11/15/2024 OC Today-Dispatch

OC Today-Disp a atch

Sobering legislative outlook

With state facing billion-dollar budget gap plus $3 billion hole in transportation funding, OC chamber lobbyist says money for local projects could suffer. PAGE 12

Short-term rental hearing

Resort’s planning commission will take a look at proposed regulations for residential neighborhoods. PAGE 66

Plaintiff drops houseboat suit against resort

Operator challenged City Council decision not to allow vessel to be used as short-term rental. Now it’s gone from Dorchester Street marina. PAGE 16

Judge Gerald Purnell retires from District Court bench

By Brian Shane Staff Writer

(Nov. 15, 2024) Judge Gerald V. Purnell, the Eastern Shore’s first African-American District Court judge, has retired after an 18-year career on the bench. His last day was August 31, according to online records.

Purnell was appointed by former Gov. Robert Ehrlich and began his judgeship in 2006. Of the seven people who applied for the job, he was the only African-American applicant.

He also served since 2013 as the administrative judge for Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties. His successor in that role has been named as Judge Melvin J. Jews, out of Dorchester County, according to the state judiciary.

Prior to becoming a judge, Purnell served from 2003 to 2005 as a deputy state’s attorney in Dorchester County. He also was legal counsel to Ocean City’s Board of Zoning Appeals from 2001 to 2002, according to online records.

A 1978 graduate of Bucknell University, Purnell earned his law degree in 1978 from the Antioch School of Law, now part of the University of the District of Columbia.

Moving forward, it could take

months for Gov. Wes Moore to name a replacement. A judicial nominating committee first must accept applications and narrow down the candidates. Then the committee would hold one-on-one roundtable interviews before eventually giving their shortlist to the governor for review. Applicants’ names are a matter of public record.

While three applicants already have been vetted at the state level as applicants for an District Court opening –local attorneys Michael Farlow, Regan Smith, and David Gaskill – other candidates may express interest and apply once the vacancy is formally announced.

Maryland’s governor last appointed a new District Court judge for the Eastern Shore in 2022, when Gov. Larry Hogan named Cathi Coates to fill the opening created by the retirement of Judge Daniel Mumford. Coates became the first woman ever named to the District Court bench in Worcester County.

The list of applicants to succeed Mumford in 2022 included Coates, Patrizia Coletta, Farlow, Gaskill, Steven Rakow, Smith and Kristina Watkowski. After vetting the applicants, the Judicial Nominating Com-

See JUDGE Page 6

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State board to rule on wind company’s pier

By Stewart Dobson Editor

(Nov. 15, 2024) U.S. Wind’s plan to build a 353-foot-long pier in the harbor in West Ocean City will go before the Maryland Board of Public Works (BPW) in Annapolis next Wednesday, when the board decides whether to grant the offshore wind developer the tidal wetlands permit it needs for the project.

In addition to the 30-foot-wide concrete pier, which would replace a dilapidated structure that juts out past the harbor entrance, the company intends to install 383 feet of bulkhead.

The pier would serve an operations and maintenance facility the company plans to build at the harbor to service the offshore installation’s support vessels.

The company’s pursuit of the wet-

lands permit will carry with it a recommendation of approval from the Maryland Department of Environment, which based its findings exclusively on the project’s impact on the harbor’s wetlands.

Although the department’s report to the BPW recognized strong opposition to the proposed pier, the state’s wetlands administrator declared that many of those objections fell outside the department’s purview.

Following the department’s March 25 hearing on U.S. Wind’s application for the permit and its subsequent call for more public comment, it received 882 letters of opposition, 835 of which were form letters, the department’s report said.

Among the objections raised were the negative effect the pier and the operation and maintenance facility could

have on the local commercial fishing industry.

The department said, however, that was a matter for the Department of Natural Resources, which has been working with U.S. Wind to create a package that would compensate commercial operators for losses suffered because of wind farm development.

“Specifically, the Board’s evaluation of the license is confined to the impacts of the proposed bulkhead replacement and pier construction in the wetlands,” the department’s report said.

Outside of that is U.S. Wind’s threephase plan to install up to 114 turbines in its 80,000-acre lease area off the Maryland coast. Two of the phases, MarWin and Momentum, have received the blessing of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, while a third phase has yet to be put before

state and federal authorities. As it stands, the closest turbines to shore would be around 15 miles out once the second phase, Momentum, is developed, while the third unnamed and unapproved phase would bring turbines to just under 11 miles from the beach.

Although the pier and facility are but a small part of the overall wind farm project, U.S Wind needs an onshore home port nearby, and whether it gets it will be up to the BPW, the only entity of its kind in the 50 states.

Maryland’s Board of Public Works is the “highest administrative authority” in the state and exercises power over state spending and major projects such as this one. This is even though it has just three members — the governor, the state treasurer and the state comptroller.

named Worcester County Circuit Court judges over other applicants Gaskill, attorney Jeff Cropper and Smith. Oglesby and Kent replaced retiring judges Thomas Groton and Richard Bloxom, respectively.

Ocean City townhome project moves ahead

Site plan for a townhouse project in

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(Nov. 15, 2024) The development of 10 townhouse units will proceed following site plan approval last week.

On Nov. 6, the Ocean City Planning Commission voted 4-2, with Commissioners Palmer Gillis and Pam Robertson opposed, to approve the site plan for a 10-unit development at 907 and 909 Baltimore Avenue. The developer, Avraham Sibony, has plans to demolish existing buildings on the two parcels and replace them with a condominium project that features four-bedroom

townhomes, each with a two-car garage.

“I think two spaces is a little short for a four-bedroom, in my opinion,” Chair Joe Wilson said. “But it does meet the code, so I’m not going to vote it down.”

Zoning Administrator Kay Gordy told the commissioners last week that the applicant was requesting a site plan review of a proposed townhouse development within the R-3A moderate residential and Upper Downtown Design Overlay zoning districts. While the lots are currently home to residential units, she noted that most are not occupied.

“On March 14, inspectors went over there and condemned the buildings,” Building and Community Development Director George Bendler added. “They’ve been boarded up and

prohibited from occupying in 90% of the units. I think in one or two units they can still occupy. But there are significant issues on the units.”

Gordy noted that the developer has plans to demolish the existing structures at 907 and 909 Baltimore Avenue and replace them with three buildings, two of which will accommodate three units and one of which will accommodate four. Wilmington Lane, situated behind the property will be used to access the units.

However, Gordy noted that the developer had plans to take advantage of existing nonconformities on the two lots. While the square footage permits nine dwelling units, she said the developer had plans to construct 10.

“They already have 12, according to the determination of nonconformity,” she told the commissioners.

the fourth story, but it’s really not because it’s under the roof. And that’s with our habitable attic provision that was recently passed.”

Staff ultimately recommended the planning commission approve the site plan, but with the condition that the existing buildings be demolished within 45 days of site plan approval. Gillis, however, said he had concerns about the project as proposed.

‘My concern is the stress and the public safety of the neighborhood with the extreme number of nonconformities, albeit legal.’

Commissioners

Palmer Gillis

“With that being said, the developers are using one unit of their nonconforming density to create 10 units instead of nine on this property.”

In addition to the density nonconformity, Gordy said the property also had a parking nonconformity. Instead of the 30 required parking spaces, the developer has planned for 20 – two for each dwelling unit.

“That is two parking spaces in each unit’s garage,” she explained. “Cleared space in each garage is 20by-20 with a minimum 22-foot drive aisle.”

As proposed, each townhouse would feature a ground-floor garage and living space above. Gordy said the attic was also being used to house a bedroom.

“They are also making use of the habitable attic,” she said. “Some of the livable area would be on what is

“My concern is the stress and the public safety of the neighborhood with the extreme number of nonconformities, albeit legal,” he said. “And also the fact that all the garages are enclosed as opposed to having open parking spaces. I’m going to have a difficult time supporting this. You’ve heard the expression of 10 pounds of something in a fivepound bag, and I think that’s what this is in my opinion.”

Wilson agreed. However, he said it wouldn’t stop him from approving the project.

“The only thing I would say about the enclosed garage is this is a very high foot traffic area, a very busy area of downtown,” he added. “So I actually think for safety purposes it should be enclosed. Just so the cars are safe and locked away from the public walking by.”

After a brief discussion, the commission voted 4-2 to approve the site plan with staff’s recommendations. As part of the motion, the commission also required the owner to place a provision in the condo association documents mandating that parking spaces remain open and used for parking.

“I think it’s way short on parking spaces …,” Gillis said. “This is just going to negatively impact the neighborhood.”

WHICH SIDE OF THE

DO YOU STAND ON? WHICH SIDE OF THE

DO YOU STAND ON? SUNDAY, NOV. 17 • 1 PM SUNDAY, NOV. 17 • 1 PM

TUESDAY:

WEDNESDAY:

THURSDAY:

‘Unpredictable’ legislative session in Annapolis for ‘25

Ocean City chamber warns Maryland fiscal issues may drive the General Assembly

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(Nov. 15, 2024) Chamber representatives say changes at the federal level, combined with fiscal challenges at the state level, could lead to some unpredictability this legislative session.

On Tuesday, the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce held a legislative roundtable, during which the chamber’s lobbyist, Dennis Rasmussen, presented attendees with what he anticipates will happen in Annapolis when the General Assembly reconvenes in January. With a new

administration leading the federal government in 2025, and a structural deficit dominating discussions at the state level, he said the outlook for this year’s legislative session remains unclear.

“When you combine the unpredictability with what may come out from Washington, and the fact that we have fiscal issues here in Maryland … it’s going to be a pretty unpredictable session,” he said. “I think as a chamber, we really need to closely monitor what goes on.”

Rasmussen said he believes the state’s $1 billion structural deficit will drive the 2025 General Assembly session. He said state officials will continue to explore ways to increase revenues and decrease expenses.

“You start adding this all together –a billion here, a billion there – and we have to decide how we’re going to deal with all of that,” he said.

Rasmussen added the state’s Consolidated Transportation Program also shows a $3 billion-plus shortfall for funding transportation projects over the next six years. He said that deficit calls into question the future of local projects.

“We talk about the expansion of Route 90 and the airport in Salisbury, and some of those issues …,” he told attendees. “Those kinds of projects are being reevaluated. I’m not saying they won’t happen, but I think everybody’s kind of stepping back and taking a hard look at those issues.”

Rasmussen also highlighted other priority projects taking shape at the local level, namely the proposed expansion of parking at the Ocean City convention center and the development of a sports complex in northern Worcester County. Both projects will require state funding to complete.

“All these kinds of projects, I think, will be reevaluated as the session starts,” he said.

One of the topics discussed during Tuesday’s roundtable was the uncertainty surrounding the implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland’s

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BETHANY HOOPER/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Dennis Rasmussen, a lobbyist for the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce, spoke to legislative roundtable attendees about what he expects for Maryland’s 2025 General Assembly.

Next session details discussed

Future. When asked how the state’s fiscal issues would impact those education policies, Rasmussen said he believed it could extend the timetable for implementation.

“I think you’ll see a lot of discussion about extending the timeline to implement the Blueprint. I can see contributions being made to it this year, but at a lesser amount. That’s just my own personal opinion …,” he replied. “It would be a real challenge for local governments to be able to comply. And keep in mind that one of the campaign promises made by the president-elect was to eliminate the Department of Education. If you do that, 30% of the money in the state education budget is federal money.”

Attendees also discussed the impacts of the Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022, which will require certain buildings over 35,000 square feet to move away from fossil fuels and achieve zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. The legislation would affect 269 buildings in Worcester County. A majority of those are hotels, condos and stores located within Ocean City’s municipal limits.

“There’s a lot of pushback,” Rasmussen said of the legislation this week. “If you have a building that’s 35,000 square feet or larger, this may be a very expensive requirement to comply with.”

Rasmussen said another issue important to both residents and businesses is offshore wind. While the US Wind project off Ocean City’s coast continues to work through the approval process, he said changes at the federal level could impact those efforts.

“Of course, the big issue is offshore wind, a project here off of Ocean City. It’s been moving along, it’s got lots of approvals. However, the presidentelect said repeatedly he doesn’t really like wind power, he doesn’t really like solar …,” he said. “Whether they will do anything about that is uncertain. It would be very easy for the presidentelect to say we are not going to do any more wind projects and just put a hold on everything. That’s very possible, I think.”

As the local chamber looks to craft its legislative priorities for 2025, Executive Director Amy Thompson said she wanted to hear from chamber members regarding the topics most important to them. She encouraged businesses to reach out to the chamber, and to get involved. Of the 2,700plus bills introduced in last year’s session, Rasmussen the chamber was directly involved with about 100 of them.

“I think the buzz words for this upcoming session are fiscal issues,” he concluded this week. “I think it will drive almost all policy.”

New council installed, Matt James remains as president

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(Nov. 15, 2024) While the makeup of the Ocean City Council changed following last week’s election, its officers did not.

In an organizational meeting held last Thursday, Worcester County Clerk of Court Susan Braniecki swore in the four councilmen elected to the dais following last Tuesday’s municipal election. The new council last week also voted to keep Tony DeLuca as the council secretary and Matt James as the council president.

“I want to thank everybody for the opportunity and the support tonight to serve as president for another two years,” James said.

With Councilman Frank Knight

choosing not to seek re-election, and Councilman Peter Buas vacating his seat to challenge incumbent Rick Meehan in the mayoral race, it was known there would be at least two new faces on the dais once this year’s municipal election concluded. And last Tuesday, voters elected Meehan, incumbent councilmen Tony DeLuca and John Gehrig, and newcomers Jake Mitrecic and Larry Yates.

With the election concluded, the council’s next meeting involves swearing in the top vote-getters and select the officers. Following a close mayoral race, Meehan recognized his supporters for re-electing him to serve as the city’s chief representative for another two years.

“Ocean City is a very special place,” he said. “We live where everybody else wants to be, and that’s evidenced by the fact that eight million people come here to visit each year. Our citizens have put their trust in us to keep Ocean City that special place that we all love. We will always face challenges to keep it this way, and I pledge to our community that I will work tirelessly and with passion to do so … I look forward to serving with this new council. I think we’re going to have a great future.”

Meehan also recognized his challenger, Buas, who lost by 192 votes in last Tuesday’s election. After serving four years on the council, Buas in September announced he would be running against the nine-term mayor.

“Peter, I’m sorry you’re no longer sitting next to me on the council,” he said. “In particular, I’ll miss our spirited discussions on zoning issues that we’ve had over the last four years. I think our race for mayor was done with class and dignity, and I wish you all the best.”

For his part, Buas acknowledged his time on the council. He also thanked the mayor, council, city staff and community members for their guidance and support.

“This isn’t goodbye or the end,” he said, “it’s just a new chapter and I’m excited for it.”

During his remarks last week, Yates said he was eager to serve the city as its new councilman. Yates, a retired law enforcement veteran, garnered 1,295 votes to gain a seat on the dais.

“This has always been a dream of mine,” he said. “I’m honored to sit here with my colleagues, and I promise you all, we are going to make this city even better. What it is now is this wonderful place to live to work and to play, and I’m just honored to be able to serve you. Thank you for voting for me.”

Mitrecic, a local builder, also shared his appreciation for those who supported him throughout his cam-

BETHANY HOOPER/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Mayor Rick Meehan, alongside members of his family, at the Nov. 7 swearing-in for new members of the Ocean City Council. The ceremony marks the start of Meehan’s 10th two-year mayoral term.

New councilmen

sworn in Nov. 7

paign. He also reiterated his commitment to bettering the city.

“We have a lot facing us and you all have put your faith in me,” he said. “I don’t take that faith lightly. I will continue on in the same way that I campaigned, faithful to the town with my ears open to hear our citizens and guided by a strong moral compass, strengthened by the love of my family and my friends. I believe that God makes all men good, and God gives all of us gifts. The good man can become a great man when he uses those gifts to make a difference in the lives of others.”

Gehrig, the top vote-getter in last week’s council race, will serve a third term on the dais. He told community members last Thursday he was grateful to be able to serve the people of Ocean City.

“I’m grateful for the confidence that you all have put in me …,” he said. “I’m just lucky to be surrounded by incredible people. All of you are a part of that.”

DeLuca was absent from last week’s organizational meeting. Garnering 1,461 votes, he will return for a fourth term.

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• 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.

LEASE REQUIREMENTS

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 all State Highway Administration requirements for sidewalks and access to Coastal Highway

For more information, contact Bobby Jester 410.430.4480

BETHANY HOOPER/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Left, new Councilman Larry Yates signs paperwork to take office at a Nov. 7 swearing-in ceremony as Worcester County Clerk of Court Susan Braniecki looks on. Right, County Commissioner Joseph Mitrecic, Melissa Rolfes and new Councilman Jake Mitrecic celebrate his election at City Hall.

Company retracts lawsuit against city over houseboat

Sea Rocket withdraws legal action, resort committed to last summer’s ordinance

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(Nov. 15, 2024) The operator of a houseboat rental has dismissed a lawsuit against the Town of Ocean City.

Last week, Sea Rocket OC Houseboats LLC dismissed a lawsuit that challenged the city over newly adopted ordinances that prohibited the commercial use of houseboats within corporate limits and assigned fines for any such violations. The case was voluntarily dismissed with prejudice, meaning the claims asserted in the lawsuit cannot be refiled at any time by the plaintiff.

“Ocean City has at all times believed firmly in the legal correctness and the strength of the positions it has taken in this matter,” said Bruce Bright, attorney for the Town of Ocean City.

In April, the Ocean City Council directed staff to develop recommendations for banning houseboat rentals after discovering listings for a short-term rental operation at the Dorchester Street marina. While the town views houseboats as floating structures – which are prohibited by town code – representatives for the operator, Sea Rocket OC Houseboats LLC, argue they are vessels consistent with marina use.

Despite objections from Sea Rocket’s manager, Will Wangel, and threats of litigation from the company’s attorney, Demetrios Kaouris, the council in June adopted an ordinance prohibiting the commercial use of houseboats within corporate limits, as well as a companion ordinance assigning fines for any violations.

Days later, Sea Rocket Houseboats LLC filed suit in Worcester County Circuit Court seeking declaratory judgment and injunctive

relief.

“There is a clear dispute as to the actions taken by the Town through the enactment of the Ordinances,” the initial complaint read. “It is Sea Rocket’s position that the Ordinances are invalid and not an appropriate exercise of police power. The Town disagrees with that position, and contends the Ordinances are valid and fully enforceable against the Sea Rocket. An actual controversy therefore exists between the contending Parties, that the Sea Rocket does not believe the Town’s actions are lawful.”

From the outset, city officials have voiced two concerns regarding houseboats – the preservation of marine-related activities and the proliferation of short-term houseboat rentals throughout the resort. They also noted that the Sea Rocket houseboat had not applied for a short-term rental license.

In his complaint filed this summer, Kaouris argued the ordinances were invalid, as the town had no authority to regulate subaqueous lands within the state’s jurisdiction, nor did it have the authority to regulate vessels used on state waters. He added the houseboat – a 42-foot Catamaran Cruiser – had been registered with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and had met all certifications and safety requirements.

