Fifth Army, which, in February 1942, captured Singapore and 130,000 British, Indian, Canadian, and Australian sol-
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BLESSING OF PETS
SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCHAT
Attending the Conference in Hawaii, July 1944, from left, were General MacArthur, President Roosevelt, Admiral Leahy and Admiral Nimitz.
SUBMITTED PHOTOS/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Blessing of the Animals 2024 was a wonderful success, according to church officials. This event is in honor of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, and was held the afternoon of October 6th. Even a goldfish and a Macaw showed up for some prayers and blessings.
WORLD WAR II
Continued from Page 88
diers - the largest surrender of British led personnel in history — earning the general the sobriquet, “Tiger of Malaya.” When told of his new assignment, Gen. Yamashita said, “So, it’s come at last, has it? Well, my going won’t change anything. It’s my turn to die, isn’t it?”
To defend the island of Leyte, stood the 16th Division, under the command of Lt. Gen. Shiro Makino.
At the time, the island had a population of 900,000. Today, its population has more than doubled. The island is 110 miles long and 40 miles wide at its widest point, and contains 115 square miles. At its closest, it is only 1.2 miles from its neighbor, Samar Island, and separated from it by San Juanico Strait. Leyte is separated from Mindanao by the Surigao Strait.
At 1:30 in the afternoon, MacArthur, with cameras rolling, made his dramatic entrance onto the island, announcing, on radio, “People of the Philippines, I have returned! By the grace of almighty God, our forces stand again on Philippines’ soil.”
Gen. Bradley’s 7th Infantry Division captured the town of Dulag on Leyte Gulf, which today has a population of 40,000. The following day the capital of Leyte, Tacloban, was captured by Gen. Mudge’s 1st Cavalry Division. Today, Tacloban has a population of 251,000.
Gen. Yamashita, his Chief-of-Staff, Lt. Gen. Akira Muto, and Field Marshal Hisaichi Terauchi convened on Oct. 20 to plan their defense. Imperial headquarters was insisting that Leyte Island be defended, when the vast majority of the soldiers and supplies were on Luzon Island, which is where Gen. Yamashita wanted to fight the battle. The field marshal overruled his field commander, and ordered him, “...to totally destroy the enemy on Leyte.”
On Oct. 23, MacArthur, accompanied by the Philippine President Sergio Osmeña, restored the civil government and made Tacloban the temporary capital of the Philippines. The coastal town of Carigara was taken by Gen. Sibert’s X Corps. The town currently has a population of 45,000. Maj. Gen. Irving’s 24th Infantry Division captured Jaro, which today has a population of 43,000, on Oct. 29.
The Imperial Japanese Navy began transferring reinforcements and supplies to Leyte. By Nov. 12, 45,000 additional soldiers and 10,000 tons of supplies had arrived on the island. These troops were organized into the Thirty-Fifth Army, under the command of Gen. Sosaku Suzuki. But the naval operations had been costly for the Japanese Navy. Once again, Gen. Yamashita implored Field Marshal Terauchi not to weaken the defense of Luzon by sending these forces to their doom on
Leyte. The field marshal responded, “We have heard the opinion of the Fourteenth Area Army, but the Leyte operation will continue!” Acquiescing to his superior, Gen. Yamashita replied, “I fully understand your intention. I will carry it out to a successful conclusion!” The field marshal then relocated his headquarters to a quieter place — Saigon!
The Americans received reinforcements, on Nov. 22, in the form of the 11th Airborne Division, led by Maj. Gen. Joseph M. Swing. On Dec. 7, the 77th Infantry Division, commanded by Maj. Gen. Andrew D. Bruce landed on the other side of the island, near Ormoc. Today, the city has a population of 190,000. Three days after the landing, elements of Gen. Bruce’s 77th Division entered the city.
Gen. Krueger peeled off 24th Infantry Division, now commanded by Maj. Gen. Roscoe B. Woodruff, and sent it to invade the island of Mindoro, on Dec. 15. With a size of 4,000 square miles, Mindoro is the seventh largest island in the Phillipine archipelago. It is located off the southern coast of Luzon and today has a population of 1,200,000. The island was secured within two days.
The small port of Palompon, on Leyte, was captured by Gen. Bruce’s 77th Division on Christmas Day. The next day, Gen. MacArthur announced the end of organized resistance and transferred responsibility for Leyte and Samar Islands to Eighth Army, commanded by Robert L. Eichelberger, as Gen. Krueger’s Sixth Army prepared to assault Luzon.
