DECEMBER 20, 2024
If negotiations fail, commissioners say they will use eminent domain to stop US Wind’s purchase. — Page 21
Ocean City man accused of striking pedestrian on purpose.— Page 23
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Dec. 20, 2024) Code changes for short-term rentals will advance to the Ocean City Mayor and Council.
On Tuesday, staff presented members of the Ocean City Planning Commission with several proposed ordinances aimed at short-term rentals located within the R-1 zoning district. The commission’s recommendations, supported by a majority of its members, will now advance to the Mayor and Council for consideration.
Earlier this month, the commission agreed to move forward with proposed short-term rental regulations that establish a 30-day minimum length of stay in the R-1 district, as well as new occupancy limits based on number of bedrooms. The commission also proposed a sunset provision, in which people who rent their homes on a short-term rental license could continue doing so for five more years.
“After a lot of thinking, I really think we really need to protect the R1 family neighborhoods, and I think we need to eliminate all short-term rentals in the R-1,” Commissioner Joel Brous said at the time. “We’re at a crossroads now. We keep going on
this road – of the businesses (and) Airbnb in the R-1 – families won’t know where to live.”
Back on the agenda this week, Planning and Community Development Director George Bendler presented commission members with the ordinances that will be sent to the Mayor and Council. He noted some language had been revised, including the proposed sunset provision, which had decreased from five years to three years.
“We spoke to legal counsel and three years was the recommended period of time,” he explained.
Bendler also noted that rentals in the MH mobile home district had been removed from the new lengthof-stay restrictions, which will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026. He added that the city would no longer allow additional short-term rental licenses upon adoption of the ordinance.
“Anyone that has one now can have it for three years,” he said, “but when this is adopted, no more R-1 short-term rental licenses.”
With no further discussion, the commission voted 5-1, with Chair Joe Wilson opposed, to send the ordinances to the Mayor and Council with a favorable recommendation.
Location! location! Desirable ocean block 1st floor condo rarely available! Assigned parking space conveniently located in front of the unit. The condominium has great rental potential! Beautiful 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom is fully furnished & move-in ready! The Condominium features bright esthetic's so you can savor your beachside retreat. Watch the sunrise from your front porch, which is only steps from the beach. Enjoy the perks of this prime location just off the Route 90 bridge & within walking distance to plenty of restaurants & shops. You can also catch the bus that runs right outside your building to the historic boardwalk & amusements. Please note the Condo conducts their yearly winterizing March through November. One year home warranty! Call with any questions.
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Dec. 20, 2024) The Town of Ocean City will explore a Business Investment District in an effort to help fund its portion of a proposed sports complex.
During Monday’s regular meeting, the Mayor and Council voted to research the implementation of a Business Investment District, or BID, and to hear a presentation from the city’s consultant at a Jan. 14 work session. Officials say the concept could be used to raise revenue for a proposed sports complex to be located at an undetermined site in northern Worcester County.
“Even if we’ve approved it, it doesn’t mean we’re seeking to execute it,” Councilman John Gehrig said. “It just gives us a tool.”
Earlier this month, the Ocean City Sports Complex Task Force made a recommendation to have the Mayor and Council research a BID, in which businesses would be charged a fee, or tax, that is then passed on to the consumer. Revenues generated within that district would then be used to fund the project. However, to establish the district, the city must seek enabling legislation from the Maryland
General Assembly, officials say.
“Rather than raising property taxes and/or some other method of attack, this is a voted-upon initiative that property owners and local businesses would decide whether they’d want to fund a certain project,” Ocean City Tourism and Business Development Director Tom Perlozzo told task force members this month.
Officials noted a BID could also supplement or replace the city’s plan to use room tax dollars to fund the project. While the city was successful in obtaining state legislation to increase the room tax from 5% to 6%, officials note the law requires unanimous approval from the Worcester County Commissioners for it to take effect.
“The next step would be to, at the right time, go before the county commissioners to make that request …,” Mayor Rick Meehan told council members this week. “It’s not forgotten.”
During Monday’s meeting, Meehan noted that the task force remanded the topic to the Mayor and Council for further discussion. City Manager Terry McGean said if the council was interested, the city’s consultant would be invited to a Jan. 14 work session to
NEW CONSTRUCTION • 4 BR, 2.5
Stunning 4BR/4.5BA Home– A Must-See! Welcome to this breathtaking 4-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom brick colonial home, located in a prestigious Ocean Pines neighborhood. With a spacious 4,760 square feet of living space, this exceptional property offers the perfect balance of timeless elegance and modern comforts. Built by the renowned T & G Builders, the home is available for immediate occupancy, and at just $178 per square foot, it presents a rare opportunity in today’s market. The home features a three-car garage, ensuring your vehicles are well-protected from the elements. Additionally, if you're a boating enthusiast, slips may become available at the nearby Pines Point Marina, or you can rent one to keep your boat close by. As you approach the home, the classic brick exterior exudes timeless charm and durability, offering minimal maintenance while maintaining an exceptional curb appeal. MLS MDWO2023024
This 2BR/1BA condo is currently being used as an Airbnb and the rental income is amazing. The condo is being sold furnished and is in move in ready condition. It is close to restaurants, shops, Jolly Roger, the boardwalk and beach. The complex has a large outdoor pool. Come take a look today before it's SOLD! MDWO2020908
Welcome to your dream home, crafted by the prestigious RBR HOMES LLC! This exquisite 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath coastal farmhouse is nestled in the sought-after Triple Crown Section of Ocean Pines, where coastal charm meets modern luxury. As you approach, the inviting front covered porch beckons you inside. Step into a bright, airy atmosphere featuring warm wood tones and luxurious vinyl floors paired with crisp white walls throughout. The heart of the home is a beautifully designed kitchen, boasting abundant storage, stunning quartz countertops, stainless-steel appliances, and tasteful wood accents that blend functionality with style. Entertaining is a breeze with a spacious dining area that seamlessly connects to a two-story vaulted family room, complete with a cozy gas fireplace—perfect for those chilly fall and winter evenings.
MDWO2023592
Welcome to this exquisite end-unit condo in the desirable Baywatch II community, located in the heart of Heron Harbour. Offering spacious living and breathtaking waterfront views, this larger 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home boasts a highly sought-after floor plan that is perfect for both relaxation and entertaining. The condo is being sold fully furnished and has been well maintained. Residents of this community enjoy two outdoor pools, an indoor pool, a kiddie pool, fitness center, social room, sauna, locker room, two Har-Tru tennis courts, and access to peaceful sidewalks and piers for walking and enjoying the beautiful surroundings. MDWO2026948
Recently remodeled 5BR/4.5BA waterfront estate on 2+ acres with boat slip hits the market! If you are looking for an incredible home on a beautiful piece of property with breathtaking views overlooking Assateague Island, look no further. This home boasts 6,482 sq. ft. of luxury and comes with boat slip #3.
Upgrades recently completed: Outside exterior painted, interior painted, complete remodel of all bathrooms throughout the home, new kitchen floor, upgraded lighting, new refrigerators, landscaping, HVAC system are newer as well. You could not build this home for the asking price.
MDWO2020966
This single-family 4BR/4.5BA home with deeded boat slip is in the soughtafter Heron Harbour Isle community. This beautiful home has an open floor plan with a spacious family room with a 2-story stone fireplace. The family room flows into the kitchen which has plenty of cabinet space, a center island, breakfast bar and additional storage.
$2,950,000
Welcome to a truly exceptional residence where luxury meets waterfront tranquility. This stunning 5-bedroom, 6-fullbathroom, and 2-half-bathroom Bayfront home, epitomizes coastal elegance with 145 feet of direct bay frontage and captivating southern exposure. Step through the elegant front door and be immediately entranced by the intricate details and high-end upgrades throughout.
MDWO2014714
EACH $4.2 MILLION TOTAL
This is a prime location in sought-after Fenwick Island! This is an extremely rare opportunity to purchase C-1 commercial land in Fenwick Island DE close to the beach and Atlantic Ocean. A
carries the scent of the Atlantic Ocean as you stand on these 4 commercially zoned C-1 parcels in Fenwick Island.
DESU2059926 DESU2059940
Continued from Page 4
present the concept.
“We haven’t had that presentation yet, so that will be the first time we’d all be hearing it,” Meehan added. “We thought the best place to bring that –since that’s a decision of the Mayor and Council – was directly to the Mayor and Council. So if the council supports that, I think they already have it scheduled for that agenda.”
After further discussion, the council voted unanimously to research a BID and to move forward with a presentation at the Jan. 14 work session.
“This is literally just to hear what it is and to learn about it,” McGean said.
In 2023, following the completion of several studies, the city took the lead on a plan to develop an indooroutdoor sports complex, which will be located somewhere in northern Worcester County. While a 95-acre site next to Stephen Decatur High School has long been a contender for the project, two other sites – including a 150-acre parcel two-and-a-half miles west of Decatur and a 147-acre parcel near the intersection of routes 113 and 589 – are also being considered.
The proposed sites were made public through a Request for Proposal (RFP) process Ocean City’s partner, the Maryland Stadium Authority, began earlier this year. The estimated $150 million project would be funded in an 80-20 split with the state, bringing the city’s share to roughly $30 million.
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Dec. 20, 2024) An audit report of the city’s Primary Residence Incentive Program revealed some errors in how the program has been administered.
In June, the Mayor and Council voted to make a full-time residency incentive program a permanent fixture in Ocean City.
As part of last week’s quarterly audit report, Internal Auditor Karin Scott told the council she had recommended several changes after an audit of the program revealed some issues with how the program was being administered.
“I think there’s some clarification that needs to be had,” she said.
In 2020, the Mayor and Council established a Primary Residence In-
centive Program, a two-year pilot program to encourage full-time homeownership in Ocean City. Simply put, the program lowers the cost of a new primary residence by waiving certain building permit fees up to $7,500 and refunding certain local property taxes up to $2,500.
Earlier this summer, the Mayor and Council agreed to make the incentives a permanent program in Ocean City. Officials at the time noted the program had been successful, as it had resulted in more than 70 applications and 24 new or substantially improved homes, along with property tax rebates once primary residency is confirmed. While implementing the program had cost the city nearly $300,000, it had also resulted in a new or improved residential construction value of more than $8 mil-
lion.
However, as part of her presentation last week, Scott said a recent audit of the program had revealed three main issues – tax rebates were being applied to past taxes, rebates were being given to homeowners without proof of full-time residency, and that the planning and zoning department had exceeded the program’s $50,000 budget.
“Some years we’ve paid out $100,000 versus our budget of $50,000,” she explained.
Scott also recommended the planning and zoning department update its policies and procedures for the incentive program and adjust its tracking system. For his part, City Manager Terry McGean said he was seeking the council’s guidance on how to administer the program.
“We’ll probably need some clarification from the council because I think there was some confusion whether it was, everybody gets it, it doesn’t matter, or whether it was supposed to be first come, first serve,” he said. “So there was some discussion when this program was initially put together as the pilot, that it was $50,000, and it was first come, first serve. But that is not how it’s been operated.”
Council President Matt James said
he believed the program was run on a first come, first served basis, and that the program should be revisited at an upcoming work session of the Mayor and Council. When asked if the planning and zoning department was ensuring all applicants complied, McGean said the department had missed some of the program’s requirements.
“I don’t believe anybody got it that should not have gotten it, ultimately,” he said. “But there was missing data, where the department was certain the person was a primary resident, but it was still not reflected in [the State Department of Assessments and Taxation], and they granted the credit anyways. That’s one of the primary things the audit found.”
McGean concluded that some residents had received tax rebates prematurely, before it was confirmed that they were a full-time resident.
“I believe there was an assumption made in the department that the SDAT was not a requirement,” he said. “The intent of the council was that the SDAT was a requirement.”
Mayor Rick Meehan said he wanted to ensure that all residents who benefited from the program were in compliance.
“We have to really make sure that’s being followed,” he said.
By Brian Shane Staff Writer
(Dec. 20, 2024) Jobs would be preserved and a high patient volume would be spread out between the Lower Shore’s two leading hospital systems as they continue to discuss their pending merger.
Both organizations are currently operating with staffing vacancies and actively hiring, said Toni Keiser, vice president of public relations for Atlantic General Hospital (AGH).
“We expect there to be no immediate planned job changes and as we work through the due diligence process, we will carefully evaluate how best to optimize our overall performance and are optimistic about creating additional employment opportunities
within the region,” she said in an email.
TidalHealth CEO Steve Leonard, who also serves as president of Tidal Health Peninsula Regional, said he plans to welcome all contracted AGH physicians into the fold, especially since TidalHealth is “overwhelmed with volume” of patients.
“We could have a primary care office right down the road from another one – and we need both of them,” Leonard said.
“There’s a lot of anxiety out there” he added. “I know one of those (concerns) is around jobs. There are no shortage of job opportunities when it comes to taking care of Delmarva. So, we look forward to keeping everybody and working together.”
Berlin-based AGH announced Dec. 12 its intent to join forces with Salisbury-based TidalHealth, a merger in the works for months that would represent a 6,000-person workforce over three hospitals and dozens of Lower Shore specialty medical locations.
In an interview last Thursday with OC Today-Dispatch, the chief executive officers of both organization –TidalHealth’s Leonard and AGH’s Don Owrey, respectively – talked about plans to integrate their operations.
Both leaders said their joining forces is a strategic and mutually beneficial move to address healthcare capacity challenges on Delmarva. Both hospitals will aim to grow services, retain staff, and enhance patient experience.
“You know, I think it’s a merger,” said TidalHealth’s Leonard.
“It’s a marriage,” said AGH’s Owrey.
Owrey confirmed that informal talks had occurred between AGH and TidalHealth well before the formal merger process began.
“We were more alike than we think,” he said. “The shared mission, the future that we see (is) for not just the local communities, but more broadly, the region.”
Interested in getting more information more quickly than our weekly OC TodayDispatch delivers? Our five-days-a-week digital newsletter might be just what you need.
We have developed an in-your-morningemail product (with updates for breaking news) and invite you to give it a try.
If you sign up now, you’ll get a free threemonth trial subscription, to what will become available by paid subscription only for a nominal charge. How nominal? $1 a month or $10 a year to cover our production costs.
Broadly, over the past year the AGH Board of Trustees decided to explore a partnership with another hospital system in the face of ongoing challenges like labor shortages, stagnant reimbursement, a state-mandated billing structure, and difficulty in physician recruitment, according to Keiser.
“It became more evident that AGH might benefit from being part of a larger system,” Keiser said in an email. “The board believes the timing is appropriate to align with a likeminded organization who shares our commitment to keeping high quality care close to home.”
Leonard said what comes next is a comprehensive “under the hood” due diligence review involving hundreds of employee contracts, facilities and building issues, and more.
TidalHealth already went through a merger in 2020 (then known as Peninsula Health System) when it merged with Nanticoke Health Services out of Seaford.
Leonard said not only will some patients in Sussex County be routed to Berlin for speedier medical service, but that TidalHealth’s track record in Delaware would serve as a model for how the integration can be managed.
“In many ways, this merger helps us manage one of the fastest growing counties in the country,” he said of
Sussex. “When you think about patients, they can’t all come to Salisbury, right? Some can’t go to Seaford. Atlantic General provides a great vehicle for us to say: all right, where does it make sense to put (patients)?”
The AGH board will be integrated into the TidalHealth system, maintaining a degree of local governance, but TidalHealth will become the sole member of the AGH Corporation Board after the merger.
TidalHealth plans to integrate AGH’s medical staff into its existing network, and patients at AGH will have their medical records imported into an existing records platform at TidalHealth called Epic.
Each hospital system’s respective board of directors will have to approve the definitive merger agreement after the current due diligence period, and that certain state regulatory agencies will have to be notified of the merger plans, according to TidalHealth spokesman Roger Follebout.
“I hope that I’m helping shape what the future of healthcare looks like here in Worcester County,” Owrey said. “I’m excited to be part of building something that we think has enduring value. To me, it’s exciting, and I think our associates and our staff here, once they see what we could do together, I think we’ll share that excitement.”
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Dec. 20, 2024) City officials last week agreed to increase its water and wastewater connection fees, as well as eliminate a cap on fixture charges.
During a Dec. 10 work session, Public Works Director Hal Adkins came before the Mayor and Council with a request to update the fees his department charged for water and wastewater connection. He said the increases are meant to cover installation costs.
“The proposed rates for water and sewer connections, it’s not profit driven,” he explained. “We’re not making a profit, there’s no desire to make a profit. The deposit fees cover actual costs of materials and labor and the associated equipment, for example, digging the hole. That’s it. So it’s time to update the fee structure.”
Adkins noted that water connection fees were last updated in 2004, while wastewater connection fees were last updated in 2006. While the department was able to cover costs for years under that fee structure, he said it all changed during the pandemic.
“Things were well for years, in that the perception is my deposit, as a developer, is probably going to cover most of my costs,” he said. “I’ll get a bill for the residual, or maybe I’ll get a little bit of a refund. That worked well for the last 20-something years. Along comes COVID, along comes price escalation, along comes the complaints.”
Averaging costs over recent years, Adkins said his department had developed a new pricing structure for connecting to the town’s water and wastewater system. He added that his department also recommended up-
dates to other water service charges, including those for turning meters on and off.
“It’s a token fee to cover them responding to a request from the property owner,” he said.
Adkins said he had also added verbiage that allows a developer to complete the water and wastewater connections themselves, so long as the public works department oversees and inspects the installation.
“You or your contractor will be told what materials to use and we will provide on-site inspection at an hourly wage,” he explained.
With no further discussion, the council voted 6-0, with Councilman Will Savage absent, to advance the changes to a formal resolution.
Adkins last week also presented the Mayor and Council with a request to
eliminate the cap on fixture charges. He said changes in the use of residential units had prompted the recommendation.
“My recommendation would be that the cap that was put on it be eliminated …,” he said. “My stance has always been that you chose to build it, you have the opportunity to use all of those, you have the opportunity to impact our water and wastewater system. Therefore you should be paying for it.”
In April of 2010, when new water and wastewater rates were established, a decision was made to cap the number of residential fixtures that would be charged quarterly to 20. The logic for capping the fixture count to 20, officials noted, was based on assumed fixture use and assumed occupancy at any one moment, as well as the resulting burden on the city’s water and wastewater systems.
Since that time, however, officials have reported a change in the use of residential dwellings in Ocean City. With residential properties now being rented out on short-term rental websites, Adkins said more and more people are now using those fixtures.
“For example, I go out and I build a 10,000-square-foot house on the west end of 120th Street, and I decide to have a house with 32 fixtures … At that point in history, when my family might have been myself, my wife and one child, I think the thought was the impact on our system, someone would never, ever use all of those fixtures, and a proposal was made and a cap was put on,” he explained. “We’ve seen a change in the use of many of these properties. Along has come VRBOs, along has come Airbnbs, along have come these houses being rented to three families at one time that all converge on Ocean City to enjoy their vacation time, and we feel it is time to remove the fixture cap, and that’s what we’re going to do.”
City Manager Terry McGean agreed.
“The argument that was made at the time was it’s just me and my family, I built a big house, I have a lot of bathrooms, but all those showers are never going to be used all at one time,” he said. “But the use of the larger houses has changed, and now it is much more likely that all those showers will be used at the same time.”
Adkins noted the change would be retroactive, in that homeowners who had not previously been charged for any of the fixtures over the 20-fixture cap will now be billed. While officials noted the average home had less than 20 fixtures, there were 432 properties in Ocean City that exceeded the cap.
“You’ve got a couple of them out there that have 40, but most of them were below 30,” Adkins said of those properties.
After further discussion, the council voted 5-1, with Councilwoman Carol Proctor opposed and Savage absent, to eliminate the fixture cap and move forward with a resolution.
Council selects $104K bid to repair rotting front deck at historic downtown facility
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Dec. 20, 2024) A deck project at the historic Tarry-A-While Guest House will proceed after city officials this week awarded a $104,500 bid.
As part of Monday’s consent agenda, the Ocean City Council voted unanimously to award a bid for the Tarry-A-While Guest House deck replacement project to Pintail Property Services. While the bid came in under budget, officials report the remaining
funds will be set aside for any potential change orders.
Earlier this year, the city’s procurement and engineering departments solicited bids for deck repairs at the Tarry-A-While building, which had sustained damage from a leak on the building’s second floor. And in November, the council opened the two bids that had been submitted for the project. The Whayland Company submitted a bid of $135,999, while Pintail Property Services submitted a bid of $104,500.
The two proposals were ultimately remanded to staff for further review.
And on Monday, the council voted on a recommendation to move forward
with the lowest bid.
Constructed as a rooming house in 1897, the Tarry-A-While was one of Ocean City’s earlier buildings. In 2004, however, the Town of Ocean City and Ocean City Development Corporation (OCDC) relocated the historic structure from 8 Dorchester St. to 108 Dorchester St. after learning it would be demolished for a redevelopment project. As part of that relocation, a portion of the building’s deck was removed so that the house could be maneuvered down the street. Officials noted the decking that remained is now in need of replacement.
The building is currently home to OCDC’s offices.
council members did not agree with the commission’s finding – that the existing R-3 zoning designation had been a mistake.
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Dec. 20, 2024) Agreeing the character of the surrounding neighborhood had changed, resort planners this week voted to support a rezoning request for the Phillips Plaza Shopping Center.
Last month, the Mayor and Council had before it a favorable recommendation from the Ocean City Planning Commission to rezone the easterly half of the Phillips Plaza Shopping Center from R-3 residential to LC-1 light commercial. However,
Instead, the council took the position that a rezoning could be granted based on a substantial change in the surrounding neighborhood. Officials ultimately voted to remand the issue back to the planning commission, which met Tuesday to discuss the rezoning once more.
“What the planning commission is asked to do is evaluate whether or not you can forward a recommendation to the Mayor and City Council, whether enough information had been presented during the public hearing for you to come to the conclusion that there had been a change in the character of the neighborhood,” City Planner Bill Neville said this week.
On Oct. 8, attorney Hugh Cropper came before the planning commission to seek a rezoning of the easterly half of 2100 Philadelphia Avenue, better known as the Phillips Plaza Shopping Center. He said his client, Mike Ramadan, was looking to double the size of the current shopping center, with additional employee housing and offices above.
In their application to the commission, Cropper, landowner JAMB LLC, and property owner and lessee Phillips Plaza Inc. requested that the eastern half of the property currently serving as a parking lot be rezoned from R-3 to LC-1, the same zoning designation found on the western half of the property adjacent to Philadelphia Avenue.
The applicant ultimately argued the city had made a mistake in its zoning designation. And when the request was revisited later that month, members of the planning commission agreed, voting unanimously to forward a favorable recommendation and the findings of fact to the Mayor and Council for consideration.
Back before the commission this week, Neville asked planning officials to reconsider their reasoning for granting the rezoning request. The commissioners ultimately voted in favor of a motion to support the rezoning request on the basis that there was a substantial change in the character of the neighborhood.
“In allowing this change, and bringing in more retail the developer wants to propose, brings services back to the neighborhood,” Commissioner Janet Hough said. “That’s my feeling.”
The rezoning request will now go back before the Mayor and Council.
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Dec. 20, 2024) Resort planners this week extended a site plan for a proposed oceanfront hotel, formerly known as the Margaritaville project.
On Tuesday, Hugh Cropper, the attorney representing the developer of a 230-room oceanfront hotel between 13th and 14th streets, came before the Ocean City Planning Commission to seek an extension of the project’s site plan, set to expire in March of 2025. He noted the extension would give his client time as a legal challenge proceeds in the Appellate Court of Maryland.
“As you know, an appeal was filed of the site plan to the circuit court,” Cropper told commission members this week. “That appeal is now in the appellate court. That’s an administrative action that’s prevented us from moving forward with the hotel.”
In September of 2023, the Ocean City Planning Commission voted to approve the site plan for a proposed Boardwalk hotel between 13th and 14th streets. The project includes the same number of rooms as previously
proposed for a Margaritaville development in 2021, but with less square footage and fewer amenities.