After the lawsuit was filed, Worcester County Circuit Court Judge Beau Oglesby issued a temporary restraining order, preventing the city from enforcing its ordinances as the lawsuit worked its way through the legal system. And in August, Oglesby extended the restraining order and directed Sea Rocket to move its houseboat while the case is pending in circuit court.

As of Monday, the houseboat had been removed from the Dorchester Street marina. Kaouris did not respond when reached for comment this week.

County OKs funds for new library in Pocomoke City

$8.4M project will double size of the existing building

By Brian Shane Staff Writer

(Nov. 15, 2024) A years-long effort to replace Pocomoke City’s aging public library is finally moving forward in earnest, as Worcester County officials have given the go-ahead to fund the $8.4 million project.

“The new library will be a welcoming space for all ages,” said Library Director Jennifer Ranck, who’s shepherded the project since replacement efforts began in 2019. “The facility will offer more community gathering space and allow for expanded programs and partnerships.”

Ranck said contents of the existing branch are in the process of being boxed up and hauled to a temporary space, a renovated Fifth Street firehouse, which will open to the public on Nov. 18.

Pocomoke’s existing 6,700 square foot library was built in 1970 and is the oldest library branch in the county. Its replacement, scheduled for completion by early 2026, will be constructed on the footprint of the old facility on Market Street.

The new building will 12,000 square feet. All public areas will be on including the first floor, a gallery space, two small study rooms, and a room dedicated to local history. An outdoor yard will be accessible from the children’s area. Mechanical, utility, and storage spaces will be housed on the building’s second story.

Ranck also said she’s happy that the new library will include a large community room – a welcome addition, she noted, for this part of the county where access to public meeting spaces is somewhat limited.

The last new library branch to open in Worcester County was in Berlin, in 2018. This project has the same architect, Jeff Schoellkopf of The Design Group, and Ranck hopes the Pocomoke branch will mimic the same warm and inviting vibes as the Berlin location.

Library officials and the architect had discussed design ideas for a onestory replacement building going back to 2019, a concept at one point which would have included a children’s treehouse.

An earlier concept also would have built on a vacant lot offered by the City of Pocomoke, but that site was ruled out after a negative environmental study. County and library officials also had debated whether to let the new library share its space with a local senior citizen center, but opted not to.

Fresh plans emerged last year to build the new library at the site of

IMAGE COURTESY JEFF SCHOELLKOPF, AIA / THE DESIGN GROUP.

This architectural rendering shows what the new library branch might look like in Pocomoke. The project is scheduled for completion in 2026.

Local campground eyes expansion

By Brian Shane Staff Writer

(Nov. 15, 2024) Owners of a local campground say they plan to expand with dozens more campsites after Worcester County authorities cleared the way with an agricultural rezoning of the property.

The Ewell family successfully petitioned the Worcester County Board of Commissioners to rezone 33 acres of Island Resort Campground, located off Croppers Island Road in Newark, going from an A-1 to an A-2 zoning designation.

Once the commissioners finalize the zoning change, which is expected soon, the Ewells plan to add 53 campsites to the campground’s existing 164 campsites. Their original proposal was for 62 sites.

The purpose of the rezoning was to return the existing campground to a legal conforming use. Rental campgrounds like theirs had been allowed in the A-1 Agricultural zoning area. And the property had been A-1 when it opened nearly 20 years ago.

However, the county’s 2009 comprehensive rezoning put their

acreage into the A-2 zoning, where rental campsites are not permitted. It means the Ewell’s property has been nonconforming, and expansion of campsites wasn’t allowed for nonconforming properties, according to their attorney Mark Cropper.

“You can’t expand a nonconforming use by more than 50 percent,” Cropper said in an interview. “It became very difficult to figure out, how to define the scope of the original campground, for the purpose of calculating whether this expansion did or did not exceed that 50 percent.

He said the way to solve that problem was to turn the campground into a legal conforming use, meaning that 50 percent rule no longer applied.

Cropper also said a traffic study shows that increasing the campground by 53 sites would have a negligible impact on vehicular traffic along Croppers Island Road.

It’s not the Ewell’s first time wrangling with land use regulations in their quest to expand the number of campsites at the campground.

Cropper said first, about 18 months ago, he had to ask the commissioners to change his client’s acreage from a Resource Conservation Area to a Limited Development Area, which did go through.

The campground expansion is not without some neighborly opposition.

In a Sept. 4 e-mail to county officials, Raye Simpson of Croppers Island Road asked elected officials to scrutinize Ewell’s request, arguing that that adding more campsites would add stress to well water and local sewerage, among other issues.

“The campers have large motor homes and camper rigs. No tents. There is a lot of traffic on our road from spring to fall and the campers can’t wait to get here, thus speeding over 30 mph up to 50-plus mph is an issue,” Simpson wrote.

Next, the Ewells will be asking Worcester County officials for another change to the property – this time, to allow butchering of cattle.

Owner Robert Ewell has raised his own cattle for decades on the property and wants to be able to slaughter his livestock on-site instead of transporting the cattle out-of-state for butchering, according to Cropper.

Cropper said he’s filed an application for a zoning code amendment so that Ewell can host his own slaughterhouse on his property. The request was scheduled for a Nov. 14 meeting of the county’s Board of Zoning Appeals, which would have to grant the special exception.

Deputy injured in head-on Route 589 crash

Authorities close Racetrack Road, traffic detoured for hours through Ocean Pines

By Brian Shane Staff Writer

(Nov. 8, 2024) A Worcester County Sheriff’s Deputy was hospitalized after being involved in head-on automobile collision in his patrol vehicle on Racetrack Road.

Around 9:20 am, the deputy was driving southbound on Racetrack Road when a white panel van exited

the Tidal Health Ocean Pines Campus at Cathage Road. The van crossed over into the southbound lane, traveling directly into the path of the sheriff’s vehicle.

The cars collided in front of the Shore Stop/Valero gas station. The van ended up tilted into a culvert on along the southbound lane. The deputy’s SUV suffered severe front damage. Neither vehicle was carrying passengers.

The deputy was transported to Atlantic General Hospital for medical evaluation and was reportedly in sta-

ble condition. The driver of the van was taken to Tidal Health. Both individuals sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

Neither the van driver nor the deputy’s name have been released yet by the Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff Matt Crisafulli said the accident remains under invewstigation, and confirmed the deputy has been released from the hospital.

Traffic along Racetrack Road was briefly halted as authorities tended to the scene, detouring traffic through the north gate of Ocean Pines.

“The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office extends its sincere gratitude to the citizens who stopped to assist and to the emergency medical services for their swift and professional response,” the department said in a statement.

Library temporarily relocated

Continued from Page 18

Pocomoke’s old armory building. Cost delays and concerns about environmental issues forced planners to abandon that idea, however, and to just rebuild at the current location.

The library was last improved in 2004 with a 4,000 square foot addition.

A 2013 study concluded that additional improvements would come after building a new Berlin branch.

The Worcester County Commissioners unanimously approved funding at their Nov. 6 meeting. While the project’s initial cost estimate was $8.1 million, the final price came to $8,394,544 for construction, as well

as third-party testing and inspections in for $26,195 and $19,000.

Funding will be offset by a $3.99 million grant from the Maryland State Library Agency, which requires a 100 percent county match. The library also has applied for funding to cover the cost of furnishings and equipment for the 2026 fiscal year. Other fundraisers are forthcoming from the Library Foundation, according to Ranck.

“On behalf of the library board and staff, I am very appreciative of the State and County support for the new Pocomoke Library and all those who have contributed to this project,” she said.

BRIAN SHANE/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

A Worcester County Sheriff’s deputy was involved in a head-on collision with this white panel van the morning of Nov. 8 along Racetrack Road. Both drivers were hospitalized with minor injuries.

Berlin’s viral Bubble Project earns state tourism award

tion without any paid advertising. Social media posts reached more than 25,000 views.

(Nov. 15, 2024) Berlin’s Main Street and Art and Entertainment District won two awards at the Maryland Tourism Coalition’s 2024 Travel & Tourism Summit on Nov. 6-8.

Berlin was recognized with the “Best Event” award for The Berlin Farmers Market (small budget category) and the “Best Use of Social Media” award for the “Berlin Bubble Project.”

Ivy Wells, Director of Economic and Community Development for Berlin, accepted both awards on behalf of the town.

“We are so grateful to receive these recognitions, which highlight our community and the hard work of so many who make these amazing events possible,” Wells said. “The Berlin Farmers Market has grown to be more than just a market. The economic impact of the market is undeniable, and we are so appreciative of the support from our community.”

The Berlin Bubble Project, which features hand-blown glass bubbles and stars created by local artist Jeff Auxer, became a viral sensation. The project garnered widespread atten-

“We did not spend a single dollar on advertising for the Berlin Bubble Project,” Wells added. “It was all organic, driven by our community, the magic of social media, and the beauty of Jeff Auxer’s art. To have posts reach over 25,000 views shows the power of local engagement of our residents and tourists. It’s a testament to the impact of arts and culture on tourism. A huge thank you to Jeff Auxer for his generous donation of hand-blown glass bubbles and stars that made this project happen.”

The Berlin Farmers Market and the Berlin Bubble Project reflect Berlin’s ongoing efforts to create unique experiences for both residents and visitors while promoting local art, food, and culture. The town’s Main Street and Art and Entertainment District continue to be key drivers of economic and community development.

“The Berlin Bubble Project is a way to bring visiting and local families downtown to explore our wonderful town at no cost and have a chance to go away with a special find,” Jeff Auxer said.

ENTERTAINMENT

State changes Critical Area boundaries for Worcester

By Brian Shane Staff Writer

(Nov. 15, 2024) State officials are almost done redrawing of the boundaries of Worcester County’s most environmentally sensitive areas, meaning some landowners will see increased governmental protection overlaid onto their property.

However, landowners won’t be affected directly unless they want to proceed with some kind of redevelopment, according to Lisa Hoerger, a regulation and mapping coordinator with the state’s Critical Area Commission. She explained the process Nov. 6 at a meeting of the Worcester County Commissioners.

“Some people are already in the Critical Area and they’re getting a little bit more. Some people are coming out of the Critical Area. Then, there’s people who, for the first time, might be in the Critical Area,” Hoerger said.

The 1,000-foot ribbon of land along tidal shorelines, created in 1984 by state law, gets its name from being a “critical area” of impact to the health of Chesapeake Bay, according to the state’s Department of Natural Resources. In this buffer zone, development is restricted, and builders must follow strict rules to ensure development doesn’t harm the Chesapeake or

the coastal bays of the Atlantic Ocean.

While the state has oversight, 16 Maryland counties and 44 municipalities bordering water are tasked with local enforcement of their own policies to protect the Critical Areas (Landlocked counties in central and western Maryland do not participate).

At first, the Critical Area’s borderline was cobbled together from 1960sera aerial photography, meaning the boundary was already outdated by the time it became law. The General Assembly’s eventual solution to that came in 2008, when legislators ruled that Critical Area boundaries – every last inch of them – had to be updated.

That Herculean task is about to end. After more than 15 years, Worcester is the final county to have its Critical Area boundaries redrawn, “so you all have that distinction,” Hoerger told the county commissioners.

When denoting the shoreline –meaning, the edge of open water at low tide – cartographers have more tools at their disposal as opposed to their Nixon-era counterparts. Tidal borders are based on not just aerial images, but topography, color infrared imagery, LiDAR, and on-site verification.

For now, the updated Critical Area resulted in a net loss of 377 acres of

Public meeting on redrawn maps set for early next year

protected area for Worcester County, officials said.

One of the largest Critical Area gains for Worcester County is at the border of Somerset County along Dividing Creek, according to Ryan Mello, with Salisbury University’s Eastern Shore Regional GIS Cooperative. He also spoke at the Nov. 6 meeting.

The county’s most depleted part of the Critical Area, data shows, is between Porters Crossing Road and Whitons Crossing Road – which may have originally been an error, Mello said.

“They have mapped the tidal limit too far,” he said. “Beyond Porters Crossing, we went out there and confirmed that area is nontidal. It may have just naturally transitioned or been an error to begin with. But all of that is being pulled out of the Critical Area.”

Mello added that the Critical Area also grew around the corporate limits of Berlin, and ebbed around Pocomoke State Park, near the county’s southern border at the Virginia state line.

“Anybody whose property gets a gain of one percent or more, their property will get a letter of notice. No matter what, if you have a gain, you get that letter, so you know where the new proposed boundary will be,” he said.

There will be a public meeting in January for approximately 994 affected property owners. After that, state and local staffers will review the maps, before turning them over to county officials for local adoption. The map itself becomes a matter of public record, available online for anyone to view.

Future development or redevelopment is subject to Critical Area requirements. Property owners who want to build must first fill out a special form at the county level, detailing their plans.

57,294 acres

Chesapeake Total: 14,927

Atlantic Total: 42,366

Critical Area Gains 3,185

Chesapeake Total 1,921

Atlantic Total 1,264 Critical Area Losses 3,652

Chesapeake Total 2,605

Annual birding convention features guided field trips

(Nov. 15, 2024) The Maryland Ornithological Society (MOS) is gearing up for its 76th annual convention, a three-day celebration of birds and nature, set to take place at the Grand Hotel in Ocean City, from Nov. 22-24.

More than 200 birders from across the state and beyond will participate in a weekend of exciting field trips, captivating presentations and workshops, and fellowship. Field trip leaders, speakers and poster presenters will share their expertise on a variety of topics, from the latest bird research to identification tips and conservation efforts.

One of the highlights of the convention will be the guided field trips, offering participants the opportunity to explore diverse habitats and observe a wide array of bird species. More than 30 experienced birders will lead excursions to local parks, beaches, and national wildlife refuges, providing expert guidance and sharing their knowledge of the region’s feathered inhabitants.

Ocean City’s central location on the Delmarva Peninsula will provide access to such birding hotspots as Assateague Island National Seashore in Maryland, Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Delaware and Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia. Guided boat trips in Ocean City and Lewes will provide special birding experiences on the

water to search for waterfowl and shorebirds.

The convention’s lineup of speakers includes some of the most respected names in the birding and conservation community. Friday night’s keynote is Wayne Klockner, executive director of the American Birding Association, who will speak about birding and the salvation of birds. On Saturday afternoon, Mark England and Cheryl Hogue will share best practices in leading field trips. Our Saturday night keynote is Dr. Naamal De Silva, Vice President for Together for Birds at the American Bird Conservancy; who will speak about collectively envisioning the future of bird conservation.

PHOTO COURTESY JIM RAPP

Birding enthusiasts are pictured at the Inlet looking south from the Ocean City Inlet area.

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Worcester schools receive foundation education grants

Tech school culinary team wins $1,000 for innovative program on hydroponics

(Nov. 15, 2024) Schools in Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties received $153,574 in grant funding through the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore’s 2024 Education Grants Program.

Funding will be distributed to 29 schools across 40 school-based programs. The foundation saw an unprecedented number of requests this year for a variety of needs including STEM education, social-emotional wellness, the arts, physical fitness, and more.

“Each year we are inspired by the creativity and commitment local educators demonstrate through this program,” said Community Foundation President Erica Joseph. “We are fortunate that the Lower Shore has such dedicated teachers and administrators to nurture our next generation of leaders.”

Education grants are made annually through a competitive process to public and private grade schools on the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland. Grants are made to schools that have developed innovative programs to enhance education and improve the social, emotional and physical wellbeing of their students and communities. Educators and school districts were honored at an evening reception Nov. 7 at Dove Pointe in Salisbury.

The Community Foundation honored Worcester Technical High School with the Mary Gay Calcott Award of Excellence and an additional $1,000 grant from the foundation’s Mary Gay Calcott Memorial Fund, for the innovative program that uses hydroponic equipment to teach sustainable agriculture and nutritional practices to high school culinary students, who will then use their knowledge to teach local elementary school students the importance of nutrition and sustainability. The award is named for the late Calcott, a professor of English at Salisbury University whose life embodied her ideals of teaching students to think, to express themselves with clarity and to care about the world they live in.

The following Worcester County schools received grants for the 2024/2025 school year:

Buckingham Elementary will support the Starbucky’s coffee cart program, engaging students with autism to practice social interaction.

Buckingham Elementary will create an outdoor classroom space with tools for neurodivergent students.

Cedar Chapel Special School will create an indoor sensory garden for special needs students to improve mental and physical health.

Ocean City Elementary will provide play-based learning materials to integrate educational goals with playful activities.

Pocomoke Elementary will support the Full STEAM Ahead program to promote inquiry and wonder in STEAM.

Pocomoke Elementary will create an outdoor classroom space to meet students academic, social, and emotional needs.

Pocomoke High School will support the student-run school snack shop to teach life skills and promote inclusivity.

Pocomoke Middle School will provide the necessary upgrades to the Family and Consumer Science kitchen.

Showell Elementary will implement room transformation kits to create immersive classroom experiences.

Showell Elementary will host literacy nights to educate parents and showcase student learning.

Snow Hill Elementary will purchase incentives for the school’s positive behavior interventions and supports program.

Snow Hill High will enhance the school’s incentive program for improved attendance and behavior.

Snow Hill Middle will support an advanced robotics and coding environment to cultivate computer science skills.

Snow Hill Middle will support the Math Marvels group.

Stephen Decatur High will incorporate drone technology into computer science courses.

Worcester Technical High School will use hydroponics to teach sustainable agriculture to high school culinary students who will then teach nutrition to elementary students.

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

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BUILDERS CLUB BEGINS NEW YEAR

Stephen Decatur Middle School’s Builders Club began its new year with the installation of its new officers.  The club is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines-Ocean City. The teachers who volunteer to assist the club are Mindy Ouelette and Kathy McDaniel. The Kiwanis club members who conducted the installation of officers were President Bob Wolfing and Liaison to the Builders Club Sarah Walker.  These young students are building character, learning how to become leaders, and how to give service to their school and community. Pictured, from left, are Vice President Jemma Bunting, President Carly Watts, Kiwanis Liaison Sarah Walker, Treasurer Charlie Smith, Secretary Morgan Jenkins and Wolfing.

Berlin retains Sustainable honor

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer

(Nov. 15, 2024) The Town of Berlin continues to make strides in sustainability, and last week the municipality’s efforts were recognized with a renewal of its Sustainable Maryland Certification.

Sustainable Maryland is a certification initiative for “municipalities in Maryland that want to go green, save money, and take steps to sustain their quality of life over the long term,” according to its website. The program is a collaboration between the Environmental Finance Center (EFC) at the University of Maryland and the Maryland Municipal League.

Berlin was one of 17 Maryland municipalities recognized at the Sustainable Maryland Awards Ceremony at the Maryland Municipal League’s annual fall conference. According to a press release issued by the Sustainable Maryland program, the town was certified at the Bronze Level. To be placed in the bronze category, a participating local government must obtain at least 150 points as determined by the environmental organization. Points are racked up through the implementation of community and health action steps. One such example, which scored 10 points, is Berlin’s public wi-fi zone that allows visitors to access the network downtown for free.

“Renewing Berlin’s Sustainable Maryland certification is a testament to our commitment to a greener, more resilient future for our community,” Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall said in the press release. “Through collaborative efforts, we’re not only safeguarding our natural resources but also building a healthier, more vibrant Berlin for generations to come. I’m proud of our team’s dedication to this important work and look forward to seeing our continued progress.”

