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Winterfest All Ready: The lights were officially turned on for the season for Ocean City’s 28th Annual Winterfest of Lights last night. Above crews are pictured putting on the finishing touches this week. See page 35 for event details.

Photo by Chris Parypa

Public Schools Go Virtual For Now

BikeFest Eyes Larger Event In 2021

Md. Suspends All Jury Trials Again

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See Page 8 • Photo by Chris Parypa

See Page 6 • Photo by Charlene Sharpe

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November 20, 2020

November 20, 2020

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Local School Officials Explain Virtual Learning Decisions

Page 4

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

NEWARK – Worcester County’s public schools returned to distance learning this week as COVID-19 positivity rates jumped.

Parents were informed late Sunday afternoon that Worcester County Public Schools would halt in-person instruction and would instead offer virtual learning Nov. 16-30. Officials hope to reopen schools Dec. 1.

“We will be continuing to monitor the community statistics regarding COVID19, and we hold out hope that we will be able to move forward once again into phase two of our Responsible Return model on Dec. 1,” Superintendent Lou Taylor said during Tuesday’s Worcester County Board of Education meeting.

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“We want our school system community to know that as we are watching these metrics closely we will continue to communicate to you as quickly as possible when our decisions are made.”

In a presentation to the board, Lauren Williams, the school system’s coordinator of school health services, said the return to virtual instruction was made after a jump in COVID-19 positivity rates.

“The numbers went up very quickly over the last two weeks,” she said.

Williams said that when the positivity rate was above 5% and the new case rate exceeded 15 per 100,000, state guidance changed. Rather than hybrid and partial in-person programs, the governor’s school recovery plan calls for “limited or no in-person programs.”

“The really important metric is when we get higher than 5% positivity rate and

higher than 15 per 100,000,” Williams said.

She also talked about the school system’s procedures for both COVID-19 cases as well as instances of COVIDlike illness. She stressed that the school system worked closely with the Worcester County Health Department when positive COVID-19 cases occurred.

“Everyone can rest assured we’re doing a very thorough and broad investigation,” she said.

Taylor praised Williams for her efforts in monitoring the pandemic locally.

“Many would think that Lauren is the one saying shutdown, shutdown shutdown,” he said. “She’s not. As a matter of fact on Monday, she talked me out of things that I was probably going a little harsh on about shutting down … she doesn’t have the mindset of when the

November 20, 2020

word COVID pops up close the schools.

I appreciate that. She looks at a broad picture.”

Taylor asked community members to do their part in stopping the spread of the virus.

“We truly have made remarkable progress in our schools to bring back students safely in our classrooms but as you saw over the past week as we announced several closures, this virus is real,” Taylor said. “It is in our community and we need to protect ourselves and one another from exposures whenever possible. I wanted to stress today to all of our community the role they play in our schools being able to welcome students back to in person learning.”

He stressed the importance of wearing a face covering, maintaining physical distance, handwashing and not holding gatherings.

“We know this is hard and we know that everyone is tired, including myself, of COVID and all the hardships it has brought us,” he said. “But I also know what WC is made of. I truly know what this county is made of because I’ve lived here all my life. We are strong-willed and protective of our community. So let’s stand together. Let’s start today like only we can and throw all our efforts into reducing this pandemic to a thing of the past.”

Wicomico County Public Schools this week also announced its return to all virtual learning in response to concerning trends in community health metrics.

On Tuesday, the Wicomico County Board of Education unanimously approved a plan to temporarily roll back inperson hybrid learning and return to all virtual learning through Dec. 18. If health metrics improve, in-person hybrid learning will resume on Jan. 4 for students in prekindergarten through eighth grade and Feb. 2 for high school students.

With a new case rate of 27.16 per 100,000 and a positivity rate of 5.91% on Nov. 15, the school system reports Wicomico County’s numbers are well outside the metrics that would allow the school system to continue with in-person instruction.

“While we know this news will not be welcomed by all, the return to fully virtual instruction will support the health and safety of students, staff and families while providing robust, consistent virtual instruction in the challenging weeks ahead,” Superintendent Donna Hanlin said. “As a school system, we have enjoyed seeing the faces of our youngest learners in the classroom, and we are disappointed not to be able to continue with the steady roll-out of our Return to School Action Plan. But we realize this pause is necessary.”

For more information on the school system’s return to all virtual learning, visit www.wcboe.org.

“For our students and staff, safety is the key,” Board Vice Chairman Gene Malone said. “We’re doing this for the safety of everyone involved in our schools, and the safety of everyone in our community.”

November 20, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 5

Jury Trial Restriction Brings Prosecution Concerns

Page 6

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

SNOW HILL – State judiciary officials last week re-instituted restrictions on most criminal and civil jury trials, resulting again in another backlog of cases after the court system was starting to make headway after the spring shutdown.

The Maryland Judiciary last Thursday announced it will restrict operations to Phase III of its five-phased progressive reopening plan in response to the continuing surge in COVID-19 cases in the state. The state’s judicial system virtually shut down in March amid the initial COVID outbreak and was just beginning to return to some sense of normalcy this fall.

The Maryland Judiciary had resumed full operations under Phase V on Oct. 5, including jury trials, with state-mandated health protocols in place statewide, including here on the Lower Shore. With the number of new COVID cases spiking almost daily, along with an increasing positive test rate, Maryland Court of Appeals Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera announced the return to Phase III of the recovery plan last Thursday.

“After consultation with the leadership of the Maryland Department of Health and Judiciary leaders, I have determined that the Maryland Judiciary must return to restricted operations as described in Phase III in response to the rapidly increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Maryland,” she said. “The health and safety of the public, judges, and Judici-

ary staff remains a top priority, and we will continue to monitor the COVID-19 heath emergency and adjust Judiciary operations as necessary. We will keep the public apprised of any changes in operations and ensure that as many of the core functions of the Judiciary will remain available to the extent the emergency conditions allow.”

In Phase III, the district courts and the circuit courts will continue to hear specific cases and other proceedings remotely, but jury trials will not be heard until at least after the end of the year. Courts across Maryland will continue using technology for remote proceedings, either by video or telephone, but the process will vary by court location.

Under Phase III, the types of cases

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that will continue to be heard include district court criminal, traffic, civil, family, Child in Need of Assistance (CINA) and juvenile matters. The courts, including those in Worcester County, will also include to hear extreme-risk protective orders and landlord-tenant cases.

Closer to home, Worcester County State’s Attorney Kris Heiser said the return to Phase III represents a setback at a time when her office was making progress on cases backlogged since last spring. Perhaps more importantly, many of the criminal cases from the height of the summer season, including a particularly violent stretch in June, were starting to make their way toward jury trials.

“Ultimately, each additional restriction imposed on the court slows down the workings of the entire criminal justice system, meaning already-backlogged cases are now further backlogged,” said Heiser this week. “My prosecutors continue to work diligently on their cases, appear in court for all matters that are still allowed to proceed and to remain prepared for the eventual resumption of jury trials.”

Heiser said a major concern for her team is the number of defendants being held without bond while awaiting trial.

With the machinations of the court system, many of the most serious cases from the summer in Ocean City were heading toward jury trials in the coming weeks.

“Our biggest concern and priority continues to be preventing the release of dangerous criminals who are being held pre-trial,” she said. “As is the case throughout the state, defendants who pose a danger to our community and were properly ordered held pending trial will increasingly seek additional bond reviews to argue for their release because, in some cases, the length of time they have been held pre-trial is greater than what it would be under normal circumstances.”

Heiser said through no fault of the court system, many of those offenders could have to wait weeks, or perhaps months, for their trials to come to fruition.

In some cases, those defendants could serve time in jail for a period equal to or greater than their ultimate sentences.

“My prosecutors continue to argue against the release of any defendant who poses a danger to our community,” she said. “Unfortunately, the existence of COVID-19 does not make these offenders any less dangerous, and because we are not the reason for the delay in their trials.”

Otherwise, individuals who have business with the courts should check the judiciary’s website at www.mdcourts.gov, or call the clerk’s office in their jurisdiction before arriving at a courthouse location. All court visitors and employees are required to wear a face mask, submit to temperature checks, a verbal or written COVID screening questionnaire and adhere to social distancing guidelines.

November 20, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 7

Two-Week BikeFest Proposal Gains Tourism Support

Page 8

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – In what could be a bold solution to a challenging problem, resort tourism officials this week endorsed an expanded, two-weekend Bike Week, the second of which could overlap with the troublesome unsanctioned pop-up car rally.

OC BikeFest promoter Chase Michael came before the Tourism Commission on Monday to pitch the idea of expanding the event over 10 days including two bookend weekends this year with an expanded budget to draw even more top performing acts. Michael said OC BikeFest and the associated Delmarva Bike Week are already on the map nationally. He said an expanded 10-day event with major acts on the

bookend weekends could elevate that status further, sort of a Sturgis meets Coachella festival of motorcycles, top music entertainment and vendors.

“We’re looking to expand the event to a two full-weekend event,” he said.

“We’re going to have a full music festival associated with OC BikeFest for two full weekends. The entertainment would be on the bookend weekends, but the vendors would be here for the full 10 days.”

Michael said in order for that to happen, OC Jams, which produces OC BikeFest, is seeking an infusion of funding from the two, either through the Tourism Advisory Board (TAB) or another source.

“We’re seeking a request from TAB or some other source for funding assistance,” he said. “We will match the town’s contribution dollar-for-dol-

lar, which will be used to book major bands.”

Michael said OC BikeFest was seeking $250,000 from the town, which the promoter will match to bring the entertainment budget potentially to $500,000.

After the 2020 Bike Week was postponed because of COVID, OC Bikefest was able to lock in an impressive line-up for the rescheduled 2021 event, which included Kid Rock, George Thorogood and the Destroyers, Foghat, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Kix, Great White and Billy Idol. With an expanded event over two weekends, along with an expanded budget, Michaels said he was confident he could duplicate a similar line-up on the second weekend.

Michael presented a couple of options for an expanded two-weekend OC

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BikeFest. The 2021 event is already locked in for Wednesday, Sept. 15 to Sunday, Sept. 19. One option is adding the weekend earlier, which would take the event from Wednesday, Sept. 8 to Sunday, Sept. 19. The second option would run from the original Wednesday, Sept. 15 start day through Sunday, Sept. 26.

The second option would put OC BikeFest right up top of the unsanctioned and unwelcomed pop-up car rally. Michaels said he was confident with OC BikeFest, which roughly draws around 150,000 in most years, even before it was expanded over two weekends, could help supplant the pop-up car rally and perhaps force it to move elsewhere.

“Knowing the size of our event and the caliber of our event, as time went by, we’re pretty sure that weekend would become primarily Bike Week,” he said.

Michael pointed out OC BikeFest’s stellar track record in filling the resort’s accommodations, along with its restaurants, bars and other amenities.

“One of the most important things for Ocean City is the high occupancy rate,” he said. “We’ve been able to keep the occupancy rate well over 70%. In 2016, 2017 and 2019, the town’s occupancy rate during the event was at 71%. In 2018, there was a threat of a hurricane and we were still at 64%.”

Councilman and Tourism Commission member John Gehrig agreed the proposed expansion of Bike Week over two weekends could help supplant the pop-up car rally.

“If you fill up the hotel rooms with bikers, you can displace them,” he said.

“Higher occupancy means higher rates and higher rates can put pressure on that group. If we’re going to do this, I want to solve a problem. It’s a pretty small investment if it fixes that problem.

You are the one event in our inventory that can displace that, as long as you are confident you can handle it.”

Michael said he was confident the potentially hundreds of thousands of OC BikeFest participants could gobble up the resort’s hotel room inventory over the roughly two-week period.

“Based on what I saw with the impounds and the towing, Saturday was two times bigger than Friday and Friday was two times bigger than Thursday,” he said. “If the rooms are booked by our people, it doesn’t leave much else available.”

Commission member Stephanie Meehan agreed the throngs of Bike Week enthusiasts could help force out the pop-up rally, but voiced concern.

“I think it’s great to have the bikers filling up the rooms,” she said. “My concern is that second weekend could be challenging because of that other event.”

Tourism Commission member Kevin Gibbs voiced concern overlapping the two significant events could have a counter-effect on the popular OC BikeSEE NEXT PAGE

… Second Week Could Conflict With Traditional Pop-Up Event Gathering

November 20, 2020

fest.

“I’m a little worried about your client base,” he said. “Are you going to have that 55-year-old biker who doesn’t come back next year because of all of the crap? It might actually escalate the problem.”

However, Gehrig said the potential reward was worth the risk.

“They’ve taken ownership of that weekend,” he said. “Right now, we don’t have a solution. This thing is so big now.

I don’t think any of us believe the solution is simple or painless. There’s a risk in doing nothing. There’s probably more risk in doing nothing.”

Gibbs agreed expanding Bike Week was a no-brainer, but remained uncertain about the second weekend.

“I think a two-week Bike Week is a home run,” he said. “Bike Week has been very, very good for Ocean City.”

Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association Executive Director Susan Jones said she was confident with the years of working together with the town, OCBikefest will pull off the expanded event and advocated for the second weekend.

“We worked with Kathy [Michael] since day one and we have a great relationship,” she said. “You’re familiar

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

with us and we’re familiar with you. I would definitely recommend that second weekend.”

However, Special Events Director Frank Miller recommended a more cautious approach.

“I would hate to see you rule out the weekend prior,” he said. “You need to look at this as a long-term value and not a temporary solution in getting rid of the pop-up rally. Remember during the pop-up rally this year, a lot of our businesses closed early. What would that do to Bike Week if that happened again?”

Gehrig said there were a lot of details and concerns to work through, but recommended taking bold action. To that end, he made a motion to forward a favorable recommendation to the full Mayor and Council.

“These are all details to work through,” he said. “The important thing is, every penny we spend needs to solve a problem. We have to be strategic in our approach.”

Council President and commission chair Matt James agreed it would likely come down to the Bike Week participants filling up the hotel rooms.

“It all comes down to inventory,” he said. “If they don’t have a place to stay, hopefully they don’t come back.”

Page 9

Governor Issues New Restrictions As Positive Cases Surge

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – With the recent spike in key COVID metrics across the state, Gov. Larry Hogan once again this week issued new directives aimed at slowing the spread of the virus.

During what has once again become a weekly, or even twice-weekly briefing, Hogan on Tuesday reported on the alarming spike in key metrics over the last few weeks and again handed down more restrictions and limitations aimed at slowing the spread. Throughout the spring and early summer, the governor

gave weekly updates on the state’s statistics and at each of those briefings he announced more and more ominous restrictions and closures.

Now, with the metric spiking again in recent weeks, Hogan’s press conferences are coming with more and more frequency and most wait with bated breath to learn what is coming next.

Such was the case on Tuesday when the governor held his latest briefing on COVID-19. Last week, Hogan announced a series of new directives, including a reduction of indoor dining capacity from 75% to 50%. When the governor emerged for his press conference on

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“I’ve always been a straight shooter and I’m going to tell it to you straight,” he said. “The sad reality is, we’ve seen more infections, more hospitalizations and more people dying. We’ve had 13 straight days of more than 1,000 new cases and last Saturday was, by far, the largest single-day increase since the spring.”

Indeed, those key metrics in Maryland continue to spike and that 13-day period Hogan referenced on Tuesday increased again on Wednesday with 2,910 new cases reported, 48 new hospitalizations, 19 more deaths and a 7.19% testing positivity rate. The steady increase in the number of new cases can be attributed somewhat to the sheer volume of testing going on now in Maryland, but that testing positivity rate is a number watched most closely. The stated acceptable threshold is 5%, but the rate has steadily increased in Maryland in recent weeks.

“We are in a war right now, and the virus is winning,” he said. “Now more than ever, I am pleading with the people of our state to stand together a while longer to help us battle this surging virus. Your family and friends are counting on you, your neighbors are counting on you, and your fellow Marylanders are counting on you to stay Maryland

November 20, 2020

Strong.”

Hogan announced a series of new directives aimed at reversing those alarming trends in the numbers. For example, hospital visitation is now prohibited until further notice, with the exception of endof-life care, parents or guardians of minors, and support for people with disabilities. The governor also issued a hospital surge management order that allows hospitals at or near capacity to transfer patients to facilities that are equipped to provide them with the care they need. In addition, a new directive warns hospitals to avoid any elective procedures that are not urgent or lifethreatening.

Hogan also issued new directives for nursing homes across the state, which have been identified as hotspots since the beginning of the pandemic. For example, nursing home visitation is limited to compassionate care only and nursing home staffers must be tested twice weekly. Any visitors to nursing homes must have proof of a negative COVID test within 72 hours of their visit.

Mandatory twice-weekly testing for all nursing home staff and weekly testing for all nursing home residents becomes effective Friday, Nov. 20.

In addition, all retail businesses, including gyms and personal services, must revert back to 50% occupancy.

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November 20, 2020

A courtyard, above, and a hallway, below, are pictured within the new Showell Elementary School.

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BERLIN – School system officials showcased the new Showell Elementary School on a media tour Friday.

Though in-school instruction has now been temporarily halted, the new stateof-the-art Showell Elementary School opened this fall. The new facility, which is nearly double the size of the old school, was completed in just under two years despite the pandemic.

“We didn’t miss one day of construction,” said Joe Price, the school system’s facilities manager.

Construction began on the new school, which sits behind where the old school was, in September 2018 after years of planning. Educators and families had long advocated for a new school, as the facility built in 1976 was outdated and overgrown, with nine portable classrooms and insufficient space for fourthgrade.

Despite the arrival of the pandemic, crews were able to finish the school on the planned timetable. As the new building neared completion, crews knocked down the old school and turned that space into the bus loop. When students returned to classrooms this fall, they walked into an expansive new facility with space for prekindergarten through fourth grade as well as classrooms for art, music and technology.

