12/9/2022 Ocean City Today

WINTERFEST

Northside gains NYE fireworks

Vendors passed on staging show this year, but residents’ complaints spur return

By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer

(Dec. 9, 2022) A spirited request from a north Ocean City resident, and feedback from other neighbors, prompted City Council members on Monday to allocate $17,500 of special events money to add a New Year’s Eve fireworks show to Northside Park.

Montego Bay resident Harriet Piler said she was “so disappointed”

that officials decided to eliminate the holiday fireworks at Northside in exchange for a beach show and accompanying events within a three-year vendor contract recently signed for New Year’s Eve and the Fourth of July.

She pointed out that the decision not only gives north-end residents nowhere to watch the fireworks if they stick around, but could create safety issues for older residents who decide to drive downtown.

She specifically called out Council President Matt James, who lives in north Ocean City.

James countered that he did ex-

press concerns about not having a fireworks show up north when the vendor contract was approved, especially since there had been one in years past.

City Manager Terry McGean has explained that vendors have had challenges setting off fireworks in Northside Park on New Year’s Eve because of the Winterfest of Lights decorations. The vendor that was chosen did not submit a bid for that location, thus forcing officials to remove it from the offerings.

However, after hearing complaints like Piler’s about the lack of plans for

RETURNS

Sportsplex strikes out with county

By Jack Chavez Staff Writer

(Dec. 9, 2022) Ocean City officials could only shake their heads in disappointment this week as the Worcester County Commisioners swiftly and unceremoniously killed their hopes of city-county effort to develop a sports complex on the edge of town.

In a 4-2 vote Tuesday with Commissioner Ted Elder abstaining, the commissioners ordered the cancelation of a purchase agreement to acquire a 95-acre site off Route 50 near Berlin and instructed county employees involved in property acquisition and project planning to cease all efforts.

In addition, they refused entreaties to at least hear what the Maryland Stadium Authority had to say about the sports complex study it recently produced for the Town of Ocean City and why the study concluded that building a $153.5 million complex was financially feasible.

Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan said in an email Wednesday that he was “disappointed” that the commissioners voted against buying the

PHOTO COURTESY LISA GUERRIERO

The Christmas lights of Winterfest give the pond at Northside Park a holiday glow in this photograph by Ocean City photographer Lisa Guerriero.

Commissioners cancel deal for land, direct employees to end work on complex

“I agree that there are issues pertaining to this project that needed to be discussed and I had hoped that the opportunity to have these discussions would have taken place.”

Mayor Rick Meehan

Thunderbirds set to headline OC Air Show June 10, 11

By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer

(Dec. 9, 2022) The aerobatics and precision flying of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will officially take over Ocean City’s skyline for the 16th annual Ocean City Air Show the second weekend in June.

Formally called the Air Dot Show tour, the annual seven-city circuit will travel the East Coast and land in Ocean City on June 10 and 11 at 14th and 17th streets.

“We’re looking forward to an exciting 2023 tour and visiting these worldclass destinations,” said Bryan Lilley, the CEO of Air Dot Show, in a news release issued this week.

“Fans should keep checking the website as we will be adding to the performer lineups for each venue continuously in the months leading up to our visit to each destination,” he added.

Ocean City joins New York; Augusta and Atlanta, Georgia; and Cocoa Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, Florida as one of the “world class destinations” and is expected to fill the viewing areas and sell out hotels for the weekend.

Last year’s show, which experienced a slight weather delay on the second day, had a VIP ticketed area set up for the best views, but much of the action could be seen from other spots across the resort. The show consisted of performances by the Thunderbirds, the F-18 Rhino Demo Team and SOCOM ParaCommandos, as well as helicopter demonstrations, stunt flying and flyovers.

According to the show’s website, the Thunderbirds team is the only performer to officially sign on so far.

cially set for June 10 and 11 on the beach

14th through 17th

U.S.

While negotiating contract details with the organizer over the summer, Mayor Rick Meehan and several council members expressed a desire to at least make an attempt to book both the Thunderbirds and U.S. Navy Blue Angels every year, as they are the acts most people want to see.

The original three-year contract said the organizer promised that the Thunderbirds, Blue Angels, Canadian Air Force Snowbirds, or two or more U.S. military single jet demonstrations will headline the annual shows. In a revision, it was confirmed that the organizer agreed to request both the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds for every show.

The completed contract mapped out everything from cost-share details, which are new this year and require $1 of every ticket sold for the show to go to the city, to how the livestream will be broadcast.

The contract also tentatively set the future dates for the show, which were lumped into a three-year deal for the first time, for June 15 and 16 in 2024, and June 14 and 15 in 2025.

For more information about the air show, including ticket info, visit ocairshow.com.

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Reporters must take responsibility for the accuracy of their work and respond quickly to questions about accuracy, clarity and fairness.

Published Fridays by FLAG Publications, Inc. 11934 Ocean Gateway, Suite 6, Ocean City, Md. 21842

Available by subscription at $150 a year.

A plane flies through the air during the 2022 Ocean City Air Show. Next year’s show is offi-

over

streets with the

Air Force Thunderbirds set to perform.

Election flipped commission majority 4-2 against complex

prospective site near Stephen Decatur High and “for ending any conversation of the county participating in building a sports complex anywhere in Worcester County.”

“The fact that this was not an agenda item before the commissioners and that the commissioners did not even take the time to have the Maryland Stadium Authority present their study publicly before making this decision is concerning,” Meehan said. “I agree that there are issues pertaining to this project that needed to be discussed and I had hoped that the opportunity to have these discussions would have taken place.”

Tuesday’s commissioner vote, however, should not have caught anyone off guard, considering that November’s election and the arrival of two new commissioners dismantled the 4-3 coalition that had supported the sports complex for the past four years.

The departure of Commissioner Bud Church, who retired from politics, and the election defeat of another supporter, Commissioner Josh Nordstrom, saw to that. With their replacements, Eric Fiori of West Ocean City, and Caryn Abbott of Pocomoke, joining sports complex opponents Chip Bertino of Ocean Pines and Jim Bunting of Bishopville, that left only Ocean City’s representative Joe Mitrecic and the Central District’s Diana Purnell to vote in its favor.

Bertino, who became the commissioners’ new president this week, said the move to halt all sports complexrelated work was not intended to discourage private developers from

pursuing such a project. Bertino and others had said at the outset that they only objected to spending public money on a sports facility of that scope and had no objections to a privately funded venture.

The motion to end all pursuit of the complex was not an item on the meeting’s agenda but was instead brought up by Bunting at the end of the meeting. Still, before the final vote was taken, some of the commissioners gave their thoughts on the issue that has dominated county news over the last year.

“I’ve voted against the sports complex in the past and I really believe Joe’s (Mitrecic) heart is in the right place and I think he believes it’ll be a money-making deal,” Elder said. “But I disagree and the report I got said it’ll be operated under a deficit.”

Purnell countered, however, that “what’s coming down the pike for us” revenue- and tax-wise should concern the commissioners.

“We need to let the stadium authority come in and say what they will and won’t do and make our decision then,” she said.

Fiori said that as an entrepreneur in his private life, he didn’t want to see the county become an entrepreneur with public money.

“(There is) a lot of speculation (with this) but the (stadium authority) report is not favorable,” Fiori said. “I understand what Commissioner Mitrecic is saying but in his own words, we have some tough budget decisions. What happens if this is a losing effort? The problems we want to solve, we’ll make worse.”

In rebuttal, Mitrecic argued that it makes no sense to forego listening to the stadium authority, especially if it’s willing to pay 80 percent of the cost.

“We can’t print money here in Worcester County like they can at the federal level,” he said. “We’re looking at a very, very tough budget season coming up with (education system needs, employee retention and other

challenges). That’s going to be on you all.”

Meehan, meanwhile, added that he had hoped city and county officials would be able to work together on developing the project, as the stadium authority’s study indicated that funding avenues exist.

“The study indicated that the increased tax revenue generated would have covered the cost of the debt service to build the sports complex and that the Maryland Stadium Authority and the State of Maryland could justify partnering on this project,” he said. “What was yet to be discussed was the level of state participation in the financing of the project and the advertising, naming rights and sponsorship opportunities available to offset the operating expenses.”

Meehan said the city will continue to support sports tourism and the economic benefit that would be derived from construction of a complex, but that officials have not yet had internal discussions about what they are likely to do.

“I would imagine that will take place very soon,” he said.

Councilman John Gehrig, a proponent of the complex, said he wasn’t surprised at what happened, given the consistent opposition from three

of the commissioners before the last election. But he remained optimistic that something could be done.

“I spoke with (Bertino and Commissioner Jim Bunting) and I said they’re on one side and I’m on the other — somewhere in the middle here is common ground — if we’re willing to work together to find it. I’m optimistic that over time this will happen,” he said. “We’re getting some answers to some of the questions raised. We’ll continue to get these answers — funding chief among them. We’ll just keep working. The county has its mandate. We’ll keep providing answers for Ocean City, the county and area citizens and continue to work together.”

Back in Snow Hill, Mitrecic, who had championed the idea from the beginning, minced no words in his assessment of what had just happened.

“It’s done. Done,” he said. “We backed out of the property purchase, so even if we had a private entity to come into and take that spot over, they can’t. We were in discussion with someone interested in coming in and doing something, but they wanted to partner with the county. Now they can’t do that, either.”

Mallory Panuska

Staff Writer

contributed to this report.

RENDERING COURTESY POPULOUS

The lot that would have hosted the sports complex lies directly west of Stephen Decatur High School on the southern end of Route 50.

Joe Mitrecic

Chip Bertino

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This stunning 4BR/4BA home has OPEN WATER VIEWS and is in a wonderful neighborhood. A recently renovated Cape Cod w/a spacious backyard off South Point Road in Berlin, overlooks the water and Assateague Island. Home has open floor plan and an abundance of natural light. You will love the character of the hardwood floors, the upgraded baths and the lighting. There is an enormous composite deck in the back, 2-car garage, and storage area. 1.5 miles from Ocean City Golf Club, 1.5 miles from the Public Boat Ramp, 2.4 miles from Rum Point Golf Course, 6 miles from Assateague Island, 8.5 miles from Ocean City Airport, 9.4 miles from Sunset Marina and 10.5 miles from the Ocean City Boardwalk. Schedule your showing today and consider making this dream home yours!

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GLEN

Continued from Page 1

fireworks anywhere north of the Boardwalk, McGean and staff members were able to work out an agreement with Bob Rothermel to do a show at midnight New Year’s Eve in Northside Park.

Rothermel, who puts on various events around the resort through his company T.E.A.M. Productions, offered to stage a fireworks show on the park pier for $16,000, McGean said. McGean added that another $1,500 is needed to keep Winterfest festivities open until 11:30 p.m. before the fireworks go off, which was the practice

in the past.

After McGean explained that the total $17,500 cost could be paid for by eliminating a planned, but unscheduled, off-season show at the Performing Arts Center, the council agreed to add the second show.

Before the vote, Councilman John Gehrig expressed concerns about holding two events, with Winterfest up north and drive-in movies and a DJ downtown to supplement the downtown show.

“I almost feel like we choose Winterfest or movies and have both fireworks,” he said.

Mayor Rick Meehan pointed out that since this is the first year for this arrangement that they should see how it plays out and make a decision for next year.

Council voted 5-1, with Councilman Peter Buas absent, to approve the money for the Northside Park show on Dec. 31 and keep Winterfest open through 11:30 p.m. that night.

McGean said later that the shows will depend on the weather, as with most outdoor events, and will not be held if it rains.

Spectators watch a fireworks show in 2017 at Northside Park. Council members voted Dec. 5 to pay $17,500 to add a midnight fireworks show and keep the Winterfest of Lights open longer on New Years Eve at Northside Park to complement fireworks and events scheduled for downtown.

OC mayor, council raises officially approved

By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer

(Dec. 9, 2022) After more than 30 years with no change, the salaries of the Ocean City mayor and council members now align much more closely with those in similar municipalities across the state.

Following the will of a majority of voters in the Nov. 8 election, council members voted Monday to approve the second reading of an ordinance that will give significant pay bumps to all of the elected officials.

The change raises the mayor’s

salary from $30,000 to $50,000 annually, the council president’s from $11,000 to $23,000, and the council members’ from $10,000 to $20,000.

The fiscal impact of the raises will be $92,000, according to a staff report.

The results came in at 1,223 for and 823 against the mayor’s salary bump, and 1,210 for and 845 against the council members’ and council president’s increases.

Council members voted unanimously to institute the new pay figures with no discussion Monday after

approving a first reading two weeks ago in a similar manner.

While the officials could have voted to give themselves a raise straight out, Mayor Rick Meehan and members of the council — who included two members who are no longer seated following the November election — opted earlier this year to send the salary recommendtions to the voters to decide.

Meehan and some of the council members said that they do not serve in their positions for the money and wanted to let the residents make the

call.

Before the change, the mayor and council salaries had not budged since 1989, a fact that was brought up to them by a resident during a public comment session of a meeting.

Staff began looking into what it would take to give raises and how feasible they would be and produced the requested rates. City Manager Terry McGean had said he researched the pay rates of elected officials in comparable parts of the Maryland and averaged them to get to the proposed numbers.

New site plan approved for former Taylor House property

By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer

(Dec. 9, 2022) The site of the historic Talbot House on the corner of Baltimore and Talbot streets finally has a desirable replacement.

At a meeting Tuesday, members of the Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a site plan for two single-family condo buildings, each with six bedrooms, to be known as The Southern Belle I and II on the downtown corner lot.

“This is an unbelievably challenging site and the architecture is right on this,” Commissioner Palmer Gillis said of the proposed design before the vote. “I think this a great plan and a great solution for this lot.”

Gillis commended the designer for including room for eight parking spaces, plus extra room for more vehicles or storage, which he pointed out is not always the case.

“Thank you for not scrimping on everything that’s code compliant and getting something that has some storage, something that has something that’s a little more than 9 by 20 [foot

parking spaces], and not fooling around with us on a potential bedroom on the ground level,” he said, referring to some other projects that meet code requirements with smaller parking areas.

The plans approved Tuesday were not the first floated for the property, which has been vacant since 2019 when the early 20th Century Taylor House was torn down.

The owner initially wanted to salvage and renovate the Victorian-style mixed use structure, which was built in 1905 and housed both residential and commercial tenants throughout its duration. But after learning that it was too far gone into disrepair, plans to demolish the structure and build a five-condo building emerged.

“When the former owners had come to you they had a very, very bare bones conceptual idea,” Zoning Administrator Kay Gordy said.

Those plans have evolved into the latest site plan, which received accolades not only from planning commissioners, but the Ocean City Development Corporation. Glenn Irwin, the executive director of OCDC, said in a letter that members of the organization’s downtown design committee said the latest plans were “more appealing” than the original. They also provided input on designs and colors based on district standards.

Project designer Steven Cirile also said that the original design, which had more units with fewer bedrooms, “didn’t make sense” and instead proposed the two-building, six-bedroom concept.

“A need for higher bedroom count, seasonal rentals in mind, and the developer’s opinion was the way to do this,” he said. “It seems to be a trend.”

The plans move next to the completion and construction phase.

RENDERING COURTESY PITT DESIGN

A rendering shows the proposed design of the Southern Belle I and II slated for the former Taylor House property on the corner of Baltimore and Talbot streets. Plans include two buildings with six bedrooms each.

OPA special board meeting scheduled for Fri. afternoon

(Dec. 9, 2022) Meeting materials for the Dec. 9 special OPA Board of Directors meeting are available online.

The meeting will be held as a hybrid of in-person and virtual, with seating available in the board room of the Ocean Pines Administration Building.

The meeting is scheduled to start at 4 p.m.

To join remotelya, use the Microsoft Teams link: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meet upjoin/19%3ameeting_M2VmYzg1Zm QtNDdiYy00ZDAzLWE0ZGEt-

Entertainment Line-up

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The link can also be found on the Ocean Pines website, under both the calendar and news sections.

If prompted, use the web browser plug-in only and not the full client.

To view the agenda and meeting packet, visit https://www.oceanpines.org/documents/10184/53744/ 12-922+Special+Board+Meeting+Agenda .pdf.

Following the meeting, the video will be posted to the association’s YouTube channel and links will be announced on the Ocean Pines website, www.oceanpines.org.

Correction

The Mayor’s New Year’s event included in the “Celebrate the Holidays” insert of the Ocean City Today is incorrect. The information for this year’s event can be found at https://www.ococean.com/events/ mayor-s-new-year-event-2022.

City inks Comcast deal with senior discounts continued

By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer

(Dec. 9, 2022) After a final revision to reinstate a discount for a cross-section of low-income seniors, more than five years of negotiations came to a close Monday with the City Council’s approval of a new Comcast cable franchise agreement for resort customers.

Council members voted 5-1, with Councilman Tony Deluca opposed and Councilman Peter Buas absent, to ink a non-exclusive franchise agreement with the telecommunications conglomerate to provide cable television services for the next five years.

Staff members had been ironing out details of the new agreement since the last contract expired in 2017, and brought a final draft to council members on Nov. 15.

The final language includes requirements that the company maintain a brick-and-mortar store year-round in city limits for at least four years, notify customers within 30 days of rate changes, and cover the full cost of burying utility lines on

Baltimore Avenue.

City Manager Terry McGean also specified that the agreement is only for cable television, not internet or broadband services. The contract also states that the city cannot regulate rates or channel offerings and that the city is free to enter into agreements with other providers.

The language of the original contract also would have eliminated a discount for low-income seniors for basic cable packages, which received pushback Monday.

Several older residents asked council members to reconsider removing the discount in the contract, stating that they were unaware that it existed and that they consistently look for ways to reduce their rising bills.

Upon hearing their concerns, Councilwoman Carol Proctor asked why the discount was taken away and whether it could be reinstated. She pointed out, based on the 2020 census, that only 312 residents would qualify for it, thus making the cost minimal, and said it did not seem to

MALLORY PANUSKA/OCEAN CITY TODAY

The Comcast Cable store on 83rd Stret is required to remain open year-round for the first four years of a new five-year franchise agreement that city officials inked with the company. The company has the option to operate seasonally for the fifth year, according to the contract.

Five-year agreement requires local store, other conditions

be advertised well.

“I think people weren’t aware of the program and would have taken advantage of it,” she said.

Chris Comer, the director of Government and Regulatory Affairs for the Comcast Beltway Region, said the discount was something the company picked up when it took over the franchise years ago. He explained that officials opted to eliminate it because of the minimal number of people taking advantage — 20 customers — and the fact that it is not offered anywhere else in the region.

Comer offered to look into grandfathering in the customers already receiving the discount but that adding more would be tricky.

In the end, with a push from Mayor Rick Meehan, Comer was able to include the discount for existing customers in the agreement.

Comer also said the company is advertising a new program, called the Affordable Connectivity Program, or ACP,which offers a range of lower income customers $30 a month off internet and mobile services.

“That can have a huge impact for those individuals,” he said.

Comer said he spends a lot of his time informing and educating people about the program and vowed to continue those efforts.