According to Berlin Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells, to maintain the sustainability certification, the town must meet “specific environmental, economic, and social sustainability criteria each year, including efforts like reducing energy consumption, supporting local agriculture, and promoting waste production.”

The municipality’s Facebook page says that Berlin was the first town in Maryland to receive this certification back in 2012. The honor is valid for three years, which Berlin has sustained and renewed each cycle, making this the fifth consecutive recognition for the municipality.

Wells and Berlin Superintendent of Wastewater Meghan Pfaller were responsible for this year’s successful application process. On Nov. 8, Berlin was certified by Sustainable Maryland with 260 points, putting them into the

bronze tier.

Berlin’s approved application, which highlights the sustainability steps, is available to the public on Sustainable Maryland’s website. In the Community Action category, some projects that pushed the town to its 260 points include the addition of murals to downtown, including Pollinator Way.

The official report describes the painting as “an interactive mural where kids hop from flower to flower learning about pollinators and also added bioretention gardens to help alleviate flooding in the alley.”

“The community loves learning about pollinators, and it helps keep the kids busy while waiting in line at Island Creamery,” the report continues.

“Maintaining the Sustainable Maryland certification is important because it demonstrates our commitment to

environmental stewardship and improving the quality of life for our residents,” Wells said. “It helps guide the town’s growth while balancing sustainability and economic development.”

SUBMITTED

Berlin Superintendent of Wastewater Meghan Pfaller is pictured with the Sustainable Mary-

WOMEN VETS SPOTLIGHTED

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Pictured, from left, are panelists Grace Cephas, Staff Sgt Army; Gladys Holland, E7 Army; Sherry Elzey, Sgt Army Reserve; Emeritus Professor Dr. Clara Small, History, Salisbury University; Gwen Wise, OS2 Navy; and Pastina Tingle, Petty Officer Navy.

OC museum sets date for holiday open house event

(Nov. 15, 2025) The Ocean City Life Saving-Station Museum will be its annual Holiday Open House on Sunday Dec. 1, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

The museum will have a variety of activities throughout the day to get local families in the holiday spirit. The Holiday Open House is open with free admission for all.

Author Cindi Offutt will be hosting a book signing and reading from 2-4pm. Her new book, “Crackers the Curious Seagull”, will be available for purchase. Listen to the musical tunes of The Jolly Tars from 11:30am - 5pm, they’ll be performing sea shanties and sailor lore. Local artist Joanne Guilfoil will be cutting profile silhouettes for guests from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Pre-registration and payment of $10 can be done through the museum’s website, ocmuseum.org. Raw oysters will be served starting at 10 a.m. (until sold out), one for $2 or six for $10. Take advantage of the store sale and enjoy 20% off your entire purchase (some exclusions may apply). Stop by the craft table to make a free ornament or take on the challenge of the holiday artifact scavenger hunt.

Bikers foundation seeks donations for food banks

(Nov. 15, 2024) The community is invited to join the Bikers Without Borders Foundation on Saturday, Nov. 23 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Food Lion in Ocean Pines for its annual food drive.

Members will be collecting canned goods, nonperishable food items, toiletries, baby necessities, clothing and monetary donations for local food banks. Food banks receiving donations this fall include Chincoteague Island Food Closet (Chincoteague, Va.), Shepherd’s Office (Georgetown, Del.), Sonrise Church (Berlin), and The Joseph House (Salisbury).

The needed items include ready-toeat and microwave-ready meals, shelf stable milk, breakfast and granola bars, cases of bottled water, bags of rice and beans, cooking oil, and canned protein. Additionally, personal hygiene items, infant formula, diapers and clothing (especially new underwear and socks). Monetary donations will be used to purchase additional food items to ensure well-rounded donations are provided to each organization, as well as provide gift cards for ongoing support through the holiday season. Beginning at noon, members of the Bikers Without Borders Foundation will begin escorted rides to the recipients to make the deliveries.

The foundation focuses on supporting and serving veterans and active military, emergency responders, children and youth, and the

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IThe Adventures of Fatherhood

t’s tough to see my teenager stressed, but it’s part of growing up.

I walked out of Beckett’s bedroom Tuesday morning disturbed after bringing him some laundry and found Carson standing in his room with a smile. Despite being nonverbal with Autism, Carson’s cognitive awareness is on point, and he has an amazing sense of humor. He was clearly listening to his big brother’s rant to me about the day ahead, the day before and the weekend coming up. Though a tad demented, Carson really enjoys when his big brother is worked up. He greeted me with a smile and both thumbs up.

Beckett was not raging about me but toward me. He was clearly getting some things off his chest about school largely and a heavy workload he finds to be offensive. Once all the facts are ascertained and the details unpacked, there’s usually more to the situation than explained initially, but I have learned over the years Beckett needs to vent. If the venom must come out to me or his mother, we can take it. We certainly rather him express his emotions and thoughts than keep them bottled up inside.

When I saw Carson standing in his room half-dressed the following morning around the same time, it was clear what had happened. While getting dressed, Carson could hear the loud complaining from his big brother. It was essentially a repeat of the same tirade as the previous day. In my mind, Carson stopped his morning routine to listen and enjoy Beckett. As I came out of the room Wednesday, he tried – unsuccessfully – to appear as if he was not eavesdropping. I just said, “Oh don’t mind Beckett, he’s got a case of the Mondays.” Carson laughed with his palms up, reminding me it was Wednesday.

When Beckett gets super stressed,

he’s prone for extremes. He speaks in definitive language and absolutes. The 16-year-old tends to the extremes often but it’s just stress working on him. I try to help him through it by chunking his week, taking everything day to day or period to period if necessary.

Rather than speak so definitely about everything, the reality is life is nothing but a sea of grey. We can all seek clarity as a goal but rarely are things simply, or black and white. There’s always a bit of murkiness at play. Sometimes he cares to listen to what I have to say, but most times he just wants to vent and articulate what he views as unfair and harsh.

There is no cure-all for helping teenagers with stress. I just try and offer him some perspective. As a high school junior, Beckett puts a lot of pressure on himself. He has become a hard worker on his school subjects, and he was rewarded through an outstanding report card. All this success during a heavy fall slate of soccer and challenging courses.

Beckett did exceptional and was entirely independent managing his load. Pam and I want to push him to do his best, but we also don’t want him to not put an inordinate amount of pressure on himself. We don’t set the high expectations. He’s the one challenging himself to do well.

I learned where he was in his headspace Monday night when I showed him his report card. I thought he deserved some love and praise for the academic performance as well as the positive individual comments from his teachers.

Instead of reflecting on how well he did, he was obsessive on what was ahead tomorrow – a test on The Great Gatsby and an AP U.S. History exam the next day. He became argumentative when I told him to take some deep breaths and listen to me. After a few constant interruptions, I left the room and commiserated with Pam. I may or

may not have complained about his obsession with his school work. I couldn’t help but giggle when I said he won’t even take a minute to let me fuss over him.

There are worst things of course, but I do think a lot about my son’s mental health. I love that he has an internal drive to do well. I admire the work ethic and motivation he seems to possess at a high level. He’s driven but I want to ensure he’s not overwhelming himself with burden and anxiety. I don’t want him reflecting later on his high school years with relief they are over and how stressful they were for him. I just want him to regulate and be balanced. All we have ever asked of him is to try his hardest and do his best.

In a moment of honesty in September, I recall asking him about a poor grade he got on a test. He admitted he didn’t prepare for it as much as he should have and it showed. He said he was mad at himself because he knows he could do better. I liked that and told him throughout his entire life he will have this internal battle. There will be times when you let yourself down with your words or actions (or inaction in this case) and other times when you must take a moment and celebrate a win by praising yourself. It’s a message that seems to resonate. I reminded him of this approach later this week on the day he was to be inducted into his school’s honor society. I wanted him to take a minute and be proud of himself because he earned the honor. He said later he thought about how far he has come during the ceremony.

Of all the parenting highs, the moment when something I have talked to my son about resonates is the best feeling.

(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.)

Library to host Kerouac program next Thursday

(Nov. 15, 2024) Best known as “King of the Beats,” Jack Kerouac introduced mainstream America to the Beat Generation through On the Road, one of the most influential novels of the 20th century. Frank DeLucco and Harry Burkett will discuss Kerouac at the Ocean Pines Branch of the Worcester County Library on Thursday, Nov. 21, at 2 p.m.

Kerouac was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, on March 12, 1922, and played football at New York’s Columbia University, where he met future Beat peers Allen Ginsburg, William S. Burroughs, Herbert Huncke, and Lucien Carr.

On the Road, published in 1957, was based on his experiences hitchhiking across the U.S. in the late1940s. Kerouac provided unvarnished assessments of the people he met along the way, and included his Beat contemporaries as characters under different names. One of the main characters was based on friend Neal Cassady, whose uninhibited zest for life inspired Kerouac.

“We think of smoky nightclubs, smooth jazz, and bongos when it comes to the Beats,” said Frank DeLucco. “That was only part of their story. These writers and poets rejected the conformity of the ’50s and were always searching for deeper meaning.”

Kerouac and the Beats are credited with defying norms and introducing a raw, stream-of-consciousness approach and writing style.

Ginsburg’s Howl (1956) and Burrough’s Naked Lunch (1959) violated obscenity laws throughout the country.

“The Beats influenced nonconformists who came later, people such as Bob Dylan, Ken Kesey, and Hunter S. Thompson,” said Harry Burkett. “We’ll explore whether they’re relevant today.”

Kerouac struggled with alcoholism and passed away in a Florida hospital in 1969.

Art competition winners reported from recent show

(Nov. 15, 2024) The Worcester County Arts Council recently announced winners in the juried art competition of miniature artwork: “Small Treasures.”

This exhibition features 43 pieces of artwork submitted by 25 established and emerging artists, with work in all media. The exhibit combines many mediums including oil, watercolor, and acrylic painting, pastels, encaustic, glass, wood, metal, and mosaic sculpture, digital art, and mixed media.

“Although the subject of this show was open to artists’ inspiration and interpretation, the main objective was to encourage and challenge artists to become involved in the exciting world of miniature art”, said Worcester County Arts Council’s Executive Director Anna Mullis. “The guidelines required works not to exceed 7 inches for 3-dimensional works and 11 inches for 2-dimensional works. Despite the size limitation, artists submitted works that incorporate a diverse range of materials to communicate this thoughtful concept”.

The winning artwork was selected by Leslie Belloso, local artist and art educator at Salisbury University. The winners were honored at the opening

reception held on November 8th at the Arts Council Gallery.

Monetary prizes were awarded as follows: First place, Suzy Quader: “75th Street Night Ducks,” pastels; second place, Jason Giusti: “Veneto,” blown glass; third place, Ellie Scott: “Information,” mixed media; and honorable mentions, Carol Gentes: “Shoco-Burrowing Owl,” acrylic, Yiyeong Yun: “Holy Mary,” mixed media, and Gail Wynn: “Reluctant Heart,” collage.

The exhibit will continue to be on display until Dec. 31. Artwork is available for purchase. Gallery hours are Tuesday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Pictured, from left, are Anna Mullis, WCAC Executive Director; artists Ellie Scott, Jiyeong Yun, Carol Gentes and Suzy Quader; competition judge Leslie Belloso; and artist Jason Giusti. Not pictured was artist Gail Wynn.

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Who’s Where When

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 16: DJ Giddy Up & Hot Sauce

CRABCAKE FACTORY BAYSIDE

302-988-5000 37314 Lighthouse Rd., Rte. 54, Selbyville, DE Friday, November 15: Brian Bishop Wednesday, November 20: Fil Rhythm

CRAWL STREET TAVERN

443-373-2756 Wicomico St., Downtown O.C. Friday, November 15: LNJ Sessions Saturday, November 16: Rogue Citizens

FAGER’S ISLAND

410-524-5500 60th St., In The Bay Friday, November 15: DJ RobCee

Saturday, November 16: Fizz & DJ Vybe

GREENE TURTLE WEST

410-213-1500 Route 611, West OC Saturday, November 16: TBA

HARBORSIDE

410-213-1846

South Harbor Rd., West End O.C.

Fridays: DJ Billy T

DJ ROBCEE Fager’s Island: Friday, November 15

BEATS BY STYLER Pickles Pub: Sundays & Wednesdays

DJ BILLY T Harborside: Fridays

PHIL PERDUE

Captain’s Table: Fridays & Saturdays

FIL RHYTHM Crabcake Factory Bayside: Wednesday, November 20

DJ WAX Pickles Pub: Tuesdays Seacrets: Saturday, November 16

BEATS BY DEOGEE Pickles Pub: Thursdays, & Fridays

DJ GIDDY UP Coins Pub: Saturday, November 16

AWAKEN

Saturday, November 16

FIZZ

Fager’s Island: Saturday, November 16

Seacrets: Saturday, November 16 Thursday, November 21 (Duo)

Coins: Saturday, November 16

STEALING SAVANAH

Seacrets: Saturday, November 16

Harborside: Saturday, November 16 Thursday, November 21 (Duo)

OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS

Harborside: Sunday, November 17

Who’s Where When

Saturday, November 16:

Dust N Bones & DJ Brian K. Hall

Sundays: Opposite Directions

Thursdays: Dust N Bones Duo

PICKLES PUB

410-289-4891

8th St. & Philadelphia Ave.

Fridays: Beats By DeoGee

Saturday, November 16:

Marlin City Madmen

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 16: Awaken

SEACRETS

410-524-4900

49th St. & Coastal Hwy.

Friday, November 15: Element K Duo & DJ Flight

Saturday, November 16: DJ Cruz, DJ Wax, DJ E-State, Full Circle & Stealing Savanah

Thursday, November 21: Full Circle Duo

Purple Moose:

MARLIN CITY MADMEN

Pickles Pub: Saturday, November 16

DUST N BONES

WSW donations

Women Supporting Women has received over $60,000 in donations after the successful Preston Automotive Group’s 4th Annual “Frog’s Fairway Golf Tournament.”

On Oct. 20, the Preston Automotive Group held its 4th Annual “Frog’s Fairway Golf Tournament” at Hog Neck Golf Course in Easton. Preston Automotive group held this event during the month of October to support and fundraise for breast cancer awareness. About $83,000 was received in donations.

Proceeds were donated to WSW ($60,095) with the rest divided among TidalHealth’s Mobile Mammography van and Making Strides

Bagged leaf collection set

Ocean Pines Association will begin its annual bagged leaf collection service on Monday, Nov. 25, continuing through Fri-

day, Jan. 3, to assist residents with fall yard cleanup.

Collections will occur on days opposite Republic Services’ regular scheduled trash pickup, with no leaf collection on holidays.

Residents are reminded that leaves must be placed in paper bags only; plastic bags are not accepted. For convenience, Ocean Pines offers 30-gallon paper bags for purchase at the Public Works Building on 1 Firehouse Lane. Bundles of five bags are priced at $10, plus tax.

To further support residents, the Ocean Pines Public Works yard will offer extended hours during the collection period, open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., except on holidays. The yard will be closed on specific holiday dates, including Nov. 28-30 for Thanksgiving, Dec. 24-25 for Christmas, and Dec. 31-Jan. 1 for New Year’s.

Residents dropping off debris at the yard must ensure it is either loose or in paper bags, as plastic bags are not ac-

Charming Home in sought-after amenity-rich Ocean Pines community. Home blends comfort & potential. Front porch, cozy screened porch & spacious deck. Home needs some TLC yet presents opportunity to customize & create your dream space. Enjoy access to parks, pools, & recreational facilities. Don’t miss out on this gem in a prime location!

Close to shops, restaurants & entertainment. Updated kitchen & BAs SS appliances & stylish fixtures. Open Floor concept large slider overlooks deck & view of canal. Outside space expands to community deck. Don't miss out. Whether looking to Own a Retreat or Investment Property (this unit has strong rental following) or year-round living, this unit has it all.

Charming ground-floor condo. Bright & beachy décor with upgraded kitchen cabinets & SS appliances. Lovely patio enclosed by a privacy fence. Walking distance to restaurants, grocery stores & the beach! Family getaway or promising investment opportunity. Community recently replaced roof 2-3 years ago. Ongoing assessment to upgrade siding, windows & replenish community reserves. Buyers must honor any remaining rentals for season.

cepted. However, residents may empty plastic bags on-site.

A vehicle sticker is required for access to the Public Works yard for leaf and yard debris disposal. Stickers can be obtained free of charge at the Public Works Building.

University recognized

Salisbury University again has been named among Military Times’ “Best for Vets: Colleges.”

Each year, the national publication surveys programs for veterans at colleges and universities throughout the U.S.

“As we honor those who served this

CROSSWORD

Veterans Day, we are proud to once again be named among the best universities for veterans nationwide,” said President Carolyn Ringer Lepre. “Through our Veteran Services Office and programs such as our Green Zone advocate training, we work to ensure our military-connected students are not only welcomed on campus, but thrive both in and out of the classroom.” SU’s scholarship support specifically for veterans and military-connected students, participation in the Veterans Administration work-study program, specialized study and socialization space and additional programs, earned it a spot among the 304 institutions included in this year’s ranking.

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20

Think about resting and being a bit introspective, Aries. Focusing on your inner world can help you to recharge your energy levels. Solitude also may provide some clarity.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21

Personal growth and self-improvement may be on your mind right now, Taurus. Set some new goals that align with your values. You may want to take a class to learn new skills as well.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21

Gemini, focus on long-term financial goals in the days to come. If you don’t have a plan for investing meaningfully, you could sit down with an expert and get some ideas.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22

Try to engage in some thoughtful conversations with greater frequency, Cancer. Accepting that you can learn from others is a great way to grow personally and professionally.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23

You might want to stay closer to home this week, Leo. You’ve been burning the midnight oil quite a bit lately. Family matters need attention right now, so prioritize them.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22

Virgo, romance takes center stage for you, and you may find yourself suggesting new date ideas with your partner. Or this might be an opportunity to find a new romantic interest.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23

Don’t let work and daily routines catch you off guard, Libra. Try to streamline your tasks and find more efficient ways to handle your responsibilities in the days to come.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22

Scorpio, important negotiations or projects will certainly put your communication skills to the test. Keep an eye on the details and stick to the facts to avoid any misunderstandings.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21

Sagittarius, if you have been having any difficulties, voice your concerns to those who are willing to lend an ear. Keeping it all bottled up inside is not a healthy path forward.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20

Showcase your talents and ideas at work this week, Capricorn. Others can benefit from your experience and it may inspire changes or discussions that prove fruitful.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18

Aquarius, stick to your personal values and don’t make concessions, whether with friends or in the workplace. It’s important to have conviction in what you do.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20

Use any momentum you have for tackling new projects, Pisces. There’s much to do between now and the new year and you will have to get busy sooner than you may have thought.

Integrity program celebrates grads

By Dave Dalkiewicz Contributing Writer

(Nov. 15, 2024) Surf Into Integrity is a program with the Stephen Decatur Middle School (SDMS) students that started in 2016. It’s an extracurricular class that started in late September and ran through early November.

Conceived and initiated by Attorney Rich Brueckner, the program has won approval by the Board of Education. Brueckner is a former prosecuting attorney for Wicomico County and saw many young people being processed through the court system for various offenses. Thus his incentive to start Surf Into Integrity.