During a council meeting two weeks later, however, Harrison Hotel’s G. Hale Harrison and his attorney, G. Macy Nelson, shared their concerns about the development’s parking nonconformity and accessory uses. And later that month, Harrison Hall Hotel and nearby property owners filed an administrative appeal in circuit court.
The court case continued through June of this year, when Circuit Court Judge Leah Seaton granted motions to dismiss the case, opining that the surrounding property owners should have first appealed the decision to the city’s board of zoning appeals. Days later, the case was appealed to the Appellate Court of Maryland.
Back before the planning commission this week, Cropper told officials his client was not seeking to change the site plan that was approved last year. However, he requested that the commission extend the site plan 18 months.
“I will tell you, if you’ve been up there, they’ve been in the process of demolishing the hotel as we speak,” he said of the project. “So they are pursuing, but they are being held up by an appeal, which is an administrative action. So we ask for 18 months.”
When asked if 18 months gave the developer enough time, Cropper said it would. However, he then requested that the commission extend the site plan by 24 months.
“I’ll ask for two years,” he said. “Lawyers are slow.”
With no further discussion, the commission voted unanimously to extend the MHROC’s site plan by 24 months.
Council shows support for revised regs, unanimously approves on first reading
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Dec. 20, 2024) A code change that allows residential projects to take advantage of tandem parking will advance to a second reading following council approval this week.
On Tuesday, the Mayor and Council voted unanimously on first reading to approve a zoning amendment that allows residential properties to meet off-street parking requirements through tandem parking, or stacked parking in which one car is parked behind another, without the need to seek a variance from the city’s board of zoning appeals. Officials say the tandem spaces cannot be shared with other properties and no more than one space could be stacked behind the other.
“This is to permit tandem parking for all residential use, not including hotel and hotel uses,” City Solicitor Heather Stansbury told the council.
The topic of tandem parking was first discussed earlier this year, when a townhouse project utilizing tandem
parking was brought before the city for approval. And in October, following a public hearing, the Ocean City Planning Commission agreed to advance a code amendment to the Mayor and Council with a favorable recommendation.
While tandem parking requires approval from the city’s board of zoning appeals, the code amendment would make it a permitted use in residential areas. However, tandem parking will not be allowed at hotels and motels, a point that Councilman John Gehrig questioned this week.
“Are hotels and motels a residential use?” he asked.
Planning and Community Development Director noted that hotels and motels were permitted in the R3 residential district. However, he said the language was included to clarify that tandem parking would not be allowed for commercial uses.
“We want to make that very specific, that is you cannot use it for hotel and motel …,” he replied. “Yes, it’s not technically residential, but you can put a hotel or motel in some residential districts, not in R-1 of course, but in R-3.”
Councilwoman Carol Proctor also
ORDINANCE
By Brian Shane Staff Writer
(Dec. 20, 2024) Worcester County’s elected officials may rely on eminent domain as a last resort to acquire two West Ocean City commercial seafood wholesalers, for the express purpose of preventing a wind farm developer from getting its hands on the properties.
“If US Wind gets the property, commercial fishing goes away. If we own it, we're not going to sell it to anybody,” said Weston Young, Worcester County’s Chief Administrative Officer.
If the owners of Martin Fish Company and Southern Connection Seafood agreed to sell their West Ocean City fish houses, then county officials would develop a long-term lease to allow the proprietors to continue operating their businesses – selling ice, storing a catch, packing and shipping fish – in the commercial fishing harbor.
However, according to Young, the property owners already have multimillion-dollar offers in hand from the wind farm developer US Wind, and easily could cash out instead of selling to the county.
He told the county’s Board of Commissioners at their meeting Tuesday that nondisclosure agreements have been signed by the property owners with US Wind, and the families have been offered multiples of the land’s appraised value. He also said the county has met with owner of both properties.
After the commissioners approved a resolution Tuesday to engage in the sale process, Young said the county is now reaching out to the owners, starting title and appraisal work, and then launching negotiations on a sales price. He declined to say how much the county might be willing to spend, or where the money would come from, because it’s still too early to say.
“You offer significant times more than what the property is appraised for, you know, I'd close up shop, too,” he said. “But, if you take what the actual impact would be if commercial fishing ends in our harbor, it's going to be worth most prices for the county to get involved.”
A stalemate in negotiations could end up resulting in eminent domain, according to Young.
“If we're willing to pay something that they're not willing to accept, that's where normally it goes to court, and they fight for what they feel is fair,” Young said. “And then we fight for what we think is market value. The ideal scenario is, we come to terms that both the county commissioners and the property owners agree.
OC Today-Dispatch was unable to confirm any pending real estate deals at press time. Patrick Reese, the owner of Southern Connection Seafood, could not be reached for comment by telephone. A manager on duty at Martin Fish House declined to provide com-
ment on anything related to windmills.
A spokeswoman for US Wind said Worcester County’s efforts would block much-needed upgrades to the harbor and the economic benefits that would flow from building a new facility. She said the developer is working with stakeholders to fund programs that would mitigate impacts, and would replace existing offloading and ice services without disruption.
“US Wind’s commitment to building energy projects that help meet the region’s surging demand is unchanged. We are prepared to explore every legal option at our disposal should the County continue these misguided efforts,” said Nancy Sopko, vice president of external affairs.
US Wind plans to install 114 wind
turbines off the Ocean City shoreline to generate electricity for the mid-Atlantic. The turbines, located in a federal lease area 10.7 miles offshore, will need a maintenance and operations facility on land – a facility that
would be built upon the site of the potentially acquired and demolished fish houses at the end of the harbor.
Maryland’s Board of Public Works voted last month to grant a tidal wet-
See COUNTY Page 22
lands license that will allow US Wind to build a 353-foot concrete pier to support that operations facility.
Eminent domain, the government’s power to take private property for public use, is a process that starts with the government clearly stating its need to acquire the property. Young said the county made its case for need in the form of a resolution, passed Tuesday, that outlines 20 different reasons why the county government should step in.
“Without the Ocean City Inlet providing access to the Atlantic Ocean, which likely requires federal support, the West Ocean City Harbor, the commercial fishing industry, and the sport fishing industry would cease to exist in any meaningful way,” the resolution said in part.
Another reason the county wants to save the fish houses is based on economic impact. About 2,500 jobs in Worcester County, or a third, are considered maritime-related, with $127.5 million in county revenue tied to the watershed. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says fisherman bring millions of dollars in product annually into the West Ocean City harbor.
Moreover, there are no other parcels with the right infrastructure around West Ocean City that could be developed
into a viable commercial fishing harbor, and the private sector isn’t going to handle this anytime soon, the county argues.
There remains a possibility that the incoming administration of Presidentelect Donald Trump may quash offshore wind with an executive order.
"We are going to make sure that that ends on Day 1,” Trump said at a May rally, according to published reports.
"They destroy everything, they’re horrible, the most expensive energy there is.”
But Trump is term-limited to four years, and it’s not crazy to think there could be another wind project around the corner that might see support from Trump’s successor, Young worries.
“You hear about whether it's Alaska or whatever, this place was conserved, so no drilling. And then all of a sudden, it's open for drilling,” he said. “If we leave things up to the property owners, if it's not US Wind, it could be Ørsted. It could be Vineyard Wind. Or, pick some other wind entity that comes in and offers a ridiculous amount of money to those owners, and we'd be right back to where we are.”
For now, Maryland’s offshore wind project is being challenged in federal court, a suit filed by the Town of Ocean City against the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. More than 20 coplaintiffs so far include local businesses, municipalities, and civic groups; the
town is footing the lawsuit bill.
One of those co-plaintiffs is the Waterman’s Association of Worcester County, led by Jeanene Gwin and her husband Sonny. Their family owns the fishing boat Skilligalee and has a seafood business.
“Without the fish house, you don’t have the ice, you don’t have the infrastructure, you don’t have the connections,” she said. “What do you do when you’re sitting at the dock with 3,000 pounds of fish?”
Earlier this year, the Gwins created an advocacy group called the Waterman’s Association of Worcester County to fight for their cause and battle offshore wind. It now has about 75 members, made up of community members and multi-generational fishing families.
She said they are in staunch support of the county’s eminent domain move.
“To keep it as fish house would be fantastic,” she said. “To keep offshore wind out is even better. That’s my comment. If US Wind gets those leases and builds those windmills, we are finished, because 100 percent of my husband’s gear is within the windmill area.”
Gwin also mentioned a booming scientific industry based on horseshoe crab blood that’s happening under everyone’s nose at the commercial harbor.
“You’ve got three boats fishing for horseshoe crabs that are offloading at
Martin’s,” she said. “They bleed them and take the blood to do all the medical research. That’s huge.”
She doesn’t oppose wind power, but when it comes to turbine construction in local waters, “nobody has any idea how this is going to work,” Gwin said.
“There’s no large-scale offshore wind farms in the United States. The ones in the UK, they’ve started decommissioning them already. There are five in Block Island that have never all worked at the same time. It’s just a fiasco. They have no idea what’s going to happen when they put those turbines in,” she said.
Another waterman involved with the association is fisherman Ted Smith, who helms the Pelican and fishes for conch, tuna, and spot croakers. He was pushing off from the commercial harbor Tuesday afternoon.
“I make a fair bit of money every year in the area where they want to put these windmills where I won't be able to operate,” he said. “So, it very much affects my annual income. They're trying to put us out of business with one of the oldest industries in the world.
“I compare it to Star Wars,” Smith added, “with the Death Star coming in and you hear dun, dun, DUH-dun. But, in the end, the resistance wins. So, we just got to keep our heads down and be resistant towards it and give them as much (grief) as we can.”
Continued from Page 20
asked about the dimensions of a tandem parking space, which is required to be at least 9 feet wide. She questioned why the width did not coincide with the larger dimensions for garage parking.
“What I don’t want to have is a product where somebody does have an enclosed space and it’s only 9 feet wide,” she said.
Bendler, however, noted that the property owner must first meet the standard for garage parking, should they choose to enclose the space.
“This will not reduce the width of a garage,” he replied.
With no further discussion, the council voted 7-0 to approve the change on first reading. The council this week also approved the first readings of three other ordinances –one that permits administrative staff to review projects less than 500 square feet, one that adds short-term rental housing units under licensed occupations, and one that would allow accessory housing projects subject to a conditional use process to establish required parking on the same lot or a lot no more than 1,200 feet from the building being served.
Motorist allegedly ran over Ocean City resident before returning to his apartment
By Steve Green Executive Editor
(Dec. 20, 2024) For the first time in 22 years, an Ocean City death investigation has led to a first-degree murder charge.
The Ocean City Police Department’s investigation of a fatal pedestrian collision shortly before 5 p.m. Monday has resulted in the arrest of James John Johnson, 57, of Ocean City, on first-degree murder, second-degree murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault and possession of a controlled dangerous substance (cocaine).
According to the statement of probable cause, a public document reviewed by this newspaper, Johnson intentionally ran over the 59-year-0ld man in the 92th Street parking lot after he “gestured” at Johnson. According to the court document, a witness told police she saw the pedestrian extend his middle finger to Johnson after he was nearly struck by the southbound motorist on Coastal Highway.
Police said officers were called to the strip mall parking lot between 92nd and 94th streets for a report of a serious motor vehicle collision involving a
pedestrian. Lifesaving efforts were initiated by Ocean City Emergency Medical Services (EMS) before the victim, James Callahan, according to court records, was taken to Atlantic General Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries, police said.
A police review of the video surveillance found Callahan was walking east to west across Coastal Highway at 94th Street, when a dark-colored SUV turned south onto Coastal Highway from 94th Street, near where the victim was walking. The victim then walked west into the shopping center’s parking lot after gesturing at the passing vehicle.
Surveillance video allowed police to
observe the “the SUV appeared to accelerate and travel north toward Callahan (who was the only individual standing in the parking lot at the time of his incident.) I observed this black in color SUV swerved directly into Callahan as Callahan attempted to run away from the vehicle. … the SUV struck Callahan with the center of the SUV’s front bumper causing Callahan to fly into the air and fall onto the parking lot several feet away.” The police report states SUV then drove over a parking bumper onto the sidewalk and onto 94th Street before heading south on Coastal Highway.
After obtaining surveillance footage and several witness statements, officers began to canvass the area for the suspect’s vehicle. Police found the SUV at a residence near 77th Street and detec-
tives assigned to the Major Crimes Division identified Johnson as the vehicle owner and that he was operating the vehicle during the incident. Partnering on the investigation were the Ocean City Police Department’s Patrol Division, Major Crimes Division, the Traffic Safety Unit, Special Enforcement Unit, Quick Response Team, Forensic Services Unit, and the Worcester County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Police observe the suspect’s vehicle, a Chevrolet Equinox, near the residence with visible damage. Police interviewed Johnson and executed a search and seizure warrant on his residence. A receipt from the nearby Blue Fish restaurant was found on Johnson’s kitchen counter dated Dec. 16 at 4:39 p.m. Police were able to determine Johnson was picking up his carryout dinner and returning to his residence when the fatal incident took place.
A search of Johnson found two dollar bills with cocaine residue in his rights pants pocket.
Johnson was seen by a Maryland District Court Commissioner this week and has been held without bond. A court case search found no other arrests or traffic offenses for Johnson in Maryland. Johnson previously lived in Delaware before moving to Ocean City a year ago.
“The teamwork displayed in this investigation, from the timely response to the swift apprehension of a suspect, exemplifies the commitment and expertise of our officers,” Interim Chief Michael Colbert said. “This case highlights the importance of our shared mission to protect and serve the community.”
The Ocean City Police Department is asking any individuals with information regarding this incident to come forward, as additional information could be crucial in this case. Contact DFC Amy Gutowski at agutowski@oceancitymd.gov. Anonymous tips can be left on our Tip Line at 410-520-5136 or by emailing us at crimetips@oceancitymd.gov. Citizens can also contact the police department directly at 410-723-6610, and reference case number 2024-00-5078.
It’s been many years since Ocean City police have investigated a first-degree murder case. There have been a handful of attempted murder cases probed with suitable charges filed, including last month when a Ridgeley, Md. man was sentenced to 20 years for a downtown stabbing in 2022. Additionally, two local men were charged with manslaughter after a Pennsylvania man was killed in a fight outside a downtown sub shop. The men would later plea to affray and serve short jail
sentences.
Back in February of 2005, Eduardo Masoller, then 52, of Springfield, Va., was reported missing by his family, just three days after he and his crew arrived in Ocean City for a contracting job. Ocean City Police, accompanied by family members, went to Masoller’s condominium on 68th Street and found a large knife on the floor as well as a large amount of blood evidence throughout the unit, the most significant of which was a large pool in one of the unit’s bedrooms. Nearly 20 years later, the case is cold but open, and OCPD detectives still chase leads and other tidbits of information, but the victim’s remains have never been found and the two main suspects identified early in the investigation have likely fled the country.
The most famous crime in Ocean City history occurred over Memorial Day weekend in 2002. The double murder of Virginia tourists Joshua Ford and Martha Crutchley by Benjamin and Erika Sifrit of Pennsylvania took place in an Ocean City penthouse with body parts belonging to Ford and Crutchley disposed in Maryland and Delaware.
The Sifrits and Ford and Crutchley met a bar and later went to the Sifrits condominium. They would never be seen again. Ford was shot first through
the bathroom door and shot several more times after Benjamin Sifrit presumably kicked down the door. It remains uncertain if Crutchley was also shot to death. One of Crutchley’s legs was discovered later in the Delaware landfill.
In Frederick County, Erika Sifrit was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of Ford and second-degree in Crutchley’s death and sentenced to life in prison plus 20 years. After a court trial in Montgomery, Benjamin Sifrit was found guilty of second-degree murder for Crutchley’s death and was sentenced to 38 years. In 2022, Benjamin Sifrit was denied parole with his mandatory release date set for 2030.
(Dec. 20, 2024) In a successful collaboration with the Maryland State Apprehension Team (MSAT), the Ocean City Police Department arrested Elijah Kellam due to his connection with two fatal drug overdoses earlier this year.
On Tuesday, Dec. 10, Kellam was apprehended on an arrest warrant stemming from his alleged involvement in two fatal overdoses that occurred in January.
The investigation began on the evening of Jan. 18, 2024, when Ocean City officers responded to a welfare check at a hotel near 22nd Street. Upon arrival, officers discovered two deceased individuals. A comprehensive investigation determined that both deaths were caused by drug overdoses. Detectives gathered substantial evidence linking Kellam to the distribution of the drugs involved.
On Nov. 19, 2024, a Worcester County Grand Jury indicted Kellam on two counts of involuntary manslaughter and two counts of distribution of a controlled dangerous substance (fentanyl). During Kellam’s arrest, officers discovered controlled dangerous substances (CDS) on his person. In addition to the original arrest warrant, Kellam had an outstanding bench warrant from Wicomico County.
In addition to the charges listed in the arrest warrant, Kellam has been also charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) – not marijuana and possession of contraband in a place of confinement.
Following his arrest, Kellam was seen by a Maryland District Court Commissioner and held without bond. He has since been transferred to the custody of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office.
The Ocean City Berlin Optimist Club donated $2,500 to the Seaside Christian Academy playground addition for their Pre-Kindergarteners. Pictured, from left, are Optimists Oratorical and Visual Arts Contest Chairperson Sharon Sorrentino, Seaside Christian Academy Parent Teacher Fellowship President Kara Waggoner and her daughter Kaila. Seaside made the ornaments that decorated the Ocean Pines Christmas
(Dec. 20, 2024) The Ocean City Film Festival, a production of the Art League of Ocean City, has announced the Ocean City Historical Films Challenge, which will help mark the Town of Ocean City’s 150th anniversary.
The 2025 Ocean City Historical Films Challenge is a contest for filmmakers to create a short film about Ocean City history. Winning entries will receive prizes of OC swag, bragging rights, and the opportunity for their work to be featured in the Ocean City Film Festival showing March 6-9, 2025. First, second, and third-place winners will have their films archived at the Ocean City Life Saving Station Museum. Registration for the contest is due by Jan. 1, 2025 with films delivered by Feb. 1, 2025.
“Ocean City’s Tourism Team has been hard at work planning 150 days of celebrations during 2025 that honor our town’s rich 150-year heritage,” Fiona O’Brian, a member of the tourism team, said. “We are honoring Ocean City’s evolution from a small fishing village into a premier seaside destination by seeking stories that highlight the town’s unique history. The Historical Film Challenge encourages storytelling that captures the essence of Ocean City’s legacy, showcasing its unique landscape and community while encouraging creativity and local engagement.”
Films must be about Ocean City history, shot in a documentary format, and not exceed a run-time of 15 minutes. Films can be produced in Ocean City in a way that is visible within the film or shot outside of Ocean City, but the resort has to be central to the premise of the film. Filmmakers must secure documentation of clearance for any copyright protected materials in their submission.
Acceptable deliverables include MP4 or MOV files of the film, including a highresolution poster image, still images from the film, and a text document including the title, run-time, synopsis, and credits.
Resources for filmmakers include the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum archives, which will waive their archival fees for participating filmmakers. Online archives and YouTube videos are free for participants to use. Filmmakers may contact Cara Downey at CDowney@oceancitymd.gov for use of any particular images or videos.
In addition, the Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture at Salisbury University is available for source material. More information is available at OCMDFilmFestival.com.
All participating filmmakers will receive an admission pass to the screening of the Ocean City Historical Film Challenge block at the 2025 festival.
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Dec. 12, 2024) The town council this week adopted the county’s design guidelines and standards, a measure officials hope will steer commercial projects until a planning director can be hired to draft a Berlin-specific document.
At the recommendation of the planning commission as well as the historic district commission, the Berlin Town Council on Monday voted unanimously to adopt Worcester County’s design guidelines and standards for commercial properties with minimal revisions. The plan before the town had some specific tweaks for Berlin but is largely the county’s guidance.
Town Administrator Mary Bohlen and Planning Commission Chair Matt Stoehr told officials this week the document would serve as a “stop-gap” measure until the municipality could produce
its own guidelines and standards.
“The intent here is to take the Worcester County design guidelines and standards and adopt them as the town’s for the time being until at such time as the town will produce its own document,” Bohlen said. “As you can see from looking through the Worcester County document, it’s quite extensive.”
At its Nov. 13 meeting, the Berlin’s planning commission made a recommendation to the council to adopt the county’s design guidelines and standards, giving commercial developers some guidance when submitting plans for new projects. Until now, the municipality has lacked design standards, which created some conflict earlier this year when representatives for the proposed Microtel Inn and Suites as well as the Wawa convenience store went back and forth with commission members on the
Ocean Pines community. Home blends comfort & potential. Front porch, cozy screened porch & spacious deck. Home needs some TLC yet presents opportunity to customize & create your dream space. Enjoy access to parks, pools, & recreational facilities. Don’t miss out on this gem in a
respective design of the projects. While the commission criticized the concepts over their lack of historic charm, the developers argued they could not design a project without some sort of roadmap.
“We are told to return with something different, but there’s no guidance or details to go by,” Mark Cropper, the hotel developer’s attorney, told the commission this summer. “We are trying to get there, but this is a hard arena to work in when there’s nothing to work through.”
To that end, commission members last month voted to support the adoption of the county’s commercial design guidelines and standards with some minor wording changes. However, officials acknowledged the use of those standards would be temporary, as the town’s planning director, once hired, would be tasked with drafting a document specifically for the town’s use. The municipality has been without a planning director since April, when the former director, Dave Engelhart, passed away.
“When that planning director comes on board, I bet it is six months to a year before they can even look at these guidelines,” Stoehr, planning commission chair, said at the November meeting. “They are going to be inundated. We need to temper our expectations. This stopgap is going to last a lot longer than anticipated, and understandably so. There is going to be a lot of catch up.”
With support from the planning com-
mission, as well as the town’s historic district commission, council members on Monday had before them a recommendation to adopt the county’s guidelines and standards. Stoehr told officials the document was critical for the development of commercial projects.
“The importance of this has grown vastly over the last eight months,” the commission chair said. “Our meetings have seen more lawyers involved than in the last four years … This is a stop gap until you can produce our own set of documents.”
Councilman Jack Orris, however, questioned if the document had “enough teeth.” While acknowledging its shortcomings, officials noted the document gave the town something to provide developers.
“This gives us so much more than what we have,” he said.
After further discussion, the council voted 5-0 to adopt the county’s design guidelines and standards. The resolution also authorizes the planning commission and historic district commission to grant waivers, so long as the design achieves the overall objectives of the document.
“It keeps things more objective, so they aren’t dealing with someone’s preference or opinion,” Council Vice President Dean Burrell said of the adopted guidelines and standards.
The 27th Annual Christmas Day Dinner, a feeding ministry of St. Paul’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, will take place Wednesday, Dec. 25 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. As always, all are welcome.
The dinner unites a diverse community – from those who are in need of a meal to our homeless brothers and sisters to those who find themselves alone on Christmas Day.
As always, monetary donations are welcome and appreciated as they help the church continue feeding those in need on both special occasions and four days a week throughout the year. Please make your check payable to St. Paul’s by-the-Sea and mail it to 302 N. Baltimore Avenue Ocean City, Md. 21842. Please be sure to note Outreach Ministries in the memo section.
The Ocean City Museum Society invites the public to enjoy four free Little Learners Programs this off-season.
Children will learn about local history and wildlife through storytime, live animal encounters, special guests, and hands-on activities. Little Learners is designed for children 5 years of age and under, but all are welcome.
This program is free and will be held at the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum and the new Museum of Ocean City. Free parking will be available. Participants are asked to register for each program through the museum website or the Facebook events so they can have an accurate headcount ahead of time.
Jan. 6, 10-11 a.m.: Learn more about the fish that live in the museum’s aquariums and create a fish print to take home. Location: Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum. Feb. 3, 10-11 a.m.: Members of the local Coast Guard will lead guests in interactive activities to test their lifesaving skills. Location: Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum.
March 3, 10-11 a.m.: John “Laughing Wolf” Moore will teach our guests about his Native American heritage through the music of his drum and dance. Location: Museum of Ocean City.
