ELECTIONS: Meehan wins two more years, council gets two new faces, incumbents take school board: RECAPS, VIEWPOINTS INSIDE
Boardwalk service not likely in ‘25, future unknown: PAGE 3
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Nov. 8, 2024) As an investigation into a late-summer tram fatality continues, City Manager Terry McGean said it is unlikely the Boardwalk tram operation will return in 2025.
In the weeks following an Aug. 20 tram accident in which a toddler was killed on the Boardwalk, transportation officials announced that the Boardwalk tram service would not return for the remainder of the year. However, as an investigation continues, and with the city now facing a potential lawsuit related to the fatality, McGean on Monday said that suspension could continue into 2025.
“It is likely they will not be in operation next year,” he said.
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, according to preliminary reports. And since that time, the Ocean City Police Department has continued its investigation into the fatality.
However, the future of the Boardwalk tram service was called into question last month, when an annual discussion on tram driver and conductor recruitment
was noticeably absent from an Ocean City Transportation Committee meeting. After that gathering, Transit Manager Rob Shearman said “there are some legal questions that need to be worked out first” before a decision to return the Boardwalk trams next year could be made. He said once the police department’s investigation into the Aug. 20 fatality concludes and those results are provided, tram operations would adjust accordingly.
McGean confirmed this week that the city has been placed on notice for a potential lawsuit related to this summer’s tram fatality. He also noted there are “a number of issues coming up” regarding the Boardwalk tram operation.
When asked what those issues are, or if the use of Jeeps in operating the Boardwalk trams was one of them, McGean first denied that to be the case, then said, “the Jeeps is one [issue] but not the only issue.”
Earlier this year, the Town of Ocean City celebrated the 60th anniversary of its Boardwalk tram operation. Since its inception in June of 1964, the trams have been an integral part of Ocean City’s landscape. The trams have undergone many iterations throughout the decades, with the most recent change taking place in the summer of 2018. That year, the city began deploying Jeeps to tow the tram coaches.
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(Nov. 8, 2024) Maryland State Police are investigating a fatal pedestrian crash in Worcester County.
The victim has been identified as Carolyn Melissa Long, 49, of Berlin. She was pronounced deceased at the scene by emergency medical services personnel.
Troopers from the Berlin Barrack responded at about 10:15 p.m. on Nov. 2 to a report of a crash on northbound Route 611 and Landing Boulevard in Berlin.
According to a preliminary investigation, Long was walking north on Route 611 before she was struck in the road by a 2011 Toyota Sienna. The driver and sole occupant, Christopher Lee Miller, 69, also of Berlin, was interviewed by police and subsequently released.
Police are investigating whether alcohol was a contributing circumstance to the crash. Charges are pending the outcome of the investigation. The Maryland State Police Crash Team is leading the investigation.
The cause of the crash is under investigation.
Several social media posts circulated this week remembering Long, who was known in the Ocean City area as “Reds,” which stemmed from a Wonder Woman tattoo she had. Long was fondly remembered as an avid pool player who participated in Ocean City pool leagues for years.
A celebration of life for Long is planned for Saturday, Nov. 16, at New Carrollton City Hall from 3:30-7 p.m. Friends and family are welcome to attend.
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Nov. 8, 2024) After 11 years leading the department, Ocean City Police Chief Ross Buzzuro has announced his immediate retirement.
Last Thursday, Buzzuro announced he would be retiring from his role as the city’s police chief, effective immediately. Capt. Michael Colbert will serve as interim chief as the town conducts a national search for Buzzuro’s replacement.
“It has been an honor to serve the residents and visitors of Ocean City and to work alongside the dedicated men and women of the Ocean City Police Department,” Buzzuro said in a news release. “As a longtime visitor and homeowner in the community, it has been a privilege to serve as the Police Chief. While bittersweet, it is the right
time for me to step away to allow the transition to occur prior to the summer season. I am grateful to close this chapter in my career and look forward to a new chapter in my life.”
In a news release that surprised many for its immediacy, the city recognized Buzzuro for his years of service to the community. As police chief, he commanded a staff of nearly 100 full-time officers, upwards of 100 seasonal officers and public safety aides, and roughly 20 civilian employees. In addition to developing and implementing law enforcement initiatives and crime prevention strategies, overseeing operational commands and managing the department’s multi-million-dollar budget, Buzzuro is credited with working alongside city leaders to advance legislation for a special event zone, which has been largely effective
in curbing reckless and illegal driving and stopping the unsanctioned popup car rally that took over the resort in years past.
“Chief Buzzuro was the right chief at the right time for Ocean City,” Mayor Rick Meehan said in the news release. “I hold the chief in the highest regard and want to thank him for his dedication to the department and our community.”
Buzzuro’s career in law enforcement began in 1985 as a police cadet in Baltimore City. And in the years that followed, he rose through the ranks, serving as a sergeant, detective lieutenant, deputy major and major before being named lieutenant colonel in 2007. A graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Academy and the University of Maryland’s Fire & Rescue Institute, Buzzuro led Baltimore City’s special enforcement, patrol, criminal investigation, and internal investigations divisions.
No additional information was provided on Buzzuro’s immediate retirement other than that the city would conduct a national search for his replacement. A day after the release was issued, Colbert assumed command of the police department.
“The Town of Ocean City will conduct a national search for the vacant police chief position,” the news release reads. “The interim chief, Michael Col-
bert, has been a long-standing Captain in the department, overseeing every division within the department. During this transition period, the Department will maintain its focus on public safety, proactive policing, and strong partnerships with the community.”
While noting his successes, Buzzuro’s tenure has also been met with some challenges. In recent years, for example, the police department was questioned over its use of force in two high-profile Boardwalk incidents. And this spring, the department began investigating allegations of workplace misconduct involving five police officers on the force. The probe remains active.
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer
(Nov. 8, 2024) The Worcester County Board of Education will remain intact, as incumbents Elena McComas, Jon Andes, and Donald Smack have been reelected by their respective districts for four more years.
After early voting, Election Day tallies, and mail-in ballots were counted, District 5 candidate Elena McComas, elected to the education board in 2016 and again in 2020, secured 2,050 total votes, enough to edge out her opponent, Dorothy Shelton-Leslie, who fell short at 1,696 votes.
McComas, who said she is “excited to be able to continue working with
the teachers and kids,” has 25 years of experience as a biology teacher in middle and high school. Her classroom involvement spans the country, as she spent time educating in California and Montgomery County, Maryland. She is an Eastern Shore native and graduated from Wicomico High School. In 2021, McComas served as board president following the unexpected passing of Eric Cropper, who, at the time, was the board president.
Going into her third term, McComas’s priorities include fostering academic excellence through small class sizes, recruiting talented educators and securing salary raises, encouraging parent involvement, supporting art, music, and Worcester Technical High School programs, and continuing safety efforts.
According to McComas, per new protocols and continued training, which she attends, safety incidents dropped 28 percent last year to levels the victor said had not been seen since 2013.
The incumbent is excited to resume her work to advance Worcester’s public school system.
“I am thrilled to be able to continue serving on our Worcester County Board of Education,” McComas said. “We have such an outstanding district with so many dedicated teachers working with our kids to help them be the best they can be. Thanks to all who worked so hard to make this happen, including friends, neighbors, and especially Worcester United. I am so grateful to each and every one of you.”
Worcester United is an educational advocacy group whose mission, according to its official website, is to “support public education,” “strive to break down systemic barriers,” and “foster an inclusive environment that empowers every learner” through activism and collaborative efforts. The team publicly supported McComas, Andes, and Smack in their reelection bids.
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Some signs at the Berlin Lions Den, the polling place for some District 3 residents, were attempting to address false claims being made about county schools.
Andes, representing District 3, captured 2,220 ballots to earn a second term. Andes was initially elected in 2020. Challenger Cheryl Middleton received 1,865 votes.
Andes is originally from Pennsylvania and began his career as a social studies teacher in Harford County, Maryland. He worked his way up assistant superintendent for personnel and staff relations. He relocated to the Eastern Shore and was Superintendent of Worcester County Public Schools from 1996 to 2012, when the county rose from 19 out of 24 school systems on state tests to No. 1.
Andes has also authored 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.
The victor’s priorities upon reelection include ensuring school safety, identifying areas for academic improvement, expanding the system’s early childhood offerings, and enhancing college and career readiness programs.
“I look forward to working with my fellow board members and our leadership team,” he said. “Over the next four years, my priorities include keeping our students and staff safe, providing salaries that allow us to retain and recruit outstanding staff members and compensation for our bus contractors, sustaining small class sizes and our after-school and
summer school programs, working with our state and county elected officials to implement the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future without negatively impacting our success formula, and building Buckingham Elementary School.”
Following her defeat, Andes’s challenger, Middleton, addressed voters on Facebook.
“Thank you all for your wonderful support during my campaign,” she wrote. “I did what I could to get in and fight for your children as a member of the Board of Education. Regardless, I will continue to fight for parents, teachers, and children.”
District 2 seat holder Donald Smack will also return to the board after an unclear race. The incumbent garnered 1,995 votes. Kaleemah Barkley, who appeared on the ballot but told the Pocomoke Arrowhead she withdrew from the election for “personal reasons,” obtained 747 votes. Barkley told this newspaper Monday before the election that she would let the voters decide who they wished to serve in District 2.
Smack was initially elected to the Worcester County Board of Education in 2020. He retired as head custodian at Ocean City Elementary School in 2017. During his previous campaign, he said his 30 years of experience with Worcester County Public Schools assisted in cultivating leadership and discipline necessary to provide support to his district.
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Nov. 8, 2024) Incumbent Rick Meehan will continue to serve as Ocean City’s mayor following a close race against challenger Peter Buas.
Tuesday’s mayoral election was decided by 192 votes in what is the closest contested mayoral race in at least four decades. Meehan, who has continuously served as the city’s mayor since 2006, defeated Buas, a first-term councilman, with 1,324 votes to Buas’s 1,132.
“I really want to thank all my supporters that came out here,” Meehan said Tuesday night. “I mean, what a tremen-
dous group of people, individuals that supported me, many of them for years. I’ve served with some of them, they were here all throughout the day then all here tonight to hear the announcement, you know, to support me, and it was a great feeling to be able to, you know, seek to win another term. It’s something I’m very passionate about. You know, the city is so important to me and this is what I think about all the time and to be able to continue and have the trust of the public to serve another term as mayor is really important to me.”
The results were announced at the
convention center Tuesday night following the conclusion of the 13-hour Ocean City’s municipal election. Garnering 54% of the total vote, Meehan secured his 10th term as mayor.
Buas, for his part, expressed appreciation for those who supported his effort.
“Though we fell short in this close election, I remain grateful for the support of my family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors in this campaign,” Buas said in a statement. “You, the residents of Ocean City, showed your passion and belief in this town’s bright future. The increase in participation from just four years ago demonstrates a desire for change, and I would encourage our community to continue to engage with the current and newly elected council mem-
bers to sustain this momentum. Serving as councilman has been a great honor, and I will always be appreciative of the trust placed in me.”
Earlier this summer, Meehan, a local real estate agent, filed to run for his 10th consecutive term as mayor. After serving on the council for 21 years, Meehan took over as the town’s chief representative in June of 2006, when then-mayor Jim Mathias was named as the replacement for Del. Bennett Bozman, who passed away in office. He has served in that role ever since.
In September, however, Buas, an attorney with Williams, Moore, Shockley & Harrison, announced his candidacy, marking the start of the first contested mayoral race since 2018, when Meehan defeated former councilman Joe Hall. Buas’s foray into municipal politics began in 2020, when he secured the most votes in the November election to gain a seat on the city council. Since that time, he has served on the city’s police commission, coastal resources legislative committee and the risk retention committee.
Both Meehan and Buas led strong campaigns in the lead up to Tuesday’s election. However, support for Buas was particularly strong amongst council members, most of whom reportedly frustrated over the mayor’s handling of city affairs.
When asked how the next two years would play out between him and the council, Meehan said he was willing to work alongside his colleagues.
“You know, we’re the city council now,” he said. “Whatever happened over the last 30 days, 60 days, I mean, we have to now reunite and become even better than we were before … You learn along the way too and if there’s some things that I need to do, to be a little better, you know, as being mayor, I’m always going to strive to do that, and I’m certainly going to talk to my fellow colleagues and, you know, we need to be a team. I’m prepared to be part of that team, and I look forward to the next two years. I think we’re going to have a great council and get a lot done.”
Brian Shane contributed to this report.
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Nov. 8, 2024) Two incumbents and two newcomers will take the dais after receiving the top votes in this year’s council race.
Voters in Tuesday’s municipal election re-elected Councilmen Tony DeLuca and John Gehrig to the Ocean City Council. Joining the incumbents are local builder Jake Mitrecic and retired law enforcement
veteran Larry Yates. Gehrig received 1,509 votes, DeLuca received 1,461 votes, Mitrecic received 1,377 votes and Yates received 1,295 votes.
This year, seven candidates – Gehrig, DeLuca, Mitrecic, Yates, Tony DeSanctis, Denis Jenkins and George Leukel –vied for four open seats on the city council. With Councilman Frank Knight choosing not to seek re-election, and Councilman Peter Buas vacating his seat
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Continued from Page 18
to run for mayor, it was known there would be at least two new faces on the dais once this year’s election concluded.
After polls closed Tuesday, Ocean City Election Board Chair Mary Adeline Bradford announced 2,255 ballots were cast in this year’s municipal race. As the top vote-getter for council, Gehrig, who was first elected in 2016, recognized the electorate for bringing him back for a third term.
“I’m just grateful the voters in town
like what we’re doing and had enough confidence in me to bring me back,” he said. “I know I’m outspoken and bold in my style, so you never know what’s going to happen with that. But I appreciate that people just trust my style and the direction we’re going.”
Trailing Gehrig in Tuesday’s race was DeLuca, who was first elected to the council in 2014 to serve a two-year term vacated by former councilman Joe Mitrecic upon his election to the
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Continued from Page 20
Worcester County Commissioners. Following Tuesday’s election, DeLuca said he was eager to continue serving the city with Rick Meehan – who won the mayoral race – at the helm.
“I’m just overwhelmed,” he said. “I think I’m happier for Rick than I am for myself. I just really feel honored to do this again. There are so many things left unfinished, with the sports complex, Baltimore Avenue, seasonal housing. Everything I do is really for my granddaughters since I have no business connections.”
A newcomer in this year’s election, Mitrecic, a local builder, Worcester County Board of Zoning Appeals member, and son of a current Worcester County commissioner, received the third most votes to gain a spot on the council this week. Mitrecic said he was excited about the outcome of this year’s race.
“It’s obviously exciting to run for the first time and be one for one,” he said. “That’s awesome. But I have to give all the thanks to my family, my fiancé, all the people that came out and worked and helped me at the polls, and of course all the people who voted for me. I couldn’t be more thrilled to get to work.”
Rounding out the top vote-getters is Yates, an active member of Atlantic United Methodist Church, the Montego Bay Neighborhood Watch Program and two city boards. The first candidate to file in this year’s election, he said he too was excited to get to work.
“I’m extremely excited and honored to be able to serve this beautiful city,” he said. “I’m going to work very, very hard to make a difference, and we’re going to bring this city back to what we want it to be – a family atmosphere. And I’m humbled to be selected.”
Rounding out the council race was DeSanctis, who received 977 votes, Jenkins, who received 644 votes and Leukel, who received 229 votes.
By Brian Shane Staff Writer
(Nov. 8, 2024) Berlin police have charged a former town councilman with theft after a school board candidate’s campaign sign was removed from a Berlin street corner Saturday afternoon.
According to charging documents filed in Worcester County District Court, Thomas Gulyas was allegedly seen on surveillance video as the person removing the 4-by-4 foot sign from the corner of Old Ocean City Boulevard and Main Street around 1:15 pm on Nov. 2.
Court documents also stated how police came to see Gulyas at his South Point home before eventually locating the placard at his place of business, a print and mailing company located on Old Ocean City Boulevard in Berlin.
Gulyas did not respond to a request for comment from OC TodayDispatch, but did post to his own Facebook page on Nov. 3, saying the accusation is “unfounded and lacks any merit,” calling it “a political assault on my reputation and that of the incumbents I endorse.”
“I am committed to contesting these allegations and will pursue defamation charges against all in-
volved parties once my name is vindicated,” he wrote.
The political sign was for candidate Kaleemah Barkley, who was registered with the State Board of Elections as a District 2 candidate for the Worcester County Board of Education.
Barkley lost on Election Day. After early voting, election day and mail-in ballots were counted Tuesday night, Smack easily prevailed with 72% of the vote. Smack received 1,995 votes to Barkley’s 747.
However, Barkley’s candidacy had been in question. In several public statements to the Pocomoke Arrowhead Facebook page, Barkley said on three different occasions that she was dropping out of the race for personal reasons.
When reached for comment Monday by telephone, Barkley stood by statements to the Arrowhead, adding, “My name is on the ballot. Let the voters choose the way the want to vote.”
Before speaking with the newspaper Monday, Barkley has not made any comments other than to the Pocomoke Arrowhead Facebook page. “As stated last month, I am no longer actively running for the BOE,”
Barkley said last week.
According to the hand-written criminal complaint againt Gulyas, filed by Katherine McCloskey, supporters of Barkley constructed the sign at 10:45 a.m. on Saturday and then snapped a photo as proof of its condition at the time of installation.
“Upon returning to the site at approximately 4 p.m., the signage and support structure was gone. At precisely 4:39 p.m. I texted the property owner to ask if they had mistakenly removed the sign,” the complaint reads. “Property owner texted me back at precisely 4:58 p.m. that ‘sorry I don’t know what you are talking about.’”
The complaint also details how McCloskey sought out surveillance video from the adjacent business,
whose proprietor confirmed having video footage of Gulyas “actively removing” the sign at approximately 1:15 pm. McCloskey then filed a police report.
“After many attempts to reach him by phone, the officer went to his home between 9-9:30 p.m. to determine the sign’s location,” the complaint states. “The police officer recovered the sign at 10:36 p.m. from defendant’s business. (Gulyas) admitted to police that he had personally taken and was in possession of the sign.”
Complicating matters is how, according to the police report, the property owner allegedly had allowed for a political sign on the parcel at the request of Worcester County Commissioner Ted Elder.
“I believe in our political system.
You should be able to place signs on property for who’s willing to allow it,” Elder said in an interview.
Elder said he did facilitate the permission, via text message, between the campaign and the landowner –but never inquired as to whose sign was going up.
“They asked me if I knew him. It was a friend of mine, and I didn’t realize which person running it was,” he said. “I thought it would be a different (candidate). I guess it doesn’t really matter (who), it’s just the idea of it. I thought it might have been one of the other (candidates) for school board. I didn’t even ask.”
Gulyas formerly served as an elected member of Berlin’s Town Council, holding the At-Large seat from 2014-2020. He resigned his position on the council because he
moved out of Berlin’s municipal limits. In the 2022 election, he ran for the open District 3 County Commissioner seat, ultimately losing to challenger Eric Fiori.
Some followers of this school board race have privately expressed procedural concerns – that any candidate who ultimately declined the job after being elected could see their position filled by a vote of the Worcester County Board of Commissioners.
“That is the fear. Why else are they campaigning for this lady? Something is fishy here,” said Tom Simon, a vocal member of Worcester United, a coalition of parents and teachers formed during the recent public debates over public education funding between the Worcester County Commissioners and the school system.
Simon questioned why others would continue to run and support the campaign of a person who claims to have dropped out of the race. On her Facebook page on Friday, Caryn Abbott, who represents District 1 as a county commissioner, posted on her Facebook her support for the two school board challengers to the incumbent candidates as well as Barkley, who she said “has a good platform.”
“There’s so much shenanigans. It seems to me that Miss Barkley is not, in fact, running,” Simon said. “It seems confusing why Caryn Abbott is campaigning for her. I don’t know what they’re doing. This is the craziest school board election of all time, especially when we have such a high performing school system.”
There is some precedent for the commissioners stepping in to fill a mid-term school board vacancy. After the sudden death of school board president Eric Cropper in the summer of 2021, the commissioners appointed Nate Passwaters to temporarily fill his District 6 seat until the next election. Passwaters ran for the seat in 2022 but lost to Kate Addis.
Gulyas stands charged with theft $100 to under $1,500. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Dec. 10 in Snow Hill District Court. The theft charge carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail and/or a $500 fine.
He added a final note to his Facebook page on Nov. 4, saying his attorneys have advised him not to comment further, and asking for understanding and some space.