The course is based on champion surfer Shaun Tomson’s book entitled “The Surfer’s Code, 12 simple lessons for riding through life,” with assistance from writer Patrick Moser. Tomson was world champion in 1977 and continued to place well on a high caliber tour of the best surfers in the world through the 1980’s. He’s known for his incredible tube riding and continues to be one of the best

ambassadors surfing has ever had.

The class was conducted and taught by the Ocean City Surf Club led by President Tommy Vach. This year’s instructors included Vach, Vice President Rusty Ruszin, Bill Thomson, Mike Brian, and myself in the classroom and on the beach. Bill Thomson and his wife Kevan also served as quartermasters. Many others volunteered at the beach sessions including Ocean City Beach Patrol sergeant Josh Wilder.

The program consisted of two sessions per week, one in the classroom, and one of the beach and in the surf. A premise of the course was to intro-

duce each student to surfing but of greater importance was that of teaching responsibility and accountability to each and every student. The program/course title “Surf Into Integrity” puts the purpose of the instruction into a concise, comprehensive form.

Twenty-four SDMS students graduated from the course in early November and hopefully came away with qualities that will last throughout their lives. Many thanks to all who participated and contributed. — Dave Dalkiewicz is the owner of Ocean Atlantic Surf Shop in Ocean City.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

The Ocean City Surf Club recently completed another popular Surf Into Integrity program this year. This was the ninth year for the program. Pictured is this year’s group of 24 students at its graduation ceremony on Nov. 6 with club members and instructors.

Dining Guide

■ PRICE RANGE: $, $$, $$$

■ RESERVATIONS: Reservations accepted

DOWNTOWN

South end to 28th Street

■ BUXY’S SALTY DOG SALOON

DRY DOCK 28

28th Street, Ocean City, 410-289-0973, buxys.com, drydockoc.com

Destiny has a new home in Ocean City. From the ‘burgh to the beach, Buxy’s is your home away from Pittsburgh. Come see what all the locals already know and have known – Buxy’s is the place to come to meet friends, relax and be social with no attitudes. House specialties include “The” Cheesesteak Sub, Primantistyled 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, 410-2897192, 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.

MIDTOWN

29th to 90th streets

■ 32 PALM

32nd Street in The Hilton, Ocean City 410289-2525, 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, 410524-7171, 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.

UPTOWN

91st to 146th streets

■ ALBERTINO'S BRICK OVEN & EATERY

13117 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 410-2502000, albertinosoc.com

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Featuring the best brick oven pizza, always handmade with fresh ingredients, Italian-American mouth-watering seafood specialties, traditional Italian pasta dishes, apps, soups and salads. Full bar with large local craft beer selection.

■ CAROUSEL OCEANFRONT HOTEL & CONDOS 118th Street, Ocean City 800-641-0011, www.carouselhotel.com

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, 410250-4900, crabcakefactoryusa.com

Full-service family restaurant, carry-out and sports bar. Outside seating available. Menu selections include prime rib, chicken Chesapeake, steamed shrimp, beer battered fish, real Philly cheesesteaks, burgers, and a kids menu. Casual attire, full liquor bar, no reservations. Open Year Round. World-Famous Crabcakes are served all day starting at 8 a.m. and can be packed on ice for you while you are eating breakfast.

■ TAILCHASERS RESTAURANT & DOCK BAR 12203 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 443-6647075, tailchasersoc.com

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

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

■ VISTA ROOFTOP RESTAURANT

13801 Coastal Highway, located in the Fenwick Inn, Ocean City, 410-390-7905, vistarooftopoc.com

$$-$$$ | Full bar

Enjoy a wonderful meal overlooking the ocean and bay. Some of the most unique views in Ocean City. Steaks, seafood, burgers, soups, salads and lite fare. Happy hour, 3-6 p.m. New this year is a boozy brunch Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Live music.

FENWICK ISLAND

■ CRABCAKE FACTORY BAYSIDE

Route 54, Fenwick Island, DE, 302-988-5000, CCFBayside.com

Same award-winning crab cakes and bloody marys. Enjoy waterfront dining. Full-service family restaurant, carry-out & sports bar. Outside seating available. Open daily year-round. Menu selections include crab cakes, prime rib, Phillystyle cheese steaks, various seafood, kids menu plus full breakfast menu.

■ DIRTY HARRY’S

100 Coastal Highway, Fenwick Island, DE, 302-539-3020, 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 410641-7222, 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.

WEST OCEAN CITY

■ BREAKFAST CAFE

12736 Ocean Gateway, Route 50 east, West Ocean City, 410-213-1804, breakfastcafeofoc.com

All the traditional breakfast options available here in a casual, diner setting. Open daily closing at 2 p.m.

■ CANTINA LOS AGAVES MEXICAN GRILL

12720 Ocean Gateway #7, West Ocean City 410-390-3914, 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 ‘40sstyle 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 80-seat 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. MondayWednesday: 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.

OCEAN PINES

BUSINESS OPENING CELEBRATED

The grand opening of Get Baked, LLC’s quick service store on Cathell Road was celebrated last Saturday with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Get Baked, LLC launched its mobile division locally three years ago and have been working toward this milestone from the beginning. Pictured, from left, are coowners Alejandra Ramirez-McGraw and Maggie Ramirez-McGraw; Worcester County Chamber of Commerce at Ocean Pines representatives Kim Shanahan and Bianca Pilar Deacon; and Missi McGraw.

Open 4pm Friday & Saturday

‘American Dream’ realized with Berlin salon’s opening

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer

(Nov. 14, 2024) Berlin and surrounding area residents will now have a new beauty service option, as Salon Modérno has officially moved into the former iconic Dispatch space.

Previously the office of local news organization The Dispatch, which merged with Ocean City Today in early 2024, 10012 Old Ocean City Blvd in Berlin – now known as The Dispatch Center — houses Salon Modérno. The business, owned by Bulgarian native Alex Mutavchiyski, offers hair, skin, and nail services.

“Whether you’re looking for a trendy haircut, a flawless manicure, a soothing spa treatment, or a stunning makeup application, our team of

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

“This is my American Dream … When I got to the US, I was a housekeeper. I worked at 7Eleven. I worked at a few different restaurants. Never in a million years could I have dreamed that in 2024, I would have my own salon,” said owner Alex Mutavchiyski.

skilled professionals is here to provide you with an exceptional experience,” the beauty establishment’s website reads.

Mutavchiyski is bringing her nail technician experience to the new venture. The owner was named the best manicurist and pedicurist in Worcester County in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 by Coastal Style Magazine, a publication that allows residents to vote in an annual “best of” contest for local individuals and businesses across a plethora of industries.

Most clients from Mutavchiyski’s former nail tech work experience have followed her to the new salon.

The beautician and mom of two opened the beauty shop with her husband, Nick Mutavchiyski, who is also from Bulgaria and works as the store manager of the Ocean Pines Food Lion. The pair are from the same town in their home country but only met once they both came to the United States.

“All of us that come here want to experience the American Dream,” Alex Mutavchiyski said. “This is my American Dream …When I got to the US, I was a housekeeper. I worked at 7-Eleven. I worked at a few different restaurants. Never in a million years could I have dreamed that in 2024, I would have my own salon.”

Mutavchiyski first came to the states in 2013. She went home, but came back in 2014, when she met her husband.

“In 2014, she decided to chase the American Dream,” Nick Mutavchiyski said.

The owner noted that opening Salon Modérno was “100% [Nick Mutavchiyski’s] idea” and that he has offered a lot of support in getting the business off the ground. The couple also hopes their endeavor will offer a beauty experience not typically found on the Eastern Shore.

The space’s interior was remodeled to fit a “modern, contemporary

style” with West Coast and European elements.

“[The salon] is something different,” Nick Mutavchiyski said. “It will bring something unique to the community … we want to go more West Coast, more European … It is different from most salons around here.”

Alex Mutavchiyski said it was important for her business to be located in Berlin.

“We love the small town of Berlin,” she said. “We like the small community … It is a great location for Berlin,

Ocean Pines, and Delaware customers because we have clients from all over the area.” Similar to how beauty salons operate in larger cities, Salon Modérno is made up of independent contractors, or “booth renters,” rather than a fulltime staff. The space is currently accepting hairstylist inquiries. Talented individuals interested may reach out to Alex Mutavchiyski for more information about available spots at salonmoderno21811@gmail.com or 443-513-4016.

Town claims two Maryland tourism awards

(Nov. 15, 2024) The Town of Berlin its Main Street and Art and Entertainment District won two awards at the Maryland Tourism Coalition’s Annual Summit held last week.

Berlin was recognized with the ‘Best Event’ award for The Berlin Farmers Market (small budget category) and the ‘Best Use of Social Media’ award for the ‘Berlin Bubble Project.

Ivy Wells, the Director of Economic and Community Development for Berlin, accepted both awards on behalf of the town.

“We are so grateful to receive these recognitions, which highlight our community and the hard work of so many who make these amazing events possible,” said Wells. “The Berlin Farmers Market has grown to be more than just a market. The economic impact of the market is undeniable, and we are so appreciative of the support from our community.”

The Berlin Bubble Project, which features hand-blown glass bubbles and stars created by local artist Jeff Auxer, became a viral sensation. The project garnered widespread attention without any paid advertising,

with social media posts reaching over 25,000 views.

“We did not spend a single dollar on advertising for the Berlin Bubble Project. It was all organic, driven by our community, the magic of social media, and the beauty of Jeff Auxer’s art. To have posts reach over 25,000 views shows the power of local engagement of our residents and tourists. It’s a testament to the impact of arts and culture on tourism,” Wells added. “A huge thank you to Jeff Auxer for his generous donation of hand-blown glass bubbles and stars that made this project happen.”

“The Berlin bubble project is a way to bring visiting and local families downtown to explore our wonderful town at no cost and have a chance to go away with a special find,” Jeff Auxer said.

The Berlin Farmers Market and the Berlin Bubble Project reflect Berlin’s ongoing efforts to create unique experiences for both residents and visitors while promoting local art, food, and culture. The town’s Main Street and Art and Entertainment District continue to be key drivers of economic and community development.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

The sleek hairstylist area, above, inside the new Salon Modérno is pictured after a massive renovation of the space over the summer. The new Berlin salon occupies the front unit of the former newspaper office, which will be known as The Dispatch Center.

Things I Like... vanishing vanishing OCEAN C C ITY

By Steve Green

Hearing rainfall from bed

Ravens-Steelers games

Houses with lights already

When hindsight confirms a good decision

A park with big trees

Meaningful high school football games

A female’s voice with an acoustic guitar

Remote start vehicles

Words of advice remembered years later

No-jacket days

Learning something new from my kids

With Bunk Mann

There were several reasons that Caroline Street was Ocean City’s primary swimming beach in the 1920s and early 1930s. The beach was narrow in those days and Caroline Street was its widest part. It was also the site of Showell’s Bathhouse where tourists could rent lockers and bathing suits for 25 cents a day.

The most important reason was that the U.S. Coast Guard was located there and in that era the Coast Guard served as the town’s unofficial lifeguards. They manned a 20-foot tall wooden tower on the Boardwalk and the rope stretched from there to a stake out in the surf. Non-swimmers would hang on the rope and walk out into the water to go “fanny-dunking.” A small lifeboat was nearby for deep-water rescues.

The lifeguard duties of the Coast Guard ended in the 1930s following the formation of the Ocean City Beach Patrol.

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

Photo courtesy of Clifford Dypsky

Calendar

Fri., Nov. 15

CARDBOARD ENGINEERING CHALLENGE

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Test your engineering skills to create a castle, robot, tunnels and more. Drop in any time. A Maryland STEM Festival event. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org

COMPUTER AND INTERNET BASICS

Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 301 Market St., 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Call to make an appointment: 410-9570878. www.worcesterlibrary.org

MAHJONG CLUB

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

BOOK OF THE MONTH CLUB: ‘THE NIGHT WATCHMAN’ BY LOUISE ERDRICH

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 2 p.m. Copies of the book are available at the library’s circulation desk. 410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

WOMEN’S CHRISTMAS BAZAAR

St. Matthews By the Sea UMC, 1000 Coastal Highway, Fenwick Island, 4-7 p.m. Holiday crafts, baked goods, jewelry, wreath sale, decorations, attic treasures, craft table and more. Soup and hot dogs will be available for sale. Benefits Mission Projects.

KIGHTS OF COLUMBUS BINGO

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

Sat., Nov. 16

WOMEN’S CHRISTMAS BAZAAR

St. Matthews By the Sea UMC, 1000 Coastal Highway, Fenwick Island, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Holiday crafts, baked goods, jewelry, wreath sale, decorations, attic treasures, craft table and more. Soup and hot dogs will be available for sale. Benefits Mission Projects.

FALL PANCAKE BREAKFAST

Ocean Pines Community Center, 235 Ocean Parkway, 8-11 a.m. Pancakes, sausages, scrambled eggs, OJ, coffee and tea. Pay at the door, cash or credit, $9 for adults and free to those 11 years and younger. Take out available. www.kiwanisofopoc.org

YARD SALE

Art League of Ocean City, 502 94th St., 8

a.m.-noon. Bargains on art supplies, material, and excess art at deeply discounted prices. Held indoors and outdoors (weather-permitting). Interested in a table? Contact Kacie Neeb at kacie@artleagueofoceancity. 410-5249433

WALK WITH A DOC

South Gate Pond, Ocean Pines, 9-10 a.m. Join Dr. Nikki, PharmD, for a brief presentation on diabetes, then go for a walk around the park’s trail. First 10 participants receive a $10 Walmart gift card. Alyce Marzola, 410-641-9268

CRAFTY SATURDAY: THANKSGIVING

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10 a.m. Join in for some Thanksgiving crafts with turkeys, pumpkins and pilgrims. For ages 0-11 years. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

TECH CLINIC

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Stop by and ask questions related to your devices and technology services. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

FALL FESTIVAL AT COASTAL WILDS

Coastal Wilds, 34215 Peppers Corner Road, Frankford, 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 . 302-829-1549

ORIGINALS ONLY!

Art League of Ocean City, 502 94th St., 6-8 p.m. Join us for a vibrant showcase where artists perform their original work! 410-524-9433

FARMERS & ARTISANS MARKET

Saturdays - White Horse Park, 239 Ocean Parkway, 9 a.m. to noon. Shop for everything from fresh local produce to unique handmade artisan goods. Open to the public.

Sun., Nov. 17

RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER THE MUSICAL

Ocean City Performing Arts Center, 4001 Coastal Highway, 6 p.m. Based on the TV classic. Tickets: $59, $55, $50 and $35. Tickets: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/443477 6/rudolph-the-rednosed-reindeerthemusical-ocean-city-oc-performing-artscenter.

BERLIN FLEA MARKET

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

SEWING FOR A CAUSE

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

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES MEETING

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

Mon., Nov. 18

AUTUMN TEA TIME

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 10 a.m. Every Monday in November, enjoy a cup of hot tea served in the garden for a relaxing start to your week. Test out new flavors and take a pack or two home with you. 410-632-3495

STORY TIME: TOOTH FAIRY

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

FIBER ARTS

Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 301 Market St., 11 a.m. Bring your own fiber art project (crochet, knitting, etc.) and join in for a casual meet up to work on projects. 410-957-0878, www.worcesterlibrary.org

GREAT BOOKS DISCUSSION

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 2:30 p.m. The group is reading from Book 5 of the Great Conversations Anthology. The focus will be on “Discourse Seven” by Joshua Reynolds. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

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

HEALING THROUGH SOUND

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 5:30 p.m. Discover the profound power of sound. Relax with sounds of crystal bowls, rain sticks and wind chimes. Bring a mat, blanket and pillow or sit in a chair. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org

BRIDGE

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

DELMARVA WOMEN’S A CAPELLA CHORUS

Mondays - Ocean Pines Community Center, 239 Ocean Parkway, 6:00-8:00

p.m. All ladies who love to sing invited. Mary, 410-629-9383 or Carol, 302-2427062.

OVEREATER’S ANONYMOUS

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

Tues., Nov. 19

GENEALOGY WORKSHOP

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10 a.m. The workshop starts with a 20-minute lesson on genealogy research by Tom Dempsey, followed by a Q&A. Bring a laptop, tablet or papers containing family information. Registration required: 410-208-4014.

STORY TIME: BEARS

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 10:30 a.m. Stories, songs and finger plays. For ages 0-5 years. 410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

MUSIC AND MOVEMENT

Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 301 Market St., 10:30 a.m. Sing silly songs and play rhythmic instruments. For ages 0-5 years. 410-9570878, www.worcesterlibrary.org

BABY TIME

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 10:30 a.m. Songs, rhymes and stories. Stay after to socialize with other families. For ages 0-2 years. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org

OC KNITTING GROUP

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Do you love to knit or crochet? Bring whatever project you happen to be working on. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

LET’S MAKE … BOOK LEAVES FALL WREATH

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 2 p.m. Give an old book new life as art you will be proud to display. All materials provided. Register: 410-641-0650. www.worcesterlibrary.org

SWITCH PLAY

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 3:30 p.m. Drop in and play some Mario Kart and catch up with friends. BYO controller is highly recommended. For ages 6-11 years and 12-18 years. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

ALL ABOUT WAMPUM BELTS

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 4:30 p.m. Learn about the history and purpose of wampum belts. Then, participate in a

beading craft. For ages 6-11 years. 410641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

BEACH HEROES-OC

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

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES MEETING

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

TAKE OFF POUNDS SENSIBLY

Tuesdays - Worcester County Health Department, 9730 Healthway Drive, Berlin, 3:30-4:30 p.m. TOPS is a weekly support and education group promoting weight loss and a healthy lifestyle. 410-289-4725

OC KNITTING CLUB

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

ARGENTINE TANGO PRACTICE

Tuesdays - Experienced dancers and others interested in watching or learning more are welcome, 7-9:30 p.m. No partner required. Info: TangobytheBeach.com.

ZUMBA TONING TUESDAYS

Tuesdays - Northside Park, 200 125th St., Ocean City, 5:30 p.m. Zumba with optional light weights. zumbajoyceoc@gmail.com

WEIGHT MANAGEMENT AND WELLNESS GROUP

Tuesdays - Holy Trinity Cathedral, 11021 Worcester Highway, 2-2:45 p.m. Use the weight loss program/app/plan of your choice. Free and open to everyone. 410641-4882, www.htcanglican.org/activities.

