Sept. 17

The Dispatch

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September 27, 2021

Serving Greater Delmarva Since 1984

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Berlin Weighing Heron Park Future

See Page 15 • File Photo

OC Councilman Criticized After Post

Larry’s Swell: A passing offshore storm created large waves, some minor beach erosion and some unique sights along the beach last Friday, as pictured here.

Photos by Gina Ruminski

See Page 14 • File Photo

Town Officials Want Old Tree Lights

See Page 16 • File Photo

Cutest Pet Of The Month The winner of last month’s Cutest Pet of the Month Contest was Bailey, a 12-week-old rescue owned by Mark Kitsoulis. See page 49 for this month’s contestants.

Submitted Photo

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Ocean City Seeking New Company To Manage Marketing Campaigns

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

September 17, 2021

Long-Time Vendor Opts Out Of Process

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – With Ocean City getting ready to shop out the town’s advertising contract, it was learned this week a familiar firm that has held the contract for decades will not be part of the process.

During Monday’s Tourism Commission meeting, Tourism and Business Development Director Tom Perlozzo presented a proposed timeline for the request for proposal (RFP) seeking bidders for the town’s advertising firm contract. Perlozzo explained the draft RFP has been completed and is expected to be sent out next week.

There will be a pre-bid meeting in October and the finalists will be notified in November. The commission will review the finalists and make a recommendation to the full Mayor and Council in December, and the contract will be awarded by the end of the year to the successful bidder, who will hit the ground

running in the new year.

For the last 20 years, the town has contracted with MGH and its founder and CEO Andy Malis to handle the town’s advertising, including television, radio, print and billboard advertising campaigns, for example. Malis has worked closely with town tourism officials and the leadership of organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce and the Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association (HMRA), for example, on conceptual plans for campaigns and his carries out the conceptual plans.

When the tourism commission discussed the draft RFP for the advertising contract last month, it was alluded to that MGH might not be seeking to renew its long-standing relationship with the town.

On Monday, Perlozzo told the commission MGH and Malis had opted out of the RFP process.

“MGH has elected not to participate,” he said. “We will definitely be going in a different direction.”

Perlozzo said there had not been any falling out of any kind with MGH. The firm is simply going in a different direction after 20 years. Commission member Kevin Gibbs was surprised MGH and Malis were not seeking to participate in the RFP process for the town’s advertising contract.

“I can’t believe they don’t want to participate,” he said. “Am I missing something here?”

Perlozzo said he continued to encourage MGH to the participate in the bidding for the town’s advertising after two decades, but the firm declined the offer. Perlozzo said the town would not essentially beg MGH to make a bid if they were going in a different direction.

“I did everything I could to get them to participate,” he said. “After 20 years, they have an edge. They know the product. My feeling is, if he doesn’t want the job, we don’t want them to have the job.”

Gibbs continued to express surprised the town’s advertising firm for the last 20 years wasn’t at least going to throw its hat in the ring for the new contract.

“Ocean City has to be his biggest client,” he said. “If he wants out, I guess that’s it. It’s not a performance issue or anything adversarial. Something is missing.”

Ocean City last put out an RFP for the advertising contract 10 years ago and MGH was the successful bidder for the second time in two cycles. Perlozzo said Malis and MGH continued to work with the town to ease the transition even if they are not returning.

“The transition has been stellar,” he said. “They have worked with us through this coming transition. I’m just a little disappointed they don’t want to participate.”

September 17, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 5

Tourism Officials Explore Seasonal Housing Project Potential

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – While it’s no secret Ocean City has an affordable seasonal workforce housing shortage, talks are underway between a developer and the city to address the issue.

During Monday’s Tourism Commission meeting, members reviewed a presentation from Holtz Builders of Wisconsin for potentially one or more dormitorystyle seasonal workforce housing projects in or around the resort. Holtz Builders has had success in developing seasonal workforce housing in other re-

sort areas. The company has expressed an interest in developing such a project in Ocean City to help with the resort’s critical seasonal employee shortage and affordable housing needs. Throughout the summer, there has been an acute seasonal labor shortage in the hospitality industry, forcing many businesses to close for a day or two or cut back hours of operation.

Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lachelle Scarlato said she has been working with Holtz Builders President Dan Bullock to identify potential sites and begin the process of laying the groundwork for a

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“There are ongoing initiatives and other efforts,” she said. “I’ve been engaged with our business owners and the common denominator I’m hearing is the need for more employees and more workforce housing. There is a need to tie the housing to the workforce.”

Tourism and Business Development Director Tom Perlozzo said building one or more seasonal workforce housing projects would come with a steep price tag, but said it was time to move to the next step in the process. He said Holtz Builders is not looking for an investment from the town in the proposed project or projects.

“It’s a $20 million project,” he said. “It needs some direction and vision. Holtz is ready to go, but we don’t have a location or locations identified. We need to decide where we’re going to start and how we’re going to start. He wants to own it and run it. It wouldn’t really cost the city anything.”

Bullock provided a virtual presentation to the commission, outlining some of the seasonal workforce housing projects his company has developed. Most notably is a project in Wisconsin Dells, a resort community with water parks, festivals, attractions and other amenities that relies heavily on a seasonal workforce.

Bullock explained Wisconsin Dells attracts about four million seasonal visitors each year, requiring a significant seasonal workforce to meet the demand. By comparison, Ocean City attracts roughly eight million visitors each year, or about twice as many. Bullock said Ocean City is the number-one consumer of J-1 summer workers, while Wisconsin Dells is second.

“With our projects in Wisconsin, we provide workers with safe, affordable housing,” he said. “It really benefits the entire community. Our guiding principle is to treat guests how we would like our families treated. We build them like our kids are going to live there.”

Commission member and hotelier Michael James questioned Bullock on cost estimates and potential locations. It was pointed out two dormitory-style projects at roughly 1,500 beds each would accommodate 3,000 seasonal workers.

September 17, 2021

Ocean City typically needs about 4,000 to 5,000 seasonal workers to meet its employment needs.

“I think we need two,” said James.

“We might need more than two. Where can we put them and how much would it cost?”

Bullock explained he toured Ocean City to identify potential sites for the project or projects, each with different challenges.

“I probably identified four or five different sites,” he said. “You want them close to their places of employment. I would look at the potential sites and prioritize them.”

Among the potential sites identified was an area at 94th Street, but not the old mall property, 100th Street, possibly Somerset Street downtown or even over in West Ocean City at the Park-andRide.

The Ocean City Development Corporation (OCDC) for years has been piecemeal acquiring property around Somerset Street for its model block program, and the site could be targeted as a potential area for workforce housing. However, commission member Kevin Gibbs, representing the OCDC, said there hasn’t been much movement between the organization and Holtz Builders.

“Our board isn’t really on board yet with Holtz Builders,” he said. “There are a lot of issues to work out. They haven’t presented us with any design plans.”

Mayor Rick Meehan said the time had come to discuss the future of the model block downtown with the OCDC. He pointed out many of the Holtz projects were not in urban settings.

“I think it’s time for the Mayor and Council to meet with OCDC on the future of that property,” he said. “We need to look at what is best for the town. Your projects are generally in rural areas, but this is a pretty urban location.”

Perlozzo said all potential locations for seasonal workforce housing would be explored, but the Somerset Street property should be included because of its location.

“When you look at the Somerset Street site, you would really have to increase the density,” he said. “We need to find a way to work with OCDC and put that property back on the table.”

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Assateague Institutes 15 MPH Speed Limit In Congested Areas

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

A new speed limit sign is pictured this week on Assateague Island National Seashore.

Submitted Photo

ASSATEAGUE – National Park Service officials this week announced, effectively immediately, speed limits along some roads in Assateague National Seashore have been reduced.

The National Park Service has reduced the speed limit to 15 mph along Bayberry Drive beginning shortly north of the park entrance sign through the bicycle-pedestrian crossing at Oceanside Drive. The section with the reduced speed limit includes the entrance station booths, the entrance and exits to the North Beach campground and ran-

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ger station, and the intersections between Bayberry Drive, Bayside Drive and Oceanside Drive.

The 15-mph speed limit area at the end of Bayberry Drive has also been expanded and now includes the approaches to the traffic circle, the circle itself and the approaches to the Oversand Vehicle Zone (OSV) entrance.

The speed limit reductions have been made to increase safety in the most congested areas of the park, according to a press release, which read, “Visitors are also cautioned to stay within all posted speed limits, and to exercise extreme caution at night and in periods of low visibility due to fog or rain. The safety of visitors, staff and wildlife require safe and vigilant driving by all concerned. Together, we can make Assateague Island a safer and more enjoyable experience for all.”

In the areas where the speed limit has been reduced to 15-mph, traffic interacts with large numbers of bicycles, pedestrians and wildlife, including the famed wild horses that inhabit the park.

While the speed limit reductions are couched in the overall safety of the congested areas of the national seashore, the changes are likely rooted in the safety of the wild horses that inhabit the island.

In July, a wild horse on Assateague was found deceased on the barrier island, the victim of an apparent hit-andrun vehicle collision last week that also injured her young foal. The popular mare Moonshadow was found dead by a park employee in the oceanside campground at the Assateague Island National Seashore. It is believed Moonshadow succumbed to injuries sustained in a hit-and-run vehicle collision.

Moonshadow’s three-month old foal, known only thus far as N2BHS-CPK, was also injured in the collision.

Both the mare and her foal were likely involved in a low-speed motor vehicle accident last week along Bayberry Drive. It is fairly frequent for wild horses on Assateague to be struck by vehicles, especially in areas where they tend to interact with traffic.

In the areas of the island where the speed limits have been reduced, vehicle traffic often intermingles with golf cars, ATVs, UTVs and park maintenance vehicles. The congestion and complex traffic flow of the affected areas makes them potentially very dangerous.

Meanwhile, visitors are reminded the speed limit on Oceanside Drive is still 15 mph, and the limit inside the campground loops is 10 mph. The maximum speed limit anywhere within Assateague Island National Seashore is 25 mph. Drivers are remined to always be on the lookout for pedestrians, especially children, and the island’s wildlife.

Berlin Rejects Parcel Buy Offers

September 17, 2021

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – Elected officials have rejected two unsolicited offers for a portion of Heron Park.

Town officials said this week that two offers — one for $100,000 and one for $150,000 — were received and rejected by the Berlin Town Council late last month. Both were for Parcel 57, the notquite 10-acre southwest portion of Heron Park.

Though council members on Monday stressed the need to move forward with developing a request for proposals related to parcels 410 and 57 of Heron Park, they did not pursue unsolicited offers made last month. Town Administrator Jeff Fleetwood confirmed this week that the town received a $100,000 offer for Parcel 57 from Aaron Evans and a $150,000 offer for Parcel 57 from Burley Oak Brewing Company. Matt Burrier, Burley Oak’s CEO, said the offer reviewed last month was actually the brewery’s second attempt to purchase the building. Burrier said Burley Oak initially offered to buy Parcel 57 last year after it started leasing storage space in the dilapidated industrial building on the site.

He said the brewery has a variety of ideas for the expansive space.

“It’s big enough to do one huge thing or a multitude of smaller things,” he said.

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Burrier, who’s hopeful elected officials will reconsider the brewery’s offer, said the first priority would be cleaning up the building and making it safer. He says it’s currently a liability for the town because of its poor condition. He’s worried local kids are exploring the property and climbing on its roof after hours.

“Right now it’s not secure at all,” he said.

Another reason to clean it up is simply so people driving past on Old Ocean City Boulevard, perhaps heading toward Burley Oak, don’t see a derelict building, Burrier said.

Other ideas for the property include a car charging station, space for a small business incubator and a large solar panel installation. Burrier would love to see the facility serve as a low-rent launching point for local businesses, particularly those selling “made in Berlin” products.

“I’ve already spoken with a number of businesses that have shops around Worcester County and expressed interest in being in Berlin,” he said.

An early 2021 appraisal valued Parcel 57 at $100,000. It said the cost to improve the former chicken processing facility exceeded its value. The appraisal noted, however, that if the building was demolished the property would be worth significantly more. The town has applied for a strategic demolition grant and hopes to learn this fall if funding has been allocated for the project.

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BLC Approves New Restaurant Plans

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STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – The Worcester County Board of License Commissioners approved plans to replace the former BJ’s on the Water with an expansive new facility.

The connections of Atlantic Beach House presented the Board of License Commissioners (BLC) with plans for a 597-seat restaurant to be located on the former BJ’s site. In response to concerns from neighbors, the board approved the proposal with limited entertainment and reduced hours.

“They have a legitimate concern,” said BLC Chairman William Esham.

Attorney Joe Moore and Atlantic Beach House’s Marc McFaul approached the board Wednesday seeking permission to alter the restaurant’s premises. Though Atlantic Beach House operated this year in the old BJ’s building, the owners are now ready to replace it. Moore told the board the new building would be 80 feet east of where the structure is now and would include two stories with a deck and beach seating area. He said McFaul, known for Ropewalk, wanted to do something similar on site.

“The concept we have for the development of BJ’s mirrors the concept we found successful at Ropewalk,” Moore said.

He added that the new structure, unlike the aging BJ’s building, would be code compliant and safer. Parking will be accommodated by the clearing of a couple nearby lots. Moore said McFaul also planned to construct a 20-foot sound wall to reduce noise.

Residents of nearby condominiums were quick to voice objections to the proposal.

“We’re concerned about the change in scale,” said Frank Vernet of Thee Christina C, adding that the facility was going from 350 seats to 597 seats.

While BJ’s offered primarily inside dining, Atlantic Beach House plans to have 355 outside seats. Vernet said Thee Christina C was only 150 feet from the restaurant’s proposed outdoor seating. He suggested the restaurant have an 8 p.m. music cutoff, no outside bands and no alcohol outdoors after 8 p.m.

“Sound travels on the water…,” said Steve Baer, a resident of 74th Street. “It really transmits across the water.”

McFaul stressed that he wanted the restaurant to be a good neighbor. Despite initial opposition to some of his other restaurants, he said they weren’t proving to be problems in their communities.

Ruth Vernet of Thee Christina C said there had been noise issues at Atlantic Beach House already, even without the new building. She said she’d verified that the noise was too loud with her decibel meter.

“Without standards imposed by this board we’re going to have problems,” she said.

Vernet said that while BJ’s was a primarily indoor facility, the one day a year

September 17, 2021

its operations were outdoors — during the annual canoe races — there were countless issues for neighbors, including trespassing, noise and illegal parking.

A resident of the Tobin Quarters condo said that there were already parking problems in the neighborhood and that a larger facility like the one proposed would only increase the issue.

Tom Coates, the board’s attorney, said that zoning issues were not the province of the BLC but rather the Town of Ocean City’s domain. The town’s planning commission is expected to review the Atlantic Beach House site plan next week. Coates added that as far as noise, there was a noise ordinance in Ocean City and that the BLC took violations seriously.

“This board has taken punitive action against those establishments,” he said.

When asked about the restaurant’s entertainment plans, McFaul said he planned to bring in acoustic style bands.

“I don’t think there’s going to be any problems,” he said.

When the board inquired about dining hours, McFaul said food would be served until 2 a.m. but that dining usually died down around 10 p.m. Esham encouraged McFaul to make some concessions as far as outdoor operations to address neighbors’ qualms.

“They’re obviously very concerned,” Esham said. “They’re going to give you a fit if you bother them.”

McFaul said he hadn’t had issues at Ropewalk.

Esham nevertheless asked him to consider cutting back dining hours.

“You have a restaurant license not a nightclub license,” Esham said.

Moore said McFaul was a well-known restaurant operator in the Ocean City area.

“We believe our record in this town deserves consideration for this business plan to be given a chance,” he said.

BLC member Charles Nichols made a motion to approve the new building but with no outdoor entertainment and no outdoor dining after 10 p.m. He said if there weren’t any issues the restaurant could return to seek expanded privileges.

“They can always come back,” he said. “We’re here 12 months a year.”

BLC member Marty Pusey said she wanted to allow the facility some outside entertainment.

“I know we can put music outside and not be a problem,” McFaul said, adding that he just wanted to offer music until sunset.

Esham said the residents had a valid concern and asked if McFaul would consider closing the beach by midnight.

Moore confirmed the beach could be closed by midnight.

Rather than approve Nichols’ motion, the BLC went on to unanimously approve an alternative motion by Esham to approve the new building and to allow three-piece entertainment until 8 p.m. and outdoor dining until 10 p.m. but to require the beach to close at midnight.