April 7, 10-11 a.m.: The Ocean City Fire Department will be visiting with not only engines, but an extra special guest, Max the therapy dog. Location: Museum of Ocean City.
Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum is located on the south end of the Boardwalk at the Inlet. The Museum of Ocean City is located at 217 S Baltimore Ave.
More information can be found on the museum’s website, ocmuseum.org.
by Steve Green
reshman year has seen many firsts for our Carson. Change is a big deal for all of us but especially for those on the Autism spectrum. For special needs individuals, change can often be a trigger leading to unfortunate behaviors and reactions.
We are really proud how Carson has navigated through this season of firsts. This week came his first venture into Unified Strength and Conditioning with the first scrimmage meet in Salisbury. It’s incredible for me to watch him participate. I honestly have no expectations as far as how he competes and don’t really care. I just like that it’s important to him to participate.
Though nonverbal, Carson shows his emotions and expresses his wants and needs. As his parents, we have a solid read on him, and I can see from his body language he likes being a part of the Unified teams, such as the tennis squad he was a part of in the fall. This desire to be included is directly linked to the culture of the Unified program and those who make it happen.
For those unfamiliar, Unified Sports is organized through the Special Olympics. The website states, “Unified Sports joins people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team. It was inspired by a simple principle: training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding. … Having sport in common is just one more way that preconceptions and false ideas are swept away.”
Decatur has a strong Unified program, thanks largely to the coaches who organize and promote it so well. Though we are new to the program this year, one observation at each event has been consistent. Decatur has by far – often three to four times the amount of other schools – the largest number of participants. This is not by accident.
Though I count 12 to 15 special needs athletes on average, there seem to be about 40 to 50 typical students vol-
unteering.
As was the case with tennis in the fall, the special needs students match up with the typical kids to compete, but it’s really the overall experience that’s most special. I really enjoy watching the interactions between the neurotypical students and the special needs participants. Some typical students are introverted by nature, while others are naturally outgoing and enthusiastic. No matter their personalities, the buddy helpers do their best to connect with the Unified players, even if it’s simply cheering them on to perform.
At Monday’s six-team meet, Decatur once again had a huge turnout. Carson seems to be well known to most fellow students. There’s an irony there because Carson never wants to stand out, but he does to a degree because of his differences, most notably being the fact he’s nonverbal.
However, on several fronts, Carson doesn’t help himself too much as far as blending in. Though his goal is to not be the center of attention, he also refuses to not wear his hooded sweatshirt during the inside meet. Therefore, his team shirt went over the hoodie with hood up, of course. I know he enjoys being included and being on the team, but he also stands five steps behind the group while stretching out as a team. I have to giggle a bit at times at his social awkwardness.
What’s special for me is the little things. The little moments bring me joy. It’s seeing him standing in a group watching the team compete when a friend comes up and puts his elbow on Carson’s shoulder. It appears from a distance he does not want to be rude, but Carson clearly does not like the personal contact. He slowly moves his feet away from the guy so the arm cannot rest on him anymore. The guy then laughs and Carson does as well.
It's the little giggle that followed last week when he refused to greet a friend who walked by and put out a fist. The friend understands this is Carson’s play-
ful side, as he put his head up to the ceiling imitating Stevie Wonder as if he doesn’t see the fist waiting for a pound.
It’s the sly smile when a coach comes over and congratulates him after his turn at “race walking,” one of his events this week. It’s the familiar shy smile with head and eyes firmly planted toward the ground he gives when he’s celebrated in any fashion at all.
It’s the look he shoots my way of “your turn” after he completes his fiveminute stationary bike ride event. It’s the firm grasp he puts on two fingers on one hand while listening to instructions. It’s the show of relief on his face when he knew he was done his two events at the meet.
At practice on Tuesday, the team was going through some relay shuttles involving burpees and sit-ups. I notice Carson’s little jump at the end of the exercise, as his teammates complete their turns. It was exciting to him. It was the big hug he gave me when he saw me, intending to get me wet from his drenched hooded sweatshirt he wore throughout practice.
These are all understated occurrences, missed probably by most people, that mean the most to me. These are memories. It’s these moments I cherish.
Once we got into the truck after the meet Monday, Carson shed his T-shirts and sweatshirt. I figured he wanted to cool down, but not really the case. He wanted to take off the T-shirts – one under his sweatshirt and the other his team uniform over it – but then put the sweatshirt back on. I don’t really understand but I roll with it.
These experiences are as unique and different as they are special and memorable. It all looks different but it’s special, nonetheless.
(The writer is the executive editor of OC Today-Dispatch. He and his wife, Pamela, are proud parents of two boys. This weekly column examines their transition into parenthood and all that goes along with it. E-mail any thoughts to editor@mdcoastdispatch.com.)
(Dec. 20, 20240 The Art League of Ocean City announces its Board of Directors for 2025 with a new president and three new members joining the volunteer board. The board was sworn in at the Art League’s annual Holiday Luncheon & Meeting on Dec. 12 at Saltwater 75.
“We welcome our new president and board members and look forward to the new ideas they will bring to the table,” Art League Executive Director Rina Thaler said. “We also thank our long-serving board members who have devoted so much of their time and talents to our cause. We send a special thank you to outgoing president John Sisson, who led with honor and distinction for the past six years.”
Crystal Collins is the new president. Born on the Shore, she was raised in upstate New York near Woodstock, spending summers in Ocean City. After her children were born, Collins moved back to the area and is a Media Advertising Executive at WBOC Draper Holdings. She resides in Ocean Pines and is also a working artist, painting in acrylics on canvas.
“I like to say I’m an ideas person,” Collins said. “The late Tom Draper always said, ‘We have a moral obligation to serve Delmarva.’ I have completely taken that piece of advice to heart and try my best to help come up with ideas and be supportive of the people and businesses I work with. Art matters because it is the expression of someone’s feelings, their time, and creativity. The Art League is such a powerful vehicle for personal empowerment, and my goal is to empower everyone we connect with towards their own self-fulfillment.”
Sisson continues on the board as past president. Courtney Blackford becomes 1st vice president; David Keil, 2nd vice president; Jan Perdue, corresponding secretary, Ryan Wilde, recording secretary, and Amy Rothermel, treasurer.
Returning to the board are Al “Hondo” Handy, Virginia “Ginny” Outten, Marian Bickerstaff, Barbara Patrick, Ian Postley, Heather Ross, and Patricia Selig.
New board members are Eric Stewart, Susan Deller, and Jocelyn Briddell.
Stewart joins the board after serving on
the Art League’s Publicity Committee. Stewart is Deputy Chief of Staff to the President of Salisbury University, serving as the senior communications official for the President and the Cabinet. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Maryland College Park. “I am drawn to the Art League because I value creativity as a vital aspect of community, connection, and growth,” Stewart said.
Deller is a pottery studio owner from Selbyville who retired to creating and teaching art after a career in sales and marketing. She volunteers extensively including teaching art classes at Brandywine Living in Fenwick. “I would love to
Briddell has more than 40 years of academic and fundraising experience as Development Officer at Salisbury University, Assistant Director of the Richard A. Henson Honors Program at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and Dean of Students at Rutgers University, Douglas College. “I have long admired the impactful work that the Art League has done, and I aspire to contribute to this vibrant community,” she said. Outgoing
help support and promote art appreciation in our community, and I would hope that my career experiences could help within a board position for the Art League in numerous ways,” she said.
By Steve Green Executive Editor
(Dec. 20, 2024) Wor-Wic Community College in Salisbury is the only community college recipient of a competitive U.S. Department of Education grant that will provide $5.7 million over five years as part of the Disability Innovation Fund program. It is the largest grant Wor-Wic has received.
The college will develop staffing and pathways for youth with disabilities from high school to higher education. The funding will provide additional college positions focused on high school outreach, academic and technology support for students and faculty, professional development for college and high school employees and ways in which Wor-Wic can mitigate the risk of students entering or already exposed to the juvenile justice system on the Lower Eastern Shore.
“When we were applying for the grant, the numbers of students with disabilities made it very clear where our attention should focus,” said Dr. Brian Bergen-Aurand, Wor-Wic’s director of learning services.
The overarching goal, he said, is to create a regional, holistic program to reduce justice system involvement for youth with disabilities while providing clear, supported pathways to higher education and training that lead to careers.
“Wor-Wic will be a hub, connecting high school students, our community partners, law enforcement and corrections, workforce development and local educational agencies,” he said.
Wor-Wic is in the process of designing programs and services that can assist students on a path to competitive, integrated employment that provides a stable, living wage and benefits the local community and economy. One hundred percent of the program costs will be federally funded.
Because Wor-Wic is home to the Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy, as well as criminal justice associate degree and certificate programs, the college has a unique opportunity to support and offer professional development to law enforcement who may engage people with disabilities while working in the field. The professional development opportunities will lay the foundation for on-going training and development opportunities within the criminal justice academy curriculum.
“Equipping law enforcement officers with the knowledge and skills to interact effectively with individuals with disabilities is not just training — it’s a commitment to justice, empathy
Saturday, December 21st
Join your friends and neighbors this Saturday in downtown Bethany Beach! Stroll through town and enjoy all that Bethany has to offer. These great shops and restaurants will be open, offering great sales and specials all day. Bring the kids too, there’s plenty to do. Visit thequietresorts.com for a comprehensive list of participating businesses and hours of operation.
10:00am - Noon Visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus
Bethany Beach Books
Noon - Meet the Grinch
Tidepool Toys and Games, Boardwalk
Alice and Laila
Beautiful Women’s Clothing Open Year Round 26 N. Pennsylvania Avenue
Bethany Beach Books
Visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus 10am-Noon
15% Off Non-Book Items
99 Garfield Parkway
Bethany Blues
Elf on the Shelf 6 N. Pennsylvania Avenue
Bethany Sports Cards & Collectibles
Free Pokémon Cards (while supplies last) 123 Garfield Parkway #7
Bethany Surf Shop
The Go-To Source for All Your Surfing Needs!
99 Garfield Parkway
Coronado Jewelers
Elf on the Shelf Open Daily at 10am 97 Garfield Parkway
Dana’s Pantry & Package Store
Wine, Beer, Cocktails, Seltzers & Gifts 98 Garfield Parkway
DiFebo’s Restaurant & Market
Award winning Italian & Award winning desserts! 788 & 789 Garfield Parkway
Fells Point Surf Co.
Elf on the Shelf 114 Garfield Parkway
Fish Tales
20% Off Bethany Beach
Sweatshirts & Tees 116 Garfield Parkway
Continued from Page 36
and ensuring every person is treated with dignity and respect,” said John C. Moses, director of criminal justice at Wor-Wic.
10% Off Storewide
(Saturday, December 21 ONLY) 16 N. Pennsylvania Ave
JJ Stones
Elf on the Shelf Open Daily 10am 98 Garfield Parkway
Patsy’s Restaurant
Creative Coastal Cuisine 121 Campbell Place
Pie
Artisan Pizzas, Wine & Local Craft Beer Gift Certificates Available 20 N. Pennsylvania Ave
Rhodes 5&10
Great Selection of Puzzles
50% Off Bethany Sweatshirts & Tees 118 Garfield Parkway
BOGO Desserts All Day! 107 Garfield Parkway
Up
Sportfishing & Lifestyle Apparel
30% Off Entire Store (excludes Revo, Hook, and Grundens) 100 Garfield Parkway #6
Tangerine Goods
Elf on the Shelf 101 Garfield Parkway #8
Tidepool Toys & Games
Meet the Grinch at Noon
15% Off Arts & Crafts
Bethany Beach Boardwalk
Water Lili
15% OFF Storewide
(Saturday, December 7 ONLY)
Bethany Beach Boardwalk
Ocean View: 111 Atlantic Ave
The grant term has just begun, and positions are being posted and filled to lead the grant outcomes. A new director is the first hire that will be made to support the new initiative. The college will be conducting a needs assessment and identifying community partners who will be involved in the grant’s advisory board.
“Wor-Wic is committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for all students, including students with disabilities creating seamless pathways from high school to the campus,” said Deborah Casey, Ph.D., president of the college. “To ensure students have the best opportunity for success, it is critical that both high school and college faculty as well as our criminal justice officers are equipped with the knowledge and tools to effectively support them in the classroom and in our communities.”
Wor-Wic was chosen to receive the grant out of more than 200 applications, and out of the 13 institutions of higher education chosen, Wor-Wic was the sole community college. In total, 27 recipients were awarded part of the $251 million earmarked for the project by the Education Department. They came from 16 states, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands.
When announcing the recipients, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said the funding was designed to encourage the growth of a strong, inclusive workforce.
“Today, more than 60 million adults live with a disability — each with unique talents and strengths,” Cardona said. “In our 21st century economy, we must provide more opportunities for these individuals to achieve their goals for competitive integrated employment, independence and economic self-sufficiency.”
By Steve Green
Netflix documentaries
Surprising a teenager
Harper Lee’s story
Seeing a bald eagle on my daily drive to Newark
Old concert bootlegs
Geese flying in formation
Remembering my grandfather’s weathered hands
Laughing with parents about raising kids
Personalized photo calendars
Looking forward to a vacation
A drawer full of batteries
The Ocean City Beach Patrol (OCBP) was formed in 1930; prior to that the US Coast Guard protected swimmers from a small watchtower on the Boardwalk at Caroline Street. The first lifeguards hired were Edward Lee Carey and John Laws. They followed the crowds on weekends and protected the most crowded beaches. On July 1st the Beach Patrol was increased to five full-time guards and Carey was appointed the captain.
The first “Lifeguard’s Ball”, a dance to raise money for needed funds was held in 1931 (the last was held in 1965) and first aid kits were added as standard equipment in 1932. Within just a few years the Beach Patrol had become a highly respected part of Ocean City’s summer workforce.
Pictured, from left, are 1936 OCBP members Jim Parker, Collins Elliott, Milton Conner, Gary Todd, Bob Craig, Tommy Dukehart, and Harry Kelley (captain).
To purchase one of Bunk Mann’s books, click over to www.vanishingoc.com. File photo
(Dec. 20, 2024) Ocean City’s New Year’s Eve festivities serve as the kickstart to the yearlong celebration of 150 Years of Ocean City.
Ocean City’s fireworks display will take at two locations, downtown on the beach and uptown at Northside Park. The downtown fireworks on the beach near Dorchester Street will be bigger and better than ever to usher in the 150th anniversary of the Town. A smaller fireworks display will be available uptown at Northside Park.
“We can’t think of a better way to ring in the new year and the Town’s 150th anniversary than offering our residents and visitors two great fireworks shows,” said Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan. “Families can enjoy counting down to the new year with fireworks at midnight, whether you catch the large-scale show downtown on the beach or choose to enjoy the northern show from the perimeter of Northside Park.”
Celebrate on the Boardwalk right at show center before catching the big downtown fireworks display. Fun City invites families and friends to enjoy classic Boardwalk games in a heated arcade, open from 10:00 a.m. to midnight. Additionally, The Purple Moose will open from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., offering adult beverages and live country music by the Dwayne Wilson Band from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
The Town offers free bus service on New Year’s Eve. Bus services will be free starting at 6:00 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, until 3 a.m. Monday, Jan. 1. Bus service will run approximately every 30 minutes from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Dec. 31 and approximately every 15 minutes from 6 p.m. Dec. 31 to 3 a.m. Jan. 1. At all other times following 3 a.m. New Year’s Day, bus service is available daily from 6 a.m. until 1 a.m., running every 30 minutes, $4 ‘ride-all-day’ per person.
Winterfest will have standard operating hours Wednesday through Sunday, 5:309:30 p.m. until Dec. 23 when Winterfest will be open daily through Dec. 31. Santa will be preparing his sleigh for Christmas and will not be at Winterfest after Dec. 23. Don’t miss the opportunity to take one final stroll through the lights at Winterfest which will close at its normal time of 9:30 p.m. on Dec. 31.
The Winterfest Model Train Display at the Roland E Powell Convention Center in the Dockside Hall remains available for display Wednesdays through Sundays until Dec. 31, 5:30 to 9 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are accepted to benefit the Ocean City Beach Patrol.
Finally, stop by the Performing Arts Center Box Office to get your tickets for Ocean City’s Dreamfest, Jan. 16-19, 2025. The three-day event hosts the shows featuring Bored Teachers: The Struggle Is Real! Comedy Tour, a spectacular performance by the Morgan State University Choir, Who’s Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience, An Evening with WAR – 50th Anniversary of “Why Can’t We Be Friends”, and much more.
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer
(Dec. 20, 2024) A local nonprofit is looking for potential funding sources to construct a skate park in Berlin.
We Heart Berlin, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting the creation of sustainable and healthy activities for town residents, continues to prioritize the building of a skate park to be enjoyed by kids and adults alike.
In 2022, the Los Angeles-based skate park design company Spohn Ranch was hired to create a concept plan and scope out potential locations for the recreational space. In 2023, the Berlin Town Council voted to designate Heron Park as the construction spot.
According to We Heart Berlin founder Tony Weeg, the initiative is expected to see
• Botox, Dysport
• W
eight
Management
• Semaglutide
irzepatide & T
• PDO Thread Lift
• Evexipel
Hormone
a 14,000 to 16,000-square-foot skate park adjacent to the space planned for Berlin’s new public works facility. A bowl, quarter pipes, and a pump track, which helps skaters learn to transition seamlessly without losing momentum, are just a few elements likely to be created for the area.
Weeg said that We Heart Berlin was awaiting final design plans from Spohn Ranch last summer and that the group was to avoid fundraising until an official outline had been created. The document was officially submitted to the nonprofit in August.
“We love the plans,” Weeg said. “We couldn’t be happier. It’s pretty rad … It gives us so much transition, a peanutshaped bowl. It’s beautiful, and it fits in the space pretty well.”
The design also includes amphitheater steps, a hipped bank, a grind ledge, an A-frame bank, a slappy curb, and a landscape area.
Now, the organization is searching for grants and other avenues to apply over the next few years to secure the finances necessary to get the project off the ground. The group expects the initiative to cost approximately $975,000 for the actual concrete park, or a total of $1.2 million for everything.
•
• Therapy Replacement
LaserHair
Removal, T
attoo Removal a
• & Resurfacing
• IPL
Pixel RF
Microneedling
• MedicalSkinCare
• SkinPen
• ZOSkinCare
•
e
One such avenue could be grants recommended to Weeg by Jake Day, secretary of the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. The Strategic Demolition Grant, for instance, could be utilized by the town and the nonprofit for pre-development costs, including site preparation. The skate park could see several hundred thousand dollars from the program if awarded. According to Weeg, Day added that the Town of Berlin received $500,000 from the Strategic Demolition Grant through the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) FY2022 State Revitalization Program for the deconstruction of the former Tyson Plant on the Heron Park property, where the skate park will be situated.
DiamondGlow
Diamond Glow
“We have awarded $500,000 for Heron Park already, so it makes sense for us to continue to invest,” Day said in an August email to Weeg.
Day recommended the Community Legacy Grant for construction costs, of which he said the project would “definitely be eligible for the actual build-out of the park.” The project may also qualify for the Seed Community Development Anchor Institution Fund in the several hundredthousand-dollar range. However, the DHCD secretary maintains that it requires a college or hospital to apply, which he suggested could be Atlantic General Hospital.
“It won’t cost [AGH] anything, especially if We Heart Berlin volunteers would do some of the work to assist with the application process,” Day said.
The town’s Annual Program Open Space Development Plan also included the skate park project, which Town Administrator Mary Bohlen said “prioritizes upcoming and future planned
projects for the town’s parks, with the intent to apply [for grant funding].”
According to Bohlen, the information necessary for an application on behalf of the skate park was not prepared in time for this year. However, the town administrator added that “provided the appropriate information is ready for a grant application, the town would intend to make an application to the Community Parks and Playgrounds program (under Program Open Space) for fiscal year 2026.”
The grant funds would come through the Maryland Department of Natural Resources from its Open Space and Community Parks and Playgrounds Program, which DNR explains “provides flexible grants to local governments to respond to the unmet need for assistance to rehabilitate, expand or improve existing parks, create new parks, develop environmentally oriented parks and recreation projects, or purchase and install playground equipment in older neighborhoods and intensely developed areas throughout the state.”
The first two items on the town’s Annual Program Open Space Development Plan were the construction of permanent restrooms at Stephen Decatur Park and a replacement playground unit at Henry Park. These projects were funded through “various sources” and are about to proceed, which Bohlen said will “move the skate park up the list.”
The town may submit a skate park application to the Community Parks and Playgrounds Program for FY26, due in late summer this year. Awardees will be notified in spring 2026. However, Bohlen maintained Berlin intends to apply, but nothing is “set in stone.”
Weeg expects the skate park to break ground in 2026 or 2027. However, if some “local all-stars” step up, the stake park construction could begin sooner.
“[Funding] is either going to be coming through [grants and donations], or we’re going to be doing it with bake sales, and that is going to take a long, long time, and the kids looking at us saying ‘we want a skate park’ are going to be adults, raising money with us later down the road,” Weeg said. “The kids have been waiting long enough, and I’m hoping we can get some people interested in this and involved soon.”
We Heart Berlin will also offer naming rights for the elements and park pieces for any sizable contribution. Additionally, Weeg hopes to sell bricks at $100 each for a pathway that could be engraved to help raise money and get people involved in the project’s creation.
“There are a lot of kids … who don’t even think about skateboarding because there is nothing they can access, but once you provide access, you end up growing things you never realized you would grow, and for me to be able to see that, is just off the charts,” Weeg noted. “The biggest thing is money. We need people who can step up to the plate and make this happen. We have done everything we can to get there; we just need the help.”
Associate Broker, GRI, CRS Licensed in MD, DE 410-251-6217 soniasez@aol.com
BERLIN- BACK ON THE MARKET Freshly painted 4 Bedroom, 3 full Bath low maintenance townhouse with attached 1-car garage. 1st floor BR w/bath could be a home office or den. A fenced in private yard. Community features outdoor pool, clubhouse, fitness center, and more. Close to historic downtown Berlin and short drive to Ocean City & Assateague beaches. Move in ready! Seller has included an additional concession of 4% of sale price towards buyers' closing costs and pre-paids. Back on the market as the buyer's financing fell through.
$314,900
the end of a cul-de-sac, a stone's throw from the golf course. So much is brand NEW! Vaulted ceilings, a Family Room with skylight, 2 Primary BRs. Walk across the "Bridge" to the game room. Oversized double car garage. A very nice 2 BR apartment on the lower level has a private porch, and separate laundry facilities. 6-foot fenced in backyard. Price Reduction $599,900
Outside Play Sets • WiFi Security Cameras • TV Mounting
FOR FASTEST SERVICE: We need your address & contact information and exact brand name, model #’s and quantity. Email us a copy of your receipt/pictures.
Sasha@AtlanticAssemblers.com 302-569-9732
CAPTAIN’S TABLE
410-289-7192 15th & Boardwalk In The Courtyard Marriott Fridays & Saturdays: Phil Perdue on Piano
COINS PUB
410-289-3100 28th Street Plaza On Coastal Hwy. Friday, December 27: Opposite Directions Tuesday, December 31: First Class
CRABCAKE FACTORY BAYSIDE
302-988-5000 37314 Lighthouse Rd., Rte. 54, Selbyville, DE Friday, December 20: Rick & Regina
CRAWL STREET TAVERN
443-373-2756 Wicomico St., Downtown O.C. Friday, December 20: Harbor Boys Saturday, December 21: Rogue Citizens
FAGER’S ISLAND
410-524-5500 60th St., In The Bay Friday, December 20: DJ RobCee
Saturday, December 21: DJ Groove
Wednesday, December 25: DJ Mary Jane
GREENE TURTLE WEST
410-213-1500 Route 611, West OC Saturday, December 21: Schizophrenic Boogiemen
SCHIZOPHRENIC BOOGIEMEN
West: Saturday, December 21
HARBOR BOYS
Crawl Street: Friday, December 20
BOH DADDIES
Purple Moose: Saturday, December 28
FULL CIRCLE DUO
Seacrets: Friday, December 20
Island: Friday, December 27
HARBORSIDE
410-213-1846
South Harbor Rd., West End O.C.