Wed., Nov. 20

BARIATRIC SUPPORT GROUP

Held via Zoom call the third and fourth Wednesday of each month. For surgical patients. Atlantic General Bariatric Center, 410-641-9568

EASTERN SHORE SEWISTS

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 10 a.m. Promoting needle arts through sewing education, activities and textile crafts. For artisans of all skill levels. 410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

BACKGAMMON CLUB

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10:30 a.m. Drop in for a game of strategy that dates back 5,000 years to Mesopotamia and Persia. All skill levels welcome. 410208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

SENSORY STAY AND PLAY

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Learn through exploration, curiosity and creativity. Get ready to squish, build,

splash, shake and scoop through several fun stations. For ages 0-5 years. 410524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

PUZZLE SWAP

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 1-5 p.m. Bring your gently used puzzle and swap for a different one. Don’t have a puzzle but still want one? That’s OK too. Puzzle must be in their original box. 410-6410650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP

John H. “Jack” Burbage, Jr. Regional Cancer Care Center, 9707 Healthway Drive, Berlin, 1-2 p.m. For survivors and current patients battling breast cancer. Women Supporting Women, 410-548-7880

CSI: THE HISTORICAL EDITION

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 2 p.m. See how science, technology and professional police practices helped detectives catch and convict criminals and close once unsolvable cases. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

PINECONE TURKEYS

Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 301 Market St., 4 p.m. Make your own pinecone turkey. For ages 6-11 years. 410-957-0878, www.worcesterlibrary.org

DRONES 101

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 4:30 p.m. Come check out drones and learn all about them with Worcester Tech instructor Valerie Zienty. For ages 6-11 years. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

STORYTELLERS THEATER TROUPE

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 5 p.m. Theater Troupe program with activities and instruction. For ages 6-11 years and 12-18 years. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org

PAINT & SIP

Ocean Pines Community Center, 235 Ocean Parkway, 6-8 p.m. Cost is $27 and includes wine and crackers. For ages 18 years and older. Register: 410-641-7052.

KIWANIS CLUB MEETING

Wednesdays - Ocean Pines Community Center, 239 Ocean Parkway, 8 a.m. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. Third Wednesday meetings are offsite and information can be found on the website and Facebook. www.kiwanisofopoc.org.

Thurs., Nov. 21

CPAP MASK FITTING

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

STORY TIME: TURKEY SURPRISE

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

A surprising tale of two pilgrim brother gathering food for Thanksgiving. For ages 0-5 years. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

STORY TIME: THE RAINBOW SNAIL

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 10:30 a.m. Stories, songs and rhymes. For ages 0-5 years. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org

LET’S TALK MOVIES - ‘PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES’

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

Join the monthly movie club, where they discuss timeless classics and newer box office hits. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

JACK KEROUAC & THE BEAT GENERATION

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 2 p.m. How did Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsburg, William S. Burroughts and others influence the post-World War II counterculture? Frank DeLucco and Harry Burkett examine the Beat Generation. 410-208-4014

FIRESIDE CHAT

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 3 p.m. A popular and entertaining book discussion featuring books participants have read and want to share. 410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

PILATES, BARRE, TONING

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 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

QUIT SMOKING & VAPING CLASSES

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.

BEACH SINGLE 55 PLUS MEET AND GREET

Thursdays - Harpoon Hanna’s, Fen wick Island, DE, 4-6 p.m. 215-385-4993, BeachSingles.org

ONGOING EVENTS

WINTERFEST OF LIGHTS

Northside Park, 200 125th St., Ocean City, 5:30-9:30 p.m. Open Wednesday through Sunday, Nov. 21 through Dec. 22. Open daily Dec. 23-31. Cost is $6 for adults and free to those 11 years and younger. Tour through thousands of sparkling lights and animated Christmas scenes. Pets welcome on Wednesdays. Scooter rentals ($10/two hours) and

wheel chairs available on site: Scooters4-Rent.com, 302-280-6203. For more info: 410-289-2800, https://www.ococean.com/winterfest/. Weather cancellation hotline: 410-250-2124.

LIGHT UP THE PINES

Register between Nov. 18 and Dec. 13 to be entered into the drawing to win one of three $50 bill credits from Choptank Electric Cooperative. First 25 homes will receive Choptank Electric goodies. Residents may sign up after Dec. 13 and throughout the holiday season to have their homes added to the online map. Submit name, address and phone number via email to info@oceanpines.org or call 410-641-7717, Ext. 3014. Visit oceanpines.org for a map of participating homes.

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. 410-6323495

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.

Crossword answers from page 44

52 OC Today-Dispatch NOVEMBER 15, 2024

NOW HIRING!

PT Dental Hygienist for busy office in Ocean City, MD. Please call 410-213-1032.

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

PoolGeneral Maintenance. Outdoor work, lifting heavy objects. Mechanical, basic pool pump & motors, CPO a plus / not required. Able to pass CPO test. Summer includes weekends & long hours; working alone or with others

410-289-4902 ask for Suzanne.

YEAR ROUND & WINTER RENTALS

TOWNHOMES & STUDIO APTS

Midtown OC Call for details, Sorry, no pets. 443-783-3005

LOOKING FOR A WINTER RENTAL?

North OC - 3BR, 2BA

$1,500 per mo. Includes elec. & cable. Call Joe 443-610-4644 or Tricia 443-610-4665

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

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

Houseshare. Furnished rooms in South Ocean Pines. All inclusive.

$800 per month. Year-round. No smoking. No pets. Call 443-880-2317.

COMMERCIAL

2 Office/Retail Spaces available in West Ocean City. Approximately 1656 sq. ft. and 1728 sq. ft. Call 443-497-4200

Commercial Space for Lease.

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

Industrial Space Yard and Storage Shed. Approx. 10x25+/Route 90/Bishopville. Call 443-497-4200.

TOWN OF BERLIN EMPLOYMENT 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

RENTALS

WINTER RENTAL

NORTH OC

2BR, 2BA CONDO FURN., INDOOR POOL, RACQUETBALL

$1,200 +Sec dep. Utilities Included| Text or call 302-275-5719

WEEKLY RENTALS

$300-$500 per week. October-May. 301-331-2209

ROOMMATES

YR, FURNISHED ROOM FOR RENT Ocean Pines. Full house privileges. Clean, safe & friendly. No smoking. No pets. Call 443-880-2486.

the

Internet! Free Install, Free HDDVR Upgrade, 80,000 OnDemand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-855-4076870

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

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.

YARD SALE

Art League of Ocean City Sat., 11/16, 8am-noon. One-of-a-kind treasures and gifts at bargain prices. Artist-made items directly from artists’ tables and Art League closets. 410-524-9433

MISC./OTHER

BWW Law Group, LLC

6003 Executive Blvd., Suite 101

Rockville, MD 20852

(301) 961-6555

SUBSTITUTE

TRUSTEES' SALE OF REAL PROPERTY AND ANY IMPROVEMENTS THEREON

807 MARKET STREET POCOMOKE A/R/T/A POCOMOKE CITY, MD 21851

Under a power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust dated May 23, 2003, recorded in Liber 3940, Folio 562 among the Land Records of Worcester County, MD, with an original principal balance of $63,000.00, default having occurred under the terms thereof, the Sub. Trustees will sell at public auction at the Circuit Court for Worcester County, at the Court House Door, One W. Market St., Snow Hill, MD 21863, on

DECEMBER 3, 2024 AT 4:05 PM

ALL THAT FEE SIMPLE LOT OF GROUND, together with any buildings or improvements thereon located in Worcester County, MD and more fully described in the aforesaid Deed of Trust.

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

Terms of Sale: A deposit of $5,000 in the form of certified check, cashier's check or money order will be required of the purchaser at time and place of sale. Balance of the purchase price, together with interest on the unpaid purchase money at the current rate contained in the Deed of Trust Note, or any modifications thereto, from the date of sale to the date funds are received by the Sub. Trustees, payable in cash within ten days of final ratification of the sale by the Circuit Court. There will be no abatement of interest due to the purchaser in the event additional funds are tendered before settlement. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE FOR THE PURCHASER. Adjustment of all real property taxes, including agricultural taxes, if applicable, and any and all public and/or private charges or assessments, to the extent such amounts survive foreclosure sale, including water/sewer, ground rent and front foot benefit charges, to be adjusted to date of sale and thereafter assumed by purchaser. Purchaser is responsible for any recapture of homestead tax credit. All transfer taxes and recordation taxes shall be paid by Purchaser. The purchaser shall be responsible for the payment of the ground rent escrow, if required. Condominium fees and/or homeowners association dues, if any, shall be assumed by the purchaser from the date of sale. Purchaser is responsible for obtaining physical possession of the property, and assumes risk of loss or damage to the property from the date of sale. The sale is subject

to post-sale audit of the status of the loan with the loan servicer including, but not limited to, determination of whether the borrower entered into any repayment agreement, reinstated or paid off the loan prior to the sale. In any such event, this sale shall be null and void, and the Purchaser's sole remedy, in law or equity, shall be the return of the deposit without interest. If purchaser fails to settle within ten days of ratification, subject to order of court, purchaser agrees that property will be resold and entire deposit retained by Sub. Trustees as liquidated damages for all losses occasioned by the purchaser's default and purchaser shall have no further liability. The purchaser waives personal service of any papers filed in connection with its failure to settle within ten days of ratification and expressly agrees to accept service by first class mail at the address provided by the Purchaser as identified on the Memorandum of Sale. The defaulted purchaser shall not be entitled to any surplus proceeds resulting from said resale even if such surplus results from improvements to the property by said defaulted purchaser. Sub. Trustees will convey either marketable or insurable title. If they cannot deliver one or the other, or if ratification of the sale is denied by the Circuit Court for any reason, the Purchaser's sole remedy, at law or equity, is return of the deposit without interest. (Matter No. 365037-1)

Howard N. Bierman, Carrie M. Ward, et. al., Substitute Trustees

Mayor & City Council Ocean City, Maryland

BID SOLICITATION

B01-25 – Northside Park Fence Replacement

The Mayor & City Council of Ocean City is seeking Proposals from qualified and experienced Vendors to provide for the Northside Park Fence Replacement and for said work to conform with the Proposal Documents.

BID Documents for the Northside Park Fence Replacement may be obtained from the Town’s Procurement Department by either e-mailing the Procurement Manager, Matt Perry, at mperry@oceancitymd.gov or Dawn Webb at dwebb@oceancitymd.gov, or by calling (410) 7236643 during regular business hours, or via the Solicitations tab on the Town’s (https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/ procurement-bids/) website. Vendors are responsible for checking this website for Addenda before submitting their BID’s. The Town is not re-

sponsible 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 OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of CLARENCE THOMAS POULSON Estate No. 13438 Notice is given that TYKISHA POULSON whose address is 680 FITZWATER ST., 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 pre-

sented 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

ABANDONED VESSEL

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

OCD-10/24/4t

PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION

NOTICE

OF PUBLIC HEARING

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

TUESDAY, 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

NOTICE 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

NOTICE OF INTRODUCTION OF BILL 24-09

WORCESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

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 CITY, MARYLAND BID SOLICITATION

B02-25 – TARRY A DECK REPAIR

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. Notice is given that Sarah E. Haile Gentry, 16828 Hardy Rd. Mount Airy, MD 21771-3223 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:

MAYOR & COUNCIL OF SNOW HILL, MARYLAND NOTICE

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, q2Maryland, 21863.

OCD-11/7/4t

NOTICE OF SELF STORAGE SALE

Please take notice Main Street Storage located at 9842 Main Street Berlin MD 21811 intends to hold a public sale to the highest bidder of the property stored by the following tenants at the storage facility.

This sale will occur at an Online Auction via www.storageauctions.com on 11/20/2024 at 10:00AM. This sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice.

OCD-11/14/1t

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of MICHAEL SCOTT RAYMOND, Estate No. 20398.

Notices 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

SUMMARY NOTICE OF BOND SALE

$4,720,000*

MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF OCEAN CITY GENERAL OBLIGATION MUNICIPAL PURPOSE BONDS OF 2024

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Mayor and City Council of Ocean City (the “City”) will receive electronic bids via PARITY® for the $4,720,000* General Obligation Municipal Purpose Bonds of 2024 (the “Bonds”) until 11:00 a.m., local Ocean City, Maryland time on:

Thursday, December 5, 2024 or on such other date as may be selected by the Mayor. The Bonds will be dated as of the date of delivery and will mature on January 15 in the years 2026 through 2045, inclusive, as more fully described in the Notice of Sale.

No bid for less than all of the Bonds will be considered. The Bonds will be awarded based on the lowest interest cost to the City, determined in accordance with the true interest cost (TIC) method. All bids must be accompanied by a good faith deposit in the amount of $94,400, payable by wire transfer to the City, or by a check or surety bond as provided in the Notice of Sale.

Copies of the Preliminary Official Statement and the Notice of Sale relating to the Bonds may be obtained from the Finance Director of the City, City Hall, 3rd Street and Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, Maryland 21842, or from First Tryon Advisors, LLC, 122 Severn Avenue, Annapolis, Maryland 21403 (410-267-8811).

*Preliminary, subject to change. OCD-11/14/2t

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of CHRISTOPHER RICHARD ESCHENBURG, Estate No. 20399. Notices 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

NOTICE of Public Hearing

Worcester County Water and Wastewater Rates Amendment

The Worcester County Commissioners will conduct a public hearing to receive comments on the proposed amendments to the FY25 Water and Wastewater rates. Speakers will be allowed to address the County Commissioners for up to two (2) minutes. The public hearing will be held on:

Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. in the County Commissioners’ Meeting Room Room 1101 Government Center, One West Market Street Snow Hill, Maryland, 21863

The requested water and wastewater rate amendment is a result of revised estimated expenses that are expected to exceed current revenues. Copies of the respective area’s current rates and proposed rates are available in the County Commissioners’ Office, Room 1103 of the County Government Center in Snow Hill, Maryland or online at www.co.worcester.md.us.

Amendments to the following

area rates will be considered:

• Assateague Point

• Edgewater Acres

• Landings

• Lighthouse Sound

• Mystic Harbour

• Newark

• Riddle Farm

OCD-11/14/2t

NOTICE of Public Hearing Worcester County Adoption of Cable Franchise Agreements

The Worcester County Commissioners will conduct a public hearing to receive comments on the adoption of cable franchise agreements on:

Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 10:35 a.m. in the County Commissioners’ Meeting Room Room 1101 Government Center, One West Market Street Snow Hill, Maryland 21863

The County Commissioners of Worcester County Maryland will consider for adoption agreements granting Talkie Communications, Inc. and Mediacom Delaware LLC, non-exclusive franchises to erect, install, maintain and operate cable service in, under, over along, across and upon the streets, sidewalks, alleys, bridges, roads, highways and other public places in Worcester County.

THE WORCESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

OCD-11/14/1t

HEATHER R. KONYAR, ESQ. COCKEY, BRENNAN & MALONEY, P.C. 313 LEMMON HILL LANE SALISBURY, MD 21801

NOTICE

TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES ESTATE NO 20411

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the ORPHANS court of BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA appointed BOYD BENJAMIN whose address is 140 SWINEHART RD COATESVILLE, PA 19320-1243 as the PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE of the Estate of BARRIE B GEHRLEIN AKA: BARRIE LEE GEHRLEIN who died on FEBRUARY 16, 2024 domiciled in PENNSYLVANIA, USA

The Maryland resident agent for service of process is HEATHER R KONYAR ESQ whose address is 313 LEMMON HILL LN SALISBURY, MD 21801-4238. 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

PUBLIC NOTICE

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

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

These three weeks of notification begins on DATE. 11/15/2024

AUTH: Ross Buzzuro Chief of Police

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-11/14/3t

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20408 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF ELLEN KATHERINE PIERCE FISHER

AKA: ELLEN K. FISHER

Notice is given that Robert Thomas Fisher, 104 Pine St., Berlin, MD 21811-1124, was on November6, 2024 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Ellen Katherine Pierce Fisher who died on September 13, 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 6th day of May, 2025.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned per-

sonal 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.

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

Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest

Date of publication: November 14, 2024 OCD-11/14/3t

SMALL ESTATE

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 20409 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF FRIEDA MAE HARRYMAN

Notice is given that Susan Caplan, 325 Piedmont Ct., Berlin, MD 21811-1691, was on November 07,

2024 appointed personal representative of the small estate of Frieda Mae Harryman who died on October 15, 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 claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within thirty days from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Any claim not served or filed within that time, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter.

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

Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest

Date of publication: November 14, 2024

OCD-11/14/1t

SMALL ESTATE NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of SARAH JOY HAMMER Estate No. 20410 Notice is given that JANICE K. HAMMER whose address is 9 JUNEWAY LN., OCEAN PINES, MD 21811-1729 was on NOVEMBER 07, 2024 appointed personal representative(s) of the small

estate of SARAH JOY HAMMER who died on MARCH 13, 2024 with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within 30 days after the date of publication of this Notice. All persons having an objection to the probate of the will shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within six months after the date of publication of this Notice.

All persons having claims against the decedent must serve their claims on the undersigned personal repre-

sentative or file them with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:

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

(2) Thirty days after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within thirty days from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Any claim not served or filed within that time, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter.

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET

Put Your Business Card Where It Gets

Mayor & City Council Ocean City, Maryland

BID SOLICITATION

P03-25 – City Hall Renovation Improvements

The Mayor & City Council of Ocean City is seeking Proposals from qualified and experienced Vendors to provide for the City Hall Renovation Improvements and for said work to conform with the Proposal Documents.

BID Documents for the City Hall Renovation Improvements may be obtained from the Town’s Procurement Department by either e-mailing the Procurement Manager, Matt Perry, at mperry@oceancitymd.gov or Dawn Webb at dwebb@oceancitymd.gov, or by calling (410) 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 for this solicitation is applicable, and will be held on MONDAY, DECEMBER 2ND, 2024 AT 11:00AM IN THE CITY HALL COMMUNITY ROOM The last day for questions will be on TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3RD, 2024, AT 3:00PM. Addendum will be posted by close of business on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4TH, 2024

Sealed BID Documents are due no later than THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5TH, 2024, BY 3:00 PM. BID submissions will be opened, read aloud, and then remanded back to staff for further review at the PROCUREMENT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6TH, 2024, AT 11:00AM. 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 (City Hall Renovation Improvements) must be noted on the outside of the package. Late BID Documents will not be accepted.

Minority Vendors are encouraged to compete for the Award of the Solicitation.

OCD-11/14/3t

REAL ESTATE MARKETPLACE

Economist gives real estate takes

By Lauren Bunting Contributing Writer

(Nov. 15, 2024) The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) conference was held last week in Boston, Massachusetts, and Lawrence Yun, NAR’s Chief Economist, spoke at the conference. He supervises and is responsible for a wide range of research activity for the association including NAR’s Existing Home Sales statistics, Affordability Index, and Home Buyers and Sellers Profile Report.

Yun’s reports are always widely anticipated and his conference session entitled, Residential Economic Issues and Trends Forum, was packed full of his insight on the US economy and its impact on the housing market.

Below are highlights of Yun’s knowledgable deliberations, as well as various market data from his presentation:

He expects 6 to 8 rounds of cuts to the Fed Funds Rate but cautioned that mortgage rates may not fall. He

further expanded his reasoning to say that the massive national budget deficit is affecting the ability of mortgage rates to come down, because with the US Government borrowing so much money, there is less money available to lend for mortgages.

The US dollar should be weakening from the “scary deficit” but it’s not, because people still believe in the power of the United States economy.

In order to get the housing cost under control, we have to increase supply.

We need to get more people back into the labor market to help relieve inflationary pressures and bring rates down.

Cash buyers hit an all-time high at 31% of overall sales nationwide (locally in Worcester County, we were consistently seeing higher cash buyer sales data earlier in 2024).

We have our lowest share of firsttime homebuyers, comprising only 24% of buyers.