“I am facing a targeted campaign,” he writes. “I have consistently advocated for the protection of children, while the extreme far right seeks to impose their agenda. I not only cannot, I will not remain, passive while individuals who should act as responsible adults attack children and those who differ from them.”
By Brian Shane Staff Writer
(Nov. 4, 2024) A deal to secure direct flights from Salisbury’s airport to Orlando is on its proverbial final approach before landing.
Wicomico County is about to strike a landmark agreement with a low-cost airline, meaning locals could be cruising uninterrupted from the Lower Shore to destinations like Disney World and Universal Studios by as early as spring 2025. Direct flights may be scheduled as frequently as two to three times weekly.
“Florida markets are some of our strongest markets. If we can capture a percentage of people that go to other airports, that’ll help build our base travel customers. The more we get people flying here, the more it’ll build us up,” said Tony Rudy, director of the Salisbury Regional Airport.
Flights will be on brand-new aircraft that can carry between 100-150 people. While the name of the airline is being held back until a final agreement is signed, Rudy confirmed it’s an “ultra low-cost carrier” that will carry passengers to Orlando International Airport. They hope to make that formal announcement by year’s end.
“I’m real positive about it, knowing the demand that’s there and the frequency they’ll be flying. I think it’ll be successful,” Rudy added.
Orlando is a top market for air travel among Lower Shore residents, according to Transportation Department passenger ZIP code tracking. However, the Salisbury airport loses 80 percent of local travelers to airports in Baltimore, Philadelphia, or Washington – where nonstop bookings to the Sunshine State happen to be much cheaper, at least for now.
“What I’ve been hearing lately is, they’ll take a look at Salisbury first,” he said. “If people check out fares, they might be surprised. It could be close to what they’d pay at another airport, and they don’t have to drive two hours or pay for parking. It may be a wash or they may come out ahead.”
The agreement hinges on an $800,000 grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation, which was greenlit late last month at the federal level. The grant comes from the agency’s Small Community Air Service Development Program.
Should the airline suffer any financial loses in its first two years of operation, the cash will go into a sort of escrow fund, from which the airline will be allowed to dip into monthly. This hedge against losses, which is also earmarked in part for marketing and start-up costs, is being called a “comprehensive revenue guarantee.”
Rudy said the deal wouldn’t have happened without it.
“When airlines start new routes, they take a big risk on making a profit,” he said. “What this grant is for, they basically set a revenue goal for each flight. They expect X amount of dollars. If they fall short, then this grant and the local contributions will make up that difference.”
However, if the airline does well and doesn’t need the money to shore up losses, then the money would be refunded to each of the entities that donated, Rudy said.
Supplementing the federal grant is another $217,500 in local pledges from area businesses and government entities, bringing the airline’s safety net to over $1 million.
That includes $50,000 pledges from Wicomico County and Worcester County, and $25,000 from Ocean City. Other Ocean City-based donors include Ocean Downs and Royal Plus ($10,000 each) as well as the Harrison Group and Positive Energy ($5,000 each). Pocomoke City-based defense contractor Hardwire LLC also pledged $5,000.
Salisbury’s airport opened in the 1940s. Its primary airline since the 1970s has been Piedmont, which has served the area since its earliest days as Henson Airlines. The company is headquartered in Salisbury and isn’t going anywhere, Rudy said.
In 2012, Allegiant Airlines unsuc-
cessfully attempted regional service out of Salisbury to Orlando. Rudy said Allegiant failed for many reasons: its older equipment proved unreliable, and the route schedules and hours weren’t family friendly. Allegiant also flew into Orlando’s secondary airport, Sanford International.
Next, the Salisbury airport will be getting a security system upgrade and a much-anticipated runway extension, which Rudy said will help accommodate larger aircraft in the future.
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Nov. 8, 2024) City officials this week recognized Frank Knight for his four years of service on the council.
At the conclusion of Monday’s Mayor and Council meeting, officials recognized outgoing Knight, who will be leaving his seat on the dais after a one-term run. With Tuesday’s municipal election marking the end of his tenure, city leadership took time this week to commend Knight for his service to the community.
“You were steady, you were confident, you’re always well prepared, and … you didn’t say a lot all the time – as much as some of the rest of us – but when you did, everybody listened,” Mayor Rick Meehan said. “It was a voice of reason, and I think your votes always exemplified that, and you made a difference. And that’s the best thing you can say about anybody that serves, is that you made a difference.”
After years of operating a private dental practice in Baltimore, where he also administered a hospital clinic and was a clinical instructor for a dental school, Knight moved to Ocean City full time in 1995 and continued to practice dentistry in Berlin. Following his retirement, Knight served on the Board of Port Wardens for six years and held memberships on the Ocean City Development Corporation’s Downtown and
Boardwalk committees.
In 2020, after his wife, Mary, decided not to run for another term on the city council, Knight announced his candidacy to take her place. And that November, he garnered 707 votes to gain one of four open seats on the dais.
During his tenure, Knight has served on the town’s transportation and risk retention committees and police commission, as well as an alternate on the beach mediation board and the property review, enforcement, strategies for safe housing committee. During the public comment portion of Monday’s meeting, Knight’s daughter, Frankie Zurla, recognized her father’s dedication to the job.
“The future of our town has always been and remains to be a top priority and holds a permanent space in his heart, even long after today,” she said.
“I couldn’t be more proud of his dedication to the Town of Ocean City.”
Zurla said her father ran on a platform that prioritized public safety, the police and fire departments, the preservation of residential neighborhoods and the development of a sports complex, all while ensuring taxes did not increase.
“What you didn’t see was behind the scenes – but I’m sure you all know to be true – but what some of you didn’t see was behind the scenes, the hours upon hours of research, phone calls,
emails, countless nights reading word for word every document sent prior to a vote, all so that he could make the most educated decision and the absolute best interest of our town as someone who had been coming to Ocean City since the 1950s and having been a property owner since 1980,” she added.
Council Secretary Tony DeLuca echoed Zurla’s comments. He noted that Knight did not take the job lightly.
“I sit next to him, and I see the notes that he has, the preparation, the detail, and the thoroughness,” he said. “He really laborers over what he votes on. It’s very fantastic to see that.”
City Manager Terry McGean, Councilman John Gehrig, Council President Matt James also recognized Knight for completing his term on the dais. For his part, Knight thanked his family and city
officials for their support.
“I want to thank Ocean City for allowing me the honor to sit in this seat for the last four years,” he said. “I want to thank the mayor, my fellow council members for working together to accomplish so much since 2020. I think we’ve done a hell of a job. I want to thank Heather [Stansbury] for her legal expertise and guidance that occasionally we follow. And I want to have a special thanks to our city manager and our excellent staff who worked so hard behind the scenes. They’re the ones that make us look good up here, and we couldn’t govern without them.”
With Knight choosing not to run for re-election, and Councilman Peter Buas vacating his seat to run for mayor, Jake Mitrecic and Larry Yates will be joining the town council following this week’s municipal election.
ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20
Aries, this week you may find yourself with some extra energy and enthusiasm for new projects. Figure out what you want to get done and think through a plan.
TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21
Taurus, you may have a strong desire for stability and security. Now is a good time to focus on financial matters and investigate potentially valuable investment opportunities.
GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21
Communication will be key for you this month, Gemini. Whether you aim to strengthen existing relationships or start new ones, be clear and honest in all of your interactions.
CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22
This week your focus shifts largely toward home and family, Cancer. Now might be the time to address any conflicts in your home life to reinforce family relationships.
LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23
Leo, this could be a week when you find yourself in the spotlight more than usual. You don’t shy away from extra attention; in fact, you will thrive this week.
VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22
This is a good week to start organizing and planning, Virgo. The holidays are right around the corner, and you want to be sure that everything you need to get done will be accomplished.
LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23
Relationships and partnerships are priorities for you this week, Libra. Figure out how you can balance your needs with those of others in your inner circle.
SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22
Scorpio, it’s a good time to implement new habits or make improvements to your work life. Perhaps the balance has been skewed and you need more time for family?
SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21
This week could be bursting with creativity for you, Sagittarius. If you’ve been meaning to pursue hobbies or other interests, now is the time to explore and have some fun.
CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20
Making improvements to your home or livings space can give you a fresh perspective, Capricorn. It might just be the change you need to feel revitalized.
AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18
Don’t be afraid to share your ideas and connect with others this week, Aquarius. Staying curious and getting your perspective across may lead to some exciting opportunities.
PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20
Financial matters may come into focus this month, Pisces. It’s a good time to look at your budget and make some tweaks, if necessary. Taking on extra work might be an option.
The Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks Department announced the start this week of its continued participation in the countywide “Be a Santa to a Senior” program, organized by Home Instead.
Recreation and Parks Director Debbie Donahue said the program helps brighten the hearts of seniors in the community by giving thoughtful gifts they might not otherwise receive.
– not for what they want,” she said. “That said, most of the ‘Santas’ that take a tag will tuck in a special treat or item that wasn’t asked for to make the giving more personal.”
Those interested in participating can simply stop by, pick up an ornament, purchase the requested items, wrap them, and bring them back to the community center by Dec. 2. Home Instead will do the rest.
family. In keeping with the group’s tradition, there is no admission fee for this holiday concert, but voluntary offerings will be gratefully accepted.
In Ocean Pines, ornaments with the names of local seniors are placed on a Christmas tree in the Community Center lobby. Each ornament includes a list of requested items for each senior.
Crystal Heiser, who coordinates the program, said last year nearly 900 local seniors received gifts through the program, with almost 200 of those coming from the Ocean Pines community.
“This cause is important because these seniors are asking for essentials
Continuing its 40-year tradition, the Pine Tones Chorus is staging a selection of beloved Christmas favorites this holiday season on Friday, Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m., at the Community Church at Ocean Pines on Racetrack Road.
This year’s concert includes a mix of contemporary, classical, and pop holiday favorites, including singalongs, that will be fun for the whole
The Pine Tones Chorus is a nonprofit, all-volunteer group of folks who love to sing for their community. The chorus presents spring and fall concerts every year and each season the group also travels to several area senior centers to share the music with those who are not able to come to the shows. This season is partially funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, through the Maryland State Arts Council and Worcester County Arts Council.
The Lower Shore Land Trust recently announced a raffle for a $600 Movement-brand StandUp Paddleboard, donated by Walk on Water. Walk on Water in West Ocean City gen-
erously donated the board to be raffled off at Lower Shore Land Trust’s Holiday Wreath Making Event on Friday, Dec. 6 at Snow Hill’s First Friday at their office at 100 River Street in downtown Snow Hill.
All proceeds will benefit the Lower Shore Land Trust (LSLT), a nonprofit organization that assists landowners who wish to protect, in perpetuity, habitat necessary to sustain a diverse and healthy wildlife population, natural buffers that maintain water quality, and preserve scenic vistas and landscapes surrounding sites of historical and cultural importance. LSLT wishes to ensure that sufficient lands remain to support forestry and agriculture as viable industries on the Lower Eastern Shore.
Raffle tickets can be purchased at LSLT’s website or in person at Land Trust’s Flannel Formal event on Saturday, November 9th at Coulbourn Farm. Entries are $10 for a single entry or $50 for 10 chances to win.
Get ready for an exciting evening filled with live film screenings, special events, raffles, and auctions at the 14th Annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival.
Hosted by Assateague Coastal Trust at Seacrets’ Morley Hall on Nov. 14, the event promises to be a memorable celebration of environmental activism and storytelling. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the film screenings starting at 7 p.m. In addition to the inspiring films, the evening will feature live and silent auctions, raffles, food and drink specials, and much more.
Debbi Dean, ACT’s Community Engagement Coordinator, emphasized the power of filmmaking as a tool for spreading awareness about the environmental challenges facing our planet.
“The Wild & Scenic Film Festival is focused on connecting the community and highlighting the importance of the earth we all share,” said Dean. “We’ve curated a diverse selection of awardwinning, family-friendly films that capture nature, adventure, wildlife, and more. Whether depicting the struggle for environmental justice or telling the story of an endangered species, these films present forward-thinking ideas and inspire global awareness. There’s something for everyone.”
The Wild & Scenic Film Festival was originally founded by the South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) in 2003 to promote community building within the Yuba watershed through the engaging medium of film.
Locally, the WSFF event is a natural extension of ACT’s year-round mission to protect and preserve the coastal watershed. By raising awareness through film and other special events, ACT continues to inspire stewardship and support for keeping our local waterways Swimmable, Fishable, and Drinkable.
Tickets are selling quickly, so be sure to secure your advance tickets online today at www.actforbays.org/wsff Individual ticket prices are $25 apiece or ticket bundles of 5-$100.
CAPTAIN’S TABLE
410-289-7192
15th & Boardwalk In The Courtyard Marriott
Fridays & Saturdays: Phil Perdue on Piano
COINS PUB
410-289-3100
28th Street Plaza On Coastal Hwy.
Saturday, November 9: DJ Giddy Up & Carl Bailey
CRABCAKE FACTORY BAYSIDE
302-988-5000
37314 Lighthouse Rd., Rte. 54, Selbyville, DE
Friday, November 8: True Country
Wednesday, November 13: Jack Bannon
CRAWL STREET TAVERN
443-373-2756
Wicomico St., Downtown O.C.
Friday, November 8: TBA
Saturday, November 9: GrooveJoose
FAGER’S ISLAND
410-524-5500
60th St., In The Bay
Friday, November 8: Cecilia’s Fall & DJ Groove
Saturday, November 9:
Opposite Directions Band, Love Hate Mixtape & DJ RobCee
GREENE TURTLE WEST
410-213-1500
Route 611, West OC
Saturday, November 9: TBA
HARBORSIDE
410-213-1846
South Harbor Rd., West End O.C.
Fridays: DJ Billy T
STONE HORSES
Saturday, November 9
Seacrets: Saturday, November 9
LOVE HATE MIXTAPE
Fager’s Island: Saturday, November 9
GROOVEJOOSE
Crawl Street: Saturday, November 9
Saturday, November 9
Fager’s Island: Friday, November 8
Harborside: Saturday, November 9
Seacrets: Saturday, November 9
Seacrets: Friday, November 8
Fager’s Island: Saturday, November 9
Harborside: Sunday, November 10
Saturday, November 9:
Cecilia’s Fall & DJ Bigler
Sundays: Opposite Directions Thursdays: Dust N Bones Duo PICKLES PUB
410-289-4891
8th St. & Philadelphia Ave. Fridays: Beats By DeoGee Saturday, November 9: Rogue Citizens
Sundays: 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
Saturday, November 9: Stone Horses
SEACRETS
410-524-4900
49th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, November 8: Opposite Directions & DJ Dave
Saturday, November 9: DJ Cruz, DJ Wax, DJ Connair, The Poprocks & The Gab Cinque Band Thursday, November 14: Blake Haley & Wild & Scenic Film Feastival
(Nov. 8, 2024) Worcester County Board of Education member Jon Andes recently donated copies of his children’s book, “The Legacy of Billy Lee: An American Hero” to elementary and middle schools across the county.
The story follows the life and times of unsung national hero William “Billy” Lee, an enslaved 16-year-old who became the unlikely witness to the birth of the United States of America as he served as George Washington’s valet, groom, and military aide.
Andes was inspired to research and ultimately write Lee’s story after visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art where he viewed artist John Trum-
bull’s 1780 painting entitled, “George Washington and William Lee (George Washington).” The painting depicts Washington standing on a bluff above the Hudson River with Lee in the background.
After Andes began the writing process, he partnered with Olivia Momme, local artist and director of the Worcester County Education Foundation, who illustrated the story.
Andes and Momme autographed each copy donated to the school system, which will be available for students to check out in the school libraries of all Worcester County elementary and middle schools.
2 x 6.28
(Nov. 8, 2024) The Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation will host a traditional Veterans Day ceremony honoring all who have served in the U.S. military.
The ceremony will begin promptly at 11 a.m., at the Worcester County Veterans Memorial in Ocean Pines.
Michelle Winemiller will emcee the event this year. Miller is a Veterans Memorial Foundation Board member who spent 11 years in the U.S. Air Force, in intelligence, and 19 years as a civilian employee of the Air Force.
The guest speaker will be Robert Hanson, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force now serving as a commissioner in the Department of Veterans and Military Families. Hanson, an Eastern Shore native, enlisted in the U.S. Air Force Security Forces in 1971 and served until 1974 in South-East Asia during the Vietnam War. He later served in the Air Force Reserves at Dover Air Force Base from 1982-1986. He is currently one of the commissioners from Congressional District One in Maryland, and an advisor to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
The ceremony will also feature patriotic music, including a salute to all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.
“Veterans Day is a day to honor and celebrate all who have served in our military,” Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation President Marie Gilmore said. “We are forever indebted to those who were willing to serve to protect our freedoms, and we are grateful for the families they left behind.”
Some seating will be provided, but guests are encouraged to bring a chair. The ceremony will move to the Ocean Pines Community Center in the event of inclement weather.
Prior to the Veterans Day ceremony, the Memorial Foundation will host a short dedication for the new gazebo at 10:45 a.m. No seating will be provided.
Gilmore said the new gazebo is joint project between Ocean Pines Association and the Veterans Memorial Foundation, and will help aid in educational outreach programs to the memorial.
“Our educational outreach program brings every Worcester County student to the Veterans Memorial for a field trip each year, and they spend about an hour with docents at the memorial learning about the branches of the service, service of our veterans dedicated the sacrifices that the veterans and their families make,” she said. “It’s a program that’s very near and dear to our hearts, and this new gazebo will help to enhance that experience.
“We’re looking forward to a very, very special Veterans Day ceremony this year with the dedication and our emcee and guest speaker, and I hope everyone will come out and enjoy it,” she added.
For more information about the Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation, visit www.WoCoVets.org.
Great Location! The spacious rooms include 9' Ceilings, Brushed Nickel fixtures, Granite Countertops, Recessed Lighting, 42" Maple Cabinets, and a large kitchen island. In the Owner's Suite, you will find double walk-in closets, a Venetian Bath and a tile Surround in the shower. Also a Mud Room, Laminate Wood Plank & Ceramic Tile Flooring.
With stunning curb appeal and thoughtfully designed features and finishes, the Sussex offers versatility to suit any modern lifestyle. The open-concept floor plan seamlessly connects the Living areas, perfect for entertaining! During the warmer months, you may take your living outdoors to the Screened-in Porch. The Owner's Suite has 2 walk-in closets and a luxurious Venetian-Style Bath. Extra space on the 2nd level, with an additional 4th Bedroom, full Bath, and Loft Area. Located on a quiet cul-de-sac street.
(Nov. 8, 2024) Atlantic General Hospital and Health System (AGH) has achieved Level 8 Most Wired distinction for both acute and ambulatory care for 2024, after analysis of the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives’ (CHIME) Digital Health Most Wired Survey for the 2024 data collection period.
Among the almost 48,000 facilities represented, AGH ranked above peers in critical categories such as analytics and data management, population health, infrastructure, and patient engagement. The survey evaluates the adoption, integration, and impact of technologies across health care organizations, from early-stage adopters to industry leaders.
System interoperability and reli-
able data sharing that is secure and efficient are among the IT priorities at AGH.
Most recently, a multidisciplinary team stood up integrated diagnostic order entry within the electronic medical record (EMR) shared by the hospital and the health system’s network of primary care providers and specialists for laboratory and x-ray services. By the end of this week, when a patient of the health system walks into one of AGH’s imaging or lab facilities, the staff will be able to immediately pull up the order for the test the patient’s provider requested in the EMR. Over the coming months orders for surgical procedures will be integrated, which will help shorten the scheduling process.
Additionally, AGH has invested in a new Pure storage area network (SAN), which will improve the performance of complex software applications and increase the speed of access to data, bringing the informa-
tion clinicians need to their fingertips even more quickly. Plus, the SAN’s built in data protection features will further strengthen the organization’s data security and disaster recovery capabilities.
“Achieving Most Wired distinction is a collaborative effort,” said Jonathan Bauer, vice president of information services at AGH. “Receiving this annual award for the eighth time points to a sustained organization-wide prioritization of digital health excellence, and I couldn’t be more proud.”
In the face of escalating challenges like increasing cybersecurity threats, evolving care models, staffing shortages, and budget constraints, the urgency for revolutionizing health care through technology continues to grow. The next 30 years will bring profound changes, driven by emerging technologies. We anticipate that advancements in digital health—facilitated by fully interoperable data, artificial intelligence, and secure platforms—will significantly transform the landscape of care. A strategic roadmap will be essential to navigate these changes.
“To aid future planning, we have designed the Digital Health Most Wired program to provide insights into best practices, HIT adoption patterns, and digital health market trends,” CHIME President and CEO Russ Branzell said.