On Friday’s tour, Price, joined by Bill Moschler, project manager for Oak Contracting, and Brad Hastings of Becker Morgan Group, highlighted the building’s natural light, modern design and energy efficiency. The school’s cafeteria, media center and classrooms feature large windows to let in light. Common areas for each grade level, though currently full of extra furniture that has been removed from classrooms to allow for social distancing, will provide space for students to meet for projects or listen to visiting speakers.

“It’s a one-and-a-half story space with windows,” Moschler said. “It’s one of the features you see on the outside of the building. It gives it a bit of visual impact.”

Off each common area is a teacher resource room.

“That’s where the teachers can work and plan together,” said Principal Diane Shorts. “It’s a nice space for them to have throughout the day.”

A large courtyard at the center of the school provides students with outdoor space and even features a cistern. In the spring, that’s where the school’s vegetable garden will be located.

Shorts said the space was used in recent weeks to give kids a chance to take off their masks while outdoors.

“We’ve been able to use this quite well,” she said.

There are also two playgrounds, one for younger students and one for older students, as well as a sensory room.

That space is used by special education students as well as those who might just need a break from the traditional classroom.

Hastings said the school had been built to meet LEED Silver certification standards.

“LEED is an acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and it just recognizes that the facility has been designed with energy efficiency, environmental thoughts, across the board,” he said. “It’s a very strenuous process.

Shorts praised the construction team for their efforts during the process.

“They’ve been phenomenal to work with,” she said.

OC Lax Classic Could Be Reinvented In Future Years

November 20, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

WeekDay Games May Feature Youth

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – A couple of national lacrosse heavyweights could help elevate the annual Ocean City Lacrosse Classic to a week-long, family-friendly celebration of the sport, resort tourism officials learned this week.

At Monday’s Tourism Commission meeting, Tourism Advisory Board (TAB) President Steve Pastusak briefed committee members on a proposed expansion of the Ocean City Lacrosse Classic, which has been played in and around the resort area every August since its founding in 1993. Heretofore, the tournament has included men’s and women’s elite teams, featuring some of the top collegiate players in the country, along with masters and grand masters divisions.

However, with competition for top players from a major tournament in Lake Placid, N.Y., on the same weekend, along with the exploding youth lacrosse market, the Ocean City Lacrosse Classic is in need of a bit of an overhaul and has found perhaps the best representatives of the sport to do it.

Pastusak explained to the tourism commission on Monday the Legendary Sports Group, which produces many of the larger lacrosse tournaments in the country, is coming on board with the Ocean City Lacrosse Classic and bringing a couple of the sport’s heavyweights with it.

Pastusak said TAB met recently with Hall-of-Famer Dave Cottle, who coached the University of Maryland and Loyola University teams and was inducted to the U.S. Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2017. Also on board is Dave Pietramala, who coached Johns Hopkins for 19 years and won two national championships at the Baltimore school. Pietramala played at Hopkins and was a three-time All-American defenseman and national champion.

Together, Cottle and Pietramala, who coached together at Loyola in the early90s, want to help shepherd the aging Ocean City Lacrosse Classic into a new era, according to Pastusak.

“There is an event in Lake Placid around the same time as Ocean City’s tournament and it’s a week-long event,” he said. “Legendary Sports, with Cottle and Pietramala on board, want to make Ocean City’s tournament also a weeklong event. Currently, we have the older guys, but they want to add youth divisions and have the tournament go on all week.”

Pastusak said the Legendary Sports Group met with TAB and requested funding in the amount of $50,000 in the first year, followed by $40,000 in year two and $30,000 in the third year, rounding out the proposed three-year commitment. He said in exchange, TAB requested Legendary Sports commit to a winter indoor lacrosse event.

Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association Executive Director Susan Jones said Legendary Sports is the top

of the line in sports tournament promotions.

“Legendary Sports is the cream of the crop,” she said. “This would add a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday youth tournament and it really makes it a weeklong event. The existing event has dwindled somewhat recently because of Lake Placid, but this is an opportunity to build this into a premiere family event.”

Pastusak agreed the Ocean City tournament has taken a hit recently because of the popularity of Lake Placid, which is a week-long event.

“Our August event is going downhill, frankly,” he said. “This would boost that

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weekend, while adding Monday through Wednesday for the youth tournaments.

We would see families watching their kids play all week and then the older guys take the fields on the weekend.

These are the guys to pull this off.”

Council President and commission member Matt James supported the concept, but said he preferred to see the event held in June as opposed to August, which generally takes care of itself in terms of tourism.

“I don’t really care for the August dates,” he said. “We really like to see this in June. I’m a little hung up on the dates. If this is a three-year commitment,

I’d like to see it in June in 2022 and going forward.”

Jones said that was a possibility and Legendary Sports has shown a willingness to be flexible.

“They are willing to work around what we want,” she said. “In this first year, they have to work in that August timeframe. Let this come before the Mayor and Council. Let’s not get hung up on the dates today.”

Councilman and commission member John Gehrig, a strong advocate for rebranding Ocean City as a youth sports destination, made a motion to forward a favorable recommendation to the Mayor and Council. However, Pastusak said TAB would take the request to the elected officials and Monday’s briefing for the tourism commission was largely informational.

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

November 20, 2020

November 20, 2020

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Page 15

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Island Pregnancy Tests Underway

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

November 20, 2020

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – While far from the most glamorous aspect of managing the wild horses on Assateague, National Park Service staffers this month began the annual chore of conducting pregnancy tests on many of the mares in the herd on the barrier island.

Each November, Assateague Island National Seashore biologists conduct pregnancy tests on most of the mares among the population of wild horses on the Maryland side in an attempt to predict how many, if any, new foals are expected in the coming year. While it doesn’t sound scientific, staffers follow the mares and wait for them to defecate.

Samples are collected, frozen and sent to a lab to be analyzed to determine which if any of the mares will be expecting next spring. Last year, eight mares were determined to be expecting in what was the largest number ever in the history of collecting the data.

For over two decades, Assateague staffers have been monitoring the birthing habits of the island’s most famed residents and the information collected this month, or more specifically the fecal matter, will tell the story for the coming year.

Employees know the mares in the herd by their alpha-numeric name, their markings, the bands they belong to and the areas of the island they tend to frequent. Although it is not entirely scientific, the pregnancy tests generally serve as a good barometer for the expected foals in the next year.

It is not infallible, however, and every once in a while, there are surprise births on the island. The popular horses on Assateague are wild animals and generally left to the whims of nature. However, in the interest of maintaining a healthy population size, the National Park Ser-

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vice several years ago began a contraceptive program for the mares.

In almost each year since, selected mares have been injected, or darted more appropriately, with a non-invasive contraceptive called PZP in an effort to maintain the size of the herd on the Maryland side in its manageable threshold.

The target range for the horse population on the Maryland side of Assateague is 80-100 and there were times over the years when the population was well north of those numbers. In recent years, due to the contraceptive management program and the loss of some horses to old age, attrition and death, often natural and occasionally from man-made causes such as vehicle collisions, the population had dipped.

In the last available census, the population of wild horses on the Maryland side of Assateague had dropped to 73, or well below the 80100 ideal threshold. However, that census did not include the foal boom on the barrier island this year with eight mares expecting. As a result, the National Park Service’s contraceptive program has shifted to an adaptive management phase.

With no mares contracepted last year, there could be another boom on the island next year and the pregnancy test samples collected this month will predict that.

Meanwhile, the Assateague Island Alliance, or the friends group of Assateague Island National Seashore, which advocates on behalf of the wild horses, in early December will be holding a Name Those Foals raffle, during which the lucky ticket holders will be afforded the naming rights to the last two colts born this year on the island. The tickets are $10 and must be purchased before midnight on Dec. 10. The AIA will hold a Facebook live drawing of the winner the following day on Dec. 11 at a time and location to be determined as the raffle draws nearer.

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Berlin Meetings Online; Masks A Must At Events

November 20, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 17

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BERLIN – As COVID-19 cases are on the rise, Berlin announced additional precautions — including a move to online meetings and a mask mandate for busy shopping days — to protect health and safety.

The town announced on Wednesday that meetings were in the process of being moved online and that an emergency declaration would require masks on the dates of Ice Ice Berlin, Small Business Saturday and December’s Second Friday — busy shopping days in town. Beginning Monday, public access to town buildings will be restricted and board and commission meetings will be canceled until preparations can be made to meet entirely online.

“We’re going to be exploring using Zoom,” Mayor Zack Tyndall said. “We’re reaching out to neighboring municipalities to see how it’s working out for them.”

Tyndall said Facebook Live had worked well to broadcast town meetings but that as COVID-19 cases increased, he wanted people to be able to meet entirely online. That way, if someone has to quarantine at home they can still participate. He’s hopeful that a transition to meetings via Zoom can begin in December but acknowledged that some training might be required to ensure all boards could use the platform to meet.

“The game plan is to ramp that up into December,” he said. “We’re trying to get that up and running as quickly as possible.”

Other changes enacted by Tyndall include the closure of town buildings to the public, modified schedules for town staff and no public attendance at town council meetings. Those meetings will be livestreamed on Facebook until Zoom is in use. Board and commission meetings will be canceled until they can meet entirely online.

Tyndall, with the unanimous support of the council, has also issued a civil emergency declaration requiring face coverings in the B-1 Town Center District on Friday, Nov. 27, Saturday, Nov. 28 and Friday, Dec. 11.

“We’re looking at our busiest shopping days,” Tyndall said. “With what occurred on Oktoberfest, in preparation for our busy holiday season we realized maintaining social distance of six feet is not always possible.”

For more information on Berlin’s COVID-19 precautions visit berlinmd.gov.

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Snow Hill Manager Optimistic Riverboat Will Be Successful

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

November 20, 2020

The Black-Eyed Susan riverboat is pictured on its way to Salisbury from Havre de Grace for repairs this week.

Photo courtesy of Taylors Island Maryland’s Facebook page

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – Snow Hill’s new riverboat could be docked in town by Valentine’s Day.

The Black-Eyed Susan, purchased

by Snow Hill last month with a loan from Worcester County, is currently in Salisbury undergoing repairs. Town Manager Gary Weber said that while he hopes work will be done in time to offer a Valentine’s Day cruise, it should definitely be done by March.

“The boat is going to be perfect when it comes up the Pocomoke River,” he said.

Weber said the boat arrived at Murtech Marine in Salisbury after a threeday trip from Havre de Grace. While mostly uneventful, the boat did hold up the Route 50 bridge in Salisbury for 15 minutes.

“It had to come at an angle,” Weber said. “It did get hung up but somebody with the bridge threw them a line and straightened it and they got through.”

At Murtech, Weber said all the repairs noted in the survey reviewed prior to the boat’s purchase were being performed.

Though those repairs were initially expected to cost a significant amount, he said the current estimate was about $68,000.

While the repairs are underway, a riverboat committee in Snow Hill is working on logistics. Committee members have compiled a list of licensed captains and are putting together a request for proposals seeking an operator for the boat.

“Our hope is to find an operator that will lease the boat from us,” Weber said.

He added, however, that COVID-19 might make some operators wary of expressing interest right now. If an operator isn’t identified, the town will run the boat.

“If we can’t find somebody we’re not letting the season go away,” Weber said, adding that the town could hire a cruise director. “We will operate it.”

Though there was initially talk of the SEE NEXT PAGE

… Repairs Underway In Salisbury

November 20, 2020

City of Pocomoke partnering on the riverboat venture, Weber said the town’s council is not in agreement.

“The mayor, the town manager and I have been in communication,” he said.

“They are fully on board. Their council is not in agreement. Until they can get into agreement, as far as them being partners financially we can’t depend on that.”

The boat is, however, still expected to travel to Pocomoke. Weber is envisioning a three-hour cruise from Snow Hill to Pocomoke, where visitors can visit the Delmarva Discovery Center and shop before taking a bus back to their starting point.

“People are very excited,” he said.

Weber said a preliminary profit-andloss estimate showed if the boat began operations in February and ran only on Friday-Saturday-Sunday at 33% capacity it would have net profits of roughly $250,000.

“We’re in a very precarious time but we’re not concerned,” he said. “We know at one-third capacity we can make it successful.”

Weber added that he was grateful to the Worcester County Commissioners for providing the $400,000 no-interest 15-year loan that helped Snow Hill purchase the boat. He added that the county wasn’t really taking any risk because if the town didn’t come up with the roughly $26,000 annual payments on it

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 19

the commissioners could take the money out of the county’s annual grant to Snow Hill. He added that the boat’s value would be greatly increased once its repairs were done.

“Once it’s finished we could probably sell it for $700,000,” he said. “They’re very few and far between.”

The commissioners voted 5-2 in October to approve providing Snow Hill with the funding to purchase the boat through a no-interest loan. At this week’s meeting, however, Commissioner Chip Bertino questioned a payment the county had issued for insurance related to the boat. Chief Administrative Officer Harold Higgins said the payment had come out of the $400,000 and that the county was simply overseeing the expenditure of the money.

“We felt we’d have better control over those bills if we processed them and controlled it so it didn’t exceed $400,000,” Higgins said.

When Commissioner Jim Bunting asked if the county was being reimbursed for its administrative costs, Higgins said it was not.

Bunting said he felt the county’s payment of bills for Snow Hill should have been discussed when the loan was approved.

“Now it seems like the county’s taking a hands-on approach to this boat,” he said. “I really think this should have been approved by the county commissioners.”

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Federal Judge Finds Hogan’s Restrictions Legal

Page 20

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – It remains to be seen if Gov. Larry Hogan will impose even tighter restrictions as the COVID-19 numbers in Maryland continue to spike, but if he does, he will be justified from a legal standpoint based on the ruling of a federal judge this week.

In May, a coalition of plaintiffs, including the Reopen Maryland organization, a handful of businesses and pastors around the state and three state delegates filed suit in U.S. District Court seeking to end Hogan’s restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19. In the suit, the plaintiffs challenged the governor’s authority to, among other things, close businesses deemed nonessential, prohibit gatherings of 10 or

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Measures Taken Ruled Reasonable

more people, implement stay-at-home orders, prohibit or at least limit commerce and free travel and require the wearing of face-coverings in public.

Of course, in the weeks following the filing of the federal suit, the COVID numbers in Maryland abated to the point many of the ultra-restrictive measures implemented by the governor in the spring were eased. In recent weeks, however, those key metrics have continued to spike and Hogan has implemented new directives, including a handful more this week.

On Wednesday, U.S. District Court Judge Catherine Blake dismissed the plaintiffs’ suit against Hogan and the

other named defendants, effectively ending the legal challenge to the restrictive measures. In perhaps one of the more ominous passages in the 11-page opinion, the judge suggests Hogan would be justified if he eventually went back the restrictions imposed in the spring.

“Though the substance of the plaintiffs’ claims has not changed, the public health context in which those claims arose has,” the opinion reads. “Since May, the number of positive cases in Maryland has risen to 167,656 and the number of deaths has risen to 4,160.

After a more stable period in late summer and early fall, the state’s positivity rate is now over six percent, with some

November 20, 2020

counties reporting an even higher rate.

The restrictions about which the plaintiffs originally complained were relaxed as the public health crisis abated, and, unfortunately, may go back into effect as the threat to public health continues to worsen.”

It’s important to note the statistics cited in the judge’s opinion reflect the latest data as of Monday. By Thursday, the numbers increased to 174,733 total cases in Maryland including 4,220 deaths. The positive-testing rate increased to over 7% for the first time in months.

The judge’s opinion asserts the plaintiffs were not successful in arguing the merits of their case.

“The plaintiffs have not plausibly alleged that there is no real and substantial relationship between the governor’s orders and the public health,” the opinion reads. “The plaintiffs allege in their amended complaint and in their opposition that less restrictive measures are available to Governor Hogan and that it is unequal treatment to designate some businesses, but not theirs, as essential.

But alleging that an order goes too far in protecting public health is not the same as pleading it has no real and substantial relation to protecting public health. Thus, the plaintiffs have failed to plead allegations sufficient to satisfy the first test.”

The named plaintiffs in the suit, including three state delegates, two retired members of the armed services, two named businesses, nine pastors or members of the clergy, and the larger Reopen Maryland organization, assert Hogan never had the authority to implement the executive orders and restrictions in the first place under rights established in the U.S. and Maryland Constitutions.

In her opinion, Blake systematically addressed each of the plaintiffs’ allegations in the complaint and came to the conclusion the governor did and does have the authority to implement executive orders for the greater good of public health and safety. For his part, Hogan has asserted from the beginning he and his task force team have attempted to tiptoe the fragile balance between curbing the spread of the coronavirus and keeping the state’s economy up and running. In the opinion released on Wednesday, the federal judge appeared to support his methods.

“It is not the role of the judiciary to second-guess policy choices favoring one reasonable method of preventing the spread of a disease over another, which is precisely what the plaintiffs request this court to do,” the opinion reads. “Reasonable people, including informed government and public health officials, may debate whether the governor’s orders at any moment go too far, or not far enough, in protecting the public from this deadly pandemic. Based on the allegations, the court cannot conclude that Governor Hogan’s measures are arbitrary or unreasonable, or that they violate any of the plaintiffs’ constitutional rights.”

Chamber Survey Confirms J-1 Program’s Major Impact

November 20, 2020

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – It’s no secret the loss of foreign student workers along with other COVID-related factors greatly impacted the resort’s summer, but the extent of the damage was not really known until the recent release of a survey of businesses.

This fall, the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce sent out a survey to its members including a battery of questions about the impact of the loss of the J-1 Visa Summer Work and Travel Program. The program, which supplies thousands of seasonal workers, was essentially shut down at the outset of the pandemic because of domestic and travel restrictions and federal government directives.