Gen. Yamashita, on Dec. 17, told General Suziki that he would not be receiving further reinforcements or supplies. On Christmas Day, Gen. Yamashita told General Suziki that he was free to attempt an evacuation of the few — 15,000 — soldiers from Leyte. Gen. Suziki died in March, when the boat on which he was trying to leave the island was attacked by American planes and sunk. Mop-up operations continued on Leyte until May 8, 1945.
The unsuccessful defense of Leyte Island had been very costly for the Japanese. Losses included 49,000 dead soldiers; 26 major warships; 46 large transports; hundreds of merchantmen; 50 percent of their landbased air power.
A further 24,294 Japanese soldiers were killed in the “mopping up” operations. The Americans suffered 15, 584 casualties, of which 3,504 were fatalities. It was said, “The Japanese fought to die, and the Americans fought to live!”
Next week: Battle of Leyte Gulf
Mr. Wimbrow writes from Ocean City, Maryland, where he practices law representing those persons accused of criminal and traffic offenses, and those persons who have suffered a personal injury through no fault of their own. He can be contacted at wimbrowlaw@gmail.com.
ROLAND N. MURRAY JR. Ocean City
Roland N. Murray Jr., 90, of Ocean City, died Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024.
Mr. Murray was born in Washington, D.C. to the late Col.
Roland N. Murray of Aiken, South Carolina and Margaret Holden of Washington, D.C. He attended St. Johns College High School and graduated from Georgetown University as a “Distinguished Military Graduate.”
He married his high school sweetheart, Doris Marie Werres. After his graduation they moved to Fort Hood, Texas, where he served as a 1st Lieutenant Army Signal Corps in the 4th Armored Division.
After military service, he returned
to Washington, D.C., and went to work for the Prudential Insurance Company of America as a special agent. After 32 years, he took an early retirement and they eventually moved to Ocean City, where they owned their summer home.
Roland was very active as a 4th degree Knights of Columbus in Ocean City council #9053. In 2010, he received the Knights of Columbus “Citizen of the Year” award and was also named “Worthy Sir Knight of the Year.”
He was also very active as a volunteer at Atlantic General Hospital, where he gave 5,000 hours over 23 years. He served on the Atlantic General Hospital’s board of directors for seven years. Additionally, he was a driver for the American Cancer Society.
For ten years, he served asNeigh-
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R. Murray Jr.
Continued from Page 89
borhood Watch coordinator for Caine Keys II Civic Association, where he worked closely with the Ocean City Police Department. In 2001, Roland received the Governor of Maryland’s Certificate of Merit for Crime Prevention. On June 15, 2009, he received a certificate of appreciation from Chief Bennedette Di Pino of the Ocean City Police Department for his service to his community.
Mr. Murray was a member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Ocean City, and served as an usher and money counter.
Mr. Murray is survived by his daughters, Debora Ann Rafeedie (Samir), Sharron Murray Lewis, Kelley Murray Von Blon, Patrice Murray Sabatano (John) and, Kristin Murray Peterson (Eric); his eleven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Doris (Werres) Murray; and his son, Michael John Murray.
A mass of Christian Burial will be held at noon, Oct. 26, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church, 9903 Coastal Highway in Ocean City. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the mass. Interment will be private at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Mr. Murray’s memory to the Ocean City Paramedic Foundation or to Atlantic General Hospital.
Arrangements are in the care of The Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin. Condolences may be shared with the family via burbagefuneralhome.com.
GLORIA JONES LEBLING
Stonington, Connecticut
Gloria Jones Lebling, 92, of Stonington, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on September 17, 2024.
The youngest of seven siblings, she was born Gloria Jean Jones to Earl and Edith Jones of Baltimore, Maryland. Gloria was a shining light in many lives, never forgetting to say “I Love You” to everyone she met. She raised her family in Ellicott City, embraced her community in Ocean Pines, and spent her final years watching her grandchildren grow in Stonington, Connecticut. Her faith was shared at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Ellicott City, Church of the Holy Spirit Episcopal Church in Ocean City, and Calvary Episcopal Church in Stonington. Gloria will always be remembered for her perpetual patriotism, for her hugs and enduring love, and for always sending birthday and holiday cards to everyone in her address book.
Gloria is preceded in death by her father, Earl Lark Jones and mother,
Edith Jones (nee Ehrhart) and by her husband Richard Terry Lebling, and siblings, William Jones, Earl Jones, Eileen Wolters, Beverly Fader, Shirley Moran, and Dorothy O’Connell.