The Digital Health Most Wired survey and recognition program serves as a comprehensive digital health check-up for health care organizations globally. As success in digital health increasingly influences patient care quality, the CHIME Digital Health Most Wired survey reflects the progress of leading health care providers as they reshape health care for the future. This achievement extends beyond information technology, symbolizing a collective organizational commitment to enhancing health care through advanced digital health strategies.
A special note was laid underneath the personalized brick in honor of Sarge Garlitz. TARA FISCHER/ OC TODAY-DISPATCH
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer
(Nov. 8, 2024) To recognize the late military veteran William Lawrence “Sarge” Garlitz, friends and family gathered at the Ocean Pines Veterans Memorial last week to lay a brick at the community’s remembrance space in the former soldier’s honor.
Garlitz, a Worcester County transplant and a Lonaconing, Maryland native, passed away on April 19. The veteran served in the United States Air Force and Army. During his tenure with
the Air Force, of which Garlitz enlisted in 1961, the former soldier served in French Morocco during the Vietnam era and Florida during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Garlitz joined the US Army in 1974, where he provided security at Fort Meade.
According to a press release issued by the Ocean Pines Association, the veteran returned to the Air Force in 1988 and was involved in “major operations
See SARGE Page 41
by Steve Green
y boys, Beckett and Carson, are now 16 and 15 years old, respectively. I have learned a lot along the way. Here’s a list of recent random things that have surprised me in varying degrees about raising these two teen boys.
Knowledge: They know a lot about somethings and little about others. For instance, Beckett has been learning a ton about U.S. History of late and has been sharing some interesting facts of late. Beckett has also gained a serious interest in national politics, citing some impressive facts about the last time a Republican presidential candidate carried California. While these nuggets of knowledge are impressive, our teen seems to lack an awareness of social graces at times. He is prone to shoot from the hip but reading the room is something at 16 years old he does not seem to understand. I gather this is the case with many teens.
The Appetite: We are clearly at the point where neither Beckett nor Carson are ever full. There are times when they do stop eating, but it’s usually because they want to find something bad for them instead of what’s before them
One night recently after a soccer game, dinner was sort of rushed with homework looming. He ate whatever we prepared for him, but it was interesting when he asked, “is this all the vegetables?” I offered him a plate full of what I didn’t put on his plate. It was all gone in minutes. I jokingly thought that’s some good parenting right there.
A few minutes later, I saw him doing his homework. Reflecting on the great parenting going on, I watched as he pulled a roll out of each pocket. He scarfed them down and then wiped the crumbs on the floor. Reality then set in.
The Moods: My approach to mood swings is to not engage. Moods can change in an instance I have learned,
and there’s really nothing a parent can do to change them. The source of the mood rarely has anything to do with the parents. There are outside forces at play that turn our kids sour.
Though I would love to know what’s on Beckett’s mind when I can tell he’s down, I also realize space is good for him. When he’s ready, he will come to me or his mom and talk. Over the years, there are certain things I have noticed he will bring to me and other topics to his mom. This is a good thing. Trying to pry information or demand details never works.
As for Carson, his moods are different. He occasionally just wakes up in a funk – I call it a “punk funk” -- and it takes hours to shake. Food usually helps.
The Opinions: I am convinced there are times when my Beckett is simply looking for a disagreement. He has a lot of conviction inside him and there are times when he needs to express himself.
When he finds out me or his mom don’t agree with his viewpoint, it’s game on for him. He relishes a good debate and argument. The problem is at 16 years told he seems convinced his opinion is fact. I know some adults like this as well, however. Some tolerance will serve him well.
The Sounds: A room full of boys can be the most disgusting place to be. One day recently I was in the same room as Carson and Beckett. Between the two of them in a 30-minute span, I think every possible human bodily sound was heard. We all had a good giggle over how disgusting they are. Meanwhile, Carson just points at me and tries to deflect blame.
The Sports: For Beckett, sports is our go to chat. I imagine this will be our shared lifelong passion. I love all sports and follow everything. If Pam is not home at night, I am watching sports. If Pam is not in the room at night, I am watching sports.
Pam left the room recently and I turned the channel to ESPN. She returned and wondered what happened to what we were watching. “Just checking the score,” I said. She said, “Oh who’s playing?” I said, “not sure.” A few nights before, Beckett walked through a room I was in and asked, “why are you watching women’s volleyball?” Before I could encourage him to check it out, he was gone from the room.
The Odor: These boys are growing up and with it comes constant reminders for human hygiene. The struggle is real on that front, but a few, “Hey, stinky” comments from their father usually hit the mark.
The Humor: One of my favorite things in life is laughing, especially with my kids. We all had a good laugh recently recalling a conversation from TOPSoccer, which is a special needs program Pam and I help manage. One of the players was upset. When I approached to ask what was wrong, the boy said, “That woman,” pointing to Pam. I had to follow his finger because I couldn’t believe he was pointing to Pam.
It was hilarious to me because nothing had happened. The boy was just having an off day and Pam, who was only trying to help him, was in his eyesight. I promised Landen I would have a long, hard talk with her about her tone. We all laughed over that.
The Girls: It’s tricky. It’s complicated. It’s confusing. I don’t pretend to understand. What I do know is the more questions asked the more resistance is given. This is one of those topics I rarely dive into because he holds everything tight.
The Phone: It’s basically a computer. It’s not used for talking on the phone or texting, at least with me.
(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.)
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer
(Oct. 31, 2024) Last week, Ocean Pines Association officials updated the community on the potential initiative to strengthen the neighborhood’s reception with a cell phone tower.
During the public comments portion at the OPA Board of Directors Saturday, Oct. 26 meeting, residents Mark Goldwater and Karen Kaplan asked the community officials to clarify what the cell phone tower project will entail and where it currently stands. OPA leaders maintained the initiative is in the preliminary stages, including a possible site.
Still, OPA General Manager John Viola assured that community personnel have been in contact with the Worcester County Commissioners regarding the project.
“We have had meetings with the county,” he said. “They did say they would work with us in whatever way they could as we look into this.”
OPA Police Chief Tim Robinson said that he met with a representative from a potential contracting company on Friday, Oct. 25, with whom Ocean Pines is “considering working.” The contractor is putting together a draft proposal for the association to look over. The name of the maybe-partner was not disclosed. If the project moves forward and a site is determined, Robinson said the selected contractor will build the tower at their cost. The chief also explained to the community on Saturday how that prospective partnership would work.
“[The contracting company] is hoping to get all three major carriers on board: T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon,” he said. “[The contractors] are the ones now reaching out to the carriers. They will work with the carriers; the carriers will come on. [The carriers] will then rent the space from the tower that the contractor has put up, and then the contractor will, in turn, do a profit sharing with Ocean Pines, and that is what they will pay us for the land.”
Robinson said the company he is in talks with built the cell phone reception structures on school properties in Wicomico County and accessorized them to look like decorative pieces for the facility.
“It may not look like a traditional tower,” he said.
Robinson and OPA have prioritized a cell phone tower to improve community safety. At a board meeting last month, the police chief said that making calls can be difficult in the area, particularly during holiday weekends. Neighborhood welfare may be compromised if endangered individuals cannot get through to 911. The proposed structure would alleviate these concerns.
The project is in the early planning phases. Viola said any updates and developments will “go through the board” and be communicated with residents.
Continued from Page 39
including the record-breaking drug bust in Texas.” He handled sur veillance undercover in El Paso and was involved in making the largest cocaine bust in the history of the military, confiscating over 54 million dollars worth of the drug, his obituary states. He eventually retired with the rank of master sergeant.
The OPA release added that Garlitz was involved in the Boy Scouts, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, and Veterans of America as an active community member. He also worked with former Maryland State Senator Jim Mathias to pass pro-veteran legislation, such as permitting slot machines in service clubs and veterans and nonprofit organizations in Worcester County to enhance fundraising efforts, displaying Prisoner of War/ Missing in Action flags at state buildings, and allowing retired active service members to have the “veteran” distinction on their driver’s licenses.
Once moving to Worcester County, Garlitz joined American Legion Post 166 in Ocean City, serving in leadership roles like commander and vice commander, and worked as the editor of the Post 166 newsletter. The veteran served as vice chairman of the National American Legion Homeland/National Security Council and commander of the South Eastern Shore American Legion. He was also a member of St. Mary’s Refuge of Sinners in Cambridge.
Garlitz is survived by his wife, Rosemary “Rosie” (Smith) Garlitz, who spoke at the Nov. 1 brick dedication at the Ocean Pines Veterans Memorial.
“Veterans were at the top of his list for his entire life,” she said. “Worcester County, the community of Ocean City, as well as the State of Maryland, now realize the impact of Sarge’s unwavering dedication to helping veterans. He left a legacy of caring, honesty, humility, humor, integrity, and leadership. I am comforted by the thought of his service to our county.”
The Veterans Memorial broke ground on Veterans Day 2004. The primary part of the space is a “large circle of brick pavers honoring U.S. military men and women, surrounded by brickwall monuments for each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces and flags for each branch flying high in the air,” the OPA press release said.
“The bricks and pavers tell the story,” Veterans Memorial Foundation President Marie Gilmore said. “Those are the veterans that local families wanted to honor. 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.”
Profits from the program support the memorial and its educational and outreach initiatives.
• Commercial Property (Zoned LC-1)
• Corner Lot is 15,000 SF (150’ x 100’)
Coastal Highway Ocean City
Ocean City Fire Dept. Station #3) Offered for Lease by The Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company, Inc.
• MD State Highway Administration traffic light at that intersection
• 5,219 SF Concrete Block & Brick Building
• 8 Off-Street Parking Places
• Building to be Leased in “As Is” Condition
Sealed proposals must be received no later than 3:00pm, November 22, 2024, delivered to: Ocean City Fire Company Headquarters, 1409 Philadelphia Avenue, Ocean City, MD 21842 The Ocean City Volunteer Fire Co. Board of Directors reserves the right to accept or reject any and all proposals.
1. Minimum Lease Payment: $7,500/month ($90,000/year)
2. Lease to be triple net lease: Tenant to pay property taxes, insurance, repair and maintenance to building and all mechanical items
3. Term of Lease: 10 years with two additional 5-year renewals subject to Landlord and Tenant agreements
4. Lease shall provide for Consumer Price Index adjustments each year
5. Tenant must comply with all LC-1 zoning regulations
6. Tenant must comply with
Private event to start at Inlet, move to Caroline St. for planned gospel concert
By Bethany Hooper
Associate Editor
(Nov. 1, 2024) City officials last week approved plans for a Veterans Day equestrian ride on the beach.
On Oct. 29, the Mayor and Council had before them a request from the Living Waters Foundation and representative Josephine Whale to host an equestrian beach ride and Praying 4 Nations event in Ocean City on Nov. 11. Officials said the tour would begin at Cape Henlopen and move south to Ocean City, where a Gospel band would perform at the Caroline Street stage.
“Josie Whale would like the coun-
cil to approve this new-to-this-area event,” Special Events Coordinator Lisa Mitchell told the council. “The third Delmarva Veterans Day Equestrian Beach Ride and Praying 4 Nations has stops at Cape Henlopen State Park, Tower Road and Bethany Beach in Delaware before coming to Ocean City in the early afternoon for a beach ride, as well as a Gospel band performance on the Caroline Street stage. Upon ending the event here, the tour will end at Chincoteague Inlet.”
While the event has been held at Cape Henlopen the last two years, Whale told council members last week she was looking to extend the event to other areas this year. She asked for their approval to ride her two horses from the Inlet to 2nd Street, and to utilize the Caroline
Street band for a Gospel concert.
“My two horses, I’ve been flying the American flag on the beach with them for a Veterans Day ride …,” she explained. “This has only been done at Cape Henlopen. So we pray for the nation and we do it on Veterans Day and support our veterans.”
After a brief discussion, the council voted 6-0, with Councilman Frank Knight absent, to approve the private event request.
“It would be nice to do this,” Whale said.
Program typically provides gifts for 500 children, 50 vulnerable adults in need
ified need and prevent duplication of services. With so many struggling to make ends meet, we’re asking for donations to make sure we can help those who truly need it.”
(Nov. 8, 2024) Worcester County GOLD (Giving Other Lives Dignity), a local nonprofit organization, seeks support for its long-running Helping Hands for the Holidays Program. GOLD’s holiday program annually provides gifts for 500 children and 50 vulnerable adults.
To bring joy to a neighbor in need this holiday season, supporters can sign up to shop for a child, donate toys, or make a monetary donation that will be used to purchase gifts. The organization especially needs gifts for teens and clothing for all ages including coats, hoodies, hats, and gloves.
ted on 1STfloor of quiet, 6the beach! Mid-town proprants, shopping & all the ll ut, fu ly y equipped kitchen, asher & disposal. Primary s, with outdoor seating & arking. New roofto be inExcellent rental potential to $30,000-this property is ation retreat, readyto move his incredible opportunity!
“This program provides a chance for our caring community to make holiday wishes come true right here in Worcester County,” said Executive Director, Nick Cranford. “Our partnering agencies submit requests on behalf of their clients to ensure a ver-
Toy donations can be dropped off until Dec. 13 at GOLD’s office at 201 River Street in Snow Hill, Md. 21863, on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To sign up to shop or learn more about this program, visit www.WorcesterGOLD.org.
with 2,164 sq. ft. of living Ropewalk or short walk to vate elevator takes you dinit was upgraded with tray hroughout. Original owners or & called this their home d need to be changed by at into consideration when Washer/dryer - 5 years old e HVAC which buyer can ase freezer that also conveys.
udy on the Building. Luxurious fully decorated living space. with balcony access, en-suite er. Exclusive amenities: sandy eractive fountains & charming rds Restaurant, shopping, ice eboards or a walk along bay's pecial assessment and/or pay ratethe 1st year by 2 points & n acceptable contract. Don't ome. Contact me to schedule /24. Excellent rental history.
Talvin Skinner, a graduate of Worcester High School, donated one of his signed jersey from his days as a member of the Seattle Supersonics.
(Nov. 8, 2024) Worcester County Public Schools alumnus and upcoming 2024 Maryland Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee Talvin Skinner stopped by to present the school system with a framed signed jersey earlier this month.
A proud graduate of Worcester High School (now the Worcester County Board of Education Office), Skinner was a local basketball legend who went on to play at University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) before playing professionally with the Seattle Supersonics.
This November, Skinner will be inducted into the Maryland State Athletic
Hall of Fame as part of its 2024 class. Previously, Skinner was inducted into the UMES Hall of Fame in 2004 alongside the rest of his teammates on the historic 1973-1974 Hawk Men's Basketball team. Skinner played a key role on the University's team as it was the first historically black college or university invited to the National Invitational Tournament (NIT), which at the time was more exclusive than the NCAA tournament.
Following UMES, Skinner was drafted to play professionally for the Supersonics, where he played for two years before retiring from the sport.
By Deborah Lee Walker Contributing Writer
(Nov. 8, 2024) “Everything has beauty, but not everybody sees it.” This wise saying comes from Confucius who understood beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Mussels have been a well-kept secret among seafood lovers for years, but the tide is turning. The distinctive blue-black shells and narrow wedge mollusks are becoming more popular than ever. Affordability and ease of cooking are the main reasons for the surge.
Believe it or not but mussels have more iron and B12 than beef. One would never guess that a single bite is packed with such nutritional goodies.
When preparing mussels, do not assume opened mussels are bad. Give them a tap with your finger and wait to see if the shell closes. If the shell does not close after tapping, then discard them.
The process of treating and packaging mussels has come a long way. The most notable difference is that most mussels have been debearded. Removing the beard is a laborious and time-consuming task.
One might ask what is the purpose of a beard? As the mussel develops, it grows a mass of threads which it uses to secure itself to a solid surface where it matures.
If you purchase mussels that contain beards, they must be removed. I find a paring knife works better than your fingers. After debearding the mussels, soak the mussels in cold water for 20 minutes and scrub the shells. Soak one more time in fresh water.
Mussels are flavor carriers. The soft flesh soaks up flavors and for that reason can be paired with many ingredients.
As with most seafood, a bit of acid enhances and highlights the mussels. Something as simple as a squeeze of fresh lemon juice can do the trick.
Fresh mussels can be stored in your refrigerator, but only for a few days. Place loose mussels in a bowl or unsealed container. Cover with a clean, damp cloth or paper towels, never store in water. Drain daily for any water that collects in the bottom of the bowl.
Always cook mussels in a flavored broth. Great tasting mussels depend on a foundation of seasoning at every possible opportunity. But at the same time, do not overpower the mussels. Mussels are delicate and you want that unique taste to come through. There is nothing easier than steaming a pot of mussels. That being said, the mussels are crowed on top of each other and cook unevenly. The mussels closest to the heat source cook faster than the ones on top. As a result, you want to occasionally stir the mussels. Another option is to cook the mussels in a wide, shallow pot.
There is nothing worse than overcooked seafood. The size of the mussels varies and so does the cooking time. As a result, you will want to pull the individual mussels as soon as they open.
Steamed mussels are very affordable and perfect for entertaining. Adding a few tablespoons of olive oil to the broth gives the shells a beautiful sheen which is pleasing to the eye.
In addition, finely chopped parsley, thinly sliced scallions, and finely diced tomatoes added as a garnish, add beautification against the black shells for a stunning presentation.
Serving a small bowl of warm water with a slice of lemon and cloth napkin are a thoughtful and elegant touch. Mussels can be messy and your guests will appreciate the offering.
Ingredients
2 pounds mussels, cleaned and beards removed
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 rounded tablespoons minced garlic in a jar
3 tablespoons salted butter
1 cup chicken broth
½ cup seafood broth
½ cup dry white wine
splash of fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon Herbs de Province
2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley, scallions, and tomatoes as a garnish a dusting of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over
medium heat. Saute garlic for 5 minutes.
2. Add butter, chicken broth, seafood broth, white wine, lemon juice, and Herbs de Province. Taste broth and adjust if necessary. Add mussels and give them a good toss. Cover with lid, and cook until the shells open. Remove mussels instantly as they open to ensure plump flesh.
3. Place mussels in serving dish and garnish with parsley, scallions, and tomatoes. Add a dusting of salt and pepper and serve immediately.
Secret Ingredient – Taste I have the simplest tastes. I am always satisfied with the best. Oscar Wilde
The fifth grade at Worcester Preparatory School embarked last month on a meaningful field trip to the Worcester County Veterans Memorial in Ocean Pines. The goal was to educate the students on the concept of the memorial and instill an appreciation for the sacrifices made by veterans in service to their country. During the excursion, students participated in various activities, including a guided tour of the Patriot's Pathway, where they learned about significant American conflicts throughout history. Students delved into stories of local heroism tied to those who have served and gained an understanding of the Memorial itself. Above, the grade is pictured with teachers Lisa Rill and Camille Jenkins, parent chaperones, and members of the US Coast Guard and NJROTC.
By Steve Green
When being with my kids helps tune out the negatives on my mind
No-wait checkout lines
Smooth traveling days
When the Ravens do not play at night
Heading to Assateague just because it’s nice out
Displays of resilience
Thinking and driving
Catching the peak of a great sunset sky
Sports documentaries
Having to wait in line to vote
Funny yearbook student pictures
St. Luke Catholic Parish 23rd Annual
Location: St. Andrew Catholic Center 14401 Sinepuxent Avenue Ocean City, MD
Saturday, November 9, 2024 9AM—4PM
Raffles, Pictures with Santa, Christmas Room, Chinese Auction, Jewelry, Silent Auction, Books, White Elephant Gifts, Bake Sale, Wine Pull, Food
WiTh Bunk Mann
Michael “DJ Batman” Beatty (1948-2022) was known as the “Night Time Mayor of Ocean City.” Famous for spinning records at the town’s top night clubs, he also emceed many of the special events such as the Best Body on the Beach Contest, the Oceana Cup Races and the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. There were very few social occasions in his beloved Ocean City that he was not a part of for over 40 years.
A native of Baltimore, Mike served in the Air Force and began his career hosting radio shows for the American Forces Network while stationed in Taiwan. His stage name “DJ Batman” came about in the early 1980s after he and his wife Cindy sent a telegram to a friend in the bar business signed “Batman and Robin.” The name stuck and “DJ Batman” went on to become an Ocean City legend.
Mike Beatty passed away in June 2022 but his memory lives on as long as music is played and deck parties are held. RIP “DJ Batman.”
To purchase one of Bunk Mann’s books, click over to www.vanishingoc.com.