Astonishingly, one in 10 first time homebuyers are cash buyers. Yun discussed that the cash is coming from: mom and dad, stocks, crypto sales and 7% using inheritance funds.

The median age of a first-time homebuyer is now at 38 years old.

Millennials purchasing homes for the first time are putting further demand pressure on the market and the need for more housing.

The so-called “silver tsunami” is not happening—meaning the aging population selling their homes to create housing inventory. Furthermore, 61 is the average age of a repeat buyer.

For cost savings, multi-generational home buyers hit all time high.

Drop in marriages changing the buyer demographic: single women are a quarter of the first-time homebuyers, more than doubly outpacing single men at 11%, and unmarried couples at 12%.

FSBO’s are at an all-time low at 6% of sales—sellers do not want to leave money on the table and are relying on the use of a seller’s agent.

After an election, regardless of the outcome and more due to the removal of uncertainty, there will be an increase in home sales.

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

Mon-Fri 9am-4pm, Sat 11am-4pm

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•Fully

Pocomoke City’s restaurant grant forgiven by state

By Brian Shane Staff Writer

(Nov. 15, 2024) State housing officials have agreed to end a longtime grant funding agreement that once helped Pocomoke City pay to build its own riverfront restaurant, but one that has since failed to generate levels of employment the grant had required.

The Worcester County Board of Commissioners agreed unanimously at its Nov. 6 meeting to close out the grant from the state’s Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).

As grant recipients, Worcester County and Pocomoke City did everything they were asked to do, “but sometimes, things don’t work,” according to Cindy Stone, director of the Office of Community Development Programs at DHCD.

The collaboration began 16 years ago when Pocomoke City officials decided to build their own restaurant on spec. The plan was an ambitious experiment in economic development: Pocomoke would construct and own the property, and a restauranteur would operate it.

Under the terms of a grant, the state in 2008 agreed to provide $500,000 for construction and another $98,000 for kitchen equipment. Construction of the restaurant began in 2011. Total grant funding eventually came to $623,000.

In exchange, however, the restaurant needed to benefit low-and moderate-income people through job creation. The agreement set minimum staffing levels: 35 full-time jobs with 18 of them, or 51%, going to low-tomoderate income employees.

But that never really happened, according to Stone

“For this project, the goal was to create jobs,” she said. “Unfortunately, in this case, when the first restaurateur went out of business, they closed, and all the jobs were lost. The next restauranter agreed to start over, and they would have to stay in place a certain amount of time. They closed and those jobs were lost.”

Money for state-issued Community Development Block Grants trickle down from federal funding under the Department of Housing and Urban Development. For many reasons, the state can keep the grant agreement alive for years – for example, to keep the door open for future funding or just for the government to track progress.

Worcester County officials over the summer wrote to the state asking that the agreement come to an end, mostly because its original employment goals were “inadvertently inflated.” Officials added it was becoming onerous to gather data needed for reporting to the state.

“The highest employee numbers since the grant agreement was executed occurred during the first 6

Business as usual for Dockside

months of the restaurant opening in 2012,” wrote County Commissioner Chip Bertino in a July 2 letter. “Since that time period, there has been a decline in the number of jobs created. It is anticipated that those numbers will not be attainable by any lessee at this property.”

Stone said DHCD is now willing to end this grant agreement. But in exchange, the state wants a lien on the property for five years. If the building is sold during the that time, then the grantees will be required to reimburse a portion of the sale price to the state.

Located on the banks of the Pocomoke River, what first opened as Riverside Grill in June 2012 had closed by September 2017. New proprietors reopened as Mallards from December 2017 through January

2019. The eatery has been called Dockside since April 2019 under owner/operator Jamie Evans and his wife Caitlin.

Jamie Evans said the grant’s staffing requirements were “almost impossible to meet” because of the nature of the restaurant business. He noted that his staff is all part-time, and many hold down second jobs.

Otherwise, Evans said it’s “business as usual” despite the movement between state and local government.

“We’ve already met with the city to extend our lease another five years,” he said. “I think this is more of a county commissioners’ bookkeeping thing. Our plans are to continue to stay there and be a tenant of the City of Pocomoke. The City of Pocomoke’s been very transparent with us during this process. Our working relationship with them has been great.”

Short-term rental hearing set for Nov. 19 in Ocean City

Planning commission tasks

staff with presenting data, background info at meeting

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(Nov. 15, 2024) Community members will have a chance to share their thoughts on a proposed ordinance that addresses short-term rentals in residential and mobile home districts.

On Nov. 19, at 6 p.m., the Ocean City Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on a proposed ordinance that establishes a minimum length of stay and a maximum occupancy limit for short-term rentals. As both regulations have a zoning com-

ponent to them, both are being presented to the city’s planning commission for review.

“Our next planning commission meeting will be 11/19,” Planning and Community Development Director George Bendler told the commission last week. “That will be our public hearing for the rental ordinance and allowing public comments for that.”

In September, the Mayor and Council agreed to forward two proposed short-term rental regulations to the Ocean City Planning Commission for further review. When the matter was brought to the commission later that month, the commissioners directed staff to prepare an ordinance that could be presented for a public hearing, now scheduled for Nov. 19.

As proposed, the ordinance would set a five-day minimum length of stay for short-term rentals in the R-1 residential and MH mobile home districts, as well as set occupancy limits for rentals in R-1 and MH districts to two people per bedroom plus two additional guests, and no children counted toward the limit. Last week, Chair Joe Wilson directed staff to have a brief presentation prepared for next week’s meeting.

“I think a narrative from staff to open the hearing would be ideal, just to review everything we will be going over on that day …,” he said. “Just the basics would be good.”

Commissioner Palmer Gillis also requested that staff present statistics on the number of short-term rentals in the R-1 and MH districts.

“As you look at it that way, it impacts very few residents,” he said. “However, I do believe those few units will have a big voice.”

From the outset, some officials have argued the changes would address noise and parking issues associated with short-term rentals and help to maintain the residential character of Ocean City’s neighborhoods. However, those in opposition say the changes – particularly those requiring a minimum length of stay – could hurt short-term rental operators who otherwise follow the rules.

To that end, the commission in September directed staff to find a creative approach to penalizing rental owners who don’t follow the city’s regulations. The commission also directed staff to present police data on short-term rental complaints at next week’s meeting.

“I’ll have that for you,” Bendler said.

Berlin shuffles ARPA funds toward parking

Rails, trails project unlikely so town to use $64K to address ongoing shortage

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer

(Nov. 15, 2024) The Berlin Town Council agreed Tuesday to reallocate remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds set aside for another capital project to downtown parking efforts.

At the governing body’s Tuesday, Nov. 12 meeting, Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall recommended that the council agree to reallocate chunks of remaining money from the ARPA fund to remedy parking issues, like a lack thereof, in downtown Berlin. ARPA was an economic stimulus package passed by the United States Congress in 2021 to provide monetary COVID19 relief to entities like local governments.

Within the fund, the leftover $64,102.80 from the Rails and Trails phase two line item, a project to install a shared-use bike and pedestrian path along Berlin’s railroad, will be reassigned to a new parking line item, as will $100 leftover from the completed strategic plan item.

Tyndall said the Town of Berlin has been working to address parking supply issues. While the reallocated funds will not get the town to where it needs to be to fully complete parking remediation, the mayor said that the additional money will be a start. Efforts to address parking concerns have been ongoing, including exploring additional opportunities for parking lots as well as the need to repave existing parking lots that are either public or privately owned but used by the public.

Councilmember Steve Green noted parking is a priority for him. He referred to the mayor’s request each council person offer to be the point person on goals in the strategic plan. Green offered to take the lead on parking.

“We have our six-month review of our strategic plan coming up, and aside from the summer grassroots effort to encourage business employees to park at the church, we have really nothing to report as far as an update on efforts to address our parking shortage. We all know it and live it here in Berlin,” Green said. “There is a pressing need for us to address this in a meaningful way. These leftover dollars are merely a start, but this is a major concern of mine and it’s shared by not only business owners who deal with it daily but also town residents and visitors.”

Tyndall acknowledged, “Supply is where we want to go first.” The mayor added that he hopes the full amount of the repurposed funds will be uti-

lized by 2026. While in support of funds being set aside for parking, Councilman Jack Orris wanted other uses for the ARPA funds, suggesting in part to set aside $4,000 from the funds to address an overgrown ditch area in District 2 impacting stormwater management. Councilmembers Dean Burrell and Shaneka Nichols as well as Town Administrator Mary Bohlen worried about the precedent it would set for other property owners who have complained over ditch overgrowth impacting stormwater. Finance Director Natalie Saleh did not think ditch maintenance was a sound use of the ARPA funds.

A motion was made by Burrell to assign the $64,102.80 and $100 to a parking line item for the ARPA capital projects, which will be under the

general category. The motion was seconded by Green and passed unanimously.

After the meeting, Green said Berlin is becoming known for not having suitable amounts of parking. He said he knows of local companies who have opted to move their monthly business lunches to West Ocean City rather than Berlin to avoid the parking hassle. He said he disagrees with the sentiments stated by some that Berlin has a walking problem, not a parking problem. Green said he serves on a parking subcommittee with Councilman Jay Knerr and Tyndall and town officials who are evaluating options for an additional parking lot as well as improving the lots the town has currently.

“Berlin cannot meet the demands of our visitors with the current supply

of parking. It’s a fact most of the year, and it actually impacts many of our residents too. Daytrippers from elsewhere and visitors from Ocean City cannot walk to Berlin, so that’s not a realistic solution to say we just need to walk or bike more. I wish it was that simple,” Green said. “The perception is Berlin does not have enough parking. That perception may not always be the reality every day, but the parking shortage is putting a cap on our businesses’ financial models when we can’t accommodate the demand of their customers. These business folks hear about parking just about every day from those I speak to routinely. Our parking problems are a sign of success, but we must strive to address this issue once and for all in a meaningful way. We know it’s going to cost money.”

Local veteran returns to war memorial, 70 years later

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(Nov. 15, 2024) Last Friday, 70 years after attending the dedication ceremony for the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, local World War II veteran Morris Semiatin made the journey back to Arlington to witness a wreath-laying ceremony at the monument.

On Nov. 10, 1954, Semiatin joined fellow veterans who fought beside him at Iwo Jima for the dedication of the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial. Sitting behind Ira Hayes, who helped raise the American flag at Mount Suribachi, he watched as national dignitaries and other presiding officials recognized the service of U.S. Marines with a dedication of the me-

morial, the center of which features a sculpture depicting one of the most recognizable images of World War II.

While decades have now passed, Semiatin, escorted by Marine veterans with Trucks for Troops, returned to the memorial last Friday to take part in the annual tribute. He is believed to be the only living Marine veteran to take part in the dedication 70 years ago.

“I’m very proud of the fact that we saw the flag raised, and we saw it in person and were able to capture the area where the flag was raised,” Semiatin said this week. “We were very proud of the fact we did it.”

Born in Baltimore in 1926, Semiatin was raised through the Great Depression and the outbreak of World War II. About a week after graduating high school, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served in the 5th Marine Division during the Battle of Iwo Jima.

During the war, Semiatin was one of roughly 70,000 Marines to land on Iwo Jima. He was also there to witness the raising of the American flag on Mount Suribachi, the photo of which remains one of the most recognizable images of World War II.

“My best friend Ira Hayes was the man in the back of the group of Americans that put that flag up,” he said. “I was very proud of that fact.”

Semiatin recalled those days on Iwo Jima, where he would join the fight on the ground and in the caves. He even recalled that first night, when he was injured in his foxhole. He would later receive a Purple Heart for his actions during the battle.

“I was laying in a foxhole with two or three other men, and flares were flying overhead, lighting up the island,” he said. “You could see the island pretty brightly with those flares. They lit it so good that the Japanese were able to throw a hand grenade into our foxhole.”

Nine years after the Battle of Iwo Jima, Semiatin joined other survivors for the dedication of the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial. And on Nov. 8, Marine veterans with Trucks for Troops escorted him by RV back to the monument for the annual wreath-laying ceremony. Semiatin’s son, Ben Semiatin, said his father was the special guest.

“As soon as we got out of the RV, we heard clapping,” he said. “We were about 100 yards away from the viewing stand, 150 people were there. And as we got closer, the clapping got louder. I thought they were introducing the VIPs who already showed up. As we got maybe 30 feet away, everybody just stands up. I’m thinking, ‘Oh my god, they’re doing this for him.’ I had tears.”

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Morris Semiatin, pictured with his grandson Ben, had the opportunity to visit the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial last Friday.

Memorial park’s gazebo celebrated on Veterans Day

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer

(Nov. 14, 2024) The new gazebo at the Worcester County Veterans Memorial in Ocean Pines was officially opened and dedicated on Monday, Nov. 11, prior to the remembrance park’s 2024 Veterans Day ceremony.

Veterans Memorial Foundation

President Marie Gilmore was joined by community officials, including Ocean Pines Association General Manager John Viola, the OPA Board of Directors, and Veterans Memorial Foundation members, as she expressed her gratitude for the creation of the new structure.

Gilmore said the gazebo was erected in collaboration between the Veterans Memorial Foundation, the OPA Board of Directors, Viola, OPA Public Works, and Whayland Construction, which is based in Laurel, Delaware.

The hope is that the pavilion will act as a space for family and friends to gather during a visit to the memorial park. “What you see today is the fruition of several years of wishing and a year of planning and building,” Gilmore said.

“This belongs to all of us now,” she added.

OPA and the Veterans Memorial Foundation also intend for the gazebo to serve as an “outdoor classroom” for the more than 650 fifth-grade students from all of Worcester County’s private and public schools who come to the site each year to learn about United States history, the flag, and former military members.

“This gazebo allows us to expand upon our programs, enhancing the students’ experience,” the foundation president said. “We are grateful to the Ocean Pines Board of Directors and the Ocean Pines General Manager John Viola, who so willingly joined us on our mission.”

Gilmore noted that Viola was “in-

Semiatin gets special moment

Continued from Page 68

Ben Semiatin said the remainder of the day was spent at the memorial and the National Museum of the Marine Corps. He said pictures were also taken at the same spot his father was sitting during the memorial’s dedication in 1954.

“It was the most incredible day I’ve had with him in a long time, to see his eyes light up and his smile light up,” he said.

Ben Semiatin said he and his father also hope to attend a ceremony in February recognizing the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima.

strumental” in ensuring the structure was open in time for Veterans Day, as the goal reiterated by the general manager at community board meetings.

Gilmore expressed her gratitude to Ocean Pines Public Works, which played a vital role in the pavilion’s completion, and Whayland Construction, which she said was “amazing to work with.”

Viola also spoke at the Nov. 11 dedication.

“We have something very special here [in Ocean Pines], and this certainly is a part of it,” he said. “I have termed this a legacy structure which enhances this iconic area.”

The official opening concluded with a ribbon cutting performed by Viola and Gilmore.

Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation Chair Marie Gilmore delivers remarks before the ribbon is cut by Ocean Pines officials at the new gazebo on the grounds.

Berlin talks building sale contract specifics

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer

(Nov. 15, 2025) The Berlin Mayor and Council continue to discuss the sale of Heron Park’s parcel 57 for $1.2 million as the developers and the town work toward an official agreement.

The Town of Berlin and developers Palmer and Sandy Gillis of Coastal Ventures Properties entered into extended negotiations in July regarding the sale and redevelopment of the former Tyson’s Food processing plant on parcel 57 at Heron Park. Those conversations are ongoing as the municipality, and the prospective buyers look to iron out the details and work toward an official contract.

At the Berlin Town Council’s Tuesday, Nov. 12 meeting, the topic was brought up once again as the body discussed the timeline and how to incorporate an access point to Heron Park and the upcoming public works facility and skate park. While the Gillises' desires were considered, the developers did not attend Tuesday night’s gathering.

Regarding the timeline, Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall said that his hope is that the space is operational and functional within 24 months of the sale, following the 180-day due diligence period, during which the developers will identify potential challenges they may face during the project. The 180 days will begin

once the property is reclassified to B-2 commercial zoning, which allows great flexibility for uses in the town.

The space does not need to be filled by the end of the 24 months, but Tyndall desires that “the shell be capable of being rented.”

“We are not saying someone needs to be in the door, but we don’t want it sitting in its current condition,” he said, drawing agreement from the council.

The mayor also noted that a contract with the developers will not be signed until the parcel is rezoned. According to Tyndall, the Gillises requested that the due diligence period begin following the property’s reclassification. To best address this, Tyndall recommends that the Town of Berlin hold off on green-lighting an official agreement until the space is determined as B-2 commercial zoning,

“Handling the things that are some of the contingencies that we can iron out now before we actually sign the agreement will put us in the best possible position,” he said.

The municipality’s governing body also wants to delay signing a contract until the rezoning is advertised and discussed to allow for fair resident input.

“What we didn't see right was for us to sign [an agreement] and say we are going to have the rezoning take place and then have to go through the public comment period and basically say,

‘yeah, you got your public comment, but we’re not going to listen because we’re going to do it anyway,’” Tyndall said. “This way, we get to hear public comments, so if there is something we’re missing, we get to absorb that information before entering into a contract.”

As such, the proposed timeline would ensure that firstly, parcel 57 is reworked to commercial zoning, the town and the Gillises enter into an official agreement confirming the sale, the 180-day due diligence period begins, and, upon the conclusion of the 180 days, the developers have 24 months to create a functional space.

Tyndall reminded the council and the public that a moratorium, or temporary pause, in place until a planning director is hired would stall any rezoning requests. Berlin has operated without a planning director since Dave Engelhart, the former position holder, passed away in April. Still, the mayor maintained that the town is “working diligently” to fill the vacancy.

Additionally, the Berlin Mayor and Council discussed the intricacies of the roadway that must allow for access to parcel 57 and the intended new public works facility and skate park, which are planned for the surrounding areas. The maintenance portion of public works will be developed on parcel 410 of Heron Park with the planned skate

park. When the town and the contractor begin to lay out the facility, they will look at the entire land holistically, including adjacent parcels like 191.

The Gillises have asked that in the arrangement of the roadway, which is estimated to cost $1.1 million to construct, according to Tyndall, the town discuss the possibility of moving the entry point east as close as possible to a parcel on Old Ocean City Boulevard already under private ownership, not Berlin, to make room for parking.

Tyndall said that the developers assured the space’s operators are open to the idea but that in return, they would want a “reciprocal amount, if not a little more, in the rear part of their parcel, which is town land.”

The mayor maintained that he was not receptive to that approach, as it would detract from the town’s plan to build a new public works facility and push that project closer to the skate park.

“That was a no-go because it takes away from what we’re trying with that parcel,” Tyndall said. “It would put us closer to the skate park, which I don’t think would look the best aesthetically.”

While Tyndall said the town will entertain negotiations if the developers can create a clean and unambiguous agreement, he recommends that “the roadway that services the skate park,

See DEVELOPER Page 71

Berlin fire officials outline budget requests

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer

(Nov. 15, 2024) At a meeting last week, the Berlin Fire Company and Berlin Fire Company Emergency Medical Services outlined their funding amounts for the next budget.

For BFC and BFC EMS, the total request for operations and capital will be $1,055,000 for fiscal year 2026 compared to approximately $699,000 included in this year’s budget.