The senior discount change was the last made to the contract, which McGean said went through many alterations.

The company initially wanted a 15year agreement, no requirement to

notify customers of rate changes, and no contribution toward the cost of burying downtown utility lines.

Company officials also were not planning to provide funds for upgrading public, educational and government access equipment, which the new contract requires.

Comcast officials also wanted permission to operate a “conveniently” located physical office that was not necessarily in city limits. City staff pushed back with a requirement that Comcast operate a physical office in town for four full years but gave the company the option to operate it seasonally for the fifth. During discussions last month, Buas spearheaded a change in the seasonal dates from April 1 through Sept. 30 to March 15 to Oct. 31.

Meehan said Monday the local office is important, because he recently experienced firsthand how busy the store on 83rd Street can get.

“Within the 20 minutes I was in there, four other people came in,” he said of his trip to the store. “ … I don’t think our request to have that brickand-mortar store is unreasonable, because it is utilized.”

The final language was enough to satisfy most of the council members, except DeLuca, who stated concerns about the elimination of Baltimore news channels and a lack of adequate customer service from the company overall. He said during the last meeting that he preferred to bid out the contract.

“I think we can do better,” he said of the agreement.

County parks to host movies and laser shows this month

(Dec. 9, 2022) Worcester County Recreation & Parks is hosting two, free drive-in movies and laser shows this month.

On Friday, Dec. 9, “The Polar Express” will air on the big screen at John Walter Smith Park, located at 6022 Public Landing Rd. in Snow Hill.

Then on Saturday, Dec. 10, “The Grinch” will play at Newtown Park, located at 2001 Groton Road in Pocomoke. Following both movies, laser shows will light up the skies.

Vehicle parking for both events will begin at 6 p.m. and show time will start at 7 p.m.

Bring a blanket and snacks and enjoy one or more of these holiday movies and laser show performances with friends and family.

For more information, contact Tyler Keiser at 410-632-2144, ext. 2505 or email tkeiser@marylandscoast.org.

For a full list of special events visit www.playmarylandscoast.org.

By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer

(Dec. 9, 2022) From soliciting bids for a vehicle vending franchisee to adding the annual Walk MS event to the city’s calendar, Ocean City Council members discussed and approved the following matters at their last regular meeting on Dec. 5.

Vehicle vending franchise

With Georgeo’s Water Ice’s contract expiring at the end of the year, city officials are seeking a new vehicle vending franchise to begin next season.

Council members voted Monday to bid out a contract to provide exclusive rights to operate a motor vehicle-type prepared food vending business on and off public streets across the resort.

The single franchise operator is limited to a maximum of six trucks or

other motorized vehicles, which must meet all state health department standards. The franchisee is allowed to sell prepared food, such as prepacked ice cream, candy, non-alcoholic beverages, and frozen treats.

Georgeo’s has had the current contract for four years and it is due to expire on Dec. 31. Bids for a new contract will be solicited following Monday’s vote and officials are slated open the received proposals at the council’s Feb. 14 work session.

Walk MS

Council members approved the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s annual Walk MS: Ocean City event for April 22.

The one-mile walk and 5K run is held each year to raise money for MS research, programs and services. The events are set this year for 9 a.m. to

noon in rows AA through D in the inlet parking lot, the concrete pad east of the Boardwalk at Worcester Street, and on the Boardwalk from Worcester to 19th streets.

Beginning on the Boardwalk at Worcester Street, participants of both the walk and run will head north, with a one-mile turnaround at Third Street. The 5K will continue to 19th Street before turning around, with the finish for both on the Boardwalk at Worcester Street.

Organizers requested 100 safety cones, opening of the restrooms on the Boardwalk at Worcester, Caroline and Ninth streets, and the filling of water barrels by members of the fire department to weight tents that will be set up.

The staff report said organizers will confirm closer to the event date that Boardwalk re-decking work is finished to determine if either of the routes

need to be modified.

While no police assistance was requested, on-duty patrol officers have agreed to make routine checks during the course of the event, and public works staff will deliver 100 cones to the northwest section of the inlet lot. The organizer will pay a total $590 to the city in private event, and asset and support fees.

Pier franchise approval

A chunk of land at the end of the Boardwalk is now officially part of the resort’s Pier Franchise District.

Council members approved second and final readings of two ordinances, one at their last meeting on Nov. 21 and one on Monday, to correct what was considered a mistake on the city’s zoning map for the downtown district.

The first ordinance, approved last month, amends the city’s zoning map to reflect the Pier Franchise Zoning District to include the entire Pier Franchise boundary. The second piggybacks on the first and was approved on Monday.

The Pier Franchise District was adopted in 1999 to identify the amusement and fishing pier area east of Atlantic Avenue — the Boardwalk — at Wicomico Street. The use and operations are mapped out in the city’s code, and supersede all other legislation, including zoning ordinances.

The boundaries of the district were reportedly established in the 1970s and have not changed since 1978. But when an update was approved in 2019, a 140,000-square-foot section to the north and south of the existing fishing pier extending east to the tram line was not included.

Officials said that was a mistake and recommended that it be put back in the district. Similarly, an attorney representing the franchise called the omission a “clerical error” at a recent planning commission meeting.

Council comes to compromise with e-bike licensing

By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer

(Dec. 9, 2022) Previously divided Ocean City Council members may have come to a compromise for licensing higher class electric bicycles across the resort.

At a meeting Monday, the elected officiails reiterated similar arguments for and against an ordinance that will allow for the sale, rental and repair of all types of e-bikes in city limits.

And after some back-and-forth, they agreed to permit the measure with regulations attached through a conditional use zoning designation, similar to setup for the rental and sale of scooters, ScootCoupes and other types of personal mobility devices.

“At the very least if you’re going to allow them, maybe the rentals should be subject to conditional use so that the same type of training and safety measures can be explained and put in place before somebody just hops on one of these and gets out on the highway,” Mayor Rick Meehan said during the discussion.

Council members agreed to allow staff to tack on conditional uses for all classes of e-bikes, and held off on approving the first reading of the licensing ordinance to include the details.

The original ordinance was introduced at a work session last week to fill a gap that was left when council members previously did not prohibit the sale and rental of Class 3 e-bikes — the most advanced level that can go up to 28 miles per hour — across the city.

Council members had voted to allow Class 1 e-bikes — the lowest class most similar to regular bikes — but prohibit class 2s and 3s on the Boardwalk, in city parks and on the beach, and approved regulations for rowdy riding of all types of personal mobility devices.

But with the decision to not place more restraints on Class 3 e-bikes, which are allowed to be ridden where other bicycles are permitted under state law, they also effectively shot down the ability to license the rental or sale of any type of the vehicles, as it was included in the language.

Three council members — Councilmen Tony DeLuca and Will Savage, and Councilwoman Carol Proctor — voted against forwarding the licensing legislation to first reading last week, citing concerns about having Class 3 bicycles on the roads. The other four council members voted in favor of it, creating a slim majority that brought the first reading to Monday’s meeting for discussion.

Savage and Proctor, who were not yet on council when the original ordinances were discussed, expressed concerns about safety and traffic with the allowance of Class 3 e-bikes.

“I just think it’s going create challenges for our police department. I think it’s going to create safety issues for our pedestrians,” Proctor said during the discussion after asking why her colleagues want to allow the rental of Class 3 e-bikes on the resort’s busy roads.

She pointed out that the people who own e-bikes are more familiar with them and can maneuver them better, while renters do not always have the training and experience to operate them safely.

Savage also went one step further

last week, stating that he would prefer to ban the sale and rental all types of e-bikes, as well as electric scooters and the like, and maintained the same position Monday.

DeLuca, who served as chairman of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee when members were tweaking the language of the ordinances, has consistently expressed concerns about allowing Class 2 and 3 e-bikes in city limits.

He also pointed out on Monday that most everyone who researched the e-bike legislation, which was introduced to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, were not in favor of renting Class 3s in town.

“Just to be clear, the city manager does not recommend class 3 rentals, his staff does not recommend class 3 rentals, the Police Commission does not recommend class 3 rentals, the mayor spoke against it the last time, the bike committee has spoke out, doesn’t support it,” DeLuca said. “ … If you just think about the recommendations coming to us and who they are, the respect that they have, it just really doesn’t make any sense to me.”

The rest of the council members did not express concerns about the sale or rental of any e-bikes across the resort, with Councilman John Gehrig consistently speaking in favor of it because no issues have been reported to date with other types of similar vehicles.

However, with only four votes to advance the measure, and one of them not present at Monday’s meeting with Councilman Peter Buas absent, it was likely that the first reading would not pass.

So to keep it alive, Meehan, who agreed with Proctor’s concerns about renters and has expressed reservations about renting and selling higher class e-bikes in the city, suggested the conditional use clause.

The rest of the council members at Monday’s meeting said they would favor that option, and sent the measure back to staff to refine before a vote on the first reading.

A bicycle sharrow on 139th Street shows were bikes, scooters, and other mobile devices can drive along the main road. Ocean City Council members are working on legislation to create a way to license and regulate renting and selling electric bicycles in town limits.

New commissioners, VP, president swear in

By Jack Chavez Staff Writer

(Dec. 9, 2022) A new era began for the Worcester County Commissioners on Tuesday with the swearing in of new commissioners Eric Fiori (West Ocean City) and Caryn Abbott (Pocomoke area) before the meeting formally opened.

Also during the meeting, Commissioner Chip Bertino of Ocean Pines was elevated to president over the commissioners’ former vice president Ted Elder. Commissioner Jim Bunting is the new vice president.

“I’m very humbled by the opportunity (to be president),” Bertino said. “I’m still getting my head around the responsibilities. But I do believe that we’re going to have a challenging year. I’m looking forward to those issues as president.”

The new commissioners further widen the gap between conservative and moderate representation on the panel with Republican Abbott taking over for Democrat Josh Nordstrom.

The split is now 5-2.

“Well, I have a lot to learn,” Abbott said on the eve of her swearing-in. “But

I’m very enthusiastic about it because I have a very supportive team as far as the department heads, staff and office go.”

Fiori said he finished his prep work, reading it “cover to cover” as he promised during his campaign.

“I wanted to spend a lot of time on each issue and I believe I did that today,” he said after the meeting.

“With the blueprint coming down the pike for education, that’s going to be the biggest goal as well as a challenge. Our funding ask here from the county is going to be extensive and we’re going to have to figure out how that works. We’re

also looking at septic situations in West Ocean, particularly the Mystic Harbor plant and that’s something that we’re going to address in the comp plan.”

Looking back at his three years as commissioner president, Commissioner Joe Mitrecic said it was “an honor” to serve in the role.

“I took it very seriously,” he said. “I think I ran a very professional meeting and treated everyone fairly. I brought every item that everybody handed to us to the forefront when they wanted it. Nothing was held back. I think I did a

PHOTO COURTESY WORCESTER COUNTY GOVERNMENT

The new Worcester County Commissioners panel are sworn in before the regular commissioners meeting on Tuesday in Snow Hill.

good job and a lot of people told me I did. A lot of people are upset that I’m not president anymore but things change.”

Mitrecic did, however, think Commissioner Ted Elder deserved to be

president, though he stressed that he believes Bertino will do fine.

“I thought (Elder) had paid his dues as vice president and should be president,” he said. “But there was no ill will intended in my vote against (Bertino). I’m sure he’ll do a fine job.”

By Jack Chavez Staff Writer

(Dec. 9, 2022) The Worcester County Commissioners on Tuesday approved a grant for the State’s Attorney’s Office to work with Salisbury University to assist the county’s Vulnerable Adult Task Force.

State’s Attorney Kristin Heiser said that the grant would provide a little more than $1 million in funding for the county over two years to support its Vulnerable Adults Task Force.

The task force focuses on issues like financial neglect and abuse and fraud that targets seniors.

The request includes three investigative positions, three case manager positions and one part-time administrative assistant.

The county will also receive two to three vehicles, 20 laptops, 20 cell phones and proprietary software used in data analytics.

“It’s a creative partnership, one-ofa-kind in the country,” Heiser told the commissioners. “I’m glad to be able to ask you for this opportunity to remain committed to providing additional services with no additional cost to the county taxpayers.”

When Commissioner Ted Elder asked where these people will be placed, Heiser said it’s a “more field-

oriented” effort. Staff will be spread out around the county in places like police departments, adult protective services and detective units.

There won’t be a need for additional space at the State’s Attorney’s Office in Ocean City, Heiser said.

Commissioner Jim Bunting asked what happens to the positions after two years.

“(We will) re-request the funding,” Heiser said. “If the funding is not awarded after two years, the positions would cease to exist ... We do get to keep the equipment purchased with the grant funding and the vehicles. Those would be an added benefit to Worcester County.”

Some of the commissioners appeared wary of the plan turning into a county expense in the future.

“I just want to (make clear) because we’ve been in this position before — if this funding runs out, we absolutely will not renew it,” Elder said. “I would like to make that absolutely positive that everyone understands that moving forward.”

That stipulation was a part of the motion that passed.

Another concern was the payment of benefits for the new staff, with Commissioner Joe Mitrecic asking what happens to them if the program goes away after two years.

Heiser replied that the benefits would go away as well.

“We included fringe benefits in the

Kristin Heiser

(Dec. 9, 2022) Worcester Youth & Family Counseling Services was awarded $225,000 over three years to recruit and retain behavioral health providers, according to the service’s executive director, Dr. Jennifer Leggour, who said the grants will help the agency make its services available to more people.

This award is part of a larger $7.9 million grant investment from CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst), the largest not-for-profit health plan in the mid-Atlantic region, to improve behavioral health outcomes for youth in its service area.

“With this grant, we will be able to recruit across the country to find excellent behavioral health providers,” Leggour said. “We will also have the ability to offer incentives to those who work here, including a wellness room, paid CEUs, and self-care planning. With that, we hope to increase access to mental health care in our community with providers who are healthy and well.”

To identify needs and challenges affecting behavioral health in the region, CareFirst conducted interviews with community-based organizations. This process helped it to identify priority areas for the funding. These include:

• Addressing disparities for at-risk youth of color and LGBTQ youth or supporting programs that address the causes leading to higher prevalence of mental health and substance use disorders and reduce barriers to services.

• Expanding the behavioral health workforce or increasing the availability of trained behavioral health providers through recruitment, retention and incentives to expand access to qualified mental health professionals in areas with limited access.

Special considerations were given to organizations serving Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), disconnected

youth, persons experiencing homelessness, populations with limited English proficiency, structurally disinvested communities, justice-involved individuals, LGBTQ populations, low-income communities, rural communities, and other marginalized communities.

Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services is a non-profit organization serving the community since 1975 located in Berlin.

From a small company to the twotime winner of the “Best Counseling” award for Worcester County, the service has been at the heart of what is really happening in the families and homes in Worcester County by reaching the people who need help.

Through programs that include comprehensive mental health counseling, youth mentoring, family resource navigation, youth camps, and small groups for specialized populations, the agency is increasing awareness about mental health, advocating for abused and neglected children, providing community resources and education, and truly making a difference in the lives of the people in the community, Leggour said.

Worcester State’s Attorney gets staff for new task force

Continued from Page 20

initial application because we were hopeful that since it’s a federal grant we would reapply and continue having it after the two years, so the thought was to plan ahead,” she said.

The positions will be installed in early 2023.

City’s planning commission approves 127th St. duplex

By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer

(Dec. 9, 2022) A proposed threestory duplex on 127th Street is cleared for permitting after planning commissioners and staff worked out details regarding a rooftop design that previously did not meet code.

Planning Commission members first discussed the project’s site plan, which calls for five bedrooms in each of the two units, parking on the ground floors, and expansive rooftop views, at a meeting on Nov. 22.

But after learning that the rooftop decks, which are designed for storage, could conceivably add another floor, they tabled approval and the developer brought it back Tuesday to try again.

Zoning Administrator Kay Gordy presented two options that the developer submitted to meet city code requirements while still keeping the

rooftop decks.

And while planning commissioners expressed a desire to approve the plans, the design changes still did not work.

“I want to accept this plan, but it doesn’t comply with code,” Commissioner Palmer Gillis said during discussions.

He and several other commissioners called the plans for the clean, modern-looking building “beautiful,” but the existence of the rooms on the rooftops, despite being designed for storage, was a problem.

“I think here you just have to look at what’s reasonable, and what’s reasonable for storage is not a finished room,” Commission Chairwoman Pam Buckley said during discussions.

Gordy explained during the November meeting that if the rooftops add a story to the building, the plans

RENDERING COURTESY TITAN GROUP CONSTRUCTION

A rendering shows the original design of a duplex planned for an empty lot along 127th Street. Planning commissioners approved a site plan for the project at a meeting Dec. 6 after working with staff members and the developer to make the planned rooftop storage areas code compliant.

Mystic Harbour and church EDUs approved by Worcester

By Jack Chavez Staff Writer

(Dec. 9, 2022) The Worcester County Commissioners approved the allocation of two EDUs to the Mystic Harbour service area during their meeting on Tuesday.

Worcester County Environmental Programs Director Bob Mitchell explained to the commissioners that the EDUs were for single-family homes near the Eagle’s Nest Road and Stephen Decatur Highway intersection and for an unnamed church whose EDU system had failed.

“Sewer allocations available stand at 17 with another 15 in the process of being surrendered as a … forfeit. We have also detailed that we have a request in for a total of 97 EDUs,” Mitchell said.

“At present, we need two EDUs in the Mystic service area.”

Mitchell said that these two projects would not have to go through the typical Technical Review Committee process.

“That’s within the policy,” Mitchell said. “The church’s systems failed and need one EDU to connect. Similarly, at the other site, the owner wants to connect to the existing public sewer.”

“We do have available capacity to fulfill the request for these two at present and potentially to provide for future

connections for existing single-family homes on septic that are along the right of way, where sewers have been installed and there are ways to access.”

Commissioner Jim Bunting asked about the application process for singlefamily homes and whether they’re subject to it.

Mitchell said they would fill out applications and pay the fees that are due, adding that they could have them come in one by one to complete the process.

“I just kind of feel that everyone applying for a sewer should come in for the application process,” Bunting replied.

Slightly off-topic, Commissioner Joe Mitrecic asked Mitchell for his thoughts on combining “all of these enterprise funds into one” and considering the county’s buying power and ability to cut down on costs of smaller sanitary plants, as well as the cost for them and each plant as opposed to spreading that around the entire county.

“We are looking at that,” Mitchell said. “It has more than one moving piece. We will certainly be coming back soon to go over the specifics of buying these. Some involve text amendments and code changes. It’s not beyond the realm of what we’ve been looking at.”

He added that there should be a presentation for the commissioners before the budget season kicks off in March.

Commissioners, staff work to design code compliant roofs

from Page 22

would need more parking and larger setbacks. She said the original plans met the parking requirement, but not the setback, and would need to be either changed or taken to the Board of Zoning Appeals for a special exception.

She also said that staff members are working on a code amendment to

address these types of plans.