This meticulously maintained 1-bedroom condo, featuring a spacious loft area and 1.5 baths, is ideally situated on 28th Street, offering stunning direct waterfront views. Built in 1982, this home combines classic charm with modern comforts. Imagine stepping out onto your fabulous rear sundeck, where you can soak up the sun and enjoy the tranquility of the deep, wide canal. The secondlevel patio provides an elevated view, perfect for morning coffee or evening relaxation. With two brand new wall A/C units and affordable baseboard heat, you’ll stay comfortable year-round.
■ PRICE RANGE: $, $$, $$$
■ RESERVATIONS: Reservations accepted
South end to 28th Street
■ BUXY’S SALTY DOG SALOON
DRY DOCK 28
28th Street, Ocean City, 410-289-0973, buxys.com, drydockoc.com
Destiny has a new home in Ocean City. From the ‘burgh to the beach, Buxy’s is your home away from Pittsburgh. Come see what all the locals already know and have known – Buxy’s is the place to come to meet friends, relax and be social with no attitudes. House specialties include “The” Cheesesteak Sub, Primanti-styled sandwiches, pierogis, egg-rolls and homemade crab dip. Dry Dock also features a full menu with soups, salads, kick starters, pierogis and craft pizza.
■ CAPTAIN’S TABLE
15th Street and Baltimore Avenue, in The Courtyard by Marriott, Ocean City, 410-289-7192, captainstableoc.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
A local tradition for over 60 years featuring hand cut steaks, premium lobster and perfectly prepared regional seafood. Breakfast daily 7:30-11 a.m. Open daily for dinner: Sunday through Thursday, 4-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 4-10 p.m. Happy Hour, seven days a week, 4-6 p.m.
■ COINS PUB & RESTAURANT
28th Street Plaza and Coastal Highway, Ocean City 410-289-3100, www.coinspuboc.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
American style local restaurant serving seafood, steaks and chefs specials. Check out the off season weekday specials. Early bird; daily, 2-5:30 p.m. Sunday’s early bird specials, all day and all night. Happy Hour; daily, 2-5:30 p.m. with food and drink specials. Closed Monday. Open Tuesday through Friday, 2 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday, 11:30 a.m. Dine-in, carry out.
■ CORAL REEF RESTAURANT & BAR
17th Street in the Holiday Inn & Suites, Ocean City 410-289-2612, coralreefrestaurant.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
Enjoy traditional Eastern Shore cuisine and local favorites that are sure to please your entire party! Choose from a selection of house specialty entrees such as sharables, handhelds and seafood. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Featuring specialty rums. Open daily, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
■ CRAWL STREET
19 Wicomico St., Ocean City, 443-373-2756, crawlstreet.com
Established in 2020 just a short walk from the legendary Cork Bar. Don’t leave without trying the famous wings, but everything on the menu is solid, including flatbreads, tacos, salads, sandwiches and seafood platters. Be sure to check out the live music offerings as the nightlife is top of the line.
■ DISTRICT 24
BLU CRABHOUSE & RAW BAR, JAY’S CAFÉ & ICE CREAM, THE EMBERS
2305 Philadelphia Ave., Ocean City, 410-2893322, district24oc.com
Come visit all your culinary options at this block of fun, including the landmark Embers Restaurant with a new, innovative vision as well as Blu where fresh seafood is king. Be sure to stop in Jay’s for a tasty treat as well as an ocean of caffeinated offerings. There’s fun activities for kids of all ages here as well with a miniature golf course and an arcade.
■ PICKLES PUB
706 Philadelphia Ave., Ocean City, 410-2894891, picklesoc.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
Easy to find with plenty of free parking, serving lunch, dinner and entire diverse menu until 1 a.m. Also nightly entertainment year-round and a great place to watch all the sports on an ocean of televisions including a giant high-def screen. Also four pool tables on site. Lunch and dinner and entire menu until 1 a.m. Open all year from 11:30 a.m.-2 a.m., seven days a week.
■ PIT & PUB
2706 Philadelphia Ave. and 12701 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, pitandpub.com
Ocean City’s home of Pulled Pork and the finest barbecue, the legendary 28th Street Pit & Pub and the Northside Pit & Pub are known for serving up
delicious smokehouse specialties. Grab a brew and enjoy the live sports action on one of the big screen TVs. Happy hour daily. Family-friendly atmospheres at both locations. Weekend entertainment.
29th to 90th streets
■ 32 PALM
32nd Street in The Hilton, Ocean City 410-2892525, 32palm.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
Elevated cuisine, locally sourced ingredients and allocated spirits are prominently featured in our lounge and dining room. Open year-round for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Routinely updated menus with the highest quality local ingredients for fresh seafood any time of the year!
■ THE BONFIRE
71st Street, Coastal Hwy., Ocean City, 410-5247171, thebonfirerestaurant.com
Celebrating 50 years as the best seafood and prime rib buffet in Ocean City. It’s all here – the service, the atmosphere and finest, freshest seafood available and quality meats. Save room for the decadent desserts available as well including homemade donuts.
■ FAGERS ISLAND
201 60th St., Ocean City, 410-524-5500, fagers.com
$$ | Full bar
Dine on the island with an award-winning bayfront restaurant featuring American & Regional dining with a global influence and popular destination featuring impeccably prepared American and Pacific Rim cuisine. Also enjoy our outdoor decks and bar with live entertainment and 32 wines by the glass. A place where the joy of food & the presence of the table are of utmost importance. Dine on fresh seafood and our famous Prime Rib. Enjoy beautiful sunsets over the water. Open 11 a.m. daily. Fine dine at 4:30 p.m.
■ HOOKED
8003 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 410-7234665, hookedoc.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
A Common Ground Hospitality concept, a passion driven restaurant group servicing the coastal community. The goal is honor creativity and innovation by design. With passion at the heart of everything, unique dining concepts are paired with honest hospitality and well-made food sourced with fresh local ingredients and seasonal harvests. Craft and full bar available. Open daily 11:30 a.m.
■ LONGBOARD CAFÉ
6701 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 443-6645693, longboardcafe.com
$$-$$$ | Full bar
Casual Dining … Refined. Open for lunch and dinner. A wide range of gourmet burgers, innovative tacos, salads and sandwiches to full dinner entrees featuring fresh local fish prepared in a variety of styles, beef, shellfish and pasta. All our sauces, salsas, dressings, etc. are meticulously house made. We use fresh local sources wherever possible and premium ingredients such as our chuck, brisket and short rib custom blended burgers. Closed Tuesday. Call for reservations.
■ MARLIN MOON RESTAURANT
3301 Atlantic Ave., in the Double Tree Hotel, Ocean City 410-289-1201, marlinmoonocmd.com
$$ | Full bar
Winner of the Maryland People's choice award, Marlin Moon continues to offer its famous, locally loved dishes and famous happy hour. Enjoy creatively crafted cocktails, fresh selections from the raw bar and luscious desserts. Happy Hour, every day, 3-6 p.m., featuring drink specials. Breakfast, 7:30-11:30 a.m.; Lite Fare, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Dinner, 4-10 p.m.; and Bar open noon to 11 p.m.
■ SEACRETS
49th Street, Ocean City 410-524-4900, www.seacrets.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
Open Sunday through Friday at 11 a.m., 10 a.m. on Saturdays, close at 2 a.m. Enjoy a tropical atmosphere and dine under the palms in our outdoor, kid friendly dining area or try a Seacrets Beachin' Cocktails in the Bay with live music every day open to close. The club is open every night in the summer. Try our famous jerk chicken with homemade honey mustard sauce, Pushcart Trio, a true Jamaican dish or a hearty wrap, sandwich or delicious burger. We have it all at Seacrets.
■ ALBERTINO'S BRICK OVEN & EATERY
13117 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 410-2502000, albertinosoc.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
Featuring the best brick oven pizza, always handmade with fresh ingredients, Italian-American mouth-watering seafood specialties, traditional Italian pasta dishes, apps, soups and salads. Full bar with large local craft beer selection.
■ CAROUSEL OCEANFRONT HOTEL & CONDOS
118th Street, Ocean City 800-641-0011, www.carouselhotel.com
The Carousel Oceanfront Resort offers a family friendly casual dining experience with their Reef 118 restaurant. Offering dinner Thursday through Sunday from 5-9 p.m., featuring AYCE Crab legs for $54.95. Serving breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to noon. Their new "Go for 2" happy hour features $10 appetizers as a buy one get one free. $1 oysters during all open hours. They are now taking reservations for the Thanksgiving buffet and also offering Thanksgiving take-out meals for $189.99 for 6 people and are featuring the Funsters for their NYE entertainment.
■ 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.
■ CRABCAKE FACTORY BAYSIDE
Route 54, Fenwick Island, DE, 302-988-5000, CCFBayside.com
Same award-winning crab cakes and bloody marys. Enjoy waterfront dining. Full-service family restaurant, carry-out & sports bar. Outside seating available. Open daily year-round. Menu selections include crab cakes, prime rib, Philly-style cheese steaks, various seafood, kids menu plus full breakfast menu.
■ DIRTY HARRY’S
100 Coastal Highway, Fenwick Island, DE, 302539-3020, Beach-net.com/dirtyharrys
$ | Kids’ Menu | Full bar
Don’t let the name fool you, the food is home cooking at its finest. Owned and operated by Ginny Swann and family for 19 years. Popular for the breakfast but getting rave reviews for lunch and dinner, too.
■ NANTUCKETS
Route 1, Fenwick Island, DE, 302-539-2607, nantucketsrestaurant.com
Serving the beach great food and spirits for over 30 years. David and Janet Twining will wow you with the finest foods and drinks in the area. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by what one of the coast’s finest dining establishments has in store for guests. Everything here is a house specialty.
■ TWINING’S LOBSTER SHANTY
Rte. 54, Fenwick Island, Del., 302-436-2305, twiningshanty.com
Reservations | Kids’ Menu
“A funky little place at the edge of town.” Classic New England fare, lobsters, steaks and burgers. Bird watching and magical sunsets await. Open for lunch and dinner. Reservations are suggested.
■ CLUBHOUSE BAR AND GRILLE
100 Clubhouse Drive, Ocean Pines 410-6417222, Oceanpinesgolf.org/dining
$$ | Full bar
Indoor and outdoor dining with sweeping views of the 18th green and pond, the Clubhouse Bar and Grille serves freshly prepared breakfast and lunch items with a full bar menu. Open: Thursday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Kitchen closes at 4 p.m.)
■ OCEAN PINES YACHT CLUB
1 Mumford Landing Road, Ocean Pines 410-6417222, www.OPYachtclub.com
$$-$$$ | Full bar
The Ocean Pines Yacht Club offers casual coastal cuisine for lunch and dinner in a beautiful bayfront setting. Fresh seafood, signature drinks, live music and more. Open: Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
■ BREAKFAST CAFE
12736 Ocean Gateway, Route 50 east, West Ocean City, 410-213-1804, breakfastcafeofoc.com
All the traditional breakfast options available here in a casual, diner setting. Open daily closing at 2 p.m.
■ CANTINA LOS AGAVES MEXICAN GRILL
12720 Ocean Gateway #7, West Ocean City 410390-3914, cantinalosagaves.com
$$ | 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 carryout. 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.
By Dave Dalkiewicz Contributing Writer
The Ocean City Surf Club (OCSC) has completed another session of Surf Into Integrity with the Stephen Decatur Middle School (SDMS.) The program started in 2016 and this year marks the ninth year of a very popular extra curricular class with SDMS students. The schedule included Wednesday afternoon classes with discussions, two chapters at a time, on a book entitled Surfer’s Code, by Shaun Tomson with Patrick Moser. Its’ title description, “Twelve simple lessons for riding through life,” says a lot about the pur-
Open 4pm Friday & Saturday
pose of the class. Sunday beach sessions were also held in trying to familiarize the students with learning how to surf.
OCSC President Tommy Vach and his team acted as instructors and mentors with graduation held this past Wednesday for 24 SDMS students. Sunday sessions even included past members and graduates of the course in assisting current class members in their attempts to learn how to surf.
Life lessons played a large part in the program, which was conceived and started by Attorney Rich Brueckner.
Brueckner is a former district attorney for Wicomico County and grew weary of young people being processed through the court system. His “Surfer’s Code” program has worked well being a grand example of longevity and hope-
fully projecting into the future.
It’s quite the fortune in having a program and class such as Surf Into Integrity. The name alone says a lot of how students were expected to conduct themselves and not only learn about surfing but life lessons as well. In the class each student was expected to stand and answer questions or make comments on each of the twelve chapters in the book. The course’s title, “Surf Into Integrity,” also had a lot to do with each student’s conduct.
This program has everything to do with how Surf Into Integrity has become an integral part of the OCSC. Indeed our surf community is alive and well.
- Dave Dalkiewicz is the owner of Ocean Atlantic Surf Shop in Ocean City
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.
MAHJONG CLUB
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, Ocean City. 410-524-1818. 10:30 a.m. Join in for a fun morning of playing tile Mahjong. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org.
MARYLAND CRAB CAKE DINNER
Stevenson United Methodist Church, 123 N. Main St., Berlin. 4-6 p.m. Cost is $14 for platter with one crab cake sandwich, $24 for platter with two crab cake sandwiches and $10 for crab cake sandwich only. Platters include green beans, bake potato and cole slaw.
BINGO NIGHT
Ocean Pines Community Center, 235 Ocean Parkway, Ocean Pines. 6 p.m., Doors open at 5 p.m. Cash bingo night featuring 50/50 raffles, pull tabs and food truck. Cost is $40. All proceeds benefit the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department. Tickets: www.OPVFD.com.
10TH STORM WARRIORS BOARDWALK 5K RUN/WALK
Inlet Boardwalk, 899 S. Second St., Ocean City. 9 a.m., Registration begins at 8 a.m. Register early at www.ocmuseum.org/5k-walk-run. Benefits the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum.
OCEAN PINES ANGLERS CLUB MEETING
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, Berlin. 9:30 a.m. Charter updates, tournament opportunities and all things fishing will be discussed. All welcome. Jack Barnes, 410-641-7662.
VETERANS VOICES
Germantown Heritage Center, 10223 Trappe Road, 10223 Trappe Road, Berlin. 410-641-0638. 10 a.m.-noon, Dr. Clara Small and military veterans Valerie Lee and Pastina Tingle will present the history of African-American women’s service to the country and lead a panel discussion. Reservations recommended,.
SATURDAY WRITERS
Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., Berlin. 10 a.m. Novice and established writers gather to share their writing projects. Structure includes critiques and appreci-
ation, market leads and writing exercises. Drop ins welcome. 410-641-0650.
FALL FESTIVAL AT COASTAL WILDS
Coastal Wilds, 34215 Peppers Corner Road, Frankford. 302-829-1549. 2-4
p.m., Self-guided tour, Spooky Animals Maze Games, Bring own pumpkin decorating & carving station. Limited supply of pumpkins for sale. Tickets: https://book.singenuity.com/469/activity/details/2297/rates.
MID ATLANTIC SYMPHONY-FIREWORKS OF FATE
OC Performing Arts Center, 4001
Coastal Highway, Ocean City. 3-11:59 p.m., Featuring soloists Grace Park and Gabriel Martins. Cost is $55. Tickets: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/836069 82/mid-atlantic-symphony-fireworksof-fate-ocean-city-oc-performing-artscenter
CHICKEN & DUMPLING DINNER
Remson Christian Church, 4249 Sheephouse Road, Pocomoke City. 443-6142226. 4-7 p.m., Includes chicken, dumplings, mashed potatoes, turnip greens, Cole slaw, baked tomatoes, roll and dessert. Drinks for dine-in only. Price per dinner is $18. Dine-in or carry out. 443-614-2226.
A SHERLOCK CAROL
Art League of Ocean City, 502 94th St., Ocean City. 410-524-9433. 7-9 p.m., Tickets $25. The worlds of Sherlock Holmes and A Christmas Carol collide. Lower Shore Performing Arts Company. Tickets www.eventbrite.com/e/a-sherlock-carol-saturday-showing-tickets1016789854827?aff=oddtdtcreator.
FREE WRITERS GROUP
Nov 10 — Art League of Ocean City, 502 94th St., Ocean City. 410-5249433. 1-3 p.m., Discussion with Author, Jonathan Nordstrom. Registration is requested. See prompts and register: https://canvas.artleagueofoceancity.org /classes/1986
A SHERLOCK CAROL
Art League of Ocean City, 502 94th St., Ocean City. 410-524-9433. 4-6 p.m., Tickets $25. The worlds of Sherlock Holmes and A Christmas Carol collide. Lower Shore Performing Arts Company. Tickets www.eventbrite.com/e/a-sherlock-carol-sunday-showing-tickets1016813345087?aff=oddtdtcreator.
MONDAY MOVIE MATINEE
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, Berlin. 410208-4014. 2 p.m., Come see a movie you might have missed in theaters. Light refreshments provided. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org.
TRUE CRIME BOOK CLUB: KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON, BY DAVID GRANN
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, Ocean City. 410-524-1818. 2 p.m., Join in for an afternoon of true crimes. 410-5241818, www.worcesterlibrary.org.
WARHAMMER
Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., Berlin.4 p.m., Use the library’s armies or bring your own. Tutorials and demos will be available, so novice and veteran player alike are welcome. For ages 12-18 years. 410641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org.
LEGO STEAM CHALLENGE
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, Berlin. 4:30 p.m., Join in for a Lego challenge event. All materials provided. For ages 6-11 years. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org.
T.O.P.S. OF BERLIN - GROUP #16
Atlantic General Hospital, Conference Room 1, 9733 Healthway Drive, Berlin. 56:30 p.m., Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a weekly support and educational group promoting weight loss and living a healthy lifestyle. Rose Campion, 410-641-0157.
OC KNITTING GROUP
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, Ocean City. 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.
Nov. 12
STORY TIME AT DISCOVERY MUSEUM
Delmarva Discovery Museum, 2 Market St., Pocomoke City. 10:30 a.m. Stories, songs, crafts and a visit with the animals. A different animal will be featured every month. For ages 0-5 years. 410957-0878, www.worcesterlibrary.org
SONG CELEBRATION
Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., Berlin. 6 p.m., Bring a song to share with other players and writers. Originals encouraged. Listeners welcome. Hosted by Mikel Campbell.
Wed., Nov. 13
AARP MEETING
Ocean City 50plus Center, 104 41st St.,
Ocean City. 10 a.m. Refreshments served at 9:30 a.m. Guest speaker will address nutrition and brain health. New members welcome. Bob McCluskey, 410-250-0980.
DECOUPAGE SHELLS
Snow Hill 50plus Center, 4767 Snow Hill Road, Snow Hill. 11 a.m. All supplies provided. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org.
BREAKING THE CEILING: WOMEN AVIATORS IN & WHERE O MAN CAN TOUCH Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., Berlin. 2 p.m., Do you know who the first women pilots were? Crisfield poet and novelist Pat Validate will discuss her prizewinning book of poetry. 410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org
TRIVIA WITH JIM MECKLEY: AMERICA
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, Berlin. 3 p.m., Test your knowledge of our nation. Prizes and refreshments provided. 410208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org.
STROKE SUPPORT GROUP
Atlantic General Neurology at the Atlantic Health Center, 9714 Healthway Drive, Berlin. 3:15-4 p.m., For stroke survivors, family and friends. 410-6414765, bglime@atlanticgeneral.org.
ENGINEERING CHALLENGE: EGG DROP
Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 301 Market St., Pocomoke City. 4 p.m., Choose from a variety of supplies to build a safety device to protect your egg from breaking during a fall. Test your design by dropping your egg from a certain height. Ages 12-18 years. 410957-087.
TABLE TOP ROLE PLAYING GAME
Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St. 5 p.m., Come play a selected role-playing game for adults and teens. Registration required: 410-632-3495. www.worcesterlibrary.org
PAINT & SIP
Ocean Pines Community Center, 235 Ocean Parkway, Ocean Pines. 410-6417052. 6-8 p.m., Cost is $27 and includes wine and crackers. Must be over the age of 18 years to attend. Register: 410-6417052.
STORY TIME: PRINCESS DAY
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, Berlin. 10:30 a.m. Songs, stories and crafts. For ages 0-5 years. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org.
PLAY TIME
Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., Snow
Local surfer Carolina Labin is pictured dropping in on a solid wave during last month’s Delmarva ESA contest in Ocean City.
Hill. 10:30 a.m. Join in for a variety of activities and toys. Play and socialize with other families. For ages 0-5 years. 410632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org.
ACRYLIC PAINT POUR
Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 301 Market St., Pocomoke City. 2 p.m., Learn two different ways to pour paint on canvas and watch the magic happen. Registration required: 410-9570878. www.worcesterlibrary.org.