Fridays: DJ Billy T
Saturday, December 21:
Cecilia’s Fall & DJ Bigler
Sundays: Opposite Directions
Thursdays:
Dust N Bones Duo
PICKLES PUB
410-289-4891
8th St. & Philadelphia Ave.
Fridays: Beats By DeoGee
Saturday, December 21:
Funk Shué
Sundays: Beats By Styler
Mondays: Karaoke w/ Wood
Tuesdays: Beats By Wax
Wednesdays:
Beats By Styler
Thursdays: Beats By DeoGee
PURPLE MOOSE SALOON
410-289-6953
Between Caroline & Talbot Sts.
On The Boards
Saturday, December 28:
Boh Daddies
Tuesday, December 31: Dwayne Wilson Band
SEACRETS
410-524-4900
49th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, December 20: Full Circle Duo & DJ Flight Saturday, December 21: DJ E-State
Cameron Tunilo, Kierstin Durfee, Justin Durfee, Austin Wolf visited the 28th Street Pit & Pub from Scranton, Pa., for SantaCon in Ocean City on Dec. 14
BRIAN SHANE/ OC TODAY-DISPATCH
4,328 Sq. Ft.
ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20
Aries, a special person in your life deserves all of your attention. Romance might be on your mind, and you’ll look forward to all of the time you can spend together.
TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21
You may feel artistically inspired this week, Taurus. Explore projects like home improvements or crafting. There are many things to try.
GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21
Your attendance at a wedding or another special event could have your thoughts moving in a romantic direction, Gemini. Maybe you’re thinking of taking your relationship to another level?
CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22
Cancer, forge ahead in your efforts if you aspire to learn a new skill or take on a different project. This might involve meeting new and interesting people. Expand your social network.
LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23
Leo, it is important to put others first this week, particularly your spouse or romantic partner. You don’t want any hurt feelings circulating right now.
VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22
An unexpected visitor might come your way in the next few days, Virgo. This could require overhauling your aschedule and even space in your home to make room.
LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23
Family and friends will have a difficult time changing your mind once you have taken a stance, Libra. You have dug in your heels on this topic.
SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22
Scorpio, new work assignments or additional business may complicate matters in the days ahead. That can be great during times of year when spending can get out of control.
SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21
As you prepare for the colder temperatures, holistic arts, acupuncture, herbs, and therapies might be on your mind, Sagittarius. You don’t want to be sick this go-around.
CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20
Capricorn, you will try to meet the demands of your need for information this week. Chances are you’ll be reading the newspaper and news outlets as much as you can.
AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18
You cannot gain traction right now, Aquarius. Perhaps you haven’t met the right people yet? Keep your eyes and ears open for new opportunities.
PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20
Pisces, if a career change has been on your mind, the new year might be a chance to get those gears moving in the right direction.
■ PRICE RANGE: $, $$, $$$
■ RESERVATIONS: Reservations accepted
South end to 28th Street
■ BUXY’S SALTY DOG SALOON
DRY DOCK 28
28th Street, Ocean City, 410-289-0973, buxys.com, drydockoc.com
Destiny has a new home in Ocean City. From the ‘burgh to the beach, Buxy’s is your home away from Pittsburgh. Come see what all the locals already know and have known – Buxy’s is the place to come to meet friends, relax and be social with no attitudes. House specialties include “The” Cheesesteak Sub, Primantistyled sandwiches, pierogis, egg-rolls and homemade crab dip. Dry Dock also features a full menu with soups, salads, kick starters, pierogis and craft pizza.
■ CAPTAIN’S TABLE
15th Street and Baltimore Avenue, in The Courtyard by Marriott, Ocean City, 410-2897192, captainstableoc.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
A local tradition for over 60 years featuring hand cut steaks, premium lobster and perfectly prepared regional seafood. Breakfast daily 7:30-11 a.m. Open daily for dinner: Sunday through Thursday, 4-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 4-10 p.m. Happy Hour, seven days a week, 4-6 p.m.
■ COINS PUB & RESTAURANT
28th Street Plaza and Coastal Highway, Ocean City 410-289-3100, www.coinspuboc.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
American style local restaurant serving seafood, steaks and chefs specials. Check out the off season weekday specials. Early bird; daily, 2-5:30 p.m. Sunday’s early bird specials, all day and all night. Happy Hour; daily, 2-5:30 p.m. with food and drink specials. Closed Monday. Open Tuesday through Friday, 2 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday, 11:30 a.m. Dine-in, carry out.
■ CORAL REEF RESTAURANT & BAR
17th Street in the Holiday Inn & Suites, Ocean City 410-289-2612, coralreefrestaurant.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
Enjoy traditional Eastern Shore cuisine and local favorites that are sure to please your entire party! Choose from a selection of house specialty entrees such as sharables, handhelds and seafood. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Featuring specialty rums. Open daily, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
■ CRAWL STREET
19 Wicomico St., Ocean City, 443-373-2756, crawlstreet.com
Established in 2020 just a short walk from the legendary Cork Bar. Don’t leave without trying the famous wings, but everything on the menu is solid, including flatbreads, tacos, salads, sandwiches and seafood platters. Be sure to check out the live music offerings as the nightlife is top of the line.
■ DISTRICT 24
BLU CRABHOUSE & RAW BAR, JAY’S CAFÉ & ICE CREAM, THE EMBERS
2305 Philadelphia Ave., Ocean City, 410-2893322, district24oc.com
Come visit all your culinary options at this block of fun, including the landmark Embers Restaurant with a new, innovative vision as well as Blu where fresh seafood is king. Be sure to stop in Jay’s for a tasty treat as well as an ocean of caffeinated offerings. There’s fun activities for kids of all ages here as well with a miniature golf course and an arcade.
■ PICKLES PUB
706 Philadelphia Ave., Ocean City, 410-2894891, picklesoc.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
Easy to find with plenty of free parking, serving lunch, dinner and entire diverse menu until 1 a.m. Also nightly entertainment year-round and a great place to watch all the sports on an ocean of televisions including a giant high-def screen. Also four pool tables on site. Lunch and dinner and entire menu until 1 a.m. Open all year from 11:30 a.m.-2 a.m., seven days a week.
■ PIT & PUB
2706 Philadelphia Ave. and 12701 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, pitandpub.com
Ocean City’s home of Pulled Pork and the finest barbecue, the legendary 28th Street Pit & Pub and the Northside Pit & Pub are known for serving up delicious smokehouse specialties. Grab a brew and enjoy the live sports action on one of the big screen TVs. Happy hour daily. Family-friendly atmospheres at both locations. Weekend entertainment.
29th to 90th streets
■ 32 PALM
32nd Street in The Hilton, Ocean City 410289-2525, 32palm.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
Elevated cuisine, locally sourced ingredients and allocated spirits are prominently featured in our lounge and dining room. Open year-round for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Routinely updated menus with the highest quality local ingredients for fresh seafood any time of the year!
■ THE BONFIRE
71st Street, Coastal Hwy., Ocean City, 410524-7171, thebonfirerestaurant.com
Celebrating 50 years as the best seafood and prime rib buffet in Ocean City. It’s all here – the service, the atmosphere and finest, freshest seafood available and quality meats. Save room for the decadent desserts available as well including homemade donuts.
■ FAGERS ISLAND
201 60th St., Ocean City, 410-524-5500, fagers.com
$$ | Full bar
Dine on the island with an award-winning bayfront restaurant featuring American & Regional dining with a global influence and popular destination featuring impeccably prepared American and Pacific Rim cuisine. Also enjoy our outdoor decks and bar with live entertainment and 32 wines by the glass. A place where the joy of food & the presence of the table are of utmost importance. Dine on fresh seafood and our famous Prime Rib. Enjoy beautiful sunsets over the water. Open 11 a.m. daily. Fine dine at 4:30 p.m.
■ HOOKED
8003 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 410-7234665, hookedoc.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
A Common Ground Hospitality concept, a passion driven restaurant group servicing the coastal community. The goal is honor creativity and innovation by design. With passion at the heart of everything, unique dining concepts are paired with honest hospitality and well-made food sourced with fresh local ingredients and seasonal harvests. Craft and full bar available. Open daily 11:30 a.m.
■ LONGBOARD CAFÉ
6701 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 443-6645693, longboardcafe.com
$$-$$$ | Full bar
Casual Dining … Refined. Open for lunch and dinner. A wide range of gourmet burgers, innovative tacos, salads and sandwiches to full dinner entrees featuring fresh local fish prepared in a variety of styles, beef, shellfish and pasta. All our sauces, salsas, dressings, etc. are meticulously house made. We use fresh local sources wherever possible and premium ingredients such as our chuck, brisket and short rib custom blended burgers. Closed Tuesday. Call for reservations.
■ MARLIN MOON RESTAURANT
3301 Atlantic Ave., in the Double Tree Hotel, Ocean City 410-289-1201, marlinmoonocmd.com
$$ | Full bar
Winner of the Maryland People's choice award, Marlin Moon continues to offer its famous, locally loved dishes and famous happy hour. Enjoy creatively crafted cocktails, fresh selections from the raw bar and luscious desserts. Happy Hour, every day, 3-6 p.m., featuring drink specials. Breakfast, 7:30-11:30 a.m.; Lite Fare, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Dinner, 4-10 p.m.; and Bar open noon to 11 p.m.
■ SEACRETS 49th Street, Ocean City 410-524-4900, www.seacrets.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
Open Sunday through Friday at 11 a.m., 10 a.m. on Saturdays, close at 2 a.m. Enjoy a tropical atmosphere and dine under the palms in our outdoor, kid friendly dining area or try a Seacrets Beachin' Cocktails in the Bay with live
music every day open to close. The club is open every night in the summer. Try our famous jerk chicken with homemade honey mustard sauce, Pushcart Trio, a true Jamaican dish or a hearty wrap, sandwich or delicious burger. We have it all at Seacrets.
91st to 146th streets
■ ALBERTINO'S BRICK OVEN & EATERY
13117 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 410-2502000, albertinosoc.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Featuring the best brick oven pizza, always handmade with fresh ingredients, Italian-American mouth-watering seafood specialties, traditional Italian pasta dishes, apps, soups and salads. Full bar with large local craft beer selection.
■ CAROUSEL OCEANFRONT HOTEL & CONDOS 118th Street, Ocean City 800-641-0011, www.carouselhotel.com
The Carousel Oceanfront Resort offers a family friendly casual dining experience with their Reef 118 restaurant. Offering dinner Thursday through Sunday from 5-9 p.m., featuring AYCE Crab legs for $54.95. Serving breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to noon. Their new "Go for 2" happy hour features $10 appetizers as a buy one get one free. $1 oysters during all open hours. They are now taking reservations for the Thanksgiving buffet and also offering Thanksgiving take-out meals for $189.99 for 6 people and are featuring the Funsters for their NYE entertainment.
■ THE CRAB BAG
13005 Coastal Highway Ocean City, 410-2503337, thecrabbag.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
Featuring consistent hot steamed crabs, eat in or carryout. The Crab Bag is also an Eastern Shore style seafood house specializing in preparing and serving the biggest and the best blue crabs available. The extensive menu promises something for everyone. Winter hours, Friday-Sunday, open 11 a.m.
■ CRABCAKE FACTORY USA
120th Street, oceanside, Ocean City, 410250-4900, crabcakefactoryusa.com
Full-service family restaurant, carry-out and sports bar. Outside seating available. Menu selections include prime rib, chicken Chesapeake, steamed shrimp, beer battered fish, real Philly cheesesteaks, burgers, and a kids menu. Casual attire, full liquor bar, no reservations. Open Year Round. World-Famous Crabcakes are served all day starting at 8 a.m. and can be packed on ice for you while you are eating breakfast.
■ TAILCHASERS RESTAURANT & DOCK BAR
12203 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 443-6647075, tailchasersoc.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
A coastal casual farm to table restaurant with a fun dockside family friendly atmosphere. Menu changes with the seasons and cocktails are handcrafted with care. Bring the whole family for lunch or dinner along the canal. Kids playground available to keep the littles entertained.
■ VISTA ROOFTOP RESTAURANT
13801 Coastal Highway, located in the Fenwick Inn, Ocean City, 410-390-7905, vistarooftopoc.com
$$-$$$ | Full bar
Enjoy a wonderful meal overlooking the ocean and bay. Some of the most unique views in Ocean City. Steaks, seafood, burgers, soups, salads and lite fare. Happy hour, 3-6 p.m. New this year is a boozy brunch Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Live music.
Route 1, Fenwick Island, DE, 302-539-2607, nantucketsrestaurant.com
Serving the beach great food and spirits for over 30 years. David and Janet Twining will wow you with the finest foods and drinks in the area. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by what one of the coast’s finest dining establishments has in store for guests. Everything here is a house specialty.
■ TWINING’S LOBSTER SHANTY Rte. 54, Fenwick Island, Del., 302-436-2305, twiningshanty.com
Reservations | Kids’ Menu
“A funky little place at the edge of town.” Classic New England fare, lobsters, steaks and burgers. Bird watching and magical sunsets await. Open for lunch and dinner. Reservations are suggested.
■ CLUBHOUSE BAR AND GRILLE
100 Clubhouse Drive, Ocean Pines 410-6417222, Oceanpinesgolf.org/dining $$ | Full bar
Indoor and outdoor dining with sweeping views of the 18th green and pond, the Clubhouse Bar and Grille serves freshly prepared breakfast and lunch items with a full bar menu. Open: Thursday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Kitchen closes at 4 p.m.)
■ OCEAN PINES YACHT CLUB
1 Mumford Landing Road, Ocean Pines 410641-7222, www.OPYachtclub.com
$$-$$$ | Full bar
The Ocean Pines Yacht Club offers casual coastal cuisine for lunch and dinner in a beautiful bayfront setting. Fresh seafood, signature drinks, live music and more. Closed Sunday, Dec. 22 through Thursday. Dec. 26. Reopening Friday Dec. 27 through Sunday, Dec. 29. Then open for private ticketed event upstairs in the ballroom on New Year’s Eve and Jan. 1, New Year’s Day at 11 a.m. for 50% off all food, while supplies last.
■ BREAKFAST CAFE
12736 Ocean Gateway, Route 50 east, West Ocean City, 410-213-1804, breakfastcafeofoc.com
All the traditional breakfast options available here in a casual, diner setting. Open daily closing at 2 p.m.
■ CANTINA LOS AGAVES MEXICAN GRILL
12720 Ocean Gateway #7, West Ocean City 410-390-3914, cantinalosagaves.com
$$ | Kid’s menu | Full bar
Ocean City’s newest Mexican restaurant and bar. Offering delicious and generous portions of the tastiest traditional and not so traditional #MexicanEats you have ever tried. Open daily at 11 a.m. Serving food until 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Bar open til 11 p.m.
■ DUMSER’S DAIRYLAND West Ocean City: Route 50 east; Boardwalk locations: 501 S. Philadelphia Ave., 49th Street, 123rd Street, Ocean City, dumsersdairyland.com
This classic ice cream shop is a tradition for many families. Voted O.C.’s “Best Ice Cream” for the past 20 years, Dumser’s is celebrating decades of serving the shore, and the ‘40sstyle décor takes you back in time. With locations throughout Ocean City, treating your tastebuds to this signature homemade ice cream is easy. The 49th and 124th streets locations offer vast lunch and dinner menus (breakfast too at 124th) in addition to a wide variety of ice cream treats.
■ GREENE TURTLE WEST Route 611, West Ocean City, 410-213-1500
■ CRABCAKE FACTORY BAYSIDE Route 54, Fenwick Island, DE, 302-988-5000, CCFBayside.com
Same award-winning crab cakes and bloody marys. Enjoy waterfront dining. Full-service family restaurant, carry-out & sports bar. Outside seating available. Open daily year-round. Menu selections include crab cakes, prime rib, Phillystyle cheese steaks, various seafood, kids menu plus full breakfast menu.
■ DIRTY HARRY’S
100 Coastal Highway, Fenwick Island, DE, 302-539-3020, Beach-net.com/dirtyharrys
$ | Kids’ Menu | Full bar
Don’t let the name fool you, the food is home cooking at its finest. Owned and operated by Ginny Swann and family for 19 years. Popular for the breakfast but getting rave reviews for lunch and dinner, too.
■ NANTUCKETS
Proudly serving West Ocean City since January 1999, The Greene Turtle features a beautiful 80-seat dining room, large bar area with 54 TVs with stereo sound and game room with pool tables. With an exciting menu, The Greene Turtle is sure to please with delicious sizzling steaks, jumbo lump crab cakes, raw bar, homemade salads and more. Live entertainment, Keno, Turtle apparel, kids menu, carry-out.
■ HARBORSIDE BAR & GRILL
12841 Harbor Rd., West Ocean City, 410-2131846, weocharborside.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
Home of the original Orange Crush drink with an extensive menu offers a wide variety of appetizers, fresh seafood, steak & pasta entrees, as well as juicy burgers and sandwiches. Whether seeking a full dining experience or just a crush or two, the team will be sure to take excellent care of you and yours. MondayWednesday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Thursday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Submit
FANDOM FRIDAY: MYTHS AND RETELLINGS
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 9 a.m.5 p.m. Drop in anytime for crafts, quizzes and discussions about the monthly topic. For ages 6-18 years. 410524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org
MAHJONG CLUB
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Join in for a fun morning of playing tile Mahjong. Feel free to bring your own tile set. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org
HOLIDAYS AROUND THE WORLD
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 1 p.m. Create crafts from all around the world and
learn how people celebrate in each country. For ages 6-11 years. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org
FREE CARRIAGE RIDES
Historic Downtown Berlin, 124 N. Main St., 11 a.m.-3 p.m. www.berlinmainstreet.com
BOOK OF THE MONTH CLUB: ‘WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN’ BY HOLLY MILLER
Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 2 p.m. Copies of the book are available at the Berlin Library circulation desk. 410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org
KIGHTS OF COLUMBUS BINGO
Fridays - Knights of Columbus, 9901 Coastal Highway, behind St. Luke’s Church. Doors open at 5 p.m., bingo starts at 6:30 p.m. Light snacks available before bingo and at intermission. 410524-7994
A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS LIVE ON STAGE
Ocean City Performing Arts Center, 4001 Coastal Highway, 2 p.m. Two showings: 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Encompassing each of the favorite scenes from the original television show and more. Costs: $35, $50, $55 and $59. Tickets: https://www.acharliebrownchristmaslive.com.
WINTER WONDERLAND
Roland E. Powell Convention Center, 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 5:30-9 p.m. Paint the 2025 Ward World Championship Youth Bufflehead Silhouette, make crafts, enjoy story time, and check out the model train display. Free admission. https://wardfdn.org/learnexplore/, 410-339-0668
MEET SANTA
Kringle Kottage on Artisan’s Green, 124 N. Main St., Berlin, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. www.berlinmainstreet.com
FREE CARRIAGE RIDES
Historic Downtown Berlin, 124 N. Main St., 11 a.m.-3 p.m. www.berlinmainstreet.com
WALK WITH A DOC
Southgate Pond, Race Track Road, Ocean Pines, 9-10 a.m. Join AGH registered dietitian Katie Dorsch for a brief presentation on how to eat healthy. Walk around the pond afterwards. The first 10 participants to arrive will receive $10 WalMart gift cards. 410-641-9268
FAMILY LIBRARY DAY: DECEMBER HOLIDAYS ACROSS CULTURES
Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 301 Market St., 10 a.m. Crafts, games and activities to explore December celebrations from around the world. For families. 410-957-0878, www.worcesterlibrary.org
CRAFTY SATURDAY: WINTER HOLIDAYS
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10 a.m. From reindeer to gingerbread men, come ready to craft. For ages 0-11 years. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org
BILINGUAL STORY TIME
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Crafts, songs and stories in both English and Spanish. For ages 0-5 years. 410-524-1818,
Continued on Page 50
www.worcesterlibrary.org
FARMERS & ARTISANS MARKET
Saturdays - White Horse Park, 239 Ocean Parkway, 9 a.m. to noon. Shop for everything from fresh local produce to unique handmade artisan goods. Open to the public.
MEET SANTA
Kringle Kottage on Artisan’s Green, 124 N. Main St., Berlin. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. www.berlinmainstreet.com
FREE CARRIAGE RIDES
Historic Downtown Berlin, 124 N. Main St., 11 a.m.-3 p.m. www.berlinmainstreet.com
BERLIN FLEA MARKET
Sundays - Uptown Emporium Parking Lot, 13 S. Main St., Berlin, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Vendor opportunities available. Julie, 410-726-9012; Bill, 410-629-9656
SEWING FOR A CAUSE
Sundays - Buckingham Presbyterian Church, 20 S. Main St., Berlin, 10:30 a.m. to noon. Learn how to sew while making a difference. 410-641-0234
JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES MEETING
Sundays - Berlin Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 212 West St., Berlin, 10 a.m. www.jw.org
STORY TIME: SNOWMEN
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Crafts, songs and stories. For ages 0-5 years. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org
MAGIC MONDAY
Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 5 p.m. Magic the Gathering meet-up, fourth Monday of each month. Teens and adults only. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org
T.O.P.S. OF BERLIN - GROUP #169
Atlantic General Hospital, Conference Room 1, 9733 Healthway Drive, Berlin, 5-6:30 p.m. Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a weekly support and educational group promoting weight loss and living a healthy lifestyle. Rose Campion, 410641-0157
DELMARVA WOMEN’S A CAPELLA CHORUS
Mondays - Ocean Pines Community Center, 239 Ocean Parkway, 6:00-8:00 p.m. All ladies who love to sing invited. Mary, 410-629-9383 or Carol, 302-2427062.
OVEREATER’S ANONYMOUS
Mondays - Worcester County LibraryOcean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 7-8 p.m. No dues or fees. 410-459-9100
BRIDGE
Mondays - Ocean City 50plus Center, 104 41st Street, Ocean City, 12:30-3:30 p.m. Reserve a spot: Tish, 410-8043971. www.Worcoa.org/oceancity
CRAFTY CORNER
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Enjoy making some holiday crafts the day after Christmas. Ages 0-11 years. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org
PLAY TIME
Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 10:30 a.m. Join in for a variety of activities and toys. Play and socialize with other families. For ages 0-5 years. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org
LET’S TALK MOVIES
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 2 p.m. Discuss timeless classics and newer box office hits. This month’s topic is the holiday classic “A Christmas Story.” 410524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org
SEND LETTERS TO SANTA
Ocean Pines Community Center, 235 Ocean Parkway, Nov. 25 through Dec. 20. Children of all ages are welcome to drop off their written letters to Santa at the red mailbox. Make sure that letters have child’s name and address so Santa can respond.
DECEMBER INSPIRATION CHALLENGE
Snow Hill library, 307 N. Washington St. Art, photography or poetry competition for all ages. Pieces will be displayed in the library for viewing and voting by age bracket. The theme is “Envy.” Due by Dec. 20. 410-632-3495
OCEAN PINES VOLUNTEER FIRE
DEPARTMENT RAFFLE
Win a 2024 F-150 4X4 Supercrew 5.0L V8. Tickets cost $100. All registration, sale, etc. expenses covered by O.P.V.F.D. Drawing will take place on Dec. 21. For more information: www.opvfd.com/f-150.
LIVING NATIVITY
Bluebird Farms, 11207 Racetrack Road, Berlin, Saturdays and Sundays until Christmas, noon to 6 p.m. Complimentary hot chocolate, music, petting and photo op with mini cow, donkey, goat and sheep. Donations benefiting Coastal Hospice, Diakonia, Local Troop #621 B.S.A. and Saltwater Mini Farm.
LIGHT UP THE PINES
Ocean Pines residents may sign up throughout the holiday season to have their homes added to the online map. Submit name, address and phone number via email to info@oceanpines.org or call 410-641-7717, Ext. 3014. Visit
The Art League of Ocean City presented a check for $1,000 to the Worcester County Humane Society. Funds for the donation were raised by a series of pottery classes with pet-inspired themes held over several months at the Ocean City Center for the Arts. Pictured, from left, are
executive director of the Art League; Katherine Norton of the Worcester County Humane Society; and Mary Anne Cooper, education director at the Art League.
oceanpines.org for a map of participating homes.