In the end, after discussing and revising the plans, staff and the developer, planning commissioners came up with a design that met code requirements, and approved the site plan.

The project will move now to the building permit phase, where the details will be defined.

JACK CHAVEZ/OCEAN CITY TODAY

Additional EDUs have been added to the Mystic Harbour service area to accommodate singlefamily homes and an unnamed church.

Continued

Oyster cobbler dish perfect for winter months

By Deborah Lee Walker Contributing Writer

(Dec. 9, 2022) In the world of glorious gastronomy, originality reigns supreme.

It is this distinctive individualism that sets one apart and is the secret to memorable occasions.

The holiday season is upon us and oysters are the foundation for a delectable bite.

Raw oysters served with classic cocktail sauce or a delightful mignonette sauce is a great way to start one’s festivities.

Grilled oysters smothered in flavored butter is divine indeed and a must for oyster enthusiasts.

Crispy fried oysters are always a favorite. The contrast of the crispy exterior and soft nectar dipped in tartar sauce is a match made in heaven.

Who does not love oysters Rockefeller or oyster stew? The baked cheesy goodness and creamy soup are a luscious foundation for the beloved oyster.

Tradition washes ashore with each passing wave. The Eastern Shore is known for its salty shellfish and its oyster pie.

This humble dish is a delicious way to showcase the bivalve mollusk.

Oyster cobbler is a variant of a different degree and perfect for the wintery months. But before we continue with this thought, let us briefly review the basics of making cobblers.

Cobblers gained popularity with home cooks due to the fact that they are forgiving and one does not have to be culinary expert to produce fabulous results.

The origin of cobbler in the United States dates back to the American Colonial period and was likely created by adjusting European recipes to incorporate the local ingredients that were available.

Traditionally, this dish is made with an in-season fruit filling and a sugary biscuit or pie-like topping. A cobbler is in its own category and is sometimes confused with crisps or crumbles.

The difference between a cobbler and a crisp is that the topping for a cobbler most resembles a sweet biscuit dough that is placed on top of the filling. The dessert’s name actually comes from the cobbled texture after the cooking process.

Crisps, on the other hand, are topped with a crumbly mixture of oats, flour, butter and sugar that bakes into a crispy, flakey topping.

Crumbles are similar to a crisp except they do not contain oats. Specificity is necessary for clarity and knowledge and is a good thing.

Fresh, ripe fruits work well in this thick, syrupy dessert. For best results, stick to stone fruits, berries, apples, pears, or rhubarb.

It is important that the fruit maintains their texture during the cooking process.

Classic recipes call for cornstarch as a thickening ingredient in the filling. This addition helps turn the fruit’s expelled juices into a luscious thick sauce.

Forgetting to add the starch will result in a soupy filling which will produce disappointing results.

Remember, a cobbler consists of a crust and filling, so both components must be able to stand on their own and yet support each other for a successful finale.

The topping is arguably the most important part of this dish, since it defines a “cobbler.” Too often, the biscuit topping will mix with the filling and will result in a doughy texture.

To solve this mishap, add a sprinkling of granulated sugar and hot water over the top of the dough and bake according to instructions.

The hot water and sugar mixture yields a soft-center with a crispy brown topping that a crumble is known for.

In addition, make sure you do not overcrowd the crust. If you add too much crust, the ingredients will steam rather than bake.

The topping should be scooped and dropped onto the filling, leaving some space between the dollops.

The cooking temperature is crucial and needs to be addressed. Since this dish is topped with a biscuit-like dough, you never want to bake the cobbler at a very high temperature.

Baking at 375 degrees and above increases the risk of overcooking or burning the top before the fruit cooks completely.

Cooking the cobbler at 350 degrees allows the crust to cook slowly and gives the interior enough time to soften and thicken.

Conventionalism should never be

part of a chef’s repertoire. An oyster cobbler embraces the theme of the Eastern Shore and is a creative, affordable way to showcase oysters.

If you fancy oysters and want to try something different, an oyster cobbler is a sure way to wow family and guests alike. Enjoy!

Oyster Cobbler

Ingredients

• 1 (6 oz.) can regular sized storebought biscuits

• 2 ½ tablespoons each extra-virgin olive oil, unsalted butter

• 4 large cloves garlic, minced

2 scallions, white and green parts, finely chopped

• 1 stalk celery, finely chopped

• ¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped

• 1 ½ cups thinly sliced baby portabellas

• salt and pepper to taste

• 4 tablespoons flour

• 16 ounces heavy whipping cream

• 1 teaspoon each seafood base, chicken base

• ½ cup dry white wine or dry sherry

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme few pinches cayenne pepper few splashes fresh lemon juice

• 1-quart raw oysters, drained

• 1 (16 oz.) microwavable potatoes, skins removed and chopped

1. Cook biscuits according to instructions. When cooled, slice in half.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

3. In a large pot over medium-low heat, sauté garlic, scallions, celery, parsley and mushrooms for 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.

4. Add flour and form a roux.

5. Add cream, seafood and chicken base, wine, oyster liquid, thyme, cayenne pepper, and lemon juice and stir until the mixture thickens.

6. Fold in potatoes and oysters.

7. This dish can be served in individual portions or in a 8 x 8-inch casserole dish.

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20

Someone thinks you are up to a challenge this week, Aries. Dive right in and prove them correct. There’s much you’ll get done, but leave some time for leisure.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21

There’s not much you can’t accomplish these next several days, Taurus. The key will be knowing just where to pull back so that you can do each job well.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21

Think before committing to a project that is expected to take a long time, Gemini. While you may have a lot of free time right now, that may not be the case in a few weeks.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22

Cancer, health concerns may come to the forefront this week, whether it pertains you or someone close to you. Empty your schedule so you can devote the utmost attention.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23

Leo, despite many looming deadlines, you are surprisingly relaxed about all the things you need to accomplish. Maybe that is because you have a lot of help.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22

Some unexpected time off has dropped into your lap, Virgo. Figure out if a small vacation or weekend getaway might be just what you need right now. Then make it happen.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23

A career change could be on the horizon, Libra. Do your research before you take the full plunge into new waters. Maybe test things out before making a firm commitment.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22

Home improvements could be coming soon, Scorpio. They’ll interfere with your daily schedule for a bit, but the results will be well worth any disruption.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21

Your hospitable nature is a perfect match for the entertaining you will be doing this week, Sagittarius. Expect a houseful of people on one or more days.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20

Spending certainly is up during the holiday season, but you may need to keep a closer eye on what is going on with your finances, Capricorn. Don’t lose sight of your budget.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18

A few interesting possibilities may come across your desk, Aquarius. Look at them with a critical eye and get a second opinion before moving forward.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20

Too many things seem like a priority right now, Pisces. You need to weed through all of your responsibilities and tackle the most urgent.

Savory oyster cobbler recipe

8. Top with the top halves of the biscuits.

9. Bake for 25 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown. Make sure you put a sheet pan underneath to catch any drippings. Allow to rest for 1 minute and serve immediately.

Secret Ingredient – Individuality. “The things that make me different are the things that make me.” –

A.A. Milne

CROSSWORD

7:30 p.m.

Pine Tones Chorus holiday concert planned for Friday

(Dec. 9, 2022) The Pine Tones Chorus will present its annual Christmas concert at Atlantic United Methodist Church on Fourth Street in Ocean City, on Friday, Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m.

The concert opens with its title song, “A Bit of holiday Cheer,” a medley of festive holiday tunes such as “Winter Wonderland,” and “Jungle Bell Rock.”

Popular songs of the season will include “Blue Christmas” by Elvis, and “Sleigh Ride,” frequently performed by the Boston Pops Orchestra.

Classical Christmas selections will feature shepherds in the fields, the Star of Bethlehem and the child in the manger. The song “Love Came Down At Christmas” presents lovely, dream-

like musical themes.

A unique arrangement of “Deck The Hall” will imitate orchestral music from a Mozart composition. Most music fans will recognize this famous Mozart melody.

Unusual musical adaptations are also woven into “We Three Kings” and “God Rest You Merry Gentlemen.”

The Pine Tones Chorus includes about 45 singers from Ocean Pines, Ocean City and nearby areas.

June Todd and Jenny Anderson are the group’s directors and accompanists. Pete Anderson is assistant director/accompanist.

Other instruments will also accompany the chorus with flute played by See CHRISTMAS Page 28

The Pine Tones Chorus will present its annual Christmas concert at Atlantic United Methodist Church on Fourth Street in Ocean City, on Friday, Dec. 9 at

Christmas concert at AUMC in Ocean City

Barbara Dau and string bass played by Tom Baione.

Admission is free and an offering will be received. After the concert, guests may enjoy refreshments in the

church social hall.

The Pine Tones Chorus has been entertaining local audiences in the Ocean Pines and Ocean City areas since 1984.

For additional information, call the

Chorus President Dave Holloway, at 410-641-5672, or Todd, 443-8803922.

Funding for Pine Tones Chorus activities comes from individual donations and patrons as well as the

Worcester County Arts Council, Maryland State Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. These organizations are dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive.

OC Reflections of Life project Group to provide meal

(Dec. 9, 2022) In celebration of the holiday season, the Ocean City Beautification Committee is presenting a special offer to the public for the committee’s Reflections of Life project.

The project provides a means of recording important events and interests in the lives of individuals, their loved ones and businesses by placing a gift of a bronze, silver or gold leaf or steppingstone on the “Reflections of Life” bronze tree sculpture mounted inside the lobby entrance of the Roland E. Powell Convention

Center.

The committee special that runs until the end of December will feature leaves at 50 percent off the normal price. For the remainder of the holiday season, participants can order gold leaves for $250, instead of $500; silver leaves, regularly $350, are now $175 and bronze leaves, $250, are $125.

Tax-deductible donation forms are available at two locations in the convention center, at the project site near the main entrance and in the visitor center, along with North-

side Park, 125th Street bayside. Forms can also be found on the town’s website at https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/c ity-hall/mayor-and-city-council/beautificationcommittee/refelection-of-life/ . Checks should be made payable to the Town of Ocean City. For more information, email Vance Row at v.row@comcast.net.

The Ocean City Beautification Committee is accepting applications for new committee members. To apply, visit https://oceancitymd.gov/pdf/ BOC-Application.pdf.

(Dec. 9, 2022) The N.O.E.L. (Nothing Other than Eating and Loving) Community will provide food for locals for Christmas again this year.

On Saturday, Dec. 24, between 9 a.m. and noon the organization will provide hot breakfast food along with some sweet treats and festive Christmas music.

N.O.E.L. volunteers will distribute bags of non-perishable foods filled with some traditional items to prepare at home. These bags will be distributed at St. Paul’s by-the-Sea Episco-

MIDTOWN

29th to 90th streets

■ 32 PALM

Located in The Hilton,32nd Street, Ocean City 410-289-2525, www.32palm.com

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

■ CAPTAIN’S TABLE

15th Street and Baltimore Avenue, inside

The Courtyard by Marriott, Ocean City 410-289-7192, www.captainstableoc.com

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

Visit Captain’s Table for seafood, steaks, lobster specials and martinis. Open for breakfast and dinner every day; Happy hour, seven days a week 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Breakfast, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Saturday and Sunday, 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; Dinner, Sunday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

■ COASTAL SALT

16th Street and the Boardwalk, Ocean City 410-973-7258, www.coastalsaltoc.com

$$-$$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

New American restaurant. Local seafood. Closed Monday through Wednesday; Open Thursday through Sunday starting 8 a.m. for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

■ COINS PUB & RESTAURANT

28th Street Plaza and Coastal Highway, Ocean City 410-289-3100, www.coinspuboc.com

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

American style local restaraunt serving seafood, steaks, and chefs specials. Check out the off season weekday specials. Early bird; Tues. through Sat, 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Happy Hour; Tues through Sat, 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. with food and drink specials. Closed Mondays. Open Tues.,-Fri. at 2 p.m., Sat.-Sun., 11:30 a.m. Dine-in, Carry out. Ordering online www.coinspuboc.com.

■ CORAL REEF RESTAURANT & BAR Oceanfront and 17th St. in Holiday Inn &

Suites, Ocean City 410-289-2612, www.coralreefrestaurant.com

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

Enjoy traditional Eastern Shore with a Caribbean flare; Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner featuring specialty rums; Sunday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday through Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Happy hour drink specials and $10 eats, Everyday, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

■ DUMSER’S DAIRYLAND

Caroline St, Wicomico St. & South Division St. on the boardwalk, Ocean City www.dumsersdairyland.com

Ice cream made daily. Stop by any Dumser’s location for homemade ice cream, milkshakes, sundaes, floats and much more.

■ PAPI’S TACO JOINT

15th Street @ Philadelphia Avenue, Ocean City 443-664-861, PapisTacoJoint.com

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

Try the new Authentic Mexican restaurant open 7 days a week. Weekdays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and weekends, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. With a family atmosphere you can enjoy build your own street taco’s with a sheet table side with their home-made authentic salsas. Serving foods such as little cravings, Papi’s trio guacamole, Queso Fundido and choice of salsas, salads, bowls, soups, main dishes and desserts. Also, brunch, gluten free and vegan menus. Happy Hour: Monday through Friday, 3-5 p.m. with beer, wines, cocktails and specialty signature drinks. Dine in or order online for your carryout.

■ PICKLES PUB

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

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

Open daily. Serving food until 1 a.m. Free parking across the street. Daily food and drink specials. Live entertainment 6 nights a week. Lots of pool tables. Liquor store attached. Game room. 30+ drafts on tap. Dine in or carry out.

All day dining featuring breakfast, brunch, and dinner; Serving shareables, lighter fare, a wide selection of bourbons; Weekend brunch, Saturday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Happy hour, every day, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

■ MARLIN MOON

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

$$

Open daily for breakfast, lite fare, and dinner; Happy hour, Monday through Saturday, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. featuring $10 appetizers, drink specials, and specialty oysters; Breakfast, 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; Lite fare, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Dinner, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

■ SEACRETS

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

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

Open Monday-Wednesday, 4 p.m. and Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m. with island atmosphere. Jamaican jerk chicken, appetizers, sandwiches, paninis, pizza and fresh seafood.

■ BAHAMAS’S CRABSHACK CARRYOUT & OUTLET

Oceanside MD/DE Line and Coastal Highway, Fenwick 302-537-5882

Seafood, crabs selected by weight, sandwiches and dinners. Seafood, chicken, homemade soups, crab cakes, steamed shrimp, clams, soft crabs, scallops, oysters and snow crab claws. Open daily at 10 a.m. Closed Tuesdays.

■ NORI SUSHI BAR & GRILL

Inside the Gold Coast Mall, 11403 Coastal Hwy., Ocean City 443-880-6258

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

pal Church on Third Street and Baltimore Avenue, in the church hall.

For more information about the N.O.E.L Community or this event, contact the office at St. Paul’s bythe-Sea at 410-289-3453.

In addition to the Christmas outreach, N.O.E.L. supports many local social service programs and food pantries throughout the year.

To support to the organization, send donations to: The N.O.E.L. Community c/o St. Paul’s by the Sea at 302 N. Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, Maryland 21842.

Serving daily small plates, soups, salads, sandwiches, fried rice, entrees and desserts. Also, Nori’s premium rolls, nigiri and sashimi, hand-roll combos. Full bar with wine, beer and cocktails. Inside dining and take out, 7 days a week, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Delivery via Door Dash Online.

■

SOPHIA’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT PIZZERIA

Inside the Gold Coast Mall, 11405 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City 410-723-5188

$$ | Kids’ menu

Appetizers, salads, subs, soup of the day. Specialty pizzas, calzones and low-carb alternatives, Italian entrées. A la carte fresh vegetables, homemade desserts. Open daily, 11:30 a.m. Call for take-out or delivery by Door Dash and Uber Eats.

WEST OCEAN CITY

■ COASTAL

SMOKEHOUSE

12513 Ocean Gateway, West Ocean City 410-390-5998, coastalsmokehouse.com

$$-$$$ | Full bar with 18 TVs

Steak and barbecue experts. Menu reflects nation's hottest barbecue destinations. Top-notch bourbon list. Open daily for lunch and dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.

■ OC CHOPSTICKS Asian Bistro

12741 Ocean Gateway, Suite 890, West Ocean City (Outlets Ocean City) 410-801-1111, www.occhopsticks.com

$$ | Beer | Premium Sake

Authentic Chinese, Japanese and Thai food. Dine-in and carry out. Lunch specials, dinner and light fare. Sunday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m-9:30 p.m. and FridaySaturday, 11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.

■ OC EATERIES

12849 Ocean Gateway (Rt. 50), West Ocean City 443-252-3700, oceateriesmaryland.com

$-$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

Market-style food destination with table service. Seven restaurants offering brick oven pizza, wings, street tacos, cheesy mac, loaded potatoes. Happy Hour 3-6 p.m. with food and drink specials. Live entertainment, Thursday through Saturday evenings. Indoor and outdoor seating.

NOW PLAYING

CHINO RANKIN

Bayview Bar & Grille: Sat., Dec. 10, 6-9 p.m.

BAYVIEW BAR & GRILLE

2nd Floor Residence Inn

61st Street, Ocean City

410-723-2222 / www.ResidenceInnOC.com

Dec. 9: Karaoke w/Donnie, 6-9 p.m.

Dec. 10: Chino Rankin, 6-9 p.m.

COINS

28th Street and Coastal Highway, Ocean City

410-289-3100 / www.coinspuboc.com

Dec. 10: Santa-Con; Get dressed up and bring a toy for tots, HO HO HO; First Class, 6-10 p.m.

Dec. 18: Customer Appreciation Party, FREE Buffet, 3-7 p.m.

PICKLE’S PUB

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

Dec. 9: Beats by Styler, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

DJ DAVIE

Seacrets: Sat., Dec. 10, 6 p.m. to 1:50 a.m.

Dec. 10: The Bills, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Dec. 11: Beats by Styler, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Dec. 12: Karaoke w/Wood, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Dec. 13: Beats by Wax, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Dec. 14: Beats by Styler, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Dec. 15: Beats by Wax, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

SEACRETS

49th Street and the bay, Ocean City 410-524-4900 / www.seacrets.com

Dec. 9: No Cover ALL DAY!; Late Last Night, 5-9 p.m.; DJ Tuff, 6 p.m. to 1:50 a.m.; The Way Outs, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Dec. 10: Full Circle, 5-9 p.m.; DJ Davie, 6 p.m. to 1:50 a.m.; DJ Tuff, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Cherry Crush Band, 10 p.m. to 1:50 a.m.

Dec. 11: No Cover ALL DAY!; Football Sunday, noon to 8:00 p.m.

Dec. 15: No Cover ALL DAY!; Full Circle Duo, 5-9 p.m.; DJ Connair, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Pines pup, Penny, top dog after Rec. and Parks contest

(Dec. 9, 2022) A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named “Penny” has been named the top dog in the Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks Department’s “Pup of the Pines” photo contest.

Penny received the greatest number of votes in the annual contest. She was named the winner at the “Hometown Christmas” tree lighting ceremony on Nov. 26 in White Horse Park.