GROWING UP WILD: TERRIFIC TURKEYS
Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., Berlin. 4 p.m., Learn all about turkeys through a variety of activities. For ages 6-11 years. 410641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org.
PILATES, BARRE, TONING
Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., Berlin. 4:30 p.m., Focus on strength, flexibility, breathing and full body alignment. Can be done while standing, sitting and holding on to a chair. Toning adds optional light weights. 410-641-0650.
PASTA LIKE A PRO
Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 4:30-6:30 p.m., Learn about pasta dough, and then hand-form the dough into southern Italian shapes. Then cook the pasta and eat a family-style meal with a paired sauce. Registration required: 410-632-3495.
STRONGER IN ORANGE FUNDRAISER
Aloft Ocean City, 4501 Coastal Highway, Ocean City. 5-8 p.m., Enjoy Orange Crushes, DJ Wax, raffles, auction and more. Cost is $25 for adults and $15 for kids 12 years and younger. Tickets at the door or by calling 443-373-0800. Benefits the Tyler Walsh family.
Gudelsky Family Medical Center, 10614 Racetrack Road, Ocean Pines. 5-6 p.m., This weekly group helps participants learn to set goals, create a quit plan, manage stress and control their health. Register: 410-632-1100, Ext. 1102, www.worcesterhealth.org.
WOMEN SUPPORTING WOMEN’S 2ND ANNUAL HOLIDAY BINGO
Willards Lions Community Center, Hearn Street, Willards. 410-548-7880. 6-9:30 p.m., Tickets $35. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Holiday themed basket prizes with Pampered Chef and Thirty-One will be available, cash game prizes, raffles and 50/50. No one under age 18 years. Advance tickets: 410-548-7880.
14TH ANNUAL WILD & SCENIC FILM FESTIVAL
Seacrets - Morley Hall, 117 49th St., Ocean City. 7-9 p.m., Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Food, drinks, raffles and prizes. Tickets cost $25 each or five for $100. Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/3ck3kfaf. Benefits Assateague Coastal Trust, Inc.
NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
CRAFT
Ocean City library, 10003 Coastal Highway, Nov. 11-16. Celebrate Native American Heritage Month with a craft kit to do at the library or to take with you. For ages 0-5 years and 6-11 years. 410-524-1818
NOVEMBER INSPIRATION CHALLENGE
Snow Hill library, 307 N. Washington St., Art, photography or poetry competition for all ages. Pieces will be displayed in the library for viewing and voting by age bracket. The theme is “Fairytale.”
Due by Nov. 20. 410-632-3495
TEENY ARTS
Snow Hill library, 307 N. Washington St., during November. A themed craft program available in the teen section all month long. November’s Teeny Art is “Rock Painting.” For all ages. 410-632-3495
BUS TRIP TO NEW YORK
Spend the day exploring New York City on your own. Depart Ocean Pines Community Center at 5:30 a.m. on Dec. 7. Time in New York approximately 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Cost is $85 for transportation only. Reservations: 410-641-7052.
CHRISTMAS TREE GIFT CARD RAFFLE
The Church of the Holy Spirit in Ocean City is raffling off three small artificial Christmas trees. Each tree is filled with gift cards including those worth $500, $300 and $200. Tickets are $5 each or three for $10. Drawing held Dec. 8 after the 10 a.m. service. For tickets: Marena, 443-944-3276.
PRE-HOLIDAY SHOWING
Ocean Pines library, 11107 Cathell Road, Oct. 1-Dec. 31. A pre-holiday showing of original art work. 410-208-4014
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, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Membership is open to individuals of Italian descent and their spouses. www.sonsofitalyoceancity.com
Crossword answers from page 81
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.
NOW HIRING!
PT Dental Hygienist for busy office in Ocean City, MD. Please call 410-213-1032. Small Engine Mechanic Year-round.
OPPORTUNITIES: SANITATION OPERATOR I POLICE OFFICER PLANNING DIRECTOR
We are looking for motivated individuals to come to work for the Town of Berlin.
Overview of employee benefits: Members of the Maryland State Retirement System (LEOPS for Police Officers), a competitive health benefits package including a health reimbursement account, employer-paid life insurance, 100% tuition reimbursement, vacation accruals based on tenure, 12 sick days per year, 16 paid holidays per year, two personal days per year, and much more! Apply: Qualified candidates can submit a confidential Town of Berlin application, a resume, and three professional references to the Town’s Human Resources Director at kjensen@berlinmd.gov. Applications can be found under the employment section of our website at https://berlinmd.gov/employment/ or you can call 410-641-2770 and arrange to pick one up at 10 William Street Berlin, MD 21811. EOE/M/F/V/D
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.
WINTER RENTAL NORTH OC 2BR, 2BA CONDO FURN., INDOOR POOL, RACQUETBALL
$1,200 +Sec dep. Utilities Included| Text or call 302-275-5719
YEAR ROUND & WINTER RENTALS
TOWNHOMES & STUDIO APTS
Midtown OC Call for details, Sorry, no pets. 443-783-3005
GREAT OPPORTUNITY!
YR OCEAN PINES
Fully furnished room for rent. Full use of home. All utils. included. Available immediately. 443-978-0075
LOOKING FOR A WINTER RENTAL?
North OC Includes Electric & Cable Call Joe 443-610-4644 or Tricia 443-610-4665
WINTER RENTAL
Nice 2BR, 2BA, on the water in Ocean City, MD.
$1,450 per mo. + utils. Call Karen, 443-880-5727.
WEEKLY RENTALS
$300-$500 per week. October-May. 301-331-2209
Seeking YR & Seasonal Rentals! Call Howard Martin Realty 410-352-5555.
YEAR-ROUND RENTAL
1BR, 1BA. Fully remodeled! New custom tiled walk-in shower, new vinyl flooring, granite kitchen counters, full size stove & refrig. Central air. Fully furnished. Private parking. $1,850/mo., nego. Includes elec., cable, internet. Available immed. 410-603-9453
WINTER RENTAL
1BR, 1BA. Fully furnished. Private parking. $840/mo., negotiable. Includes cable & elec. up to $100. Avail. Now - 4/30/25. 410-603-9453
YR, FURNISHED ROOM FOR RENT Ocean Pines. Full house privileges. Clean, safe & friendly. No smoking. No pets. Call 443-880-2486. Houseshare. Furnished rooms in South Ocean Pines. All inclusive. $800 per month. Year-round. No smoking. No pets. Call 443-880-2317.
LOTS & ACREAGE
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.
2 Office/Retail Spaces available in West Ocean City. Approximately 1656 sq. ft.
Industrial Space
Yard and Storage Shed.
Approx. 10x25+/Route 90/Bishopville. Call 443-497-4200.
MARYLAND STATEWIDE CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING NETWORK
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
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.
Bind me with old cord! Tight, tighter, now hand and foot, Sure it will not give. Given half a chance, I will struggle so!
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
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
OF APPROVED CHARTER
RESOLUTIONS 2024-01, 2024-02, 2024-03 AND 2024-04.
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, a PUBLIC HEARING was held 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, Snow Hill, Maryland, 21863, for Charter Resolutions 2024-01, 2024-02, 202403 and 2024-04.
Notice is hereby given by the Mayor and Council of Snow Hill that Charter Resolutions 2024-01, 202402, 2024-03 and 2024-04 were approved on October 29, 2024.
A fair summary of the resolutions are as follows:
1. Charter Resolution 2024-01, Amends Sections 18(b) and 74(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, Amends Section 11 of the Town Charter of Snow Hill to revise and clarify the process for adopting ordinances. It will allow ordinances to be introduced at a regular or special meeting. At any regular or special meeting held not less than six days nor more than sixty days after introduction, the second reading can be held. It clarifies that in the absence of the Mayor the vote to pass an emergency ordinance must be unanimous by the Council. It eliminates the provision that emergency ordinances expire at the next regular meeting. It clarifies when an ordinance and budget ordinance go into effect. It clarifies that modifications do not need to be published.
3. Charter Resolution 2024-03, Amends Section 13 of the Town Charter of Snow Hill to revise and clarify the process for referendums eliminating the cross reference to Charter Section 11 related to emergency ordinances expiring which is revised by Charter Resolution 202402.
4. Charter Resolution 2024-04, Amends Section 58 of the Town Charter of Snow Hill to update the State law references and to eliminate the requirement that a bond shall be submitted to referendum by the voters of the Town of Snow Hill. A complete text of resolutions is available for review at Town Hall, 103 Bank Street, Snow Hill, Maryland, 21863.
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Mayor & City Council
Ocean City, Maryland
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 Pro-
posal 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. OCD-10/10/9t
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., APT. 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 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-10/31/3t
Seeking last known owner/title of abandoned 23 ft. sailboat. Vessel registration MD 131AW, Haull ID MACW1504E989. Vessel has been abandoned for more than 2 years at Montego Bay community in Ocean City, MD. If not claimed within 30 days of publication date, applicant will seek title. Catarina Lore, 100 Sea Lane, Ocean City, MD. 203-6676973
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B. RANDALL COATES ESQ COATES, COATES, & COATES 204 WEST GREEN STREET P.O. BOX 293 SNOW HILL, MD 21863
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20384 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF MARGARET A. REEVEMOHRFELD
Notice is given that Kathleen A. Storm, 6011 Deer Creek Dr., Pittsville, MD 21850-1311, was on October 15, 2024 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Margaret A. Reeve-Mohrfeld who died on September 20, 2024, with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 15th day of 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.
Kathleen A. Storm 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 24, 2024
OCD-10/24/3t
REGAN J. R. SMITH ESQ WILLIAMS, MOORE, SHOCKLEY & HARRISON LLP
3509 COASTAL HIGHWAY OCEAN CITY, MD 21842
TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES ESTATE NO. 20390 NOTICE IS GIVEN that the COURT OF CHANCERY court of SUSSEX COUNTY, DELAWARE appointed CHARLES S REHAK JR whose address is 32638 POWELL FARM RD FRANKFORD, DE 19945-3346 as the PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE of the Estate of SHARON A REHAK AKA: SHARON ANN REHAK who died on OCTOBER 23, 2020 domiciled in DELAWARE, USA
The Maryland resident agent for service of process is REGAN J R SMITH whose address is WILLIAMS, MOORE SHOCKLEY & HARRISON LLP 3509 COASTAL HWY OCEAN CITY, MD 21842 . 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 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
102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074
OCD-10/24/3t
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20380 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF CONRAD ENNALS
Notice is given that Ke’Essence Ennals, 604 8th St., Pocomoke City, MD 21851-1575, was on October 15, 2024 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Conrad Ennals who died on November 19, 2023, with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 15th day of 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.
Ke’Essence Ennals 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 24, 2024 OCD-10/24/3t
OF APPOINTMENT
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Estate No. 20381 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF PATRICIA M. ROGERS
Notice is given that Janet Rogers, 26 Watergreen Ln., Berlin, MD 21811-1546, was on October 17, 2024 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Patricia M. Rogers who died on October 02, 2024, with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or
by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 17th 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.
Janet Rogers
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 24, 2024
OCD-10/24/3t
REENA J PATEL ESQ LAW OFFICE OF MARIANNA BATIE 1321 MOUNT HERMON RD STE B SALISBURY, MD 21804-5303
TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES
ESTATE NO. 20395
NOTICE IS GIVEN that the ORPHAN'S COURT court of DAUPHIN COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA appointed GLORIA JEAN GRUBIC whose address is 830 BETHEL DR HARRISBURG, PA 17111-3159 as the PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE of the Estate of MICHAEL J LALLI who died on AUGUST 19, 2024 domiciled in PENNSYLVANIA, USA.
The Maryland resident agent for service of process is REENA J PATEL ESQ whose address is 1321 MOUNT HERMON RD STE B SALISBURY, MD 21804-5303. At the time of death, the decedent owned real or leasehold property in the following Maryland counties: WORCESTER COUNTY.
All persons having claims against the decedent must file their claims with the Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY with a copy to the foreign personal representative on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of
the decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the foreign personal representative mails or delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within two months from the mailing or delivery of the notice. Claims filed after that date or after a date extended by law will be barred.
TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-10/24/3t
OF PUBLIC HEARING WORCESTER COUNTY BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS AGENDA
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2024
Pursuant to the provisions of the Worcester County Zoning Ordinance, notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held in-person before the Board of Zoning Appeals for Worcester County, in the Board Room (Room 1102) on the first floor of the Worcester County Government Center, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland. Audio and video recording will take place during this public hearing.
The public is invited to view this meeting live online athttps://worcestercountymd.swagit.co m/live
6:30 p.m. Re-advertisement of Case No. 24-62, on the lands of Michael Deem, on the application of Robert Bailey, requesting a variance to the rear yard setback from 30 feet to 15.3 feet (to encroach 14.7 feet) for a proposed one story deck, and a variance to the front yard setback from 30 feet to 27 feet (to encroach 3 feet) for a proposed single-family dwelling in the R-2 Suburban Residential District, pursuant to Zoning Code §§ ZS 1-116(c)(4), ZS 1206(b)(2) and ZS 1-305, located on Meadow Drive, about 1,432 feet south east of Snug Harbor Road, Tax Map 33, Parcel 346, Lot 24, Tax District 10, Worcester County, Maryland.
6:35 p.m. Case No. 24-68, on the lands of Earl and Karen Starner, on the application of Kristina Watkowski, requesting a variance to a side yard setback from 60 feet to 36.06 feet (to encroach 23.94 feet) for a proposed garage in the E-1 Estate District, pursuant to Zoning Code §§ ZS 1-116(c)(4), ZS 1-203(d)(1) and ZS 1-305, located on Twin Oaks Drive about 465 feet east of South Point Road, Tax Map 51, Parcel 45, Lot 18, Tax District 10, Worcester County, Maryland.
6:40 p.m. Case No. 24-65, on the lands of Eric and Marla Levine, on the application of Kristina Watkowski, requesting an after the fact variance to a front yard setback from 55 feet to 37.34 feet (to encroach 17.66 feet) for an existing carport in the R-3 Multi-family Residential District, pursuant to Zoning Code §§ ZS 1-116(c)(4), ZS 1-
207(b)(2) and ZS 1-305, located at 12632 Old Bridge Road, Tax Map 27, Parcel 471, Lot 1, Tax District 10, Worcester County, Maryland.
6:45 p.m. Case No. 24-66, on the lands of Mark and Maureen Broderick, on the application of Kristina Watkowski, requesting a special exception to allow a commercial kennel in the A-1 Agricultural District and a variance to the rear yard setback for the kennel from 50 feet to 45.04 feet (to encroach 4.96 feet), pursuant to Zoning Code §§ ZS 1-116(c)(3), ZS 1-116(c)(4), ZS 1-201(c)(30) and ZS 1305, located at 10420 Georgetown Road, Tax Map 20, Parcel 108, Lot 4, Tax District 3, Worcester County, Maryland.
6:50 p.m. Case No. 24-67, on the lands of GCR Development LLC, on the application of Hugh Cropper, IV, pursuant to Zoning Code § ZS 1116(c)(1), requesting an appeal of the determination made by the Department that a building permit had expired in accordance with § ZS 1-115(g), associated with the property located at 9723 Golf Course Road, Tax Map 27, Parcel 702, Lot 2, Tax District 10, Worcester County, Maryland.
6:55 p.m. Case No. 24-63, on the lands of Ewell Family Revocable Trust, on the application of Mark Cropper, requesting a special exception to allow a farm-based slaughterhouse in the A-1 Agricultural District, pursuant to Zoning Code §§ ZS 1-116(c)(3) and ZS 1-201(c)(34), located at 9552 Croppers Island Road, Tax Map 40, Parcel 93, Tax District 4, Worcester County, Maryland.
OCD-10/31/2t
Mayor & City Council Ocean City, Maryland
P01-25 – Restoration and Painting of Boardwalk Arches and Sign Towers
The Mayor & City Council of Ocean City is seeking Proposals from qualified and experienced Vendors to provide for the Restoration and Painting of Boardwalk Arches and Sign Towers and for said work to conform with the Proposal Documents.
BID Documents for the Restoration and Painting of Boardwalk Arches and Sign Towers 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.
The last day for questions will be on THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7TH, 2024, AT 3:00PM. Addendum will be posted by close of business on FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8TH, 2024.
Sealed BID Documents are due no later than THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14TH, 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, OCTOBER 15TH, 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 (Restoration and Painting of Boardwalk Arches and Sign Towers) 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.
OCD-10/31/2t
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, NOVEMBER 19, 2024
At 6:00 pm
To consider amending Chapter 14, entitled Business, Article II, entitled Licensed Occupations, Section 14-38, entitled Suspension And Revocation; and Article V, entitled Rental Housing, Section 14-173, entitled Enforcement; Section 14-174, entitled License; Inspection Of Premises; Records; Section 14-175, entitled Violation; Section 14-176, entitled Enforcement; and Section 14-177, entitled Premises for Habitation/Rental Housing Units in R-1 Single Family Residential District; to add a length of stay requirement in the R-1 and MH zones; to add a maximum occupancy limit in the R1 and MH zones; to add provisions to the enforcement process; to amend the requirement for a local agent for all rental properties; to address advertising and room conversion issues and other amendments. And
To consider amending Chapter 110, entitled Zoning, Article I, entitled In General, Section 110-2, entitled Definitions, of the Code of the
Town Of Ocean City, Maryland., to amend the definitions of family.
APPLICANT: PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
(PZ FILE #24-14100008)
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, ATTORNEY
OCD-10/31/3t
Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 106 ”Waterways,” Article II – “Shoreline Development” of the Code of the Town of Ocean City, Maryland, hereinafter referred to as the Code, same being the Port Wardens Ordinance of Ocean City, Maryland, notice is hereby given that public hearings will be conducted in the Council Chambers of City Hall located at 301 Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, Maryland.
Thursday, November 14, 2024 2:00 PM
PW 24-055 A request has been submitted to install a 4’ x 50’ parallel platform, a 6’ x 46’ pier, two (2) PWC lifts, one (1) boat lift with all associated poles; and to add 12 batter poles to an existing bulkhead. All work maximum channelward extension of 50’. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 401 HARBOUR DR Parcel # 8020A-1585B- in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.
OWNER: Robert Berger
APPLICANT: Hidden Oak Farm, LLC
PW 24-063 A request has been submitted to install a 4’ x 22’ pier and (1) one boatlift with associated pilings maximum channelward extension 22’. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 206 52ND ST Parcel # 6816 -206 in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.
OWNER: Walter Dea
APPLICANT: Kayla Short
PW 24-064 A request has been
submitted for approval of an existing installed floating dock not to exceed 200 square feet and maximum channelward extension of 20’6”. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 300 17TH ST UNIT 101 Parcel # 3341 -101 in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.
OWNER: Stephen Zentz
APPLICANT: Kayla Short
PW 24-065 A request has been submitted to install a 5’ x 15’ pier extension and (1) one boat lift with associated pilings, maximum channelward extension 29’. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 175 B JAMESTOWN RD Parcel # 3986A37B in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.
OWNER: Phillip Schwartz
APPLICANT: Kayla Short
PW 24-066 A request has been submitted to install (1) one elevator type boat lift with associated pilings a maximum channelward extension of 13’. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 300 17TH ST SLIP 5 Parcel # 3341 -5 in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.
OWNER: Brent Walker
APPLICANT: Kayla Short
PW 24-067 A request has been submitted to replace existing pier for a total new length of 50’ (4’ x 50’); to relocate existing boatlift with associated pilings further west along pier and to install (2) two PWC lifts with associated pilings. All work 50’ maximum channelward extension. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 617 BAYSHORE DR UNIT 45 Parcel # 5347 -45 in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.
OWNER: Chau Nguyen
APPLICANT: Kayla Short OCD-10/31/2t
OF APPOINTMENT
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20397 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF FREDERICK W. SCHULTE
AKA: FREDERICK WILLIAM SCHULTE
Notice is given that Keith Armstrong, 702 Asturias Rd., Davenport, FL 33837-3862, was on October 25, 2024 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Frederick W. Schulte who died on October 15, 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 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.
Keith Armstrong 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 31, 2024
OCD-10/31/3t
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, November 14, 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 lot 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 Devel-
in City Hall.
Christopher Rudolf, Chairman
Maureen Howarth, Attorney
OCD-10/31/2t
24-09
Take Notice that Emergency Bill 24-09 (Zoning – cannabis dispensaries) was introduced by Commissioners Abbott, Bertino, Bunting, Elder, Fiori, Mitrecic, and Purnell on OA fair summary of the bill is as follows:
§ ZS 1-103(b). (Adds a definition for cannabis dispensaries).