WINTER TRAIN GARDEN
Ocean City library, 10003 Coastal Highway, December through Jan. 4. 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. 410-5241818
TEENY ART
Snow Hill library, 307 N. Washington St., during December. A themed craft program available in the teen section all month long. December Teeny Art is “Trees.” For ages 12-18 years. 410-6323495
WINTERFEST OF LIGHTS
Northside Park, 200 125th St., Ocean City, 5:30-9:30 p.m. Open Wednesday through Sunday, Nov. 21 through Dec. 22. Open daily Dec. 23-31. Cost is $6 for adults and free to those 11 years and younger. Tour through thousands of sparkling lights and animated Christmas scenes. Pets welcome on Wednesdays. Scooter rentals ($10/two hours) and wheel chairs available on site: Scooters4-Rent.com, 302-280-6203. For more info: 410-289-2800, https://www.ococean.com/winterfest/. Weather cancellation hotline: 410-250-2124.
PRE-HOLIDAY SHOWING
Ocean Pines library, 11107 Cathell Road, Oct. 1-Dec. 31. A pre-holiday showing of original art work. 410-208-4014
QUEEN OF HEARTS
Weekly virtual drawings on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. Winner receives 60 percent of jackpot. www.opvfd.com/queen-ofhearts. Sponsored by the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department.
2025 KIWANIS LOTTERY TICKETS ON SALE
On sale every Saturday morning at the Ocean Pines Farmers Market from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. One $20 ticket is good for all 365 drawings in 2025. Benefits the youth of the community.
OCEAN CITY-BERLIN ROTARY CLUB
Meets the first and third Wednesday of each month at Don’s Seafood & Chop House at the South Gate of Ocean Pines, 6 p.m. ocberlinrotary@gmail.com
2024 JUST WALK CHALLENGE
Get the most miles of physical activity between Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 and be crowned the Just Walk Worcester Champion of 2024. Sign-up for Just Walk Worcester and report your monthly miles: https://justwalkworcester.org/. 410-632-1100, Ext. 1110
OCEAN CITY CHAPTER OF THE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF ITALY
Meets every month (except July and August) at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 9901 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Membership is open to individuals of Italian descent and their spouses. www.sonsofitalyoceancity.com
Crossword answers from page 46
Small Engine Mechanic Year-round. Competitive Wages. 443-754-1047
PoolGeneral Maintenance. Outdoor work, lifting heavy objects. Mechanical, basic pool pump & motors, CPO a plus / not required. Able to pass CPO test. Summer includes weekends & long hours; working alone or with others 410-289-4902 ask for Suzanne.
WEEKLY RENTALS
$300-$500 per week. October-May. 301-331-2209
Seeking YR & Seasonal Rentals! Call Howard Martin Realty 410-352-5555.
OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT
South Gate Ocean Pines 750 sq.ft.
$1,100 per mo. 410-430-3758
2 Office/Retail Spaces available in West Ocean City. Approximately 1656 sq. ft. and 1728 sq. ft. Call 443-497-4200
Commercial Space for Lease.
2-3 Units available, can be divided or joined. Approx. 800-1000 sq. ft. ea. Busy major road in Town of Berlin. Call 443-880-8885
Industrial Space Yard and Storage Shed. Approx. 10x25+/Route 90/Bishopville. Call 443-497-4200.
SERVICES
HANDYMAN SERVICE I’m a carpenter with over 40 years of experience in the remodeling field. No job too small. Flooring, windows, door, painting. Some electrical and plumbing repairs. Please call Larry 410-251-9066. Referrals upon request. Do you have an
not being used? It
mean a world of difference to a hard-working
student. We are looking to get as many
How far must I go?
Perhaps to follow a star,
Then a humble barn.
Forgiveness to see, True Love to behold!
Boost Infinite! Unlimited Talk, Text and Data For Just $25/mo! The Power Of 3 5G Networks, One Low Price! Call Today and Get The Latest iPhone Every Year On Us! 855-977-5719 Get DISH Satellite TV + Internet! Free Install, Free HDDVR Upgrade, 80,000 OnDemand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-855-4076870
SALE Prepare for power outages today with a GENERAC Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5-Year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-855-993-0969 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move.
VEHICLES WANTED
DONATE YOUR CAR/TRUCK/ RV - Lutheran Mission Society of MD Compassion Place ministries help local families with food, clothing, counseling. Tax deductible. MVA licensed #W1044. 410-228-8437 www.CompassionPlace.org
REAL ESTATE We Buy Houses for Cash AS IS! No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy three step process: Call, get cash offer and get paid. Get your fair cash offer today by calling Liz Buys Houses: 1-866-541-7929 SERVICES DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 350 plus procedures. Real dental insurance - NOT just a discount plan. Do not wait! Call now! Get your FREE Dental Information Kit with all the details! 1-855-337-5228 www.dental50plus.com/ MDDC #6258
LLC
1099 WINTERSON ROAD, SUITE 301
LINTHICUM HEIGHTS, MARYLAND 21090 www.cgd-law.com/sales
OF IMPROVED REAL PROPERTY
27 ISLAND EDGE DRIVE, UNIT 27C
OCEAN CITY, MD 21842
By authority contained in a Deed of Trust dated November 30, 2005 and recorded in Liber 4598, Folio 750, among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland, with an original principal balance of $615,200.00, and an interest rate of 6.500%, default having occurred thereunder, the Substitute Trustees will sell at public auction at the Courthouse door for the Circuit Court for Worcester County, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, MD 21863, on
January 6, 2025 AT 11:00AM
ALL THAT FEE SIMPLE property more fully described in the aforesaid Deed of Trust. The property being sold is a condominium unit and all common elements appurtenant thereto.
Terms of Sale: The property will be sold “as is” subject to any conditions, restrictions, easements and agreements of record affecting same with no warranty of any kind. A deposit of $42,000.00 by certified funds only (no cash accepted) required at time of auction. Balance of the purchase price to be paid within 10 days of ratification of sale by the Court, with interest at the note rate from date of sale to settlement. If settlement is delayed for ANY reason, there shall be no abatement of interest or taxes. All private utility, water and sewer facilities charges, front foot benefit payments, ground rent, or condo/HOA assessments, not otherwise divested by ratification of the sale are payable by purchaser without adjustment. Real estate taxes and all other public charges, or assessments, to be adjusted as of date of sale. Transfer and recordation taxes, and all other costs incident to settlement, shall be borne by purchaser. Purchaser shall be responsible for obtaining physical possession of the property.
TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE. If purchaser fails to go to settlement within ten days of ratification, or otherwise fails to comply with the terms of sale, the Trustee may declare the entire deposit forfeited and resell the property at the risk and expense of defaulting purchaser, who agrees to pay reasonable attorneys' fees and costs if a motion to resell the property has been filed, purchaser waives personal service of any paper filed in connection with such motion, and agrees to accept service of any such paper by regular mail to the address provided at time of sale. If the Trustee cannot convey
insurable title, or the loan servicer determines that the sale should not have occurred, the sale shall be null and void, and purchaser's sole remedy shall be the return of deposit without interest.
Richard E. Solomon, et al., Sub. Trustees
Tidewater Auctions, LLC (410) 825-2900
www.tidewaterauctions.com
OCD-12/19/3t
BWW Law Group, LLC
6003 Executive Blvd., Suite 101 Rockville, MD 20852 (301) 961-6555
ANY IMPROVEMENTS THEREON
102 HINGHAM LANE, UNIT #27 OCEAN PINES A/R/T/A BERLIN, MD 21811
Under a power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust dated January 16, 2004, recorded in Liber 4023, Folio 42 among the Land Records of Worcester County, MD, with an original principal balance of $308,360.00, default having occurred under the terms thereof, the Sub. Trustees will sell at public auction at the Circuit Court for Worcester County, at the Court House Door, One W. Market St., Snow Hill, MD 21863, on
JANUARY 7, 2025 AT 4:05 PM
ALL THAT FEE SIMPLE LOT OF GROUND, together with any buildings or improvements thereon located in Worcester County, MD and described as Unit Number 27, of "The Townes at Innerlinks a Condominium" and more fully described in the aforesaid Deed of Trust.
The property, and any improvements thereon, will be sold in an "as is" condition and subject to conditions, restrictions and agreements of record affecting the same, if any, and with no warranty of any kind.
Terms of Sale: A deposit of $25,000 in the form of certified check, cashier's check or money order will be required of the purchaser at time and place of sale. Balance of the purchase price, together with interest on the unpaid purchase money at the current rate contained in the Deed of Trust Note, or any modifications thereto, from the date of sale to the date funds are received by the Sub. Trustees, payable in cash within ten days of final ratification of the sale by the Circuit Court. There will be no abatement of interest due to the purchaser in the event additional funds are tendered before settlement. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE FOR THE PURCHASER. Adjustment of all real property taxes, including agricultural taxes, if applicable, and any and all public and/or private charges or assessments, to the extent such amounts survive foreclosure sale, including water/sewer, ground rent and front foot benefit charges, to be adjusted to date of sale and there-
after assumed by purchaser. Purchaser is responsible for any recapture of homestead tax credit. All transfer taxes and recordation taxes shall be paid by Purchaser. The purchaser shall be responsible for the payment of the ground rent escrow, if required. Condominium fees and/or homeowners association dues, if any, shall be assumed by the purchaser from the date of sale. Purchaser is responsible for obtaining physical possession of the property, and assumes risk of loss or damage to the property from the date of sale. The sale is subject to post-sale audit of the status of the loan with the loan servicer including, but not limited to, determination of whether the borrower entered into any repayment agreement, reinstated or paid off the loan prior to the sale. In any such event, this sale shall be null and void, and the Purchaser's sole remedy, in law or equity, shall be the return of the deposit without interest. If purchaser fails to settle within ten days of ratification, subject to order of court, purchaser agrees that property will be resold and entire deposit retained by Sub. Trustees as liquidated damages for all losses occasioned by the purchaser's default and purchaser shall have no further liability. The purchaser waives personal service of any papers filed in connection with its failure to settle within ten days of ratification and expressly agrees to accept service by first class mail at the address provided by the Purchaser as identified on the Memorandum of Sale. The defaulted purchaser shall not be entitled to any surplus proceeds resulting from said resale even if such surplus results from improvements to the property by said defaulted purchaser. Sub. Trustees will convey either marketable or insurable title. If they cannot deliver one or the other, or if ratification of the sale is denied by the Circuit Court for any reason, the Purchaser's sole remedy, at law or equity, is return of the deposit without interest. (Matter No. 358190-2)
Howard N. Bierman, Carrie M. Ward, et. al., Substitute Trustees
OCD-12/19/3t
Mayor & City Council Ocean City, Maryland
P04-25 – Canoe, Kayak, and StandUp Paddleboard Concessions
The Mayor & City Council of Ocean City is seeking Proposals from qualified and experienced Vendors to provide for the Canoe, Kayak, and Stand-Up Paddleboard Conces-
sions and for said work to conform with the Proposal Documents. RFP Documents for the Canoe, Kayak, and Stand-Up Paddleboard Concessions may be obtained from the Town’s Procurement Department by either e-mailing the Procurement Manager, Matt Perry, at mperry@oceancitymd.gov or Dawn Webb at dwebb@oceancitymd.gov, or by calling (410) 723-6643 during regular business hours, or via the Solicitations tab on the Town’s (https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/procurement-bids/) website. Vendors are responsible for checking this website for Addenda before submitting their RFP’s. The Town is not responsible for the content of any Proposal Document received through any thirdparty service. Vendors are responsible for ensuring the completeness and accuracy of their Completed Proposal Documents.
A pre-proposal meeting will be conducted on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5TH, 2024 AT 2:00PM AT NORTHSIDE PARK, WEST CONFERENCE ROOM, 200 125TH STREET, OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND, 21842. The last day for questions will be on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19TH, 2024, AT 3:00PM. Addendum will be posted by close of business on FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20TH, 2024
Sealed RFP Documents are due no later than TUESDAY, JANUARY 7TH, 2025, BY 3:00 PM. RFP submissions will be opened, read aloud, and then remanded back to staff for further review at the PROCUREMENT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 9TH, 2025, AT 10:00AM. RFP’s are to be submitted to the Procurement Office located at 214 65th Street, Ocean City, MD 21842, and the name of the Solicitation (Canoe, Kayak, and Stand-Up Paddleboard Concessions) must be noted on the outside of the package.
Late RFP Documents will not be accepted.
Minority Vendors are encouraged to compete for the Award of the Solicitation.
OCD-12/5/5t
THOMAS K. COATES ESQ COATES,COATES & COATES, P.A.
6200 COASTAL HIGHWAY, SUITE 300 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
To all persons interested in the estate of DEBORAH LEE THOMPSON BISHOP Estate No. 20434 Notice is given that KENNETH G GLASS whose address is PO BOX 211 BISHOPVILLE, MD 218130211 was on NOVEMBER 27, 2024 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of DEBORAH LEE THOMPSON BISHOP who died on AUGUST 08, 2024 with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting thepersonal representative or the attorney.
All persons having any objection
to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 27th day of MAY, 2025.
Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or
(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.
TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-12/5/3t
KIRK G. SIMPKINS ESQ
SIMPKINS & SIMPKINS, P.A. P.O. BOX 550
PRINCESS ANNE, MD 21853
OF APPOINTMENT
NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
To all persons interested in the estate of ALLEN WAYNE CATHELL Estate No. 20439 Notice is given that LOUISE A LEWIS whose address is 11622 CHURCH ST SHOWELL, MD 21862-1105 was on NOVEMBER 27, 2024 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of ALLEN WAYNE CATHELL who died on NOVEMBER 12, 2024 with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 27th day of MAY, 2025
Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or
(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim
forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.
TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-12/5/3t
THE LAW OFFICES OF ARLETTE K. BRIGHT, PC ARLETTE K. BRIGHT ESQ. 1002 EASTERN S HORE DRIVE, #B
SALISBURY, MD 21804
TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ESTATE NO. 20437
NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Chancery Court of Sussex County, Delaware appointed Wayne Bradley Quillen, 193 Courtney Rd., Lancaster, VA 22503-3916 as the Executor of the Estate of Thomas Wayne Quillen who died on February 26, 2024 domiciled in Delaware, America.
The Maryland resident agent for service of process is Arlette Kelly Bright whose address is 1002 Eastern Shore Dr., Ste. B, Salisbury, MD 21804-6482.
At the time of death, the decedent owned real or leasehold property in the following Maryland counties: Worcester County.
All persons having claims against the decedent must file their claims with the Register of Wills for Worcester County with a copy to the foreign personal representative on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or
(2) Two months after the foreign personal representative mails or delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Claims filed after that date or after a date extended by law will be barred.
Wayne Bradley Quillen Foreign Personal Representative Terri Westcott Register of Wills
One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074
Name of Newspaper: Ocean City Digest
Date of first publication: December 05, 2024
OCD-12/5/3t
HEATHER R. KONYAR, ESQ.
COCKEY, BRENNAN & MALONEY, P.C.
313 LEMMON HILL LN
SALISBURY, MD 21801-4238
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20441
TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF JESSIE R. SELBY
AKA: JESSIE CARTER SELBY
Notice is given that David C.
Selby, P.O. Box 211, Pocomoke City, MD 21851-0211 and Steve W. Selby, P.O. Box 211, Pocomoke City, MD 21851-0211, were on December 03, 2024 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Jessie R. Selby who died on February 16, 2019, with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 3rd day of June, 2025.
Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or
(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.
David C. Selby Steve W. Selby Personal Representatives 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: December 12, 2024 OCD-12/12/3t
Mayor & City Council Ocean City, Maryland
P05-25 – Landscape Maintenance Services – Public Works South Tram Facility and Bayside Park
The Mayor & City Council of Ocean City is seeking Proposals from qualified and experienced Vendors to provide for the Landscape Maintenance Services – Public Works South Tram Facility and Bayside Park and for said work to conform with the Proposal Documents.
BID Documents for the Landscape Maintenance Services – Public Works South Tram Facility and Bayside Park may be obtained from the Town’s Procurement Department by
either e-mailing the Procurement Manager, Matt Perry, at mperry@oceancitymd.gov or Dawn Webb at dwebb@oceancitymd.gov, or by calling (410) 723-6643 during regular business hours, or via the Solicitations tab on the Town’s (https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/procurement-bids/) website. Vendors are responsible for checking this website for Addenda before submitting their BID’s. The Town is not responsible for the content of any Proposal Document received through any thirdparty service. Vendors are responsible for ensuring the completeness and accuracy of their Completed Proposal Documents.
The last day for questions will be on TUESDAY, JANUARY 7TH, 2025, AT 3:00PM. Addendum will be posted by close of business on THURSDAY, JANUARY 9TH, 2025.
Sealed BID Documents are due no later than THURSDAY, JANUARY 16TH, 2025, BY 3:00 PM. BID submissions will be opened, read aloud, and then remanded back to staff for further review at the PROCUREMENT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 17TH, 2025, AT 10:00AM. BID’s are to be submitted to the Procurement Office located at 214 65th Street, Ocean City, MD 21842, and the name of the Solicitation (Landscape Maintenance Services – Public Works South Tram Facility and Bayside Park) must be noted on the outside of the package. Late BID Documents will not be accepted.
Minority Vendors are encouraged to compete for the Award of the Solicitation.
OCD-12/12/5t
CHARLES T. CAPUTE ESQ. MCALLISTER, DE TAR, SHOWALTER & WALKER LLC 100 N. WEST STREET EASTON, MD 21601-2710
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20444 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF OLIVIA HARRISON PHILLIPS
Notice is given that Brice S. Phillips, 3203 Menia St., Riva, MD 21140-1238, was on December 04, 2024 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Olivia Harrison Phillips who died on August 31, 2024 without a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 4th day of June, 2025.
Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of
the decedent’s death; or (2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.
Brice S. Phillips
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: December 12, 2024
OCD-12/12/3t
TO HOLDERS OF CLASS “B”, “C” AND “D” ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSES ISSUED BY WORCESTER COUNTY
Pursuant to the Alcoholic Beverages Article, Section 33-2006 of the Annotated Code of Maryland, the Board of License Commissioners for Worcester County has determined that all premises holding a Class “B”, “C”, and “D” Alcoholic Beverage Licenses shall be permitted to sell alcoholic beverages for ON PREMISES CONSUMPTION ONLY until 4:00 a.m. on January 1, 2025.
This notice shall not be construed as enlarging or broadening any other privilege conferred under said license except the (2) two additional hours of sale for ON PREMISES CONSUMPTION ON NEW YEAR’S EVE
BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, William E. Esham, Jr., Chairman R. Charles Nichols, Member Mary W. Pusey, Member *****************
April R. Payne, License Administrator
OCD-12/12/3t
Mayor & City Council Ocean City, Maryland
P06-25 – Northside Park Ceiling Grid Replacement
The Mayor & City Council of Ocean City is seeking Proposals from qualified and experienced Vendors to provide for the Northside Park Ceiling Grid Replacement and
for said work to conform with the Proposal Documents.
BID Documents for the Northside Park Ceiling Grid Replacement may be obtained from the Town’s Procurement Department by either emailing the Procurement Manager, Matt Perry, at mperry@oceancitymd.gov or Dawn Webb at dwebb@oceancitymd.gov, or by calling (410) 723-6643 during regular business hours, or via the Solicitations tab on the Town’s (https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/procurement-bids/) website. Vendors are responsible for checking this website for Addenda before submitting their BID’s. The Town is not responsible for the content of any Proposal Document received through any thirdparty service. Vendors are responsible for ensuring the completeness and accuracy of their Completed Proposal Documents.
A pre-proposal meeting will be conducted on TUESDAY, JANUARY 7TH, 2025 AT 10:00AM AT NORTHSIDE PARK, WEST CONFERENCE ROOM, 200 125TH STREET, OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND 21842. ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY PER FORM OF BID. The last day for questions will be on THURSDAY, JANUARY 16TH, 2025, AT 3:00PM Addendum will be posted by close of business on MONDAY, JANUARY 20TH, 2025
Sealed BID Documents are due no later than THURSDAY, JANUARY 23RD, 2025, BY 3:00 PM. BID submissions will be opened, read aloud, and then remanded back to staff for further review at the PROCUREMENT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 24TH, 2025, AT 10:00AM. BID’s are to be submitted to the Procurement Office located at 214 65th Street, Ocean City, MD 21842, and the name of the Solicitation (Northside Park Ceiling Grid Replacement) must be noted on the outside of the package.
Late BID Documents will not be accepted.
Minority Vendors are encouraged to compete for the Award of the Solicitation.
OCD-12/12/6t
BWW Law Group, LLC 6003 Executive Blvd., Suite 101 Rockville, MD 20852
ANDREW J. BRENNER, et al. 6003 Executive Blvd., Suite 101 Rockville, MD 20852
Substitute Trustees/ Plaintiffs vs. FREDERICK E. WILLIAMS (DECEASED) 807 Market Street Pocomoke City, MD 21851
Defendant(s) IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND
Case No. C-23-CV-24-000165
NOTICE
Notice is hereby given this 6th day of December, 2024, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, that the sale of the property mentioned in these proceedings and described as 807 Market Street,
Pocomoke City, MD 21851, made and reported by the Substitute Trustee, will be RATIFIED AND CONFIRMED, unless cause to the contrary thereof be shown on or before the 6th day of January, 2025, provided a copy of this NOTICE be inserted in some weekly newspaper printed in said County, once in each of three successive weeks before the 30th day of December, 2024.
The report states the purchase price at the Foreclosure sale to be $58,000.00.
Susan R. Braniecki Clerk, Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland True Copy Test: Susan R. Braniecki Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County MD OCD-12/12/3t
K. ALICE YOUNG, ESQ. NUSINOV SMITH, LLP 2800 QUARRY LAKE DRIVE, SUITE 160
BALTIMORE, MD 21209
OF APPOINTMENT
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20447
TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF EDWARD J. KNEAVEL
AKA: EDWARD JOHN KNEAVEL
Notice is given that Joseph E. Kneavel, 2931 Winters Chase Way, Annapolis, MD 21401-7285, was on December 09, 2024 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Edward J. Kneavel who died on October 26, 2024, with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 9th day of June, 2025.
Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or
(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.
Joseph E. Kneavel 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: December 12, 2024
OCD-12/12/3t
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20438 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF JEANNETTE NICHOLS MURRAY
Notice is given that Kristin Cole Murray, 22A Williams St., Berlin, MD 21811-1247, was on December 06, 2024 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Jeannette Nichols Murray who died on November 13, 2024, with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 6th day of June, 2025.
Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or
(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.
Kristin Cole Murray 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: December 12, 2024 OCD-12/12/3t
REENA J. PATEL ESQ. LAW OFFICE OF MARIANNA BATIE
1321 MOUNT HERMON RD., STE. B SALISBURY, MD 21804-5303 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS To all persons interested in the estate of LINDA M. GALE Estate No.
20436 Notice is given that KIMBERLY GALE PATRICK whose address is 85 HIGH SHERIFF TRL., BERLIN, MD 21811-2045, COURTNEY GALE whose address is P.O. BOX 192, BISHOP, GA 30621-0192 were on DECEMBER 06, 2024 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of LINDA M. GALE who died on NOVEMBER 20, 2024 with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 6th day of JUNE, 2025.
Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or
(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.
TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074
OCD-12/12/3t
Mystic Harbour WWTP Biosolids Upgrade
Worcester County is seeking proposals from qualified Vendors to contract design, bidding, and construction phase services in the Mystic Harbour Sanitary Service Area for the Mystic Harbour Wastewater Treatment Plant biosolids equipment upgrade and building improvements in conformity with the requirements contained herein Proposal Documents.