Votes were cast in person at the Ocean Pines Halloween/fall festival and at the Ocean Pines community center.

Paulette Parker, Penny’s owner, said she is a very affectionate dog with many neighborhood friends. “Everyone knows Penny,” Parker said.

As “Pup of the Pines,” Penny will receive a free 2023 Ocean Pines Dog Park registration. She will also be the official face of the dog park and will be featured in the Ocean Pines Activity Guide and other postings throughout the year.

Money raised from the contest entry fees will be used for upgrades and improvements to the dog park.

A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named “Penny” has been chosen as the top dog in the Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks Department’s “Pup of the Pines” photo contest.

Helping Hands for the Holidays prog. supporting locals

(Dec. 9, 2022) Worcester County GOLD, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is holding its Helping Hands for the Holidays program again this year.

This program provides Worcester County families and individuals in need with holiday gifts to help reduce financial burden and stress during the holidays.

Applications are being accepted from community members to Shopfor-a-Child. Community members partner with GOLD to go out and purchase gifts for families who have requested holiday assistance.

Shoppers get to select the number of children they would like to provide for and the area they live in. Then, they are matched with a family that fits the criteria.

“In 2021, thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we provided holiday gifts for over 500 children and 53 vulnerable adults,” said Taylor Carty, program coordinator. “Helping Hands for the Holidays gives GOLD the opportunity to work in unison with our community to help families in need and make the holidays a little brighter.”

All requests for assistance come from agents with GOLD’s community partners on behalf of families that they serve. Eligible recipients are children and vulnerable adults residing in Worcester County.

All recipients are screened to assess need, and to prevent the duplication of services.

Anyone in need of assistance this holiday season should contact 211. Helping Hands for the Holidays is a closed program that is not open to the general public.

To be a shopper or for more information, visit WorcesterGOLD.org.

Worcester County GOLD promotes dignity by providing emergency financial assistance for Worcester County residents who live in poverty and low-income circumstances including infants, children, families, vulnerable adults, those who are homeless, and children in foster care.

Fri. Dec. 9

MID-MORNING CRAFT: WINTER CRAFTS

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, Berlin, 10:30 a.m. Come and make some fun crafts to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. Prepare for a mess. For ages 2-5 years. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org.

BABY TIME

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., Berlin, 1:30 p.m. Stories, rhymes and finger plays. For children 2 years and younger and their caregivers. 410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org.

OCEAN PINES BOOK OF THE MONTH: RUN ROSE RUN; BY DOLLY PARTON AND JAMES PATTERSON

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, Berlin, 2 p.m. Copies of the book are available at the library circulation desk. 410-2084014, www.worcesterlibrary.org.

FREE MOVIE & LASER SHOW

John Walter Smith Park, 6030 Public Landing Road, Snow Hill, 6 p.m. WCRP is hosting a free drive-in movie and laser show featuring The Polar Bear Express on the big screen followed by a laser show. Bring a blanket and some snacks and enjoy!. 410-632-2144.

PINE TONES CHORUS CHRISTMAS CONCERT

Atlantic United Methodist Church, 105 Fourth St., Ocean City, 7:30 p.m. The Pine Tones Chorus includes approximately 45 singers with accompanists, flute and string bass. Admission is free and an offering will be received. Refreshments served after concert. 410641-5672.

Sat. Dec. 10

CHRISTMAS COOKIE WALK

Bethany United Methodist Church, 8648 Stephen Decatur Highway, Berlin, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Homemade fancy, holiday cookies cost $8 per pound. Candy cost $10 per pound. 410-641-2186.

7TH ANNUAL HOMEMADE COOKIES BY THE POUND SALE

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 18 Third St., Pocomoke City, 9 a.m.-noon, Beautiful and tasty homemade cookies, candies and other treats for sale for only $8 a pound. Come early for best selection. Cakes and pies can be pre-ordered by calling 410-957-4966 or 571-225-3777.

OCEAN PINES ANGLERS CLUB MEETING

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, Berlin, 9:30 a.m. The speaker will be U.S. Coast Guard licensed Master/Captain Mark

Sampson. Members are asked to bring a food item or donation for Diakonia homeless shelter. All welcome. Jack Barnes, 410-641-7662.

SANTA’S TRAIN WONDERLAND

Delmarva Discovery Museum, 2 Market St., Pocomoke City, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Enjoy train displays and beautiful decorations throughout the Museum! Santa will arrive on the dock of Cypress Park by boat.

FAMILY LIBRARY DAY; WINTER CRAFTS

Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 301 Market St., Pocomoke City, 10 a.m.-noon, Bring the whole family and enjoy making some winter-themed crafts. 410-957-0878, www.worcesterlibrary.org.

CRAFTY SATURDAY: CELEBRATIONS AROUND THE WORLD!

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, Berlin, 10 a.m. Make some crafts to celebrate holidays happening around the world. Be prepared to get messy. For ages 4 years and older. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org.

FREE CARRIAGE RIDES & SANTA

Historic Downtown Berlin, 124 N. Main St., Berlin, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 3-18, featuring free carriage rides from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and meet Santa at Kringle Kottage located at Calvin B. Taylor Museum, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. BerlinMainStreet.com.

OCEAN CITY COMIC CON

Roland E. Powell Convention Center, 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tickets $12. Vendors, exhibitors, cosplayers, artists, panels, events, contests, screenings and more. Admission cost is $12 for adults and free to those 9 years and younger. Discounts. http://oceancitycomiccon.com.

MERRY MARKETPLACE IN BRRRLIN

The Buzz Meadery, 21 Jefferson St., Berlin, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Sip and shop. Many of the Berlin Farmers Market vendors will be participating in Merry Marketplace at The Berlin Commons Buzz Meadery on Jefferson Street.

FREE MOVIE & LASER SHOW

John Walter Smith Park, 6030 Public Landing Road, Snow Hill, 6 p.m. WCRP is hosting a free drive-in movie and laser show featuring The Grinch on the big screen followed by a laser show. Bring a blanket and some snacks and enjoy!.

Sun. Dec. 11

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE

St. Paul’s by-the Sea Episcopal Church, 302 Baltimore Ave., Ocean City, 10 a.m. A special bilingual service will begin with the congregation procession around the church. A celebration follow-

ing the service will include Jarocho Dancers and Mexican and Salvadoran food.

FREE CARRIAGE RIDES & SANTA

Historic Downtown Berlin, 124 N. Main St., Berlin. 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 3-18, featuring free carriage rides from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and meet Santa at Kringle Kottage located at Calvin B. Taylor Museum, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. BerlinMainStreet.com.

SHOWELL COMMUNITY ADVENT POTLUCK DINNER

Showell United Methodist Church, 2 p.m. Dinner in Fellowship Hall. Please bring side dish or dessert. There will be crafts for adults and children. A carol sing-along is also planned. Canned goods will be collected for Diakonia.

Mon. Dec. 12

STORY TIME & COOKIES

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 10:30 a.m. Scrumptious story time full of stories, games and crafts about cookies. For ages 2-5 years. 410-2084014, www.worcesterlibrary.org.

WRITING FOR WELLNESS

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, Berlin, 1:30 p.m. Writing about stressful experiences like illness may boost health and psychological well-being. Group uses exercises to stimulate creative expression. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org.

BEGINNERS ON BROADWAY

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, Berlin, 1:30 p.m. Join Mr. Jake for some fun, interactive workshops to help participants make their way to the stage. For ages 7 years and older. Register: www.worcesterlibrary.org underEvents. 410-2084014.

MONDAY MOVIE MATINEE

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, Berlin, 2 p.m. Check out www.worcesterlibrary.org for movie details or call 410-208-4014.

TAKE OFF POUNDS SENSIBLY OF BERLINGROUP #169

Atlantic General Hospital, Conference Room 1, 9733 Healthway Drive, Berlin, 5-6:30 p.m., T.O.P.S. is a weekly support and educational group promoting weight loss and living a healthy lifestyle. Rose Campion, 410-641-0157.

Tues. Dec. 13

STORY TIME & SNOW AND SNOWMEN

Worcester County Library - Berlin

Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., Berlin, 10:30 a.m. Stories, songs and finger plays. Take-home activity included. For ages 25 years. 410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org.

STORY TIME; EXPLORING LIGHT AND SHADOWS WITH SPECIAL GUEST FROM NASA

Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 301 Market St., Pocomoke City. 10:30 a.m. Dana Wright from NASA Wallops Flight Facility Visitor’s Center, will read stories and provide a demonstration about light and shadows. For ages 2-5 years. 410-957-0878, www.worcesterlibrary.org.

OC KNITTING GROUP

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 10:30 a.m.-noon, Bring whatever project you are working on. The group welcomes drop-ins and new members. They are making winter accessories that are available at the library for those in need. www.worcesterlibrary.org. 410524-1818.

PARKINSONS SUPPORT GROUP

Atlantic General Neurology, 314 Franklin Ave., Suite 104, Berlin, 3:15-4 p.m. Discussions, mutual support and education on exercise, nutrition, coping techniques, medications and developments in treatment. Reserve: Kay Kinnikin, 410-641-4765, kkinnikin@atlanticgeneral.org.

Wed. Dec. 14

BARIATRIC SUPPORT GROUP

Worcester County. 12 a.m. Held via Zoom, on the first and second Wednesdays of each month, for non-surgical patients. Atlantic General Bariatrics Center, 410-641-9568.

CREATIVE KIDS CORNER

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, Ocean City. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Come create a winter craft at the library or take it with you. Most supplies included. For ages 4 years and older. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org.

Ocean City, MD, Bethany Beach, DE and Rehoboth Beach DE areas. We are accepting applications for experienced: -Technicians - Oil Lube / Tire Techs - Parts Associates

Great Pay scale and Advancement opportunities plus Benefits, Employee Discounts and Friends & Family Discounts! Call: 302-344-9846

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

Coastal Cuts, a New Family Salon in West Ocean City, is looking for talented Hair Stylists. Must be Maryland licensed. Interested? Call 410-390-3916

Year-Round Rental in Ocean Pines. 3-bedroom, 2-bath. $1750 a month plus utilities. Call Karen 443-880-5727.

Year-Round Studio Rental, 32nd Street, OC. $1200/month plus utilities. No pets. Available now. 410-524-0295

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

House To Share, Selbyville, on Canal, pool, covered porch, 10 min. to beach. Incl. Internet and util. Shared kit., W/D, Liv. rm. Private BR and bath. $850/mo. 240-372-5944

ROOMMATE NEEDED 1BR. 94th St. Bayside. Nonsmoker. Must love dogs. $200/week plus utilities. Year round or Winter rental negotiable. Hot tub access. Text 410-726-5200 difficult to answer calls.

Seeking Roommate

Looking for a Year-round 1 or 2 bedroom apartment as of Spring 2023. Within 30 minute driving distance to OC. 410-375-0663.

2 Office/Retail Spaces available in West Ocean City. Each are approximately 1600 sq. ft. Call 443-497-4200

Ocean Pines Handyman is offering free estimates to the Ocean Pines community during leaf removal season. We also will service Berlin, Ocean City, Salisbury, Dagsboro and any location within a 30-mile radius from Ocean Pines. Book your free estimate today! www.oceanpineshandyman.com/leaf-removal

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.

Curriculum Coordinator

The Curriculum Coordinator will be responsible for organizing, implementing, and supervising curricula and educational programs. The Curriculum Coordinator will examine the current course offerings and work closely with department chairs to ensure the Worcester Preparatory School is maintaining the highest quality curriculum in order to meet its college preparatory mission.

The applicant must have a master's degree or higher, preferably in administration, supervision, or curriculum and instruction. A minimum of 5 years teaching experience, ideally in an independent school, is required. Employee must be legally qualified to work in the United States. Employees must pass a background check.

Worcester Preparatory School is a Pre-K-12 independent school located on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, just miles from the resort town of Ocean City. Founded in 1970, Worcester Prep has a proud history of providing a rigorous and high-quality college preparatory education to students from Maryland, Delaware and Virginia.

Apply to Linda Watson at lwatson@worcesterprep.org or mail applications to Linda Watson, 508 S. Main St., Berlin, MD 21811

DOG,

MISC. FOR SALE

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SERVICES

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FOR SALE

Prepare for power outages today with a GENERAC home standby generator. $0 Money Down + Low Monthly Payment Options. Request a FREE Quote. Call now before the next power outage: 1-855993-0969

VEHICLES WANTED

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

HOME IMPROVEMENT SERVICES

BEAUTIFUL BATH UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Superior quality bath and shower systems at AFFORDABLE PRICES! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Call Now! 877-738-0991.

WANTED TO BUY TOP CA$H PAID FOR OLD GUITARS! 1920-1980 Gibson, Martin, Fender, Gretsch, Epiphone, Guild, Mosrite, Rickenbacker, Prairie State, D'Angelico, Stromberg. And Gibson Mandolins / Banjos. 888-491-4534

PAYING TOP CA$H FOR MEN'S SPORT WATCHES! Rolex, Breitling, Omega, Patek Philippe, Heuer, Daytona, GMT, Submariner and Speedmaster. Call 844-5063622.

MDDC - 410-723-6397

AURORA BOREALIS DRAWINGS

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 3:30 p.m. Create a unique drawing by exploring the use of different mediums. For ages 11 years and older. 410524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org.

HERBAL GIFTS

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 4 p.m. Discuss the therapeutic properties of holiday herbs while learning how to blend them into gifts. Received a Ginger Cookie Lip Balm and a Mulling Spice packet. Register: www.worcesterlibrary.org. 410-6322600.

Thur. Dec. 15

CPAP MASK FITTING

Atlantic General Hospital’s Sleep Disorders Diagnostic Center, 9733 Healthway Drive, Berlin, 12 a.m. Free mask fitting clinic for patients who are having trouble adjusting to their CPAP equipment. By appointment only: Robin Rohlfing, 410-641-9726.

STEM THURSDAYS

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Drop in any time during the day to use your creativity and build using one of the STEM building kits. For ages 4 years and older. 410524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org.

STORY TIME; WHAT WE WEAR

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., Snow Hill, 10:30 a.m. Stories, songs and rhymes. For ages 2-5 years. 410-6323495, www.worcesterlibrary.org.

OCEAN CITY BOOK OF THE MONTH: BEARTOWN BY FREDRIK BACKMAN

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, Ocean

City, 10:30 a.m. Join the group with coffee as they discuss the book of the month. Copies available at the library. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org.

GENEALOGY WORKSHOP

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, Berlin. 11 a.m. The workshop starts with a 20minute lesson on genealogy research followed by a Q&A session. Bring your family information. Register: www.worcesterlibrary.org. 410-6322600.

WORCESTER COUNTY GOVERNMENT JOB FAIR

Worcester County Human Resources, 1 W. Market St., Snow Hill. 12-3 p.m. Computers will be available for job seekers to complete and submit applications onsite. For a list of jobs: https://worcesterhr.co.worcester.md.us/. Info: Ann Hankins, 410-632-0090.

GIFT WRAPPING PARTY

Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 301 Market St., Pocomoke City, 24 p.m. Wrap together using brown parchment paper and red and white twine. Decorative stamps and all other supplies included. Light refreshments served. 410957-0878, www.worcesterlibrary.org.

ZUMBA FOR ALL

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., Berlin, 4:305:30 p.m. Join certified Zumba instructor Joyce Landsman for an hour of movement. These classes uplift and improve mood. Register: www.worcesterlibrary.org under Events. 410-641-0650.

WORCESTER NAACP ZOOM MEETING

Worcester County. Held via Zoom. 67:30 p.m. Please join us as we share our memories of Worcester County African American history. Stories about Henry’s Hotel, 310 S Baltimore Ave., Ocean City, are also being sought. All memories ap-

preciated. See Worcester County’s NAACP Facebook page for more information. 410-213-1956.

WINTER SOLSTICE

Worcester County. 6:30 p.m. Held via Zoom. Enjoy a festive talk about an ancient holiday, celebrated world-wide, and enjoy a guided meditation to get into the season. Registration required: 443-783-6164. www.worcesterlibrary.org.

ONGOING EVENTS

MOTORCOACH TRIP TO NEW YORK CITY

On Dec. 10, spend time in New York City on-your-own from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Cost of transportation is $120. A deposit of $60 is due at booking with remaining due by Dec. 2. Book a seat: www.playmarylandscoast.org. Info: Tyler Keiser, 410-632-244, Ext. 2505 or tkeiser@marylandscoast.org.

WINTERFEST OF LIGHTS

Northside Park, 200 125th St., Ocean City, through Dec. 31. An expanded walking tour through thousands of sparkling holiday lights. Also featuring hot chocolate, photos with Santa, gift shop and a 50-foot Christmas tree. Hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 5:30-9:30 p.m. Admission cost is $6 for adults and free to children 11 years and younger. Event is weather permitting. Pets are welcome on Wednesdays. 410250-0125, 800-626-2326

WINTER TRAIN GARDEN

Ocean City library, 10003 Coastal Highway, through Jan. 15, 2023. Interact with buttons that activate accessories and sounds and participate in a scavenger hunt. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

Ocean Pines library, 11107 Cathell Road, until Jan. 31. Featuring 3-D framed pictures created mostly from vintage jewelry plus picture of crabs, birds and seascapes produced from products of the sea. 410-208-4014

GIFT CARD RAFFLE

The Church of the Holy Spirit is holding a raffle for three small artificial trees covered with gift cards. There are three trees worth $500, $300 and $200. Tickets cost $5 each or three for $10. The drawing will be held Dec. 4. Winners do not need to be present. Tickets: Monica, 443-235-8942.

KIWANIS LOTTERY TICKETS ON SALE

Ocean Pines Farmers Market, White Horse Park, 239 Ocean Parkway, Ocean Pines, Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost is $20. Benefits local youth. Win up to $250 on one ticket. Winning numbers are based on 2023 MD “Pick 3” evening drawings. One ticket is good for all 365 drawings. Can win more than once. www.kiwanisofopoc.org

FREE WELLNESS WORKSHOPS

Free workshops dealing with hypertension, chronic pain self-management, chronic disease self-management, diabetes, fall prevention and a free 6-week workshop titled, “Building Better Caregivers.” If you would like to register for one of these workshops or you would like more information about bringing any of the workshops to your business or group, contact Jill at MAC, 410-7420505, Ext. 159 or jak@macinc.org.

‘SAVE OUR STORIES’

The Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum is asking community members to send in their accounts as to how COVID19 has impacted them. The submissions can be a specific experience, direct answers to the prompt questions, or a combination. No story is too long or too short. To submit, visit www.ocmuseum.org. Info: Christine@ocmuseum.org.

Council, Baradel, Kosmerl & Nolan, P.A.