September 17, 2021

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Page 12

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Purse Grab Leads To Burglary Charges

September 17, 2021

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

Basketball Court Work Begins:

Volunteers with the nonprofit We Heart Berlin group began painting the Henry Park basketball courts this week as part of an effort to create a mural for public art on the playing surface.

The project will resume next week.

Photo by Tony Weeg

OCEAN CITY – A local man was arrested on first-degree burglary and other charges this month after allegedly swiping an expensive purse and other belongings from a guest room in a hotel where he worked.

On Sept. 4, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers responded to a downtown hotel at 14th Street for a reported theft. The female victim reported her purse valued at nearly $2,000, along with her wallet and other belongings, were missing from her hotel room. The victim and her boyfriend had left the purse in the room concealed with some clothes and went to breakfast. When they returned, the purse and its contents were missing.

The victim reportedly told police she and her boyfriend had left the room about 10 a.m., and returned around 2:30 p.m. to retrieve a jacket. When they returned at that time, nothing appeared to be out of place. However, after they left and returned again around 5 p.m., they realized the purse was missing.

Officers worked with the hotel manager, who determined the victim’s room had been opened with a guest card three times on that day, including 12:15 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4:25 p.m. The hotel manager reviewed surveillance footage and noted the victim’s room had been opened with a master key card around 2:30 p.m.

The surveillance footage revealed a hotel housekeeper identified by the manager as Leon Briddell, Jr., 28, of Pocomoke, exiting a linen closet and standing in the hallway, apparently contemplating something, according to police reports. The surveillance footage reportedly showed Briddell standing by the victim’s hotel room door, listening to see if anyone was inside the room.

He then knocked on the door for about 20 seconds. The surveillance footage showed Briddell enter the victim’s room and exit a short time later, without carrying anything. Briddell then positioned his maintenance cart near the door of the victim’s room. About that same time, the victim’s boyfriend returned to the room to retrieve a jacket and left again a short time later.

Surveillance footage showed Briddell then re-enter the victim’s room and leave with something clearly in his pants, according to police reports. He reportedly walked back to the linen closet and exited with something wrapped in a sheet, according to police reports. He put the sheet presumably wrapped around the stolen purse under some trash bags on his cart and entered the elevator.

Briddell reportedly reappeared on the first floor with his cart and the wrapped object believed to be the purse.

Briddell was charged with first-, thirdand fourth-degree burglary and theft under $25,000.

September 17, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 13

Councilman Refuses To Take Leave, Blames Facebook Hack

Page 14

Colleagues Disturbed By Post The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Whether Ocean City Councilman Mark Paddack’s social media account was hacked has yet to be determined, but several of his colleagues on Tuesday called for him take a voluntary leave of absence.

The issue arose over the weekend when Paddack commented on a Facebook story post made by a local woman who had recently married Bobby Hammond, whose family owns Atlantic Physical Therapy. In a picture from the honeymoon, Hammond is seen wearing a baseball-style hat backwards. Paddack commented on Hammond’s wife story, saying, “Tell the dude to turn his hat back where the white designed the hat to be worn,” the post reads. “Where I come from, that is a punk. Immature POS.” Hammond shared Paddack’s comment on his wife’s story on his Facebook page, writing, “Apparently I’m a POS for

not wearing my hat the ‘white’ way… But at least I’m not a racist POS, Mark. … In Worcester County, we don’t have room for racism.”

Paddack claims his social media account was hacked. However, at the close of Tuesday’s Mayor and Council work session, Council President Matt James addressed the issue.

“Over the weekend, there was some disturbing information that was brought to my attention, as the Mayor and Council became aware of a social media post

by Councilman Paddack,” he said. “The comments of Councilman Paddack do not reflect the views of the Mayor and Council. The Mayor and Council denounces all acts of racism. I consider the comments to be shameful and totally un-

acceptable. There is no place for racism in Ocean City, and it’s shameful we have an elected official with comments like that on his social media account. I’d like to give you the opportunity to address the public if you would like to do so.”

For his part, Paddack said he, on his own, initiated an investigation into the possible hacking with the Worcester County Sheriff’s Department.

“From our discussions earlier today, I commented I have retained an attorney and she is asking me to make no comment at this time,” he said. “Thanks for the opportunity to address the council at this time.”

James asked Paddack to consider taking a leave of absence from the council until the investigation runs its course.

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“I don’t think it’s appropriate for you at this time to hold a position on the council until the investigation is complete,” he said. “Would you consider taking a leave of absence until the investigation is complete?”

To which Paddack responded with a blanket no. Council Secretary Tony DeLuca reiterated James’ sentiments.

“As secretary of the council, I also feel this action and statements are totally unacceptable,” he said. “I think Mark should consider taking a leave of absence.”

Councilman Peter Buas agreed.

“I agree with the council president and the council secretary,” he said.

Councilman John Gehrig urged his colleague to consider taking a leave of absence.

“None of us can sit in judgement until this investigation is complete, but it is critical for us to be unified as a council,” he said. “These comments are pretty divisive. I’m not sure how these comments got on your page, but I also believe you should consider a leave of absence. … for the good of the community, it might be a good time to consider that.”

IAFF Local 4269, the career firefighter-paramedics union of Ocean City, President Ryan Whittington also denounced Paddack’s alleged social media comments.

“Those words, and many like them, have no place in Ocean City,” he said.

“They have no place in City Hall, on the Boardwalk, or anywhere. Those words are not acceptable from anyone and they cannot be tolerated from town leaders, employees or anyone who is affiliated with the town. That includes coming from a councilman’s page.”

Whittington pointed out it seems unlikely Paddack was hacked given the direct contact with Hammond’s new wife in the story post.

“Councilman Paddack claiming to be ‘hacked’ means that he has the burden of proof that he was hacked to the residents, employees of the town, his fellow councilmen and the mayor,” he said.

In an email to Whittington in response to the union chief seeking clarification on his Facebook post, Paddack maintained he was hacked.

“I have reached out to Worcester County Sheriff Department, Computer Forensic Law Enforcement community for assistance. Documented as not criminal with no physical or emanate threats,” Paddack wrote. “Fraud of a FB page on my profile is not a priority unfortunately. Now this non-criminal social media complaint is in their hands to determine the source. Not personal perceptions. I was hacked as we have determined and am providing all of computer hardware, images, from my computer to assistance … for closure .... I do not know the source of a hacker but have immediately reached out to independent qualified investigation resources with credentials to find the source of the hack and resolve the social media on Facebook.”

Paddack was elected to the council in 2018 after working for the Ocean City Police Department for 28 years.

Berlin Seeking Proposals For Heron Park’s Future Use

September 17, 2021

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – Various options, including a potential agreement with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, appear to be on the table for Heron Park in Berlin.

Though Mayor Zack Tyndall canceled a meeting with Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officials last week, he says the town is still interested in working with the agency on Heron Park. In addition, the town is in the process of putting together a request for proposals (RFP) regarding parcels 410 and 57, the portions of the park closer to Old Ocean City Boulevard.

“We have been discussing the sale of the property over at Heron Park and what we should do,” Councilman Troy Purnell said at Monday’s council meeting. “I’d like to see us go ahead and schedule a meeting … to go ahead and discuss that, get all of our feelings and decide which direction we’re heading.

I’ve had a lot of conversations with people interested in giving us proposals.”

On Aug. 23, the council met in closed session to discuss a written offer received for a parcel of Heron Park. Tyndall said in an interview Monday that parties had expressed interest in both parcels but that the only formal written offer had been for parcel 57, the 9.35-

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Planned Meeting With DNR Canceled

acre southwest portion of the Heron Park property off Old Ocean City Boulevard, adjacent to the railroad tracks. Tyndall said the council had opted not to pursue it.

Last Friday, Berlin officials were scheduled to meet with representatives from DNR and Berlin resident and business owner Ann Hillyer.

“I spoke with Mayor Tyndall months ago about conversations I had with colleagues at DNR about Heron Park,” Hillyer wrote in an email to council members. “I told him that DNR may be interested in helping Berlin both reduce debt burden using Program Open Space funding. They were also interested in helping Berlin clean up the park to make it more usable to residents.”

Friday’s meeting, which was months in the making, was set up to discuss those possibilities but was canceled by Tyndall a few days before it occurred.

“On September 7, only three days before the meeting, Mayor Tyndall asked me to cancel the meeting,” Hillyer wrote.

“I told him I thought this was a bad idea; that it would make Berlin look bad; that it was disrespectful to the state staff who were willing to come to Berlin from An-

napolis to explore options to help the town; and that Councilman (Jay) Knerr and the town manager were both able to host the meeting.”

Hillyer said she was writing to express her frustration with the meeting’s cancellation.

“At best, the cancellation was not only unnecessary, but unprofessional,” she wrote. “At worst, the mayor intentionally subverted a promising opportunity that would benefit Berlin and our taxpayers.

He did this despite other Berlin officials’ availability. The town could lose a large amount of ‘free’ money due to his decision.”

Tyndall, however, said he wanted to reschedule the meeting.

“If we can find any way to partner to make Heron Park more financially feasible, I’m totally open to that,” he said.

Council members said they were surprised last week to learn the meeting was being canceled. Purnell said he didn’t know why the informational meeting couldn’t have gone on without the mayor. Knerr, who reached out to DNR’s Phillip Hager and Heidi Dudderar after Hillyer initiated a conversation in June, was frustrated to see something months

Page 15

in the making stalled. He said DNR could potentially purchase the park or a part of it, help clean it up and then deed it back to the town. That scenario would ensure open space in Berlin and address some of the debt associated with the park.

“This would have been such a huge win for the town,” he said.

Despite the mayor’s interest in rescheduling the meeting, Knerr says it will be difficult setting up another time to get the high-level officials involved to Heron Park.

“Canceling the meeting was a mistake,” Knerr said. “It will be difficult to make that happen again.”

DNR Media Relations Manager Gregg Bortz said this week he had nothing to share as far as any meetings being rescheduled.

“DNR did not schedule or cancel the meeting so any information would need to come from the mayor’s office,” he said.

Following discussion at Monday’s council meeting, municipal officials are expected to get a draft RFP regarding parcels 57 and 410 to review in the coming weeks. The town is also waiting to hear later this fall whether it will receive a strategic demolition grant from the state that would enable it to tear down the dilapidated building on parcel 57.

Berlin Council Votes 3-2 To String Lights In Trees Again

Page 16

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

September 17, 2021

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

Berlin changed recently from wired lights in the trees to uplighting, as seen here across from Stevenson United Methodist Church.

Photo by Steve Green On August 5, 2021, Diana J. (Fersterman) Bowman passed away. She was the beloved wife for 40 years to the late John E. Bowman, who she missed dearly. Devoted mother of Kelli Meusel and her husband Bryan, Kristi Impallaria and her husband Timothy, John Bowman, Jr. and his wife Stephanie Bamberger; loving grandmother of Ashleigh Robinson and her husband Brian, Aubrey Lear and her husband Jacob, Bryan Meusel, Jr. and his fiancé Emily Reeve, Zoe Stewart, Brooke Bowman, Jack Bowman, Lilian Yungmann, Allison Impallaria, Lauren Impallaria, Ryan Impallaria, and the late Mackenzie Stewart; cherished great-grandmother of Leighana Rose Robinson.

Diana and John bought their house in Caine Keys II in 1980; renovated it in 2000 and became full-time residents when they retired in 2001. Tragically John passed suddenly in 2003 and Diana lived in the home they created together for one month shy of 18 years. During that time, Diana was an officer at the OC Senior Center, an Officer of Caine Keys II Neighborhood Association, a member of three pinochle clubs – Monday OC Seniors, Wednesday Berlin Seniors and Thursday OC Seniors.

Diana loved fishing, gardening, watching birds, having dinner with friends, traveling, playing in card clubs in Baltimore and Ocean City and sunset boat-rides.

She adored her children, grandchildren and great-grand daughter and they loved her more than all the waves in the ocean.

A celebration of life will be held at the Worcester County Senior Center, 104 41st Street, Ocean City, MD 21842 on Saturday, September 18, 2021, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 pm.

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BERLIN – String lights are expected to return to the trees along Main Street in downtown Berlin following a decision by elected officials this week.

On Monday, the Berlin Town Council voted 3-2 to return string lights to the trees in Main Street’s commercial center. Council members said they preferred the string lights to the uplighting currently in place.

“I don’t think the uplighting has the impact we’re looking for,” Councilman Jay Knerr said.

Knerr brought up the issue of lighting at Monday’s regular council meeting. He said he preferred the string lights that were previously in the downtown trees rather than the uplighting now in place.

Several merchants advised him they felt the same way.

“They like the old-world charm of the in-tree lights and would prefer us to move in that direction,” he said.

Mayor Zack Tyndall, who had staff remove the string lights last year, said the current uplighting could be augmented with holiday lights during the winter.

“Keeping the tree lights in that stay in the tree year-round presented complications when the strands started to no longer work and also with maintenance associated with the tree,” he said. “It is rather cumbersome to take those down and trim if they’re kept up year-round.”

Tim Lawrence, the town’s electric utility director, said string lights weren’t designed to be left up all year and so had deteriorated over time.

“The wind blows the branches around, rips the wires in half,” he said. “We’re up there splicing the wire midspan just trying to piece it together to keep going.”

Councilman Troy Purnell said the intree lighting, particularly in front of Stevenson United Methodist Church, had been a hallmark of Berlin.

“I was not in favor of them coming down to start with,” he said. “I had no knowledge of it. I don’t like what’s installed.”

Purnell said everyone he’d talked to preferred the in-tree lights.

Tyndall said the town should try to move forward with what it had.

“It’s how can we move in a direction that allows us to light the trees, to make it SEE NEXT PAGE

… Mayor Favored Uplighting Method

September 17, 2021

look nice, and not take away from the aesthetics of the historic streetlamps and the facades while making it so that we’re not having to spend staff time every five seconds working to fix strings that have blown out of the tree, or gone bad, or splicing things together in what could be a not so safe format,” he said.

Tyndall said he’d heard some residents say that the uplighting was dull so he’d worked with Lawrence to outfit one of the trees with two lights pointed upward rather than just one.

“The cost of the additional light is nominal,” he said.

Councilman Jack Orris said he liked the uplighting as well as the in-tree lighting and didn’t have a preference. Councilwoman Shaneka Nichols also expressed mixed feelings.

“The look of the trees lit up with the light inside, that was beautiful,” she said, adding that there was however staff time that was taken up by keeping the lights functioning.

She said residents had called her regarding the issue.

“Many of them like the ones in the trees,” she said. “Many of them don’t like the idea of not being able to see the stars with the possibility of all of the uplighting.”

Councilman Dean Burrell said citizens had also asked him when the string lights would be returned to the trees.

“Sometimes it just comes down to preference,” he said. “It was the preference of the people that I spoke to to have the lights in the trees. That is my preference also. That and the town now seems dark, it seems almost unsafe and it seems like a place that I do not want to be. The lights in the trees did not do that.”

A motion was made by Knerr, seconded by Purnell, to install string lights in the trees.

“How do you intend to plug those lights in?” Tyndall asked.

He said the electric department previously used overhead power feeds that weren’t safe and that installing additional plugs would cost more.

“That’s not a discussion for us,” Burrell said. “Jay has made a motion I think should be addressed before we take it further.”

Tyndall said there was a cost associated with the motion and he wanted the council to understand that.

“Yes you can make a motion about wanting to switch gears, you can do anything you like, but I think you should have the full cost of that in front of you to evaluate,” Tyndall said. “With that being said I’m asking, do you want to do it at any cost?”

Knerr said there was money in the budget for the project and that Lawrence could figure out logistics. The budget includes $10,000 for tree lighting.

“What I would ask, before you vote to say you want something in the trees, let us work the numbers and have a proposal to you next meeting for the cost of doing that project,” Tyndall said.

Burrell and Purnell objected, pointing out a motion and second had been made.

The council voted 3-2, with Nichols and Orris opposed, to move forward with string lighting in the trees.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 17

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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September 17, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 19

School Board Meeting Canceled Over Refusal To Wear Masks

Page 20

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

SALISBURY – Education officials are looking to reschedule a monthly meeting of the Wicomico County Board of Education after attendees this week refused to follow masking requirements.

On Tuesday evening, following a 15minute closed session, the Wicomico County Board of Education (WCBOE) was prepared to begin the public portion of its monthly meeting. Board members, however, voted to adjourn without going into open session after several commu-

Most Attendees Violated Protocols

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the teacher wearing a mask should be up to the teacher you need to be at this meeting. If you have a friend or family member in Wicomico County school system and you want these decisions to remain up to that person and not be mandated, you need to be at this meeting.”