Throughout last summer and early spring, the various sponsorship agencies went about their typical process in recruiting J-1 visa student-workers and arranging jobs and accommodations for them. In March, the U.S. State Department put a 60-day pause on issuing J-1 visas, moving the earliest arrival date for foreign student workers until mid-May. Of course, the pandemic continued, and the program was never revived last summer.

The result was fewer seasonal workers, shorter hours, longer wait time, reduced customer service, and, ultimately, a serious hit on the bottom line for many businesses. The Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce’s survey, the results of which were recently released, shows just how big of an impact the elimination of the program actually caused.

About 85 businesses were surveyed, of which 86% responded they were heavily impacted. Another 83% said they will not be able to meet their staffing needs next season without the J-1 students. Perhaps most importantly, the estimated combined net loss from all of the factors related to the elimination of the program among those who responded came in at around $24 million.

“The results of the survey confirmed what we already expected,” said Chamber Interim Director Nancy Schwendeman this week. “Overall, the loss of the J-1 summer work and travel program and the employees that it provides to our business community had a large impact.

Over 86% of the businesses that responded were negatively impacted, and over 83% feel they will not be able to meet staffing needs next season without the J1 students.”

A deeper dive into the survey results provides further information on the impact of the loss of the program last summer. Among those who responded, 71% said the largest impact was lost revenue.

Another 64% said larger customer wait times was the largest impact, while 56% pointed to a reduction in customer service.

About 42% said shorter daily hours was a result of the loss of the program, while 36% said their seasons were shortened by the loss. Of the businesses surveyed, 42% were in accommodations,

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

while 35% were food and beverage and entertainment establishments. The remaining single-digit percentages were scattered among the various business types in the resort area.

While COVID has rebounded in recent weeks and the future of the J-1 program for next summer remains in doubt, Schwendeman said the various organizations are proceeding as if restrictions will ease.

“Currently, there is an injunction that does allow for the J-1 program to move forward,” she said. “Currently, several sponsorship organizations are going through their process to secure students for 2021. Although we remain optimistic that the program will be able to proceed next year, we do need to remain cognizant that COVID does still exist and can create challenges to the program’s

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execution. Travel and flights into the country, embassies being open and able to process and issue visas are just a couple of factors.”

Schwendeman said the chamber’s surveys will show state and federal lawmakers just how important the J-1 summer work and travel program is to the local economy when tough decisions are made.

“We will be able to use this information to present to our legislators and continue to advocate for the program,” she said. “If we are successful at making a difference and giving our legislators the ammunition they need to support the program and be sure it returns next year, then this will be an enormous relief to our businesses.”

In the wake of the program’s cancellation last year, the chamber and other

tourism partners began to reach out to Puerto Rico as a source for seasonal summer workers. For one thing, the Puerto Rican students are American citizens, easing the complicated visa issues. For another thing, the high tourist season in Puerto Rico is generally opposite that in the eastern U.S. Schwendeman said that program remains a potential option for next year.

“The Ocean City Chamber was very pleased that we were able to present our business community with the option of hiring workers from Puerto Rico through an initiative we have with the National Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce,” she said. “This option was never meant to replace the J-1 summer work and travel program, only to supplement it.

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Strategic Biking Plan’s Scope Discussed In Resort

Page 22

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

OCEAN CITY – A discussion on the work to be performed in the development of a bicycling strategic plan highlighted a resort committee meeting this week.

On Wednesday, the Ocean City Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) began its review of the scope of work to be included in the development of a strategic plan that will be used to further the town’s bicycle network.

“This is a good whiteboard meeting for developing our scope of work for the project,” Committee President Paul Mauser said. “It’s a pretty big deal. We have $80,000 to hire a consultant and come up with the best plan we can for the town.

This protects everyone visiting town and biking in town.”

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In October, the town was awarded $79,700 through the Maryland Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) Kim Lamphier Bikeways Network Program to hire a consultant for the development of a strategic plan.

In recent years, the town embarked on a multi-phased initiative to install a continuous bike route from one end of Ocean City to the other without using Coastal Highway and other busy thoroughfares.

And by and large, the resort has succeeded in using side streets, alleys, parking lots and more.

Now, with funding to develop a strategic plan, officials said the town will have a document that outlines designs and cost estimates for proposed biking corridors.

“The corridors we’re really looking at are the town alleys, Coastal Highway, the 10-foot construction easement along

condo row, 94th Street and the Delaware connector …,” Mauser said this week. “Probably one of the biggest outcomes of this would be the town alleys. I think that’s the low-hanging fruit here. We want to give the town the most bang for our buck, and it’s the most realistic outcome for the project.”

Council Secretary and committee liaison Tony DeLuca, however, noted the challenges of installing a continuous bike path between 94th and 118th streets, which feature several condominium buildings.

“The condo associations need to approve it,” he explained. “In order to do that, they need two-thirds vote of the owners and 100% of the mortgage company. That’s a tall hurdle.”

To that end, committee members said the strategic plan could explore creative

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solutions, such as the use of the 10-foot construction easement to the west of the dunes.

“The 10-foot construction easement is an area immediately west of the primary dune,” Mauser said. “Once you are on the west side of the dune, you have a 10-foot lane there that the Army Corps of Engineers specifically designated for emergency vehicles, maintenance vehicles and for public recreational access to the beach.”

Committee members added that the strategic plan could also explore ways to make Coastal Highway safer for biking.

However, State Highway Administration Assistant District Engineer Jana Potvin said that a dedicated bike lane could call for road reductions.

“Something has to give, essentially, to have that,” she said.

Mauser agreed, saying, “It seems like that ship has sailed … I can’t see how that would happen.”

DeLuca added that his priority was to get bikes off Coastal Highway.

“I always thought the closer you got to the beach, the safer you are,” he said.

“The closer you are to Coastal Highway, the more dangerous it is when you are on a bike.”

BPAC members spent most of this week’s meeting reviewing the scope of work for the strategic planning project, which will be publicly bid through the town’s procurement department later this year.

November 20, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 23

Page 24

Cops & Courts

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Uptown Motor Vehicle Theft

OCEAN CITY – A Delaware man was arrested on motor vehicle theft and other charges last week after allegedly swiping the keys of a stolen vehicle from an uptown hotel employee’s cleaning cart.

Around 1:45 p.m. last Wednesday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer responded to a north-end hotel for a reported motor vehicle theft. The officer met with a female employee who reported her vehicle had been stolen.

The victim reportedly told police she was cleaning a room on the third floor and her cleaning cart was in the hallway.

The victim told police her jacket with her car keys was on the cart, and when she went to lunch, she discovered the keys were missing, according to police reports.

The victim went to the parking lot and discovered her vehicle was not there.

According to police reports, the victim told the officer she believed the suspect was a man identified as Derek Young, 32, of Millville, Del. When asked why she believed Young had stolen her vehicle, the victim reportedly told police

November 20, 2020

Young had been staying at the hotel for about a week and there had been reports of him acting odd.

For example, the front desk had reportedly received numerous calls about Young bothering guests by banging on doors. The victim reportedly told police there were not many guests in the hotel and she had seen Young just prior to her discovering her keys and, eventually, her car were missing.

While the officer was interviewing the victim, another hotel employee was looking out a back window in the pool area and observed Young getting out of a vehicle. While the employee was watching, Young went around to the rear passenger side door and started to unload property, according to police reports.

The victim confirmed the vehicle Young had just arrived in was the one she reported stolen, according to police reports. The officer observed Young walking toward the back door of the hotel carrying several plastic bags. The officer detained Young, who, after being read his rights, refused to speak with the officer, according to police reports.

The officer retrieved a set of keys from Young’s belongings and the victim confirmed they belonged to her. At that point, Young was taken into custody.

During a search incident to his arrest, the officer located a Motorola two-way radio in his pocket, which was determined to belong to the hotel.

The victim confirmed she did not give Young permission to take the vehicle.

The officer made contact with the vehicle’s registered owner, who also confirmed Young did not have permission.

A background check revealed Young’s Delaware driver’s license had been suspended.

Domestic Assault Arrest OCEAN CITY – An Ocean City man was arrested on assault charges last week after allegedly slapping his girlfriend during a domestic dispute at a downtown residence.

Around 3:25 p.m. last Thursday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer responded to a reported domestic assault that had already occurred at a residence on Judlee Avenue. The officer met with the victim, who reportedly told police she resides at the residence with the suspect, later identified as Ivan Morales, 29, of Ocean City.

The victim told police Morales moved into her unit several days prior and became enraged when he viewed a picture of her ex-boyfriend. The victim told police Morales had slapped her on the right side of her head, face and ear. The victim’s daughter was on the scene and witnessed the assault and provided an SEE NEXT PAGE

... Cops & Courts

November 20, 2020

account of the events that corroborated the victim’s story.

For his part, Morales acknowledged there had been an argument, but denied striking the victim. Based on the evidence of an apparent assault on the victim, along with the testimony of the victim and her daughter, Morales was arrested and charged with second-degree assault.

Drunk Driving, Drug Arrest OCEAN CITY – A New Jersey man was arrested on drunk-driving and drug charges last weekend after allegedly driving over the concrete median on Philadelphia Avenue.

Around 10 p.m. last Saturday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer was dispatched to a convenience store at 26th Street for a reported intoxicated driver. A witness reported observing a Ford F-150 truck drive over the concrete median at Philadelphia Avenue and 23rd Street before coming to rest at the convenience store at 26th Street.

When the officer arrived, the suspect, later identified as Raymond Bredlau, 57, of Williamstown, N.J., was found sitting in the driver’s seat and talking on his phone. When the officer approached Bredlau, the suspect exhibited signs of intoxication. According to police reports, Bredlau told the officer he had struck the median and that he had too much to drink before driving.

Bredlau reportedly told the officer he had already called a friend to pick him up because he had too much to drink.

Bredlau reportedly consented to a battery of field sobriety tests, which he did not complete to the officer’s satisfaction. At that point, he was arrested under suspicion of driving while intoxicated. A background check revealed Bredlau’s driver’s license was suspended in New Jersey.

During the booking process, a search incident to the arrest allegedly revealed a plastic Ziploc bag containing powder cocaine.

A search of Bredlau’s vehicle revealed a glass smoking device with white powder residue in it, according to police reports. The officer returned to the scene and examined the area where Bredlau reportedly drove over the median at 23rd Street. There were reportedly large scrapes and gouges in the median including a missing three-inch section of concrete. An examination of Bredlau’s truck revealed fresh damage consistent with driving over the median and additional leaving the scene of an accident involving property damage charges were tacked on.

Suspended Sentence In Gun Discharge Case SNOW HILL – A Delaware man, arrested on first-degree assault and other charges last November after allegedly firing a warning shot in the direction of another man during a dispute over hunting near Snow Hill, was sentenced last week to one year in jail, which was suspended in favor of probation.

Last Nov. 30, Maryland State Police

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch troopers responded to the area of Woodside Lane and Route 113 near Snow Hill for a report of a dispute involving a firearm. The investigation revealed a hunter was exiting the area when he was allegedly confronted by another hunter identified as Wingate Streett, 64, of Wilmington, Del. According to police reports, Streett was exiting his tree stand when he became infuriated at the victim. Streett reportedly continued to yell at the victim as he walked toward the victim and discharged a single round from his hunting rifle. According to police reports, the victim observed and heard the round ricochet off the ground nearby.

Streett reportedly remained in the woods until law enforcement arrived on the scene. After troopers made several attempts to contact Streett, he eventually came out of an adjacent field with no rifle in his possession. The rifle was later located about 25 yards from Streett’s tree stand in the woods, according to police reports. Streett was arrested and charged with first- and second-degree assault and reckless endangerment Last week, Streett entered an Alford plea to reckless endangerment. In an Alford plea, a defendant does not admit guilt, but acknowledges the state has enough evidence to prosecute the case.

He was sentenced to one year, which was suspended, and he was placed on supervised probation for two years.

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Around 4:30 a.m. on April 4, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers responded to the area of 14th Street for a reported domestic assault in progress.

OCPD officers observed a suspect identified as Burt Foskey, 41, of Ocean City, whom they knew from previous encounters, running east on 14th Street toward the Boardwalk.

OCPD officers met with the female victim who was reportedly upset and who told police Foskey had allegedly dragged her through the residence by her hair and had assaulted her. The victim told police Foskey had looked through her phone while she was asleep and found that she had been communicating with another male, according to police reports.

The victim told police her two young daughters had heard the commotion and came into the bedroom where the alleged assault was taking place. According to police reports, Foskey picked up one of the girls and shoved her back into a wall and pushed her in the face with an open palm.

The victim reportedly yelled at the girls to run and get help and they ran across the street to a neighbor who called 911. OCPD officers interviewed the children who corroborated the story.

Foskey pleaded guilty to second-degree assault and was sentenced to five years, all but 18 months of which was suspended. He was also placed on supervised probation of five years upon his release.

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10-Year Sentence For Counterfeit Credit Card Scheme

Page 26

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – A Washington, D.C., metro area man, one of two charged last January after allegedly attempting to use multiple phony credit cards at a north-end sub shop, pleaded guilty last week and was sentenced to 10 years, all but two years and six months of which was suspended.

Around 4:20 p.m. last Jan. 15, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer responded to a sandwich shop at 132nd Street for a suspected fraud.

Ocean City Communications informed the officer the four suspects, including two males and two females were still sitting outside the restaurant on a bench.

The officer arrived and spoke to the manager, who informed police the four suspects had ordered over $54 in food.

One of the suspects, later identified as Mohammed Saidynaly, 21, of Silver Spring, Md., went next door to a bar, while another suspect, identified as Sophian Seidnaly, 26, of Rockville, Md., attempted to pay for the food with a credit

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card, according to police reports.

The manager told police the card Seidnaly presented had no major credit card carrier’s name on it, such as Visa and Mastercard, and the manager asked Seidnaly how to run it. According to police reports, Seidnaly told the manager it was a gift card and he did not know. The manager tried it two different ways and the card declined each time.

Seidnaly produced another card and it declined. Saidynaly returned and told the manager he was going to get a different card from their vehicle to pay for the food and returned with yet another card. After several attempts with the third card, the clerk was prompted to enter it manually.

However, when the clerk attempted to enter the card’s numbers manually, Saidynaly spoke up quickly and insisted the card information not be entered in that way. Finally, Saidynaly produced yet another card with no oth-

er information on it except the name Emmanuel. The clerk questioned why none of the other cards presented thus far included that name, Saidynaly told her it was a family name and insisted the card be run, according to police reports.

That card worked and Saidynaly signed the receipt and the group left with the food, but did not immediately leave. Suspecting some kind of credit card fraud, the store manager called the police and the OCPD officer arrived on scene a short time later.

Meanwhile, the OCPD officer spoke to a bartender at the neighboring business who reported a similar experience with Saidynaly. The bartender told police Saidynaly entered the bar and attempted to make a purchase, producing a credit card that declined when the chip feature did not work. The bartender told police she attempted to put the card numbers in manually, but Sai-

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dynaly insisted she use the magnetic stripe before cancelling the purchase and leaving, according to police reports.

The OCPD officer interviewed Saidynaly and Seidnaly outside the sandwich shop and asked them to produce the cards with which they attempted to purchase the food. Each produced a couple of cards, none of which matched the numbers on the declined receipts from the attempted food purchase.

Suspicious of the multiple cards and the multiple attempts to use them, the OCPD officer searched Saidynaly and Seidnaly and the vehicle. According to police reports, Saidynaly was in possession of as many as eight different credit cards with different numbers and names, while Seidnaly was in possession of 15.

One of the cards Saidynaly possessed had the name “Emmanuel” on it. When the officer asked the suspect why no other cards in their possession had the name Emmanuel on them, Saidynaly told police a man named Emmanuel owed him money and put the money owed on a pre-paid credit card in his name.

The officer believed the two suspects were involved in a credit card fraud and theft scheme. Most of the cards found in their possession had the chip feature mutilated. The officer knew the magnetic strip on credit cards could be reprogrammed with information from a different account, but the chip feature could not be tampered with.

A further search of the vehicle revealed a device the officer knew to be an electronic scanner used to scan magnetic strip data from one card and reprogram it onto a different card. Each suspect was arrested and charged with theft and credit card fraud.

Last week, Saidynaly pleaded guilty to two counts of counterfeit credit card and was sentenced to 10 years, all but two years and six months of which was suspended. He was also ordered to pay $600 in restitution and was placed on supervised probation for three years. Seidnaly is scheduled to appear for a jury trial on December 1.

Resort Deflects Blame To State In Trip, Fall Lawsuit

November 20, 2020

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – The Town of Ocean City filed a formal answer this month to a civil suit filed by a Pennsylvania woman earlier this fall who allegedly tripped and fell over a defective portion of sidewalk uptown in September 2017.

Earlier this fall, Debra Zach of Newville, Pa., filed suit in U.S. District Court against the Town of Ocean City and the State of Maryland alleging she suffered a torn rotator cuff and other injuries after tripping and falling over a section of raised sidewalk in the area of 94th Street and Coastal Highway in September 2017. The complaint, which seeks damages in excess of $75,000, asserts the area where she allegedly fell includes a portion of concrete that was raised about six inches and was not marked or well-lit. The complaint also alleges the streetlight over the defective portion of sidewalk was out at the time of the incident.

“As a direct and proximate result of the defendants’ negligence, Debra Zach will have residual problems for the remainder of her life, potentially requiring additional medical treatment and therapy, and a claim is made therefore,” the complaint reads. “As a direct and proximate result of the defendants’ negligence, Debra Zach has been and will

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

continue to be forced to incur liability for medical treatment, medicines, hospitalizations, physical therapy and similar miscellaneous expenses and a claim is made therefore.”