125 West Street, 4th Floor

Annapolis, Maryland 21401 (410) 268-6600

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE’S SALE OF VALUABLE FEE SIMPLE RESIDENTIAL DWELLING

1848 New Bridge Road, Pocomoke, MD 21851

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust (“Deed of Trust”) from William Henderson and Annie James (“Borrowers”) to PNC Bank, National Association (“Lender”), dated June 22, 2009 and recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland (“Land Records”) in Liber 5309, Folio 276, and further secured by an Assignment of Deed of Trust (“Assignment”) from PNC Bank, National Association (“Assignor”) to US Mortgage Resolution LLC, (”Assignee”), dated November 12, 2019, and recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland (“Land Records”) in Liber 7538, Folio 188, and further secured by a Corporate Assignment of Deed of Trust (“Assignment”) from US Mortgage Resolution LLC (“Assignor”) to Onyx & Shadow Equities LLC, (”Assignee”), dated September 13, 2020, and recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland (“Land Records”) in Liber 7795, Folio 301, and default having occurred under the terms thereof, and at the request of the party secured thereby, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at public auction at the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Courthouse Door, 1 West Market Street, Snow Hill, MD 21863 on:

Monday, December 12, 2022 at 11:00AM

All that lot of ground and the improvements thereon SITUATED IN Worcester County, Maryland and more fully described in the aforesaid Deed of Trust.

The property is believed to be improved by a residential dwelling. The property address is 1848 New Bridge Road, Pocomoke, MD 21851.

Said property is in fee simple and is sold in an “as is condition” and subject to all covenants, conditions, liens, restrictions, easements, rightsof-way as may affect same, if any, and with no warranty of any kind.

THIS PROPERTY IS BEING SOLD SUBJECT TO the legal operation and effect of at least one prior senior lien/Deed of Trust, the balance(s) of which will be announced at the time of sale, if known.

Terms of Sale: A deposit of $1,000.00 will be required of the purchaser, other than the Holder of the Note or its assigns, at the time of sale, such deposit to be in cash or certified check, or other form acceptable to the Substitute Trustee, in his sole discretion. Balance of the purchase price is to be paid in cash within ten (10) days of the final rat-

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 began on Dec 1, 2022

ification of sale by the Circuit Court for Worcester County. If payment of the balance does not take place within ten (10) days of ratification, the deposit may be forfeited and property may be resold at the risk and expense of the defaulting purchaser. The defaulting purchaser shall not be entitled to any surplus proceeds or profits resulting from any resale of the property. Interest to be paid on unpaid purchase money at the rate pursuant to the deed of trust note from date of sale to date funds are received in the office of the Substitute Trustee in the event the property is purchased by someone rather than the note holder.

In the event settlement is delayed for any reason , including, but not limited to, exceptions to the sale, bankruptcy filings by interested parties, or court administration of the foreclosure, there shall be no abatement of interest. Taxes, ground rent, water, condominium fees and/or homeowner association dues, all public charges, assessments payable on an annual basis, including sanitary and/or metropolitan district charges and front foot benefit charges, if applicable, to be adjusted for the current year to date of sale and assumed thereafter by the purchaser. Cost of all documentary stamps, transfer taxes and settlement expenses shall be borne by the purchaser. Purchaser shall be responsible for obtaining physical possession of the property. Purchaser assumes the risk of loss or damage to the property from the date of sale forward. If the Substitute Trustee is unable to convey good and marketable title, the purchaser’s sole remedy in law or equity shall be limited to the refund of the deposit. Upon refund of the deposit, this sale shall be void and of no effect, and the purchaser shall have no further claims against the Substitute Trustee.

NOTE: The information contained herein was obtained from sources deemed to be reliable, but is offered for informational purposes only. Neither the auctioneer, the

beneficiary of the Deed of Trust, the Substitute Trustee nor his agents or attorneys make any representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy of information.

PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS ARE URGED TO PERFORM THEIR OWN DUE DILIGENCE WITH RESPECT TO THE PROPERTY PRIOR TO THE FORECLOSURE AUCTION. For additional information, please contact the Substitute Trustee.

Brian T. Gallagher, Substitute Trustee Tidewater Auctions, LLC 410-825-2900 www.tidewaterauctions.com Ad# 75521

OCD-11/24/3t

David J. Baines

EWING, DIETZ, FOUNTAIN & KALUDIS 16 S. WASHINGTON STREET EASTON, MD 21601

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 19452 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF MICHAEL E. COGHLAN

Notice is given that Mary Heath, 1245 Yeocomico Drive, Lottsburg, VA 22511, was on November 17, 2022 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Michael E. Coghlan who died on October 17, 2022, with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 17th day of May, 2023.

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, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine 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.

Mary Heath 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 24, 2022 OCD-11/24/3t

PETER S. BUAS, ESQ. WILLIAMS, MOORE, SHOCKLEY & HARRISON, LLP 3509 COASTAL HIGHWAY OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 19459 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF DONALD L. FRANCIS

Notice is given that James L. Francis, 2680 Shadow Ridge Court, Kamas, UT 84036, was on November 16, 2022 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Donald L.

Francis who died on May 4, 2022, 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 16th day of May, 2023.

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, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine 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.

James L. Francis 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 24, 2022 OCD-11/24/3t

Spencer Ayres Cropper

Ayres, Jenkins, Gordy & Almand, P.A.

6200 Coastal Highway, Suite 200 Ocean City, MD 21842

Golden Sands Club Condominium Association, Inc. c/o Ayres, Jenkins, Gordy & Almand, P.A. 6200 Coastal Highway, Suite 200 Ocean City, Maryland 21842

Plaintiff vs.

Grace M. Bellosi-Mitchell Jessica Bellosi-Siebert 213 Hidden Valley Road Tracy’s Landing, MD 20779

Defendants

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF MARYLAND FOR WORCESTER COUNTY STATE OF MARYLAND CIVIL CASE NO. C-23-CV-22-000191

NOTICE

ORDERED, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, this 18th day of November, 2022, that the foreclosure sale of Golden Sands Club Condominium, Unit 202, 10900

Coastal Highway, Ocean City, Maryland, made and reported by Spencer Ayres Cropper, Trustee, be RATIFIED AND CONFIRMED, unless cause to the contrary thereof be shown on or before the 19th day of December, 2022, provided a copy of this Order is published in a newspaper of general circulation in Worcester County, Maryland, once in three successive weeks, before the 12th day of December, 2022.

The Report states that the total proceeds from the sale of the property to be Three Hundred and Eighty Thousand Dollars ($380,000.00).

Susan R. Braniecki CLERK, CIRCUIT COURT

True Copy Test: Susan R. Braniecki Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County, MD OCD-11/24/3t

FRANK GLENWOOD LYNCH, JR. 10535 Racetrack Road Berlin, MD 21811 Plaintiff vs. S & T DEVELOPMENT, INC c/o Frank G. Lynch, Jr., Resident Agent 15035 Racetrack Road Berlin, MD 21811 and WORCESTER COUNTY c/o Roscoe Leslie, Esq. 1 West Market Street Room 1103 Snow Hill, MD 21863 and ALL PERSONS THAT HAVE OR CLAIM TO HAVE ANY INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY described as Escaped Property 18.67 Acres West Side Lewis Road. Boundary Survey Ayres Creek LLC. Ocean City, MD 21842 Defendants IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY STATE OF MARYLAND CASE NO. C-23-CV-22-000268

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this proceeding is to secure the foreclosure of all rights of redemption from the tax sale on the following property located in Worcester County, Maryland, sold by Phillip G. Thompson. Collector of Taxes for the State of Maryland and for Worcester County, to the Plaintiff. the parcel of land described as follows:

Escaped Property 18.67 Acres West Side Lewis Road, Boundary Survey Ayres Creek LLC, Ocean City, MD 21842, Deed Reference 10743087. The property is an unimproved lot. and is assessed to S & T Development. Inc.

The Complaint states among other things that the amount necessary for redemption has not been paid. The sale was held on May 20. 2022. and more than six (6) months has passed since that date.

It is thereupon this 29th of November, 2022, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County. Maryland.

ORDERED, that notice be given by the insertion of a copy of this Order in some newspaper having a

general circulation in Worcester County once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks. warning all persons interested In the property to redeem the property or answer the Complaint by 30th of January, 2022 . or thereafter a final Judgment will be entered foreclosing all rights of redemption in the property and vesting in the Plaintiff title to said property. free and clear of all liens and encumbrances.

Beau H. Oglesby JUDGE

True Copy Test: Susan R. Braniecki Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County, MD OCD-12/8/3t

Rosenberg & Associates, LLC 4340 East West Highway, Suite 600 Bethesda, MD 20814 301-907-8000

Diane S. Rosenberg Mark D. Meyer

Maurice O’Brien

Rosenberg & Associates, LLC 4340 East West Highway, Suite 600 Bethesda, MD 20814

Substitute Trustees Plaintiff(s) v. Barbara A. Moffitt

Estate of Shirley R. Ellis 6803 Atlantic Avenue, Unit 4K Ocean City, MD 21842

Defendant(s) IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND Case No. C-23-CV-18-000094

NOTICE

Notice is hereby given this 29th day of November, 2022, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, that the sale of 6803 Atlantic Avenue, Unit 4K, Ocean City, MD 21842, made and reported, will be ratified and confirmed, unless cause to the contrary thereof be shown on or before the 2nd day of January, 2023, provided a copy of this notice be inserted in a weekly newspaper printed in said County, once in each of three successive weeks before the 26th day of December, 2022. The Report of Sale states the amount of the foreclosure sale price to be $332,000.00.

Susan R. Braniecki

Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County, Maryland True Copy

Test: Susan R. Braniecki

Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County MD OCD-12/8/3t

JASON C RIDGELL, ESQ SOUZA ROY, LLC 2543 HOUSLEY ROAD ANNAPOLIS, MD 21401

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of JAMES WALLS III Estate No. 19477 Notice is given that JAMES WALLS IV whose address is 10114 SILVER TWINE, COLUM-

BIA, MD 21046 was on NOVEMBER 30, 2022 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of JAMES WALLS III who died on OC TOBER 20, 2022 with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 30th day of MAY, 2023.

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-12/8/3t

THORNTON MELLON LLC Plaintiff, v. ARNOLD JENKlNS ESTATE OF ARNOLD M. JENKlNS JR. Worcester County, Maryland Occupant Unknown Owners

ALL OTHER PERSONS THAT HAVE OR CLAIM TO HAVE ANY INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY 707 CLARKE AVE., POCOMOKE, MD 21851, Parcel No. 01-015923

ANY UNKNOWN OWNER OF THE PROPERTY 707 CLARKE AVE., POCOMOKE, MD 21851 Parcel No. 01-015923, the unknown owner's heirs, devisees, and personal representatives and their or any of their heirs, devisees, executors, administrators, grantees, assigns, or successors in right, title and interest Defendants.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR Worcester County CASE NO.: C-23-CV-22-000265

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this proceeding is to secure the foreclosure of all rights of redemption in the following property Parcel Identification Number 01015923 in Worcester County, sold by the Collector of Taxes for Worcester

County and the State of Maryland to the plaintiff in this proceeding:

LOT 2 3267 SQ FT 707 CLARKE

AVE. TAYLORS SUBDIV

The complaint states, among other things, that the amounts necessary for redemption have not been paid.

It is thereupon this 1st of Decemeber, 2022, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, That notice be given by the insertion of a copy of this order in some newspaper having a general circulation in Worcester County once a week for 3 successive weeks, warning all persons interested in the property to appear in this Court by the 1st day of February, 2023, and redeem the property with Parcel Identification Number 01-015923 and answer the complaint or thereafter a final judgment will he entered foreclosing all rights of redemption in the property, and vesting in the plaintiff a title, free and clear of all encumbrances.

Beau H. Oglesby Judge, Worcester County Circuit Court

True Copy

Test: Susan R. Branieckl

Clerk of the Circuit Court

Worcester County MD OCD-12/8/3t

SMALL ESTATE NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19474

TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF CLARK TINDLEY

Notice is given that Francine Morton, 934 Queen Avenue, Salisbury, MD 21801, was on November 29, 2022 appointed personal representative of the small estate of Clark Tindley who died on September 20, 2022, 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.

Francine Morton 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: December 08, 2022 OCD-12/8/1t

SMALL ESTATE NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 1 19475

TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF NEIL ALLEN PAYNE

Notice is given that D Dawn Payne, whose address is 1633 Snow Hill Road, Stockton, MD 21864, was on November 30, 2022 appointed personal representative(s) of the small estate of N Neil Allen Payne who died on O October 16, 2022 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.

Terri Westcott, Register of Wills for Worcester County

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

OCD-12/8/1t

Parks: Online engagement no issue for board

look at options for virtual attendees, but for the time being, public comments will need to be made in person at the meeting.”

longer has control of the microphone function as the claim is untrue.”

By Jack Chavez Staff Writer

(Dec. 9, 2022) There are still nine days left before the next regular meeting of the Ocean Pines Association’s Board of Directors, but right now there seems to be no reason to believe the OPA will accommodate remote public speakers during the monthly gatherings.

In an email to OPA President Doug Parks last week, former director Amy Peck asked how the board plans to allow online viewers of the meetings to participate, now that the board will require resident identification to attend meetings in person,

In an email dated Friday morning, Parks essentially told Peck there were no plans for such an accommodation anytime soon.

“The operations team has been testing several options within the (Microsoft) Teams application and the associated processes regarding the ability to have virtual attendees make public comments,” Parks wrote to Peck. “Unfortunately, the testing has not yielded a viable option to support this feature. We will continue to

roof, block skirting, and full screened porch. Inside you will find a fully furnished interior, wide open floor plan, double sliding doors leading to screened deck, new laminate flooring (2020), newer washer & dryer (2019), cathedral ceilings, crown moldings, large closets, and more. Community amenities include 2 inground swimming pools, 1 kiddie pool, a pickle ball court, an 8 acre wildlife sanctuary w/large pond and blacktop walking/ jogging trail, and a bayfront boardwalk w/3 fishing/crabbing piers...all for a low HOA fee of $360.00 a year! $375,000

Peck replied by attempting to clarify if that meant the IT department no longer had access to the microphone function and asked Parks why the association’s IT department couldn’t simply verify online residents by having them display their ID cards on camera.

When reached for comment on Monday, Parks did not even agree that there was a problem in the first place.

“I don’t see that there’s any issue at all,” he said. “We’re making sure you’re a member. There is no issue to talk about … We stand by the rule that says if you want to make a public comment, you’ll have to come to the meeting.”

He added that anyone who may think the rule is unfair is welcome to reach out to him directly.

After the exchange, Peck was incredulous over how the situation had been handled.

“This is just insane,” Peck said. “This board ran on transparency. They wanted Saturday meetings badly because they wanted more participation. But now they’re doing this? It doesn’t make any sense.”

The board meets next on Dec. 17.

Amy Peck

“I’d appreciate a response to why that very simple idea wouldn’t work,” she wrote. “It certainly worked in August for obtaining a quorum for the annual meeting … Obviously, the Board favored Saturday meetings to increase participation (especially among part-time owners) and yet this new policy forces them to attend in person.”

Toy drive asks Ocean Pines residents to ‘Get Involved’

Doug Parks

“Please figure this out before Dec. 17.”

Parks responded to Peck, saying that there was “no explanation required on your statement that IT no

(Dec. 9, 2022) The Ocean Pines group “Get Involved” is collecting toys for area children through Dec. 19, with drop boxes available at several locations in the community.

The Get Involved group is in its second year of managing donation drives, having pulled off a trio of successful campaigns last year to collect food, toys and coats for local people in need.

This year, the group has already donated more than 1,000 pounds of food to Diakonia, a nonprofit that as-

sists area homeless.

Organizer Esther Diller said the toy drive this year would benefit Toys for Tots.

“How this all started was, I didn’t realize we had such a homeless population in this area – I was stunned when I found out the story,” she said. “I found out they camp out behind the outlets [in Ocean City] and in the woods, and I heard there were children as well as adults.”

Diller said she reached out to leadSee GET Page 40

toys until

ership at Diakonia, and her worst fears were confirmed: homelessness is an underreported, but rampant issue in Worcester County.

“I never knew it had gotten this bad, and it really bothered me. In the bright lights of Ocean City and Worcester County, here we all these homeless people.” Diller said. “It’s such a tragedy.

“So, I thought we need to help not only the families and the parents, but I want to give something to the kids – to families with children who can’t afford anything for the holidays,” she added.

Get Involved is seeking new, unwrapped items for children of all ages.

Collection boxes are available at the Ocean Pines Administration Building lobby, as well as at the Yacht Club, the Golf Club, and at the south fire station.

Diller said volunteers have already collected several large boxes of donations.

“We just got a bunch of brand-new dolls, which is great, and there have been a lot of toys for the little ones as well, with stuff like building blocks, which is just awesome,” she said. “We’re not really picky about what the toys are, as long as they’re new and unwrapped.”

Up next, Get Involved will host its second-annual coat drive from Dec. 26 through New Year’s Day. Drop boxes will be available at the same four locations as the toy drive.

Gently used coats, along with new hats, gloves and socks, will go to Land’s End Fellowship, which is run by a nondenominational church in Ocean City.

“Last year we were able to collect hundreds of coats, so we’re really excited to be able to help that organization out. We are also looking for more organizations to donate to, so please reach out if anyone locally has a need,” Diller said.

For more information, contact Diller at esmatt4@aol.com.

(Dec. 9, 2022) The Town of Ocean City will present the first-ever Dreamfest on Martin Luther King Weekend, Jan. 13-15.

The three-day music event will be held at the Ocean City Performing Arts Center, taking guests through the decades of the ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s with musical acts The B.B. King Experience featuring Claudette King, Thomas McClary’s the Commodores, and The Spinners.

“We want to celebrate Rhythm and Blues while also honoring the civil rights hero Martin Luther King Jr., along with the history this holiday weekend represents,” Director of Tourism and Business Development Tom Perlozzo, said. “Dreamfest will deliver the soulful sounds and rhythm of the voices of the past while also celebrating the dream of the late, great Dr. King.”

Friday will kick off the weekend with The B.B. King Experience featuring Claudette King.

The daughter of a blues legend will

take listeners back to the ‘50s while bringing her enthusiasm inspired by her father.

Then, Saturday will surely get attendees grooving with the R&B funk of Thomas McClary’s The Commodores.

As an original member of The Commodores, McClary has been known to push the boundaries of genre and provide a live performance that is unparalleled with anything else today.

Last but not least, Dreamfest will conclude on Sunday, Jan. 15, with The Spinners.

Henry Farmbrough will lead his original Philadelphia group into classics such as “Could it Be I’m Falling in Love” and “Working My Way Back to You.”

Decades later, this multi-Grammywinning soul group will have guests singing and dancing all night long.

Tickets for Dreamfest can be purchased at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center on 40th Street or by visiting https://ocmdperformingartscenter.com.

(Dec. 9, 2022) The Ocean City Branch of the Worcester County Library will host a magical Winter Train Garden through Jan. 15.

The Winter Train Garden is provided from the personal collection of train enthusiast Dennis Moore, a local resident.

Visitors of all ages will delight in interacting with buttons that activate accessories and sounds.

A scavenger hunt for young patrons will also be available.