§ ZS 1-209(c)(16). (Adds a special exception use for cannabis dispensaries in the C-1 District.)
§ ZS 1-210(c)(16). (Adds a special exception use for cannabis dispensaries in the C-2 District.)
§ ZS 1-211(c)(11). (Adds a special exception use for cannabis dispensaries in the C-3 District.)
§ZS 1-320(a). (Adds an off-street parking requirement for cannabis dispensaries.)
§ZS 1-320(e)(1). (Adds a stacking space requirement for cannabis dispensaries with drive-through.)
A Public Hearing will be held on Emergency Bill 24-09 at the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, Room 1101 – Government Center, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 10:30 a.m.
This is only a fair summary of the bill. A full copy of the bill is posted on the Legislative Bulletin Board in the main hall of the Worcester County Government Center outside Room 1103, is available for public inspection in Room 1103 of the Worcester County Government Center once County Government Offices are opened to the public. In the interim, a full copy of the bill is available on the County Website at www.co.worcester.md.us.
THE WORCESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OCD-11/7/2t _________________________________
JOSEPH E. MOORE ESQ WILLIAMS, MOORE, SHOCKLEY & HARRISON
3509 COASTAL HIGHWAY
OCEAN CITY, MD 21842
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
To all persons interested in the estate of GAIL ELAINE OKLESSON Estate No. 20400 Notice is given that KELLEY ANN OKLESSON whose address is 7003 EVERSFIELD DR HYATTSVILLE, MD 20782-1048 was on OCTOBER 29, 2024 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of GAIL ELAINE OKLESSON who died on OCTOBER 09, 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 thepersonal 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 29th 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-11/7/3t
MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL
OCEAN
–
The Mayor & City Council of Ocean City is seeking Proposals from qualified and experienced Vendors to provide for the Tarry A Deck Repair and for said work to conform with the Proposal Documents.
BID Documents for the Tarry A Deck Repair 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.
A pre-proposal meeting will not be applicable for this Invitation to BID. The last day for questions will be on THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14TH, 2025 AT 3:00PM. Addendum will be posted by close of business on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19TH, 2025.
Sealed BID Documents are due no later than MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25TH, 2025, 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, NOVEMBER 26TH, 2025, 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 (Tarry A Deck Repair) 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.
OCD-11/7/3t
B. RANDALL COATES ESQ COATES, COATES, & COATES 204 WEST GREEN STREET P O BOX 293 SNOW HILL, MD 21863
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
To all persons interested in the estate of Edmund F. Haile. Estate No. 20386. Notice is given that Sarah E. Haile Gentry, 16828 Hardy Rd. Mount Airy, MD 217713223 was on November 1, 2024 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of: Edmund F. Haile, who died on September 20, 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 1st day of May 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.
Sarah E. Haile Gentry Personal Representative True Test Copy
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: November 07, 2024 OCD-11/7/3t
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT
NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
To all persons interested in the estate of MICHAEL SCOTT RAYMOND, AKA: MICHAEL S. RAYMOND, Estate No. 20398.
Notice is given that Michele Nadeau, 369, Ocean Parkway, Ocean Pines, MD 21811-1526 was on October 29, 2024 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of: Mihael Scott Raymond, who died on April 11, 2024 without a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 29th 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. Michele Nadeau
Personal Representative True Test Copy 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: November 07, 2024 OCD-11/7/3t
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
To all persons interested in the estate of CHRISTOPHER RICHARD ESCHENBURG, Estate No. 20399. Notice is given that Jennifer Hetherington, whose address is 10415 Brighton Rd., Ocean City, MD 21842-9123 was on October 29, 2024 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Christopher Richard Eschenburg who died on October 21, 2024 with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or
by contacting the personal 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 29th 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.
Jennifer Hetherington Personal Representative True Test Copy
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: November 07, 2024 OCD-11/7/3t
MARIANNA BATIE ESQ
LAW OFFICE OF MARIANNA BATIE 1321 MOUNT HERMON RD STE B SALISBURY, MD 21804-5303
SMALL ESTATE NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
To all persons interested in the estate of DEIDRA JEAN MCLELLAN Estate No. 20406 Notice is given that FRANK MCLEAN SMITH JR whose address is 1 FALCON BRIDGE RD BERLIN, MD 218111843 was on NOVEMBER 04, 2024 appointed personal representative(s) of the small estate of DEIDRA JEAN MCLELLAN who died on SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 without a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All persons having any objection to the appointment 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 claims 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.
TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills Worcester County One W Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, Md 21863-1074 OCTD-11/7/1t
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Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus (pictures available)
Christmas Home Place
Vintage and New Jewelry
Bakery Delights & Gifts
Roadsi with S Car ater/So arRollW , Cole Sla Beans
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Silent Auction Friar Gary’s Fries & Hot Dogs Carry Out Lunch with Seating Available Roadside BBQ Chicken, Baked Beans, Cole Slaw, Dinner Roll, Water/Soda Hosted by “The Martha Circle” Proceeds support local missions AUMC Thrift Shop will be Open 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
“The M H tll Martha Circl Hosted by $12.00 r Roll, W ii le” ($1 Credit will be Ope UMAU Proceeds su um) 10 minim pte ds Acce t Car en 10:00 am – 2 MC Thrift Shop t local m uppor ed 2:00 pm p missions
Credit Cards Accepted ($10 minimum)
TidalHealth announced its Family Medicine Residency Program has been awarded accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). This prestigious achievement marks a significant milestone in TidalHealth’s commitment to enhancing healthcare education and improving access to primary care on the Delmarva Peninsula.
This accreditation enables TidalHealth’s Family Medicine Residency Program to accept its first class of residents, who will start their training in July 2025. These residents will receive comprehensive medical training, gaining hands-on experience in primary care and community medicine, family medicine obstetrics, inpatient medicine, obesity and lifestyle medicine, and rural health, all while working under the guidance of TidalHealth’s esteemed faculty.
The establishment of an accredited Family Medicine Residency Program reflects TidalHealth’s dedication to addressing the growing demand for primary care physicians in rural and underserved communities. Family medicine residents will receive specialized training that prepares them to provide holistic and patient-centered care, improving patient outcomes and fostering community wellness.
“We are thrilled to be the first accredited Family Medicine residency program on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Our dedicated team has worked diligently to
create a robust educational experience for our residents and enhance quality patient care access for our community,” said Dr. Katherine Goth, program director of the TidalHealth Family Medicine Residency Program.
“Achieving accreditation as a Family Medicine Residency Program is a thrilling experience for our team and community. Having witnessed firsthand the need for primary care physicians in our area, this program brings us one step closer to meeting that vital demand,” added Sonon Cox, program coordinator of the TidalHealth Family Medicine Residency Program.
With the accreditation now in place, TidalHealth’s Family Medicine faculty has begun recruiting its first class of four residents.
Get Baked, LLC will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony for its brick-and-mortar quick service store, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9. The new location is at 11070 Cathell Road, Unit #6.
The ribbon cutting ceremony for Get Baked marks the launch of a new twist on a nostalgic concept, the stuffed pretzel, available fresh in-store in Ocean Pines.
The owners have invited the Worcester County Commissioners, Berlin’s mayor, the Worcester County Chamber of Commerce and locals to attend.
Get Baked, LLC launched its mobile division locally three years ago and have
been working toward this milestone from the beginning. From scratch made dough, to top notch customer service, the business motto says it best, “Bake. Eat. Be Happy.” Inside the fresh, vegan dough, there are dozens of combinations and ingredients to fill it with.
Open daily at 8 a.m., customers will be able to choose from breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, and custom options, any time of the day.
Tonney Insley and Ryan Finnegan, advisors with SVN|Miller Commercial Real Estate, recently sold 700 E Main Street in Salisbury.
700 E Main Street is a 10,880square-foot Class A multi-tenant office investment. The major tenants include Airiam, a technology solutions group, and Handy Seafood Inc., headquarters of America’s oldest seafood processor.
The buyer, an affiliate of Keller Brothers, Inc. purchased the property as an investment, with plans to make it their regional headquarters in the future.
“This property is first-class, and it fits our near and long-term needs,” said Phillip Keller. “Ryan and Tonney were always available and knew what we wanted in our investment. We are very happy with the property and for the guidance we received to make the deal happen. We’re excited to expand our presence in the regional market and this purchase is an integral part of our strategy.”
crease the overall supply of housing.
By Lauren Bunting Contributing Writer
With this week marking the national elections in our country, the real estate industry is anxious to see what changes will come about to help spur home sales volume, lower existing mortgage rates and to help in-
It’s very easy to find what Harris’ campaign has planned, as they have laid out a detailed roadmap of policies aimed at expanding access to affordable housing both for homebuyers and renters through various government programs, tax incentives and credits.
The specifics of what the Trump campaign plans is a little harder to pinpoint, but AP Wire summarized the Trump plan as the following: cre-
ate tax incentives for homebuyers, cut “unnecessary” regulations on home construction and make some federal land available for residential construction, and lower housing costs by reducing inflation and stopping illegal immigration.
A summary of the Harris campaign proposals detailed in their “A New Way Forward for the Middle Class” are:
homebuyers. She is proposing the first-ever tax cut specifically targeted at encouraging homebuilders to build affordable homes for first-time homebuyers.
4. Launching a $40 billion Local Innovation Fund for Housing Expansion providing state and local governments, and private developers and homebuilders, funds to invest in innovative strategies to expand the housing supply.
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1. Unlocking 1.2 million new affordable rental homes through historic incentives for the private sector, expanding the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), a tax credit that helps make it financially viable for private and non-profit developers to build affordable rental housing.
2. Creating a new tax credit to rehabilitate affordable housing for homeowners who want to stay in their communities. She plans to create a new Neighborhood Homes Tax Credit, which would support the new construction or rehabilitation of over 400,000 owner-occupied homes in lower income communities.
3. Building up supply through the first-ever tax incentive for building affordable homes for first-time
5. Taking on algorithmic price fixing, which distort markets, and ending unfair practices that help large corporate landlords dramatically raise rents. Harris’ campaign wants to pass the Preventing the Algorithmic Facilitation of Rental Housing Cartels Act.
6. And, lastly, a campaign proposal that has garnered a lot of media exposure, expanding homeownership with a $25,000 down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers. The proposal states that this will be provided to working families who have paid their rent on time for two years and are buying their first home up to $25,000 in down-payment assistance.
Lauren Bunting is the Broker of Record for Keller Williams Realty Delmarva in Ocean City, Maryland.
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Nov. 8, 2024) Members of a local union say the Ocean City Fire Department failed to provide them with the proper uniforms and safety equipment needed to do their job, but command staff report the matter is being resolved.
Last December, following nearly two months of communication, the Ocean City Firefighter-Paramedics Association, or IAFF Local 4269, filed a grievance with Fire Chief Richie Bowers claiming that the fire department failed to meet the terms of its collective bargaining agreement and the agency’s own strategic plan. The document detailed the lack of essential safety equipment and appropriate uniforms provided to employees.
Since that time, however, the complaint has escalated to the city manager’s office and to city officials, who questioned Bowers on the union’s complaints during last week’s quarterly meeting with the fire department. While Bowers acknowledged that employees did not have everything they needed, he said efforts are underway to purchase and distribute the necessary gear.
“We are working to make sure that everybody has everything,” he told council members last Tuesday.
However, in an interview this week, IAFF Local 4269 President Ryan Whittington said it remains to be seen if the
union’s concerns have been addressed. He said as of Oct. 15, employees reported having 11 expired helmets, two expired turnout pants, three expired turnout coats and 11 pairs of expired boots.
“It’s been 13 months we’ve been dealing with this,” he said.
Whittington said he had reached out to command staff in September of 2023 after seeing a full-time firefighter and paramedic wearing a shirt with a former employer’s name on it. When asked, the employee, who had been working for the Ocean City Fire Department for five or six months, said the required uniform had not yet been issued to him.
“I sent an email and they failed to act on it,” Whittington recalled.
From that interaction, Whittington said he started asking employees about their equipment. It was then that he learned several firefighters had not received the necessary life safety gear, including reflective vests, safety shoes and personal escape ropes.
“Unfortunately, we found that the fire department didn’t have the right tools to do the job,” he said.
Despite having brought the issues to the attention of command staff, Whittington said problems continued. And on Dec. 11, the union filed its formal grievance, which requested that the fire department provide all uniform items within 14 days and ensure
all employees missing any safety gear be issued equipment within 24 hours.
“They actually issued rope to our members that I would not even hang my hammock on between two trees,” Whittington said.
The union also sought regular inventory and compliance audits and the hiring of a full-time logistics/quartermaster, who would be responsible for managing supplies, equipment and all other items necessary to the fire department’s operation. Whittington said that role is currently being handled by a full-time firefighter and EMT.
“Some equipment expired in 2015, 2016, 2017 …,” he added. “If the fire department had systems in place that allowed us to track gear and readily identify expired items, they would have known that stuff expired before it did.”
Ten days after the union filed its grievance, the matter escalated to City Manager Terry McGean, who formed a special task force comprised of command staff and union members to correct the deficiencies, the fire department acknowledged in a statement this week. Throughout 2024, that work group met repeatedly to develop recommendations.
“The majority of those recommendations have been acted on, implemented and improvements made in the ordering, tracking and distribu-
tion of custom uniforms and equipment,” the statement reads.
The Ocean City Fire Department reports uniforms and equipment have since been ordered and distributed throughout the year – although aggressive staff expansion has outpaced the delivery of some items –and that the agency has deployed Operative IQ software to track uniforms and equipment such as helmets, running coats, pants and boots.
“The department’s efforts have been effective,” the statement reads. “Implementing the Operative IQ software and establishing a task force in turn reflect the good faith steps to address these challenges and improve the efficiency of ordering, tracking, and distributing custom gear, ensuring staff are equipped as a member of the department.”
The statement continues, “The Fire Department and the City of Ocean City have demonstrated their commitment to maintaining a strong working relationship with IAFF Local 4269 and supporting the safety and well-being of fire department personnel.”
The fire department reports the grievance has been resolved, and that the union president had acknowledged as much in a February letter sent to the city manager. When reached for comment this week, Whittington said that
See EFFORTS Page 68
(Nov. 8, 2024) Maryland voters have overwhelmingly elected to enshrine reproductive rights into the state Constitution.
The referendum was approved by voters in 22 out of 23 Maryland counties and Baltimore City. Only voters in Garrett County, the state’s westernmost county, rejected the measure.
Billed as a “Declaration of Rights”
on the ballot, the referendum establishes reproductive freedom as a “fundamental right” for Marylanders, including a mother’s right to prevent, continue, or end a pregnancy.
The results mean that the state will now add the text to its Declaration of Rights as Article No. 48. Maryland voters haven’t added to the Declaration of Rights since 1994.
According to the Maryland State Board of Elections, 74.11% of people voted for the Constitutional Amendment, and 25.89% were against it.
On the Lower Eastern Shore, support for the amendment came from 61 percent of Worcester County voters (23,923 to 14,499) and 62 percent of Wicomico County voters 16,272 to 10,112).
letter was meant to show IAFF’s agreement of the city manager’s resolution, which included additional actions by the fire department.
Whittington said as of mid-October, some employees continued to work with expired gear. However, he said a purchase order was made last week for more equipment.
“The union's perspective is now that the city manager has been involved, the fire department will realize it needs to be doing the right thing for its people,” he said.
The issue continued to play out during last week’s meeting between the city council and command staff. After recognizing the opening of a new fire sta-
tion, Mayor Rick Meehan questioned the department’s status on equipment.
“We built a new facility, it’s a safer facility, we’re trying to make sure working conditions are better,” he said. “Shouldn’t that be including equipment, necessary gear, that firefighters need? Is it a money issue? Is there something we can do to address that, if in fact it is something that needs to be addressed?”
Bowers said that supply chain issues related to COVID had initially been an issue when ordering turnout gear, but that the department has been awarded Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) funding to purchase additional equipment. He added that the city’s procurement department had just approved a purchase order, and that the depart-
ment would work with the city manager’s office and the budget department should additional funds be needed.
“If we need additional funding for gear and PPE we will make that request accordingly,” he said.
Council President Matt James said officials just wanted to know if the fire department’s employees had the tools to be successful. Bowers acknowledged it did not.
“And that’s why we’re in a specific thrust with the AFG grant and other funding that we have in the current budget to make those ends meet right away,” he replied.
“Let’s just make sure we are fully equipped for all of our firefighters,” Meehan concluded.
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Nov. 8, 2024) Public works officials say newly installed jersey walls will remain on the Boardwalk throughout the winter.
Two weeks ago, city staff began installing new, orange sand barriers along the Ocean City Boardwalk. Citing the success of the barriers in keeping sand off the Inlet parking lot in recent years, Public Works Director Hal Adkins said the installation was expanded this fall to include areas north of the Inlet pier.
“It is our intention to eventually place them as far north as 4th Street to align with the sea wall that starts at 4th,” he said.
Adkins noted that a few years ago, the city purchased and installed a similar style of wall along the entire eastern perimeter of the Inlet parking lot. As the barriers were effective in keeping sand off the pavement, the program was expanded to replace the plastic fencing utilized along the Boardwalk in winter months.
“The jersey barriers installation began on Oct. 22 and is still ongoing until the project can be resumed by staff,” Maintenance Manager Tom Dy added. Dy noted that the walls will remain up throughout the winter and will be removed sometime in mid-April, pending weather and any special events. He noted that the barriers at the Inlet lot were removed on April 22 this year.
In response to complaints about the wall’s bright color, Adkins said the barriers were purposefully pur-
chased in orange. When not in use along the parking lot and Boardwalk, he said they would be used in other areas of town.
“They were purchased in the orange color for multipurpose use,” he said. “We not only use them for blocking blowing sand, we also use them for street construction work, queuing lanes at the Convention Center south lot for express bus route staging, etc.”
forward that all to you.”
By Brian Shane Staff Writer
(Nov. 8, 2024) Worcester County’s school superintendent responded publicly this week to allegations of spending improprieties, stemming from an anonymous complaint lodged at the state level.
While a state report dismissed any impropriety, Superintendent Louis Taylor said he and his staff are now in the process of sorting out what new policies on spending and reimbursement might look like moving forward.
He also noted the school system had been operating under out-ofcounty travel policies that “need to be more detailed.”
“We recognize some things we have to adjust,” Taylor told the Worcester County Commissioners at their Nov. 6 meeting. “As soon as we have that together, our first step will be to get approval by our Board of Education. Upon completion, we will
The complaint was reported Oct. 18 to Taylor and county officials by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) for Education. It alleges school employees were “misusing education tax dollars to make personal purchases such as meals when the employees were not conducting official business or travel.”
The complaint also alleges that school employees were reimbursed for these purchases above the allowable per diem rate. However, while Worcester County Public Schools (WCPS) has no internal policies that govern reimbursement allowances or incidental expenses, there is one form, for out-of-county travel, that sets a per diem limit for meals, the report noted.
Meal reimbursements on the WCPS Travel Request Form, which is public record, are listed as $10 for breakfast, $15 for lunch, and $30 for dinner.
However, this per diem limit “is not considered to comply with accepted domestic travel per diem standards,” the report says.
The OIG report also suggests
WCPS conduct an internal review of its reimbursement and travel policy, last updated in 2008, to establish standards more consistent with federal or state rules.
Weston Young, Worcester County Chief Administrative Officer, notified the County Commissioners in an Oct. 29 internal memo that he’d invited Taylor to Wednesday’s meeting to “present to the commissioners his plan to update policies to come into compliant with the issues identified in this report.”
Young noted in his memo that the report’s apparent conclusion was that “WCPS staff cannot be held to standards that do not exist or are poorly defined.”
The state’s Office of the Inspector General for Education investigates whether local school systems and boards of education, both public and private, are compliant with federal and state laws in policies and procedures. Any complaints lodged with the agency are held in strict anonymity.
At the meeting, District 1 Commissioner Caryn Abbott questioned Taylor for the practice of using his
personal credit card to pay for items instead of official county purchasing cards.
She specifically cited a purchase at the Sterling Tavern in Berlin.
“That’s been the practice in the past. That will be part of what we let you all know about,” Taylor said, noting that WCPS will obtain legal advice to construct new policies.
After the OIG report was released, Taylor said in a statement, “While we anticipated that the resolution of this complaint would affirm that school system officials continue to be trusted stewards of taxpayer dollars, we appreciate the Office of the Inspector General for Education issuing this formal report dismissing any impropriety in our school system practices.”