Proposal Documents for the above referenced project may be obtained from the Worcester County Commissioner’s Office by either e-mailing the Procurement Officer, Nicholas Rice, at nrice@co.worcester.md.us or by calling 410-632-1194 during normal business hours, or via the County’s Bids page on the County’s website. Vendors are responsible for checking this website for addenda prior to submitting their bids. Worcester County is not responsible for the content of any Proposal Document received through any third party bid service. It is the sole responsibility of the vendor to ensure
the completeness and accuracy of their Completed Proposal Documents.
A pre-proposal meeting will be held on Monday, December 30, 2024, at 2:00pm at the Water and Wastewater Division Administrative Office, located at 1000 Shore Lane, Berlin, MD 21811.
The last day for questions will be noon on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Sealed Proposal Documents are due no later than 2:30pm on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, and will be opened and only vendor names will be read aloud in the Office of the County Commissioners, Worcester County Government Center – Room 1103, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland 21863.
Late Proposal Documents will not be accepted.
Envelopes shall be marked " Proposal Solicitation – Mystic Harbour WWTP Biosolids Upgrade”, in the lower left-hand corner.
Minority vendors are encouraged to compete for award of the solicitation.
Nicholas W. Rice, CPPO, CPPB, NIGP-CPP Procurement Officer
Worcester County, Maryland OCD-12/19/1t
Worcester County is seeking proposals from qualified Vendors to contract for the replacement of our countywide camera system in conformity with the requirements contained herein Proposal Documents.
Proposal Documents for the above referenced project may be obtained from the Worcester County Commissioner’s Office by either e-mailing the Procurement Officer, Nicholas Rice, at nrice@co.worcester.md.us or by calling 410-632-1194 during normal business hours, or via the County’s Bids page on the County’s website. Vendors are responsible for checking this website for addenda prior to submitting their bids. Worcester County is not responsible for the content of any Proposal Document received through any third party bid service. It is the sole responsibility of the vendor to ensure the completeness and accuracy of their Completed Proposal Documents.
A pre-proposal meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at 10:30am at the Worcester County Government Center located at 1 West Market Street, Snow Hill, MD 21863.
The last day for questions will be noon on Thursday, January 16, 2025. Sealed Proposal Documents are due no later than 2:30pm on Thursday, January 23, 2025, and will be opened and only vendor names will be read aloud in the Office of the County Commissioners, Worcester County Government Center – Room 1103, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland 21863.
Late Proposal Documents will not be accepted.
Envelopes shall be marked " Pro-
posal Solicitation – Camera System Replacement”, in the lower left-hand corner.
Minority vendors are encouraged to compete for award of the solicitation.
Nicholas W. Rice, CPPO, CPPB, NIGP-CPP Procurement Officer Worcester County, Maryland OCD-12/19/1t
OF BERLIN
RFP # 2025 – 01 IT Managed Services IT Managed Security Services
Due Date: Friday, February 7, 2025 Time: 3:00 P.M. EST
The Town of Berlin is seeking Proposals for Information Technologies Managed Services. Qualified firms are encouraged to visit the Town of Berlin website at berlinmd.gov/government/request-for-proposals/for official RFP.
Sealed proposals will be accepted until the due date and time as indicated above and within the RFP Document(s). EEO. OCD-12/19/1t
OF BERLIN
RFP # 2025-02
Town of Berlin Well Building Replacement Powellton Avenue (Well #1)
Due Date: Friday, February 14, 2025 Time: 3:00pm EST
The Town of Berlin is seeking Proposals for the demolition of the existing well building and the construction of the new well building, including the installation of chemical storage tanks, chemical feed systems, interior and exterior water main installation, interior and exterior electrical, control, and mechanical work, interior water and sewer plumbing, exterior yard hydrant, gravity sewer lateral with cleanout, sewer manhole, sump pump with controls, small diameter forcemain, additional concrete work and all other work required by the plans and specifications, complete.
Qualified contractors are encouraged to visit the Town of Berlin website at berlinmd.gov/government/requestfor-proposals/ or contact Director of Water Resources Jamey Latchum at 410-641-3845/jlatchum@berlinmd.gov
OCD-12/19/1t
LOUIS J. WEINKAM JR., ESQ. WEINKAM & WEINKAM, P.A. 1002 FREDERICK ROAD CATONSVILLE, MD 21228
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20452 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF CHARLES TROY HANNA
Notice is given that James Hanna, 941 Elm Ridge Ave., Baltimore, MD 21229-4838, was on December 11, 2024 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Charles Troy Hanna who died on November 25, 2024, without a will. Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 11th day of June, 2025.
Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or (2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.
James Hanna 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: December 19, 2024
OCD-12/19/3t
Lewis Road Gravity Sewer System and Pump Station
Worcester County is seeking Bids from qualified Vendors to contract for the construction of the Lewis Road Gravity Sewer and Pump Station in conformity with the requirements contained herein Bid Documents.
Bid Documents for the above referenced project may be obtained
from the Worcester County Commissioner’s Office by either e-mailing the Procurement Officer, Nicholas Rice, at nrice@co.worcester.md.us or by calling 410-632-1194 during normal business hours, or via the County’s Bids page on the County’s website. Vendors are responsible for checking this website for addenda prior to submitting their bids. Worcester County is not responsible for the content of any Bid Document received through any third party bid service. It is the sole responsibility of the vendor to ensure the completeness and accuracy of their Completed Bid Documents.
A pre-bid conference will be held on site at Worcester County Department of Public Works, 1000 Shore Lane, Berlin, MD, on January 9, 2025, at 10:00am. The last day for questions will be January 22, 2025. Sealed Bid Documents are due no later than January 29, 2025, at 2:30pm, and will be opened and read aloud in the Office of the County Commissioners, Worcester County Government Center – Room 1103, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland 21863.
Late Bid Documents will not be accepted.
Envelopes shall be marked " Bid Solicitation – Lewis Road Gravity Sewer System and Pump Station”, in the lower left-hand corner.
Minority vendors are encouraged to compete for award of the solicitation.
Nicholas W. Rice, CPPO, CPPB, NIGP-CPP Procurement Officer
Worcester County, Maryland OCD-12/19/3t
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
To all persons interested in the estate of EDWARD JOSEPH DANIELCZYK Estate No. 20449 Notice is given that STEVEN DANIELCZYK whose address is 2207 ABELL LN., SPARKS, MD 21152-9543 was on DECEMBER 09, 2024 appointed personal representative(s) of the small estate of EDWARD JOSEPH DANIELCZYK who died on OCTOBER 30, 2024 with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All persons having any objection to the appointment shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within 30 days after the date of publication of this Notice. All persons having an objection to the probate of the will shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within six months after the date of publication of this Notice.
All persons having claims against the decedent must serve their claims on the undersigned personal representative or file them with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of
The motor vehicles described below have been abandoned. The owners and lien holders are hereby informed of their right to reclaim the vehicles upon payment of all charges and costs resulting from the towing, preservation, and storage of the vehicles.
The failure of the owners or lien holders to reclaim the vehicles within three weeks of notification shall be deemed a waiver by the owners or lien holders of all rights, title and interest and thereby consent to the sale of the vehicles at public auction or to have it otherwise disposed of in a manner provided by law.
These three weeks of notification begins on DATE: 12/20/2024
All
AUTH: Michael Colbert
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-12/19/1t
SMALL ESTATE
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
To all persons interested in the estate of CHARLES EDGAR SNYDER
Estate No. 20451 Notice is given that STEPHEN E. SNYDER whose address is 7531 CAYUGA AVE., BETHESDA, MD 20817-4821, LAURA SNYDER PIPER whose address is 10505 GEORGETOWN RD., BERLIN, MD 21811-3159 were on DECEMBER 10, 2024 appointed personal representative(s) of the small estate of CHARLES EDGAR SNYDER who died on OCTOBER 21, 2024 with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All persons having any objection to the appointment 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-12/19/1t
STEPHEN J. REICHERT ESQ. 2221 LAKE AVE. BALTIMORE, MD 21213-1015
OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN
PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE
ESTATE NO. 20457
Notice is given that the Probate Court of Travis County, Texas appointed Teresa C.Y. Hvizdos, 821 Post Oak Dr., Dripping Spgs., TX 78620-4110 as the Indepent Executor of the Estate of Robert P. Youngberg AKA: Robert Perrin Youngberg who died on January 07, 2022 domiciled in Texas, USA.
The Maryland resident agent for
service of process is Stephen J. Reichert whose address is 2221 Lake Ave., Baltimore, MD 21213-1015. At the time of death, the decedent owned real or leasehold property in the following Maryland counties: Worcester County. All persons having claims against the decedent must file their claims with the Register of Wills for Worcester County with a copy to the foreign personal representative on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or (2) Two months after the foreign personal representative mails or delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Claims filed after that date or after a date extended by law will be barred.
Teresa C.Y. Hvizdos
Foreign Personal Representative
Terri Westcott Register of Wills One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074
Name of Newspaper:
Ocean City Digest
Date of first publication: December 19, 2024
OCD-12/19/3t
SMALL ESTATE NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE
Notice is given that James Eric Nicholson, 135 S. Market St., Apt. A, Frederick, MD 21701-6675; and Marc Aaron Nicholson, 143 Patchwork Dr., Stephenson, VA 226562063, were on December 13, 2024 appointed personal representative of the small estate of James B. Nicholson who died on July 10, 2024, with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All persons having any objection to the appointment shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within 30 days after the date of publication of this Notice. All persons having an objection to the probate of the will shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within six months after the date of publication of this Notice.
All persons having claims against the decedent must serve their claims on the undersigned personal representative or file them with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or
(2) Thirty days after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within thirty days from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Any claim not served or filed within that time, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter.
James Eric Nicholson
Marc Aaron Nicholson Personal Representatives
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 19, 2024 OCD-12/19/1t
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
To all persons interested in the estate of HENRY J. ROWAN Estate No. 20456 Notice is given that PATRICIA ROWAN whose address is 19 WINDWARD CT., BERLIN, MD 21811-1544 was on DECEMBER 13, 2024 appointed personal representative(s) of the small estate of HENRY J. ROWAN who died on SEPTEMBER 29, 2024 with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All persons having any objection to the appointment 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-12/19/1t
PETER S. BUAS, ESQ. WILLIAMS, MOORE, SHOCKLEY & HARRISON, LLP
3509 COASTAL HIGHWAY OCEAN CITY, MD 21842
SMALL ESTATE NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 20396 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF MARY JANE POWELL
Notice is given that Gerald Richardson, 8105 Shire Dr., Berlin, MD 21811-2958, was on November 04, 2024 appointed personal representative of the small estate of Mary Jane Powell who died on September 02, 2024, with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All persons having any objection to the appointment 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 cred-
itor 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.
Gerald Richardson 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 19, 2024
OCD-12/19/1t
RE: Parking for Employee Housing, Accessory and Non Accessory
Notice is hereby given by the Mayor and City Council of Ocean City, that Ordinance 2024-24 was introduced for first reading at their meeting of December 16, 2024. Second reading is scheduled January 6, 2025. A complete text of the ordinance is available for review in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall 3rd Street and Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, MD 21842, or online at oceancitymd.gov in the December 16, 2024, agenda packet. This ordinance allows parking on a lot not more than 1,200 feet from the building or use served and requires accessory employee housing to provide one space per sleeping room for the first four sleeping rooms, then onequarter space for every sleeping room thereafter.
OCD-12/19/1t
2024-25
RE: Tandem Parking
Notice is hereby given by the Mayor and City Council of Ocean City, that Ordinance 2024-25 was introduced for first reading at their meeting of December 16, 2024. Second reading is scheduled January 6, 2025. A complete text of the ordinance is available for review in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall 3rd Street and Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, MD 21842, or online at oceancitymd.gov in the December 16, 2024, agenda packet. This ordi-
nance adopts tandem design parking for all residential uses. It does not include hotel and motel uses.
OCD-12/19/1t
2024-26
RE: Administrative Approvals for Minor Structures
Notice is hereby given by the Mayor and City Council of Ocean City, that Ordinance 2024-26 was introduced for first reading at their meeting of December 16, 2024. Second reading is scheduled January 6, 2025. A complete text of the ordinance is available for review in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall 3rd Street and Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, MD 21842, or online at oceancitymd.gov in the December 16, 2024, agenda packet. This ordinance allows administrative approval for minor structures which are not part of a conditional use, special exception or overlay district, that are less than 500 square feet of gross floor area.
OCD-12/19/1t
RE: Licensed Occupations, Short-Term Rental Housing Unit
Notice is hereby given by the Mayor and City Council of Ocean City, that Ordinance 2024-27 was introduced for first reading at their meeting of December 16, 2024. Second reading is scheduled January 6, 2025. A complete text of the ordinance is available for review in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall 3rd Street and Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, MD 21842, or online at oceancitymd.gov in the December 16, 2024, agenda packet. This ordinance adds short-term rental housing unit to Chapter 14, Entitled Businesses, Article II, Licensed Occupations.
OCD-12/19/1t
By Brian Shane Staff Writer
(Dec. 20, 2024) Worcester County officials gave the go-ahead for alcoholic beverages to be served at the springtime music festival Boardwalk Rock in Ocean City.
The county’s Board of License Commissioners on Wednesday approve the promoter’s application to serve beer, wine, and liquor at Boardwalk Rock on May 17-18. It’s being produced by C3 Presents, the same Texas-based company producing the resort’s other two music festivals, Oceans Calling and Country Calling.
Mark Cropper, the attorney representing the applicant, at the hearing offered his own personal testimony of the resort’s new musical festivals.
“I also have attended various days of these events in the past, both the Oceans Calling and Country Calling, and have found the event to be remarkably well-operated, managed, and maintained,” Cropper told the board. “The security is impeccable. From my own personal experience, there is nothing that could be deemed detrimental to the heath and safety” of visitors.
Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan was one of the applicants for this license, as was David Smalley, the CEO of co-applicant Spectrum Conces-
sions. Smalley did not appear at the hearing with Meehan, but the mayor was joined by City Manager Terry McGean and Tom Perlozzo, the town’s director of tourism and business development.
The licensed premises for Boardwalk Rock will be the exact same configuration as Oceans Calling and Country calling. All merchants in the licensed premises have agreed to same terms and provisions as the earlier events, and those vendors support this event, the mayor confirmed at the hearing.
Board member Charles Nichols moved to accept the application, and board chairman Billy Esham seconded the motion.
Before the advent of large-scale music festivals in Ocean City, the use of promoters for events featuring alcohol sales was strictly prohibited by Worcester County’s own regulations.
The rules were explicit: the licensee, not any promoter, was responsible for managing their own events and overseeing any entertainment. The only way alcohol could be sold at a special event was to have a local nonprofit group purchase and then serve the alcohol for a profit.
However, that changed in 2023, when a new category called a Promoter’s License was created by state
legislators specifically for Ocean City’s music festivals. Meehan himself testified before the Maryland General Assembly in February 2023. “The town strongly desires to continue to grow tourism through its special events and attract first-class performances and festivals to our area,” Meehan told the House Economic Matters Committee at a bill hearing in Annapolis. “The town, however, equally desires to have a vehicle to allow for the service and sale of alcohol in the safest way possible. This bill accomplishes both goals.”
The nonprofit model of selling alcohol did not go away, but the Promoter’s License opened the door for larger events like Oceans Calling and Boardwalk Rock to offer alcohol sales to a crowd of 50,000 – a tough task to fulfil for smaller nonprofits running a four-tap beer rig.
Per the terms of the license, alcohol sales will run from noon to 10:30 p.m. No alcohol will be sold on the Pier, and no alcohol consumption will be allowed on any amusements or rides.
The original application for the promoter’s license called the event “Pier Pressure Music Festival.” That name did not clear legal hurdles, according to Perlozzo, and so “Boardwalk Rock” became the new moniker.
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Dec. 20, 2024) New amenities, including a Boardwalk-themed play area and a concession stand, will be added to Dead Freddies following site plan approval.
On Tuesday, the Ocean City Planning Commission approved a site plan application from OC Land Holdings LLC to demolish an existing house and deli building at 63rd Street and to add a new play area, a concession stand and parking to the Dead Freddies Island Grill property. Representatives for the applicant said the request is part of an effort to transform the restaurant.
“This is phase two of a three-phase process,” designer Jeff Schoellkopf said.
Zoning Administrator Kay Gordy told commission members this week the applicant was seeking to tear down a house located south of Dead Freddies. That space, she said, would be transformed into a kids play beach and miniature boardwalk, to be called Freddie’s Family Fun Zone.
“It’s going to be a boardwalk with some little businesses the kids can play in,” she explained. “It’s like their own little replica of the boardwalk.”
Schoellkopf said the area would also feature a concession stand and retail space. Bathrooms will also be added.
“There are two additional structures,” he said. “One is a concession stand modeled after a carnival or boardwalk concession stand that will actually serve various kid and family food items. It’s about 167 square feet. The other building is called the restaurant annex. It has a retail component, and it provides additional bathrooms.”
Gordy said a second building, once home to Rosenfeld’s Jewish Deli, will also be demolished to make room for required parking. She noted that the complex, which will be consolidated to one lot, will feature 112 parking spaces, or nine more spaces than what is required.
“This site will be fully parking compliant, and it will also be fully consolidated into one project, as required by law,” she said.
Attorney Joe Moore said his client’s goal is to develop two dining venues –one outside and one inside.
“Basically, we want two dining venues, one predominantly outside for families …,” he said. “What he would like to do as well is upscale dining inside. So we’re really providing a mutual area for families who want to go outside, or families who want to do upscale dining inside.”
Following the presentation, the commission voted unanimously to approve the site plan.
“Very exciting,” Chair Joe Wilson said. “Great concept.”
By Lauren Bunting Contributing Writer
(Dec. 20, 2024) For more than 50 years, the REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) has been one of the strongest and most successful advocacy organizations in the nation working to protect the future of real estate in our country. RPAC recognizes that an industry that shies away from politics is an industry whose future is unstable and uncertain.
At the National Association of REALTORS® level, some of the major advocacy goals are to improve access to homeownership, increase housing
inventory, streamline affordable housing programs, and expand economic opportunities; to ensure fair housing for all; and, to help inform policymaking through NAR research products.
This past year, 452 RPAC-supported federal candidates advanced from their primaries to the general election. A total of 438 of those races were won – bringing the success rate for this year’s election to 97%. NAR also took 153 Opportunity Races live this election cycle, with nearly 50/50 support for Democrats and Republicans. The Opportunity Race program mobilizes REALTORS® across the country and helps elect REALTOR® Party champions, and 137 of those races were won – bringing the suc-
cess rate for this program to an 89.5% success rate.
On the state and local level, NAR’s State and Local Independent Expenditures (IE) Program supported more than 400 REALTOR® Party champions this year. The IE Program assists state and local associations that want to get involved in their areas. The program provides each state with funds that can be used to support candidates for political office who support REALTORS® and the real estate industry. As of last month, every state and D.C. has now participated in the program over its lifetime.
— Lauren Bunting is a licensed Broker with Keller Williams Realty Delmarva in Ocean City, MD.
Fri-Mon 11am-4pm H Mon-Fri 9am-4pm, Sat 11am-
By Brian Shane Staff Writer
(Dec. 20, 2024) When learning the good news that Worcester County will be seeing millions in new tax revenue, things got heated between elected officials, as voices were raised on the topic of budgets and transparency.
Revenue estimates for Worcester County’s fiscal 2026 budget year include an estimated $6 million in income tax increase, and an $18 million increase in property tax revenue, according to Budget Officer Kim Reynolds. She came before the Worcester County Board of Commissioners at its Tuesday meeting to share the news.
Reynolds said county departments will be asked to keep operating budgets at or below a 4 percent increase. From there, Commissioner Chip Bertino (District 5, Ocean Pines) wanted to know if the county’s Board of Education got that message.
Bertino explained that, last year, the Board of Education went into teacher salary negotiations with the teacher’s union “without understanding of what the commissioners were expecting, and it resulted in a lot of confusion on both sides,” he said.
He asked that this time around, the commissioners talk to each together, so they know what’s being said about the education budget. He stopped short of making a motion.
“I know that last year the superintendent and the president of the Board (of Education) were having conversations with a number of commissioners, myself included, about what they were looking to do” with possible teacher raises, “let’s avoid what we had last year with so many different conversations going on, and a divide-and-conquer attitude by some that really created all sorts of problems,” Bertino said.
This upset Commissioner Eric Fiori (District 3, Sinepuxent), who fired back at Bertino.
“Commissioner Bertino, with all due respect, okay, I understand this is a recommendation,” said Fiori, visibly frustrated, “but a motion of telling seven commissioners how to do their job and who to talk to? I mean, come on. This is absurd.”
Bertino responded by saying that everyone need not agree but should be kept in the loop.
“What is wrong with sharing information that we’re getting on an issue that occupies an awful lot of our time? Why is transparency a problem?” he said.
Finally, Commission President Ted Elder chimed in, calling Bertino’s concerns “a non-issue.”
“Last year, the information was shared between all the commissioners at different times,” Elder said. “Everyone knew what was being discussed.”
“No, we did not, Ted,” shot back Bertino.
“Well, I did, I’ll put it that way,” replied Elder.
“There’s the rub,” Bertino said, now talking over Elder.
“Excuse me!” Elder said sharply. “I have the floor.”
Elder closed by saying “none of these (budget) meetings are ever decisive anyway” because it’s the final vote that matters. “It’s a lot of huff and baloney over nothing.”
Commissioner Diana Purnell (District 2, Central) offered a response that cooled temperatures, saying the commissioners have an improved relationship this year with the Board of Education and both sides know what to expect with the next budget process.
“Last year was last year and it’s all said and done,” she said. “You talk about not wanting to be in the dark? I was always in the dark. Let’s not get into a bunch of stuff with the commissioners checking on everybody. To get into these
spats and things, we just don’t need that anymore. We need to be cordial with one another.”
Commissioner Joe Mitrecic (District 7, Ocean City) said if the Board of Education wants to know where the county’s coffers stand, “all they have to do is call up and ask.”
County Administrator Weston Young ultimately agreed with Bertino’s message, that when the Board of Education negotiated raises for the fiscal 2025 budget with the teacher’s union, “they did not communicate that with us.”
Young also said any spending increases for the next budget resulting from higher revenue will first be operational in nature long before any salaries are negotiated, no matter the department.
When it comes to higher property tax revenue, the areas being assessed in 2025 are Bishopville, Showell, Ocean
Pines, and Berlin. That estimate of $18 million in new property tax revenue for the county came from the state’s Department of Assessments and Taxation as of November, according to Reynolds.
The county, however, can’t keep all that revenue for their general fund. Worcester is bound by its own regulations to set aside 22 percent of income tax revenues toward employee retirement benefits, as well as 15 percent of expenditures into reserves, Reynolds said.
There are also unknowns for the next budget, including what core funding will be for the health department, potential health insurance increase, increases to the health rate stabilization fund, and additional operational needs for the water/wastewater division, Reynolds also said.
The next budget work session will be April 8.
Iron sediment concerns lead to county working with Peninsula Water on project
By Brian Shane Staff Writer
(Dec. 20, 2024) Worcester County is offering a free water filter to homeowners in the Newark area who are experiencing iron sediment in their tap water.
The county’s Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved a project that will offer free water filters to about 140 eligible residents in Newark. Homeowners will not be charged for the installation, a $325 value, and will be provided with four free water filters.
Residents would be responsible for buying new water filters on their own, which are typically replaced every three months and cost $12 to $22 at retailers.
This initiative comes after a successful pilot project in September, where Public Works recently tested the effectiveness of the filters at a residential home in Newark which was experiencing frequent iron sediment issues, also known as brown water.
The resident reports that there have been no further issues. Based on the results, Public Works is recommending the project be implemented community wide.
Citizens would submit their request in writing to Public Works to verify their address is part of the municipal system. Residents would also be required to sign an agreement outlining the specifics.
Interested residents may submit a request in writing to Worcester County to verify that their home address is part of the municipal water system. Residents also would be required to sign the memorandum of understanding for the project. Public Works would then coordinate with Peninsula Water to have the filter installed.
“Long term solutions such as upgrading the water treatment plant and replacing 1970’s concrete pipe will continue to be advanced, in the meantime these household sediment filters are a short-term solution that can be implemented immediately,” said Public Works Director Dallas Baker in a Dec. 8 memo to county officials regarding the project.