The Winter Train Garden is open during the library’s normal operating hours: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, contact the Ocean City Branch at 410-524-1818, or visit 10003 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, Maryland 21842.

Facebook: Worcester County Maryland Library

Instagram: worcesterlibrarymd

The mission of the Worcester County Library is to promote reading, thinking, learning, and the enjoyment of the arts.

The Ocean Pines group “Get Involved” is collecting toys for area children through Dec. 19, with drop boxes available at several locations in the community.

Ever-growing OC Comic Con returns for fifth year this Sat.

By Jack Chavez Staff Writer

(Dec. 9, 2022) Ocean City Comic Con and its own universe of out-ofthis-world characters will return for its fifth year on Saturday at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center in Ocean City.

Also returning to this celebration will be the panels and events that have led to the gathering’s exponential growth. Among these will be the Nightmare and Dayscreams SFX panel led by Eastern Shore native Michele Clauser.

“It was really popular last year,” event organizer James Dufendach said. “Standing-room only. (Clauser) is just a fantastic makeup artist.”

There will be some new attractions as well. The new wing of the convention center allowed Dufendach to expand the event’s offerings to accommodate what he said will be the largest Star Wars Saber Guild group ever.

“I did not just fill (that space) with vendors,” he said. “We’re going to give our Star Wars costuming groups a giant space. There will be a lot more fun photo-op stuff there.”

There will also be a panel on comic book creation that Dufendach said he’s looking forward to.

“We’ve got some new stuff as far as comic book creation which I think is great,” he said. “We’re going to have a local guy, Brad Hudson from the (University of Maryland Eastern Shore) … him and the Joseph Rybandt from Dynamite Entertainment, doing a panel together on comic book creation. That is something — the opportunity to talk to those guys is amazing.”

This year, there is no mask policy as procedures for the most part return back to normal. Booths and vendors will be next to each other once again too.

When asked for his attendance forecast, Dufendach erred on the side of caution and said he anticipates 8,000 — the same turnout as last year.

But if the event’s past, discounting pandemic-stricken 2020, is a good indicator. The crowd should be bigger than that.

Even in the show’s first year, Dufendach anticipated 500 attendees and 2,500 came out.

“If you’ve never come before, this is a wonderful entry to comic cons,” Dufendach said. “It’s very inexpensive. I keep the price very low. Parking is free. You don’t have to drive for three hours if you’re local. It’s much like other pop culture events, a good starting point.”

The Ocean City Comic Con runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“If you’ve already come, you know you enjoy it. We’re adding more for you to see,” Dufendach said.

The cost to attend is $12, free for children ages 9 and under with a paying adult. Attendees get $1 off their ticket if they’re dressed in costume and another $1 if they bring a canned good for Diakonia in West Ocean City, an organization which helps individuals and families by providing shelter, food, clothing and program services.

Tickets are available at the door. For more information, visit http://www.oceancitycomiccon.com /index.html.

The fifth Ocean City Comic Con returns on Saturday to the Roland E. Powell Convention Center on 40th Street in Ocean City.

John Schaible of Catonsville, dresses as Marvel’s “Moon Knight” during the 2021 OC Comic Con.

COMMUNITY/SCHOOLS

SURF INTO INTEGRITY

TRIP ON THE WATER

Since 2002, a program started by Wayne Littleton, a group of volunteer captains support the Believe In Tomorrow Foundation. The captains and their mates take families with children experiencing lifethreatening illnesses on boating experiences on the coastal bays. The trips, lasting two to three hours, consist of sight-seeing, fishing, exploring the shores of Assateague and crabbing. This year 28 families enjoyed the program during the summer months. The program is financially supported by the Ocean Pines Anglers. Boat owners interested in participating in the program, can contact Budd Heim at 410-726-1968 or Mary Brown at 410-245-2266.

Pictured, from right, Budd, Ken Thompson, Scott Carstairs, Chuck Eder, Paul Fohner, Fred Stiehl, Jim Rorke, Ricky and Lanie Kerrigan, Bob Woodard, Carl Brown, John Dilworth, and Joan and John O'Dell. Not Pictured: Steve Fingles, Jimmy and MaryAnn Atchison, and Claude Lewis.

CAMP SUPPORT

OC

It

8-17

THANK YOU

The Ocean City Surf Club recently wrapped up another season with its "Surf Into Integrity" program, where life lessons in the classroom and surf lessons in the ocean come together to change the lives

Lions recently donated $500 to Camp Possibilities, a camp for youth ages

with diabetes.

offers arts, basketball, field games and supportive diabetes education. Pictured, from left, are OC President Norm Cathell, Lion Ben Dawson, and Past President Scott Stark.

Worcester Preparatory School’s fourth and fifth grades came together in a musical performance to celebrate veterans on Nov. 11. Fifth graders CJ Labin, Cullen Giardina, Lea Jaoude and Mara McClanahan show their letters being mailed to veterans in thanks for their service.

COMMUNITY/SCHOOLS

NHS INDUCTION

PROGRAM TALK

NICE PICK

SUPPLY COLLECTION

ART PROJECT

SHOW WINNER

The Worcester County Garden Club recently had a presentation by Lisa Massie, DPT, about her “Evolving with Motion” program, which promotes physical therapy and wellness. Members were given tips on how to prevent injuries when gardening. Pictured, from left, are Worcester County Garden Club First Vice President Joan LaHayne, Dr. Massie, and Worcester County Garden Club President Deb Young.

Members of the Worcester Prep Upper School Volunteers Club donated their time on Nov. 6 at the Giant in Millville, Delaware, to collect supplies for Diakonia, the homeless shelter in West Ocean City. In just two hours, they filled an SUV with a variety of supplies including paper and canned goods as well as other items, that were later delivered to Diakonia. Pictured are Volunteers Club members Jackson Fernley, Sara Freih, Isabella Borsoni, Esi Mehilli, Izzy Huber and Elaina Elrick. Not pictured: Claire Windrow.

The Charles R. Jenkins Chapter of the National Honor Society at Worcester Preparatory School inducted 27 new members on Nov. 3. Pictured, in front, from left, are Assistant Head of School/Head of Upper School Mike Grosso, Koda Bauer, Esi Mehilli, Moorea Phillips, Caitlin Williams, Claire Windrow, Elaina Elrick, Izzy Huber, Dylan Simons, Senior Class Sponsor Elizabeth Nally and Head of School Dr. John McDonald; second row: Hunter Simons, Natasha Richter, Natalie Chadwell, Vanesska Hall, Mia Lovitt, Emma Crivella, Will Mumford and Carson Rayne; third row: Luke Hopkins, Sara Freih, Ansley Gardner, Madilyn Nechay, Ava Conaway and Summer Vent; and in back: Cole Campbell, Dylan McGovern, Max Halle and Adam Hafez. Not pictured: Lebby Becker.

Leo Kahl, left, won first place for his painting of a snow scene in the Art League of Ocean City’s annual Members’ Juried Show at the Ocean City Center for the Arts on 94th Street. Evan Fitzgerald juried the show.

Another painted utility box under the Ocean City Development Corporation’s Public Art Program has been completed in downtown Ocean City by artist Kacie Neeb of the Art League of Ocean City. This public art project is located on Dorchester Street, just east of S. Philadelphia Avenue in downtown Ocean City. This box is painted with a OC Beach Patrol theme as it is located at the entrance to the organization’s headquarters parking lot. Delmarva Power provided approval to the OCDC to use this utility box as part of its Public Art Program. PPG Paints of Eighth Street donated paint and paint supplies.

Worcester Preparatory School’s first grade class learned about local agriculture and wildlife while on a field trip recently to Groundworks Farm in Pittsville, and Trap Pond State Park in Laurel, Delaware. The students picked and tasted snap peas and harvested carrots at the farm. At the park, they visited the nature center and participated in “Tracks and Trace” program. Pictured is Camden Haley.

Penguin

(Dec. 9, 2022) The 29th annual Penguin Swim is set for Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, and will take place once again on the beach and in the ocean behind the Princess Royale at 91st Street.

Individuals and teams are invited to join in the fundraising. Participants who register on or before Dec. 10 will receive an official 2023 AGH Penguin Swim short-sleeve T-shirt for their $25 registration fee.

Shirts for participants who register after Dec. 10 will be available, while supplies last.

Individual participants who raise or donate $100 or more will also be eligible to receive an official 2023 AGH Penguin Swim long-sleeve Tshirt, while supplies last.

Participants can register online

returns for 29th year Jan. 1

now to start collecting donations. To view this year’s shirts, or to register, visit www.aghpenguinswim.org.

All participants are required to register either online or in person and check in on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day to receive a wristband to gain access to the swim area. Advance online registration is recommended.

Participants are encouraged to come to pre-registration and advance check-in at the Princess Royale from 2-4 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.

Avoid long lines on event day and pick up wristbands and shirts early. Participants will also receive an additional Penguin Swim item during advance check-in.

Event-day registration and checkin will begin at 9 a.m., ending promptly at 11:30 a.m., with the main event at noon on the beach at 91st Street.

The time in between will be chock full of fun activities the whole family will enjoy, including costume con-

tests, face painting and mermaids.

The Bull on the Beach team will parade down the beach at 11:45 a.m. from 94th Street to the swim area in front of the Princess Royale. Spectators are welcome.

The awards ceremony will take place in the atrium immediately following the swim.

Special recognition awards will be given to oldest and youngest penguins, and the participant who traveled the furthest.

Trophies for first, second and third place will be awarded to those who raise the most money in divisions for: Adults (19 & Over); Youth (18 & Under); Teams/Businesses; Community Groups/Organizations; Youth/Family.

Penguin Swim Event Committee and Co-Chairs are Michael Cylc and Ryan Kirby.

After the swim, the 1 p.m. RavensSteelers game will be on a big screen in the atrium.

Food and drink specials at the atrium bar may include beer, wine, soda, wings, chicken tenders, pizza, soups, and sandwiches. Enjoy complimentary coffee and hot chocolate.

Unable to attend? No problem. Register online for the Cyber Swim, then take an ice-cold dip wherever you are and post a photo or video of your personal virtual Penguin Swim on social media using #OCPenguinSwim.

Make sure the post is public so event organizers can see it

Find the Penguin Swim on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Participants can register for the cyber swim on the event website and pay an additional $10 fee per participant to cover costs to have their Tshirts shipped to them.

Call Laura Powell at the Atlantic General Hospital Foundation office at 410-641-9671 or go to www.aghpenguinswim.org for more information.

Proceeds from the event, gathered through corporate sponsorships and participant fundraising, support the strategic plans undertaken by Atlantic General Hospital to uphold their mission to improve individual and community health. Atlantic General Hospital is a 501(c)3 organization.

Atlantic General Hospital has been providing quality health care to the residents of Worcester, Wicomico and Somerset counties in Maryland, and Sussex County, Delaware, since May 1993.

Built by the commitment and generosity of a dedicated community, the hospital’s state-of-the-art facility in Berlin combines compassion and expertise with the latest in technology and services.

Atlantic General Health System, its network of more than 25 primary care provider and specialist offices, cares for residents and visitors throughout the region.

For more information about Atlantic General Hospital, visit www.atlanticgeneral.org.

Sportsplex vote flips on spotlight

Now that the new board of county commissioners has shown it knows how not to spend public money, the question it faces is whether it knows how to produce more of it and remain in the public’s good graces.

That is the territory the commissioners staked out for themselves this week when they issued a resounding “No” to the concept of a publicly funded sports complex.

Regardless of which side of this argument one happens to be on, the four-member majority that decided the matter believes that government has no business being in business. This, as it happens, is the point of view of many conservative economists, especially when government is about to involve itself in projects that rely on revenue projections based on “economic multipliers” of public dollars spent. In their view, these multipliers incorporate a touch of mathematical voodoo. For facility proponents, these are achievable numbers.

Then too, these commissioners probably feared the public backlash of a bad result, which can always happen no matter how good an idea might seem at the time — see the much less expensive but still sinking Snow Hill riverboat project for reference.

But the majority’s reasons notwithstanding, the public knows where it stands as the county faces some big expenses in the years ahead. No amount of complaining about unfunded mandates and lopsided formulas is going to change that or get the commissioners out of a tight spot.

It’s not a pretty situation. The public always wants more and better services, but is never willing to pay more for them, the commissioners have no appetite for using public money to spur economic growth, and they can’t cut spending by skeletonizing county government and expect to get away with it.

Had the sports facility proposal not come along, the spotlight would not have illuminated just how politically messy the county’s financial problem is, nor would it have shown so brightly on the four commissioners who will now be expected to come up with the solution.

Ocean City Today

11934 Ocean Gateway, Suite 6, Ocean City, Md. 21842

Phone: 410-723-6397 / Fax: 410-723-6511.

Holiday travel drivel

Now that we have this being thankful business out of the way and have returned to our national pastime of muttering about the ridiculousness of everyone else, I have a question I’d like to mutter: am I the only person who doesn’t give two hoots about the television news reports on air travel problems during the holidays?

I can’t be the only one, considering that of the 332 million people in this country, only 27 million of them flew Thanksgiving week.

one says otherwise, you might want to join another outfit).

But if this travel news is so critical to our knowledge base, I suggest they cover some of us as well to keep us engaged.

“And this just in from Ocean City, Maryland: a man whose holiday travels consisted of four days of slip-sliding between the recliner and the refrigerator reported that he departed the refrigerator with a very nice sandwich that somehow failed arrive at his destination with him. We reached out to him for details.”

Traveler: “That’s right, Lester, it was about midway during my trip that I pulled over at a scenic overlook and the next thing I know, the sandwich was gone. I have no idea what happened.”

By Stewart Dobson

The rest of us drove, rode, sailed, took the train or followed my example of limiting any holiday movement to a slow shuffle between the kitchen, the living room, the facilities and back, but not necessarily in that order.

Clearly, television news editors think we care about those 27 million people, or they believe that they are more important than the rest of us simply because they got on a plane.

That has to be it, because TV news programs beat us to death with stories about how these folks took to the skies over the holidays and — get this — returned home safely!

Wow, who would have thought that would happen?

In other words, for those of us who didn’t go anywhere that required a boarding pass, or a security scan or a pat-down, this coverage was about as exciting as having an aisle seat in a duck blind (Incidentally, a pat-down is not required to enter a duck blind. If some-

Lester: “Our people have just located a witness to the incident. Let’s hear what she has to say.”

Witness: “First, it might be a scenic overlook to him, but it’s the bathroom mirror to me. Secondly, he was staring blankly into it trying to change the channels after two days of watching football, then he dropped his sandwich when he nodded off standing up and the dog ate it.”

On the other hand, if some of these 27 million travelers would check in with me from time to time, I might care more about what did or did not happen to them.

I know what you’re saying — there’s no way one person could get a million phone calls a day from otherwise anonymous people.

I say, oh yeah? Clearly, anyone who says that is not on the prescription-ready call list from the pharmacy.

Whoops. Gotta run. It’s CVS calling.

BUSINESS BRIEFS

New director

The real estate brokerage of Engel & Völkers Annapolis and Ocean City announces Carrie Mock as director of advisor success.

A top-producing real estate advisor licensed in Maryland and Florida, with extensive experience in sales team management and coaching, Mock will further strengthen the group’s team of advisors.

She will not be actively selling, but solely focused on improving the success of the Engel & Völkers advisors in Annapolis, Ocean City, and future expansion shops.

Mock built her 18-plus year real estate career on the idea that every client deserves a luxury experience, a vision shared by Engel & Völkers partners around the globe.

“Carrie’s uplifting approach, enthusiasm for the success of our advisors, and commitment to providing an exceptional level of service to our clients makes her an ideal partner on our team,” Broker Rick Foster said.

For more information, contact Foster at 443-292-6767 or Rick.Foster@evrealestate.com.

‘Sustainable Communities’ named

By Lauren Bunting Contributing Writer

(Dec. 9, 2022) The State of Maryland has announced three new Sustainable Communities, and one of them is located on the lower Eastern Shore.

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development announced last month that Pittsville in Wicomico County has been named one of Maryland’s newest Sustainable Communities.

The other two towns named were Boonsboro and Smithsburg, both in Washington County.

The State of Maryland’s Smart Growth Subcabinet has designated 126 Sustainable Communities across Maryland since the creation of the program in 2010.

The Sustainable Communities program provides local governments with access to state programs, loans, grants and tax credits that can support brick and mortar community projects, small business development, job creation and tourism.

Happy Holidays! Happy Holidays!

“Sustainable Community designations help Maryland’s diverse urban, suburban and rural communities connect with resources to support redevelopment and economic growth,” said Secretary Kenneth C. Holt. “The program fosters partnerships that guide comprehensive strategies for environmentally, economically and socially responsible revitalization that responds to local needs.”

The Town of Pittsville was originally known as Derrickson’s Cross Roads and boasts a rich agricultural history. Pittsville is located just east of Salisbury.

The town was eventually named for Hilary R. Pitts, a local doctor and owner of the Wicomico & Pocomoke Railroad that transformed the community in the mid-19th century by linking freight and passengers to Salisbury and Ocean City.

Local goals include upgrading stormwater management and wastewater treatment, expanding and improving green space, rehabilitating homes and providing façade improvements, and repairing and connecting sidewalks.

To date, the 126 Sustainable Communities includes four county-level designations, 118 municipalities and 59 unincorporated areas.

They are as diverse as Frostburg in western Maryland, unincorporated areas of Calvert County, large urban jurisdictions in central Maryland, and even includes the Town of Ocean City.

For more information, visit DHCD’s Sustainable Communities webpage at https://dhcd.maryland.gov/Communities/Pages/dn/default.aspx.

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

AGH receiving portraits of Milton and Thelma Conner

(Dec. 9, 2022) Lorrie Miller, general manager of the Dunes Manor Hotel, and David Del Russo, regional director of operations for OTO Development Group, on Nov. 30, donated the portraits of Milton and Thelma Conner to Atlantic General Hospital.

The couple played a large role in the Ocean City community for decades, and Thelma built and ran the iconic Dunes Manor Hotel.

Accompanying the portraits was a donation of $11,500 raised from equipment sales and matching gifts.

Thelma Conner moved to Ocean City in 1940 to work with her husband at his family’s Hastings Miramar Hotel. The couple eventually bought the Dunes Motel on 27th Street in the 60s, operating that property together until Milton passed away in 1979.

Eight years later, Thelma fulfilled the couple’s dream and built the Dunes Manor Hotel, an 11-story, Victorian-style hotel on 28th Street.

Conner was the first female president of the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce in 1974 and was named

the 1985 Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Citizen of the Year.

She also served as the president of the Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association in 1985 and was named 1994 Maryland Independent Hotelier of the Year.

In the spring of 1990, the community campaign to build Atlantic General Hospital kicked off at the Dunes Manor Hotel, as Conner supported the idea of opening “a new chapter in healthcare.”

Conner went on to be one of the first members of the Atlantic General Hospital Board of Directors.

The Dunes Manor Hotel is currently being renovated to bring a more modern and coastal feel to the property while also still maintaining some of the Victorian old-world charm and amenities that were so important to the Conners, such as the ornate lobby ceiling and the ocean-facing rocking chairs on the back veranda.