The complaint asserts Zach suffered a torn rotator cuff along with other scrapes and abrasions. According to the complaint, Zach visited an emergency medical office in West Ocean City before returning from vacation to her home in Pennsylvania. When she returned home, she was reportedly diagnosed with a partially torn rotator cuff in her shoulder, but when treatment did not improve her symptoms, a full rotator cuff tear was diagnosed and surgery was required. She reportedly continues to experience pain and discomfort even after the surgery to repair the tear, according to the complaint.

The Town of Ocean City late last week filed its answer to the complaint, in which it systematically denied nearly every assertation and allegation in it.

The town’s answer to the complaint asserts an assumption of risk and contributory negligence in its affirmative defenses spelled out in its formal answer and also asserts the plaintiff’s claims against the town are barred by statutory immunity, qualified immunity and public official immunity. In short, the town asserts it did not commit the wrongs alleged and was not negligent.

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“Wherefore, the defendant demands that judgment be awarded in the defendant’s favor and against the plaintiff as to all of the plaintiff’s claims as advanced in the complaint,” the town’s answer reads. “That such claims be dismissed with prejudice in their entirety, that the plaintiff be denied all of the relief she seeks in this case, and that the defendant be awarded costs and expenses including reasonable attorney’s fees.”

On the same day, the town filed a cross-claim against the state, deflecting any alleged responsibility to the state,

Page 27

which builds and maintains the public sidewalks along Coastal Highway, which is a state roadway.

“Though the curb that is the situs of the above-alleged incident is within the corporate limits of the town of Ocean City, it was designed and constructed by the Maryland State Highway Administration without consent of, or input from, the town,” the cross-filed complaint reads.

“The town had no involvement in the design or construction process leading up to the installation of the sidewalk curb.”

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Ice Ice Berlin Event Planned For Next Friday

November 20, 2020

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

Lights Turned On In OC:

Finals tweaks were being made this week to the 50-foot tall tree at Winterfest of Lights in north Ocean City. The special event is now open Wednesday-Sunday nights through Jan. 2.

Photo by Chris Parypa

BERLIN – Shops will be open late in Berlin next Friday as the town celebrates the start of the holiday season with Ice Ice Berlin.

On Friday, Nov. 27, shops will be open late in Berlin as the town hosts its first ever Ice Ice Berlin. In addition to browsing local shops, visitors can stroll downtown streets and admire more than 20 illuminated ice sculptures. The ice sculpture display has replaced what would have been Berlin’s annual tree lighting event, which was canceled this year because of COVID-19.

“I truly believe there’s always a silver lining to everything,” said Ivy Wells, the town’s economic and community development director. “We’ve always looked for a way to have an ice sculpture event downtown. This could be the start of something Berlin implements in years to come.”

From 5-9 p.m. next Friday, shops will be open late as people are invited to stroll through downtown Berlin and admire the town’s Christmas tree and the ice sculptures that have been sponsored by local businesses.

“The businesses were just as excited as I was when the idea was presented,” Wells said.

Ice sculptor Erik Cantine has been working on more than 20 pieces that will be displayed throughout town that evening.

“He’s carving them in advance,” Wells explained. “They’ll be on display and illuminated that night.”

Though Cantine has carved during the tree lighting event in years past, the work takes hours and many who come to town that night don’t get to see the finished product. With next week’s event, Wells said everyone would be able to enjoy the sculptures, which are all holiday themed and were chosen by the sponsoring businesses.

“Everyone will be smiling behind their masks,” she said.

She added that Cantine was thrilled to be able to feature his work in downtown Berlin.

“This is a hobby for him,” she said.

“He loves doing it.”

Because of COVID-19, Mayor Zack Tyndall has issued an order requiring that face coverings be worn during Ice Ice Berlin as well as on two other major shopping days in town. Wells said streets would also be closed for the evening of Nov. 27.

“Because the road is closed it’ll allow for more social distancing,” she said.

Though carriage rides will not be offered during Ice Ice Berlin, they will be available weekends in December from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information on Ice Ice Berlin visit berlinmainstreet.com.

November 20, 2020

Norma Lee Haines BERLIN – Norma Lee Haines, age 78, died Friday, Nov. 13 at her home in Berlin.

Born in Berlin, she was the daughter of the late Harris C Powell and Alpha Parsons Powell. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Lynn E Haines; a son, David Lynn Haynes and his wife Deborah of Berlin; a daughter, Sheri Haines Wismer and her husband Ron Wismer of Newark, Del.; grandchildren Ryan and Jessica Womer, BrandNORMA LEE on Womer and Jessica HAINES Womer; and great grandchildren Claire, Aubrey, Jade and Tucker.

Mrs. Haines had been an administrative assistant at Ocean Downs for 33 years, she was in the United States Army Signal Corps and had served military support for the Red Cross. She was an active member of the Taylorville United Methodist Church and had served as treasurer, women circle and church cemetery board. She had coowned with her husband Haines Market in Taylorville for 18 years, she also opened Mrs. Norma's daycare for many years.

A funeral service was held on Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin, Reverend Walter Crocket officiated and interment was in Taylorville cemetery.

Donations may be made to the Taylorville United Methodist Church Ceme-

Obituaries

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

tery Fund, 11252 Adkins Rd, Berlin, Md. 21811 or to Coastal Hospice, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, Md. 21804. Letters of condolence may be sent to the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com

James J. Dembeck OCEAN CITY – James J. Dembeck, 95, a resident of Charlestown in Catonsville, passed away on May 15, 2020.

He was born on Jan. 1, 1925. Jim was the loving spouse of Pat for 72 years. He was the devoted father of Geralynn (John) Smyth, Mary Beth (Gary) Shaffer, Mark (Amy) Dembeck, Judi (Michael) Imlay and Greg (Susan) Dembeck.

A native of Baltimore JAMES J. City, Jim attended PatDEMBECK terson Park High School. At the request of his parents, he dropped out of high school after the 10th grade so that he could work and help pay bills. He went to work on the family farm in Glen Burnie. Education, however, was so important to Jim, that he worked on the farm by day, and attended night school at the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, eventually earning his General Education Diploma in

1947. He went on to graduate from Maryland Institute and the University of Baltimore, School of Law (J.D. 1954).

Jim worked as the Zoning Administrator of Baltimore City where he was responsible for rewriting and enforcing the antiquated zoning codes for the city in the 1960s. In 1971, he was appointed Director of the Zoning Commission, where he directed the comprehensive zoning ordinance for Baltimore City which was enacted on April 20, 1971. He worked directly with the Zoning Commission President and the

Page 29

members of the City Council, city agencies, and numerous interest groups and individuals on all matters related to the enactment of the city-wide Zoning Ordinance. He played an instrumental role in the 1980s Inner Harbor project and served as Director until his retirement in 1987.

Jim retired to Ocean City where he lived with Pat for 26 years, before moving back to the Baltimore area and eventually into Charlestown in 2015.

He loved the OC Boardwalk, crabbing, gardening, playing golf, coaching his children’s sports teams, and attending their many games. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and was proud of becoming a fourth-degree Knight.

SEE NEXT PAGE

. . Obituaries

Page 30

In addition to his wife and children, Jim is survived by 13 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

A memorial mass will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the University of Baltimore, School of Law.

Norma Jean Kirsch BERLIN – Norma Jean Kirsch, age 70, passed away on Nov. 13,2020 at her home in Berlin.

She was born June 20, 1950 to Samuel Carpenter and Hazel Shupp Carpenter. She married in 1990 to Kevin Kirsch and worked as the CoOwner of The Key Lock Smith Company.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

She is survived by her beloved husband Kevin; son Mark Gonzalez; daughter Michelle Gonzalez; brothers Timmy Carpenter and the late Samuel Carpenter II; sisters Rita and Bobby Robinson, Marie and Glen Leonard, Linda and Gary Yost; grandchldren Zachary and Joshua Gonzalez; and her five Coton De Tulear’s, Abbey, Hannah, Simon, Sadie, and Wiggles.

Norma was a smart business woman, great homemaker, and a fantastic cook.

Celebration of Life services will be announced by the family at a later date.

Check Burbage Funeral home web site for updates.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Worcester County Humane Society https://worcestercountyhumanesociety.org/ Arrangements are in the care of The Burbage Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com.

Angela Norine Krause OCEAN PINES – Angela Norine Krause, age 85, passed away on Nov. 14, 2020 at her home.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 39 years, Jerome Krause, and children Louis Reichart and his wife Lisa, David Krause and his wife Gina, Patricia Reichart, Kathy Reichart, Dianne Dvornicky and her husband ANGELA NORINE Joseph, and Michele KRAUSE Brown and her husband Steve. There are nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death was her son Stephen Reichart.

Angela was a graduate of IND (Baltimore) and had worked as an administrative assistant for Xerox before retiring in 1994. In 1997, she and Jerome moved to Ocean Pines, where shortly after, she began working for the Ocean

November 20, 2020

City Chamber of Commerce which she greatly enjoyed. She was a member of St. John Neumann Catholic Church. In her spare time, she liked to go to the beach, loved crocheting, playing cards and Mahjong.

A mass of Christian Burial will be held on Nov. 23 at 11 a.m. at St. John Neumann Catholic Church near Ocean Pines. Rev. Edward Aigner will officiate.

Friends may call from 2 until 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 22, at the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin. Interment will be in Maryland Eastern Shore Veteran’s Cemetery in Hurlock, Maryland. A donation in her memory may be made to St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, Tenn., 38105. Letters of condolence may be sent via www.burbagefuneralhome.com.

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Berlin Planning Commission Talks Hopes With SHA

November 20, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – Members of the town’s planning commission stressed the importance of sidewalks and bike paths in Berlin to State Highway Administration officials this week.

On Wednesday, the Berlin Planning Commission met with various representatives from Maryland’s State Highway Administration (SHA) to talk about accessibility in town. They agreed to increase communication moving forward to ensure that the town’s needs are met as more development occurs along local roads.

“We’re not opposed to going off script if there’s something the town needs to see,” said Dan Wilson, SHA’s regional engineer for access management.

Officials attended Wednesday’s meeting of the planning commission to discuss projects in Berlin and hear concerns from the town. Commission member Pete Cosby was quick to bring up the need for more sidewalks and bike paths. He said the area of Old Ocean City Boulevard between Atlantic General Hospital and Stephen Decatur High School was particularly bad.

“That could be a beautiful boulevard instead of the industrial wasteland it is now,” he said. “Whatever thought you all could put into that I know I’d appreciate it.”

Dallas Baker, assistant district engineer for SHA, said it would be helpful if the town developed a master transportation plan.

“Officials change,” he said. “A letter today does not mean the same thing it does two years from now as opposed to having something you all passed. Having something from you all at some point to say what it is you want on your roads helps us better coordinate with contractors.”

He added, however, that in the interim the town could certainly communicate in writing with SHA when each particular development project came up so that there was some agreement.

“It provides a unified front from the town and State Highway,” he said.

SHA representatives also brought up the town’s major intersections. Jana Potvin, assistant district engineer, said a traffic signal was not expected for the intersection of Route 818 and Route 50 despite increased development in the area.

“I believe it’ll be highly unlikely there’ll be a traffic signal there given the proximity of the railroad and the Route 113 ramp,” she said.

A signal is, however, in the works for the other end of Route 818, at the intersection of Route 113 and Germantown Road.

“It has been approved,” Potvin said.

“Funding has not been issued but it has been approved.”

There was also discussion regarding Route 589.

“Route 589 is quickly becoming a higher priority within the county and it’s something that at State Highway we’re looking at,” said Brett Deane, assistant district engineer. “We’re not foolish enough to think that we’re going to get funding to dualize 589 from point to

Funding for a new traffic signal on Route 113 at Germantown Road has been approved but not received by the State Highway Administration. Photo by Charlene Sharpe

point.”

Instead, SHA is working on segments of the road.

“I don’t believe we’re going to get the mega project quite simply with the bridge we have there and all of the utilities,” Deane said. “Not to mention the fact that

589 does not have access controls currently and there’s about a billion access points on there. I don’t see a widening project from point to point. You’re going to see these isolated things.”

He said SHA met with the county last week to stress the importance of interpar-

Page 31

cel connectors along that road. He said it would be a tricky road to improve moving forward, and cited abandoned plans for a roundabout.

“Obviously Ocean Pines has heavy, heavy internal politics,” he said. “We had plans and had funding for a project at the north gate intersection with the locals there and there was enough dissension that we decided to pull back, punt, and look again.”

Deane and his peers praised the effectiveness of roundabouts. Deane said in Maryland there had never been a fatality at a roundabout.

“They don’t eliminate crashes but they eliminate the severity of crashes,” he said.

Town staff thanked SHA for attending Wednesday’s meeting and praised the agency’s willingness to work with the town.

“They might be our roads but it’s your town,” Deane said. “That’s why we’re here.”

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First-Ever Semper Fi Bike Ride On Boardwalk Raises Over $10K

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

November 20, 2020

More than 150 participants await their signal to kick off the first-ever Semper Fi Bike Ride.

Submitted Photo

OCEAN CITY – RGF Environmental Group, First State Marines and The Town of Ocean City held their first annual Semper Fi Bike Ride on the Boardwalk last month.

The event, which raised more than $10,000, was not a race but a familyfriendly Fun Bike Ride open to all ages and all types of non-powered bicycles.

The environment was healthy and keeping with Ocean City’s COVID rules. Participants enjoyed a festival like setting, keeping with Ocean City’s goal for a bike friendly community. Ocean 98’s Bill Fuhrer, DJ Stevie J and DJ Magellan spun tunes along with live music from the First State Detachment’s own, One Night Stand Band. Paul Turner from WBOC was on hand to report on the event and festivities. There were games and prizes for the best decorated bike and the most funds raised by a bike team.

The event was a huge success with over 150 individual riders, pairs of riders and family and business-sponsored bike teams enjoying this first ever event. Riders brought their own bikes or rented a bike to ride from one of the event’s sponsors, Bike World.

After a rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner, the American Legion Post 166 Color Guard led the parade of riders with Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan and Councilman Tony DeLuca leading the pack. Bikers enjoyed a nearly five-mile ride on the length of the Boardwalk along the Atlantic Ocean returning to the Ocean City Inlet.

The many event sponsors included RGF Environmental Group, The Town of Ocean City, North Bay Marina, Bike World, i.g. Burton, Office Partners, North American Marketing, the Ocean City Elks Club, Morgan Associates, Live Wire Media & Events, Sage Financial, Engel & Volkers Annapolis, Fenwick Island Bike Shop and Mission BBQ. The event was a fundraiser benefiting the “Semper Fi & America’s Fund,” which provides immediate financial assistance and lifetime support to combat wounded, critically ill and catastrophically injured members of all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. The funds raised at this year’s Semper Fi Bike ride will provide much needed relief to those military families in need of assistance.

Wicomico Reviews Virus Metrics

November 20, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Vaccine Distribution Plan Developed

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

SALISBURY – A discussion on Wicomico’s positivity rate and the distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine highlighted a county council meeting this week.

On Tuesday, Wicomico County Health Officer Lori Brewster presented the Wicomico County Council with a bi-annual report on the health of the county. As to be expected, much of this week’s discussion surrounded the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our numbers today have gone up again, as well as the state’s numbers,” Brewster said Tuesday. “We are at a 6.9% positivity rate in Wicomico County with a 27.6 case rate.”

Brewster told county officials this week the number of severe COVID-19 cases had decreased from the spring, but hospitalizations had increased in recent weeks. She also noted an increasing positivity rate among younger individuals.

“The number that seems to be escalating rapidly is the 25- to 44-year-olds.

They are up to a 10.86% positivity rate, which gives me grave concerns,” she said. “The other population that has skyrocketed over the past week is the 15to 25-year-olds. They are up to a 7.14% positivity rate.”

When asked if the health department had seen asymptomatic cases, Brewster said it had.

“That’s what we’re seeing in the 25to 44-year-olds,” she replied. “A lot of them are asymptomatic and they are taking it home to the rest of their family.

Then we have a whole family that is positive for COVID.” Brewster noted that between 150 and 200 individuals are tested each week at the Wicomico County Health Department. This week, however, the health department worked alongside the hospital to include additional testing dates.

“We are hearing from the urgent care centers as well as the emergency department that everyone is being overwhelmed with requests for testing,” she told the council. “The call center at the health department received well over 200 calls yesterday for requests for testing.”

As the weather turns colder, Brewster said drive-thru testing could be moved to a fire station ambulance bay on Cypress Street.

“We have been working with the City of Salisbury and we now have an MOU with them to utilize the fire house ambulance bay for winter testing,” she said.

“As you can imagine as the weather gets colder … it can be an issue. The ambulance bay at the fire house is temperature controlled.”

Brewster added that the health department had also developed a distribution plan for COVID-19 vaccines. She said surveys about vaccine administra-

tion have already been sent to first responders and health department staff.

“We know those vaccines will be available to the health department early December, maybe the end of this month, for first responders and health care workers,” she said. “So we have been working in conjunction with Somerset County to develop a vaccine administration program. We don’t know when the public vaccine will be available quite yet, but we assume early spring.”

Brewster this week also provided the council with an update on compliance measures. She said the health department had responded to more than 100 food service facility complaints and more than 200 business facility complaints.

“We believe education goes a lot further than hammering somebody with a violation order,” she said.

Brewster added that large family gatherings were contributing to most outbreaks in the county. As the holiday season approaches, she encouraged individuals to remain diligent.

“People need to wear a mask and avoid large gatherings as we approach the holiday season,” she said. “We just need people to be safe.”

Page 33

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Dead Body, Bank Robbery Probes Continue Light Enforcement On Polystyrene Ban

Page 34

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Nearly a month after two separate but serious incidents in the resort area, including the discovery of a deceased individual on the beach at 14th Street, there are still more questions than answers.

Around 7:15 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27, public works crews surveying the beach due to a recent oil spill discovered the deceased body of an adult male in the surf off 14th Street. Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division’s Major Crimes Unit responded and began an investigation to determine the identity of the victim and the circumstances surrounding his death.