The county is budgeting $58,000 for the project.
By Deborah Lee Walker Contributing Writer
(Dec. 20, 2024) Education is a process that not only encourages exploration of certainty but also uncertainty. Theses conceptual inquiries are much more valuable and impressionable than attaining the state of absolute conclusion without effort.
It can be argued that invoking a sense of exploration encourages further research which indicates contemplation to the fullest degree. There is no limit to progression and that is why perseverance is the secret ingredient for attainment.
But sometimes it is necessary to take a step back if clarity is to come to the forefront. With this thought in mind, let us take a closer look at one of the most misinterpreted dishes that delights our taste buds with such whimsical fancy. If you guessed bruschetta, you are correct.
Meticulous attention to detail is not based on pretentious attitude, but rather a need to seek perfection. In Italian, the consonant “ch” has a hard “k” sound, not a soft “sh” sound. If one should succumb to this improper speech: no worries, you will not be alone.
This popular dish like so many other Italian foods has been adopted into American culinary lexicon which has endured countless modifications for daily consumption.
Originally, bruschetta was a slice of crusty bread with garlic and olive oil to preserve it and make it easier to digest. Over time, each region developed its own variations and toppings.
Bruschetta is beloved for its simple deliciousness and high quality but affordable ingredients. In addition, sharing a plate of bruschetta with family and friends symbolizes hospitality and conviviality.
Tomato bruschetta is one of the most popular types of bruschetta and a few pointers follow for fabulous results. The word bruschetta comes from the Italian verb “brusciare,” meaning to burn. Toasting the bread is understood for it stands up to the wet ingredients and adds contrast in texture.
Olive oil is a variable of many degrees and only the best should be considered. Not only do discerning palettes know the difference but olive oil is key to highlighting the natural earthiness and freshness of the dish.
Roma tomatoes are preferred because of their meaty consistency. But the addition of sun-dried tomatoes and canned tomatoes add depth of flavor. Believe it or not, but canned tomatoes have a lot flavor and their flavor profile is consistent throughout the entire year.
Capers and slivers of black olives enhance the essence of the bruschetta and add color to dish. Rice vinegar adds acidity which lifts the overall taste of the ap-
petizer.
Fresh basil is a natural pairing when preparing tomato bruschetta, but do not feel you must follow protocol. A variety of fresh herbs adds uniqueness and enhances the subtle richness.
Holiday bruschetta can be made on the fly and the red color coincides with the theme of Christmas. A touch of edible gold glitter adds a wow factor.
Holiday bruschetta is festive and will add pizzazz to your Christmas menu.
Ingredients
5 tablespoons good quality olive oil, plus extra for brushing slices of baguette
1 baguette
½ small sweet onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
6 Roma tomatoes, seeded, and finely chopped
2 (28 oz.) cans whole tomatoes, drained, seeded, hard ends removed, and finely chopped
8 sun-dried tomato slices, finely chopped
1 (12 fl. oz.) jar roasted pepper, drained, and finely chopped
1 ½ tablespoons capers, drained 10 oil cured black olives, seeded, and finely chopped
5 teaspoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons dried basil
2 tablespoons fresh basil, plus extra for garnishing kosher salt to taste edible gold dust
1. In a small pan, sauté onions and garlic in 5 tablespoons olive oil over
medium-low heat for 5 minutes.
2. In a medium bowl, combine cooked veggies including olive oil, and the rest of the ingredients except for the fresh basil and gold dust. Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours, stirring occasionally.
3. Slice baguette thinly at a 45-degree angle. This cut gives you more circumference area. Brush one side with olive oil. Bake until golden brown around the edges, about 12 minutes.
5. Strain tomato mixture and stir in fresh basil.
6. Top slices of baguettes with tomato mixture and add a dusting of edible gold
Secret Ingredient – Attainment
Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment, full effort is full victory.
-Mahatma Gandhi
By Peter Ayers Wimbrow III Contributing Writer
This week, 80 years ago, the Red Army and its new allies, the Royal Romanian Army and the Royal Bulgarian Army, were besieging the Hungarian capital of Budapest. The Hungarian city can trace its roots back 2,000 years and is actually two cities, Buda and Pest, located on opposite sides of the Danube River.
On Oct. 28, 1944, Stalin ordered Ukrainian Marshal Rodion Malinovsky, commander of the Second Ukranian Front, to begin the assault on the Hungarian capital. The next day, the marshal ordered his front to advance.
Soviet forces were assisted by the First and Fourth Romanian Armies,
commanded by Nicolae Macici and Gheorghe Avramescu. By Nov. 2, Marshal Malinovsky’s Second Ukranian Front had advanced 45 miles and captured the southern suburbs of Alag and Kisalag. That initial effort ceased on Nov. 24, 1944.
After Marshal Malinovsky’s Second Ukranian Front was joined by Third Ukranian Front, commanded by Marshal Fyodor Ivanovitch Tolbukhin, and the First Bulgarian Army, commanded by Vladimir Stoychev, a renewed offensive was launched on Dec. 3, 1944, and within six days, had reached the Danube River, north of the city.
By Christmas, the Hungarian capital was surrounded, trapping 190,000 German and Hungarian troops.
The new Hungarian Nemzetvezet (National Leader), Ferenc Szálasi, having been in power 163 days, escaped from his nation’s capital on Dec. 9, 1944. The 800,000 civilians remaining in the city, continued their daily lives — seemingly oblivious to the fate awaiting them upon the arrival of the Red Army.
Although they felt that the city would fall to the Red Army, the feeling was that the city’s, “... inhabitants will face marshals, while in the villages, corporals will govern.” And, the Red Army had yet to acquire its reputation for the rape of its enemies’ women.
Marshal Malinovsky’s Second Ukranian Front, which bore the brunt
of the fighting during the siege, consisted of the Sixth Guards Tank, Twenty-Seventh, Fortieth, FiftyThird, Seventh Guards, and Fifth Air Armies, commanded by Ukrainians Andrey Grigoryevich Kravchenko, Sergei Georgievich Trofimenko, and Filipp Feodosyevich Zhmachenko; Ivan Vasilievich Galanin; Mikhail Stepanovich Shumilov; Sergei Goryunov. All but Gen. Galanin were awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union star.
After the city was surrounded, SSGruppenführer & Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Karl von PfefferWildenbruch was placed in command of the city’s defenses. He established his command center on Castle Hill, in the center of the Hungarian Government district.
Gen. von Pfeffer-Wildenbruch had been commander of the IX SS Mountain Corps, which was stationed in Budapest. The Corps consisted of the following: SS Florian Geyer Cavalry Division, commanded by Joachim Rumohr; SS María Theresa Cavalry Division, commanded by August Zehender; the Feldherrnhalle PanzerGrenadier Division, commanded by Günther Pape, until Nov. 27, 1944, and then by Afrika Korps veteran Ulrich Kleemann; and the Feldherrnhalle Panzer Division, commanded by Gerhard Schmidhuber.
Gen. von Pfeffer-Wildenbruch’s command also included the Hungarian I Corps, commanded by Gen. Vitéz (Count) Iván von Hindy de Kishind. Vitéz von Hindy’s I Corps consisted of the First Armored and the 10th Infantry & 12th Scythian Divisions.
The Florian Geyer was named for a German knight, Florian Geyer von Giebelstadt, who was a follower of Martin Luther and sided, and fought, with the peasants against the nobility and Catholic Church during the “Peasant’s War” of 1522-1525. The division’s soldiers were Romanians and Serbs of German origin.
The SS María Theresa Cavalry Division, was named for María Theresa, an 18th century Austrian Empress, and mother of the doomed French Queen, Marie Antoinette. Since her favorite flower was the cornflower, that became the division’s insignia. The division’s soldiers were Hungarians of German, or Austrian, origin.
The Feldherrnhalle divisions were comprised of members of the SA, and were named for the building in Munich where the Nazi Party met.
By Dec. 27, Budapest had been surrounded, and its main airport lost, causing der Führer to relieve Gens. Johannes Frießner and Maximilian Fretter-Pico of command of Army Group South and Sixth Army, respectively. They were replaced by Gens.
Otto Wöhler and Hermann Balck.
The next day, the Soviets contacted the Germans by loudspeaker proposing negotiations for the city’s capitulation. They told the Germans that their emissaries would not bring weapons and would appear in cars with white flags the next day.
After their proposals had been rejected by Gen. von Pfeffer-Wildenbruch and the Soviets began the trek back to their lines, the Germans opened fire, killing most.
A relief effort was launched on Jan. 1, 1945 — Operation Konrad — led by IV SS Panzerkorps, commanded by SS-Obergruppenführer und Gen. der Waffen-SS Herbert Otto Gille. Gille was the most highly decorated SS soldier in history.
Gille’s corps included two of the best and toughest divisions of the war — SS Totenkopf Panzer Division, commanded Hellmuth Becker and the SS Viking Panzer Division, commanded by Karl Ulrich — and the 96th and 711 Infantry Divisions, commanded by Gens.Hermann Harrendorf and Josef Reichert.
The Totenkopf Division was formed initially from concentration camp guards by its original commander Theodore Eiche. The name means “Death’s Head” in German. The Viking Division was a true international volunteer division, being composed of Estonians, Belgians, Danes, Swedes, and Germans. Both divisions only fought on the Eastern Front.
Gen. Gille broadcast to the besieged garrison, “Hang on! We’re coming!” The Soviets broadcast, “Gille’s coming, but we’re going to kill him!” After three days, and the Panzerkorps being only 20 miles from Budapest, the effort was ceased. It had cost 2,938 men. It had destroyed, or captured, 160 guns, 107 antitank guns and 79 tanks.
On Jan. 7, a second relief operation — Operation Konrad II — began and reached a point 15 miles from Budapest. They were so close that the Panzer-Grenadiers could see the church spires and turrets, but this effort was, inexplicably, canceled.
All remaining Axis troops withdrew from Pest to Buda on the other side of the Danube river on Jan. 17. Over the protests of their Hungarian allies, all five of the beautiful bridges over the river were destroyed by the Germans.
That same day, Swedish diplomat/businessman Raoul Wallenberg was summoned to Marshal Malinovsky’s headquarters. Upon his departure, he said, “I’m going to Malinovsky’s – whether as a guest or as a prisoner, I do not know, yet.”
Unfortunately, it was the latter. The order to arrest him came from Deputy Commissar for Defense Nikolai Bulganin, who would serve as premier under Nikita Khruschev.
Sweden had agreed to assign Wallenberg to its legation in Budapest if
the Americans would lighten the pressure on Sweden because of its trading relationship with the German Reich.
His mission was to do what he could to save as many Jews from the German charnel as possible. In this, he had considerable success, by printing passports, visas, and other documents and renting buildings in Budapest which he then proclaimed as part of the Swedish Embassy.
Jews were then housed in these buildings, which were adorned with Swedish flags and an important sounding name, such as “The Swedish Research Institute.” Negotiations were undertaken between German and Hungarian authorities and Wallenberg for the lives of the Jews. Bribes were paid.
Wallenberg is credited with saving thousands of Jews, including the late Representative Tom Lantos from Cal-
ifornia. For his tireless and death-defying work, he was named “Righteous Among the Nations,” and his name inscribed upon the Wall of Honor in the Garden of the Righteous at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem.
He was murdered while in Soviet custody. The details of how, when, why, and by whom remain unknown. His memory lives in monuments, street, school, park, and building names around the world.
The last attempt to relieve the encircled Hungarian capital – Operation Konrad III – was launched on Jan. 20, 1945, by the III Panzerkorps, commanded by Hermann A. Breith, and Gen. Gille’s IV SS Panzerkorps. By Jan. 28, that effort had also ceased. The Viking and Totenkopf Divisions suffered 8,000 casualties in these failed relief efforts.
On Feb. 11, 1945, after six weeks of fighting, Gellért Hill fell to the Soviets
after they launched a heavy attack from three different directions simultaneously. Once Gellért Hill, which dominated the city, fell, the end was in sight. From there, Soviet artillery was able to dominate the entire city. By now, the Axis forces were no longer able to receive supplies which had been flown in and landed by gliders on the streets.
That day, taking advantage of heavy fog, some 28,000 Axis troops, together with unnumbered civilians attempted a breakout in three waves. The first wave, taking advantage of the element of surprise, had some success, although most were killed or captured. Gens. Zehender and Schmidhuber were among those killed. Gen. Rumohr was wounded and committed suicide.
The remainder of the city’s defenders surrendered on Feb. 13, 1945. The Continued on Page 75
Mermaid Tasha Haight mesmerized her young audience with mermaid tales at the Art League of Ocean City's Night at the Gallery held at the Ocean City Center for the Arts on Dec. 13. She discussed her books - "Mermaid Tasha and The Whipray," "Mermaid Tasha's Mission," "Glitter is Not The Winner," and "Mermaid Tasha's 12 Days of Christmas" - available in the Art Center's gift shop.
SUBMITTED PHOTO/ OC TODAY-DISPATCH
SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
Students in Ms. Foreman’s third grade class at Ocean City Elementary recently concluded a reading unit on “The Sea.” As a culminating task, students created Didactic Wall Panels, like those found in aquariums to provide information about the exhibits. Students had the opportunity to show off their artistic and paragraph writing skills to illustrate a shark and explain how scientists study them. Pictured left to right: Bella Falco, Liza Mills, Hondina Santamaria Barrueta, and Skylar Truitt.
Artist Beth Deeley and children attending the Art League of Ocean City's Night at the Gallery held at the Ocean City Center for the Arts on Dec. 13 created woven pieces to be included in Deeley's ongoing Community Weaving Project.
SUBMITTED
Following its December meeting, the Worcester County Garden Club enjoyed a holiday luncheon at Ocean City Golf Club. Members, pictured, also participated in a “Yankee Swap”
and
Acadia Landing LEWES, DE
Now Selling Single Family Homes from the Upper $400s
Bridgewater SELBYVILLE, DE
Coming Soon Single Family Homes
Draper Farm MILFORD, DE
Coming Soon Single Family Homes and Villas
Heritage creek LTTON, DE
Now Selling Single Family Homes from the Upper $400s
lighthouse bay
OCEAN CITY, , MD
Now Selling Toownhomes from the Low $600s
rttyeast MILLSBORO, DE
Now Selling Single Family Homes from the Low $400s
Milos Haven FRANKFORD, DE
Now Selling Single Family Homes from the Mid $400s and Villas from the Low $400s
rtth shore at Plantation Lakes
MILLSBORO, DE
Final Opportunity—Single Family Homes from the Low $400s
SOUTH shore at Plantation Lakes
MILLSBORO, DE
Now Selling Single Family Homes, Villa Toownhomes from the Low $300s | Currently selling out of the North Shore WeelcomeHomeCenter
Schooner Landing SELBYVILLE, DE
Now Selling Single Family Homes from the Mid $300s
Sea Oaks Village BERLIN, MD
Now Selling L Toownhomes from the Upper $400s
Tides at River Marsh CAMBRIDGE, MD
Now Selling Single Family Homes To o frrom the Low $3
, Villas 00s
Peace on earth and good will toward men. That was the 1950s version. These days, it is more appropriate to say, “Peace on earth, good will to all,” even though it’s a new translation of a biblical quote that’s been long debated — does it mean all men, or just the ones who deserve it?
Realistically, it makes no difference, since it sometimes seems that a growing number of people are incapable of doing anything beyond reciting the words, because they sure don’t seem to be living them.
That’s a harsh pronouncement, but our tolerance level for people who don’t share our opinions or beliefs has plummeted in recent years, or at least our idea of civil discourse has.
Although it has long been a rule never to talk politics or religion with people you don’t know (and to be cautious about sounding off around people you think you know), the safer approach lately appears to be to keep your head down and your mouth shut.
That’s a terrible thing to have to accept during this “good will” time of year, because it suggests that we are flirting with hopelessness as a society.
Which, of course, is not even close to being true.
Evidence of our kind thoughts and good intentions is presented in the announcement this week by the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore that charitable donations made during “Giving Tuesday” on Dec. 3 were three — three — times more than the year before.
Altogether, $1 million was collected during one 24-hour period for the benefit of 145 nonprofit organizations, the foundation reported.
That, we submit, is some serious good will, and it will bring comfort and joy to thousands of people who are anonymous to most contributors.
That says a great deal. In fact, it might even lead us to conclude that our troubles and disagreements don’t define us, because, as it turns out, that isn’t who we are after all.
NEWS
EDITOR STEWART DOBSON; EXECUTIVE EDITOR STEVE GREEN
ASSOCIATE EDITOR BETHANY HOOPER
STAFF WRITERS TARA FISCHER, BRIAN SHANE
Contact News Room: editor@oceancitytoday.net SALES
ACCOUNT MANAGERS MARY COOPER, TERRI FRENCH, RENEE KELLY
CLASSIFIEDS/LEGALS PAMELA GREEN
Contact Sales: sales@oceancitytoday.net PRODUCTION
ART DIRECTOR COLE GIBSON; SENIOR PAGE DESIGNER SUSAN PARKS
SENIOR AD DESIGNER KELLY BROWN ADMINISTRATION
PUBLISHER/CONTROLLER CHRISTINE BROWN
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT GINI TUFTS web: oceancitytoday.com Facebook: facebook/mdcoastdispatch.com
OC Today-Dispatch is published Fridays by FLAG Publications, Inc. 11934 Ocean Gateway, Suite 6, Ocean City, Md. 21842 410-723-6397 All content copyright 2024
By
By Steve Green
It was a fascinating week on the offshore wind front. Weeks of rubber stamp approvals from state and federal agencies for the offshore wind farm came to a grinding halt Tuesday on two critical fronts.
First, the Worcester County Commissioners unanimously supported a proposal by the county’s administration aimed at blocking US Wind from buying two sites at the east end of the commercial harbor in West Ocean City for its operations facility. The plan would be for the county to try and negotiate a more favorable deal for the properties home to the two commercial seafood businesses. It’s believed US Wind already has some sort of contract in place with the property owners contingent upon receiving all the required approvals. The county is going to try and offer the property owners a better deal. If unsuccessful in securing a deal, the county will go the eminent domain route to protect the commercial harbor and the fishing industry. The Town of Ocean City issued a press release in full support of the county’s move. Chief Administrative Officer Weston Young put the move into perspective, saying, “If US Wind gets the property, commercial fishing goes away. If we own it, we’re not going to sell it to anybody.”
Then, and certainly equally important, came the decision from Sussex County leaders to reject a zoning application from US Wind for a power substation in Dagsboro. Our sister publication Coastal Point reported yesterday, “The Sussex County Council voted 4:1 on Tuesday to not allow U.S. Wind to convert the substation on part of the grounds that currently house the 50-year-old coal-fired NRG Energy plant. The denial of the rezoning action for U.S. Wind offshore wind power cables stimies its plan to bring the power onshore through 3R’s Beach in North Bethany to the new proposed substation location, which would have provided upgrades to the regional power grid.” The move comes one week after DNREC approved US Wind’s permit applications to bring underwater power cables ashore to 3R’s Beach in Sussex.
Specific to the Worcester County move, this is a major play. It’s a smart tactic to try and derail offshore wind, which clearly has more opponents locally than proponents. County officials seem confident they are representing their citizenry with this strategy to either buy the properties or let the court potentially decide on a fair market value through the eminent domain process. While in full support of the unique strategy, it’s not a given all county residents will back the move if the county spends $12 million, for example, to purchase the commercial harbor land from the two property owners. Of course, the eminent domain process could result in a lower price for the county, leaving the current property owners with a major decision. How the county will pay for the land is unknown, but it’s not unreasonable to think reserves could be used or more likely a bond with low interest.
The county is in fighting mode, which I applaud. It’s a risky play by the county because the whole deal hinges on US Wind not being able to find another location to meet its needs elsewhere. The odds are a new site will not, however, have the same impact on the local commercial fishing industry as the chosen harbor site. Additionally, another layer of risk comes with whether a majority of Worcester countians see this as a good use of their tax dollars, especially when the county always maintains finances are tight in the face of rising expenditures whenever education funding is discussed like this week. There’s no doubt the strategy hits the mark in the north-end of the county, but the commissioners representing other areas will likely get some blowback.
****
This week’s hit-and-run death in Ocean City is as disturbing as it gets. The only positive is the suspect was apprehended within hours of the incident due to solid police work by Ocean City’s police department.
A pedestrian walking across Coastal Highway around 5 p.m. on Monday was nearly struck by a vehicle on Coastal Highway, resulting in him flipping the bird out of aggravation at the motorist. In turn, the driver, later found to be James Johnson, 57, of Ocean City, is so enraged he turns around his vehicle into a private parking lot and intentionally runs over the 59-year-old local man James Callahan. Murder and assault charges were filed.
After reading the full police report, I wonder if the suspect and victim knew each other. If this was just a random decision by a motorist upset over a middle finger, then he’s as evil as it seems on the surface. Johnson was returning home with his dog after picking up carryout food for dinner when he allegedly ran down and killed Callahan. Soon enough we will all learn if there’s more to the story on background.
Editor,
I, and many of my peers in the coastal bays, are shocked and dismayed by the Dec. 3 decision of the County Commissioners to deny support to the Maryland Coastal Bays bid for a $16 million dollar state grant. This essential funding would have supported the local coastal ecosystem services that we all depend upon.
As a biologist who grew up in the coastal bays, went away to school (PhD, UC Berkeley) and came back to here to work as a biologist and raise my family, I want more from my leaders:
1. Don’t kill projects that are golden for your constituents. The denial of support for $16 million of state funding is a massive self-inflicted injury to Worcester County.
2. Don’t bully your essential partner organizations, like MCBP, or hold their funding ransom to demand allegiance to your political ideology. MCBP is an evidence-based, community-serving organization with a scientific mission; it is not an advocacy organization.
3. Use facts and evidence to support your positions, not rumors and fears. Many of the statements made by the Commissioners at the hearing were false or misleading. It is false that wind turbines are ‘destroying our oceans’ or ‘decimating our fishing industry’ or that ‘everyone is against’ wind energy. These false statements cause heat, but no light.
4. Don’t be part of the problem, be part of the solution. The proposed wind turbine project is by far the least harmful and most sustainable solution available to provide clean energy to constituents like me without the devastating consequences of burning fossil fuels.
If you focus your leadership efforts on shutting down the wind project, you are exacerbating our current ecological and social crisis, which poses
existential threats to humans including me, my family, and my home. What solutions are you offering?
Kim Quillin Berlin
I had the pleasure of attending the Eastern Shore Ballet Theatre performance of “The Nutcracker” on Saturday, December 7th. What a beautiful experience. From the costumes to the acting to the dancing (all ages), it was truly delightful.
In the past I have been a regular attendee, but for some reason beyond my comprehension, I have not partaken in about 20 years. I am utterly baffled as to why that should be. I won’t miss it again.
In addition to the beauty and joy of this show, I am excited to share that the ESBT will also perform “Peter Pan” May 2-4, 2025. I remember so well as a child watching Mary Martin flying around the bedroom of Wendy, John and Michael. What a wonderful presentation this will be. I get goosebumps thinking about it.
I am so grateful to live on the Eastern Shore and so proud of all it has to offer.
Carol Frazier Ocean Pines
The recent approval by Maryland’s Board of Public Works for US Wind’s proposed Operation and Maintenance Facility is a significant step forward for our state and our community. This project will rebuild a 353-foot concrete pier and a 383foot steel bulkhead, replacing deteriorated infrastructure with modern, durable facilities that will serve the needs of the harbor and the growing Continued on Page 74
CONDO in MIDDreaming of owning you
This charming efficiency 45 offers the perfect ble venience, just steps from Ocean City’s stunning b love - prime midtown lo of Ocean City dining, sh Steps to the beach with living, ideal for a vacatio opportunity. Includes ou beach essentials & an a
T r own piece of paradise? condo at Ocean Waye nd of comfort and conthe sandy shores of each. Some features you’ll cation to enjoy the best opping & entertainment. this low maintenance n getaway or investment tdoor storage for all your ssigned parking space for miss this opportunity to ving in one of Ocean City’s ions. Schedule your e beach house.