In a statement issued Wednesday, Public Information Officer Tracy Sahler said it was not possible to hold the meeting while following state and school system health and safety guidelines for masking.

“Many of those who gathered in the lobby of 101 Long Avenue refused to abide by the Maryland state mask mandate for everyone in schools and school buildings, as approved by the Maryland State Board of Education and supported Tuesday by a state legislative committee,” she said. “The CDC recommendation for 6 feet of physical distancing was also not being observed, and it was not possible to safely hold the meeting.”

Sahler said WCBOE members are currently working on a date and time for a rescheduled meeting. She added that consideration will be given for holding the meeting at a larger venue in the school system, but that masks would be required of all attendees.

September 17, 2021

“As soon as a new meeting date has been established, the information will be posted,” she said.

Tuesday’s meeting comes one month after Wicomico County Public Schools (WCPS) Superintendent Dr. Donna Hanlin announced the school system would require all students, staff and visitors, regardless of age or vaccination status, to wear masks while inside WCPS facilities.

“Our goal is to keep our schools open,” she said at last month’s board meeting. “To achieve that goal, we need to adhere to the guidance of health experts.”

While they said they would support Hanlin’s decision, four WCBOE members – Tonya Laird Lewis, Anne Suthowski, John Palmer and Chairman Gene Malone – argued last month that masking should be a family choice.

“I personally don’t like mandates, and I would like to have an option for the parents,” Suthowski said. “But the superintendent is in charge – that’s what we hired her for – and we expect her to carry out whatever she feels is necessary.”

Within weeks of WCPS issuing its own guidance, the state board of education voted in favor of universal masking requirements, a decision supported by the General Assembly’s Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review (AELR) Committee earlier this week in 10-7 vote.

September 17, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Purse Left Behind Leads To Heroin Bust OCEAN CITY – An Ocean City woman was arrested last weekend after allegedly cleaning a rental unit and leaving her purse containing heroin behind.

Around 6:15 p.m. last Friday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Jamie Mills, 43, of Ocean City, in the area of 17th Street. When Mills was asked for her license and registration, she reportedly told police she could not find her purse and must have left it in a unit she had just cleaned.

A background check revealed Mills’ driver’s license was suspended. Mills reportedly informed the officer she had just cleaned a unit at a condo building on 84th Street and provided the officer with a list of other units she was scheduled to clean that day, according to police reports.

A friend arrived to pick up Mills after the appropriate traffic citations had been issued and she was released from the stop. A short time later, OCPD officers were dispatched to the same condo at 84th Street for a complaint about suspi-

COPS & COURTS cious property located in the unit Mills had reportedly cleaned.

The renters had just checked in and discovered a purse containing suspected heroin and other narcotics, needles and Mills’ identification card. OCPD officers responded and found, among other things, 45 individually-wrapped paper folds containing suspected heroin, packaged in such a manner as to suggest distribution.

By now, Mills had returned to retrieve her purse from the unit she had cleaned earlier. When she saw the police, she said without being questioned, “I know what this is about. The drugs,” according to police reports. Mills reportedly told police she had cleaned the unit by herself

and that there was heroin in her purse she had left behind. She was arrested and charged with possession and possession of paraphernalia.

Hotel Assault Arrest OCEAN CITY – A Pennsylvania man was arrested on assault charges last week after allegedly scrapping with his girlfriend and others at a downtown hotel.

Around 5:50 p.m. last Wednesday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer was dispatched to a downtown hotel for a reported assault that had already occurred. Front desk staff advised a suspect later identified as Nicholas Cerino, 33, of Washington, Pa., was in

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September 17, 2021 the lobby with fresh and bleeding scratch marks on his face and arms. According to police reports, Cerino was pacing and argued with other people in the hallway.

OCPD officers met with Cerino, who advised he had been drinking all day on the beach with his girlfriend and her two children. While leaving the beach, Cerino reportedly said he playfully whipped one of the children with a beach towel, but accidentally hit the child in the face with the towel, which caused an argument with his girlfriend.

Cerino told police he went to a bar to separate himself from the argument, while his girlfriend and the children went to the hotel pool. Cerino reportedly told police when he returned a couple of hours later, the argument resumed. Cerino told officers when his girlfriend attempted to use the hotel phone to call the police, a mutual fight occurred, according to police reports.

Cerino told officers when he attempted to leave the hotel to cool off, three males in the hotel would not let him leave and beat him in the hallway, according to police reports. Cerino reportedly told police the three males punched and kicked him repeatedly while he was defenseless.

However, aside from some scratches, Cerino did not have any other injuries that would suggest an attack by three men that he described, according to police reports. OCPD officers met with the female victim, who told a similar version of the events leading up to her argument and altercation with Cerino.

The victim reportedly told police Cerino had taken her to the ground and was on top of her. A male witness told police he heard the commotion in the hallway and saw the children in distress, so he attempted to prevent Cerino from leaving until officers arrived, according to police reports. Two other good Samaritans assisted with keeping Cerino on the scene until police arrived, according to police reports.

Based on the evidence and testimony, Cerino was arrested and charged with two counts of second-degree assault.

Motorcycle Stop Arrest OCEAN CITY – A Pennsylvania man was arrested on multiple charges this week after his motorcycle was pulled over for having a suspended registration.

Around 1:40 a.m. on Monday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer ran a mobile check on a motorcycle and determined the bike’s tags had been suspended since February due to an insurance lapse. The officer attempted a traffic stop, but the suspect, later identified as Brett Allen, 30, of Greencastle, Pa., got off the bike and attempted to walk away.

OCPD officers advised Allen he was being detained for the suspended registration, to which he replied, “I’m off the bike, you can’t stop me,” according to police reports. Allen, who was wearing Pagan motorcycle club colors, reportedly became irate and argumentative.

Allen then got on his cell phone and called for other Pagans to assist him.

About two minutes later, three other SEE NEXT PAGE

September 17, 2021

... COPS & COURTS Pagan members arrived on the scene.

One of the men reportedly told police “I’m sorry for his behavior,” and “This is the mentality we promote when we’re in Ocean City,” according to police reports.

Meanwhile, Allen continued to be argumentative and uncooperative and prevented the officers from conducting their investigation. At that point, Allen was arrested for disorderly conduct and obstructing and hindering. A search of Allen subsequent to the arrest revealed a set of brass knuckles in his rear pocket.

In Allen’s wallet, OCPD officers allegedly located Suboxone, a controlled dangerous substance. All on all, Allen was charged with disorderly conduct, obstructing and hindering, a weapons violation and possession.

Shoving Incident Leads To Arrest OCEAN CITY – A Pennsylvania woman was arrested for assault last weekend after allegedly shoving a man into traffic on Coastal Highway.

Around 1:50 a.m. last Sunday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer patrolling in the area of 57th Street observed a dispute between a male and a female. The officer observed the female, later identified as Kelsey Smith, 28, of York, Pa., shove the male with two hands into the bus lane of the highway, according to police reports.

The male reportedly put his hands up

Gussie Sholtis

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch in a defensive position. The officer reportedly observed Smith shove the male at least three more times, pushing him into oncoming traffic on the highway, to the point vehicles had to change lanes in order to avoid hitting him, according to police reports.

When the officer approached the scene, the male victim reportedly told the officer he did not even know Smith.

The victim told police he was simply walking back to his residence from a nearby convenience store when Smith began screaming at him and shoving him, according to police reports.

OCPD officers spoke with Smith, who appeared to be intoxicated, according to police reports. Smith was reportedly crying and told police she did not feel safe, although she could not explain why she did not feel safe. Smith reportedly told police she was being followed, but could not identify who was following her. Again, the male victim did not know Smith.

At that point, Smith was arrested and charged with second-degree assault.

Page 23

reportedly told police they did not know anything about the 911 call.

A motel guest advised officers a couple in the room next to her had been arguing for hours. OCPD officers responded to the third floor and heard a couple arguing loudly, according to police reports.

OCPD officers identified the male of the couple as Patrick Moore, 26, of Columbia, Md. The female victim advised Moore had choked her, according to police reports. The victim reportedly told police Moore had urinated in the bed, and when she attempted to change the sheets, he began yelling at her. The victim said Moore had been yelling at her for about two hours, according to police reports.

The victim reportedly told officers

Moore had choked her, and while she never lost consciousness, her throat still hurt, according to police reports.

Moore was screaming at the officers on the scene and would not provide any identification, nor would he explain his version of what had happened. Throughout the investigation, Moore continued to clench and unclench his fists as he became more and more agitated with the officers, according to police reports.

At that point, Moore was told he was under arrest for disorderly conduct and second-degree assault on the female victim. When officers attempted to detain Moore, he reportedly resisted arrest to the point officers had to utilize a conducted electrical weapon, or Taser, to gain compliance.

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Around 9 a.m. last Saturday, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers were dispatched to a downtown motel at 14th Street for a 911 call hang-up.

Ocean City Communications advised the call sounded like a domestic dispute.

OCPD officers met with hotel staff, who

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Council Backs Freeboard Code Change

Page 24

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

OCEAN CITY – A code amendment to adopt a one-foot freeboard requirement in downtown Ocean City moved forward this week with a favorable vote from the Mayor and Council.

Last Wednesday, the Ocean City Coastal Resources Legislative Committee (Green Team) voted to advance a code amendment adopting a one-foot elevation requirement above base flood elevation for new or substantially improved residential and commercial structures south of 3rd Street.

“That is the new minimum standard,” Planning and Community Development Director Bill Neville told committee members. “We’re just cleaning up the flood code to match what the building code has already done, which is to adopt this one-foot requirement.”

As a prerequisite for maintaining Ocean City’s Community Rating System flood insurance rating, the community must adopt and enforce at least a onefoot freeboard elevation for residential buildings in the Special Flood Hazard Area, Neville noted in a memo to committee members.

While town code generally requires additional elevation of three feet above base flood elevation within the Special Flood Hazard Area, Neville said portions of the downtown area were exempt from freeboard elevation requirements adopted in 2015, recognizing zoning criteria

Library Plans Hinge On Demo Grant

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

that encouraged direct sidewalk access to retail stores with minimal setbacks.

“The reason our flood code was adopted in 2015 with this exemption for the downtown area is exactly the situation that we felt like we wanted to encourage retail and commercial on the street level, to engage people going by, and not create that barrier of being elevated,” he told the committee.

While officials noted there were discussions of implementing as much as a three-foot freeboard in the downtown area, City Engineer Terry McGean said setbacks and ADA accessibility issues were a concern.

“Even with a one-foot freeboard that we’re talking about means you can have some buildings that can be five feet above the street,” he said. “If you have a building that is five feet above grade, you have to have a handicap ramp that’s 70 feet long, with landings It makes it very difficult to do.”

Neville said adopting a one-foot freeboard was reasonable.

“I think it accomplishes what we wanted in terms of protection from a flood risk,” he said. “Pursuing a higher freeboard creates some construction problems.”

After further discussion, the committee voted unanimously to forward the code amendment to the Mayor and Council. On Tuesday, after little discussion, the council voted unanimously to move forward with the code amendment and move to a first reading.

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – Library officials say they are awaiting the results of a state demolition grant before the county can move for with the acquisition of land for the construction of a new Pocomoke branch.

On Tuesday, Library Director Jennifer Ranck presented the Worcester County Library Board of Trustees with an update regarding plans for a new branch in downtown Pocomoke.

“Pocomoke has an old armory that’s in rough shape and hasn’t been used by any public entity in a long time …,” she told board members this week. “An idea came about that perhaps the county could put a new library there.”

Last year, county officials began moving forward with plans for a new library in Pocomoke after selecting a building scheme for a shared facility on a vacant lot offered by the City of Pocomoke. The proposed site would not only house the Pocomoke branch, but a senior center as well.

But last October, Ranch announced the library’s decision to forego the construction of a new branch on the downtown parcel after receiving the results of a phase two environmental study, which identified several underground storage tanks on the site.

Despite the setback, Pocomoke City Manager Jeremy Mason approached the Worcester County Commissioners last

September 17, 2021

month with a proposal to seek state grant funding for the purposes of demolishing the old armory and an adjacent condemned building on 2nd Street. Once the buildings were torn down, he said, the city would donate the site to the county so a new library branch could be built there.

To that end, the commissioners voted unanimously last week to enter into an agreement with the city regarding the construction of the Pocomoke library.

Should the city receive the grant and undertake the task of environmental remediation and demolition, the property will be deeded to Worcester County at no cost.

“The city will know if they get the grant sometime in November …,” Ranck said.

“If we don’t get the grant, my recommendation in the CIP is to stay where we are and move forward.”

While the goal is to construct a new library, Ranck said she hasn’t ruled out plans for an addition and renovation at the existing branch location on Market Street. While there’s room for expansion behind the existing facility, she noted the current branch would also need new plumbing, roofing and HVAC equipment.

“I’m hoping very much Pocomoke gets a new library,” she said. “It’s 51 years old now. It’s time.”

Should plans for a new library at the 2nd Street location move forward, Ranck said she could apply for state capital funds to assist in its construction. She added that grant application also requires a facility plan, which will soon be updated.

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OC Police Activity Declined In August

September 17, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 25

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

OCEAN CITY – Ocean City’s police chief reported police activity dropped significantly last month.

On Monday, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) Chief Ross Buzzuro presented the Ocean City Police Commission with an update on police activity for August.

Last month, the OCPD reported calls for service dropped from August 2019, the most recent pre-pandemic data. Buzzuro noted officer calls for service decreased from 5,636 in 2019 to 3,563 in 2021, while citizen calls for service decreased from 3,263 in 2019 to 2,638 in 2021.

“We were significantly lower in August 2021 versus the previous two years …,” he told commission members this week.

“There were nearly 600 less calls from citizens in August of 2021.”

Buzzuro also reported decreases across the board in the top 25 calls for service.

“Twenty-four out of 25 of those calls for service were lower than they were in previous years,” he said. “Traffic stops, our No. 1 call for service, were significantly lower this year. That’s well over 400 less car stops in the month of August 2021 versus 2019.”

Buzzuro also pointed out decreases in disorderly calls, collisions, alcohol violations and noise complaints.

“Every other call for service we saw a dropoff,” he said.

Under August enforcement, the OCPD reported 305 custodial arrests, eight criminal citations, 40 DUI arrests and 22 weapons arrests. Smoking citations, Buzzuro noted, increased from 34 in August 2019 to 120 last month.

“Really this year – the whole year going into September – we were at 1,070 (smoking citations),” he said. “That single statistic gives us a true idea of what we are doing on the Boardwalk, the amount of activity we are addressing.”

Mayor Rick Meehan commended police department staff this week for their efforts. He noted that while police activity dropped, crowds remained consistent with 2019 levels.

“It’s not due to a drop in attendance as far as the number of people that visit Ocean City,” he said. “It’s due to enforcement and some things we have done. I think the numbers are good.”

Meehan also noted the Mayor and Council had received fewer complaints from residents and visitors.

“The number of complaints we’ve been getting is significantly less, particularly about complaints on the Boardwalk,” he said. “I think a lot of that has to do with the proactive enforcement the department has done that has made a difference, and I think it’s resonated with our businesses and our visitors.”

Commission member and Council President Matt James agreed.

“As we haven’t seen as many negative comments, I have been receiving more and more positive feedback, specifically to Boardwalk enforcement downtown,” he said.

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OCPD Begins Body Camera Trial

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

OCEAN CITY – Ocean City Police Chief Ross Buzzuro said his department is actively seeking vendors and testing equipment for a body-worn camera system, but warned resort leaders this week its implementation would be a costly endeavor.

In a meeting of the Ocean City Police Commission on Monday, Buzzuro said the department was moving forward in its efforts to adopt the use of body-worn cameras by next summer. He said the agency has not only formed a committee, but has met with two camera vendors.

“This past weekend we started out introducing cameras on a trial basis as we start to make our decision as to which vendor we will inevitably go with,” he told resort officials this week. “So all is moving along very, very well, and at a good pace. We’re optimistic and we’re looking forward to body-worn cameras.”

Earlier this year, the Maryland General Assembly passed legislation mandating law enforcement agencies to wear body-worn cameras to document their interactions with the public. While departments have until 2025 to adopt the use of body-worn cameras, the Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) reported it is hoping to launch a program by the start of next season.

“We’re shooting for next summer,” Capt. Mike Colbert told commission members last month. “It’s an aggressive timeframe, but talking to all the players involved we think we can do it if that’s what the city wants to do. We’re going to set ourselves up so that we can be in the position to do that.”