Also at Wednesday’s meeting, the commissioners approved unanimously the school system’s five-year capital improvement plan as a planning document for the next round of big-budget WCPS projects.
Those include multi-million-dollar construction projects to replace Buckingham Elementary and renovate and/or replace Berlin Intermediate School.
organization that we are today.”
(Nov. 8, 2024) Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore honored four award recipients and celebrated annual grant-making efforts at its Annual Meeting and Report to the Community on Nov. 1. The foundation announced a total of $6.8 million in grants made in fiscal year 2024, including more than $637,000 in scholarships to local students. The foundation also celebrated its first ever 40 Under 40 in Philanthropy honorees, awarded to those under the age of 40 who give back to the local community as philanthropic leaders.
“In our 40th year we are celebrating not only our annual impact, but also more than $114 million in grantmaking since our founding in 1984,” says CFES President, Erica Joseph. “As the Lower Eastern Shore’s leader in philanthropic giving and grantmaking, our many accomplishments would not be possible without the continued generosity of our donors, volunteers, and partners who have come together to help create the
The Mary Gladys Jones Volunteer of the Year Award was awarded to Bonnie Kreiser honoring her commitment to volunteering and unselfish contributions to her community and through her work with the Epoch Dream Center. She has empowered others through mentorship, a positive attitude, and altruistic actions, and has inspired others to do the same. For her unwavering dedication and love for the local community Kreiser will receive a $1,000 gift to designate to the charity of her choice.
The Nonprofit Award of Excellence honoring Richard A. Henson was awarded to the Lower Shore Land Trust. Having served the Lower Shore for more than 30 years, LSLT works with the community to conserve and protect the heritage, landscapes, and wildlife that makes the Lower Shore special. They have followed the highest standards through their conservation work, stewardship, and governance practices, and have met stringent re-
quirements of accreditation, established investments to ensure sufficient operating reserves, and are committed to ongoing strategic planning to advance their work. In honor of their dedication, Lower Shore Land Trust will receive $5,000 to support their work.
The Frank H. Morris Humanitarian Award was awarded to Leighton Moore for exemplifying the qualities of leadership, selflessness, compassion, and generosity to our community. He has helped the less fortunate, supported numerous nonprofits and charitable causes, and dedicated his time through service and fundraising throughout the Lower Shore. For his humble dedication to the betterment of others, Moore will receive a $2,500 gift to designate to the charity of his choice.
The Chairman’s Award was presented to Dr. Carolyn Johnston for her invaluable service and dedication to the Community Foundation. Through her passion for helping others, she has served in nearly every leadership role at the foundation through her 12 years of service. Her willingness to always step up, fill in any voids, and advance the mission of the Community Foundation epitomizes leadership and excellence.
On Friday, Oct. 25, Worcester Preparatory School (WPS) hosted the grandparents and guests of lower school students for a special day on campus. Lower School students have been busy preparing class projects and performances in anticipation of Grandparents’ Day at WPS. The day began with coffee and refreshments, followed by a "Gold Medal Moments" themed performance by each grade. The students then met their grandparents and special guests in the Field House to present their projects. Next up were visits to the Lower School classrooms and a quick stop for a keepsake photo. The day ended in the library with a visit to the Book Fair. At left, top, first grader Andie Meeks-Ainsworth spent time with her mom, Lindsay Meeks and grandfather, Wilson Davis, at the birdfeeder built by Mr. Davis decades ago. It still stands today inside the Children’s Garden on Worcester Prep’s campus. Bottom left, first grader Gunner Derrickson leans in for a kiss from his grandmother and head of the WPS Grandparents Association, Beth Sharpley. Below, fifth grader Isabella Labin holds the LEARN banner that makes up the WPS 2024-25 slogan, “LEARN, GROW, LEAD” as she prepares to go on stage with her class.
Students at Stephen Decatur Middle School painted real sugar skulls to celebrate Day of the Dead. The activity is an outreach program of the Art League of Ocean City and was led by Art League Education Director Mary Anne Cooper, SDMS Media Specialist Cheryl Brown, and SDMS teacher Jessica Waterman. Pictured are Ava Hall above left; Brooklyn Dempsey, second from top left; Corey Quinn, second from bottom left; Laila Rodriguez, bottom left; and above, from left, Gemma Bunting, Kameron Purnell and Rylan O’Malley.
Reelected and newly elected Ocean City officials should enjoy these next few days because the fun quotient of being annointed by the voters will diminish rapidly once the mayor and the City Council get down to the issues at hand.
And what issues they are. At the top of the list is finding a new police chief to fill the vacancy created by the abrupt retirement of Chief Ross Buzzuro last Thursday. Whether he retired of his own volition or was offered the graceful exit option by an unhappy mayor and council, it’s clear that the latter didn’t see his departure coming in time to lay the groundwork for a national police chief search.
Elected officials also will have to decide whether Boardwalk tram service even has a future, given their realization that the Boardwalk is a street in the legal sense of the word and as such must comply with state laws and regulations.
But perhaps the most important task before the mayor and council is finding a way to come to terms with each other. At the moment it’s a chasmic divide that needs to be bridged, as was evidenced the council majority’s support of Mayor Rick Meehan’s opposition, Peter Buas, in Tuesday’s election.
Although it went unmentioned during the campaign phase of the election, this is an argument about who runs the government. Is it the mayor by virtue of his extraordinarily long service in City Hall and decades of involvement in city operations, or the council, which, according to the charter, is supposed to call the shots?
The mayor’s tendency to work without the council’s consent might be understandable after all these years, but it won’t work with a council as intelligent as this one. At the same time, the council needs the mayor’s experience, his institutional knowledge and his powers of persuasion in dealing with the public and other institutions.
That’s the team voters put in office and it’s up to the mayor and council members to do what they must to make it work so they can solve the problems that lie ahead.
With the presidential election still fresh on our minds, people will invariably ask each other whether they like the results. When that happens, my advice is to respond thusly, “Well, I think — Owwwwww! Stomach Cramps! Stomach Cramps! Gotta go.”
NEWS
EDITOR STEWART DOBSON; EXECUTIVE EDITOR STEVE GREEN
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By Stewart Dobson
I say this because the people asking you this question do so without any kind of preamble that might give you a clue about how to respond.
If, for instance, they said, “I’m really happy that so-and-so won,” or “I’m really unhappy that so-and-so lost,” then you’d know what to say instead of fumbling around in search of an answer that is noncommittal as possible.
“So, how’d you like the election.”
“Glad you asked because, pick one: I’m (A.) Happy as a puppy in a bag of kibble; (B) About to feed myself to the hogs and be done with it; (C.) None of the above.
That’s the thing, you just don’t know what the reaction of your interrogator will be because you have no idea what they expect to hear.
“So, how’d you like the election?”
“Loved it.”
“Oh yeah? Well, you’re dumber than a bag of mullet.”
Or
“Hated it.”
“Oh yeah? Well, you’re a crayon-eating (redacted).”
To my way of thinking, being excited about an election is like being joyful at the sight of a bag of groceries without knowing what’s in it.
“Yaayyyyy! It’s a bag of groceries! Hooray! ... It’s ... it’s a month’s supply of string bean casserole? Nooooooo!”
I like to wait to see how things play out before I pass judgment, and being something of a contrarian, as in I’m generally opposed to whoever’s in charge regardless of his, her or their party affiliation, place of origin, or favorite Perry Mason rerun.
That’s because the only president I ever truly admired and who didn’t let me down was Dwight Eisenhower.
The fact that I was only six when he was elected could have something to do with that, since I had yet to develop the habit of reading The Nation magazine. I was too busy finding the deeper meaning of “Fun With Dick and Jane” right about then.
I should also point out that was Eisenhower’s first term. When I was 10, I began to have second thoughts ... for no reason, apparently.
So don’t ask me how I liked this election, the one before it or the one before that ... unless you tell me first.
And then I’ll do the appropriate thing and tell you what you want to hear, because that’s probably the only reason you asked.
Then I’ll walk away smiling, while muttering under my breath “Yeah, well, you’re a crayoneating ...”
By Steve Green
Some reflections on what transpired in this week’s election:
-My hope in local humanity was restored when a majority of voters did not fall for the strange and untruthful allegations made by school board challengers and the groups supporting them. Contrary to what the candidates and their supporters alleged on social media and on signs, there are no litter boxes in restrooms in public schools, boys do not use girls bathrooms and vice versa and boys do not play on girls teams and vice versa. These are deranged national talking points linked to a national extremist agenda that are false. These messages are intended to mislead and some voters were likely swayed. Most voters fortunately saw through the nonsense. County schools can always be better, everyone knows that, but it’s ignorant for the misinformed to blatantly try and deceive the voters. In the end, incumbents Jon Andes (54% of the vote in District 3), Elena McComas (54% in District 5) and Donald Smack (72% in District 2) were reelected.
Much credit goes to the Worcester United group of 1,200-plus parents and educators who worked tirelessly in the months before the election and had volunteers at nearly all the voting sites on election day. The group’s goal was to offer balance to the campaign of misinformation and deception waged by school system critics. Though Worcester County Commissioner Caryn Abbott likes to call the group “Worcester Divided” on social media, we support the group’s grassroots efforts to support local schools rather than tear them down. We particularly embraced the handmade signs at local polling sites combating the negative and misleading ones nearby.
-With two of the three school board races specifically, the early voting tallies conflicted with the eventual outcomes. After early voting, challengers Cheryl Middleton and Dorothy Shelton-Leslie each enjoyed slight leads over their incumbents. In District 3, Middleton had the edge over incumbent Jon Andes, 875-870, and in District 5, Shelton-Leslie narrowly led incumbent Elena McComas, 841-835. The election day and mail-in ballot totals told a different story with Andes (2,220-1,865) and McComas (2,050-1,696) each prevailing.
-In the end, the municipal election in Ocean City played out essentially as the tea leaves indicated. However, there was an election night feeling among those who campaigned all day outside the convention center that Peter Buas, who ran for mayor rather than a second term on the council, had a solid chance at knocking off long-time incumbent Rick Meehan. There was a sense an upset was brewing. After all votes were counted, Meehan prevailed over Buas, 1,324 to 1,132, in the closest election Meehan has fought as mayor.
It stands to reason the tight election will have a deep impact on Meehan, as 46% of those who cast votes for mayor chose Buas. It’s a big win no doubt for Meehan, but the results show a division in Ocean City that seems to mirror the council. It was fascinating only incumbent Tony DeLuca actively supported Meehan’s re-election. Meehan is not accustomed to having a council not in line with his thinking. What’s interesting is it’s not so much the council disagrees with Meehan’s position on matters of importance. It’s his maneuvers of influence within the city that upsets the council. It’s understandable to a degree, as there’s no doubt Meehan is more involved on city government’s internal matters than his successor Jim Mathias, for example. It’s due to the relationships he has built with administrators. There’s clearly some communication issues to iron out, and Meehan seems to be at the center of it, according to a majority of the council.
After the election, Meehan said all the right things in an interview, but time will tell if things change at City Hall. He said, “You know, we're the city council now. Whatever happened over the last 30 days, 60 days, I mean, we have to now reunite and become even better than we were before … You learn along the way too and if there's some things that I need to do, to be a little better, you know, as being mayor, I'm always going to strive to do that, and I'm certainly going to talk to my fellow colleagues and, you know, we need to be a team.”
-The advance polling stayed true in the U.S. Senate race. Democrat Angela Alsobrooks was the favorite with some polls showing she enjoyed a 10% lead leading up to Election Day. It turned out she won by 7%, or about 170,000 votes. As expected, the metropolitan counties carried her over former Gov. Larry Hogan. In Worcester, Hogan scored 71% of the vote but in statewide races the shore’s votes really don’t matter as it’s a population numbers game. For instance, for Worcester, Hogan received 19,331 to 6,772 for Alsobrooks of Prince George’s County. By comparison, in Montgomery County, Alsobrooks received 258,070 (65%) compared to Hogan’s 136,290.
(The following letter was sent to The Baltimore Sun in response to an editorial, “Ocean City sends out its sharks.”) Editor,
It’s unfortunate that The Baltimore Sun continues to sound like the same broken record over and over again when it comes to Ocean City’s position in opposition to 114 gigantic, 938-foot tall turbines being constructed just 10.7 miles off our coast (“Offshore wind: Ocean City sends out its sharks” Oct. 30).
The paper continues to reference the union jobs that would be created by the US Wind project. For the past 7.5 years, we have clearly stated that those same jobs would still be created if the wind turbines were moved further offshore, or to less disruptive areas, but this has been ignored.
Regurgitating the comparison of the 5 turbines off Block Island with what is proposed off the coast of Ocean City is ridiculous. The turbines from Block Island are off the back side of the island and out of sight of the residential and commercial areas. Also, before the turbines were built the only power source for Block Island was supplied by diesel
generators. The Block Island turbines have proven to be unreliable and the cables have been exposed causing beach closures and power losses.
The editorial jokingly mentions just two co-plaintiffs in our lawsuit but fails to mention the more than twenty coplaintiffs, which include but are not limited to, the commissioners of Worcester County, the mayor and Town Council of Fenwick Island, Delaware, the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce, the Delmarva Condominium Managers Association (representing thousands of nonresident property owners from throughout the State of Maryland), the Ocean City Hotel Motel Restaurant Association, the Save the Right Whale Coalition, the Waterman’s Association of Worcester County Inc., or other businesses, individuals, and a number of residential community associations.
This represents an entire region whose concerns have just flat out been ignored or considered insignificant. Well, Ocean City (and its co-plaintiffs) do not consider these issues to be insignificant and now stand together in opposition to what is being proposed. Yes, we hired the best law firm we could find to defend our position because, unfortunately, we were left with Continued on Page 78
no choice. It was obvious if we did not stand up for ourselves, no one else was going to. We have learned over the past 7.5 years that it is not just our view shed that is being destroyed but also our ecosystem, our economy, our commercial and recreational fishing industries, our property values and our future. We have learned this because we have listened; a trait that has been lost by the federal and state governments and obviously The Baltimore Sun. Additionally, the state has passed a Wind Tax on all Maryland ratepayers to subsidize the US Wind Project which may or may not provide electricity to these same ratepayers! Yes, a wind tax! And no one will tell you exactly how much money US Wind will receive from Maryland taxpayers. Maybe that’s where the questions should start? Is climate change an important issue to address? Yes, but is the answer to fast track a process and a project that has left so many questions unanswered? No. If this project is built as proposed, people are going to ask elected officials, “How did you ever let this happen?” I propose we work together to find the answers and include Ocean City and the Eastern Shore in this conversation. If this project was proposed to be built in the Chesapeake Bay or on the Severn River, I submit, the discussion would be totally different. This is a serious issue and for the Bal-
timore Sun to continue to use their bully pulpit to belittle Ocean City, our residents, businesses and property owners is unconscionable. We are all Marylanders and we are being left behind.
— Rick Meehan, Ocean City
The writer is the mayor of Ocean City.
Editor,
Through early voting, mail-in ballots, and election day attendance, Worcester County residents made their voices heard in the local Board of Education election by showing up for students, teachers, and public education.
Donald Smack, Dr. Jon Andes, and Elena McComas all won their school board seats again. This means continuing forward with individuals that support, understand, and love our school system.
I send my thanks to all who volunteered their time to canvass and advocate for the incumbents, to all who listened with an open mind, and to all who showed up to vote.
I am proud to be a part of the teaching and learning culture in Worcester County – where residents have shown they understand the difference between a bushel of apples and a Trojan horse.
Megan Seyler Berlin
(The writer is an English teacher at Stephen Decatur High School.)
Editor,
Having finally returned from out of town, I was glad to get to read the October 25th edition of the paper until I got to the article with the information about The Maryland Coastal Bays Program’s (MCBP) failure to take a stance on the off-shore wind farm when questioned by the OC Council.
I believe that Coastal Bay health is important and that MCBP has an important role to play in protecting it. I am not familiar with their charter, but I must assume that much of their initiative is to protect and enhance the fishery and provide important habitat. That fishery extends well beyond the Bays and into the surrounding ocean waters. I am not a scientist, but I AM a local boy who has enjoyed the bayside for a lifetime and believes our Bays needs to have some protections in place and I rely on MCBP to be one of those important “checks”.
The Bishopville-Selbyville-Showell Jaycees “Bishopville Mill Pond” project began the return to health of our bay in 1980 when they stopped the Bishop Processing Company waste ponds from leaching their pollution into the head waters of the St. Martin’s River. Those who value and use our bays owe a forever debt of gratitude to that Jaycee Chapter and their leader Al Wesche. That project won the Maryland Jaycee award for best environmental project and I think an award from the US Jaycees as well. The bays are so much more alive than in the 1970’s thanks to that small group of young men and women. In fact, Kevin Smith built upon the Jaycee’s work with the dam project some 30+ years later. Now the threat is from the opposite direction….offshore wind companies threaten our very way of life and our economy. They threaten the resource we all rely upon to bring tourists and visitors in our direction.
“Thank you” to Mayor Meehan and the Ocean City council as well as Fenwick Island Mayor Magdeburger and her council for taking the brave stance to refuse what appears to be the offshore wind “hush money.” Money is freely flowing thinly disguised as donations to our 501C3’s and to other political jurisdictions to gain their support. This in the face of a technology that lags far behind the political will that is pushing for it. The Democrats believe Wind Turbines will deliver us from Global Warming. I am not a climate denier, but I am also not convinced that humanity can do much to alter the course of these events, especially when the most populous countries in the world ignore all climate initiatives. The USA is not the problem. Unproven wind technology which is already experiencing catastrophic failure in Vineyard Wind is not the answer.
I am going to tell you a short story about MCBP which has some relevance in their failure to take a stance AGAINST off-shore wind.
Two years ago, an environmentally sensitive property in my neighborhood with significant creek frontage came up for rezoning by Jack Burbage. Now, I count Jack as a friend, but this was a philosophical argument and not at all something personal between us, as my neighbors and I had always been told that this property would be a forever residential buffer for our creek from its neighboring commercial center on Route 50. In fact, there is some anecdotal evidence to suggest that the former owners, Cripp and Irma Hastings, attempted to severely restrict the transferability of EDU’s to this property when the Sanitary Sewer was installed in West Ocean City to prevent any intensive use. Fourteen of my neighbors showed up to protest and Attorney Hugh Cropper was afforded ample opportunity by the County Commissioners to rebut each of our arguments on behalf of his client, but I was shut down and told, that as a citizen, I could not rebut Mr. Cropper’s arguments. It passed and only Commissioner Bertino voted against it. What I found even more astounding is that there were several other zoning matters on the docket that day, mostly of lesser impact on Coastal Bays than ours. In each of the other cases, a representative from MCBP made verbal comments on the record during those public hearings. However, to my knowledge, MCBP failed to make any verbal comments on the record for the Herring Creek rezoning hearing, the one, in my biased opinion, with the most environmental impact for the health of our bays. That to me is a glaring omission, just as is the argument that they believe in alternative energy sources and so that should influence their charge of protecting the inland bays and the surrounding fisheries. I have to think that the donation they admitted taking from the foreign wind companies has had some impact on that decision or non-decision.
But forgive me, there is no conscience anymore. Have we truly returned to the Watergate era? We are back to “Follow the money!” As someone who spent much of my professional career fighting for ethical practice, I am appalled at the lack of ethics on behalf of the party pushing the Green New Deal and shoving these turbines down the throats of her citizens.
Where is the money coming from to fund these foreign wind power companies in their systematic attempt to buy silence and support? Apparently, “Anything goes” so that the Democrats can claim victory in the battle for offshore wind. I sure hope it is not our tax dollars being repurposed against us. At best it is hush money and it should be illegal, but these companies continue to bull ahead. Where is Greenpeace to protect the Right Whales and the other marine mammals? Where is the National Park Service to protect Assateague National
By Brian Shane Staff Writer
(Nov. 8, 2024) A national lobbying group is asking Worcester County leaders to oppose proposed federal regulations that would allow heavier and longer tractor-trailers on the road.
The nonprofit Coalition Against Bigger Trucks (CABT) is fighting two bills pending in the House of Representatives that would increase weight limits for commercial vehicles on interstate highways from 80,000 to 91,00 pounds.
The proposed federal regulatory changes are coming from national companies that rely on shipping, according to Rob Bielunas, regional field director of CABT. He met with Worcester County staffers earlier this year to make his pitch for their support.
“This issue is really being pushed by your big shippers of the world, your Amazons, your UPSs. Your local mom and pop trucking company tends not to be in favor of these kinds of bills or these kinds of effort,” he said.