Both the Dunes Manor Hotel and Atlantic General Hospital look forward to serving the community for many more generations to come.

Carrie Mock

DONATED PORTRAITS

OBITUARY

RICHARD PAIRO SR.

Easton

Richard Pairo Sr., age 85, of Easton, Maryland, died on Nov. 26, 2022, at Talbot House in Easton.

He was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and was the son of Preston and Blossom Pairo.

Dick was a retired attorney and real estate agent in Ocean City.

He founded the Ocean City Paramedic Foundation, which has been supplementing the paramedics with major equipment purchases and training to ensure provision of the best possible EMS services to the local citizens and visitors to the OC

area.

He also founded the Ocean City Shrine Club, was the first ER of the Ocean City Elks and was a longtime member of Boumi Temple.

He is survived by his wife, Joi Pairo; son, Rick (Melody) Pairo; and daughters, Sharon Jerlinski and Debi Pairo

Burke.

He is also survived by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and his special pup, Baby Boo.

A memorial service will be held on Dec. 16, 2022 at 2 p.m. at the Ocean City Elks Lodge, 13708 Sinepuxent Ave., Ocean City, Maryland.

Donations may be made to the Ocean City Paramedics Foundation, P.O. Box 3099, Ocean City, Maryland 21843. (info@ocpf.org).

R. Pairo

Lorrie Miller, general manager of the Dunes Manor Hotel, and David Del Russo, regional director of operations for OTO Development Group, on Nov. 30, donated the portraits of Milton and Thelma Conner to Atlantic General Hospital. Pictured, from left, are Toni Keiser, Atlantic General Hospital vice president of Public Relations; Miller; Del Russo; Don Owrey, Atlantic General Hospital president and CEO; and Steven Tyson, Atlantic General Hospital Foundation donor relations officer.

Rec area at Assateague now open, construction complete

(Dec. 9, 2022) The Old Ferry Landing construction project is complete and the recreation area at Assateague Island National Seashore is open, U.S. Park Service officials announced this week.

This project raised the existing bulkhead approximately two feet and replaced deteriorating boardwalks at this popular crabbing spot and kayak launch.

Work will continue throughout the winter to improve visitor amenities and signage, but no further closures are anticipated at this location.

The improved, raised bulkhead and new boardwalks will provide much needed resilience during storms and high tides that have damaged Old Ferry Landing over the years.

This project was funded by park entrance and pass fees.

Eighty percent of all revenue from Assateague Island National Seashore entrance fees or the local sales of the various Federal Interagency Passes stays right here in the park to fund this type of visitor-related project.

The other 20 percent goes into a fund that can be used by parks with no entrance fee or very low fee revenues.

Examples of projects funded in the last year are the new boardwalk at the Maryland Visitor Center, renovation of well one on the island, design of a new freshwater distribution system for the island, reconstruction of the state line fence, and replacement of the entrance sign at the visitor center.

Major renovations to the Life of the Marsh and Life of the Forest Trails will continue over the winter with an anticipated completion date of March 2023.

PHOTO COURTESY NPS

Newly constructed raised bulkhead and boardwalk at Old Ferry Landing at Assateague Island National Seashore.

Eighth Italian army smashed by Red Army on Russian land

By Peter Ayers Wimbrow III Contributing Writer

(Dec. 9, 2022) This week, 80 years ago, the Red Army was engaged in the destruction of the Eighth Italian Army, or “Armata Italiana in Russia —ARMIR.”

The Italians were commanded by Italo Gariboldi, who, from March 25, 1941 to July 19, 1941, had served as the governor–general of Libya and commander of the Axis forces in North Africa.

The ARMIR was created in July 1942, when, in response to the German Fúhrer’s call for increased participation by the other Axis countries, the Italian Duce sent four infantry and three mountain divisions to the Eastern Front.

These new divisions, joined two motorized infantry divisions – Torino and Pasubio – and the Principe Armedeo Duca d’Aosta Cavalry Division, which comprised the Corpo di Spedizione Italiano in Russia – CSIR – that had been formed on July 10, 1941 and sent to the Eastern Front that summer under the command of Gen. Giovanni Messe.

The three original CSIR divisions were commanded by Roberto Lerici, Vittorio Giovannelli and Mario Marazzani. The Croatian Legion, commanded by Lt. Col. Egon Žitník, was attached to Gen. Marazzani’s Principe Amedeo Duca d’Aosta Cavalry Division.

Der Fúhrer’s attitude to Italian participation in 1942, stood in stark contrast to his attitude in 1941.

It was with great reluctance that the German Fúhrer accepted the Italian Duce’s contribution in 1941. Hitler felt – correctly – that Italian efforts would have been better served closer to home, in the North African Theater.

He didn’t understand why the Italians thought they were in a posi-

tion to help the Germans with Operation Barbarossa, when only a few months earlier they had needed German assistance to stave off complete collapse in North Africa and the loss of Libya.

One can only imagine the effect that the 18,000 trucks and artillery tractors, 946 artillery pieces, 300 antitank guns and 52 anti–aircraft guns would have had on the North African campaign if, instead of being squandered in Russia, they had been incorporated into Field Marshal Erwin Rommel’s Panzerarmee Afrika.

CSIR had been attached to Panzerrgruppe I, commanded by German Gen. Ewald von Kleist.

ARMIR was assigned to Armeegruppe B, commanded by Gen. Baron Maximilian von Weichs and was divided into three Corps – the XXXV, II, and the Mountain, commanded by Francesco Zingales, Giovanni Zanghieri, and Gabriele Nasci.

Gen. Zingales’ XXXV Corps was the original CSIR. Zingales had replaced Gen. Messe in November 1942, because Messe was constantly complaining to Rome of the materiel deficiencies of his troops.

Gen. Zingales’ XXXV Corps also contained the following: German 298th Infantry Division and 3 Gennaio Camice Nere Brigade, commanded by Arnold Szelinski and Filippo Diamanti, and a company of the elite Bersaglieri.

Gen. Zanghieri’s II Corps contained the Ravenna, Sforzesca and Cosseria Infantry Divisions, commanded by Francesco Dupont (who replaced Edoardo Nebbia after his capture on Oct. 3, 1942), Carlo Pellegrini and Enrico Gazzale. Gen. Zanghieri’s II Corps also contained 23 Marzo Camice Nere, commanded by Enrico Francisci, who had also commanded it during the Spanish Civil War.

The Camice Nere, or Blackshirts, were the rough equivalent of the German SS units, in that the Camice Nere were committed Fascist without, however, the training, leadership and superior equipment of the SS. Gen. Francisci’s 23 Marzo Camice Nere was so named to honor the date of the founding of the Fascist Party by Benito Mussolini on March 23, 1919.

Gen. Szelinski’s 3 Gennaio Camice Nere was named for the date when the Fascists took control of the Italian Parliament on Jan. 3, 1925.

Gen. Nasci’s Mountain Corps was probably the best trained and equipped, especially for the Russian

winter, of any of the Italian units.

The Tridentina, Julia and Cuneense Alpine Divisions were commanded by Luigi Reverberi, Umberto Ricagno and Emillio Battisti.

On Aug. 20, the Soviets thought they saw an opportunity and launched an assault on the Italians. The Italians held, and after three days, launched a counterattack with Gen. Marazzani’s Principe Amedeo Duca d’Aosta Cavalry Division.

On Aug. 24, 1942, the Savoy cavalry regiment launched history’s last cavalry charge, resulting in 150 enemy dead, 600 captured and at

Giovanni Messe inspecting his troops in Russia.

Italian troops in Russia, July 1942.

least 300 wounded, at a cost of 39 killed and 74 wounded, and 170 horses lost.

The horse carrying the regiment’s standard bearer returned to Italian lines, riderless and blind in one eye –but with the regiment’s colors! Everything was quiet on the Italians’ front from then until December.

In November, the Red Army had crashed through the Third and Fourth Rumanian Armies, which had been guarding the flanks of the German Sixth Army as it ground its way into Stalingrad. Now, the city, and Sixth Army, were surrounded by the Soviets.

The Red Army’s Southwestern Front launched Operation Little Saturn, on Dec. 16, against Gen. Gariboldi’s Eighth Army.

The Southwestern Front was commanded by Nikolai Fyodorovich Vatutin, one of the Red Army’s most talented commanders. He would be mortally wounded by Ukrainian partisans in the winter of 1944.

By the time of the Soviet offensive, Gen. Gariboldi’s Eighth Italian Army totaled 235,000 men, was equipped with 988 guns, 420 mortars, 25,000 horses and 17,000 vehicles.

However, it was woefully short of tanks and antitank guns.

There was very little that could stop the Soviet T–34 Medium, or KVII heavy tanks. The small arms were problematic as well.

The Italian rifle was the worst of any of the WWII combatants. And, other than the Alpini, the soldiers were not properly clothed to meet the Soviet ally, “General Winter.”

By Dec. 18, Gen. Vatutin’s Southwestern Front had destroyed Gen. Zingales’ XXXV Corps, Gen. Zanghieri’s II Corps, and Lt. Col. Zitnik’s Croatian Legion.

This left only Gen. Nasci’s Mountain Corps. In temperatures as low as –40°F, General Nasci’s Mountain Corps led the survivors 150 miles west to the new Axis positions and safety – all the while emulating the Emperor Napoleón’s Grande Armée, fending off the Cossacks.

On Jan. 26, 1943, Gen. Nasci’s Mountain Corps reached the village of Nikolayevka (since absorbed into the village of Livenka which has a population of 4,000) and which was defended by a Soviet division.

By now Gen. Nasci’s Mountain Corps had been swelled to 40,000 by Hungarians and Germans fleeing the onrushing Red Army.

However, only Gen. Reverberi’s Tridentina Division was still combat worthy. After a day of combat, the So-

viets still held the village which barred the road to safety.

Finally, Gen. Reverberi climbed onto one of the last three tanks, yelled, “Tridentina Avantil” and led his men forward on a last desperate charge, which dislodged the Soviets and allowed the survivors to get to safety.

Gen. Batisti’s Cuneense Division was annihilated and the general captured. Gen. Ricagno’s Julia Division suffered a 90 percent loss including its commander, who was captured, while Gen. Reverberi’s Tridentina suffered a two-thirds loss.

Losses sustained by the ARMIR were devastating – 30,000 killed, 34,000 wounded and 60,000 captured, of which 10,000 eventually returned to Italy.

When the scarecrow-like survivors returned to Italy in the spring of 1943, it was the beginning of the end for Mussolini.

Next week: Winter Storm Mr. Wimbrow writes from Ocean City, Maryland, where he practices law representing those persons accused of criminal and traffic offenses, and those persons who have suffered a personal injury through no fault of their own. He can be contacted at: wimbrowlaw@gmail.com.

Sports Complex price tag should scare residents

Editor,

The news that the proposed sports complex could cost $153 million should be terrifying to Worcester County taxpayers.

Over 50 percent of the voters rejected using bonds for the project. I suspect that the majority would have been greater if people had been aware of the price tag.

The Maryland Stadium Authority (MSA) and its Florida-based consultant have once again visited with their long-time friend “Rosie Scenario.”

I simply do not trust their numbers for tax generation and job creation.

I urge the Commissioners to table the entire project. Take the time to have a series of honest discussions about a sports project.

The proposed plan is the wrong project at the wrong time at the wrong location.

David J. Deutsch Ocean Pines

Email letters to editor@oceancitytoday.net.

TOYS

variety

Dog toys – variety

Chuck -it toys – large

Feather wand cat toys

Cat kicker toys

Scratch pads/posts for cats

VETERINARY CARE

Latex gloves – (S, M, L, XL)

Non-latex gloves – (S, M, L, XL)

Digital fast acting thermometers

Batteries (AA, AA 9V)

OFFICE SUPPLIES

952

CLEANING SUPPLIES

O-Cedar Microfiber Twist Mop Cleaning Buckets

Hand/dish soap Paper towels

Fabuloso (lavender scented) Brooms/dust pan

Toilet paper

Bleach

Liquid laundry detergent Hand Sanitizer

Clorox/Lysol Wipes

Contractor sized trash bags Kitchen trash bags

ITEMS NEEDED REGULARLY FOR WCHS

* When in doubt, it is better for our animals to spend your donation dollars on cleaning supplies rather than off brand animal foods *

PET CARE

Cat/dog beds

Fleece blankets

Cat litter – scoopable or wood pellets

Puppy training pads

Snuggle safe heating discs

Kitten nursing bottles

Small ceramic water bowls

Disposable food bowls

Dog waste bags

OTHER

Gift cards to Walmart, Tractor Supply, Petsmart, Petco, Concord Pets, Food Lion, Staples, etc.

PEA PICKING

Worcester

FALL SUNRISE

PHOTO COURTESY STEPHANIE STEINMETZ

A boat makes its way through the ocean as the sun rises on a cool mid-November morning.

Preparatory School’s first grade class learned about local agriculture and wildlife while on a field trip recently to Groundworks Farm in Pittsville, and Trap Pond State Park in Laurel, Delaware. The students picked and tasted snap peas and harvested carrots at the farm. At the park, they visited the nature center and participated in “Tracks and Trace” program. Pictured is Carly McCallum.

SD girls’ basketball team big, athletic, bright

By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor

(Dec. 9, 2022) The Stephen Decatur girls’ basketball team returns nearly all of its starters from last season and the Lady Seahawks are showing their connection on the court.

“Our starting five has played a lot together. There’s a lot of cohesiveness already,” said Coach Scott Kurtz. “When we put something in it’s like we’ve done it already, so it’s very quick, and then we have a lot of new faces beyond them.

“We have a few reserve girls that are coming back that played limited time … We have like eight girls that have played for us, five have played a lot of minutes,” he continued. “It’s sort of like a mixture, but it’s that first group, it’s just like we’re right back into it, like we just picked up from last year right where we left off.”

The veterans helped lead last year’s squad to a 19-0 undefeated regular season. The Seahawks also cap-

tured their first regional championship title since 2004. The season ended with a 57-52 loss to C. Milton Wright in the 3A state quarterfinals. The team finished with a 21-2 overall record.

The returning starters have a high basketball IQ, so the coaches can do more with the group, Kurtz said.

“It just elevates what we can put on them. You start with a floor and you shoot for a ceiling, and it’s almost like this year we’re starting just below the ceiling because they’ve already taken in so much that they’re ready,” Kurtz said. “We can spend more time on skill development then scheme, which is always a plus because anytime you can just work on the fundamentals it’s going to help your game, your team.”

Kurtz said the group overall is athletic, bright and big.

“We just have the tallest and longest – when you talk about arms –lean, it’s just a really big, intimidat-

ing-looking team,” Kurtz said. “When we get off the bus teams are going to be like, ‘wow.’ When you think about girls that are going to be on the floor starting the game they’re all between like 5’8’’, 5’11’’ all of them.”

The team also has many scoring threats.

“We have girls one through five that can pretty much score from anywhere on the court and there aren’t a lot of high school basketball teams at least on the Eastern Shore of Maryland that can just line up and shoot the ball from anywhere on the floor,” Kurtz said. “We have five, six, seven girls that can just shoot the three, can drive, go mid-range, they can score from anywhere and it’s exciting. There’s a lot of firepower that we’re coming into the gym with this year.”

Kurtz said the girls are self-motivated as a group and they have something to prove individually and as a team still.

“[Losing the] Bayside championship still hangs over them and C. Milton Wright are reminders of what they know they want,” Kurtz said. “It’s been driving them since the final buzzer last year, so they’ve been

pushing to get back to it.”

The squad will be led by senior captains Mayah Garner (co-defensive player of the year/First Team AllBayside South/ First Team Defense), Shelby Rosemond (First Team Defense/Bayside South honorable mention) and Jessica Beck.

In addition, sophomores Sam Boger and Allison Swift are also returning and received conference accolades last season. Boger earned a spot on the second team and Swift honorable mention distinction.

Kurtz said the captains each bring something different to the table “that all of our younger girls should aspire to be like.”

“Mayah is the returning defensive player of the year, she gets a lot of blocks and steals. She’s got everything you would want a basketball player to have. She’s a quiet but strong leader that all the girls look up to,” Kurtz said. “We think Shelby is the best defensive player we’ve ever coached. We will always put Shelby on the other team’s best player. She is responsible for just the aggression, the tenacity, the toughness of the

LISA CAPITELLI/OCEAN CITY TODAY

“We have five, six, seven girls that can just shoot the three, can drive, go mid-range, they can score from anywhere and it’s exciting,” said Coach Scott Kurtz. “There’s a lot of firepower that we’re coming into the gym with this year.”

Scott Kurtz

‘There’s a lot of firepower that we’re coming into the gym with this year’

Decatur team has multiple scoring threats this year

team. She preaches it and she shows it.

“Jes is the best teammate you could ever have,” Kurtz continued. “She’s the most unselfish player in this whole building. She will literally go out there and stand in front of every goal for every team that has a goalie she will put her body on the line day and night for soccer and lacrosse and she does the same kinds of things in the gym for the basketball team. She just leads by example. She doesn’t even need to say anything. She always does the right thing.”

Garner, a member of the team since she was a freshman, is happy to be a leader and is ready and excited for the season.

“If we become healthy, I think our strength will be our quickness,” said

“I

a lot

but I think once we get healthy our quickness will be one of our strengths [and] the fact that we’ll be able to

SD team hampered by injuries early

“I think I’ll help lead the group based on having just good leaders in the past, kind of build off what they did just seeing how it worked for me, just try to do the same thing for my younger girls, so I’m looking forward to helping them,” she said. “Our team is definitely young, so it’s going to take some time to get the younger girls to feel more confident on the court, but I think our team will be good this year … It will take a lot of communication and just building chemistry.”

By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor

(Dec. 9, 2022) Once the Stephen Decatur boys’ basketball team gets everyone back on the court, the Seahawks will be able to use speed to their advantage.

“If we become healthy, I think our strength will be our quickness,” said Decatur Coach BJ Johnson. “I have a lot of kids out injured right now, but I think once we get healthy our quickness will be one of our strengths [and] the fact that we’ll be able to play an uptempo game.”

Of the 13 players on Johnson’s roster, only three are returners from last year when the team went 14-8. The Seahawks lost, 72-58, to Oxon Hill in the MPSSAA 3A South regional tournament semifinals.

“They’re a great bunch of kids. I couldn’t ask for better kids,” Johnson said. “They’re serious about academics. [and] I’m honored to coach this group.”

In addition to players out with in-

jury, five football players only just returned to the court last week because the team was still competing. The Decatur football squad advanced to the 2A state semifinals, where the boys lost a close battle, 40-33, to Milford Mill Academy on Nov. 25.

“Until we get everyone back, it’s probably going to be late December early January before we really start clicking,” Johnson said.

The team will be led by junior captains Brycen Coleman and Jayden Hudson.

Hudson is a transfer from Snow Hill and will play point guard and shooting guard. He is looking forward to playing for Decatur this season.