When asked this week if implementing a program in 2022 was still feasible, Buzzuro said it was.

“By the end of the year we should have a pretty good idea of which vendor,” he said. “It’s a costly endeavor but we certainly should be ready to have that implemented and in use for the summer season in 2022.”

Buzzuro said he would come before the Mayor and Council with cost estimates when they are made available.

While resort officials said they would

September 17, 2021

work with the Eastern Shore delegation to explore funding options, resort resident Larry Yates told commission members this week he was eager to help launch a community fundraising effort.

“I’ll start spearheading and talk to the business community and any residential groups and see if we can help in any way,” he said.

Mayor Rick Meehan told Yates he supported the idea.

“That will be a great community effort,” he said.

By way of background, earlier this summer the OCPD began a discussion on the implementation of body-worn cameras after a series of highly publicized Boardwalk incidents in which the agency’s use of force was called into question.

In both cases, attempts to issue citations for vaping on the Boardwalk ended with physical confrontations between OCPD officers and the suspects, and resulted in the online circulation of cell phone footage showing snippets of the incidents. In the days that followed, the state’s Office of the Public Defender called on Ocean City’s police department to expedite its use of body-worn cameras.

Hospital Announces Puppy Penguin Swim

BERLIN – The Atlantic General Hospital Foundation is adding a fun new event to the festivities leading up to the big penguin swim plunge on New Year’s Day – the Puppy Penguin Swim and Yappy Hour.

On the afternoon of Oct. 17, local dogs and pups will have the opportunity to play in the water at Ocean City’s Residence Inn by Marriott while the adults partake in Yappy Hour drinks and food.

Entry is $20 per pup (one pup per person). Pups each get a free gift with a complimentary drink for their adults. To register, go to www.agh.care/puppyswim or call 410-6419671.

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Riverboat Accepting Passengers

September 17, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

The Black-Eyed Susan riverboat is pictured in Snow Hill at its berth.

Photo by Charlene Sharpe

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – Seats are filling quickly on Snow Hill’s new riverboat.

The Black-Eyed Susan, the Town of Snow Hill’s riverboat, hosted its first guests in mid-August. In the weeks since, the boat has stayed busy with between one and three trips a week.

“The boat handles very well,” said Jim Washington, the riverboat’s operator. “It’s a nice little cruise.”

Since its inaugural cruise last month, the Black-Eyed Susan has been going out on the Pocomoke River between one and three times a week. Though the boat seats 150 people, Washington said cruises have been reduced to 75 passengers to allow for more freedom of movement.

A variety of 2.5-hour cruises are offered. Tickets for the boat’s cocktail cruise are $35 while tickets for the dinner cruise cost $65 for adults and $20 for children. Passengers can also take lunch cruises or set up private charters.

“The happy hour cruises seem to be a lot of fun,” said Washington, who makes a point to mingle with passengers throughout the voyage. “I’m kind of able to speak with everybody which is nice.”

He says the boat has attracted a mix of tourists and locals so far. Feedback has been positive, particularly regarding the food, he said.

“They love our food,” said Washington, who also operates a catering business. “We’ve gotten a lot of compliments on our dinner cruise. “ He acknowledged that there had been some minor snafus, such as difficulty finding certain light switches, but that overall things were running smoothly.

“There’s a little learning curve,” he said. “The boat seems to be in good running order.”

The boat is staffed by a captain, two mates, three servers, two bartenders and Washington and his daughter. Captains capable of steering the boat up and down the river are busy, and Washington said cruises were currently limited by their availability. He’s adding more dates, however, as soon as he confirms he’s got a captain lined up. Those interested can get cruise tickets online at

bes-snowhill.com.

Though most cruises currently on the calendar are booked, Washington said trips were being added in November and that the boat would offer Christmas parties in December. The boat will come out of the water to get cleaned up for the coming season after Christmas and is expected to resume cruises in the spring.

“Right now we plan to resume May 1,” Washington said.

He added that next season the boat would likely operate four days a week and continue to host private parties.

Page 27

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September 17, 2021

For Offshore Wind

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – The Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) announced the dates for two virtual public hearings for proposed second phases of two offshore wind energy projects.

In 2017, the PSC approved two offshore wind energy farm projects off the coast of Ocean City including Ørsted’s Skipjack I project and US Wind’s Marwin project. Technically, the PSC awarded Offshore Renewable Energy Credits, or ORECs, to the two bid award winners.

Those projects are now going through the federal review period with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). Buoyed by federal and state calls for an expansion of offshore wind energy, both Ørsted and US Wind have submitted requests for ORECs from the PSC for their second-phase projects, which, if approved, would significantly increase the number of wind turbines sited off the resort coast.

The PSC virtual hearings will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 28, and Thursday, Sept. 30, both at 6 p.m. Members of the public wishing to comment on either hearing should send an email by noon on Friday, Sept. 24, to susan.howard@maryland.gov.

Participants should indicate which day they would like to speak and will receive a link to the platform to join that day’s hearing. The hearings will also be livestreamed on the PCS’s YouTube channel.

BOEM designated a Wind Energy Area (WEA) off the coast of Ocean City of about 80,000 acres. Both of the second-phase projects would be sited in that WEA. Ørsted’s Skipjack I project would generate 120-megawatts. The proposed Skipjack II would generate 760-megawatts, or would be about six times the size of the initial project.

The number of turbines for Skipjack II will be dependent on an award from the PSC and the size of the award, according to Ørsted officials, who also said Skipjack II, if approved, would be sited about 20 miles off the coast of the resort. Skipjack I is proposed to be sited about 19.5 miles off the coast, by comparison.

Similarly, US Wind’s Marwin project would include 22 turbines. It’s proposed Momentum Wind project, for which the company has applied to the PSC for more ORECs, would include 82 turbines. The company’s already-approved Marwin project includes 22 turbines sited about 17 miles off the coast of the resort.

Throughout the lengthy approval process for the projects, Ocean City has said it supports offshore wind, but only if the turbines are sited far enough offshore they aren’t visible from the shoreline. The concern is massive turbines visible from the shoreline could impact tourism and the local economy.

Dredging Project Underway In OC

September 17, 2021

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – The Army Corps of Engineers hopper dredge Murden arrived in Ocean City late last week for a month-long dredging project around the Inlet.

Three or four times a year, the Army Corps of Engineers-Baltimore District sends the Murden or its sister ship Currituck to Ocean City to conduct routine dredging in and around the Inlet. The Murden returned to the area last Friday and it will conduct the typical Assateague bypass project, which removes material in and around the navigation channel with an emphasis on the ebb and flood shoals that traditionally trap sand moving southward toward Assateague.

During dredging cycles where material is taken from within the channel, the crew will focus on shoaling as identified

by Army Corps of Engineers pre-dredge surveys being conducted by personnel on site this week. Examples of traditional shoaling hotspots would the area between buoys 11 and 12 and near the Coast Guard dock in the area of buoys 8 and 10, but the upcoming dredging will be dictated by the surveys being completed this week.

Dredged material is placed south of the Inlet, just offshore of Assateague Island where it counteracts erosion.

Army Corps of Engineers officials this

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

week said the latest routine bypass project at the Inlet will last roughly one month.

Throughout the Murden’s visit, the entirety of the Assateague bypass cycle and the additional Inlet-only dredging will take place. The Murden will be removing one load per day from the Inlet. Crews will place the dredged material south of the Inlet just off the coast of the north end of Assateague for most of its time in the area, which helps stabilize the island, which is constantly eroding.

The operation will continue in a 24hour cycle while the Murden is in Ocean City. While the Inlet and other channels in and around the commercial harbor naturally fill in and are in continual need of maintenance dredging, the problem has become even more acute in recent years. In recent years, some vessels operating out of the commercial harbor have found it difficult, if not impossible, to pass through the Inlet even on the highest of tides because of the shoaling of the navigational channel.

The Army Corps, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Worcester County have signed a project partnership agreement for the Ocean City Harbor and Inlet navigation improvement project, which is 90 percent federally funded. The corps will continuously evaluate sediment transport in the Inlet and recommend options to manage the shoaling.

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The dredge vessel Murden is pictured in downtown Ocean City.

Page 29

File Photo

Page 30

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

September 17, 2021

September 17, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 31

County Officials Question Premium Pay For Some, Not Others

Page 32

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

SALISBURY – Why premium pay is being considered for some county employees and not for others was a question on the minds of Wicomico officials last week as they met to discuss an incentive program using federal funds.

In a work session last week, the Wicomico County Council met with Acting County Executive John Psota and Finance Director Pam Oland to discuss a pay incentive for certified correctional officers, 911 specialists and communication specialists within the sheriff’s office.

As the county awaits the results of a comprehensive salary study, Psota

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told county leaders last week more was needed to attract and retain employees in those positions. To that end, officials have recommended the use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, which allow for premium pay for eligible workers who worked onsite throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The use in this manner qualifies,” he told the council last week.

Officials say a first payment of $1,500 will be made to employees hired on or before June 30, 2021, followed by a second payment of $1,500 to employees hired on or before Dec. 31, 2021.

The total cost of the program would be $520,000.

During discussions last week, however, Councilman Joe Holloway said he had never seen an issue generate so many phone calls from other county employees. While he said correctional officers, 911 specialists and communication specialists deserved the incentive, he argued for a larger program that included other county employees.

“I’m not saying these people don’t deserve it,” he said. “But I’m saying our county roads employees came to work, and they were in contact with other em-

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ployees. Our general services employees were in this building handling trash and handling stuff other people have handled. There’s a myriad of dangers across anything that anybody was doing.”

Officials, however, noted they had sought guidance from the federal government as to how ARPA funds could be used. Psota said there was no guidance that a wider application of the incentive program would be permitted.

“The issue is we are addressing what we can address with the American Rescue Plan money the way the guidance tells us we can do it,” he said.

Oland agreed. She noted that this was the first step in the program, and that other employees could be added as guidance becomes clearer.

“I feel as we continue to get guidance, there could be other areas,” she said. “But I don’t want to put this county at risk of having to return these funds for an ineligible use.”

When asked if salary savings from unfilled positions could be used to expand the program, Oland said those funds were already being used to pay overtime. With pay rates below market value, and the demands placed on correctional officers and 911 and communication specialists, Oland noted there were several vacancies, including 27 open positions in the department of corrections.

“That is adding to the woes,” she said, “because people feel like they can’t work a normal week.”

After further discussion, the council agreed to introduce the resolution amending the county budget at a future legislative session.

The county council last week also agreed to move forward with resolutions allowing a one-time $1,500 signing bonus for three lateral hires at the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office, as well as a host of budget amendments for the Wicomico County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Wicomico County State’s Attorney Jamie Dykes said she was requesting a $16,000 reallocation within her department’s budget to fund five salary increases, as well as $34,650 in funding for a new victim/witness coordinator position.

“It is a cost-effective way to increase the number of cases prosecutors can handle if they don’t have to be that frontline contact with witnesses,” she said.

Dykes told council members last week that prosecutors’ caseloads have doubled in the past year, and that some were handling as many as nine jury trials each week. She said something needed to be done to maintain employees.

“For the past four years, since I’ve been in office, we have done more with less, and I’m incredibly proud of the staff we have. But I can only expect so much of them …,” she said. “We are in a tipping point and we need your help.

The quality of our staff matters.”

Early Planning Underway For Route 50 Hardee’s

September 17, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 33

Feasibility Review Ongoing

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – County staff reviewed plans last week for a Hardee’s restaurant proposed near Samuel Bowen Boulevard.

The Worcester County Technical Review Committee last Wednesday considered plans for a Hardee’s in the area in front of Home Depot in Berlin. Developers are reviewing project feasibility at this point.

“We haven’t committed to a purchase contract yet,” said Fred Mattes of OTAC Inc, a Hardee’s franchisee with various locations.

Mattes told the committee that the primary issue with potential development of the site was a proposed access point on Kreiling Way (the short road connecting the four-way stop in front of Walmart to Route 50) which was a concern for the Maryland State Highway Administration as it was too close to Route 50. He said he’d talked to officials there though and was working on an alternative access that the agency could approve. Mattes asked the other county departments participating in Wednesday’s meeting if they had any issues with the Hardee’s concept proposed.

“We just want to be sure we’re not going to run into any roadblocks,” he said.

Staff said they hadn’t identified any major concerns with the proposal and that the developer would have to submit a site plan for review by the Worcester County Planning Commission before moving forward.

Other projects discussed at Wednesday’s meeting included a Zoom Car Wash, planned for the vacant lot between the proposed Hardee’s site and Taylor Bank, and a nine-lot subdivision on the north side of Snug Harbor Road.

Attorney Mark Cropper, representing the owners of the Snug Harbor Road property, said the project had initially been proposed as a 12-lot subdivision.

Though the committee had approved it as such, the Worcester County Commissioners hadn’t granted the associated EDU (equivalent dwelling unit) request.

“Since that time we’ve reduced the number of lots to nine lots,” Cropper said.

He said following the committee’s review he’d approach the county commissioners to request sewer capacity.

A preliminary site plan of the new Hardee’s in front of Home Depot is pictured.

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County Approves Electric License Change To Code

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

September 17, 2021

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – County officials approved emergency legislation meant to address licensing issues for local electricians.

The Worcester County Commissioners last week approved an emergency bill that would give local general electricians the chance to qualify for a master electrician license. The general electrician category of license was not included in the Maryland Electricians Act passed by the state.

“We’re seeking to amend the building regulations article so that we can establish standards and criteria to give our general electricians of Worcester County the ability to qualify to take an exam, so they can qualify to be a master electrician, which is a category that the state recognizes,” said Jennifer Keener, the county’s director of development review and permitting.

According to Keener, the Worcester County Board of Electrical Examiners in July recommended that general electricians be provided an opportunity to qualify to test for a master electrician li-

Throwdown Fun:

Berlin hosted the Small Town Throwdown, a free outdoor music festival, last Saturday featuring five hours of honkytonk, country and rockabilly tunes on Main Street. Above the Lauren Calve Band is pictured performing. Ruthie & The Wranglers and the Boy In Black Johnny Cash Tribute also performed. The event, which also included food, beer and retail vendors, was sponsored by the Atlantic Hotel, Fager’s Island, the Berlin Arts and Entertainment District and the Berlin Chamber of Commerce.

Photo by Steve Green

cense. Senate Bill 762, the Maryland Electricians Act, prohibits local jurisdictions from licensing certain classes of electricians as of July 1, 2021.

In her report to the commissioners, Keener explained that Worcester was

one of several counties that licensed general electricians in the past but that the state now had just three license categories — master, journeyperson and apprentice.

“After many discussions with the De-

partment of Labor, Licensing and Regulation and state officials, our board has determined that certain local amendments are necessary in order to provide the general electricians of Worcester County with a viable path forward,” she wrote.

Commissioner Chip Bertino asked if this would help those who would otherwise have been put out of a job by a “not very well thought out” state edict.

Keener confirmed that it would. She also praised the Board of License Examiners for working through the summer to come up with a solution for general electricians in Worcester County.

“Right now we have about 57 general electricians on our books,” Keener said.

“Some of them may have qualified for a master license in other jurisdictions but we will notify every one of them of this opportunity if it’s approved. Hopefully in the next week or two they’ll have the ability to apply to take that test.”

She said the test would be administered in December.

Commissioner Ted Elder asked if the board had any idea how tough the exam would be.

“They understand the scope of the general electricians and they’re developing a test specifically for this instance,” she said. “We can’t obviously guarantee that everybody will pass but they’re working on the exam right now.”

Commissioner Joe Mitrecic said the state could make additional changes to electrician licensing requirements going forward and that the county would need to remain in communication with the local delegation.

“We’ll have to make sure we pay attention to what’s going on up there,” he said.

The commissioners voted unanimously to approve the emergency bill.

OC Strategic Bike Plan Underway

September 17, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

OCEAN CITY – A review of the ongoing bike strategic planning process highlighted a resort committee meeting last week.

In a meeting of the Ocean City Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) last Wednesday, Planning and Community Development Director Bill Neville provided an update on the development of a resort-wide bike strategic plan.

This summer, officials announced the town had awarded a $79,700 contract to Toole Design Group, and that the company had developed a nine-month project schedule spanning from August 2021 to April 2022.

In his update last week, Neville noted the consultants had already completed some preliminary work in the development of the strategic plan.