With Gloria’s passing, the Jones family is all together once again, and anyone who knows this family knows how truly special that is.
Gloria is survived and deeply missed by her sons, Jimmy and Timmy Lebling, by her daughter-inlaw whom she loved like her own, Erika Lebling, and her grandchildren whom she adored, Jude and Aurora.
In lieu of flowers and in honor of her favorite tradition, we ask that you send a card to someone you love.
Family and Friends are welcome to join a memorial gathering at Calvary Episcopal Church (27 Church Street, Stonington, CT 06378) on Friday, November 1st at 10:30 and a Celebration of Life at Gloria’s final resting place, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church (3695 Rogers Ave, Ellicott City, Md, 21043) on Friday, March 28th, 2025 at 10:30 am.
HOWARD LEE JARMON JR.
Berlin
Alan Lynn Jarmon; one brother, James Jarman; six sisters, Ida Cropper, Marie Pruitt, Ann Bank, Doris Hillman, Eunice Jarmon and Alice Melson.
No services are planned at this time.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Atlantic United Methodist Church, 105 4thdStreet, Ocean City, Md. 21842.
Condolences may be sent by visiting www.bishophastingsfh.com
KATHERINE ANN KNIGHTON
Ocean City
Katherine Ann Knighton, age 81, of Ocean City, died Sunday, October 13, 2024 at home. She was born in Baltimore and was the daughter of the late John Kinlein and Mary (Reichiell) Kinlein.
She was a retired office assistant for OC Today and a member of St. Luke Catholic Church and the Elk’s Lodge.
Howard Lee Jarmon Jr., age 90, of Berlin, died Thursday, October 10, 2024 at Berlin Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Berlin. He was born in Showell and was the son of the late Howard Jarmon and Viola (Rogers) Jarmon.
Howard was a retired automotive parts salesman from Cropper & Brittingham in Berlin. He was a member of Berlin American Legion #123 and enjoyed fishing and golfing. He also served in the U.S. Army.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Sara L. Jarmon; one son, Stuart W. Jarmon of Berlin; two sisters, Betty Palmer of Berlin and Ruth Culver of Salisbury; one grandson, Alan Jarmon Jr. and wife Katherine of Laurel, Del.; one great-granddaughter, Kimber Lynn Jarmon.
He was preceded in death by a son,
Katherine is survived by her husband of 63 years, Robert F. Knighton; three daughters, Lori Iacchetta of Bishopville, Pamela Peters of Berlin and Katherine England of Selbyville, Del.; one sister, Dorothy Mae Quinn of Selbyville, Del.; seven grandchildren, Sara, Gina, Amanda, Maria, Cali, Emily and Annie and eight great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Edward Kinlein.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 am on Monday October 21, 2024 at St. Luke Catholic Church, 9903 Coastal Hwy., Ocean City, MD. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Coastal Hospice, P.O. Box 1433, Salisbury, Md. 21802.
Condolences may be sent by visiting www.bishophastingsfh.com
Gloria Lebling
H. Jarmon Jr.
K. Knighton
Sports & Recreation
Decatur crushes
Kent Island for Homecoming win
By Bruce C. Walls Contributing Writer
(Oct. 18, 2024) Stephen Decatur High School’s storybook homecoming began last Friday night at Louis H. Taylor Field in Berlin when the state champs crushed the Kent Island Buccaneers by a whopping 52-0. The Seahawks have now won six straight games to start the season heading into last night’s away game against North Caroline.
It was also another stellar night for Stephen Decatur quarterback Johnny Hobgood who threw for 257 yards with three touchdown passes, 38 yards rushing and two quarterback carries for two additional touchdowns. Hobgood completed 76.9% of his passes. Quarterback Blake Caccamo also threw in one touchdown pass.
“Kids came out locked in tonight,” Coach Jake Coleman said. “Obviously anytime you play Kent Island, it is a tremendous challenge they have run the conference for 15 years.”
Also contributing in the win was senior Trybe Wise, who posted 90yards receiving that included a pair of touchdowns. Scoring single touchdowns wer Nate Tapley, Davin Chandler and Evan Copeland.
Homecoming King Donavan Henry plans to attend a four-year college and play football. He said, “we were blocking and giving our quarterbacks time to throw the ball. It feels like a new beginning tonight personally.”
UNDEFEATED SEASON FOR WPS
PHOTO COURTESY SUSAN TAYLOR-WALLS Davin Chandler converts on a touchdown during the game against Kent Island on Friday night.