The BFC’s specific request for fire operations is $205,000 plus $150,000 for capital for a total of $355,000. Last year, the town funded $200,000 for operations.

For the BFC EMS, the request is for

$625,000 in operations plus $75,000 for capital. Last year, the town funded $484,000 for EMS operations. The town has also committed to a $15,000 fire and EMS capital allocation associated with casino revenues for three years.

Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall noted that this year’s funding request is an over $350,000 increase to what was allocated to the services in the previous budget.

“Last year, our budget amount was $699,000,” he said. “This year, BFC and BFC EMS are asking for a total of $1,055,000. That’s a 53% increase overall. I just want us all to be on the same page. That’s hard to do in one fiscal year … that’s a hefty ask.”

BFC President David Fitzgerald

urged the Berlin Mayor and Council to consider the request “ask versus ask.” He noted that EMS sought $611,000 last year compared to their request of $625,000 during this budget process and are thus “only asking for $14,000 more.” Fitzgerald said it’s important for officials to understand the budgeted amount was far below the requested dollars.

“It sounds bad, but I think you should look at ask to ask too, because that sounds like we’ve asked for more but look at ask to ask so we don’t get people bent out of shape,” Fitzgerald said. “Last year, we asked for $611,000, and we are now asking $625,000, so we are only asking for $14,000 more …

I think you all need to say ask to ask.”

The emergency officials said the increased request comes as the district continues to grow rapidly, and it is “only going to get worse,” according to Fitzgerald.

Still, Tyndall asked that BFC personnel maintain “realistic expectations.”

“We understand what the ask has been year over year…but we have to spread that amount of our revenue across many different pathways,” the mayor said. “I think we are very generous with what we are able to offer based on what we have available. This body will continue to do that; I just want to set realistic expectations so we are not misleading anybody.”

Developer, town differ on road entry points

Continued from Page 70

the public work facility, whatever future uses for parcel 410, be a roadway that starts on parcel 57, curves to parcel 191 as quickly as we can by keeping the roadway safe, and staying along the property [the town] has.”

“It will take away a little bit of parking but not much,” the mayor added.

While Councilman Steve Green expressed concern holding firm against

the developer’s ask on the entry alignment could jeopardize the sale, Tyndall maintained the obstacle should be easy to overcome.

“I think this is a reasonable request,” he said.

Tyndall said that once the repurposing of parcel 57, the public works facility, and the skate park are underway, he hopes the town will be able to obtain some grant funding to help offset

the high price of constructing the road.

A contingency of the sale in the draft contract, which was created in the summer and will be amended to include the information discussed at the Nov. 12 Mayor and Council meeting, maintains that parcel 57 will not be permitted to host pawn shops, gun shops, tanning salons, massage parlors, adult video/bookshops, adult entertainment facilities, check cashing facil-

ities, tattoo parlors, or liquor stores.

With the help of legal firm experienced in government property sales, Tyndall hopes to have an updated draft contract by the start of January, but ideally, “quicker than that.”

“We want to do this deal together, but we want to make sure that in the process of that, we protect the town’s interests, and we make it clean all the way around,” the mayor said.

Opinions

Time to plan on unpredictability

Local and county governments along with residents and businesspeople will just have to wait and see how everything plays out, as Maryland officials scramble to patch a foundering state budget and a new administration in Washington, D.C. has pledged to overhaul how federal government works.

The summary version of the situation is that the State of Maryland is looking at a $6 billion deficit by 2030 if it doesn’t reduce spending from its current level, while it’s too soon to know how the incoming Trump Administration will follow though on its promise to reduce the size of the federal government.

Essentially, no one knows what’s going to happen or to whom. That was the gist of the presentation Ocean City Chamber of Commerce lobbyist Dennis Rasmussen gave at the organization’s legislative roundtable earlier this week.

His view on what to expect from the General Assembly in the year ahead is that it’s too unpredictable to say. The big reason for this uncertainity is that the state’s finances are in such bad shape that Gov. Wes Moore and associates are looking for loose change under the seat cushions.

That could translate into big cuts in state spending on everything from operations to grants to capital projects as officials take the triage approach to assembling the state’s 2026 financial package and concentrate on critical needs, assuming they can agree on what’s critical and what isn’t.

The fact remains that even the best and brightest analysts of state and federal governments don’t know what to think or say, or how to plan for the unknown.

That leaves local governments and businesses little choice but to proceed with caution until they get a better idea of how things will unfold.

For all anyone knows, good things will happen and then, having prepared for a less-than-wonderful year, these entities might find themselves much better off than expected, or unexpected, as the case may be.

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Contact Sales: sales@oceancitytoday.net PRODUCTION

ART DIRECTOR COLE GIBSON; SENIOR PAGE DESIGNER SUSAN PARKS

SENIOR AD DESIGNER KELLY BROWN ADMINISTRATION

PUBLISHER/CONTROLLER CHRISTINE BROWN

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT GINI TUFTS web: oceancitytoday.com Facebook: facebook/mdcoastdispatch.com

By Stewart Dobson

(1.) I owe back taxes in the amount of $23,765, or $12,170, or $47,623, depending on the time you called, but that you and the Tax Resolution Center are prepared to bail my sorry tax-dodging self out with a great program that will cost me virtually nothing. I appreciate your concern.

(2.) The IRS owes me a refund in the amount of $4,326, or $7,670 or $11,825, depending on the time you called, but that you and the Tax Resolution Center are prepared to obtain this refund for me with a great program that will cost me virtually nothing. Again, I appreciate your concern.

I should say, though, that I have some concerns about your welfare as well, since it appears that your job requires quite a bit of travel.

For instance, your first call yesterday came from Aberdeen, Maryland at about 11:21 a.m. and your second call came from Hagerstown, Maryland at 12:09 p.m.

That’s a pretty good drive, but — and again this is just me looking out for you — you had to be doing 130 mph to cover the 106-mile distance in 48 minutes.

Plus, driving like that while thinking about

my financial well-being. Is that wise? I mean, you must have blown through at least a couple of red lights and intersections in the process. All while carrying the burden of my financial situation on your mind. Wow! Send me your boss’s email address, because I want to commend your dedication to the job.

But here’s the thing, just two hours later, you called me from Hurricane, West Virginia, which made me wonder what you’re driving that will do, I don’t know, 260 mph over the long haul?

And then, there you were in Kutztown, Pennsylvania and from there to Indiana (Hoosier daddy? Hahahaha, get it?) and then to someplace in upstate New York, the name of which would take me longer to type than for you to drive, apparently, and then, just 10 minutes ago, Fall River Mills, California! What th ...!!!

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not accusing anyone of anything, but unless you got yourself beamed from New York to California by Time Lords from the future or something, or you’re a different Cathy, Kathy, Cathi, Kathi or Qathi from the other Cathys, Kathys, Cathis, Kathis or Qathi’s who have been calling me, I’m beginning to suspect that you do not have good intentions.

If I’m wrong, I apologize and I promise we’ll talk soon about how to get my refund ... over lunch.

I figure if you’re in California now, you can be here in two hours tops if you take Route 50 from Sacramento. I’ll even buy.

If, on the other hand, this is about back taxes, I’m sorry, but you have the wrong number.

Between the Lines

By Steve Green

It’s looking more and more like the suspension of the Boardwalk tram service following last August’s tragedy involving a toddler could become long term. One thing that seems certain is the current suspension will be extended through 2025. City Manager Terry McGean said as much last week when he called it “likely” the tram will not be in service next summer. The question now becomes will the tram ever return to Ocean City. I think every effort should be made to bring it back.

Through official and unofficial conversations with a variety of individuals in the know, the newspaper has confirmed there are many layers to the tram’s situation. There’s litigation likely coming following the young child’s horrific collision with a tram last summer, but word is the tram’s complexities moving forward go deeper. It’s known the Jeep that pulls the people is an issue. Whether the Boardwalk is classified as a road is being evaluated, too. Other factors involve proper licensure of the tram drivers and the ongoing challenge of recruitment. State and federal regs regarding the transporting of people have also become relevant.

Ending the Boardwalk tram, which has been in operation for 60 years in Ocean City, will be a big deal. While it’s true it’s an amenity essentially, people will miss it and it’s clear there is a passion for it, as evidenced by the more than 320 comments on a post on the story reporting the tram is likely out for 2025. It’s also a revenue generator for the city.

Over the following months, much will be considered. It seems clear bringing back the tram will involve new expenditures to address whatever legal matters that are causing the confusion among city officials. The cost to reinvent the tram service will have to be balanced against the annual revenue and visitor demand. The tram is a major part of the Boardwalk experience for many folks, particularly senior citizens and those with mobility issues, and the tradition and convenience should be factors weighed in this ongoing discussion as well.

***

Forgive me if my eyes roll whenever Maryland officials start talking about money problems leading to a structural deficit, transportation cuts needing to be made and how governments need to understand the state’s budget will be tight. What else is new? It’s the same old scare tactics.

During a roundtable discussion with a lobbyist from the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce, city leaders and business representatives were essentially told Maryland’s finances are in trouble. It’s as if there was no planning done to avoid these financial realities and all of a sudden shock has been sent throughout the state about doom.

On the local front, the biggest issues to follow will be whether Maryland extends the deadline for the education reform program called the Blueprint. The sweeping legislation hands down dozens of unfunded mandates to the local jurisdictions, and the reality is the changes will be impossible in the short time frame outlined initially. Shifting more of the education funding responsibility to the local county governments is a massive concern, especially given the current group of County Commissioners and their scrutiny of education spending.

Another major issue will be transportation project funding. There are indications the Key Bridge rebuild will monopolize much of the dollars in the state’s transportation program, which is reportedly showing a $3 billion shortfall due to the massive reconstruction project. It leaves local road projects, such as Route 90, likely on the outside looking in for dollars. Local official will try to combat the reality, but the hopes are dim for any serious work on improving Route 90 in the near future.

***

Congratulations to Stephen Decatur High School’s Unified Tennis team on winning its first-ever state championship. For those unfamiliar, Unified Sports is organized through the Special Olympics. It provides opportunities for students with special needs of differing severities to be matched up with typical student athletes to compete against other teams built through the same approach.

Decatur now offers Unified Tennis in the fall, Unified Strength and Conditioning in the winter (the team won the state championship earlier this year) and Unified Bocce in the spring. It’s an amazing effort led by a dedicated group of coaches who have hearts of gold. As a parent of a special needs freshman, who was a member of the team, I am grateful for the program. Many others feel the same way, including the parents of the neurotypical student athletes who learn empathy and awareness about people’s differences. As Dr. Temple Grandin, who has Autism said, “different, not less.” Watching the interactions between the team members is special and memorable. It builds confidence for these special needs teens. It was a special season no matter the outcome but capping it off with a state championship is entirely appropriate. At every meet I attended, Decatur had the most players and turnout, which means something.

Letters to the editor

Concerning our election process, system

Editor,

Oh my, what a long election period. Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 5, I felt so proud to be an American Democrat from the Eastern Shore. I had just finished being a poll watcher and was so moved to see our democracy in action. Wednesday morning (11/6), I confess to being totally shocked and devastated with election results. It is heart breaking to me to see that my fellow citizens prefer a convicted felon to a woman of color who has vast experience and ran a stellar campaign in just over three months. However, I totally respect that the voters have spoken. Millions of good, honest and decent Americans chose Mr. Trump. We need to listen to one another and share our concerns. I agree there is much more that unites us than divides us. However, I have no respect for those who chose not to vote and feel they must have nothing to add to the conversation. I will try to keep an open mind and loving heart as Mr. Trump again becomes our president. As an American citizen, I have the right and duty to make my voice heard and peacefully protest if his future actions are detrimental to our country and the world.

I would venture to guess that every American citizen, whether they voted or not, would agree that the election period was way too long. Who isn’t sick of all the political ads, texts, blogs, emails, letters, etc. Surely there are better ways to spend approximately $1,400,000,000.

President-elect Trump declared his candidacy Nov. 15, 2022; his campaign ran 10 days shy of two years. The Kamala Harris campaign was 107 days and raised over $1 billion in three months. In contrast, Canada elects a new Prime Minister in two weeks. The French election period is three weeks. Japan’s election period is a mere 12 days; Philippines has a 90-day period; Brazil has a 45-day period. England has a 25 working

day period for elections and the Prime Minister moves into 10 Downing Street the same day he/she is elected. President-elect Trump will not be inaugurated until 2.5 months after the election.

I doubt that in the near future, Congress will get rid of the Electoral College System and allow for a Plurality Electoral System where the candidate who receives the most votes nationwide wins the election. I feel the electoral college system made total sense when our country was founded. Times have changed and it is wrong that selecting a president depends primarily on how 7 states vote.

Perhaps we can convince Congress to agree to shorten our election period. Really folks, our elections are too long and costly. I would strongly support that after greatly shortened primary elections conclude, each candidate receives a limited and equal amount of money from the government and no private fundraising be allowed after the primary. I suggest that the government election pot be split 3 ways with 1/3 going to Dems, 1/3 to Republicans and the remaining 3rd be split among independent and 3rd party candidates. This could be partially funded by the $2 donations we chose to make by checking the box on our federal tax returns.

I share these thoughts and would like to hear comments from my fellow Americans. Please accept these ramblings from a senior citizen who loves her country. We have a democracy in progress –can we keep it and make it better?

Tish Michel Ocean City

Let’s keep fear, division out of our county Editor,

I love where I live.

I think most people who know me understand my deep love of the Eastern Shore and how grateful I am to have lived here for almost 50 years and to have raised my children here.

Continued on Page 75

NOTICE OF LIVE AUCTION

Beach Equipment Franchise – North-End, Mid-Beach and South-End Available Parcels $500 Minimum Bid Requirement for each Parcel

A public auction will be held on Wednesday, D December 4, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., in the Council Chambers of City Hall located at 301 Baltimore Avenue in Ocean City, Maryland. R Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. A p pre-auction discussion begins at 9:30 a.m. Auction begins at 10:00 a.m. The following north-section beach parcels will be auctioned:

NORTH-END BEACH PARCELS

85th, 86th and 87th Streets 88th, 89th, 90th Streets and 91st Street End 92nd End North, 93rd Streets and 9400 Condo Flying Cloud, Pyramid and Plaza Condos Century I, English Tower and Marigot Beach Condos Atlantis, Quay and Golden Sands Condos Capri, Irene and Rainbow Condos High Point South, High Point North and Sea Watch Condos Fountainhead, Carousel and 118 Street 119th, 120th and 121st Streets 128th, 129th and 130th Streets 131st, 132nd and 133rd Streets

ON AUCTION DAY, the successful bidder shall:

134th, 135th and 136th Streets 137th, 138th and 139th Streets 140th, 141st and 142nd Streets 143rd, 144th, 145th and 146th to MD/DE Line

MID-BEACH PARCELS

69th,70th and 71st Streets 72nd, 73rd and 74th Streets

SOUTH-END PARCELS

22nd Street 23rd Street

(1) Provide satisfactory proof of identity and legal age (i.e. Driver’s License or Government-issued Photo ID)

(2) Pay a One Thousand Dollar ($1,000.00) n non-refundable deposit for each successful bid. Please bring cash, cashier’s checks or certified checks payable to the Mayor and City Council. PERSONAL CHECKS NOT ACCEPTED.

On the dates specified below, the successful bidder shall:

(1) Submit a personal Credit Report on or before M Monday, December 9, 2024.

(2) Sign a statement authorizing the Mayor and Council to make inquiry of personal background, financial and credit worthiness on or before M Monday, December 9, 2024

(3) Pay 20% of the annual fee for each parcel less the $1,000.00 deposit to the Billing Office in City Hall on or before Monday, December 9, 2024

(4) Provide a b brief plan of management on or before M Monday, December 9, 2024, clarifying if you will directly oversee the operation or, if not, how day-to-day operations will be handled; providing details of your experience with the beach equipment rental industry; and advising if you have obtained necessary equipment and boxes or of your arrangements to acquire necessary equipment.

(5) O Obtain, at the operator's own expense, comprehensive general liability insurance coverage and products liability insurance coverage in at least the amount of $1,000,000.00 combined single limit, which insurance coverage shall name the Mayor and City Council as an additional insured, and a certificate of insurance evidencing such coverage shall be furnished to the Mayor and City Council by the operator and be approved by Ocean City's City Clerk before contract endorsement.

(6) The second-highest bidder will have first right of refusal should the initial successful bidder neglect to meet credit, experience or management requirements. A sealed bid will be conducted if the second-highest bidder declines the award. The Mayor and Council may reject any and all bids for any reason it deems appropriate and may rebid upon such terms, conditions and manner it deems appropriate.

(7) Sign a threeyear contract (2025-2027) for each north-end parcel. Sign a two-year contract (2025-2026) for each mid-beach parcel. Sign a 1-year contract for each south-end parcel (2025).

An auction bid packet can be found at http://oceancitymd.gov/oc/departments/city-clerk/ or email dchavis@oceancitymd.gov to request the information. Please direct questions to 410-289-8842.

Venison pie is a fall meal perfect for entire family

By Deborah Lee Walker Contributing Writer

(Nov. 15, 2024) Knowledge is the key ingredient when dispelling misconceptions.

That being said, there is much misunderstanding when it comes to the terms “shepherd’s pie” and “cottage’s pie.” So let us discuss the particulars so a slice of clarity can be shared by all. Shepherd’s pie has been a staple of British, Irish, and Scottish cuisines since the end of the 1700s. The lambbased dish is served as a convenient way to use leftover meat and is topped with a mashed potato crust.

Variations of shepherd’s pie that are made with beef are called cottage pies. In the United States, shepherd’s pie refers to lamb or beef pies made with a mashed potato crust. For the sake of convenience, we will use the term “shepherd’s pie” for this article. There are two major components of shepherd’s pie: the full-bodied meat filling and the fluffy mashed potato crust. We will start with the meat filling.

Stock or broth is the secret to the filling and beef is a given. But decreasing the amount of beef stock and adding chicken stock gives the dish richness. If you want to add more depth of flavor, add veal demi-glace. This addition takes the dish to another level. You can purchase veal demiglace online; the consistency is concentrated and very pricey. Add one rounded tablespoon to the stock. This step is optional.

The texture of the ground beef needs to be addressed. Ground beef can take on a certain toughness and treating it briefly with baking soda and water raises the pH level on the meat’s surface which helps deter the hardening process.

The meat filling usually contains peas and carrots. This is not written in stone and allow personal preference to be your guide. Squash, zucchini, corn, and mushrooms are tasty selections.

The potato “crust” is the last component of concern. As potatoes cook, the pectin breaks down, and the individual cells expand and separate, releasing starch molecules. The concentration of this released starch is a major factor and determines the essence of mashed potatoes. If one’s goal is to create light mashed potatoes, then you need to produce as little starch as possible. There are several factors which can yield these results.

The potato type is very important. Russet potatoes have cells that readily

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

fall apart and result in a softer mash. The mashing method itself can drastically alter your end result. Pressing potatoes through a ricer or food mill separates the cells with minimum force to break up the starch.

A hand-held mixer will not produce the “lightness” but is perfectly acceptable. In addition, if time is of the essence, boxed mashed potatoes have come a long way and can be another option. Shepherd’s pie is perfect for this time of the year. Venison is popular on Delmarva and is a delicious alternative to beef.