“We were able to see some preliminary work they had done in terms of evaluating the alley system and some of the key intersections,” he said. “So they are already off to a good start with reviewing and preparing a plan for us.”

Last year, the town received $79,700 through the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Bikeways Program to hire a consultant for the development of a strategic plan that will be used to expand Ocean City’s bicycle network.

In recent years, the resort has embarked on a multi-phased initiative to in-

stall a continuous bike path from one end of town to another without using Coastal Highway.

With the help of a strategic plan, officials say the town will have designs and cost estimates for several proposed biking corridors, including 94th Street, 146th Street, town alleys from 27th to 62nd streets and 62nd to 94th streets, and a 10-foot construction easement west of the dunes from 94th to 118th streets.

Neville told committee members last week he and BPAC President Paul Mauser held the first of many monthly meetings with Toole Design to review the project schedule and scope.

“One of the things we did notice on the schedule is they are tackling the two most difficult projects first,” he said. “One is a possible bikeway that will follow behind the beachfront dune, along the 10-foot access area, and the other is the alley system.”

Neville added that a review of the consultant’s work also brought forth several questions.

“We want to tackle the issue of if we do provide safety improvements like signage or pavement markings in the alleys, do we need to include a paving plan,” he said. “Right now, the paving of alleys is not necessarily in our capital improvement plan, so that’s a big-picture question we want to put out there.”

Neville told committee members Toole Design would draft a public questionnaire for the council’s approval in the near future.

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September 17, 2021

September 17, 2021

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Pictured, from left, at the anniversary event were Delegate Chris Adams; Delegate Sheree Sample-Hughes; Acting Wicomico Executive John Psota; Grayson Middleton, Eastern Shore Outreach Coordinator for Gov. Larry Hogan; Wicomico Recreation, Parks & Tourism Director Steve Miller; Senator Addie Eckardt; Pat Schrawder, District Representative for Senator Mary Beth Carozza; Wicomico Council President Larry Dodd.

Submitted Photo

County Department Celebrates 75 Years

September 17, 2021

SALISBURY – Wicomico County’s Recreation & Parks department, which now also encompasses the Wicomico Civic Center and the Tourism division, commemorated its 75th anniversary Saturday, Sept. 11.

The county honored this milestone with an anniversary celebration dinner at the Wicomico Civic Center in Salisbury.

“The 75th anniversary is a significant milestone we are delighted to commemorate,” said Acting Wicomico County Executive John Psota. “We are proud of the Recreation & Parks department, the work it does and the people who have made it happen along the way.”

A documentary-style short film chronicling the history of the department was premiered during the event. Filmed in the spring, the documentary features stories from people involved with the department’s evolution. The video can be viewed at online.

Wicomico County Recreation, Parks & Tourism Director Steve Miller announced a new staff award named after former Director Gary Mackes. The award, named the Gary Mackes Make Better Best Award, will honor staff members who take a good project and make it even better.

McKinley Hayward and Ross Ritter were presented with 50-Year Service Awards for their unwavering commitment to the department.

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County Eyes ‘Proactive’ Approach With OP Course Irrigation Plan

September 17, 2021

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

OCEAN PINES – County officials say they are seeking the association’s support to use effluent water to irrigate the Ocean Pines Golf Course.

Last Thursday, association staff and county officials held a town hall meeting to discuss the possibility of using effluent water on the community’s golf course.

“We are not under orders to do this project,” Worcester County Public Works Deputy Director John Ross told association members. “We’re looking at an opportunity to reduce the amount of nutrients we are discharging out to the (St. Martin) river. Yes, we’re discharging very clean water out to the river, but it’s not zero.”

Since last year, county officials have worked with Ocean Pines Association (OPA) General Manager John Viola and association staff to explore the possibility of using effluent from the Ocean Pines Wastewater Treatment Plant to irrigate the golf course. They said using effluent water would not only reduce the level of nutrients entering the waterway, but reduce the use of groundwater for irrigation.

“A lot of times government falls into the category of being reactive,” said Worcester County Public Works Director Dallas Baker. “In this case, we’re trying to be proactive and protect those resources.”

The proposal also includes an overhaul of the golf course’s irrigation system. Installing new pipes and sprinkler heads, Ross reported, is expected to cost $2.8 million.

“In addition to that, we’re going to have to get our wastewater effluent from the treatment plant out here to the golf course, so they can spray it on,” he added. “We’re looking at this project being somewhere in the $3.2 million category.”

Ross told community members last week the irrigation project would be coupled with a filter replacement project at the wastewater treatment plant, bringing total construction costs up to roughly $6.8 million.

“The belt filter press just has to be done,” he said. “So the question would become whether we are going to add the irrigation system at the same time or not.”

Ross noted the $6.8 million in construction work would increase ratepayers’ quarterly bill by $16. However, the retirement of debt service from a previous project is expected to lower that estimate.

“We’re looking at between $4 and $5 (a quarter) to do the filter project and the irrigation,” he said. “That’s the net impact of doing both those projects.”

During public comments, Pines resident Joe Reynolds questioned who would own and maintain the proposed irrigation system.

“I had a little discussion with our county attorney, and I believe if it’s bonded by the county it will need to be owned by the county,” Ross replied. “Ultimately, I

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Work Could Begin Late Next Year

expect this would be county-owned pipe.

It will be installed in easements underneath the golf course, and we can have it written that once the bond expires the easement will expire.”

Officials noted last week the use of effluent water would free up capacity at the treatment plant, as Ocean Pines used about 200,000 gallons per day on irrigation. Reynolds, however, said he had concerns.

“That 200,000 that we’re supposedly going to save for $3 million is going to go overnight, disappear into new development, and we’re going to end up holding the bag in Ocean Pines, as we typically do when it comes to things in the coun-

ty,” he said.

When asked if officials had explored grant funding for the irrigation project, Ross said they had. He noted, however, that accepting federal dollars could impact the service area’s exemption from bay restoration charges.

“The reason you don’t pay that bay restoration charge is because you have produced high-quality effluent and you have never used federal grant money to build your wastewater treatment plant,” he said. “Is moving that effluent onto the golf course considered the treatment plant? We don’t know. If we know funding is available we will absolutely go for it, but we do not want to lose our exemp-

Page 39

tion from the bay restoration in the meantime.”

Baker told Ocean Pines residents last week the county would need some commitment from the association before it could move forward with funding and design. OPA officials noted that construction would not start until November 2022 at the earliest.

“It’s not like they’ll be digging up every inch of fairway running lines everywhere …,” said Superintendent of Golf Justin Hartshorne. “Throughout construction, you will have several holes closed and sections closed so they can get the work done. But as far as surface disruption on the golf course, there will be some but it won’t be a huge impact on the golf course.”

A video of the town hall meeting is now available on the Ocean Pines Association YouTube channel.

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September 17, 2021

September 17, 2021

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

September 17, 2021

COMMUNITY News In Photos

During their September 7, 2021 meeting, the Worcester County Commissioners honored Budget Officer Kathy Whited, who will retire later this month following a 23-year career with Worcester County Government (WCG). She is pictured above with a commendation from the county presented by Commissioner Chip Bertino.

Whited began her career as an accounting clerk in the Treasurer’s Office in 1998.

She was promoted to budget officer in county administration in 2000.

American Legion Post 166 has sworn in its new slate of officers and executive committee for 2021-20212. Returning as Commander of the Post was Tom Wengert. Other officers sworn in were Pat Sharkey, First Vice Commander; Bob Paul, Second Vice Commander; John Bussard, Adjutant; George Barstis, Finance Officer; Jack Hyle, Judge Advocate; Ben Dawson, Chaplain; Bob Gilmore, Sgt-atArms; Scott LaCoss, Service Officer; and Ed Pinto, Historian. The new executive board consists of Bo Spicer, John Granite, Phil Ludlam, Harry Rey, and Charles Spaziani.

Submitted Photos

The Elks Lodge 2645’s Ladies Auxiliary's Scratch-off Lottery Ticket Raffle drawing was held this month. Susan Caldwell drew the winning raffle ticket, and the winner was John Smith, who has been a member of Ocean City Elks 2645 for 15 years.

The Ocean City-Berlin Rotary Club recently installed new member Jennifer Bodnar into the Club. Pictured, from left, are Immediate Past President Cliff Berg, Past District Governor Bill Ferguson, Bodnar and Club President Brian Shockley.

The Club meets every other Wednesday at the Residence Inn, in the Marriott Hotel.

The Sons of the American Legion Squad 166 held the drawing for the raffle of an all-day fishing trip and $400 gift card this month. The trip was for six fishermen on the Wrecker Sportfishing Vessel with Captain Jeremy. Captain Jeremy and SAL Commander Joe Verdura pulled the ticket out of the wheel and announced Mike Soliday out of Gettysburg, Pa. was the winner of the trip.

The Ocean City-Berlin Rotary Club presented scholarships to four Worcester County high school students. Pictured, from left, are Steve Gragert, Scholarship Committee; Nancy Bradford, Scholarship Chair; scholarship students Maeve Donahue, Trent Ortega, Joseph Serpe and Silas Cascio; and Rotary Club President Cliff Berg.

The Worcester County Commissioners joined with Kristen Tremblay, Worcester County zoning administrator and co-coordinator for the county’s 2021 United Way campaign, front left, and Pamela Gregory, executive director of United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore, to recognize Sept. 13-17, as United Way Week in Worcester County. The commissioners and county staff will take part in the “Together We Live United” campaign that week and have set a goal to raise $10,000 in employee contributions for the United Way of the Eastern Shore.

Mike McGuirk: Making History, Leaving A Mark On Patrol

September 17, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 43

OCBP Alumni of the Week

(Editor’s Note: The following is a series on the men and women who have spent their summers protecting all those who came to Ocean City for fun and safe vacation.)

OCEAN CITY – Mike McGuirk was a guard and crew chief from 1969 to 1972 for the Ocean City Beach Patrol.

He started on 7th Street and finished his beach patrol career as a crew chief on 16th Street. While Mike’s summers were spent in Ocean City, his school years were in Greenville, N.C., playing football and studying for his business degree at East Carolina University. Along with the Ocean City history that Mike made as a member of the beach patrol, he also played a part in football history.

In 1970 Mike was a starting defensive end for East Carolina when ECU played Marshall University. ECU won the game, but the exhilaration of victory was short-lived. The flight returning the Marshall players and coaches to Huntington, W.Va. crashed and all 37 souls on board were lost. The movie, “We are Marshall,” recounts the event and the heroic effort of Marshall

to rebuild the football program after the tragedy. Mike and his wife, Victoria, will be in attendance when the event is commemorated the weekend of Sept.18-19 at Marshall in Huntington, W.Va. Mike also contributed to a little bit of Ocean City football history. While on the beach patrol, Mike was a founder of the Ocean City Midnight Football League. A group that organized and played games between midnight and 3 a.m. on a poorly lighted vacant lot on 67th Street. Many of the bars and restaurants in Ocean City as well as the Assateague Island Beach Patrol fielded teams.

After his time in Ocean City, Mike continued both his participation and contribution to football and the beach patrol. Mike married his Ocean City sweetheart Victoria (Vic), a Phillips girl, and moved to Port Orange, Fla. In addition to a demanding position with Computer Sciences Corporation managing one of the Space Shuttle firing rooms, he founded the Port Orange Pop Warner football league. After retiring from his day job at the Space Center, he coached football at one of the lo-

Mike McGuirk is pictured overseeing the water during a late season afternoon in the early-1970s. Submitted Photo

cal high schools for several years.

Over the years, Mike maintained contact with his Ocean City friends and

fellow beach patrol alumni including Captains Bob Craig and George Schoepf. Mike even made contact with the legendary Lucky Jordan, who was living near him in Titusville, Fla. and brought him up to Ocean City for several beach patrol events including Captain Craig’s memorial and the annual Captain George Schoepf run/swim relay. Mike actually painted, strung and donated the old-style metal buoy used in the relay.

During the years since his time in Ocean City, Mike and Victoria dealt with personal tragedy. Their son, Matt, who was struggling with addiction, passed away from a drug overdose. As they had demonstrated with the beach patrol and football communities of which they were a part, they overcame their grief and instead made a positive contribution by starting a foundation. The foundation has provided help and counseling to many young people in situations similar to Matt’s.

Mike and Vic continue to visit Ocean City annually for the Captain Schoepf relay and contribute to the Ocean City community whenever they see an opportunity.

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

September 17, 2021

People in Society US Army Sfc. Michael Stribling, Sgt. Myron Young, and Ssg. Ryan Denton had a physical fitness challenge set up at Ocean City Jeep Week‘s main hub.

by Jeanette Deskiewicz Featuring Those Helping Causes In The Resort Area

From Fenwick Island, Al and Sally Crisp, had her artistic crafts for sale at the Windmill Creek Winery Friday Night Artisan Market.

Performing the final concert of the 2021 Sunset Park Party Nights were Kasey Briggs, Adam Bilenki, Shawn Loomis, and Troy Mawyer of The Dunehounds.

J&M Meat Market employee Nick French and owners Eric and Heidi Johnson welcomed guests into The Butchers Table, their new Wine and Beer Bar.

At the Ocean City Convention Center during Ocean City Jeep Week, Ocean City Jeep Club members Michael and Patty Locke gave out information on joining the club.

Lending support to the First State Detachment Marine Corps League at their Ocean City Jeep Week information booth, were active Marines Sgt. Major Adrian Lopez and Sgt. Alex Villatoro.

Ocean City Recreation and Parks Special Events Coordinator Heather Wiles and Ocean City Development Corporation Executive Director Glenn Irwin put a cap on the final night of the 2021 Sunset Park Concert Series.

Selling seashell designs at the Windmill Creek Winery Friday Night Artisan Market were Tony and Eileen Capasso of EC Crafts.

Berlin locals Andrew and Amy Riley pulled up a seat for the opening celebration of The Butchers Table at J&M Meat Market last month.

Helping out behind the bar during their opening celebration were Kaylen Johnson and Jasset Iva of the new Butchers Table at J&M Meat Market.

September 17, 2021

Chris Parypa’s Photo Of The Week:

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 45

Each week staff photographer Chris Parypa is tasked with submitting a photo from his vast library to be featured in this space. Above is a scene captured from the Big Wheel in July of downtown Ocean City. To purchase any of Parypa’s photos, click over to www.chrisparypa.com.

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Be Safe And Thanks For Visiting Ocean City The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

PAGE SPONSORED BY THE DISPATCH

September 17, 2021

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HOROSCOPES ARIES (March 21 to April 19): Decisions involving your finances might seem to be foolproof. But they could have underlying risks you should know about. Don't act on anything until all the facts are in.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): Keep that keen Bovine mind focused on your financial situation as it begins to undergo some changes. Consider your money moves carefully. Avoid impulsive investments.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): You'll need to adjust some of your financial plans now that things are changing more quickly than you expected. All the facts you need haven't yet emerged, so move cautiously.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22): Personal and professional relationships dominate this period. Try to keep things uncomplicated to avoid misunderstandings that can cause problems down the line.

LEO (July 23 to Aug. 22): That elusive goal you'd been hoping to claim is still just out of reach. But something else has come along that could prove just as desirable, if only you would take the time to check it out.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 to Sept. 22): This is a good time to get away for some much-needed rest and relaxation. You'll return refreshed and ready to take on the workplace challenge that awaits you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23 to Oct. 22): Con-

fidence grows as you work your way through some knotty situations. Watch out for distractions from well-meaning supporters that could slow things down.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21): Consider spending more time contemplating the possibilities of an offer before opting to accept or reject it. But once you make a decision, act on it.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 to Dec. 21): You're in a very strong position this week to tie up loose ends in as many areas as possible. Someone close to you has advice you might want to heed.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19): Congratulations. This is the week you've been waiting for: After a period of sudden stops and fitful starts, your plans can now move ahead with no significant disruptions.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 to Feb. 18): You're in an exceptionally strong position this week to make decisions on many still-unresolved matters, especially those involving close personal relationships.

PISCES (Feb. 19 to March 20): The new moon starts this week off with some positive movement in several areas. A special person becomes a partner in at least one of the major plans you'll be working on.

BORN THIS WEEK: You work hard and get things done. You also inspire others to do their best. You would do well heading up a major corporation. © 2021 King Features Synd., Inc.

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Page 48

Things I Like...

By Steve Green

Watching dogs at the beach

The cool mornings of September

A Friday off with the kids in school The first Sunday of the NFL season Going under a bridge on a boat The feeling after a good sneeze A rational approach to masks Grilled fish and a salad

Rubbing on an old, lazy dog Personalized calendars

Old T-shirts that still fit

Only 18 Lots Left For Sale!