The body was transferred to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

an autopsy, the results of have not been made public. About a week later, police officials announced they had identified the deceased, but again, the name of the victim has not been made public. No new update was available this week.

Related only because it happened on the same day only hours apart, there is no new information on a bank robbery in West Ocean City this week.

The preliminary investigation revealed around 9:41 a.m. on Oct. 27 a Caucasian suspect wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and a mask entered the front entrance of the bank and approached a teller in the lobby.

The suspect handed a note to the teller demanding cash and then left the bank with an undisclosed amount of currency. This week, detectives reported the investigation remains active.

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

OCEAN CITY – County officials are relying on education and voluntary compliance as part of a new ban on foam food service products.

On Wednesday, Worcester County Environmental Programs Director Bob Mitchell briefed the Ocean City Coastal Resources Legislative Committee (Green Team) on efforts to enforce the new polystyrene ban.

“Locally, we haven’t seen one complaint, nor has the health department or environmental programs received complaints about our commercial facilities using this stuff,” he said. “I’ve been looking but I haven’t seen too much of it in my travels. Everybody is starting to make the switch.”

In March of 2019, the Maryland General Assembly passed a bill to ban ex-

November 20, 2020

panded polystyrene (EPS) food service products, commonly referred to using the brand name Styrofoam.

The legislation – aimed at reducing the product’s impact on both the environment and health – largely affects the food service industry and schools in Maryland as it prohibits a food service business or school from selling or providing food and beverages in EPS foam food service products, including bowls, plates, cups and trays, to name a few examples.

The ban, which was slated to begin on July 1, was delayed earlier this summer as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

But on Oct. 1, Maryland became the first state to ban the use of EPS food service products.

“There are four other states that have since passed it, but they haven’t taken effect yet,” Mitchell said this week. “So we are the guinea pig. They are looking to us and seeing what kind of kinks are being worked out.”

Since last year, state and local agencies have made a concerted effort to educate businesses on the ban and alternative food service products.

As part of the legislation, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) has been tasked with conducting outreach about the ban. However, the responsibility of enforcing the ban and assessing noncompliance fines falls to the county departments of health or environmental protection.

For his part, Mitchell said his department has worked alongside businesses to garner voluntary compliance. He said restaurants found using polystyrene products are given a three-month grace period.

“Our local food operators are suffering through this pandemic,” he said. “Enforcement is really going to be voluntary compliance and education.”

As part of the ban, MDE can also grant a one-year waiver to food service businesses or schools if the department determines compliance would present an undue hardship or practical difficulty.

Mitchell said the polystyrene ban has hit nonprofits particularly hard. And while some businesses and organizations have sought waivers, none have been granted.

“The state has gotten 54 requests for waivers, and they haven’t granted any of them …,” he said. “We’re getting Meals on Wheels getting turned down.”

The Hobbit Restaurant owner Garvey Heiderman questioned that decision.

“Obviously we don’t want to encourage single use, but it’s basically single use versus no use,” he said. “It doesn’t make sense to not grant this waiver from a waste standpoint.”

Mitchell said the county has relayed its concerns to the Eastern Shore delegation. But he also noted the benefits of the new polystyrene ban.

“It will make a difference eventually when it’s fully implemented,” he said. “It’s good stuff.”

There are some notable exclusions in the legislation. The law would not apply to pre-packaged foods that have been filled and sealed prior to the passage of the legislation. In addition, food service businesses and schools in Maryland would be allowed to purchase and distribute products packaged in polystyrene out of state.

Area Boy Scout Troop Completes Assateague Island Service Project

November 20, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 35

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Members of the Boy Scout Troop 224 are pictured in front of the Assateague Island Visitors Center last week.

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BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

ASSATEAGUE – A group of local Boy Scouts from the Ocean City-Berlin area last week completed a service project that will enhance the landscape surrounding the Assateague Island National Seashore visitor’s center complex.

The scouts, from Troop 225 from the Berlin-Ocean City area, completed the service project as Assateague last Friday. The National Park Service has been working during the past few years to convert several managed garden beds in the area of the visitor center, the parking areas and the environmental education complex to natural, lower-maintenance plantings.

In cooperation with the Maryland Coastal Bays Program (MCBP), the local scouts pitched in last Friday and planted 12 native trees, and roughly two dozen native shrubs during the project.

The MCBP donated the native plants for the project, which included American sycamore, river birch, tulip poplar, and black oak, while the scouts from Troop 225 provided the labor necessary to get the plants in the ground.

“Making even small changes to any landscape by planting native trees and shrubs can provide significant benefits to birds, pollinators and other wildlife,” said Assateague Island National Seashore Chief of Resource Management Bill Hulslander. “And planting a tree just makes you feel good.”

Pedestrian-Only Winterfest Of Lights Now Open In Ocean City

OCEAN CITY – Ocean City’s 28th Annual Winterfest of Lights kicked off Thursday with a twist. The opening ceremony and tree lighting was held virtual, airing live on Facebook. Following the virtual tree lighting, Winterfest opened to the public.

Winterfest guests can experience the magic of the holiday season close up. The walking path is approximately a half-mile and contains several surprises along the way, creating family-friendly opportunities that will last a lifetime. The spectacular light displays consiast of countless loyal favorites, including Santa’s Workshop and the Reindeer Flight School. Also, participants can’t miss the animated, 50-foot Winterfest Christmas tree “performing” its show

throughout the evening.

With proper distancing practices in place, families will still have an opportunity for photos with Santa Claus and his sleigh in the Winterfest gift shop. Visitors are encouraged to dress appropriately for the winter weather. Masks should be worn at the event if you cannot social distance and health checks are required to enter the Northside Park facility gift shop and Santa photos area.

The hours of operation will be Wednesday-Sunday from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Winterfest tickets can be purchased on-site or online. Admission is $5 for those 12 years & older and free for those 11 years and younger.

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County Approves Accessory Apartment Change

Page 36

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – County officials approved a text amendment that will ease restrictions associated with accessory apartments this week.

On Tuesday, the Worcester County Commissioners approved a text amendment that eliminates the requirement that the property owner reside in either the primary dwelling unit or the accessory apartment on the premises. Commissioner Jim Bunting, who with Commissioner Chip Bertino opposed the change, said it would only exacerbate the county’s rental problems.

“It’s very apparent what’s being done here is to try to create an area, a place where a person can have a main residence and an accessory apartment and use it for rentals,” Bunting said.

Attorney Hugh Cropper, who submit-

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

ted the text amendment on behalf of Kathy Clark, said there were various reasons for the proposed change. He said he wasn’t seeking to eliminate any of the requirements associated with accessory apartments, just the stipulation that the property owner had to reside on site. He said the requirement was no longer necessary now that the county had a rental licensing program to monitor rentals.

Cropper also said that many properties these days were owned by limited liability companies (LLCs), which would make it cumbersome for county staff to even determine who should be residing on the property.

Bertino asked why the property owner had been required to reside in one of the dwellings in the first place.

“It’s been on the books for a long long time,” said Ed Tudor, the county’s director of development review and permitting.

“It’s my understanding that it was to try to

look out for, that there was somebody on the property responsible for that other unit... As Mr. Cropper pointed out with the new licensing regulations, we have houses rented all the time. At least now we do have contact numbers and responsible parties have to be available.”

Bunting said that if a property with an accessory apartment was used as a rental, parking could become a problem.

“As everybody knows I’m no fan of our rental laws,” he said. “It seems to me the purpose is for it to become a business, for Airbnbs or whatever you call them, which we all know winds up having 10 or 15 people or 20 people staying there.”

Tudor said the county’s regular parking requirements would still apply to a property whether the property owner was on site or not.

The commissioners voted 5-2, with Bunting and Bertino opposed, to approve the text amendment.

Children’s House Gets Matching Grant Offer

November 20, 2020

OCEAN CITY – The Robert I. Schattner Foundation has provided the Believe In Tomorrow Children’s House By The Sea with a $10,000 matching grant to promote “growth through giving” throughout the month of December. All new donors who contribute to the Believe In Tomorrow Children’s House By The Sea’s pediatric respite program, will have their contributions doubled by this generous grant.

“This is a wonderful growth opportunity that will have a direct and very positive impact on the families that we serve here in Ocean City,” said Believe In Tomorrow’s Founder, Brian Morrison.

The matching grant will begin on Dec. 1 and continue through the month of December until the full amount of the grant is utilized. All funds raised will go directly to Believe In Tomorrow’s Ocean City respite program.

This grant was made possible through the direction of Sidney Bresler, the president and chairman of the Robert I. Schattner Foundation, who read an article about the Believe In Tomorrow Children’s House By The Sea last summer. Bresler, a Bethesda, Md., resident who owns a home in Ocean City, recently toured the Children’s House

By The Sea with his wife Phyllis.

“We are honored to help the many families who stay at the Believe In Tomorrow Foundation’s Ocean City respite housing find relief, particularly during these very difficult times with the added stress of COVID-19,” said Mr. Bresler. “Our goal at the Robert I. Schattner Foundation is to make grants where they will do the most good, and where our gifts will make a difference in the quality of people’s lives.”

Schattner was a renowned dentist who used his knowledge of chemistry to launch a highly successful career as a national-level entrepreneur. He was the inventor of Chloraseptic and Sporicidin and used his success with these products to fund the foundation and its charitable endeavors. He served on many corporate boards and for 15 years served on the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine Board of Overseers. The foundation was founded in 1992. Although Schattner passed away in 2017, his legacy of giving lives on through.

The Believe In Tomorrow Children’s Foundation is a national leader in the area of pediatric respite and hospital housing. Believe In Tomorrow’s flagship beach respite location is on 66th Street in Ocean City across from the beachfront Holiday Inn. All donations will go toward a respite expansion being planned for a property on 65th Street. Anyone interested in contributing can do so by going to believeintomorrow.org and designating the Children’s House By The Sea in the online contribution, or by calling 410-744-1032 or 410-723-2842 and designating TCHBTS.

Tank Moratorium Extension Supported

November 20, 2020

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

SALISBURY – A moratorium on the permitting of certain agricultural storage tanks will be extended another year.

Following a public hearing on Tuesday, the Wicomico County Council voted unanimously to extend a moratorium on the issuance of building permits for dissolved air flotation (DAF) storage tanks that hold poultry rendering waste.

The moratorium, introduced earlier this month, will last one year as officials study the issue and discuss potential legislation to regulate the storage of such material.

“The purpose of the moratorium was to allow further study and action to change the zoning code,” council attorney Robert Taylor said in October. “So I’m not going to say we are at ground zero, but we haven’t progressed very far from that.”

The topic of DAF tanks was first introduced last year, when Wicomico County Planning, Zoning and Community Development issued a building permit allowing a local farmer to construct a three-milliongallon storage tank containing poultry byproducts on his property in the area of Porter Mill Road.

Since that time, several nearby residents have shared their concerns with the council regarding the smells and potential hazards associated with the tank.

There is also litigation in Wicomico County Circuit Court challenging the validity of that storage tank and the permit issued for its construction.

While the moratorium – first passed in November 2019 – does not affect that particular project, officials in Wicomico County argued it would allow for further review of the permitting process and zoning issues related to DAF storage tanks.

In a public hearing this week, the moratorium received the support of Friends of the Nanticoke River and Wicomico Environmental Trust (WET). Board member Madeleine Adams argued the council could use the one-year moratorium to explore the impact of DAF tanks on public and environmental health.

“As the size of proposed projects have grown to massive scale, the risks to the health of neighboring residents, and to air, land and water quality in the county, have become extremely serious …,” she said. “WET therefore encourages the county to utilize the time afforded by the extension of the moratorium on the permitting of DAF storage tanks to address the potentially huge liability and to incorporate into the permitting process consideration of public health and environmental health.”

Porter Mill Road resident Pam Olszewski also encouraged the council to support the moratorium. She argued the DAF tank now located near her house has impacted safety and quality of life.

“We consider it a hazard to our health and wellbeing …,” she said.

With no further discussion, the council voted 7-0 to extend the moratorium for one year.

Wicomico Accepting Restaurant Relief Grant Apps The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

SALISBURY – A local agency began accepting applications this week for a restaurant relief grant program.

On Monday, Salisbury-Wicomico Economic Development, Inc. (SWED) began accepting applications for its new Restaurant Relief Grant Fund. Using $836,000 in funding from the state of Maryland, Wicomico County restaurants significantly and negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic – especially with regard to indoor dining capacity – can apply for grants up to $15,000.

“We appreciate the State of Maryland’s partnership and in recognizing the challenges facing our restaurant industry,” said Wicomico’s Acting County Executive John Psota. “A special thank you

to SWED once again for your leadership in helping small businesses throughout Wicomico County mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Earlier this month, Gov. Larry Hogan announced the creation of a new financial assistance program available to restaurants as part of a $250 million economic recovery package. The grant program, which distributed $50 million across the state, included $836,000 in funding for Wicomico County.

“This economic recovery initiative will be critical to the struggling restaurants, small businesses, and Main Streets across the state that are attempting to weather this crisis,” Hogan said. “I have directed our team to ensure that this much-needed funding gets out the door as quickly as possible.”

SWED will have grant amounts in

Page 37

three levels – $5,000, $10,000 and $15,000 – and are based on the number of full time equivalent employees.

Restaurants that receive grants through the restaurant relief program can use the funding on rent, payroll, infrastructure improvements, technology, personal protective equipment, sanitation and other expenditures incurred between March 1 and Dec. 30.

With funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, SWED recently completed its first two business assistance programs, deploying $9 million to more than 900 small businesses throughout Wicomico County. Grant awards for the restaurant relief program will commence on Monday, Nov. 23.

For more information, visit www.swed.org.

Page 38

Business

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

November 20, 2020

And Real Estate News

Maryland Capital Enterprises announced this week Anthony Darby, chief executive officer of Peninsula Wellness/Peninsula Alternative Health in Salisbury, is the recipient of the 2020 MCE Palmer Gillis Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Runners up included Galen Gardner, Owner of Trident Furnishings, Inc. in Ocean City, and Dr. Amy Heger, chief executive officer of The Night Watch Childcare Center in Salisbury. Pictured, from left, are Palmer Gillis, CEO of Gillis Gilkerson; Darby; Heger; and Maurice Ames, executive director of Maryland Capital Enterprises.

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BERLIN – Some personnel changes are coming to the Berlin Chamber of Commerce and some shuffling of positions will occur.

On Nov. 2, Chamber President Steve Frene began to transition to the deputy director’s position currently held by Nicky Chavis. Due to a fulltime career opportunity, Chavis will step down from her paid part time position with the chamber, but assume the role of treasurer at the end STEVE FRENE of the year, when current Treasurer Brian Robertson’s term expires.

Mike Queen, owner of Rayne’s Reef, will become the new chamber president.

Executive Director Larnet St. Amant as well as several other board members will continue to serve.

Frene, who recently retired with his wife Debbie when they sold Victorian Charm, has been a Berlin chamber member, Board of Directors officer, and event chairman for many years. Prior to joining his wife in business, he had a 25year career in radio advertising sales and is a resident of Berlin.

“The part time Deputy Director’s position has been a hard one to fill over the years,” St. Amant said. “We’ve had some very talented people but they eventually leave when they find full-time employment. As a recently retired person and someone who brings a lot of business and marketing experience to this job, Steve is perfect for the position.”

The Berlin Chamber has also just invested in a new software system called Chamber Master, an internet-based platform that helps nonprofit organizations in a variety of capacities including mem-

bership, sponsorships, events, social media, member directories and a fully integrated website.

Nurse Practitioner Added BERLIN – Atlantic General Hospital and Health System officials recently announced a new family nurse practitioner has joined the health system’s Ocean View, Del. primary care office to care for adults and children alongside Kieran Py, MD. DANIELLE Danielle Imparato, IMPARATO FNP-C, earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing, graduating summa cum laude, from Thomas Jefferson College of Nursing in Philadelphia. She is board certified by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Imparato is currently accepting new patients.

Finance Positions Filled SALISBURY – Officials in Wicomico have appointed new deputy finance directors to fill vacancies in two county departments.

The Wicomico County Council voted unanimously to appoint Charles Schmechel as the county’s new deputy director of finance.

Schmechel – a certified public accountant and certified fraud examiner – recently relocated to Wicomico County from Colorado. A graduate of the University of Wyoming, he holds degrees in accounting and political science with a minor in ethics.

“His prior employment has provided him significant experience with governmental accounting, auditing, financial reSEE NEXT PAGE

... Business News

November 20, 2020

porting and forensics, which will be strong assets to the County,” Acting County Executive John Psota said in a statement this month.

Schmechel’s appointment comes months after the legislative branch urged the executive office to fill the position, left vacant since the retirement of former Deputy Finance Director John Ellis.

The council also appointed Katie Rouse as the deputy director of finance for the Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism.

Rouse – a member of the recreation, parks and tourism department since 2016 – previously served as finance officer and Wicomico Youth & Civic Center manager. She received a degree in accounting from Salisbury University and is a certified public accountant.

“Katie’s experience and commitment to the mission of the Department will be extremely valuable as we navigate the many budget challenges associated with COVID-19,” Psota said.

Annual Meeting Held SALISBURY – The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore honored four award recipients and celebrated annual grant-making efforts at its virtual Annual Meeting and Report to the Community on Nov. 12. The foundation celebrated a total of $5.5 million in grants made in fiscal year 2020, including more than $539,000 in scholarships to local students.

“While 2020 has been unique to say the least, for every challenge that demanded we be creative, nimble, and resilient we were joined by others who were willing to adapt and respond to needs in our community, and for that we are so thankful,” said CFES President Erica Joseph. “The continued generosity of time, talent, and financial resources within our small, rural region demonstrates that philanthropy is an intrinsic value in our community.”