WN OC O wy
Continued from Page 73
offshore wind industry.
This facility represents more than an infrastructure upgrade—it’s an investment in the Eastern Shore’s future. The project will create 100 good-paying, full-time jobs in our community, strengthening the local economy and providing stable employment opportunities for working families. Moreover, it lays the groundwork for larger offshore wind initiatives, which promise to generate even more jobs, reduce energy costs, and position Maryland as a leader in clean energy.
This progress was only possible with the leadership of Governor Wes Moore, Comptroller Brooke Lierman, and State Treasurer Dereck E. Davis. Their approval of this project demonstrates their unwavering commitment to creating jobs, advancing renewable energy, and supporting the Eastern Shore. Their vision ensures that Maryland remains at the forefront of innovation and sustainability.
To Governor Moore, Comptroller Lierman, and Treasurer Davis: Thank you for believing in the Shore’s potential and for championing a project that will benefit our community and the entire state. Your leadership is helping to build a brighter, cleaner future for Maryland.
Jared Schablein (The writer is the chair of the Shore Progress, a nonpartisan civic organization).
Editor,
We reside in Wicomico County and have followed closely the offshore wind issue for the past 2-3 years. We viewed the proceedings of the Worcester County Council meeting 12-3-24 online and were aston-
ished that the council voted to deny Maryland Coastal Bays Program (MCBP) a letter of support for their application to Md. Department of Natural Resources for a $16 million five-year grant, money that would have been spent for environmental and conservation work in the county. We disagree with the council decision for the following reasons:
• Worcester County gets many visitors throughout the year who are there to enjoy the natural environment. We are members of the Tri County Bird Club (Worcester, Wicomico, Somerset) and attend field trips for birding in Worcester County multiple times a year. Losing the environmental stewardship that MCBP provides can only diminish the experience for groups like ours and threaten eco-tourism in the county.
• Two of the county council members referenced threats to birds by wind turbines, specifically the piping plover. We have scoured the scientific literature and found that birds do collide with turbine blades, but this is much more common with land-based turbines. Siting the turbines at 10-14 miles offshore minimizes bird collisions. Several studies showed that when the effect of climate change on bird populations is considered, wind turbines have a net positive effect on birds by providing a clean, renewable alternative to polluting fossil fuels. (abcbirds.org)
• To require MCBP to publicly oppose the wind turbine project to obtain a letter of support from the county council is asking MCBP to contradict their own charter. They are required to be neutral on such issues and they have stated their neutrality. Their position on offshore wind would be of no practical value to the county in any case. Now the $16 million goes to another area of the state. Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face.
Dr. John Grou Wicomico County
Have an opinion?
We invite you to share it, but all letters are subject to verification, so please include your name and phone number. All letters are subject to editing for space and to protect the author and this newspaper from legal action. Email letters to editor@oceancitytoday.net. For questions, call 410723-6397.
CHARLES EDWARD VOSS
West Palm Beach, Fla.
On Dec. 10, 2024, Charles Edward Voss (fondly known as “Speedy”) passed away at the VA Hospice in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Many who knew him said he would never make it past the age of 30, because of his unconventional lifestyle, but at 79 ½ he outlived some of his doctors and sadly, a few of his treasured friends. Born in Baltimore,
Continued from Page 69
capture of Budapest had cost the Soviets and their allies 80,000 dead and 240,000 wounded.
The Axis forces suffered 40,000 dead and 62,000 wounded. More than 80 percent of the city was destroyed or damaged and more than 38,000 civilians died during the siege, 15,000 of whom were Jews executed by the Hungarian Arrow Cross Party. More than 500,000 Hungarians were transported to the Soviet Union to work, with 200,000 of them perishing.
Estimates of the number of rapes committed by the Red and Romanian
Maryland on August 15, 1945 (VJ Day), Speedy was a high school athlete and avid fisherman. He served on the SS Edson in the Navy where he lost his hearing. He was the original Ocean City beach boy who surfed, ran beach stands and sold telescope pictures before he began steaming crabs for 50 years. In Ocean City and Ocean Pines, Maryland, Speedy was owner/part-owner of Crab Alley, Crab Bag, City Fish and Country Barn Seafood. He and a few local golfing friends created the McVoss Golf Tournament, played by locals for local charities. He was never married
but is survived by his sister in Florida and sister in Hawaii. After crab season, he enjoyed traveling to Brazil, Dominican Republic, Aspen, and San Francisco. But sometimes he just settled in on his local fishing holes in the Florida Keys and Deep Creek Lake and visited friends. For the past 10 years, Speedy has lived in Port Saint Lucie, Florida, with his sister and enjoyed cruising on NCL where his last cruise was December 2022 on the Panama Canal. We will be having a “Celebration of Life with Speedy Stories” in March, 2025 where he will be laid to rest near his Mom and Dad (Margaret and Marty Voss) at the Eastern Shore Veterans Cemetery in Hurlock Maryland.
Hudson of Ocean City, who left us peacefully on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, at the age of 80.
Born on Feb. 18, 1944, Phil spent his early years in Delmar, where he graduated from Delmar High School. Following time attending Salisbury State College, he proudly served in the U.S. Coast Guard, a chapter of his life that he cherished.
Phil then began a fulfilling career, first with Dupont Company in Seaford, and later as a distribution manager at Campbell Soup Company in Salisbury, from which he eventually retired. After his retirement, he humorously referred to his next job at Kraft Foods as being a “worker bee,” where he enjoyed stocking shelves at local stores.
Armies in Budapest after its fall range from 5,000 to 200,000, with most estimates at 50, 000-70,000.
The Swiss Embassy reported that rapes of women between the ages of 10-70, “ . . . are so common, that very few women in Hungary have been spared.”
Next: Luzon
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.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Philip Edward
Phil was a nature enthusiast at heart. He found joy in the simple pleasures of life, especially walking
the beautiful beaches of Assateague, camping, and exploring the wonders of National Parks. He loved being outdoors and made countless memories in nature.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Cynthia “Cyndee” L. Hudson; sister, Bonnie K. Lowe; niece, Debbie Wilson and husband John of Ocean City; nephews, Doug Lowe and David Lowe of Laurel, Del.; great nephews, Bryant Lowe, Mark Wilson and Reid Lowe; niece, Melissa Nolen and husband Jimmie of Pensacola, Fla.; nephew, Tim Wright of Cyclone, Pa.; a niece, Emily Kervin of Cleveland, Ohio; sisters-in-law, Margie Kervin (Terry), Brenda McGee, and Diane McGee all of Florida; and nephews, Matt Williams (Megan) of Georgia and Kyle Williams (Karson) of South Carolina.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Nancy Hudson.
Phil's family will hold a celebration in his honor, celebrating a life welllived with laughter and love. Details regarding the service will be shared later.
In memory of Mr. Hudson, contributions may be sent to Worcester County Humane Society, P.O. Box 48, Berlin, Md. 21811.
Arrangements are in the care of Short Funeral Home in Delmar. Online condolences may be sent to the
family by visiting www.shortfh.com.
Berlin
Catherine (Cas) Granger Knox, our beloved mother, died on December 8, 2024, at the age of 97 in Berlin. Cas is survived by her children, Charles R. Granger (Maribeth), William I. Granger, Patricia Granger Devenny and Thomas H. Granger; her grandchildren Danielle Granger, Kate (Gavin) Weiser, Kyle Granger, Scott Devenny and Patrick Devenny; and her great grandchildren Liam Weiser, Rhys Weiser, and Isla Weiser. She is also survived by the children of her husband Andrew Knox, Drew Knox (Dawn Willoughby) and Mark Knox (Normie); his grandchildren Brie Willoughby-Knox (Ricardo Villegas), Adam Willoughby-Knox (Melinda), Tony Knox (Kathryn) and Joey Knox, and his great grandchildren Matilda Villegas, Emilio Villegas, Aiden Knox and Hazel Knox.
Cas was born in Fallston on Oct. 11, 1927, to Francis and Rhoda Riley. She was the youngest and last survivor of six children, predeceased by both of her parents, as well as her siblings Angeline Coons, Eleanor Minor,
Paul Riley, Bernard Riley, and Margaret Lotz. She graduated Valedictorian of her class from Bel Air High School and granted a full scholarship to Goldey-Beacom College. She relocated to Wilmington to attend school and work. Cas was the Assistant Office Manager for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware when she met Charles A. Granger through Charles’ sister Jean and a mutual friend. Cas and Charles were married on October 31, 1947, in Wilmington DE. They remained married for 35 years until his death in 1983. Cas returned to work full time for CIGNA as a receptionist once her children were school age. She retired from CIGNA as the Human Resource Administrator. In 1998, after 15 years of widowhood, Catherine married Andrew Knox of Wilmington, Del. Cas and Andy enjoyed years of travelling and spending time with their scattered families until his death in 2008. Cas resided in Wilmington until 2021 when she relocated to live with her daughter in Berlin.
In addition to being a regular student at The Academy for Lifelong Learning, Cas was active in her community and church. She volunteered for organizations including The Literacy Program, The Ronald McDonald House, The Kidney Foundation, and Meals on Wheels. She was a member of Calvary Episcopal Church for over
50 years, serving on the Vestry, teaching Sunday School, serving on the Outreach Committee of the DE Episcopal Diocese, co-founding FISH of Northern Delaware and providing Pastoral Care as a part of the Brandywine Collaborative Ministries.
“A special thank you to all the wonderful people who have touched my life throughout this earthly journey” *Cas*
A memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday Jan. 3, 2025, at Calvary Episcopal Church, 304 Lore Avenue, Wilmington DE. Internment will follow the service at Grace Episcopal Church, 4900 Concord Pike, Wilmington DE. Donations in Catherine’s memory may be made to Calvary Episcopal Church.
Carol Windsor, a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and pillar of her family, passed away peacefully in her home on Nov. 19, 2024. She was deeply loved and respected by all who knew her. Carol's faith was as strong as she was. While some would say she was Catholic and others might insist she
was Baptist, Carol embraced both traditions in her own way, living a life full of devotion and grace.
Carol was born and raised in Towson and graduated from Notre Dame Prep in 1962. She led Bible studies, CCD classes, and volunteered visiting hospice patients. Once moving to Ocean City fulltime, Carol became a member of the Marlin Club Auxiliary and founded the jewelry show which still continues today with many local vendors. She also volunteered at St. Mary’s making jewelry and helping to prepare for the Christmas Bazaar.
Carol is survived by her loving husband, Stu, of 58 years whose presence was her steadfast companion through the years. Together, they built a life full of joy and family.
She is also survived by her children, Mike and Lisa. They each, in their unique way, held a special place in her heart. Carol adored her three grandchildren and three great grandchildren. They brought her immense pride and happiness to her.
Carol is remembered by her sister, Chris, and Chris’s family, who held a close bond with her through the years. The love and connection they shared are undeniable.
Carol Windsor will forever be remembered for her indelible mark she left on her family. She was, without question, an extraordinarily faithful woman whose legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of those who loved her.
A mass will be held Saturday, January 4, 2024, 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea, 1705 Philadelphia Ave., Ocean City, Md. 21842 followed by a Celebration of Life in the church. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Coastal Hospice, 1500 Ocean Parkway, Berlin, Md. 21811.
ANN IRENE RICE GOUGH
Ocean City
Ann Irene Rice Gough passed away peacefully on December 15, 2024, at the age of 91. Born in Salem, Massachusetts on December 10, 1933, the second of five children, Ann developed her lifelong values of family, faith, and hard work.
In 1954, Ann relocated to Washington, D.C. to begin a new chapter, accepting a position with the FBI. During her tenure, she received a letter of commendation from Director J. Edgar Hoover congratulating her on her work on the bribery case involving Jimmy Hoffa, former President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
During a visit to Ocean City, Maryland, she met the love of her life, John Gough. They married on July 6, 1957, embarking on a journey of love and devotion that spanned 62 years. Ann dedicated her early
years to raising her family as a stayat-home mother, providing a nurturing and loving environment for her five children. She volunteered many hours of service to the Lanham Boys and Girls Club as Director of Cheerleading and, ultimately served as Vice President of the Organization. Ann was the only twotime recipient of the prestigious Bob Hicks award given by the club. The award, named after a former Club President, was acknowledgment of the hard work, energy and volunteer hours an individual pledged to the Boys and Girls Club. Once the children were raised, Ann embarked on a second career as a trusted administrative assistant for a local Neurosurgeons’ office.
In 1992, Ann and John retired to Ocean City, Maryland, where they embraced the quiet beauty of coastal living. Ann continued the love and commitment to her community and became a reserve officer with the Ocean City Police department and was awarded the 2010 Reserve Officer of the Year. She was ultimately presented with a key to the city by the mayor.
After John’s passing in June 2018, Ann carried on with remarkable strength, surrounded by the family she had devoted her life to. Ann is predeceased by her husband, John, sister Dorothy Perron, brother Alan
Rice and great grandson, Vincent Boog. She is survived by brother Clarence “Buddy” Rice, and sister, Marjory Giroux. Ann’s legacy lives on in her five children, Kathleen, Timothy (Lori), Brian (Margaret), Daniel (Amy) and Craig (Marcine), eleven grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, and the countless lives she touched with her kindness and wis-
dom.
A funeral mass celebrating Ann’s life will be held Friday, Dec. 20 at 11 a.m. at St Mathias Catholic Church (9475 Annapolis Rd, Lanham, Md.).
Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to DeMatha Catholic High School, Hyattsville, Md.
May she rest in eternal peace.
$1,595. LOISJAMES
2 x 4.14
By Bruce C. Walls Contributing Writer
(Dec. 20, 2024) Worcester Prep’s boys varsity basketball team narrowly beat Chincoteague High School’s team 55-54 last Friday and went into the holiday break with an overtime win on Monday over Indian River.
Game-high scorer Junior Ben Anthony had 12 points while Senior Owen West came in with 11, converting three straight three-point shots from deep in the game’s opening minutes.
“I shoot a lot and practice a lot during the week and practice paid off. It came to fruition,” West said after the game.
The Mallards reached the second period with the Seahawks ahead 17-10. Senior Mike DePalma made two more three pointers and one from in the box. At the half the score was 32- 28 with the Mallards ahead.
During the third quarter, Sophomore Danny Kirwan made the last three pointer for the Fighting Mallards of the night, The team converted on six three
pointers out of 16 attempts. Chincoteague also made six threes out of 11 attempts but were solid inside the box.
Worcester started the final quarter with a seven-point lead. Worcester Prep eked out 7 more points while Chincoteague stayed consistent with 13 more but not enough. The final score was 5554.
“I think we let them hang around way too long,” West said. “I felt we were a little lackluster on defense but I think we finished strong and we got the win and that’s all that matters.”
An exhausted but happy team headed to the lockers.
“I feel like we came out really fast and we made some shots,” Coach Eddie
Rohe said of his Mallards. “We were playing some really good offense and they (Chincoteague) stepped it up and they brought their best game today. They had a lot to prove, and they gave us their all and we got the W. I’m really proud of the guy’s finish. We needed to go into this weekend with a win I’m proud of the guys they played hard.”
Worcester Prep continued its winning ways with a 45-38 overtime win over Indian River on Monday. The Mallards outscored the Indians, 14-7, in the extra period to secure the victory. The Mallards are 4-1 on the season heading into the extended holiday break. The Mallards next game is Jan. 8 at Holly Grove.
By Bruce C. Walls Contributing Writer
(Dec. 20, 2024) Worcester Prep School girls’ varsity high school basketball team is heading into the holiday break with a 4-3 record.
The Mallards returned to their home court last Friday for a 46-22 win over Chincoteague High School.
According to Mallards Head Coach Kelly Roberts, “Today was a good day and the rest of the week wasn’t that great.”
On Tuesday, Dec. 10, the Mallards lost to the Royals of Delmarva Christian. 37-24. On Wednesday, Dec. 11, WPS fell to Gunston on the road, 35-34.
Last Friday’s night game on Dec. 13 was a little different with only seven players healthy enough to play but a gutsy win.
The first quarter set the stage for the night. Sydney Mize made her first three pointer, Carolina Labin made three baskets while Anisha Batra made three baskets and two free throws.
After one quarter, the Mallards scored 17 game points while Chincoteague only made three.
Chincoteague poured on the defense in the second quarter limiting the fighting Mallards to only seven points behind three baskets from Mize, Harper Hertrich and Batra who also made a free throw. Mallards pushed back only allowing one bucket and one free throw, leading at the half 24-6.
The second half continued as the first half with the Mallards up by 25 points after the third quarter.
“I think we had less turnovers, a lot less,” Roberts said. “I think we worked together working the ball better and we switched it up with who was playing with who. We need to work on free throws and rebounding definitely and hit the boards a little bit harder and lay ups. They have a lot of heart.”
On Monday, Dec. 16, Worcester Prep faced a tough Indian River team at home, losing 4827.
By Bruce C. Walls Contributing Writer
(Dec. 20, 2024) Stephen Decatur wrestlers faced off Monday against Snow Hill in front of a packed house, winning the boys dual match 62-10 and the girls side, 65-9.
Seahawks Head Coach Joshua August said Decatur is first in their region and off to another great year.
Excitement was in the air for the first ever Dual Girls Match held at Stephen Decatur against Snow Hill. Eight young female Eagles took to the mat to warm up then the lights went down and the crowd roared as 16 fierce Lady Seahawks charged the mat to the sound of Guns n Roses signature song ‘Welcome to the Jungle’.
Out of 14 weight classes, the Eagles took only two – the 155-pound class won by Ioana Popescu by forfeit and 145-pound division taken by Olha Borodina over Chelsea Mazariego of Stephen Decatur 8-6. The Seahawks won by forfeit with Zoe Rill (100), Calleigh McBride (105 and 110), Betty Barrueta (130) and Azariyah Johnson (190) taking the wins.
There were five classes taken to the mat, (115) Melani Ruiz (SD) over
Emily Loss (SH) fall 3:08, (120) Sage Sturgis (SD) over Monroe Scott (SH) fall 0:34, (125) Irie Carmack (SD) over Amelia Harper (SH) fall 4:27, (135) Rachel Plata (SD) over Sophia Watson (SH) fall 0:15 and (170) Chaniah Bernier (SD) over Laila Green (SH) fall 0:16. Stephen Decatur won the first girls dual match 65-9.
After a quick intermission the Boys Dual Match began. The 106pound weight class was won by forfeit (SD) Kyle Wilson. Snow Hill took the next two at the 113 and 120 pound weights. The Seahawks took the next 10 classes with wins from Juan Hinojosa (126), Elijah Collick (132), Aaron August (138), Lucas Kohut (144), Jake Saullo (150), Alex Riehl by forfeit (157), Braydon Bell (165), Malex Nichols (175), Cole Muir (190) and Nate McDaniel (215). The last class of the day was won by Jacob Hall of Snow Hill making the final score 62-10 for another Stephen Decatur win.
“We prepare for events like this by going into a room, shutting the door and wrestling,” said August, who is looking to steer his team to its fifth straight state championship.
By Dave Dalkiewicz Contributing Writer
(Dec. 20, 2024) Winter surfing is a unique activity. It’s so unique that it could be considered to be rare. There’s a lot that goes into winter surfing, and proper equipment becomes important. Part of the equipment situation is a full wetsuit of a thicker variety.
A four/three full suit comes to mind as a minimum requirement for warmth in cold water and cold air conditions, although thicker would
be better. The combination of warmth and flexibility becomes an issue. It’s an issue where one is as much a consideration as the other. Wetsuit boots and gloves go right along with what becomes necessary for winter surfing. Also worthy in the proper equipment category would be a wetsuit cap or hood.
There are a lot of little items that can go a long way in keeping the win-
ter surfing experience the best it can be. A container, such as a five-gallon bucket, can be utilized to store wetsuit gear when exiting the water and getting out of all that wet stuff. Parking a vehicle in the sun can help with the warmth factor after a surf session. Having a few large size towels on hand can help when the session is over.
If considering the notion that winter surfing covers about half of the year maybe it isn’t as unique as once thought. The advantages can be nu-
merous. There are no restrictions as in the summer season. Traffic is not an issue, and the streets are relatively empty. Parking is abundant, unlike the seasonal summer, and can be easily found. There are no long lines in waiting to get anywhere.
So there a few thoughts on the pros and cons of surfi9ng in a cold winter season.
— Dave Dalkiewicz is the owner of Ocean Atlantic Surf Shop in Ocean City
(Dec. 20, 2024) Three Worcester Preparatory School (WPS) senior student-athletes, Ben McGovern of Salisbury, Emma Zajdel of Ocean City and Mike DePalma of Ocean City gathered on Monday, Dec. 9, to celebrate their commitment to collegiate sports programs.
McGovern has committed to play Division I Men’s Soccer at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., where he will study PreMed. He is an AP Scholar and a member of the Charles R. Jenkins Chapter of the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society. In addition to playing soccer at Worcester Prep, Ben plays with the Maryland United Football Club, where he has served as team captain for five years. He has also played soccer interna-
tionally in Sweden and Spain, where his team won the championship in the Mediterranean International Cup (MIC) in 2023. In 2024, Ben was selected to attend the National Selection Program at the Chula Vista Olympic Training Center, where he played in the 2024 ECNL Boys Conference Cup. At WPS, McGovern has been a four-year starter and 12th-grade captain on the Varsity Boys Soccer Team, helping his team win the ESIAC Championship each year and being named All-Conference all four years. He is the son of Drs. Lauren and Scott McGovern.
Zajdel has committed to play Division III Women’s Lacrosse at Washington College in Chestertown, where she is choosing between studying either Business or Pre-Med. She is a
member of the Charles R. Jenkins Chapter of the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society. She is a multi-sport athlete at Worcester Prep, where she has played all four years of Upper School on both the varsity lacrosse and soccer teams, has been named ESIAC All-Conference Player twice, and has received the MVP award in lacrosse. In addition to playing lacrosse for WPS, she has also played travel lacrosse with Major Force Lacrosse. She is a member of the Environmental, Recycling, Volunteer, and Gardening clubs at Worcester Prep. She is the daughter of Kristen and Edwin Zajdel.
DePalma has committed to play Division III Men’s Golf at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa.., where he will
choose between either Pre-Med or Health Studies. He is a member of the Charles R. Jenkins Chapter of the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society. Mike has served as Worcester Prep’s team captain and has been voted MVP since the 10th grade, as well as being named conference player of the year all four years of Upper School. He is a multi-sport athlete at Worcester Prep, where he also played varsity basketball from 9th to 12th grade and has been the starting point guard in his 11th and 12th-grade seasons. He has traveled to compete in many golf opens and tournaments, including the Drive, Chip & Putt Nationals. He is also a member of the WPS Recycling, Surf, and Fishing clubs. He is the son of Drs. Errin and Michael DePalma.
• 1 Cluster Crab Legs 1/2 lb. Shrimp • 1 lb. Mussels & 6 Clams
All served with corn on the cob, red potatoes, onions & spices Tuesday
1/2 PRICE FAJITAS PLATTERS & $5 MARGARITAS
3 Flour Tortillas, Salsa, Sour Cream, Caramelized Onions & Bell Peppers. Seasoned & Served Sizzling on a Hot Skillet SEASONED STEAK • GULF SHRIMP • CHICKEN BREAST • CHICKEN & SHRIMP • STEAK & SHRIMP
STEAK, SHRIMP & CHICKEN Add a Small Plate of Lettuce, Tomato & Cheese $4 Wednesday
SINGLE OR DOUBLE JUMBO LUMP CRAB CAKED DINNER
JUMBO LUMP CRAB CAKE & COLD WATER LOBSTER TAIL
SINGLE OR DOUBLE COLD WATER LOBSTER TAIL
SCALLOP DINNER • SALMON DINNER • ROCKFISH DINNER
SALMON STUFFED WITH CRAB IMPERIAL ROCKFISH STUFFED WITH CRAB IMPERIAL MARYLAND BROILER PLATTER All served with roasted red potatoes & vegetable of the day