OCEAN CITY vanishing

September 17, 2021

WITH BUNK MANN

Phillips Crab House began in 1956 when Brice and Shirley Phillips opened a small carryout shop near 20th Street and Philadelphia Avenue. The Dorchester County natives thought it was a way to sell surplus crabs from the family processing plant on Hoopers Island. By 1960 it had turned into one of Ocean City's most popular restaurants with customers lined up around the block.

For many years Brice and Shirley lived above the restaurant with their sons Steve and Jeffrey. In the summer, several rooms in their living quarters would be turned into dining areas to accommodate the growing crowds.

In the 1980's the Phillips expanded to the Baltimore Inner Harbor and BWI Airport and opened their popular Phillips-by-the-Sea at the Beach Plaza Hotel on the Boardwalk. For many summer visitors, a trip to Ocean City was not complete without a visit to Phillips Crab House or Phillips-by-the-Sea. Brice Phillips passed away in 2011 and Shirley in 2017. Two of Ocean City's most loved and respected residents, they will long be remembered and missed.

To purchase one of Bunk Mann's books, click over to www.vanishinPhoto courtesy Paul McKinley goc.com.

September 17, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 49

The Dispatch’s Pets of the Month

Pet’s Name: Whittleman Pet’s Age/Breed: 11-year-old Jack Russell/Beagle mix Pet’s Owners: Lisa & Bob Mitchell

Pet’s Name: Tommy Pet’s Age/Breed: 8-year-old Frenchton Pet’s Owners: John & Tina Barr

Pet’s Name: Zemo Pet’s Age/Breed: 7-month-old rescue Pet’s Owner: Kristine Warner

Pet’s Name: Murphy Pet’s Age/Breed: 2-year-old Chesapeake Bay retriever Pet’s Owners: Brad & Jen Rice

STEVE GREEN EDITOR

Pet’s Name: Charlotte Pet’s Age/Breed: 7-year-old chocolate lab Pet’s Owners: Kirk & Eileen Bell

Pet’s Name: Mollie Pet’s Age/Breed: 15-year-old miniature Australian shepherd Pet’s Owner: Carol Piotrowski

The Dispatch presents the latest edition of its Pets of the Month Contest.

Each month one special animal, or two, in some cases, is picked as the cutest photo of the bunch through a private vote of our staff. Here we present this month’s pets, submitted by our readers.

On the front page is last month’s winning entry, Bailey, owned by ,Mark Kitsoulis.

Those interested in participating in future months’ contests are invited to send their lovable pet photo to us at editor@mdcoastdispatch.com (preferred) or to P.O. Box 467, Berlin, Md. 21811 or drop it off at our office in Berlin at 10012 Old Ocean City Blvd.

Please be sure it’s a high-quality photo suitable for reproduction and to include your mailing address, the pet’s name, age and breed and the owner’s first and last name. The next series will appear in this space on Oct. 15.

Pet’s Name: Merci Pet’s Age/Breed: 4-year-old Persian Pet’s Owners: Rick & Regina

Pet’s Name: Bella & Casey Pet’s Age/Breed: Pomeranian/Rat terrier, 4 months; Golden Retriever, 6 Pet’s Owners: Ellen & Ray Lurz

Pet’s Name: Cody Pet’s Age/Breed: 6-month-old Springer spaniel Pet’s Owner: Alex O’Neill

Pet’s Name: Bailey & Sofi Pet’s Age/Breed: Lab, Great Pyrenees and Shar Pei mix Pet’s Owner: Mark Kitsoulis

Page 50

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

What Is Investing On Margin Mean?

WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE

BY COLLIN MACOMBER

SPECIALS TO THE DISPATCH

BERLIN – This year, investors are making record-high margin investments against their accumulated assets. Much of this activity is fueled by low interest rates and rising stock prices, making leverage investing more appealing. However, investing on margin poses significant risks.

You can purchase securities “on margin” by basically taking a loan from your brokerage company, using your investment portfolio as collateral. This method allows you to buy more shares without spending more cash. Remember, though, that you must pay interest on the amount borrowed. If the stock you purchase rises, you will have the money to pay the loan back. But if the stock moves in the COLLIN other direction, you could MACOMBER lose more than the money borrowed. One way to pay the loan back is through other available cash; that way you don’t have to realize gains to clear debt.

The question of whether to invest on margin is something you should discuss with your financial professional. When the market is robust, it can make sense for certain investors. However, it is not a strategy to be used if you’re desperate to cash in on quick gains because you need

the money.

Note that you must apply to borrow on margin much the way you apply for a home equity loan. The broker will evaluate your annual income, net worth – both liquid and invested – and even your credit history. Your finances are carefully scrutinized to determine if you have the resources to manage a margin account. Furthermore, qualified portfolios must meet specific margin requirements.

For example, the Regulation T margin requirement for new purchases is 50% of the total purchase amount. Imagine, for example, that you would like to purchase $10,000 of Company A stock on margin.

You would be required to deposit $5,000 or have at least $5,000 in equity in your account. Also, be aware that FINRA Rule 4210 requires that an investor keep at least 25% equity in his margin account at all times.

Be aware the risks of investing on margin are substantial, as you could lose more money than you deposited in your reserves. If the stock you bought on margin drops in price, your broker may enforce a “margin call,” which means you would have to deposit more in the margin account, or the broker can sell that stock.

Also note the loan isn’t fixed; your interest rate may increase making the cost of the loan even more expensive.

(The writer is an investment advisor with Key Financial Services. The entire KFS team can be reached at 410-629-0357.)

September 17, 2021

BUSINESS And Real Estate News New Provider Added BERLIN – Dr. Margo Gill has joined Atlantic General Health System this month to provide women’s health, including general gynecology and primary care, for the Berlin and Ocean City areas. Gill provides care for pediatrics, adolescents and women and has a special interest in sexual health.

Gill takes a holistic and inclusive approach to patient care, with a focus on eliminating the health inequities of the more marginalized populations in our community. Her diverse experience allows her to DR. MARGO care for a wide range of GILL patients.

She earned her medical degree at University of Maryland School of Medicine in 2005 and completed her residency in family medicine at the Barre Family Health Center, part of the University of Massachusetts Memorial Health System. Prior to Atlantic General, Gill practiced medicine at Forest Lakes Family Medicine in Charlottesville, Va., and served as a faculty physician for the Family Health Center of Worcester, in

Worcester, Mass.

She is currently accepting new patients for family medicine and women’s health at Atlantic General Women’s Health in West Ocean City.

Bank Promotion Announced OCEAN CITY – Reid Tingle, President & CEO of Bank of Ocean City along with the Board of Directors, has announced the promotion of Assistant Vice President Christina Rogers to senior branch manager.

With 17 years of service, Rogers has earned certifications from The American Bankers Association (ABA) in Deposit Compliance and Small Business Banking. She is a 2020 Honors Graduate of Maryland Banking School. Rogers is active within the local com- CHRISTINA ROGERS munity and serves as a board member for Worcester County Developmental Center and Junior Achievement. In addition, she is the vice president of the Stephen Decatur High School Band Boosters and the treasurer SEE NEXT PAGE

Adopt A Pet From The Shelter These Loving Animals, Sponsored Each Month By Local Businesses, Are Available For Adoption At The Ocean City Humane Society: 410-213-0146.

To Sponsor A Pet, Call 410-641-4561 • Annually, 10% Of The Proceeds From This Page Are Donated To The Shelter The Humane Society Desperately Needs Volunteers To Help Care For The Cats And Dogs. Any Amount Of Time You Can Spare Will Be Appreciated.

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Casual Designs Rte. 54, Fenwick 302-436-8224 Rte. 50, Berlin 410-629-1717

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The Dough Roller Five Locations In Ocean City

Maryland Title Service 11500 Coastal Hwy., Suite 7, OC 410-723-2000

Elliott’s Hardware Rte. 611, West Ocean City 410-213-1088

September 17, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

... BUSINESS NEWS of the Bishopville Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary.

Bank of Ocean City is a locally-owned, independent community bank. Established in 1916 and headquartered in West Ocean City, the bank has six offices -- three in Ocean City, one in Ocean Pines, one in Berlin and our newest addition, in Fenwick Island, Del.

Company Continues Growth OCEAN CITY – Blue Water Development, a real estate developer specializing in outdoor hospitality management, has assumed management of its first RV resorts in the southeastern United States – Reunion Lake in Ponchatoula, La., and Sun Outdoors Pigeon Forge in Sevierville, Tenn. The transition was made official on June 1 and brings the firm’s campground portfolio to 12.

“These are exceptional properties, in fantastic locations, and we’re excited to introduce Blue Water’s signature hospitality to a region where guests expect the best,” said Blue Water CEO Todd Burbage. “Whether it’s a short drive from New Orleans or to the magnificent Great Smoky Mountains National Park, these RV resorts offer an abundance of recreation and excursions both on- and offsite. These two campgrounds perfectly reflect our mission of offering a luxury camping experience against the backdrop of iconic tourism attractions.”

Previously an RV-only resort, Reun-

ion Lake plans to add 33 fully furnished one- and two-bedroom deluxe vacation rental cottages that will increase its capacity to 241 total sites. The resort sets a new standard for camping with toprated facilities and high-end amenities, including a lazy river, swim-up tiki bar, poolside cabanas, miniature golf, outdoor lakefront amphitheater, giant hot tub, sandy beach, and Wibit floating water park. Its unique location allows families to explore the surrounding areas of New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and everything in between.

“At Reunion Lake, we are passionate about providing the easiest, cleanest, and most fun camping trip our guests will ever take,” said Joel Duncan, Reunion Lake General Manager. “Our friendly staff, world-class amenities, and convenient location offer an ideal balance of adult fun and family atmosphere, making our campground the perfect family vacation spot for any time of year.”

Sun Outdoors Pigeon Forge offers equally impressive surroundings, accommodations, and amenities. The resort offers 308 RV sites and cabins with resort-style amenities such as an RV and bus wash, aerial adventure park, and multiple water attractions geared toward adventurers of all ages. The surrounding area offers a host of opportunities for families to choose their own adventure, from hiking in Great Smoky Mountains National Park to sightseeing at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies and visiting Dollywood amusement park.

“Sun Outdoors Pigeon Forge’s warm southern hospitality offers up a little bit

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of everything to make the ideal family getaway,” said Amber Williams, Pigeon Forge General Manager. “More daring family members can get an adrenaline rush at our on-site aerial adventure park, while everyone can enjoy cooling off at our swimming pool complex featuring a splash pad and lazy river. Our resort provides something for everyone at every age, even four-legged family members!”

Both properties are open year-round and offer their own unique charm that will keep families coming back for future vacations. This latest expansion of its outdoor hospitality management portfolio follows the recent addition of Ocean City, Md.-area’s Frontier Town and Fort Whaley; and Cape Charles, Va.’s Cherrystone Family Camping Resort.

Page 51

Firm Growing Staff SALISBURY – Becker Morgan Group’s sustained growth has led to 19 new staff members across offices and disciplines in the last year.

Becker Morgan Group President, W. Ronald Morgan said, “We are proud to welcome these talented individuals to our team, and we are thankful to our clients for making our continued growth necessary.”

Since the new year, the architectural, civil engineering, surveying, interior design, marketing, finance, and administrative departments have grown. New staff members will continue to uphold the exceptional service clients have come to expect from Becker Morgan Group across the Delaware, Maryland, SEE PAGE 52

Page 52

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

... BUSINESS NEWS FROM PAGE 51 and North Carolina offices. New team members are Allison Shockley AIA, Andre Gordon, Augustus Abbey, Caroline Krauss, Cathy Mason, Christine Smith, Elizabeth Cavallaro, Emily Davis, Erin Hays, Ian Birl, J. Morrissiey, Jeremy Redlich, Justine Palmer, Lisa Goss, Megan Reynolds, Michael Weber, Molly Marino, Nicolas Villarroel P.E., and Ryan Shaffer.

Becker Morgan Group provides architecture and engineering services with offices in Delaware, Maryland, and North Carolina.

Hospice Receives Gift SALISBURY – Coastal Hospice has been the recipient of a $33,729.90 gift, made by the estate of Margaret Toadvine. Toadvine passed away last December at the age of 90, and selected Coastal Hospice as one of the charities she chose to support through her estate.

Her personal representatives commented at the time of the donation, “Coastal Hospice was selected by Margaret as she valued how you served

members of the community and their loved ones. Margaret consistently helped others by serving in many roles during her lifelong membership at St. John’s United Methodist Church, coordinating the annual fruit baskets for Coastal Hospice patients, and serving as a member and officer of Quota International for many years.”

“Margaret chose to make annual donations to Coastal Hospice and certainly didn’t know that she would require your services during the last three months of her life,” continued her personal representatives. “She was also a breast cancer survivor and truly appreciated the work you do.”

Toadvine was a member of Quota International, a service club which in this region helps to support the annual Coastal Hospice Santa Run through the packaging of fruit baskets to be delivered to patients during the holidays. She also made it a point of making an annual donation and volunteering her time with Coastal Hospice for many years.

Upon receiving the donation, Tammy Patrick, Director of Advancement for Coastal Hospice, said, “Ms. Toadvine’s generosity will help many people who need some form of charitable care at Coastal Hospice, and her forethought to include us in her estate will make a tremendous difference.”

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Hospital Earns Awards SALISBURY – TidalHealth has received two American Heart Association (AHA) Achievement Awards for implementing quality improvement measures at their Salisbury, MD and Seaford, DE hospitals that ensure cardiovascular patients receive efficient and coordinated care, ultimately leading to more lives saved, shorter recovery times and fewer readmissions.

TidalHealth Peninsula Regional is the 2021 recipient of the AHA and American Stroke Association Get with the Guidelines-Stroke Gold PLUS with Honor Roll Achievement Award. TidalHealth Nanticoke also received the same award but was also additionally presented with the Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll.

The added designation for the Seaford hospital means TidalHealth Nanticoke met quality measures developed with more than 90% of compliance for 12 consecutive months for the “Overall Diabetes Cardiovascular Initiative Composite Score.”

Nearly half of all adults in the U.S. have experienced some form of cardiovascular disease – including heart attack, stroke and heart failure. For patients with conditions that are severe enough to be transported or admitted to a hospital, time is critical.

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“The Get With the Guidelines Stroke initiative and resources provided help us track and measure our success in meeting evidenced-based and proven clinical guidelines developed to give patients their best possible chance of survival and recovery after cardiovascular events.”

Stroke is the number five cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the United States. On average, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds.

“We are pleased to recognize TidalHealth for their commitment to cardiovascular care,” said Lee H. Schwamm, National Chairperson of the American Heart Association’s Quality Oversight Committee and Executive Vice Chair of Neurology, Director of Acute Stroke Services, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. “Research has shown that hospitals adhering to clinical measures through the American Heart Association’s quality improvement programs often see fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates.”

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How Much Do You Know About Ocean Rip Currents?

September 17, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 53

GUARDING THE BEACH

BY DAMIEN SANZOTTI

SPECIALS TO THE DISPATCH

OCEAN CITY – The Ocean City Beach Patrol has been actively trying to educate people about the hazards of rip currents much longer than the 18 years I have been on the patrol.

Our lifeguards talk to people several times each day and do beach safety seminars explaining rip currents and their dangers to beach patrons. Every one of our lifeguard chairs has a diagram and explanation of rip currents, and we periodically hand out pamphlets about rip currents. In addition, the Ocean City Beach Patrol has been actively involved with the National Weather Service (NWS) and provides updated rip current data several times each day to the NWS. With the data the beach patrol provides, the NWS can provide rip current forecasts and daily advisories for the public.

The beach patrol has used an array of other methods to educate the public about rip currents. For example, there is often information on the Roland E.

Powell Convention Center’s electronic billboard, the sign entering Ocean City at the Route 90 Bridge, as well as the Boardwalk. The NWS has also beefed up its public information. On their website you can access public service announcements in English and Spanish and listen to podcasts about rip currents.

Rip currents are relDAMIEN atively small-scale surf- SANZOTTI zone currents moving away from the beach. Rip currents form as waves disperse along the beach causing water to become trapped between the beach and a sandbar or other underwater feature.

Water converges into a narrow, river-like channel moving away from the shore at high speed. To protect yourself from the dangers of rip currents, you need to fully understand them. To do this, you first need to be able to identify them. The next time you are on the beach, ask your lifeguard to point out a rip current to you and explain it. Seeing it for yourself will prove

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to be a valuable opportunity. Rip currents are without question the biggest hazard present on the beach.