The Mary Gladys Jones Volunteer of the Year Award was awarded to Shawna Kearsley for her many years of dedicated service to others and passionate volunteerism. Kearsley brings energy and joy to each situation as she works to connect people and organizations to better her community, always out on the front line, shoulder to shoulder with other volunteers. When faced with a challenge, she doesn’t step back, but steps up and seeks solutions. She was a Team Leader for the National Folk Festival Bucket Brigade in 2018 & 2019, tasked with recruiting, training, and leading hundreds of volunteers to gather onsite donations during the 3-day festival.

Her current projects include, the Crisfield Community Gardens, video-casts of local events, leading the Crisfield Steering Committee on the Local Food Federal Assistance Grant, and coordinating support for the Somerset County Summer Arts & Education Series. She is a board member for the Minds in Motion Children’s Museum, The Salisbury Chamber of Commerce, and serves as executive director for the Crisfield Arts

“Am I Crazy?”

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch Syndicate. For her dedication to making her community a better place Kearsley will receive a $1,000 gift to designate to the charity of her choice.

The Nonprofit Award of Excellence honoring Richard A. Henson was awarded to Operation We Care. Founded in 2007 by Jeff and Diana Merritt, Operation We Care is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to supporting our military and first responders and understands the value of demonstrating gratitude to those who keep our communities safe. Their efforts include annually sending over 2,000 care packages to deployed military troops around the world, purchasing items needed by first responders like smoke detectors, K9 ballistic vests, PPE, and other supplies and equipment needed. Operation We Care works to show appreciation for military and first responders through events such as “Thank a Police Officer Day” where they deliver meals to every shift of every police department in the immediate service area. OWC also rallies our community together at their semi-annual “packing parties” where hundreds of volunteers assemble care packages to be sent around the world.

In honor of the award, Operation We Care will receive $5,000 to support its work.

The Frank H. Morris Humanitarian Award was awarded to Grace Murdock for her exemplary leadership, vision, integrity, compassion, and dedication to community. She has been a public servant for over 30 years, having worked as an educator, administrator, and as a community advocate. As the founder of Wicomico Grows Kindness, Grace’s vision was to facilitate the spread of kindness. Grace volunteers by making meals for neighbors in need, reading to children in classrooms, filling Operation We Care packages for our troops, mentoring college students, volunteering at Camden Community Garden, and leading the Kindness Commission for the City of Salisbury. She taught Girl Scout Troops how to create kindness keychains and has inspired One Year to Empowerment students by sharing her story about the positive impact of kindness. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Grace has shown her fellow citizens how to be kind to each other by setting up a HERO station where she encourages neighbors to participate in photo ops thanking our community heroes. In honor of the award, a $1,500 gift will be made to the charity of Murdock’s choice.

The Chairman’s Award was presented to Dr. George Whitehead III for his dedication to the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore and his many community efforts. Whitehead is a passionate ambassador for the Community Foundation and has served on the Foundation’s Board of Directors since 2016. He has also served as the Chairman of the Community Needs Grant Committee. This year as the Foundation was challenged to adapt and respond, George was an integral part of the Foundation’s COVID Response Fund, and used his time to support Foundation efforts and to collaborate and connect through CFES to meet needs in the community.

Page 39

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Page 40

FROM PAGE 10 series of directives aimed at slowing the spread of the virus directed at restaurants and bars. While many were awaiting news of reduced capacity, that announcement never came. Earlier in the day, Delaware’s governor announced a reduction in capacity at restaurants, bars and other food-service facilities to 30%.

In Maryland, capacity at indoor dining establishments remained at 50% after Hogan’s announcement on Tuesday, after it was reduced from 75% to 50% last week.

The same social distancing and mask requirements remain in place as they have through much of the pandemic.

However, one key announcement to come out of the governor’s directives regarding restaurants and bars announced on Tuesday was a mandated 10 p.m. closing time. Heretofore, there were no

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

closing time mandates for restaurants and bars as long as the other directives were complied with. Hogan stopped short of blaming restaurants and bars for the recent spike, but pointed out latenight activity at some locations is likely contributing to the spread.

“Compliance drops dramatically later at night,” he said. “Patrons must be seated and distance service only. There should be no standing or converging in bars. Customers not seated cannot be served. It will be strictly enforced.”

Anecdotally, the governor’s new directives announced on Tuesday are not a dramatic departure from what the local hospitality industry has been working with in recent months. Because of the time of year, most establishments, with a few exceptions, are operating at around 50% most days and the food and drink service facilities are well-versed

in the distancing and masking requirements for the most part, However, the 10 p.m. closure mandate could be challenging for some.

While many are naturally wrapping it up by 10 p.m. anyway because of the time of year, others rely on a healthy laternight crowd to sustain them.

In addition, crowds for nighttime sports enthusiasts could be curtailed by the changes. For example, the locallypopular Baltimore Ravens play three of their next four games with start times at 8 p.m. or later, including an 8:20 p.m. showdown with rival Pittsburgh Steelers on Thanksgiving night.

Following Hogan’s announcements on Tuesday, the Restaurant Association of Maryland (RAM) issued a statement on the changes regarding dining establishments. RAM President and CEO Marshall Weston said it was not the ac-

November 20, 2020

tions of the state’s restaurants and bars that necessitated the changes, but the actions of a few among the late-night crowds.

“The governor was clear in his message that the actions of late-night customers have largely led to the decision to close restaurants and bars at 10 p.m. not that of restaurants or their employees,” he said. “Our industry continues to be committed to providing safe dining experiences and we will do what is necessary to ensure that restaurants remain open while safely serving customers with indoor dining, carryout and delivery options.”

RAM statistics point out Maryland’s food service industry has lost roughly $1.4 billion since the start of the pandemic, and has seen as many as 150,000 employees laid off or furloughed. Perhaps more alarming, RAM projects as many as 40% of the state’s food-service businesses, or the equivalent of 4,000, could still close permanently under the mandated restrictions. As a result, Weston urged Marylanders to continue to support small business either through limited in-person visitation, carryout and delivery or other means.

“This holiday season has never been more critical to the survival of the local restaurant industry,” he said. “As families adjust their Thanksgiving plans, we encourage everyone to support your local restaurant by ordering prepared meals that can accommodate small, at-home gatherings or make reservations in advance to ensure a safe, stress-free holiday for all.”

Locally, Ocean City Hotel-MotelRestaurant Association Executive Director Susan Jones said she understood the alarming spike in the numbers, but said Hogan asserted the state was in much better position to handle the increased caseload than it was in the spring.

“Hogan said we were in a war with the virus, and he also noted our state is not in the same position as it was in the spring when hospitals were reaching capacity,” she said. “He noted we had a much better handle on the virus, testing, PPE supply and additional bed supply.”

Jones also said the hospitality industry is often unfairly characterized as a source of the spread of the virus despite the best efforts of most operators.

“While we understand the plight of healthcare, it seems as if the economics and mental health of our state are being left out of the decision-making,” she said. “Government is dictating our hours and squashing the ability to produce income to pay bills.”

Jones also voiced frustration with the federal, state and county programs that are supposed to be funneling grants to restaurants and bars to help them get through the crisis.

“It is super-frustrating when financial assistance is spoken of, businesses apply and then suddenly there is no more money or the powers that be can’t reach a consensus,” she said. “Now, the blame game is beginning to rise in the conversation.”

Students

November 20, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 41

In The News

In honor of Veterans Day, Melanie Coleman’s first grade class at Ocean City Elementary sent thank you letters to her cousin's Marine squadron. Coleman’s cousin is the lieutenant colonel of VMM-163 Evil Eyes at Miramar Military Base in San Diego, Calif.

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Sixth grade students in Berlin Intermediate Carolyn Mitrecic’s class recently had a Book Talk. They shared the book they are currently reading and gave it either a “thumbs up or thumbs down” review. Pictured are Kalissa Satchell, Israel Hernandez-Carrillo and Taylor Jacobs.

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Area Eagle Scout Completes Gun Range Project

November 20, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 43

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

BERLIN – The Worcester County Firing Range in Newark got an important new addition last week thanks to a Stephen Decatur High School freshman’s Eagle Scout project.

The ribbon was officially cut last Thursday on the latest addition to the Worcester County firing range in Newark, utilized by federal, state and local law enforcement officials, and the public in general, for firearms training. Stephen Decatur freshman Connor Smith of Boy Scout Troop 281 in Ocean View conceived of and built the structure, referred to as an Adirondack, at the firing range for his Eagle Scout service project.

Eagle Scout candidates, after completing the rigorous collection of merit badges and moving up the ranks, are required to do a public service project to reach the lofty final goal. For Smith, whose mother is Worcester County Sheriff’s Deputy Jennifer DeGiovanni, constructing the needed structure at the Worcester County firing range was an obvious fit.

“I have been working toward my Eagle Scout rank for six months,” he said.

“At the beginning of the summer, I had a conversation with one of the instructors who teaches at the Worcester County firing range, who said there was a need for a structure for shooters to shoot from at the 100-yard line. I then decided that would be a great Eagle Scout project for me to build.”

The Worcester County firing range in Newark, about halfway between Berlin and Snow Hill, is open to local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to use as well as the general public. The purpose of the range is to train police and the public to shoot guns in a safe environment.

With the help of his team, Smith built the three-sided structure with a cantilever roof at the 100-yard line at the gun range. Smith also built a shooting bench and a gun rack. The Adirondack will allow police officers and the public to train in all sorts of weather and in varying conditions. When shooters go to the range, they must sight their weapons that very day or they will not be allowed to train for a while. The Adirondack also gives police officers and the public a covered area from which they can shoot from the table Smith made, or from a prone, or lying down, position, which is the most stable.

The Adirondack also allows for shooters to keep the sun glare out of their optics and sights while they train. Police snipers will also use the building to scope in their rifles in a controlled environment. Smith recently finished the project and the ribbon was cut on the building in a special ceremony last Thursday.

Stephen Decatur freshman Connor Smith of Boy Scout Troop 281 in Ocean View cuts the ribbon for his Eagle Scout project at the county's firing range.

Submitted Photo

Delmarva Blood Bank Issues Critical Request For Donations

Page 44

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

SALISBURY – Faced with a shortage, the Blood Bank of Delmarva is joining forces with local hospitals and health care systems to raise awareness about the critical need for blood donations.

In response to a chronic shortage brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Blood Bank of Delmarva (BBD) this week announced additional efforts to increase its blood supply.

“We’re asking blood donors to make appointments at our four donor centers …,” Tony Prado, communications specialist for the Blood Bank of Delmarva, said in a press conference this week.

“This is all important because we would ideally like to maintain a seven-day inventory of all blood types for hospitals. That works for us. That’s the magic number.”

While temporary blood shortages are not uncommon during summer and winter holidays, the Blood Bank of Delmarva notes the pandemic has created a chronic shortage across the country

and looming uncertainty surrounding its trajectory over the course of the winter.

Delmarva’s health care system requires 350 donations each day to treat patients ranging from trauma victims to newborn babies and their mothers to cancer patients, according to the Blood Bank. Prior to the pandemic, donors could stop by community blood drives at convenient locations. But nearly all high schools, colleges, offices and other community groups have had to cancel their blood drives due to COVID-19.

As a result, the Blood Bank of Delmarva is facing consistent shortfalls.

“The convenience factor of walking down the hallway while at work, getting out of class or donating after religious services is gone. Instead, we have to rely on people taking the extra step of proactively seeking out a place to donate. So far, that isn’t happening at the level we need,” said Andrea Cefarelli, senior executive director of recruitment and Marketing for Blood Bank of Delmarva. “In normal times, announcing a blood emergency would create a shortterm increase in blood donations, but

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this will not solve this particularly difficult shortage long-term. This is an incredibly challenging time for our communities.”

In this week’s press conference – which featured pleas from local hospital directors and doctors – officials noted that mobile blood drives account for 40% of the Blood Bank’s collection, with high school and college blood drives alone accounting for 25% of collections.

However, overall mobile blood drive donations are just 43% of pre-pandemic levels – well below what is needed by hospitals and patients.

“Last year during the BBD Summer Challenge we saw nearly 900 blood donations from our hospital partners,” said Donor Recruitment Director Marie Forrestal. “COVID-19 restrictions meant just 300 donations and blood drives at just two hospitals. The scene is the same at corporations with only 500 corporate blood donors being able to give.

Last year same timeframe we saw nearly 4,000 donations. Hardest hit are our high school and college donors. We have run just one high school blood

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drive since the pandemic started. This is catastrophic, not only for immediate donations but for the future.”

Forrestal explained that connections made during high school and college blood drives last a lifetime.

“The problem is when we lose these donors in high school, we never get them back …,” she said. “We’re losing a whole generation of donors during this pandemic.”

For more information on donating blood or scheduling a blood drive, visit delmarvablood.org. The Blood Bank of Delmarva said safety protocols, such as the wearing of face masks and frequent disinfecting, are currently in place.

“Our hospitals and the patients we serve depend on us to have lifesaving products available when the call to action is answered,” said Product Services Manager Megan Johnson. “BBD cannot be successful in our intent and ability to service our hospital customers effectively and efficiently without your continued support and partnership. This is where you the community is needed to help BBD through this continuing struggle.”

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Page 45

Athletic Donations Appreciated:

Worcester Preparatory School issued a sincere thank you this month to the Bescak, Ruggerio and Yonker families for demonstrating their appreciation for the return of Middle/Upper School fall sports this year by making donations of sponsorship and signage to enhance the WPS athletic programs.

Chesapeake Eye Center owners Dr. Todd and Allison Bescak (parents of T.J. ’21, Olivia ’17, Madison ’17), and Drs. Jason and Preeti Yonker, (parents of Ayla ’26 and Rani ‘28) were the 2020 corporate sponsor of the WPS Player of the Week awards where student-athletes were gifted a T-shirt and recognized for excellence in the classroom, practice and games. Above left, from left, are Dr. Todd Bescak, Player of the Week recipients Myranda Beebe, soccer; Ansley Gardner, soccer; Michael Wehberg, soccer; Bella Marinelli, field hockey; Brice Richins, soccer;, T.J. Bescak, golf; Caitlyn Hoen, cross country; Vanesska Hall, golf;, Director of Athletics Mr. Matt McGinnis; and Assistant Director of Athletics J.P. McIntyre.

Additionally, Cindy and Rhett Ruggerio (parents of Maxine ‘25 and Vivien ’28) generously donated a large 96-foot by 240-foot Mallard Nation aluminum billboard sign prominently displayed below the scoreboard on the soccer fields. Pictured, above right from left, are Cindy, Maxine, Vivien and Rhett Ruggerio. Submitted Photos

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Forever In Memory Of Our Founder, Dick Lohmeyer (May 25, 1927-May 5, 2005) The Dispatch, Serving Greater Ocean City Since 1984, Is Published By Maryland Coast Dispatch Inc. Weekly On Friday Mornings MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 467, Berlin, Md. 21811 PHYSICAL ADDRESS: 10012 Old Ocean City Blvd.

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Lockdowns Make Cure Worse Than Disease The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

November 20, 2020

HOW WE SEE IT

How can we avoid another lockdown? This is the question on most minds. The prevailing sentiment seems to be it’s inevitable, but we should learn from the past and not make this same mistake.

Maryland was in a lockdown for much of the spring, despite what Gov. Larry Hogan maintained at a press conference last Thursday. When asked if the state was looking at another lockdown, Hogan seemed to blunder.

“I don’t know what the definition of a lockdown is, we never really had a lockdown. We didn’t even have a stayat-home order, we had stay-at-home advisories, we kept 70% of our economy open the entire time. But might we have to take more restrictive actions over the coming, you know, weeks or months? Absolutely. We might,” Hogan said.

The reality is Hogan did impose a lockdown in Maryland through an official stay-at-home order. Hogan said in late March, “This is a deadly public health crisis — we are no longer asking or suggesting that Marylanders stay home, we are directing them to do so. No Maryland resident should be leaving their home unless it is for an essential job or

for an essential reason such as obtaining food or medicine, seeking urgent medical attention, or for other necessary purposes.”

It's important for Hogan to remember his spring lockdown in late March did not immediately help with the spread of the virus. There were a variety of factors that led to the downturn in cases, not the least of which was the warming weather and more mask wearing.

With each looming press conference, the concern is what hammer will Hogan bring down this time. Will this be when Hogan rolls back further restrictions and mandates we stay at home again? There are veiled threats to either comply with the more restrictive measures or more will be coming. In a video briefing with state lawmakers Wednesday, Maryland Health Secretary Robert R. Neall said, “If you want to avoid a lockdown — and a lot of states are headed that way — wear a mask, keep your distance, wash your hands, you get a call from contact tracing, answer it and give them the information they require,” according to The Baltimore Sun. We could do without all the threats and tough talk. It’s unproductive at this point. Those who understand the sever-

ity of the virus are already heeding recommendations. Those who don’t believe in the virus and think it’s a hoax will view the ever-changing restrictions with haste and anger. The pandemic is a divisive issue and at the heart of the debate for many remains government’s infringement on individual rights and economic survivability.

Though an argument could be made government is stripping the fundamental rights of its citizens with these mandated orders, the greater point here is the economics of these lockdowns weighed against the health benefits.

We all need to remain vigilant and make the necessary sacrifices to reduce the spread of the virus. We must be disciplined and refrain from giving in to this inevitable malaise over the pandemic. However, a government-ordered lockdown or stay-at-home order accomplishes little outside of causing economic devastation to many businesses and households. The financial consequences from the spring lockdown remain real today. Shutting communities down this fall and winter will only make 2021 more like 2020, a year many are just hopeful to overcome and survive, not thrive.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Natural Gas Pipeline Opposed Editor: (The following letter was addressed to the Maryland Board of Public Works with a copy distributed for publication.)