If you can’t think of what to have for dinner, a venison pie is a fantastic fall meal for a hungry family. Enjoy

Mashed Potato Crust

2 ½ pounds russet potatoes, peeled and quartered ¼ cup each whole milk and sour cream

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Continued from Page 73

This love is the reason I am involved in community organizations and have volunteered for many local non-profits. I serve on the Police Accountability Board and love serving as a (paid) Election Judge. And, of course, I am very and happily involved in Republican politics.

I say all this not to pat myself on the back, but to establish credentials for what I am about to say.

As I said, I love serving as an Election Judge, but I find it very frustrating that the most common response I get when I tell people that I am a judge is “Catch those cheaters!” Or something to that effect. Folks, we don’t have that problem here. I am very well aware that there are areas of the country that are rife with cheating of all kinds, but not here. Any “cheating” taking place here is beyond the control of our local Election Board and the Staff, lead by the inestimable Patty Jackson. Most “cheating” is wrong information on social media and incorrect reporting in the media. I know a lot of people who absolutely hate Donald Trump, but that hate is based on lies. Is it cheating if people cast a vote based on those lies?

An example of the “misinformation” from the media is the FEMA scandal. So many media outlets stated that Trump was lying when he accused Homeland Security and FEMA of spending billions of taxpayer dollars on illegal immigrants and discriminating against Republicans and Trump supporters in hurri-

Have an opinion?

5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch chunks

kosher salt to taste

1. Place the potatoes in a medium saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and cook until potatoes are tender. Drain water and place potatoes back into hot saucepan.

2. Add sour cream, unsalted butter, and milk, and mash potatoes until smooth. Add kosher salt to taste. Set aside.

Venison Filling

1 ½ pounds ground venison

½ teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon table salt

1 tablespoon water

3 slices bacon

3 large cloves garlic, minced

1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped

1 large portobello cap, stem and gills removed, and chopped

1 cup dry white wine

cane rescue efforts in Florida and North Carolina. Well guess what? It turns out Trump was right. There are dozens of other incidents like this. How many people voted against Trump based, at least in part, on this “misreporting”? This may seem to be a minor incident, but it adds up and becomes the accepted “narrative”.

Another issue that has frustrated me is the way some of the school board candidates conducted their campaigns and the aspersions cast and the intimidating tactics used against the incumbents by some of the family members and supporters of said candidates. The Worcester County Board of Education has done a very good job handling the overbearing and frankly stupid mandates handed down from on high by the State and Federal governments. From the way the challengers campaigned you would think we are in Baltimore or Los Angeles or Chicago where, yes, children are absolutely NOT being educated and the teachers’ unions are in total control and DEI is really all they care about. The transgender issue is a troubling one, but is not widespread here. And guess what? These kids have the same rights as any other and their needs must be taken into account. From the way some of the candidates campaigned you would think the girls’ bathrooms are being overrun by boys.

I believe the fears of election cheating and the fears that awful stuff is regularly occuring in our local schools are based on what is happen-

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons tomato paste

1 ½ teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

1 cup beef broth

½ cup chicken broth

1 tablespoon each dried thyme and oregano

1 teaspoon ground black pepper 2/3 cup combined frozen peas, carrots, and corn

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and set the oven rack in the middle position.

2. Place the venison, baking soda, salt, and water in a medium bowl. Combine with your hands and allow to rest for 20 minutes.

3. Heat a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add bacon and sauté until cooked.

Remove bacon and chop. Add garlic, onions, and mushrooms, and cook for another 5 minutes. Add wine and allow to reduce by half. Add flour and mix until thoroughly combined.

4. Add tomato paste, Worcester-

shire, broths, seasonings, and meat. Mix until thoroughly combined. Add veggies and cook until meat is partially cooked.

5. Pipe or spread mashed potatoes on top of venison mixture. Cook for 30 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Place a sheet pan underneath to catch any drippings. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving

Secret Ingredient – Knowledge

To know knowledge and what you do not know, is true knowledge.

Confucius

ing in other parts of the country. Do we need to be vigilant? Of course. Those who know me know that “vigilance’” is my middle name. But we do not need to make assumptions that these things are happening herethat leads to anger and division and distrust of our leaders.

My concern is that it is possible to import this fear and division and destroy a wonderful community based on what is happening in other areas of the country. Please, let’s not do that.

Carol Frazier Ocean Pines

FIRST FRIDAY

The Art League of Ocean City’s First Friday art opening and reception was held on Nov. 1 at the Ocean City Center for the Arts. The featured artists exhibited in the main Thaler Gallery under the title “Modern Allegories.” The group show theme in the Sisson Galleria was “The Art of Gratitude.” SUBMITTED PHOTOS/ OC TODAY-DISPATCH

David Hollander - Featured Artist

Felisa Federman - Featured Artist

First Place Robert NickleOld Warrior

Greg Cannizzaro - Spotlight Gallery

Rhonda Ford & Nancy Fine - Studio E

Susanna Eisenman - Featured Artist

OBITUARIES

DAVID JAMES GRASSEY

Rehoboth Beach, Del.

David James Grassey, formerly of Rehoboth Beach, Del., passed away on Tuesday, October 22, 2024. He was 82 years old. David was born to his late parents Daniel and Dorothy (Horton) Grassey in Philadelphia, PA on May 12, 1942. He attended St, Bartholomew and Father Judge. He attended Temple University for a short time and then King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, PA. There he met the love of his life Colleen (Roche) Grassey who he would marry and start a long loving marriage of 60 years.

David began his business career as an internal auditor at the Sears Corporate Center in Philadelphia. He was then hired into the management training program. His career at Sears included roles as Store Manager, District Manager and owner of a Sears store. His accomplishments included multiple awards to include, Manager of the Year and District Manager of the year. David and Colleen operated their store together until Sears closed catalog operations. After selling the store, David began his second career with Lowe’s Home Improve-

ment. He again was recognized as Manager of the Year and District Manager followed.

David had great compassion for his fellow man and at every opportunity served others. He was a Youth Advisor at St. Francis and St. Margaret Churches providing mentorship and guidance to many young adults. He was also a scout master and volunteered at soup kitchens, helping the less fortunate. He and Colleen volunteered with Hospice and Meals on Wheels for more than 20 years. Their service to the community provided emotional support, care, meals and friendship to many residents of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware where they lived for four decades. In his spare time he enjoyed singing with the Nautical Sounds, strolling the Rehoboth Boardwalk and enjoying a night out at Grotto Pizza.

David was also a man of great faith. His belief and love of Christ ran deep. He served as a eucharistic minister and various volunteer positions in the Church. He was also a member of choirs at various churches including St. Edmund in Rehoboth Beach. David and Colleen are members of a Marriage Encounter prayer group that has been together for 50 years. David cherished the faith and fellowship of this group.

David is predeceased in death by his angel and youngest child,

Meighan Grassey. He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years Colleen, sons James and Thomas, grandchildren Austin and Julia, brothers Douglas, Donald, Dennis, Daniel and Michael, and many nieces, nephews and countless friends.

A mass celebrating David’s life and salvation will be held at St. Edmund Catholic Church in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware on Monday, November 18, 2024 at 10 am (visitation) with a mass following at 11 am. Close family will have a private burial at sea at a later date.

JUDY LARAINE FOGLE

Ocean Pines

Judy Laraine Fogle, 82, passed away on Nov. 4, 2024, at Coastal Hospice in Salisbury. Born on March 8, 1942, Judy dedicated her life to nurturing her family and serving her community through her work and faith.

Judy is survived by a loving family: her son Rodney Fogle and his wife Cathy, daughter Kim Overmiller and her husband Mike, daughters Stephanie Gamm and Tammy Fogle, son Keith Fogle, brother Larry Amspacher and his wife Georgia, along with in-laws Evelyn Amspacher, Sylvia Einsig, Marty Fogle and his wife Pam, Connie Fogle, and Charles Stillinger. She leaves behind 14 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, and 17 nieces and nephews, all who will miss her deeply.

She was preceded in death by her parents John and Ida Amspacher; her son-in-law Brian Gamm; grandson Bryce Fogle; brothers Eugene, Richard, Thomas, Billy, Paul, Dean, and Robert Amspacher; brother-inlaw Joe Einsig; sister-in-law Linda Stillinger; brother-in-law Sam Fogle; and ex-husband Guyon Fogle.

Judy was a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, known for her deep love for animals, especially her three cherished cats, Beanie, Callie, and Blizzie. Her home was always filled with laughter, love, and the pitter-patter of grand dogs and grand cats.

Professionally, Judy retired as the Dietary Manager at the Margaret E. Moul Home, where she was respected for her dedication and care in managing dietary services. In 2012, she moved to Ocean Pines with her daughter and son-in-law and became a personal care giver, for a short time, for Home Instead Senior Care. She always enjoyed helping others.

Judy's educational achievements included completing her GED and a Certification Course as a Dietary Manager, which furthered her career and enabled her to make significant contributions to the health and well-

ness of others.

Judy was a lifetime member of Zion Bible Church and an attendee of Friendship Church of Berlin, Judy's faith was a cornerstone of her life, guiding her actions and interactions. A service to celebrate Judy’s life will be held at Zion Bible Church, 1550 N. East Street, York, PA 17406, Pastor Timothy Overmiller presiding. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Worcester County Humane Society, 12330 Eagles Nest Rd, Berlin, Md 21811, Attn: Judy Fogle Memorial, to honor Judy’s love for animals.

Arrangements with Eastern Shore Cremation & Funeral Service, 504 Franklin Ave., Berlin, Md 21811. Please visit www.easternshorecremation.com.

KENNETH ALFRED TILLETT Fenwick Island, Del.

Kenneth Alfred Tillett, age 81, a 22 year resident of Fenwick Island, DE died Thursday, October 31, 2024 at Tidal Health Peninsula Regional in Salisbury. He was born on September 7, 1943 in Washington DC. and was the son of the late Alfred Tillett and Helen (Griffin) Tillett.

He was a retired Federal Firefighter and U.S. Army Veteran. Kenny was a member of Stevenson Methodist Church in Berlin, MD, the Masonic Lodge, the Elk's Lodge and American Legion Post 166 in Ocean City. He loved Christmas, spending months before decorating both inside and outside the house. It was his tradition that Thanksgiving night, he'd light up the house and yard; hence, there was a steady stream of onlookers driving through the neighborhood. He kept his vehicles in immaculate condition, washing and waxing them weekly; not a speck of dust had a chance. Driving the Ocean City, MD bus during the summer gave him much joy. The stories of incidents on the bus were never ending. Kenny is survived by his loving wife of 57 yeas Sue Tillett; one son, Timothy Tillett Sr. and wife Kathleen of Huntingtown, MD; one grandson Timothy A. Tillett Jr. and wife Aspen; two great-grandchildren Marleigh and Stella Tillett; sister-in-law JoAnn Lashley and husband Douglas; niece and nephews and their spouses and children, Allen, Debbie, Kendall, Connor Tayman, Rick, Karen Moss, Chole Tayman, Mandy, Kenny and Elianna Stepp.

A memorial service will be held at a future date. Interment will be at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Cheltenham.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the donor choice. Condolences

Kenneth A. Tillett

Judy L. Fogle

David J. Grassey

Fiercely fought Battle of Peleliu was island warfare

By Hon. W. Newton Jackson, III (Ret.)

Contributing Writer

Peleliu is part of the Palaus island group in the Pacific Ocean located halfway between the Marianas (Saipan, Titian, and Guam) and the Philippines.

Because Gen. Douglas MacArthur was planning to invade Mindanao, a large island some 500 miles away at the southern end of the Philippines, U.S. military planners thought that Peleliu had to be taken first to protect his flank because it had the largest Japanese air base in the Palaus.

Later, as it turned out, Japanese air power in the area was all but nonexistent, so Adm. William Halsey recommended that all U.S. operations against Mindanao and Peleliu be cancelled and that instead the central Philippine island of Leyte be invaded.

His superior, Adm. Chester Nimitz, agreed, with one exception. The September 1944 invasion of Peleliu was to proceed. This battle, though won, would prove to be a mistake. It was just as bloody as the battle at Tarawa in November 1943.

Shaped like a lobster’s claw, Peleliu is seven miles long and two miles wide and lies within a coral reef. Mangrove swamps inside the reef encircle the island. Because there were no coast watchers, the U.S. erroneously assumed that it would be easy to take the island.

Unfortunately, the only available sources of intelligence about enemy defenses were frogmen, submarine shore parties, and aerial photographs. They all indicated that the island was flat when in fact there were jagged, steep-sided limestone ridges and many coral caverns, especially around the Japanese airfield.

Before the war, the Japanese had mined the island for phosphates. Anticipating a U.S. attack, they had dug more than 500 new mines and turned them into underground fortresses connected by tunnels stocked with food and ammunition. They were roomy enough to hold 1,000 men and large pieces of artillery.

In the summer of 1944, there were approximately 1,200 non-enemy natives living on Peleliu, so the U.S. decided to drop leaflets from the air to warn them of the coming invasion. Of course, the Japanese also read these messages and prepared for the attack. By this time, the Japanese knew they were losing the war, so they changed their battle-approach from suicidal banzai charges to one of attrition against the enemy. There would be no more hopeless suicidal attacks. Troops who were overrun by the Americans were told to remain hidden instead of killing themselves in their bunkers. They would then attack from the rear.

In late August 1944, U.S. aerial at-

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Navy Fleet Admiral Chester W.

tacks against Peleliu began. For three full days, battleships, cruisers, and destroyers bombarded the island and flattened hangars and other aboveground structures, but the network of Japanese underground installations was barely touched.

On Sept. 14, 1944, the First, Fifth, and Seventh Marine Divisions, along with some Army units, began the invasion, landing on a mile-long beach near the airfield. The almost 11,000 Japanese defenders chose not to meet them on the beach, but rather lure them into the interior of the island where they could shoot them from their underground redoubts.

Digging foxholes was next to impossible for the Marines because beneath the dense jungle scrub lay solid limestone and coral. Bloody Nose Ridge, as it was later called, proved to be one of the fiercest battles. The author William Manchester was present there as a Marine, and vividly describes it in his memoir “Goodbye, Darkness.”

By the end of September, Peleliu was declared secure, but eight more weeks of sporadic fighting lay ahead. The battle claimed the lives of 1,252 Marines and 277 GIs. Another 5,274 Marines and 1,008 GIs were wounded. Total casualties approached those sustained at Tarawa.

The eminent naval historian, Samuel Eliot Morrison, later wrote that the operation should have been countermanded. Manchester speculates that Adm. Nimitz would never have given the order to invade had he known what the casualty count would be. All of this sums up the well-known expression “the fog of war,” i.e., uncertainty in situational awareness experienced by participants in military operations. Peleliu was a tragic example.

Next week: The Battle of Hürtgen Forest

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

U.S. Marines in a hospital on Guadalcanal after being wounded in the 1944 Battle of Peleliu.

U.S.

Nimitz, circa 1942, commanded Pacific forces in WWII.

Decatur Unified Tennis wins championship

(Nov. 15, 2024) Stephen Decatur High School’s Unified Tennis Team took home first place in this week’s Interscholastic Unified Sports Tennis State Tournament. It was the school’s and county’s first-ever state championship in Unified Tennis.

Held at the Junior Tennis Champions Center in College Park, the tournament featured teams from across the state. Decatur had a 10-1 record on the day behind the strong play of doubles teams Blaine Coleman and Keagan Shump, Max Jacobs and Addison Conley, Julia Molnar and Lo Malinowski, Noah Dirikson and Liam Moran and Raymond Molnar and Ben Powers. In unified sports, individuals with varying special needs are paired with neurotypical student-athletes to form teams that compete with others regionally and statewide.

Additionally, the Decatur team won the State Sportsmanship Award, an award voted on by all 16 participating schools.

The team was led by head coaches Lindsay Owens and Shannon Bone and assistants Shonna Schulz and Hunter Powell.

On the way home Tuesday night from College Park, the team’s bus was given a police escort and greeted by family and friends at the high school.

CHEER TEAM PLACES 4TH IN STATES

Stephen Decatur’s varsity cheer team recently advanced to the state competition in the 2A division for the Maryland Public School State Cheerleading Association (MPSSCA). In just the team’s third year of competition in the MPSSCA, the team placed second at two invitationals earlier in the season to qualify for the 2A East Regionals. The team then advanced to states in the 2A division. At states, the team placed fourth out of the 32 teams in the 2A division and were just sixtenths away from third place.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Members of Stephen Decatur’s Unified Tennis team rode to the state tournament on a bus funded by community donations.

Pictured, front from left, are Lydia Navarro, Megan Brown, Sadie Glick, Gabby Haley, Olivia Wooden, Alivia James and Amanda Marotta; and, back, Callie Haley, Marley Strickler, Arden Tackas, Dylan Ward, Bella Fernley, Jules Wooden, Ellie Rankin, Brynn Robins and Jayda Taylor. The team is coached by Courtney Nunn.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Decatur blasts N. Caroline, remains perfect on season

By Bruce C. Walls

Contributing Writer

(Nov. 15, 2024) Stephen Decatur

High School’s varsity football team leashed the Bulldogs of North Caroline High School last Friday, 56-7.

The MPSSAA 2A East playoff game was a blowout starting in the first quarter with the Seahawks scoring 21 points with three touchdowns and three extra points booted in by Blake Wallace.

The Bulldogs scored in the second quarter and got the point in their only glory of the night.

Quarterback Johnny Hobgood said, “I knew they were going to score they have good players; but our offense could score against anybody,

and we went out there and scored.”

However, the Seahawks defense needed a little tweaking, and there were some improvements made.

“We have a lot of stuff to work on and everything,” Head Coach Jake Coleman said. “I’m not going to tell the reporters and let everyone see what we have to work on”

In the second and third quarters, the Seahawks ran another two touchdowns and points. Showing their kicking and offensive game.

In the fourth quarter, with the clock running continuously because of the points spread, they scored again, ending the game 56-7.

A proud coach Coleman said he, “would change absolutely nothing.

It’s exciting to move these kids on, they are playing well, they are very, very excited to continue and the staff is excited to coach them another week. We love this senior class a lot.”

Junior quarterback Hobgood said, “I knew coming into this game we are a one seed and they are a lower seed but we still have to play hard and go out to win.”

They did. Stephen Decatur had 15 first downs - nine rushing and six passing - compared to North Caroline’s six. The Seahawks had three quarterback sacks made by Nathan Tapley, Garrett Maloney and Brett Schulz.

Decatur’s run at a repeat championship season continues Friday night at 6 p.m. at home against Wi-Hi, which defeated Queen Anne’s and stands at 5-5 on the season. Decatur beat the Indians, 49-14, on Oct. 25.

PHOTO COURTESY SUSAN TAYLOR-WALLS

Senior Ethan Bradshaw tackles a Bulldog for a loss during last Friday’s game.

PHOTO COURTESY SUSAN TAYLOR-WALLS

Senior wideout Trybe Wise sprints toward the goal for one of his three touchdowns on the game.

PHOTO COURTESY SUSAN TAYLOR-WALLS

Quarterback Johnny Hobgood works through his reads while offensive lineman Jack Bradley works in protection.

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