Although the beach patrol performs between 2,000 and 4,000 rescues each year, most of these are minor and in many more cases the surf rescue technician simply uses their whistle and flags to direct the swimmer out of the rip current without incident or any further action by the SRT. Beach patrons should always consult with the surf rescue technician about ocean conditions including rip current activity and the best place to swim. If you start to feel the effects of a rip current, do not panic, and to escape the pull of the rip current you should always swim parallel to shore and not try to fight the current. Once you no longer feel the pull you should swim back into shore.

People often make the mistake of swimming straight in against the current (rip currents can flow faster than an Olympic swimmer can swim) in a panicked state which can lead to exhaustion.

Therefore, many people who have died

REAL ESTATE

in a rip current do know how to swim and in some cases are actually good swimmers. If you ever find yourself in an uncomfortable situation in the ocean, stay calm, wave your arms, and the surf rescue technician will assist you to safety.

However, when people ignore our plea to never enter the ocean when the beach patrol is off duty, they are making a potentially deadly mistake. The beach patrol is on duty daily in the summer from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Our last day of guarding the beach is Sunday, Oct. 3.

To get current information about the beach patrol, daily stand locations, stats, and current beach conditions, you can follow the beach patrol on Instagram or “like us” on the official OCBP Facebook page. We can’t wait to be a part of your wonderful experiences in Ocean City, because we are glad you are here, and always remember to “Keep your feet in the sand until the lifeguard’s in the stand!”

(The writer has been with the beach patrol for 18 years and is currently a sergeant. He is a physical education teacher at Berlin Intermediate School.)

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Page 54

Who’s Where When ATLANTIC HOTEL 410-641-3589 2 North Main St., Berlin Mondays: Earl Beardsley BUXY’S SALTY DOG/ DRY DOCK 28 410-289-0973 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, Sept. 17: DJ Wax

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Best Beats

COINS PUB 410-289-3100 28th St. Plaza On Coastal Hwy. Friday, Sept. 17: Funk Shué Saturday, Sept. 18: Rick & Regina Sundays & Wednesdays: DJ Wax

DJ ROBCEE Fager’s Island: Friday, Sept. 17

On The Beach BEATS BY WAX Buxy’s Salty Dog: Friday, Sept. 17 Crawl St. Tavern: Saturday, Sept. 18 Pickles Pub: Tuesdays & Thursdays Coins Pub: Sundays & Wednesdays

CAPTAIN’S TABLE 410-289-7192 15th St. & Baltimore Ave. In The Courtyard Marriott Fridays: Phil Perdue COCONUTS BEACH BAR & GRILL CASTLE IN THE SAND HOTEL 37th & 38th St. 410-289-6846 Friday, Sept. 17: Darin Engh, Monkee Paw Saturday, Sept. 18: Top Shelf Duo, Lime Green Band Sunday, Sept. 19: Aaron Howell Duo, The Chest Pains Monday, Sept. 20: Bob Wilkinson & Joe Smooth Tuesday, Sept. 21: Full Circle Wednesday, Sept. 22: Marcella Peters Duo Thursday, Sept. 23: Kevin Poole & Joe Mama

September 17, 2021

DJ BK Greene Turtle North: Friday, Sept. 17

SURREAL Purple Moose: Friday & Saturday, Sept. 17 & 18 DJ LOVE Greene Turtle North: Saturday, Sept. 18

JIM LONG Seacrets: Friday, Sept. 17 & Saturday, Sept. 18

GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY Fager’s Island: Saturday, Sept. 18

BEATS BY STYLER Pickles Pub: Fridays, Sundays & Wednesdays

CRABCAKE FACTORY BAYSIDE 302-988-5000 37314 Lighthouse Rd., Rte. 54 Selbyville, DE Friday, Sept. 17: Lost & Found Wednesday, Sept. 22: Smooth & Remy CRAWL STREET TAVERN 443-373-2756 Wicomico St. Downtown O.C. Friday, Sept. 17: Whiskey Revival, The Runner-Ups Saturday, Sept. 18: DJ Wax, Scrapple CORK BAR Saturday, Sept. 18: TBA FAGER’S ISLAND 410-524-5500 60th St. In The Bay Friday, Sept. 17: Holly Montgomery Band, DJ RobCee, Party Fowl Saturday, Sept. 18: Great Train Robbery, Party Fowl, DJ Groove Monday, Sept. 20: The 1974, The Nukes, DJ Hector

DJ BILLY T Harborside: Friday-Sunday, Sept. 17-19 Thursday, Sept. 23

ON THE EDGE Ocean Club/Clarion: Friday & Saturday, Sept. 17 & 18 Lenny’s Beach Bar: Friday & Saturday, Sept. 17 & 18

STEPHEN ANTHONY Lenny’s Beach Bar & Grill Friday, Sept. 17 & Saturday, Sept. 18

DARIN ENGH Coconuts: Friday, Sept. 17

DJ TUFF Seacrets: Friday, Sept. 17

WHISKEY REVIVAL Crawl St. Tavern: Friday, Sept. 17

September 17, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 55

Who’s Where When GREENE TURTLE NORTH 410-723-2120 116th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, Sept. 17: DJ BK Saturday, Sept. 18: DJ Love

SMOOTH & REMY Crabcake Factory Bayside: Wednesday, Sept. 22

THE DUNEHOUNDS Pickles Pub: Saturday, Sept. 18

HARBORSIDE 410-213-1846 South Harbor Rd., West O.C. Friday, Sept. 17: DJ Billy T, Rogue Citizens Saturday, Sept. 18: Side Project, DJ Billy T, DJ Jeremy Sunday, Sept. 19: Opposite Directions, DJ Billy T Thursday, Sept. 23: DJ Billy T OCEAN CLUB 410-524-3535 10100 Coastal Hwy. In The Clarion Hotel Friday & Saturday, Sept. 17 & 18: On The Edge Lenny’s Beach Bar & Grill Friday & Saturday, Sept. 17 & 18: On The Edge, Stephen Anthony

THE CHEST PAINS Coconuts Beach Bar: Sunday, Sept. 19

RICK & REGINA Coins Pub: Saturday, Sept. 18

OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS Harborside: Sunday, Sept. 19

SHOTS FIRED Purple Moose: Sunday, Sept. 19

LIVE WIRE (AC/DC TRIBUTE) Seacrets: Friday, Sept. 17

LIME GREEN BAND Greene Turtle West: Friday, Sept. 17 Cocnuts Beach Bar: Saturday, Sept. 18

SCRAPPLE Crawl St. Tavern: Saturday, Sept. 18

HOLLY MONTGOMERY BAND Fager’s Island: Friday, Sept. 17

OCEAN PINES YACHT CLUB 410-641-7501 1 Mumford’s Landing Rd., Ocean Pines Friday, Sept. 17: Sons Of Pirates Saturday, Sept. 18: Kitty Back PICKLES PUB 410-289-4891 8th St. & Philadelphia Ave. Friday, Sept. 17: Beats By Styler Saturday, Sept. 18:The Dunehounds, Dust N’ Bones Sunday, Sept. 19: Beats By Styler Mondays: Karaoke With Wood Tuesdays: Beats By Wax Wednesdays: Beats By Styler Thursdays: Beats By Wax PURPLE MOOSE 410-289-6953 Between Caroline & Talbot Sts. On The Boardwalk Friday, Sept. 17: DJ Adam Dutch Saturday, Sept. 18: DJ Rut Friday & Saturday, Sept. 17 & 18: Surreal Sunday, Sept. 19: Shots Fired Monday, Sept. 20: DJ Rut Tuesday, Sept. 21: DJ Adam Dutch Wednesday, Sept. 22: DJ Rut Thursday, Sept. 23: DJ Adam Dutch SEACRETS 410-524-4900 49th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, Sept. 17: Jim Long Band, Triple Rail Turn, Live Wire (AC/DC Tribute) Saturday, Sept. 18: Jim Long Band, Scott Marshall & Marshall’s Highway, Kono Nation Sunday, Sept. 19: John McNutt Band Monday, Sept. 20: DJ Cruz

Page 56

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Gavin Mann, 12, in West Ocean City

Raina H., 4 months, in Ocean City

September 17, 2021

Cait Crockett, 12, in Ocean Pines

Lucas, 2, in Ocean City

KIDS of Summer (Part 4)

It’s our pleasure to produce the 15th Annual Kids of Summer photo series, featuring little ones of all ages, from near and far, enjoying all that comes with the summer season. If you would like your child(ren) featured in this space, there’s still time. Just email us your photo(s) at editor@mdcoastdispatch.com or mail to P.O. Box 467, Berlin, Md. 21811 with the child’s name, age and location.

Cousins John, 10, Eli, 9, Sydney, 12, and Lena Parker, 13, in Public Landing

Julia Mann, 8, Colton Mann, 5, and Makaila Keenan, 12, in Chincoteague

Hailey, 4, in Ocean City

Abigail Thuman, 3, in Ocean City

Caroline Thuman, 8, Ocean City

Traigh Durkin and Sawyer Alexander in Ocean City

Caroline, 12, Patrick, 7, and Daniel Miller, 9, in Ocean City

Gavin, 8, and Ana Gawronski, 10, in Ocean City

Rylan Smith, 6, and Logan Sakowski, 3, in Ocean City

Beckett Guinoo, 7, in Ocean City

Rocco Rusnak, 9 months, and Nora Lucchese, 2 months, in Ocean City

Brayden Biser, 7, in Ocean Pines

Brayden Guinoo, 2, in Nags Head

Waverly Alexander in Ocean City

Aspen Dodson, 2, in Ocean City

September 17, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 57

Page 58

Every Monday: TOPS Meeting 5-6:30 p.m. Atlantic General Hospital, Berlin. Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a support group promoting weight loss and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Call Rose 443-880-8444.

Every Friday: Bingo Knights of Columbus will host with doors open at 5 p.m. and bingo beginning promptly at 6:30 p.m. Held at the Columbus Hall at 9901 Coastal Highway, behind St. Luke's Church. Light refreshments available. Call 410-524-7994 with any questions.

Every Sunday: Berlin Farmers Market Main Street will be closed every Sunday through September from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in downtown Berlin. A producers only market featuring produce, flowers, baked goods, art and homemade products.

Free parking.

Every Tuesday: Dancing The Delmarva Hand Dance Club holds dancing at the Selbyville Elks Lodge 2173 from 5:30-9 p.m. delmarvahanddancing.com.

Sept. 18: Church Rummage Sale Ocean City Presbyterian Church on 13th Street will host from 7 a.m.-1 p.m.

Sept. 18: Fishing Flea Market The Anglers Club of Ocean Pines will be hosting its first Fishing Flea Market at the Ocean Pines Community Center’s Assateague room on Saturday, Sept. 18 from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Admission is free. Tables available for $10. To reserve contact Jerry Leuters at 240-427-8929.

Sept. 18: Biker Open House OC Bike Week open house will be held at American Legion Post #166 noon until close. Merchandise and music by DJ Mikey. Food $10 a ticket. Open to the public.

Sept. 20: Games Day Delaware Womenade Games Day will be held 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Mason Dixon VFW Post 7234 at 29265 Marshy Hope Way, Ocean View, Del. Play any game of your choice, plus enjoy continental breakfast, Prosecco and seafood appetizers, lunch, silent auction and basket raffles. Cost is $50/person with all proceeds benefiting the domestic violence programs of Peoples Place. Questions and registration form email gamesday920@gmail.com.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Things To Do Sept. 21: Fall Luncheon Wicomico Retired Educational Personnel will host their fall luncheon on Sept.

21 at the Salisbury Moose Lodge, 833 Snow Hill Road. Social time from 11:30 a.m.-noon with lunch following promptly.

The cost is $15 per person. Please email Cheryl Kennedy at cacki83@hotmail.com for reservations by Sept. 8. MAC Inc. will share services offered for seniors, which include wellness, recreation and educational programs, and support for the more vulnerable elderly. bevyurek@gmail.com.

Sept. 23: Town Hall Worcester County Commissioner Chip Bertino will host a town hall meeting at 6 p.m. at the Ocean Pines library. This will be Bertino’s first community meeting since before the pandemic. Guest speakers will be Worcester County Health Officer Rebecca Jones and Superintendent of Worcester County Schools Lou Taylor.

Sept. 25: Steak Dinner American Legion Post 123, 10111 Old Ocean City Blvd. in Berlin, will host 4-7 p.m. Butcher shop 16oz. Porterhouse steak, baked potato, salad and roll for $20. The public is welcome.

Sept. 25: Drive Thru Church Luncheon From 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Powellville UM Church located at 35606 Mount Hermon Road, Powellville, Md. Drive thru luncheon features oyster fritter sandwiches, homemade chicken salad, homemade soups including peas and dumplings/veg. beef. Bake sale items will be available. No pre-orders. Call 410-8358796 or 443-880-8804 for more details.

Sept. 25: Family Fun Day The Grace Center for Maternal and Women’s Health, (“Grace Center”), will host a Family Fun Day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Stephen Decatur Park in Berlin. The event will include vendors, kid’s crafts, games and activities, community resources and entertainment. The event is a culmination of Executive Director Jasmine Dennis’ vision of offering area families a plethora of free community resources while entertaining children in one of Berlin’s beautiful public spaces. The Grace Center is still welcoming sponsors, donors and vendors for this event. jdennis@

gracematernalhealth. org.

Sept. 30: Coastal Bays Celebration The Maryland Coastal Bays Program (MCBP) is hosting a 25th Anniversary Celebration at Windmill Creek Vineyard and Winery beginning at 4:30 p.m. This outdoor celebration will feature a big screen showing of The Biggest Little Farm with an introduction from the creators, live music, a silent auction, demo booths, kid’s activities, and delicious food & drink. This family-friendly event is $20 for adults and free for children. Visit mdcoastalbays.org for advanced ticket purchases.

Sept: 30: Berlin Fashion Show Madison Ave Boutique meets The Inn Berlin for a uniquely "Boutiquely Berlin Fashion Show." Beginning cocktail hour at 5:30 p.m. This fashion show will contain the downtown boutiques such as Madison Ave Boutique, Fathom, Bruder Hill, Sister's, Viking Tree and a few more.

Hair by Berlin's own "Oh My Hair." This is a VIP event, tickets are $25 apiece.

Limited tickets available please visit https://berlinfashionshow.ticketleap.com/fashionshow/details for more information. However, the Boutiquely Berlin Fashion Show will be on Facebook live for you to stream from home.

Oct. 3: Crab Feast The Church of the Holy Spirit at 100th Street and Coastal Highway in Ocean City will be having a fund-raising crab feast from 2 to 5 p.m. Food will be served until 4:30 p.m. The dine-in menu will include crabs, fried chicken, corn on the cob, hush puppies, lemonade, iced tea, soda and desserts. Carry-out will also be available. The carry-out meal will include six crabs, two pieces of chicken, corn on the cob, hush puppies, dessert and a drink. Crabs are medium large/large and will come from Rippon's Seafood. The chicken is being provided by Higgins Crab House. In addition to the food, there will be a chance auction and a 50/50 drawing. The cost for adults is $45; for children ages 6 to 10, it's $20; children under 6 eat free. Tickets are available now, by contacting the Church office at 410-723-1973 or by calling Monica at 443-235-8942. Proceeds will benefit the Church of the Holy Spirit and its outreach programs.

September 17, 2021

Oct. 5-7: Basic Boating Course The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is offering the Maryland Basic Boating Safety Course at the Ocean Pines Library, 11107 Cathell Rd. Cost: $20 for all three evenings. Register or get more information by calling Barry Cohen at 410-9354807, or Email: CGAUXOC@Gmail.com.

Oct. 9: Festa Piccola The Sons and Daughters of Italy Lodge in Ocean City is well-known for its annual St. Joseph’s Festival in the spring, where traditional home-made Italian foods were sold for 10 consecutive years, until the pandemic hit. The festival, held to raise money for lodge charities and high school scholarships, had to be canceled. Not willing to concede to the pandemic, the Lodge has planned Festa Piccola, offering many traditional foods and bakery items that lodge members have cooked and sold at the St. Joseph’s Festival, but for carry out only.

Festa Piccola will open its doors at the St. Andrews Parish Hall at 14401 Sinepuxent Avenue, at 11 a.m. and serve hot foods until 6 p.m. The carry-out menu will have ravioli and meat balls, Italian subs, hearty minestrone soup. New items will be home-made meatballs to be purchased separately and homemade tomato sauce. Admission is free. The only cost is the food purchased.