The following organizations and elected officials based on the Eastern Shore of Maryland are contacting you today over the proposed natural gas pipeline on the Eastern Shore. Due to the impact this project would have on the economy, environment, and health of our region, we are appealing to you to vote NO on the Eastern Shore natural gas pipeline project for the following reasons: 1. The construction of this pipeline would only make our impoverished area even more reliant on outdated and harmful energy sources while green energy projects and the long term jobs they create go to other communities.

2. If built the Del-Mar pipeline will impact 1,239 square feet of streams and more than 16,000 square feet of wetlands. This impact would very likely lead to the destruction of our pristine environment.

3. In general, fracked gas pipelines are unsafe and unreliable. From June 2015 to June 2017 alone, there were 11 explosions of natural gas pipelines or other infrastructure. Since 2010, more than 500 people have been injured, 121 people have been killed, and $3.5 billion

of damage has occurred as a result of pipeline accidents. Bringing such a risk to the Lower Shore with no real benefits offered would be cruel and put our communities at unnecessary risk.

4. Water quality on the Eastern Shore is exceptionally vulnerable to the damage that will be caused by fossil fuel extraction and transport needed for this project. Potential damages include coal ash contamination of ponds and rivers, drinking water impacts from fracking for gas in nearby states, and oil spills in our rivers from the pipeline.

5. The fracked-gas industry is a highrisk/low reward gamble. This is shown by past efforts like when the companies behind the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline canceled the project due to skyrocketing costs and legal uncertainties.

6. Enabling more fossil fuel production is in direct contradiction to our state’s goals of increasing renewable energy production and moving towards carbon neutrality. We are concerned, for example, that the request for proposals put out by the State of Maryland to repower the university and prison foreclosed the possibility of a clean energy solution by only requesting applications for gas.

7. Our communities here on the Eastern Shore are ground zero for sealevel rise due to the effects of climate change. We are at major risk due to the fact that our communities reside on long

shorelines and in low-lying areas. The risk is heightened when taking into consideration the fact that much of Maryland’s 3,000 miles of tidal shoreline are found on the Eastern Shore, which, according to the latest science, will experience near-daily flooding by 2100.

8. This project – if constructed – would run through primarily majorityminority and low-income communities.

The topline finding is that there is a predominance of Environmental Justice (EJ)-eligible census block groups up and down the two proposed projects.

In fact, there are only 4 of 40 one-mile study area tracts that are not EJ-eligible.

Based on these eight points, we urge you to vote no on this pipeline. You can stop this dangerous plan that hurts the shore. We, and so many others around the state, are counting on you.

Jared Schablein, Chair, Lower Shore Progressive Caucus; Michele Gregory, Salisbury Councilperson District 4; Cecilia Plante , Chair, Maryland Legislative Coalition; Elise Rose Bean. Chair, FLIP; Amber Green, Member, Salisbury Human Rights Advisory Committee, Bob Muehlenkamp, President, Our Revolution Maryland; Ivory Smith, President, Worcester NAACP; Kirkland Hall, community leader/educator; Larry Stafford, Executive Director, Progressive Maryland; and Dale Parker, Executive Director, Concerned Residents of Princess Anne.

Closing Schools Again A Mistake November 20, 2020

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING

BY AARON E. CARROLL

SPECIAL TO THE DISPATCH

As the surge of coronavirus infections in the United States becomes undeniable, many leaders throughout the country are reacting by calling for closures. Bizarrely, they almost always seem to focus on schools first. That’s exactly the opposite of what they should be doing.

Don’t get me wrong. With cases climbing to levels we haven’t seen before, we need to restrict our physical interactions. But we should do so rationally and in an evidence-based manner. We should figure out what poses the greatest danger and act accordingly, instead of automatically asking schoolchildren to bear the brunt of the pain.

We should not be having large weddings. We should not be going to public events. We should not be eating indoors at restaurants. We should not be drinking indoors at bars. These are the activities responsible for a vast majority of transmissions, and these should be the focus of our initial interventions.

Schools are different. Cases have definitely been more common in schoolage children this fall. But when schools do the right things, those infections are not transmitted in the classroom.

They’re occurring, for the most part, when children go to parties, when they have sleepovers and when they’re playing sports inside and unmasked. Those cases will not be reduced by closing schools.

It’s not even clear how some areas derive their thresholds for closing schools. Some places, like New York City, have declared that schools might close if positivity rates reach 3%. Other areas have much higher thresholds, like 10%. Some have none at all.

None of this is based on statistical modeling or science. Positivity rates are affected by testing rates as much as by prevalence of infection, and no one should be under the illusion that we’re identifying the majority of cases through our testing of symptomatic people. To do that, we’d need to engage in random-sample asymptomatic testing as well. Until then, we need to use a variety of signals, including analyses of who is getting infected and where.

The playbook for keeping schools as safe as possible has been understood for many months. First, classrooms need to be less dense, so that students are sitting at least six feet apart at all times. Some classrooms may not be able to accommodate this, but there are often other school spaces that can be used for learning, like auditoriums and libraries. Vacant hotel ballrooms, office buildings, gyms and theaters could even be converted into temporary classrooms.

Second, class start and end times need to be staggered so students aren’t

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bunched together in the halls. Likewise, schools need to make sure students eat apart, and certainly are not confined to one lunchroom.

Third, students need to be universally masked. Before anyone says that kids will refuse this, as a pediatrician and a father I can assure you that at some point in their lives, children also refuse to wear pants. They’ll learn.

Finally, we need to recognize that some teachers are at higher risk than others, and be thoughtful in how we protect them. We need to invest in rapid, repeated testing schemes to provide an added layer of protection. Many colleges and universities have figured this out.

Following this playbook will require billions of dollars from the federal government, but the costs are well worth the investment. Education is hugely important. Unfortunately, our schools are not, for the most part, prepared to deliver high quality educational content online. Kids are also social animals and need safe in-person interactions for their mental health and development.

Schools are necessary for the economy as well. If they are not open, many parents cannot work, even if they’re doing so from home.

Closing schools also exacerbates social and economic disparities. In some cities, especially in poorer areas, as many as one in three children didn’t — or couldn’t — take part in online learning when schools across the country were closed in the spring. Students who fall behind will have an incredibly difficult time catching up. They will be less likely to graduate, with enormous, lifelong consequences.

There may come a time when the pandemic has become so unmanageable that we need to close everything, including schools. (This was the case when I argued that closures were necessary back in March.) But schools are essential, and should be treated as such. When we prioritize, they should be among the last things to close. Almost everything else should be put on pause first. This is what Europe is doing. No one can explain why, once again, the United States is choosing its own path.

Because schools are not the major cause of the problem, shutting them down won’t do enough on its own to slow the spread of the disease. When — not if — businesses are forced to shutter temporarily in the near future, we can tide them over with money, and we absolutely should. When schools are closed, however, handing students a check will not replace what they’ve lost.

American adults have failed in almost every way imaginable in this pandemic. None of it is kids’ fault. When we try and fix this latest mess, let’s put their needs first.

(The writer is a contributing opinion writer for The New York Times.)

Page 47

By Publisher/Editor Steve Green

Gov. Larry Hogan said last week public education decisions will remain local based on jurisdictional conditions, but he said the choices should adhere to the state’s guidance for schools. Therein lies the problem because the health metrics set by the state to operate in-person schooling are too onerous and hurt our children. Therefore, it’s the health data making the decisions and not the local officials who know their counties best.

Public school systems should be able to make school-by-school decisions rather than blanket jurisdiction-wide closures. Based on the guidance from the state, once key figures reach a certain level no in-school instruction can take place throughout the entire county. This is ridiculous, and the public should be up in arms. In-person instruction should still be taking place in Worcester County. As Worcester and Wicomico have done in recent weeks, the local counties should be able to manage positive cases through quarantining and isolating those impacted through a caseby-case methodology. The protocols are in place for a reason. Not only to keep everyone safe within the school, but also to keep the schools open for in-person instruction. The protocols were not created to just be able to open school doors. They were created to remain open. That is if the protocols are working, and officials say they are in this county.

According to the document “COVID-19 Guidance For Maryland Schools,” from the State Department of Education and the Maryland Department of Health, public school systems should move to virtual learning or limited inperson instruction if the positivity case rate exceeds 5% and the seven-day moving average case rate per 100,000 exceeds 15. In the communication from Worcester County schools last Sunday, it was reported the daily positive rate hit 6.6% and 18.3 cases per 100,000 people. On Wednesday, Worcester’s positive rate was actually down to 5.75% but cases per 100,000 elevated to 20.2, compared to Wicomico’s 6.68% and 34.61 cases per 100,000.

If the positivity rate is a key indicator, it should have also been a concern when the first wave of students in Worcester County returned in late September when the average positivity rate was 6.14% from Sept. 21-28. For the same time period, the average case rate per 100,000 was 15.13. These metrics are only slightly over the state caution line, but highlight the importance of looking beyond the data. Worcester County was somehow able to welcome kids back inside in late September but could not this week.

There must be a more concerted effort to keep schools open unless there are other significant concerns outside of the health metrics. School leaders must be bold with their decisions. However, even if they had the gall to make the tough calls needed, at this point they are hamstrung by the health guidance set out by the state. Therefore, local jurisdictions do not have the authority to make their own calls, as the governor maintained last week.

If the metrics are dominating the decision making, it takes all discretion out of the superintendents’ hands. All parents need to do is simply monitor the coronavirus.maryland.gov website each day for answers on when schools will reopen. The closure calls need to balance the transmission concerns vs. the tremendous mental health pressures on kids, parents and teachers.

What’s most discouraging is moving forward there’s little hope local schools will open anytime soon, despite what school leaders maintain. The positivity rate needs to be below 5% and the case per 100,000 rate needs to be under 15. What’s the odds of that happening soon? Slim at this point. The metrics should only be a part of the equation considered. If it remains the dominant factor, there is no end in sight to virtual learning, which benefits no one. Students are falling behind. Teachers are frustrated and overwhelmed.

Parents are stressed and anxious. It’s the spike in those areas I am most concerned about within our community, not the percent of positive tests or the abstract moving average case rate for 100,000 in a county of just over 50,000 residents. Let’s be brave and stop letting data alone drive these decisions.

The last full weekend in September is one to avoid because of the popup vehicle event, and resort officials have even gone so far as discouraging visitors because it’s going to be a police state.

I think the concept of extending the annual bike week activities over two weekends is worthwhile to consider. However, in the case of 2021, it’s going to be complicated. As it stands now, OC BikeFest is Sept. 15-19, followed by the unsanctioned, but real, pop-up event the next weekend and Sunfest Sept. 30-Oct. 3. It was discussed this week the bike event would like to grow to two weekends, or even two full weeks. The question being should it expand from its approved date to the week earlier in the month of September or extend further into September, conflicting directly with the pop-up event.

My concern is the pop-up event attendees will simply change their dates once word spreads about the bikers taking two weekends. Maybe that will help dissipate the event attendees, but it could also put the popup event on the same weekend as Sunfest. The safe play is to expand the bike event earlier into September because the weekend after Labor Day weekend typically does not feature a major event. It’s a tough call and will need a lot of deliberation in the coming weeks. Whatever decision is made the bold approach is laudable.

Page 48

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The Adventures Of Fatherhood

By STEVE GREEN

arson does evidently like school after all.

I was away with Beckett at a soccer tournament Sunday afternoon when the call came about school going virtual through the end of the month.

Therefore, it was on Pam to let Carson, our 11-year-old fifth grader, know he would not being going back to school Monday.

As I thought about it driving home, I wondered what Carson’s reaction was to the news. I wrongly assumed he would be okay with returning to homeschool, which is what I call virtual learning. No offense to the teachers, but Pam essentially is his homeschool teacher because he needs assistance navigating through the day’s curriculum due to his disabilities and learning differences.

Pam later told me Carson cried his eyes out when she told him. At this point, we learned just how much he has been enjoying his new school, new teachers and his new routine. We should have figured this was the case because he has been transitioning smoothly in the morning to school and seems to be doing well in his classes. He did not need a break from being in school nor he did he want one.

I learned firsthand Monday morning about his feelings. When I turned on the same computer that served as his classroom all last spring and early this fall, he teared up and showed his displeasure. It was like it all came back to him and he couldn’t accept it. I admit to telling him it’s just for a couple weeks, though nobody holds out any realistic hope for that.

At this point, however, it was do whatever it takes to get him to watch the principal’s morning message and answer the required question for attendance purposes. He was clearly a stressed kid and I felt for him. I was dis-

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appointed and worried too. I know Pam was as well because almost all the responsibilities fall to her to help our kid navigate this online education journey, which is just an unfortunate reality for now.

It was like déjà vu all over again for Pam. She always puts her kids first and will do whatever it takes, but the angst she feels over having to be the teacher and the mom again for an unknown period is understandable. She feels helpless and I don’t blame her. It’s a tremendous burden, one requiring her to ignore all other aspects of her life while school is in session. It’s impossible and I worry about her and our kid.

Fortunately, Carson has proven himself to be one resilient child. Flexibility is not a trait of most kids on the spectrum, but his maturation has helped to make him much more acquiescent to change. It’s a sign of tremendous progress for him. Though he clearly misses school, Carson came around to accepting he had to get his work done at home. Pam builds in breaks for him and I think has been finding some success within her own self by not taking school so serious. She’s an overachiever, but there’s only so much that can be done through virtual learning.

Nobody wins if she and Carson are both stressed out. If that means missing a lesson or taking more breaks throughout the day, I say so be it. It’s just not worth it in the big picture of life.

Later, as I took Beckett, our 12-yearold seventh grader, to his school, which is still in-person, he was dumbfounded over Carson’s emotions and couldn’t understand why Carson was so unhappy about virtual learning. He asked why Carson was crying about school this morning. I reminded how he might feel if he had to go back to virtual learning, what he may think if he was in the same position and what he will miss about school. He thought about it for a

minute and understood. He reminded at least it’s just for one week and next week is Thanksgiving.

I told him that’s what I was telling him to get him on the computer that morning. Of course, it would be the epitome of naiveite to think this is a shortterm thing. Our kids will once again look to us as to how to handle all this. I take comfort in knowing we will mask our true feelings for their greater good. As she does in most situations, Pam is rising to the occasion, while we have our own informal therapy sessions nightly talking through this nightmare situation for our kid, all students, the teachers and the parents.

T

here’s nothing like a spat to start the day.

I had one of these fun occurrences with Beckett on Wednesday morning. He came downstairs dressed for school with his hair dry except for a damp small front patch. I asked him why he didn’t wash his hair. He said something along the lines of, “it’s called I dried it.” I reminded him I am not stupid and that showers are for getting clean while helping to wake up for the day.

We then had an unpleasant conversation about lying and being disrespectful. He was insistent he had washed his hair. I was adamant he could not have his phone or any other electronic device before school if he kept perpetuating the lie over something so silly.

It was quite the square off to start the day. It was 7:10 a.m. and would later prove to be one of those days full of battles between us.

(The writer is the publisher and editor of The 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.)

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Page 49

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The Dispatch

Legal Notices

LEGAL RATES Legal advertising rate is $7 per column inch. Deadline for all legal advertising is Tuesday at noon. For more information, call 410-641-4563 or fax 410-641-0966.

THIRD INSERTION MICHAEL B MATHERS ESQ. WEBB, CORNBROOKS, WILBER, VORHIS, DOUSE & MATHERS, LLP PO BOX 910 115 BROAD STREET SALISBURY, MD 21803-0910 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18484 To all persons interested in the estate of BETTY EHLERS FRANKE, ESTATE NO. 18484. Notice is given that CLARKE R. FRANKE, 13112 MANOR ROAD, GLEN ARM, MD 21057 was on, OCTOBER 28, 2020, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of BETTY EHLERS FRANKE, who died on SEPTEMBER 29, 2020, 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 28TH day of APRIL, 2021.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the

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Legal Notices

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

LEGAL RATES

Legal advertising rate is $7 per column inch. Deadline for all legal advertising is Tuesday at noon.

For more information, call 410-641-4563 or fax 410-641-0966. 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.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication NOVEMBER 06, 2020 CLARKE R. FRANKE Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x, 11-6, 11-13, 11-20

THIRD INSERTION

LINDSEY A. WEST, ESQ. WEST AND WEST, P.A. 12 WILLIAM STREET BERLIN, MD 21811 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18485 To all persons interested in the estate of MIDGE DUFIEF MORAN, ESTATE NO. 18485.

Notice is given that PATRICIA COIT, 11303 WATER POINTE CIRCLE, RESTON, VA 20194 was on, OCTOBER 29, 2020, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of MIDGE DUFIEF MORAN, who died on SEPTEMBER 14, 2020, with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 29TH day of APRIL, 2021.

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

sentative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication NOVEMBER 06, 2020 PATRICIA COIT Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x, 11-6, 11-13, 11-20

SECOND INSERTION LESLIE LOBOS, ESQ. IN-HOUSE COUNSEL PINES PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, INC. 11029 CATHELL ROAD BERLIN, MD 21811

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND CASE NO. C-23-CV-20-000232 BORDERLINKS I TIME INTERVAL OWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC. 11029 CATHELL ROAD BERLIN, MD 21811 Plaintiff v.

ALEXIS BAXTER FITZPATRICK, ET AL. Defendants TRUSTEE’S SALE OF TIME SHARE INTERVALS IN THE BORDERLINKS I

withdraw any interval from the sale and/or to reject any and all bids.