CABT has asked for, and received, letters of support from the Worcester County Board of Commissioners and Sheriff Matt Crisafulli to oppose HB 3372 and HB 2948. The Commissioners approved the mailing of a letter to Sen. Ben Cardin that opposes the unfunded legislative proposals.
“Increased sizes and weights will have a significant effect on our countymaintained roads and infrastructure,” the commissioners’ letter says. “Not only do heavier trucks do enormous damage to our highways, but they also increase costs for taxpayers at the local level by the increased stress they put on older bridges and roads.”
The estimated cost to rebuild the 766 bridges in Maryland’s First Congressional District, 47 of them in “poor condition,” would cost taxpay-
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Seashore. Where is DNR to protect the fish and shellfish and Maryland/Delaware State beaches? Where are National Marine Fisheries organizations to protect the fisheries. “Ocean Conservancy”, I suggest you change your name to something else! My understanding from Mayor Magdeburger is that one Environmental Impact Statement predicts the wind farm will result in complete collapse of the offshore and local commercial fishery not to mention lower property values. That’s it? That’s the trade off? No fish for saving a fraction of a degree?
Governor Moore, you are the CEO of Maryland first and not a Democrat owing blind loyalty to the Democratic Party’s national agenda. You need to protect Maryland’s only Seashore resort and National Seashore so that her citizens can continue to enjoy
ers $151 million, the letter also says.
Heavier trucks will wear down the life expectancy of bridges and roads at a faster rate, Bielunas said.
“I'm sure you've been down roads where, you know, so many trucks go on it that they start to get grooves in it, which makes infrastructure dangerous,” he said in an interview. “And none of these bills ever come with any sort of funding … to keep up with the expedited maintenance routine that comes with heavier tractor trailers.”
In addition to infrastructure, the Commissioners’ letter also shares concerns about motorist safety, because heavier trucks have been shown to have higher crash rates.
There were 59 fatalities in 2022 caused by 3,628 large-truck crashes in Maryland – a 44% increase over the prior year, data cited in the letter and attributed to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
“Sometimes it's a distracted driver. Maybe it's bad weather and they just can't stop in time. At the end of the day, it's their vehicles that are the most dangerous ones on the road,” Bielunas said.
CABT has also asked for support from Rep. Andy Harris (R-1st). When asked whether the congressman supports the measures, a spokeswoman replied via email that the bills were discharged from committee months ago without action on the House floor.
“We will be on the lookout if these go to the floor but I'm unaware if there are any plans to address these bills after the election,” said Harris’ communications director Anna Adamian.
The coalition also received letters of support from the Snow Hill Police Department, the Maryland Chief’s of Police Association, and the Maryland Sheriff’s Association, Bielunas said.
that major recreation area without living in fear that fiberglass debris will close our beaches and infect our fish and enter our food chain. We are an important part of Maryland’s economic engine. Governor Carney, same directive, you should protect your citizenry from the over reach of your own party. Isn’t that the oath that you both took - to protect the citizens of your respective states?
I suggest a crazy approach. Towns should annex the commercial and recreational fishery out to the Canyons, as important to the economic health of the area. Zone it “recreation conservation area” Only allow town or county permits for fishing reefs, navigational beacons, etc. This is craziness and I am flabbergasted.
Chuck Shorley
Ocean
City
The Republican Women of Worcester County collected items for Della's Closet, located in Pocomoke. Della's Closet is a nonprofit organization that provides services to children and families in need on the Eastern Shore. Donations of new or gently used clothing for children and teens, toys and games, and diapers are greatly appreciated. Pictured are Vera Beck, RWWC Caring for America chair, and Jean Delcher, RWWC president.
By Peter Ayers Wimbrow III Contributing Writer
(Nov. 8,2024) This week, 80 years, ago, Pvt. Edward Donald Slovik was being court- martialed for desertion. Because Pvt. Slovik was serving in the 28th Division (“The Keystone Division”), a National Guard Division from Pennsylvania, and it was busy with Germans in the Hurtgen Forest, the court-martial was composed of nine officers from other army divisions.
The prosecutor was Capt. John Green. The defendant was represented by Capt. Edward Woods. At the end of the day, the court found the private guilty and sentenced him to death.
The sentence was reviewed and approved by Maj. Gen. Norman (“Dutch”) Cota, commander of The Keystone Division. Prior to taking command of The Keystone Division, Gen. Cota had been the Assistant Division Commander of the 29th Infantry Division and was the highest-ranking officer on Omaha Beach on D-Day.
Commenting on the court’s verdict and his decision, Cota later said that, “Given the situation, as I knew it, in November 1944, I thought it was my duty to this country to approve that sentence. If I hadn’t approved it — if I had let Slovik accomplish his purpose — I don’t know how I could’ve gone up to the line and looked a good soldier in the face.”
Eddie Slovik was born on Feb. 18, 1920, in Detroit, Michigan, and it seemed like he was always in some kind of trouble – petty theft, breaking and entering, disturbing the peace. He dropped out of school at age 15. By the time he was 21, he had been convicted of burglary and/or assault five times and imprisoned twice.
After his last release, on parole, in April 1942, he obtained a job at Montella Plumbing and Heating in Dearborn. While working there, he met his future wife, Antoinette Wisniewski, and was married on Nov. 7, 1942. He subsequently obtained employment as a shipping clerk with Chrysler.
Because of his criminal record, he was classified 4-F – morally unfit for duty. But on Oct. 22, 1943, the Michigan Parole Board released him from parole, and the draft board quickly reclassified him 1-A. Standing 5 feet, six inches tall and weighing 138 pounds, Slovik was drafted on Jan. 3, 1944.
After basic training, he was shipped to France on July 25, 1944, and assigned to the 28th Infantry Division in August 1944. On Aug. 25, he and other replacements arrived near the front at the thousand-year-old village of Elbeuf, on the Seine River, in northern France.
The replacements arrived at 11 p.m. while the village was being shelled. When the replacements left the next morning, he and a buddy stayed behind. As the Americans left the small town, a Canadian military police unit moved in. The two Yanks stayed with the Canadians until a new commander took over and fi-
nally had them shipped to their unit, in Rocherath, Belgium, on Oct. 7, 1944.
The next day, he told his company commander, Capt. Ralph O. Grotte, that he was “too scared” to serve at the front, and requested duty in the rear area and, if not reassigned, he would run away. His request was refused, so on Oct. 9, Slovik deserted.
He walked toward the rear area of the Keystone Division and handed a cook, Pvt. William O. Schmidt, a note, which read, “I, Pvt. Eddie D. Slovik, 36896415, confess to the desertion of the United States Army. At the time of my desertion, we were in Elbeuf, in France.
“I came to Elbeuf as a replacement. They were shelling the town, and we were told to dig in for the night. The following morning, they were shelling us again. I was so scared, nervous and trembling that at the time the other replacements moved out I couldn’t move. I stayed there in my foxhole until it was quiet and I was able to move. I then walked into town. Not seeing any of our troops, I stayed overnight at a French hospital.
“The next morning, I turned myself over to Canadian Provost Corps. After being with them six weeks, I was turned over to American Military Police. They turned me loose. I told my commanding officer my story. I said that if I had to go out there again, I’d run away. He said there was nothing he could do for me so I ran away again, AND I’LL RUN AWAY AGAIN
IF I HAVE TO GO OUT THERE.”
Slovik was given several opportunities to just return to his unit and destroy the note. However, he was convinced that he would only face jail time, which he considered far better than combat. He declined all offers saying, “I’ve made up my mind. I’ll take my court martial.”
Charges were filed on Oct. 19, and trial began at 10 a.m. on November 11, 1944, in Roetgen, Germany, near the Belgian border. After a short trial (the defendant presented no witnesses and did not testify), presided over by Lt. Col. Guy M. Williams, Slovik was found “Guilty,” and sentenced to death.
After Gen. Cota’s review, the sentence was reviewed by Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower. Brig. Gens. E. C. McNeil and Edward Arthur Craig both urged Eisenhower to confirm the verdict and sentence, with McNeil saying that, to not do so, “would only have accomplished the accused’s purpose of securing his incarceration and consequent freedom from the dangers which so many of our armed forces are required to face daily.”
Ike confirmed the sentence on Dec. 23. The European Theater Board of Review, composed of three attorneys from the Judge Advocate General’s Department, reviewed the sentence on Jan. 6, 1945, and upheld it.
Slovik was transferred to SainteMarie-Aux-Mines and executed by a 12man firing squad on Jan. 31. He was buried in an unmarked grave, along with
94 other soldiers executed for rape or murder, in the Oise-Aisne American Cemetery, in France. Mrs. Slovik was informed that her husband had died under “dishonorable circumstances.” She did not learn the truth until 1954.
Pvt. Slovik was the first, and only, deserter executed since Pvt. William Smitz was executed in 1865, even though 2,864 men were accused of desertion for the period January 1942 through June 1948, and 49 sentenced to death. All were commuted except Pvt. Slovik’s.
The story is told in “The Execution of Private Slovik,” which stars Martin Sheen in the title role for which he received an Emmy nomination.
Next week: Peliliu 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.
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer
(Nov. 7, 2024) The Town of Berlin and the Worcester County Health Department encourage residents to get their steps in this week with the annual Fall Glow Walk at Stephen Decatur Park, an event included in this year’s
Just Walk Fun Walks lineup. The Worcester County Health Department hosts their Just Walk Fun Walks program annually. The 20242025 project began in October and will conclude in June. During this period, organizers have scheduled nine walks throughout Worcester County to en-
courage residents to get active.
This cycle, the program has introduced Just Walk Passports. The forms, which are available to pick up at the Snow Hill Health Department, the Berlin Health Center, and the Pocomoke Health Center, will be stamped by staff at each event. Residents who have completed all nine walks are entered into a raffle.
The Fall Glow Walk is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 8. Registration will begin at 5 p.m., and the walk will begin at 5:30 p.m. Participants will start and end at Stephen Decatur Park, weaving through downtown Berlin during the 4.5-mile route.
Town of Berlin Special Projects Administrator Kate Daub noted that walkers who cannot commit to the full path are welcome to exit the trail at specific points before the finish line.
“The total length is 4.5 miles, but if people would like not to do the full walk, they are permitted to only do certain aspects of the walk,” she said.
Strollers and leashed dogs are welcome, and walkers are encouraged to complete the trail as they see fit.
“Even though the walk does begin at 5:30, people are welcome to walk at their own pace,” Daub said. “They are not expected to stay with the group and are more than welcome to do it as they wish.”
According to Daub, in the past, Berlin worked with the Worcester County Health Department to create two events as part of the Just Walk Fun Walks program, one in the spring and
NORMAN HARRIS CATHELL, SR. Berlin
Norman Harris Cathell, Sr., aged 85, passed away on Nov. 5, 2024, in Berlin.
Born on March 15, 1939, Norman was a respected and cherished figure in his community, known for his dedication as a family man, a business leader, and a loving husband, father and grandfather. Norman graduated from Stephen Decatur High School and served in the US Army, a period during which he exemplified leadership and commitment. Following his military service, he was a member of the OCVFD, joined the Ocean City Police
one in the fall. However, this year, the town has elected to cancel its spring activity due to low participation and exclusively focus on the Fall Glow Walk.
Participants are encouraged to wear their own glow gear, and staff will have illuminant sunglasses, tubes, and necklaces available upon registration.
Daub said the Glow Walk was canceled last year as it overlapped with another event, a march for Buckingham Elementary, that had already been planned. This year, organizers expect to welcome 50 attendees on Friday.
“We are hoping for a good turnout,” the special projects administrator said.
Participants will also receive a free raffle entry to win a local goodies basket, which Daub said will include a Town of Berlin tote bag, a beach towel, a lunch bag, sunglasses, and miscellaneous items from the Worcester County Health Department.
Those interested in attending can pre-register by contacting Daub at 410641-4002 or kdaub@berlinmd.gov. They can also register the day of by showing up at Stephen Decatur Park by 5 p.m. on Friday.
“This walk, in particular, takes a little different spin than other events that happen in Berlin throughout the year,” Daub said. “It encourages people to be more mindful of the importance of being active. We focus on safely getting people out together.”
The additional Just Walk Fun Walk events can be found on the Worcester County Health Department’s Website.
Department, where he ascended to the rank of Detective Captain. Later, he became a Nationwide Insurance agent, achieving recognition as a NW Hall of Fame agent.
He was a member of the Ocean City Atlantic United Methodist Church, where he actively participated in the church community. Norman’s commitment to service was evident through his involvement with the Lions Club International, where he served as a District Governor, and the Ocean City Lions Club, where he was a past president. He was also a proud Shriner and was honored as the Ocean City MD Citizen of the Year.
He is survived by his wife, Faye Cathell; children, Deb Waurishuk, Norman Cathell Jr. (Cindy), Greg Cathell; and grandchildren, Katelynn Waurishuk, Brian Cathell, Jenny Cathell, Mathew Cathell and great-grandson Tyler Cathell. Norman was preceded in death by his parents, Harris M. Cathell and Mary A. Cathell, his brothers, Edgar and Mitt Cathell, and a granddaughter, Jessica Waurishuk. A service to celebrate Norman’s life will be held on November 15th at the Atlantic United Methodist Church, 4th St Ocean City, MD. Viewing will be
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from 1:00 pm with the service starting at 2 pm. Interment will be at Sunset Memorial Park, Berlin MD. Letters of condolence can be sent to the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are in the care of The Burbage Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Norman’s memory can be made to the Ocean City Lions Charities, PO Box 238, Ocean City, MD 21843. Norman Cathell, Sr.’s legacy of service, compassion, and leadership will continue to inspire those who knew him.
FREDERICK WILLIAM SCHULTE
Berlin
Frederick William Schulte, age 71, of Berlin, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. Born in Baltimore, Maryland he was the son of the late Earl Schulte and Janet (Miller) Schulte.
Fred is survived by his significant other Cheryl Traynor and his sister, Patricia Schulte.
Fred was a kind and caring man and a loving partner and brother. He enjoyed golfing, traveling, especially cruising, and sitting on his dock, enjoying the sights and sounds on the bay.
Fred was a man of many talents and interests. Following high school. He was proud to have attended The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. He worked as an electrical engineer for radio station B104 responsible for the broadcasting of the Brien & O’Brian Show at Disney World, which sparked his love for all things Disney. Fred than became a successful businessman, having owned and operated his company until his retirement in 2022.
Cremation followed Fred’s Passing. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Fred’s memory can be sent to Hunt Valley Church, 10950 Gilroy Road, Suite C, Hunt Valley, Md. 21031.
Arrangements are in the care of The Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin, Maryland.
Condolences may be shared with the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com.
PATRICIA DELORES DULICK DOVIKEN
Harrisburg, N.C.
ward Dulick; and husband, Logan Doviken; and former husband, Harry Rothman.
Her favorite song was “What a Wonderful World,” which was fitting, since Pat and her husband traveled the world to over 20 countries and spent two years driving across the continental United States in an RV. She loved her dogs, her angel collection, and her daily crosswords. Above all, she loved to spend time with family and friends. Patricia was a beloved mom, grandmom, cousin, and friend.
She is survived by her daughter, Dayna (Tommy) Schindler of Metuchen, NJ; twins, Stephen (Sarah) Rothman of Harrisburg, NC, and Stephanie (Timothy) Zeszutek of Great Falls, MT and Middletown, NY; and daughter, Cassandra Leah of Freehold, NJ; five grandchildren, who she cherished deeply, Amanda, Emily, Michael, Juliet, and Lily.
Pat’s Celebrations of Life will be held at a later date in Florida and Maryland. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society of The Nature Coast (https://humanerescue.org/give/) or the Hernando County Animal Services (https://www.hernandocountyspca.com/).
Hartsell Funeral Home of Harrisburg is serving the Doviken family.
PAMELA ANN JOHNSON
Ocean City
It is with deep sadness that we an-
nounce the passing of Pamela Ann Johnson.
Pam passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by family on Oct. 27, 2024, after a long battle with cancer. Pam was born on February 19, 1954 in Baltimore, Maryland and was a longtime restaurant manager at the Dunes Manor Hotel in Ocean City. Pam was the Director for Maryland Shores Rug Hooking School Guild Chapter 106 and regularly taught and led seminars for the guild.
Pam is survived by her two sons, Eric Wyatt and Anthony Johnson; daughters-in-law Kimberly Wyatt and Erica Johnson; and grandchildren Aeris and Elika, and Ozias Johnson. She was preceded in death by husband, Leroy Johnson.
ALMA G. EPPERSON Ocean Pines
Alma G. Epperson, age 99, of Ocean Pines, devoted wife of Dean Epperson and beloved mother of Richard Clinton Culbertson and his wife, Tere, of New Market, passed away on Oct. 31, 2024.
She is also survived by a sister, Mabel Bohannon, and a number of nieces and nephews in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Her career with the federal government spanned over 30 years, most notable in Directors’ offices at the National
Institutes of Health. She retired in 1982 from the Directors’ office of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases and moved to Ocean City, where she and her husband lived for 10 years. She enjoyed travel, especially in the Caribbean. She lived in Hawaii and San Juan, and on both coasts, as her first husband, Richard Culbertson, was a career Navy man, deceased in 1964.
Alma played golf after 1971, taking lessons from Bill Brett the golf pro, in the Bethesda area. They married and spent 10 years together. She retired to Ocean Pines to a beach home in Ocean Villa on 78th Street. She was active in the Lutheran Church at Ocean Pines in 2012. She met Dean at the widows and widowers group in Ocean Pines. They have been devoted to each other for 10 years.
A viewing will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at The Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at 2:30 p.m. at Community Church of Ocean Pines. Interment will follow at Garden of the Pines Cemetery. Letters of condolence can be sent to the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of The Burbage Funeral Home.
Patricia Delores Dulick Doviken, 82, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Harrisburg, North Carolina. She was born October 8, 1942, in Allentown, New Jersey, and raised in Freehold, New Jersey. She settled in Middletown, New York, to raise her family before traveling the world and splitting her time between Florida and Ocean City, Maryland. Patricia is preceded in death by her parents, Edward Dulick and Lillian Puzan Dulick; brother, Ed-
$1,595.
Stephen Decatur’s varsity golf team recently finished another stellar fall season, winning its fourth consecutive Bayside Conference championship after an undefeated 11-0 regular season. In the Class 1A/2A State Championship, the team, coached by Dan Stearman, finished sixth. Senior Clay McCabe, at right, was named the Bayside South Player of the Year with a nine-hole season scoring average of 37.7, McCabe finished tied for 10th in the state championship. McCabe and Sam Boger were each named to the first team of the Bayside All Conference team. Recognized on the conference second team were Brady Cunnane and Jasper Davis. Above left, from left, are varsity team members Lucas Kohut, Brody Kendall, Colin Dang, Cunnane, McCabe
Boger
Davis,
and Team Manager Frankie Buxbaum.
At the conclusion of the fall sports season, Worcester Preparatory School held an awards banquet where players were recognized. The banquet provides coaches the opportunities to address the team and parents as well as allowed individual team captains to make personal remarks. Above left, the varsity boys soccer team ESIAC All-Conference team and award winners are pictured. Standing, from left, are all-conference team members Dillon Scopp, Edward Martikyan, Aleksey Klimins and Ben McGovern, who was also the team’s unanimous MVP; seated, from left, are all-conference team members Danny Kirwan, who also won most improved player, Jake Campbell, Max Carpenter and Caleb Walston. Coach’s award winner Ryan Mann was not pictured. Above right, award winners for the varsity girls soccer team were, from left, Danielle Carr, MVP and ESIAC All-Conference; Nazli Unal, Coach’s award; and Carolina Labin, most improved. Other ESIAC All-Conference team members, not pictured, were Abby Ament and Elena Gjoni.
Above left, the boys varsity cross country team award winners are pictured, including Jude Anthony, Coach’s award and ESIAC All-Conference; Josh Greulich, most improved; Jake Timmons, ESIAC AllConference; and Paxton Mault, MVP and ESIAC All-Conference. Above right, the girls varsity cross country team award winners are pictured – Sydney Todorov, most improved; Anisha Batra, MVP and ESIAC All-Conference; and Sydney Mize, Coach’s award.
Below left, the girls varsity volleyball team award winners gathered after the banquet. Pictured, from left, are Genia Fedarkevich, MVP and ESIAC All-Conference; Meredith Walston, Coach’s award; and Bella Forman, most improved. Also named to the ESIAC All-Conference team was Avery Roselle. Below right, the junior varsity golf team award winners included Chase Thompson, MVP; Keerat Brar, most improved; and Ben Rafinski, Coach’s award.