PHOTO COURTESY SUSAN TAYLOR-WALLS
Stephen Decatur’s victory last Friday on Homecoming improved the team’s record to 6-0 before last night’s game. The team is pictured after the game as fireworks were set off to celebrate.
PHOTO COURTESY SUSAN TAYLOR-WALLS Senior Trybe Wise runs toward the goal. Wise had two touchdown receptions on the night.
PHOTO COURTESY SUSAN TAYLOR-WALLS Evan Copeland finishes off a 34-yard touchdown during last Friday’s game.
SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
Worcester Prep’s golf team capped off an undefeated 8-0 season this week with a fifth consecutive ESIAC Championship at home course Glen Riddle. The team rolled through much of the conference foes behind dominant performances and low scores. Senior night festivities were held last week. Senior team members recognized included Frank Miller, Lucas Nicastro, Mike DePalma, Owen West, Aleksey Klimins, Will Wells and Briar Parsons. DePalma was named ESIAC Player of the Year. Named to the All-Conference Team were Kain Crossett, Isha Garg, Aleksey Klimins, Karrigan Russell-Wood and Owen West. Dawson Davis was named honorable mention all conference.
Bennett defeats hobbled Decatur squad once again
By Bruce C. Walls
Contributing Writer
(Oct. 18, 2024) In a repeat of last year’s 3A Regional semifinal game
James M. Bennett’s boys’ varsity soccer returned to Louis H. Taylor Field in Berlin Tuesday night for another dominant 5-2 win.
Aside from two first half goals, the Seahawks couldn’t stop the Clippers offense. Bennett is the top team in the
region and remains undefeated.
“We lost some marks, we’ve now had three catastrophic injuries,” said Stephen Decatur head coach Jamie Greenwood. “Our center back went down with an injury on Friday so he was out. That sent us back to the drawing board on Saturday afternoon when I got the news Graham Geiser went down with an injury. That gave us 90 minutes to work on getting a center
back. Number 22 (Gio Gregg) did a really good job. Their big boy up front, Noah Blankenship is the all-state reigning player of the year and will probably be that again this year, he’s a fantastic player. Gio was our new center back and he was able to shut him down. It worked out well, a few lost marks. With several people in new positions, I think it was inexperience.” Bennett came out fighting and scored the first two goals in the first half. Seconds later Elijah lsett netted the Seahawks first goal with an assist from Isaiah Rodriquez with 30:42 on the clock. The Clippers came back with another goal with 16 minutes left in
the first half. Seahawk Mason Edelmann countered with a goal with 14:29 left to play in the half to bring the score to 3-2. The Clippers scored another goal making the score 4-2 at the end of the first half. Clipper Blankenship scored three of Bennett’s five goals
“We played with intensity I think it has been building since the Queen Ann’s game where we played with intensity in the second half and again at Parkside we played with intensity in the second half,” Greenwood said. “I thought we played with more intensity and heart this game.”
The state playoffs start next week.
PHOTO COURTESY SUSAN TAYLOR-WALLSH
Gannon Eastlack heads the ball out of the defensive zone during Tuesday’s loss to Bennett.
PHOTO COURTESY SUSAN TAYLOR-WALLS
Before being pushed to the ground, Gavin Geiser dribbles down field during the game on Tuesday night against James M. Bennett.
SCOTT LENOX
PHOTOS COURTESY FISH IN OC
Captain Kevin Twilley, left, hoists a jumbo red drum that his angler caught and released aboard the Fish Bound with Captain Kane Bounds. “Mr. Matt” lucked into this big 25” flounder, right, while fishing the East Channel with bunker.
PHOTOS COURTESY FISH IN OC
Captain Chris Miller, Paul and Chuck Levee and Chip Raynor had a great day with the yellowfin tuna aboard the private boat Fishizzle, left. Above middle, Steve Hadley, Joe Schweiger, Bill Romeo and Michael Rivera fished some rough seas but were rewarded with yellowfin tuna and mahi. Above right, Captain Chris Mizurak of the Angler had good sea bass fishing for his folks on re-opening day of the Maryland sea bass season.
Below left, Caleb Powell used Deadly Tackle Deadly Doubles with white Gulp to land his limit of flounder in the East Channel. Below middle, Big Bird Cropper and Shawn Flaherty used Roy Rigs to land their limit of bluefish at the Route 50 Bridge. Below right, anglers had a great time catching blueline and golden tilefish on the Ocean Princess with Captain Victor Bunting.