CONDOMINIUM OCEAN PINES, MD By virtue of a certain Claim of Lien recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland, and pursuant to the Order of the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, Case No. C-23-CV-20-000232, the undersigned Trustee, will offer for sale at public auction at the entrance of the Borderlinks I Condominium, located at, 438 Ocean Parkway, Ocean Pines, Maryland, the following described property located in Ocean Pines, Worcester County, Maryland, on Monday, November 30, 2020 at 11:00 a.m., the following timeshare intervals: Time Condomimium Unit Interval Be31 Bu47 Cb54 Bv48 As19 Ak11 Bz52 As19 Cb54 Bu47 Bj36 Bv48 As19 Aa1 Bz52 As19 Aq17 Bo41 Aq17 Bz52 Be31 Cb54 Be31

20 23 49 34 25 30 3 48 1 18 44 24 34 23 38 31 26 30 22 13 45 18 41

Each time interval being one week per year in the corresponding unit, each unit being part of the Borderlinks I Condominium, including an undivided interest in the common elements thereof, as established pursuant to a Declaration of Condominium and Timeshare recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland and subsequent Declarations of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions, as to each condominium unit and recorded among the aforesaid Land Records.

The property 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 warranties and guarantees.

A secured party may bid and shall be excused from deposit requirements. The Trustee reserves the right to

Terms of Sale: A deposit in the full amount of the sales price per time interval will be required at the time of sale, such deposit to be in cash or check. Cost of all documentary stamps, transfer taxes, 2020 maintenance fees and all other settlement costs shall be borne by the purchaser. The date of settlement shall be within fifteen (15) days after final ratification by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, time being of the essence; otherwise the deposit will be forfeited and the property will be resold at the risk and expense of the defaulting purchaser, or in any manner designated by the Trustee; or, without forfeiting deposit, the Seller may exercise any of its legal or equitable rights against the defaulting purchaser.

For more information, call: Leslie Lobos, Esq., Trustee, at 240-449-8862.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication NOVEMBER 13, 2020 3x 11-13, 11-20, 11-27

SECOND INSERTION LESLIE LOBOS, ESQ. IN-HOUSE COUNSEL PINES PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, INC. 11029 CATHELL ROAD BERLIN, MD 21811

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND CASE NO. C-23-CV-20-000239 VILLAS OF OCEAN PINES BORDERLINKS TIMESHARE OWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC. 11029 CATHELL ROAD BERLIN, MD 21811 Plaintiff v.

ANTHONY FRISBY, ET AL. Defendants TRUSTEE’S SALE OF TIME SHARE INTERVALS IN THE VILLAS OF OCEAN PINES, BORDERLINKS CONDOMINIUM OCEAN PINES, MD By virtue of a certain Claim of Lien recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland, and pursuant to the Order of the

November 20, 2020 Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, Case No. C-23-CV-20-000239, the undersigned Trustee, will offer for sale at public auction at the entrance of the Villas of Ocean Pines, located at, 438 Ocean Parkway, Ocean Pines, Maryland, the following described property located in Ocean Pines, Worcester County, Maryland, on Monday, November 30, 2020 at 11:00 a.m., the following timeshare intervals: Condomimium Time Unit Interval Bf32 Aj10 Bc29 Aj10 Am13 Bc29 Bc29 Bf32 Ad4 Bc29 Bq43 Bq43 Bq43 Bf32 Bq43 Bf32 Bg33 Bb28 Ag7 Am13 Bg33 Am13 Am13

4 8 43 22 32 4 8 16 13 44 49 47 7 7 3 1 24 12 16 51 21 47 48

Each time interval being one week per year in the corresponding unit, each unit being part of the Villas of Ocean Pines, including an undivided interest in the common elements thereof, as established pursuant to a Declaration of Condominium and Timeshare recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland and subsequent Declarations of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions, as to each condominium unit and recorded among the aforesaid Land Records.

The property 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 warranties and guarantees.

A secured party may bid and shall be excused from deposit requirements. The Trustee reserves the right to withdraw any interval from the sale and/or to reject any and all bids.

Terms of Sale: A deposit in the full amount of the sales price per time interval will be required at the time of sale, such deposit to be in cash or check. Cost of all documentary stamps, transfer taxes, 2020 maintenance fees and all other settlement costs shall be borne by the purchaser. The date of settlement shall be within fifteen (15) days after final ratification by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, time being of the essence; otherwise the deposit will be forfeited and the property will be resold at the risk and expense of the defaulting purchaser, or in any manner designated by

the Trustee; or, without forfeiting deposit, the Seller may exercise any of its legal or equitable rights against the defaulting purchaser.

For more information, call: Leslie Lobos, Esq., Trustee, at 240-449-8862.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication NOVEMBER 13, 2020 3x 11-13, 11-20, 11-27

SECOND INSERTION LESLIE LOBOS, ESQ. IN-HOUSE COUNSEL PINES PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, INC. 11029 CATHELL ROAD BERLIN, MD 21811

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND CASE NO. C-23-CV-20-000250 BORDERLINKS I TIME INTERVAL OWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC. 11029 CATHELL ROAD BERLIN, MD 21811 Plaintiff v.

STANLEY KROL, ET AL. Defendants TRUSTEE’S SALE OF TIME SHARE INTERVALS IN THE BORDERLINKS I CONDOMINIUM OCEAN PINES, MD By virtue of a certain Claim of Lien recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland, and pursuant to the Order of the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, Case No. C-23-CV-20-000250, the undersigned Trustee, will offer for sale at public auction at the entrance of the Borderlinks I Condominium, located at 438 Ocean Parkway, Ocean Pines, Maryland, the following described property located in Ocean Pines, Worcester County, Maryland, on Monday, November 30, 2020 at 11:00 a.m., the following timeshare intervals: Condomimium Time Unit Interval Bv48 Bz52 Be31 Ak11 Bi35 Bo41 Aq17

7 47 23 17 23 34 2

Each time interval being one week per year in the corresponding unit, each unit being part of the Borderlinks I Condominium, including an undivided interest in the common elements thereof, as established pursuant to a Declaration of Condominium and Timeshare recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland and subsequent Declarations of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions, as to each

The Dispatch

November 20, 2020

LEGAL RATES

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Legal Notices

Legal advertising rate is $7 per column inch. Deadline for all legal advertising is Tuesday at noon. For more information, call 410-641-4563 or fax 410-641-0966. condominium unit and recorded among the aforesaid Land Records.

The property 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 warranties and guarantees.

A secured party may bid and shall be excused from deposit requirements. The Trustee reserves the right to withdraw any interval from the sale and/or to reject any and all bids.

Terms of Sale: A deposit in the full amount of the sales price per time interval will be required at the time of sale, such deposit to be in cash or check. Cost of all documentary stamps, transfer taxes, 2020 maintenance fees and all other settlement costs shall be borne by the purchaser. The date of settlement shall be within fifteen (15) days after final ratification by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, time being of the essence; otherwise the deposit will be forfeited and the property will be resold at the risk and expense of the defaulting purchaser, or in any manner designated by the Trustee; or, without forfeiting deposit, the Seller may exercise any of its legal or equitable rights against the defaulting purchaser.

For more information, call: Leslie Lobos, Esq., Trustee, at 240-449-8862.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication NOVEMBER 13, 2020 3x 11-13, 11-20, 11-27

SECOND INSERTION LESLIE LOBOS, ESQ. IN-HOUSE COUNSEL PINES PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, INC. 11029 CATHELL ROAD BERLIN, MD 21811

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND CASE NO. C-23-CV-20-000252 BORDERLINKS I TIME INTERVAL OWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC. 11029 CATHELL ROAD BERLIN, MD 21811 Plaintiff

ET AL. Defendants TRUSTEE’S SALE OF TIME SHARE INTERVALS IN THE BORDERLINKS I CONDOMINIUM OCEAN PINES, MD By virtue of a certain Claim of Lien recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland, and pursuant to the Order of the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, Case No. C-23-CV-20-000252, the undersigned Trustee, will offer for sale at public auction at the entrance of the Borderlinks I Condominium, located at, 438 Ocean Parkway, Ocean Pines, Maryland, the following described property located in Ocean Pines, Worcester County, Maryland, on Monday, November 30, 2020 at 11:00 a.m., the following timeshare intervals: Condomimium Unit Ak11 Ak11 Ak11 Ak11 Ak11 Aq17 Aq17 Aq17 Ar18 Ar18 Ar18 Ar18 As19 As19 As19 As19 As19 As19 As19 Ba27 Ba27 Ba27 Bi35 Bi35

Time Interval 13 20 40 41 44 11 36 50 13 41 47 50 6 9 11 12 42 46 47 8 9 41 10 17

Each time interval being one week per year in the corresponding unit, each unit being part of the Borderlinks I Condominium, including an undivided interest in the common elements thereof, as established pursuant to a Declaration of Condominium and Timeshare recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland and subsequent Declarations of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions, as to each condominium unit and recorded among the aforesaid Land Records.

v.

RANDOLPH CRIPPS,

The property 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 warranties and guarantees.

A secured party may bid and shall be excused from deposit requirements. The Trustee reserves the right to withdraw any interval from the sale and/or to reject any and all bids.

Terms of Sale: A deposit in the full amount of the sales price per time interval will be required at the time of sale, such deposit to be in cash or check. Cost of all documentary stamps, transfer taxes, 2020 maintenance fees and all other settlement costs shall be borne by the purchaser. The date of settlement shall be within fifteen (15) days after final ratification by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, time being of the essence; otherwise the deposit will be forfeited and the property will be resold at the risk and expense of the defaulting purchaser, or in any manner designated by the Trustee; or, without forfeiting deposit, the Seller may exercise any of its legal or equitable rights against the defaulting purchaser.

For more information, call: Leslie Lobos, Esq., Trustee, at 240-449-8862.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication NOVEMBER 13, 2020 3x 11-13, 11-20, 11-27

SECOND INSERTION

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 13TH day of APRIL, 2021.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication NOVEMBER 13, 2020 JOHN CHARLES ECKARDT JR. Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x, 11-13, 11-20, 11-27

SECOND INSERTION

MARIANNA BATIE, ESQ LAW OFFICE OF MARIANNA BATIE 9748 STEPHEN DECATUR HIGHWAY, SUITE 112 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18491

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18458

To all persons interested in the estate of BERNARD R MCALEESE, ESTATE NO. 18491.

Notice is given that DONNA GUTRIDGE, 10342 KEYSER POINT ROAD, OCEAN CITY, MD 21842 was on NOVEMBER 04, 2020, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of BERNARD R MCALEESE, who died on OCTOBER 11, 2020, with a will.

To all persons interested in the estate of JOHN STEPHEN CHITWOOD, ESTATE NO. 18458. Notice is given that JOHN CHARLES ECKARDT JR, 999 38TH AVE., ST. PETERSBURG, FL 33704 was on, OCTOBER 13, 2020, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of JOHN STEPHEN CHITWOOD, who died on JUNE 26, 2020, with a will.

Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the

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

Page 51 (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 MAY, 2021.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication NOVEMBER 13, 2020 DONNA GUTRIDGE Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x, 11-13, 11-20, 11-27

SECOND INSERTION

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18468 To all persons interested in the estate of ANTHONY PAUL THOMAS SR., ESTATE NO. 18468. Notice is given that MICHELLE KNIGHT, 5430 WHITLOCK ROAD, BALTIMORE, MD 21229 was on, OCTOBER 15, 2020, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of ANTHONY PAUL THOMAS SR., who died on JULY 23, 2020, 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 15TH day of APRIL, 2021.

Any person having a claim

against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication NOVEMBER 13, 2020 MICHELLE KNIGHT Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x, 11-13, 11-20, 11-27

FIRST INSERTION

MICHAEL B MATHERS ESQ. WEBB, CORNBROOKS, WILBER, VORHIS, DOUSE & MATHERS, LLP PO BOX 910 115 BROAD STREET SALISBURY, MD 21803-0910 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18445 To all persons interested in the estate of WINIFRED JOSEPHINE RILEY, ESTATE NO. 18445. Notice is given that DANIEL E. RILEY, 8816 EVANS ROAD, BERLIN, MD 21811 was on, SEPTEMBER 28, 2020, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of WINIFRED JOSEPHINE RILEY, who died on JUNE 05, 2020, 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 28TH day of MARCH, 2021.

The Dispatch

Page 52

Legal Notices

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

LEGAL RATES: Legal advertising rate is $7 per column inch. Deadline for all legal advertising is Tuesday at noon. For more information, call 410-641-4563 or fax 410-641-0966.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine months from the date of the decedent's death; or

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 17TH day of MAY, 2021.

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(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.

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.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication NOVEMBER 20, 2020 DANIEL E. RILEY Personal Representative

True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x, 11-20, 11-27, 12-04

FIRST INSERTION

J. HARRISON PHILLIPS III, ESQ. 115-72ND STREET OCEAN CITY, MD 21842 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18459

To all persons interested in the estate of WILLIAM HOWARD FORMWALT, ESTATE NO. 18459. Notice is given that JOHN WILLIAM FORMWALT, 153 NAUTICAL LANE, OCEAN CITY, MD 21842 was on, NOVEMBER 17, 2020, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of WILLIAM HOWARD FORMWALT, who died on AUGUST 27, 2020, with a will.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: .

(1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine months from the date of the

decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before

November 20, 2020

that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication NOVEMBER 20, 2020 JOHN WILLIAM FORMWALT Personal Representative

True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x, 11-20, 11-27, 12-04

The Dispatch Is On Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

November 20, 2020

Wrapping things up at the Worcester County Veterans Memorial flag disposal were Johnny Malinowski, Kasch Johnson, Ben Busko, and Tristan Thompson of local Boy Scouts Troop 261.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

People

By Jeanette Deskiewicz

FEATURING THOSE HELPING CAUSES IN THE RESORT AREA

Sons of the American Legion Boggs-Disharoon #123 Squadron invite you to come see them at 3 p.m. on Dec. 4 for their next oyster fritter sale.

In Society

Page 53

Ocean Pines Fire Department members Joe Sturgill, Steve Ready and Michael Allen assisted with this year’s flag disposal ceremony.

Joining in the Manklin Meadows ribbon cutting extravaganza was J-Dog Removal/GI Janes Resale’s Paul, Carol and Izzy Vaillancourt celebrating one year in business.

Helping to sell art supplies against a beautiful backdrop were Charlene Willner and Marymichelle Davis at the yard sale for the Ocean City Center for the Arts.

Pastors Bryan Pugner and Mack Palmer of Coastal Community Church gave a blessing for the new Manklin Meadows businesses ribbon cuttings last week.

Ocean City Center for the Arts Gallery Assistant Kacie Neeb and volunteer Carol Gentes rang up purchases at last weekend’s Art Yard Sale.

Sisters of Scout Pack 261, Summer and Zoe Grande, were on hand to help with the flag disposal ceremony at the Worcester County Veterans Memorial.

The Sweet Shack in Manklin Meadows held its ribbon cutting last week with owners Michelle Dell’Aquila-Reed and Matt Reed giving free ice cream to all in attendance.

Celebrating their joint venture in Manklin Meadows with a ribbon cutting last week were Ted Rhoads (Pipeline Contracting) and Don Robertson (Sea Floor).

Page 54

Horoscopes

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): This year, instead of jumping into the whole holiday prep scene, move in a little at a time. You'll appreciate the sense of control you're more likely to enjoy.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): The separation between the Bovine's head and heart is never as far apart as it seems. Both senses work best when they come out of logic and honesty.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): The best way to keep those preholiday pressures under control is to just say no to taking on new tasks while you're still trying to work with a heap of others.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22): News means a change might be on its way, but what does it hold?

Don't just ask questions; make sure you get answers you can trust.

LEO (July 23 to Aug. 22): Old friends and new have one thing in common: Both your longtime and newly minted pals have much wisdom to impart.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 to Sept. 22): With time running out, this is a good time for you to show 'em all what those Virgo super-organizational skills can do.

LIBRA (Sept. 23 to Oct. 22):

vanishing OCEAN CITY

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Librans and holidays are made for each other, especially if children and animals are going to be part of your joyous season.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21): Time is getting too short to allow a spat to taint the holiday season.

Restart your relationship and reschedule holiday fun times.

November 20, 2020

WITH BUNK MANN

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 to Dec. 21): Seeking advice is laudable.

You might learn far more than you thought you could. Stay with it.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19): Continuing to assess changes works toward your getting your new project up and ready. Trusted colleagues remain ready to help.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 to Feb. 18): That new situation needs a lot of attention, but it's worth it. This is a very good time for you to involve the arts in what you do.

PISCES (Feb. 19 to March 20): It might be a good idea to slow your hectic holiday pace so that you don't rush past what -- or who -- you're hoping to rush toward.

BORN THIS WEEK: Others pick up on your confidence in yourself, which inspires them to believe in you and your special gifts. © 2020 King Features Synd., Inc.

Things I Like ...

The Golden Bull opened in May 1971 on the west side of Coastal Highway between 70th and 71st streets. At 14,000 square feet it immediately became one of Ocean City’s largest restaurants with a seating capacity for 500 guests in the dining room and another 150 in its cocktail lounge. It had an upscale menu featuring steaks and prime rib.

The beach north of 62nd Street was sparsely developed in those days; the Golden Bull was one of just a handful of restaurants in northern Ocean City.

That would soon change with the opening of the Route 90 Bridge in August 1971 bringing an increase in tourism to what is today “mid-town.”

The Golden Bull changed ownership after the 1972 season when it was purchased by the Taustin family of The Embers and Candy Kitchen fame. Although it had existed for only two summers, the Golden Bull left a lasting legacy. It reopened in 1973 as The Bonfire and continues today as one of Ocean City’s most popular family restaurants.

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

Postcard image courtesy Karen Leshko

The Dispatch Crossword Puzzle

By Steve Green

Kids bonding through sports Remembering when I could sleep through a storm

Cheeseburgers hot off the grill The North Face jackets

New shoes that feel old

A night game so riveting I have a hard time falling asleep

When both kids fall asleep early

Hearing good news from a friend A pile of red and brown leaves

Staying off a computer on the weekend Coming across old photos of pets

ANSWERS ON PAGE 48

November 20, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

November 20, 2020