“It’s very important because I have to be vocal and know where everybody is on the floor. The main part is just leading the team … playing defense, scoring … and knowing every position,” Hudson said. “I’ve played with a few guys … I feel like I’m fitting in well. I love my guys.”

Hudson said it will take hard work and grinding to be successful this sea-

son.

“We’re coming along, we’re coming together,” he added. “I’m excited for the season.”

“During the scrimmages, Jayden has probably carried us scoring wise and defensively. Anytime you get a caliber player like that it’s always a bonus,” Johnson said. “I like to think that all of [the players] have stepped up to the plate. They’re doing to the best of their abilities to try to acclimate what we’ve put in so far, so they’re all working really hard.”

Johnson said the goals for 202223 are the same as in past seasons.

“We want to win all of our home games, we want to contend for a Bayside [Conference] championship, a regional and state finals championship,” he said. “We’ve got to rebound the basketball and play good defense. If we do those two things I think we’ll have a lot of success. I’m very excited and looking forward to [the season].”

Decatur will play the North Caroline Bulldogs on Saturday at Chesapeake College at 4:30 p.m. The Seahawks will then host the Snow Hill Eagles on Monday at 6 p.m. in Berlin.

“Mayah we feel could be the best player in the Bayside. I think she’s shown her best basketball is in front of her,” Kurtz said. “We’re super excited to see what she’s going to do.”

Kurtz said the goal is to get better every day individually and as a team.

“I’m blessing to come in here and work with the girls and work with [Assistant Coach Aaron Wyatt] every day,” Kurtz said. “We just feel like we’re building a program we can be proud of that a lot of people support now. I’m proud of what the girls have done on the floor and the way they’ve conducted themselves to make the program what it is.”

The team kicked off the season with a 50-15 victory over the James M. Bennett Clippers on Monday in Salisbury.

Garner led the team with 18 points and Boger and Swift chipped in with 12 and 11 points, respectively.

Decatur will host the Snow Hill Eagles today, Friday, at 6 p.m. in Berlin.

LISA CAPITELLI/OCEAN CITY TODAY

Decatur Coach BJ Johnson.

have

of kids out injured right now,

play an uptempo game.”

‘If we become healthy, I think our strength will be our quickness,’ coach says

BJ Johnson

Many new indoor track participants this yr.

By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor

(Dec. 9, 2022) A number of new participants have joined the Stephen Decatur indoor track program this season.

“We have six returning girls and 10 returning boys. We have 10 new girls and 13 new boys, so it seems again we are building a new team,” said Coach Brenda Hommel. “We have a lot of new kids. We ended up losing kids and that happens with indoor track and things fluctuate from year to year.”

Hommel said after the first meet the coaching staff will have a better idea of where the girls’ and boys’ teams’ strengths will be and what events the student-athletes will do well in.

“We still don’t exactly know where everybody is and I think the kids themselves aren’t sure … so we’re going to be moving people around because we have a lot of new runners and we don’t have a lot of kids back that we know where to put them,” Hommel said. “Attendance looks good, so the kids are committed. We have about 40 kids.

“I think we’re still searching for speed … It’s tough for indoor season getting that speed because your really athletic kids are doing basketball or they need to do off-season training for lacrosse,” she added. “I think we’ve got a couple fast boys. I don’t

know where our speed is with the girls, but as a team I think our strength is going to be again distance. Those distance runners tend to be more committed to all three seasons of running.”

Hommel will rely on junior Macy Woroniecki and several other veteran athletes to lead the group.

“She’s really just coming across as really strong, building more and more confidence every year,” Hommel said. “She’s just really mature, put together, has a good perspective. I think kids look to her as such a committed runner and just a composed, hard worker, so the girls definitely and even a lot of the boys look to her as a leader.”

Woroniecki said she will probably compete in the 3,200-, 1,600- and

800-meter races as well as relay events.

“I’m a junior – we don’t have any senior girls on the team this year – so I’m really just hoping we can kind of come together with what we have,” the two-year indoor track runner said. “I think were coming along really well. I think that for the beginning of indoor season a lot of it is building up endurance, especially for the distance girls, just from coming off other sports where maybe running was not as crucial, and running in the cold getting used to the weather and everything.”

Woroniecki said the goal for the girls’ team, being inexperienced, is to get as many points as possible and “just seeing what we can do and how

LISA CAPITELLI/OCEAN CITY TODAY “[We’re] just trying to get the kids to build some confidence, build some growth, see improvement, which with running they all improve,” said Coach Brenda Hommel. “You just want them to be able to walk out at the end of the season feeling like they grew as an athlete, grew as person, they grew in confidence, all of those things that sports adds to a kid’s life and just kind of rounds them out.”

Brenda Hommel

STEPHEN DECATUR WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW

looks good, so the kids are committed’

we can build from what we have.”

“I think a team goal would be to see how much progress we can make in the season,” she said.

Hommel will look to senior sprinters Riley Calloway and Jaden Holland to help lead the boys’ squad.

“Riley can do anything from 400 meters all the way down to 55. He’s pretty versatile, which is great,” Hommel said. “Jaden is coming off some injuries in the past, so we have to be careful with him. He’s one of our strongest sprinters.”

“The past few years I’ve been the sprint captain and I think I’m doing a pretty good job leading the block work and everything,” Holland, a four-year indoor track participant said, noting he may run in the 55meter and possible the 300-meter events as well as relay races. “I think I have good leadership with everybody … We’re looking pretty good. Our sprint team is a little low on numbers but we’re going to make it work, and long distance we’re looking pretty good.”

Hommel said senior Nick Purnell and junior Adelaide Webber will return to throw the shot put along with senior Bryce Soloman, who competed in the event outdoors last spring.

Sophomore Brandon Fitzgerald has potential in the high jump, Hommel said, and added that junior Tiara McDonald is very athletic and “probably our fastest girl.”

“She’s a strong 400 runner and can be a very strong 800 runner if she builds up some endurance. I want her to try high jump also,” Hommel said. “She’s got athleticism, it’s just learning technique.”

Hommel is looking forward to the season and to see the athletes improve.

“Just trying to get the kids to build some confidence, build some growth, see improvement, which with running they all improve. You just want them to be able to walk out at the end of the season feeling like they grew as an athlete, grew as person, they grew in confidence, all of those things that sports adds to a kid’s life and just kind of rounds them out,” she said. “It’s easy with running because it’s so measured. They can see their growth. I always feel like we have a successful season because the kids always leave feeling good about themselves, which is great.”

The next indoor track meet is the Pat Russo Invitational on Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Worcester County Recreation Center in Snow Hill. Russo, who still assists with meets each season, was a longtime Decatur track and cross country coach.

August leading SD wrestling team

By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor

(Dec. 9, 2022) The Stephen Decatur wrestling program has a reputation of being successful and new head coach Josh August hopes to continue the tradition.

August, who was an assistant coach for six years, took over for Todd Martinek, who announced at the beginning of the 2021-22 season that after 29 years, it would be his last leading the Decatur wrestling team.

“It’s an honor. Not everyone gets the chance to take over a four-time, state championship-level team, especially on the Eastern Shore,” August said in April when it was announced he was the new head coach. “There’s a lot of expectations within the team itself … There’s like a legacy behind Decatur wresting and I’d like to continue to keep that going. It’s a big undertaking, and like I said there’s pressure to continue to be good, but it’s pressure we’re putting on ourselves, and I look forward to it.”

“As an alumni, Josh has more devotion, loyalty and knowledge than anyone around,” Martinek said in April. “While coaching here, he certainly knows what it takes to win and the sacrifices coaches make of their own time and energy. He is the right guy for this job.”

Last winter, the Decatur squad went 14-1 during the regular season (26-1 overall), and captured its third consecutive regional dual and state dual titles.

Decatur also won the Bayside Conference championship title by more than 100 points.

In addition, several wrestlers won individual Bayside and regional titles last winter.

Twelve wrestlers – seven boys and five girls – competed in the MPSSAA 1A/2A state championship meet in March, and six came home with medals.

“We still have a really young team.

We had five freshmen start at one point last year,” August said. “This year we’ll have probably five or six sophomores in the lineup and then we have one really good freshman and another one that’s like on the edge of maybe starting a little bit.”

There are about 60 wrestlers participating this season between JV and varsity. Many wrestle yearround.

“Usually we get a ton of kids and then some quit. That hasn’t really happened yet this year. There’s a lot of new kids. We have a ton of freshmen,” August said. “Varsity’s been good. A lot of team chemistry from last year, and not too many brand new kids and the new kids that have come fit in right away. We’re inexperienced at some weights and we have tons at other weights, so it can all even out.”

August said the transition from assistant to head coach has been smooth.

“Feels similar, it’s just different not having Todd in the room, and the admin stuff, just a little more for me to do that I didn’t do last year with the AD and matches and picking tournaments,” he said. “We kind of all did things as a team last year. Todd didn’t do anything without really talking to us. There was always a lot of discussion, so we try to keep it that no one is really making a decision, even myself, without just asking what the other guys think, the other coaches, and making a smart decision from there.”

Several big contributors graduated, but the varsity team returns seven starters, including captains, senior Logan Intrieri (132/138 pounds) and junior Gavin Solito (160).

“Gavin is just a natural leader.

Even last year he was a leader on the team and led by example,” August said. “I think it just carries over from football. He’s always been like that. That’s just his mentality.”

Solito took second in the 145pound weight class division at states in March. He went 27-4 last season and won a Bayside title and regional championship at 145 pounds.

“Logan was always really quiet and he’s been stepping up and has a voice now. He kind of does things without being told,” August said. “Leadership wise, he’s always been fine, but initiative this year he’s taking a step forward.”

“I love the team. It’s like a bonding experience,” Intrieri, a four-year member of the program, said. “It’s definitely fun for me to take the kids under my wing. I love helping the younger people.

“We’ve definitely been practicing really hard. All the younger kids are definitely developing really well, so that’s good for the future team,” Intrieri said. “We just have to stay focused … I’m excited. I don’t want it to end.”

Junior Reid Caimi, who placed sixth at states in the 126-pound division last year (24-11 record overall) has also taken on more of a leadership role. He will wrestle at 132 pounds this year.

“He’s matured. He’s been more vocal in the [practice] room and been more of a leader than he has been,” August said. “Everyone else is kind of young … and not really super outspoken. All the guys are friends, so they kind of follow each other’s lead anyway. I don’t have a problem with kids not listening to each other.”

Freshman Elijah Collick (106) is a welcomed addition to the team.

“Elijah Collick, he’s pretty experienced and he’s won several junior league state titles and placed in the regional and national level at tourna-

‘Attendance

Josh August

LISA CAPITELLI/OCEAN CITY TODAY

“We have multiple people at every weight just some are not as experienced, but the effort has been there … They might not go undefeated but they’re going to go out there and wrestle hard,” said Coach Josh August.

STEPHEN DECATUR WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW

Team starts season with 3 wins

ments,” August said. “He’s going to have a big impact for us. He’s wrestled with these guys before. He might be inexperienced as far as age, but on the mat he’s very talented and we look for him to make some waves this year.”

The 2022-23 team is already off to a good start, winning its first three competitions this week.

The Seahawks hosted the Wicomico Indians on Monday in Berlin and won, 78-6.

“They performed well. It’s great to start the season with a win,” August said.

On Wednesday in Easton, Decatur again dominated, topping the Warriors, 76-6, and the Colonel Richardson Colonels, 78-6.

“We have multiple people at every weight just some are not as experienced, but the effort has been there … They might not go undefeated but they’re going to go out there and wrestle hard,” August said, adding that the team is strongest in the lower to middle weight classes and less experienced at the heavier weights. “Someone is going to step up and if not, someone else will as the season progresses. These guys want to win.

Even when you win a dual you don’t want to be the guy that loses.”

There are five females competing this season. Senior Jenna Danner (115) is the captain of the girls’ group. The girls will have three of their own tournaments this year.

Decatur’s next meet is against the Kent County Trojans and the Cambridge Vikings on Wednesday at 5 p.m. in Cambridge.

“We have a tough schedule this year. We’re going out of our conference twice and our tournaments are always across the bridge,” August said. “We lost some really good wrestlers. I think some of the guys feel like they have something to prove now that they’re juniors and seniors.”

The goal, August said, is for the team to again win a state title. A couple guys will probably be in the state finals individually, August said.

“Our goal is to be back at North Point in February to wrestles whoever it is that’s there,” he said. “We have tough teams in the region. It’s not like it’s a given. That’s our goal though. We want to be back where we were before. Even though we lost guys, we think we have the ability to get there.”

SD girls’ team experienced and boys’ swim squad young

By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor

(Dec. 9, 2022) The Stephen Decatur swim teams opened the season with a win over Nandua on Tuesday at the Pocomoke YMCA.

The Lady Seahawks won, 107-62.

“They did great. All of the girls but one I’ve coached so they know the deal with meets and know what to do,” said Coach Kristina Watts. “They’re experienced. We have things to work on and improve on, but I have no complaints about the first meet.”

Seniors Kayden Hamby (200-yard freestyle, 2:19.18; 100-yard freestyle, 1:02.41) and Natalie Canham (100-yard butterfly, 1:10.27) and junior Trista Harner (50-yard freestyle, 27.18 seconds) won their individual races.

Canham, Harner and sophomores Vienna Williams and Kaolin Riser came in first place in the 200-yard medley relay (2:06.39).

Hamby, Riser, Harner and senior Katelyn Pizlo won the 200-yard freestyle relay race (1:54.71).

The girls’ team is stacked with veteran swimmers. Of the 22 swimmers on Watts’ roster, only seven are new to the squad.

The girls’ team had a successful 202122 season, finishing second overall in both the Bayside Conference championship and 3A-2A-1A East Region competition.

Eight female swimmers represented Decatur during the state meet and several earned spots on the podium for placing eighth or better. Decatur finished tied for eighth overall out of 26 teams at states.

“The [strength of the] girls’ team is in the numbers. As we saw last season, a lot of the teams didn’t have full rosters so we were able to fill our lanes and get all the points, which helps,” Watts said. “The girls’ team I would say is experienced. Even the new girls have been on club teams and I know all but one of them from coaching from Ocean Pines. They have all the swimming background already coming in.”

Pizlo, Canham and Hamby are the captains of the girls’ team. Leading the boys’ squad will again be senior Gavin Stearn and junior Daniel Karcheuski.

“They are pretty much natural leaders anyway, so it wasn’t a hard choice for the captains,” Watts said. “Especially the boys, we don’t have very many veterans on the team but Gavin and Daniel have been here and they know what’s going on. They’re

STEPHEN DECATUR WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW

swim teams win first meet

confident with their other teammates, and the girls are good leaders. They’re organizing things for me that I don’t have to worry about. I trust all of them very much.”

Pizlo, a member of the team for four years, is enjoying taking on a leadership role and helping the less experienced swimmers with whatever questions they have.

“I do Decatur plus Ocean Pines swim team – I’ve been doing Ocean Pines for eight years – so I have a lot of experience and if the people that haven’t been swimming that long have a question I can be the first to answer it, the first to step up … We have a lot of people willing to learn and it’s really exciting to see,” she said. “It’s really sweet. They come up to me like, ‘I’m getting nervous about this one swim’ and I’ll be like, ‘I can totally help you with that.’ I love it.

“I’m really sad that it’s my last year, but I’m really excited for it because it looks like it’s going to be a really good season,” she added, noting that she hopes to qualify for states this year.

The boys’ squad also won Tuesday’s competition, topping Nandua, 87-51.

Karcheuski (200-yard freestyle, 1:58.41; 100-yard butterfly, 56.36 seconds), Stearn (50-yard freestyle, 23.49 seconds), freshman Jake Harner (200 IM, 2:32.78) and sophomores Chase Ponton (100-yard freestyle, 1:07.74) and Gavin Conway (100-yard backstroke, 1:09.54) came in first place in their events.

Karcheuski, Stearn, Harner and junior Mason Castanares won the 200-yard medley relay race (1:54.89).

Stearn, Conway, Castanares and Karcheuski were victorious in the 200yard freestyle relay race (4:02.60).

“They did awesome. The energy and effort were great and it was a strong start to the season,” said Coach David BernalClark. “Back to work at practice [Wednesday] as we want to get better every day and every meet.”

Bernal-Clark is excited to join the program as a coach this year.

He was also an assistant boys’ varsity soccer coach during the fall season.

“It was a cool opportunity. It’s a good group of kids and anything I can do to get more involved with the school the better,” he said. “It’s awesome. It’s really fun … I’m pretty competitive. My goal is to help them anyway I can.”

An educational assistant at Decatur, he is a 2014 graduate of the high school. He played soccer for Decatur, and swam for the Ocean Pines team when he was younger.

Both Watts and Bernal-Clark are pleased to see the number of boys participating. Only six boys competed last season. This year, there are 14 on the roster.

“It’s more than doubled, so that’s awesome. A lot of them are new swimmers, but our teammates are helping them out,” Watts said. “They’re giving them little lessons, which is awesome. The returning boys are strong. They’ve been on club swim teams before … The boys’ team is young, a lot of freshmen and fresh talent, fresh abilities that we’ll just be working on throughout the season.”

“We’ll have a lot more depth, a lot more room to work with instead of the same swimmers doing the same events relying on the same points,” Karcheuski added. “We’ll have a lot more diversity, a lot more variability.”

Five boys are returning from last season, when the team finished sixth at both the Bayside and regional meets. Four boys competed in the state championship meet last year. The group came in 12th place overall out of 28 schools represented.

Stearn had the best finishes overall, placing third in the 100-yard freestyle and fourth in the 50-yard freestyle at states.

Stearn won the 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard freestyle at regionals. He is Bayside champion in the 200IM and 100-yard freestyle.

Karcheuski came in fifth place in the 200IM and seventh in the 100-yard butterfly at states. He is the 200IM regional champion.

He hopes to do even better this year and is enjoying taking on a leadership role again.

“I’ve been on the club team, in and out of summer teams since I’ve been 10 years old. I’ve always had a passion for swimming and I’ve been trying to expand my role in swimming, getting more involved with my club team, learning how to coach, getting into the administrative side, just kind of overall trying to be more involved so I can be more knowledgable so I can also pass it on to help other people as well,” said Karcheuski, a three-year member of the Decatur squad. “I’m really enjoying helping the newer kids … I just want the team to have fun and learn new things. I’ve seen a lot of new, eager faces and I’m really excited about that and really proud of that.”

The next swim meet is on Tuesday at 3 p.m. against Easton at the Pocomoke YMCA.

“My goal is for the girls to get first at Baysides and as many as possible going to states from regionals … and boys it would be nice if we can bump up some spots in Baysides now that we have more, and hopefully take a good number of them to regionals and states too,” Watts said.

Kristina

Watts

David Bernal-Clark

LISA CAPITELLI/OCEAN CITY TODAY

The girls’ team I would say is experienced,” said Coach Kristina Watts. “The boys’ team is young, a lot of freshmen and fresh talent, fresh abilities that we’ll just be working on throughout the season.”