Oct. 9: Job, Resource Fair Job and Resource Fair at the Worcester County Library. Setup begins at 9 a.m.

Please contact Elena Coelho at 443-7836164 or ecoelho@worcesterlibrary.org for more information.

Oct. 15-16: Church Fundraiser Rain or shine, Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Awesome yard and bake sales and basket auction at St. Andrew's Church, 33384 Mackenzie Way, Lewes, Del. Ethnic food for sale. Proceeds benefit ministries of St. Andrew's.

Oct. 17: Puppy Penguin Swim The Atlantic General Hospital Foundation will host the Puppy Penguin Swim and Yappy Hour from 1-3 p.m. Local dogs and pups will have the opportunity to play in the water at Ocean City’s Residence Inn

by Marriott while the adults partake in Yappy Hour drinks and food. Entry is $20 per pup (one pup per person). Pups each get a free gift, with a complimentary drink for their adults. Learn more and register at www.agh.care/puppyswim or call 410641-9671.

Stevenson United Methodist Resuming In-Person Church Services Every Sunday At 9 a.m.

– Sunday School Back in Session

Stevenson United Methodist Church

123 North Main St., Berlin, Md. 410-641-1137 • www.stevensonchurch.org

– Service Also Livestreamed On Facebook

September 17, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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Page 60

Seahawks Roll Past Indian River, 48-15

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

SPORTS Local Harriers Fare Well In Rumble In Jungle Seahawks, Mallards Runners Compete

September 17, 2021

In The News

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

BERLIN – Local prep cross-country teams acquitted themselves well at the annual Rumble in the Jungle meet in Cambridge last week in the season opener.

On the boys’ side, from Stephen Decatur, Tristan Dutton finished third overall, while Ethan Justice was ninth, and Gavin McCabe finished 15th. Luke Braciszewski was 32nd, Reid Caimi was 46th, John Reho was 64th, Aaron August was 65th, Shiloh Carmack was 81st, Luke Laffew was 86th and Jake Gillespie was 106th.

From Worcester Prep in the boys’ meet, Riley Moyer was 26th, Cooper Ludt was 47th, Nick Hearne was 58th, Rory Pugh was 68th, Luke Loeser was 90th, Graham McCabe was 94th, Cole Meyers was 101st, Jett Odachowski was 102nd, and Hugh Thomas Cropper was 112nd.

In the girls’ meet from Decatur, Caroline Novelli was seventh, Avery Braciszewski was ninth, Amber Marshall was 13th, Macy Woroniecki was 21st, Mackenzie Cathell was 35th and Ava Becnel was 70th. From Worcester Prep on the girls’ side, Caitlyn Hoen was 18th, Madelyn Nechay was 49th, Aurora Holland was 58th and Sydney Lamson-Reich was 80th.

Worcester Boys Off To Fast 2-0 Start

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

BERLIN – Worcester Prep’s boys’ varsity soccer team got its season off to a fast start with a pair of wins over conference rivals this week.

Last Friday, the Mallards opened the season with an impressive 9-2 win over Salisbury Christian on the road.

Worcester led 3-0 at the half, but went off for six goals in a dominating second half. In the first half, the Mallards got two goals from Michael Wehberg and one from Brice Richins. In the second half, Worcester spread the offense around with two goals from Hunter Simons, and one each from Dylan

McGovern, Aleksey Klimmins, Jack Gardner and Ryan Mann.

On Tuesday, the Mallards beat old rival Salisbury School, 4-2, in the season’s home opener. The game was tied at 2-2 at the half, but Worcester scored two unanswered goals in the second half while keeping the Dragons off the scoreboard. Richins scored Worcester’s two goals in the first half.

In the second half, the Mallards got two goals from Benjamin McGovern while holding Salisbury School scoreless.

Next up is a home game against Holly Grove on Friday, followed by a couple of tough road games next week against Cape Henlopen and Gunston.

Decatur’s Ashten Snelsire delivers a pass against Indian River in last weekend’s 48-15 rout. Snelsire threw for four touchdowns in the game.

Submitted photo

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

BERLIN – Stephen Decatur’s varsity football team rolled past Indian River on the road last weekend, 48-15, to improve to 2-0 on the season.

The Seahawks blew out Bayside South rival Bennett, 65-0, in the season opener. Last Friday, the high-flying Seahawks took the show on the road against a non-conference opponent Indian River and prevailed 48-15. Decatur led 14-6 after one quarter and led just 20-15 at the half, but the Seahawks score 14 points in each of the

third and fourth quarters and pulled away for the 48-15 win, while the defense held Indian River scoreless in the second half.

Quarterback Ashten Snelsire went nine for 19 for 159 yards and four touchdown passes. R.J. Brittingham rushed for 72 yards and a touchdown, Caden Shockley rushed for 56 yards and a touchdown, while Luke Mergott also rushed for a touchdown. Mergott also had two receiving touchdowns, while Zimere Handy and Brycen Coleman each caught a touchdown pass. The Seahawks face Bayside North power Kent Island on the road on Friday.

Tough Guy Of The Week:

This week’s Atlantic Physical Therapy “Tough Guy of the Week” award went to Duncan Ely for his strong performance in the Seahawks’ big win over Indian River. Pictured is Ely (center) flanked by Head Coach Jake Coleman (left) and APT Clinic Director David Lorenz (right).

Submitted Photo

Bus Trip: Saturday, November 6th

Queen Esther at Sight & Sound Theater

Cost $100.oo includes bus, lunch and show!

7:30am - Bus arrives at Stevenson UMC Berlin MD 8:00am - Bus leaves Stevenson UMC 12:30pm - Hershey Farm Restaurant & Inn for buffet lunch 2:30pm - Sight & Sound for the 3:00pm show of Queen Esther 11:00pm - Return to Stevenson UMC Questions, call or text: Pat Oltman 443.614.2518 or Jill Gray 410.713.9139 Checks to be made out to Stevenson Women and can be mailed to: Stevenson UMC Women 123 N Main Street Berlin MD 21811

September 17, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 61

with Scott Lenox Opposite page, top left, this big black drum was caught on board the Lucky Break with Captain Jason Mumford.

Opposite page, top right, this crew filled the freezer with steaks from eight yellowfin tuna caught on board Rhonda’s Osprey with Captain Joe Drosey. Opposite page, middle left, Anglers fishing on board the RoShamBo with Captain Willie Zimmerman had a great offshore trip with three yellowfin tuna and three white marlin releases. Opposite page, middle right, these ladies had an awesome time releasing three white marlin on board the Pumpin’ Hard with Captain Mike Burt. Opposite page, bottom left, Captain John Prather of OC Guide Service found a grey trout and a couple of nice sheepshead for these anglers. Opposite page, bottom right, this limit of flounder was caught by anglers fishing with Captain Kane Bounds of the Fish Bound.

The official end of summer is just over a week away and fishing in the area is showing signs of fall right on schedule.

The marlin and tuna bite offshore in the canyons is improving, sea bass and flounder fishing over ocean structure is getting better all the time, and we are

starting to see some fall species in Ocean City’s back bays like trout, black drum, red drum, sheepshead and bluefish. We could be in for some awesome fishing this fall, hopefully the weather will cooperate.

White and blue marlin fishing in the offshore canyons wasn’t great last week, but there were a good number of fish caught. Captain Willie Zimmerman of RoShamBo and Captain Mike Burt of Pumpin’ Hard both had three white marlin releases during a trip last week and Captain Ronnie Fields of the private boat Big Stick had a great day on Saturday when his crew released six white marlin. Blue marlin were a little more scarce than in past weeks, but there were also some releases of “the man in the blue suit.” Water temps in the canyons was as high as 85 degrees last week so we should still see a few more weeks of good billfishing before they head south for the winter.

There was a good bite for yellowfin tuna last week inside of the canyons with the best spots being areas around the Wilmington and Baltimore Canyons.

There weren’t a lot of limits caught, but SEE PAGE 62

Randy Swain, Sr. landed his personal best flounder when this 9-pounder joined a boat limit for he and his crew.

Submitted Photos

Page 62

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

September 17, 2021

Above top left, Captain Chase Eberle of Chasin’ Tides put this one-man crew on a white marlin release, two yellowfin tuna and a line-up of tilefish. Above top center, Captain Austin Ensor of Primary Search found the Allison tuna he’s been looking for when this jumbo 113 pounder ate a trolled bait. Above top right, this beautiful 25-inch flounder was caught on the Morning Star. Above left, Lucas Franzetti landed this estimated 60-pound cobia while fishing with his dad Juan. Above center, everybody had a great time fishing the 20th Annual Spot Tournament at the Ocean City Fishing Center. Above right, Anglers fishing on board the RoShamBo with Captain Willie Zimmerman had a great offshore trip with three yellowfin tuna and three white marlin releases.

Opposite page, top left, this big black drum was caught on board the Lucky Break with Captain Jason Mumford. Opposite page, top right, this crew filled the freezer with steaks from eight yellowfin tuna caught on board Rhonda’s Osprey with Captain Joe Drosey. Opposite page, bottom left, this limit of flounder was caught by anglers fishing with Captain Kane Bounds of the Fish Bound. Opposite page, middle right, these ladies had an awesome time releasing three white marlin on board the Pumpin’ Hard with Captain Mike Burt. Opposite page, bottom right, Captain John Prather of OC Guide Service found a grey trout and a couple of nice sheepshead for these anglers.

... Fish In OC FROM PAGE 61 there were several multiple fish days for boats targeting yellowfin. Captain Joe Drosey of Rhonda’s Osprey had a nice day for his anglers when he put them on eight fat yellowfin, and Captain Brian Porter of Boss Hogg had a crazy good day with 10 yellowfins and a bunch of mahi. Captain Austin Ensor of the Primary Search found a beautiful Allison yellowfin tuna that weighed in at 113 pounds at Sunset Marina.

Ocean bottom fishing has been good all season long with good sea bass fishing that lasted through the summer and flounder fishing that has picked up nicely since late June. Warm water conditions over the past few weeks have slowed the sea bass fishing slightly, but flounder fishing has been terrific so most anglers have just switched tactics to take advantage of it. Wrecks and reefs from 45 to 100 feet of water have been productive for both sea bass andfloun-

der and some spots are holding good numbers of both species. Clam, squid and strip baits are best for sea bass on a top and bottom rig fished still directly in and over the structure. Flounder can be enticed in the same spots by using Gulp or strip baits fished on a flashy top and bottom rig that is twitched over hard bottom next to the structure. The ocean going party boat fleet has done well for both over the past few weeks with good catches of flounder and sea bass.

The largest fish I’ve seen recently was caught by my buddy Randy Swain, Sr. when he jigged up a 9-pound doormat last week.

Flounder fishing in Ocean City’s back bays improved last week as water clarity improved and lots of anglers took advantage of the nice weather to put some fish in the box. There are a lot of throwback fish in the bay, but there are also plenty of fish over the 16 1/2” size limit to be caught if you look in the right spots.

The east channel north of the Route 50 Bridge has been a productive spot over the past few weeks and the deeper water has held some keeper sized fish.

There are a lot of peanut bunker in

the back bays and they are a staple of a flounder’s diet so if you can get a cast net on some you’ll have the best bait around for larger bay flounder. Along with the flounder there has been some good fishing for larger croakers in the OC inlet the past week or so. Top and bottom rigs with smaller hooks like the Fish in OC Two Hook Float Rig baited with Fishbites bloodworm or sand fleas have been the best bet for putting some croakers in the cooler. There are also some black drum, red drum, speckled trout, weakfish and sheepshead being caught on these baits so don’t be surprised if you end up fighting something that feels bigger than a croaker – it probably is.

There are a good number of bluefish and rockfish being caught by anglers at the Route 50 Bridge on both the incoming and outgoing tides. Casting lead head and soft plastic baits like the Roy Rig or Thing A Ma JIG has produced good catches of small bluefish and school sized rockfish around the Route 50 Bridge and some anglers have been surprised by speckled trout and red drum. Live bait fishing with spot,

mullet or bunker or “dredging” Stretch lures in deeper water have been the best techniques for catching larger bluefish and keeper sized rockfish around the Route 50 Bridge. Big blues and larger rockfish like a moving tide so midway through the incoming or outgoing tide will be the best times to try these methods. As water temperatures cool all back-bay fishing should improve and we’ll see more species in the mix when tautog show up in good numbers.

Our 5th Annual Ocean City Inshore Classic Tournament is near. Registration is Friday, Oct. 8 with 32 hours of nonstop fishing available from Saturday, Oct. 9 at 7 a.m.- Sunday, Oct. 10 at 3 p.m. We’ve added a $500 calcutta to the tournament so we could see some huge payouts. Fall fishing is my favorite so you can find me on the water when the weather is nice. Until next week, tight lines.

(The writer is the owner of Fish in OC and host of Ocean City’s fishing television show Hooked on OC. He has worked in the fishing industry and been fishing the waters in and around Ocean City for over 25 years.)

September 17, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 63

Page 64

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

September 17, 2021

Freeman Arts Pavilion’s Photo Of The Week: Each week during the season the Freeman Arts Pavilion will submit a photo of the week from

the Selbyville venue. Above, Fins Up! A1A: The Official and Original Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show performed on Saturday, Sept. 11. To learn more about upcoming Photo by Freeman Arts Pavilion/Justin Odendhal events, click over to freemanarts.org.

Berlin Liquor Store

Largest Liquor Store In OC Area!

Cold & Warm Beer

BEER•LIQUOR•WINE Every Thursday And Sunday Senior Citizens Get

10% OFF

10% OFF

(On Orders Of $50 Or More)

Liquor And Wine

Cannot be combined with any other offer.

Must bring in coupon. Expires 10.10.21 • MCD

Liquor And Wine

10% OFF ALL CASES OF WINE! 7 DAYS A WEEK (Must Be Same Size Bottles 750 ML or 1.5 L)

10818 Ocean Gateway, Berlin, MD 21811 410-973-2873

September 17, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 65

The Dispatch Classifieds $15/Week for Minimum of Five Lines • $2 Thereafter Per Line Display Classified Ads: $20/Week Per Column Inch (Contract Discounts Available) Deadline for Insertions, Cancellations & Payment is 3pm Tuesday Pre-Payment is Required. We Accept Visa & MasterCard

CONTACT INFORMATION Phone: 410-641-4563 • Fax: 410-641-0966 Email: classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com Mail: P.O. Box 467, Berlin MD 21811

HELP WANTED

NOW HIRING!

DENTAL HYGIENIST: Part-time Dental Hygienist needed at a team oriented dental office. Welcoming, patient first, family environment.

Please send resume to: dentistryinthepines@gmail.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––

YEAR-ROUND / FULL & PART TIME POSITIONS

EXPERIENCED LINE COOKS $16-$20/HOUR YEAR ROUND EXPEDITOR FULL TIME YEAR ROUND BARTENDER FULL OR PART TIME BARBACK Please apply in person.

Greene Turtle West Rt. 611, West OC 410-213-1500 WEST OC’S MOST FUN PLACE TO WORK AND MAKE $$$$

CARPENTERS & CARPENTERS HELPERS

Must have: Tools, Transportation, Driver’s License

Exp. Required!

PATTERSON & SONS BUILDERS

Call 410-641-9530

FRONT DESK ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Berlin’s Newest Eatery!

Now Hiring: HOSTESS WAIT STAFF KITCHEN EXPO. Call Matt at 302-593-4141 or email thesterlingtavern@gmail.com

Check Out The Dispatch’s E-dition Online:

mdcoastdispatch.com

A beautiful award winning community in Ocean View, DE is seeking a self-motivated, driven, and goal-oriented administrative assistant. Must be organized and possess excellent verbal and written communication skills and be computer proficient in MS Office and have the ability to learn a variety of software programs. Excellent customer service skills are a requirement of the position. Previous experience in working with HOAs preferred but not required. Full-time, year-round, 40 hours/week.

Interested candidates should email resume with salary requirements to: Susan.Brewer@casinc.biz or fax 302-537-4075 EOE

NOW HIRING FULL TIME COOK BARTENDER Apply Within at 56th Street or Call 410-726-7061

Page 66

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

The Dispatch Classifieds CONTACT INFORMATION Phone: 410-641-4563 • Fax: 410-641-0966 Email: classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com Mail: P.O. Box 467, Berlin MD 21811

PART-TIME SCHOOL CUSTODIAN

Worcester Preparatory School, a coeducational college preparatory day school serving over 400 students in grades PK-12, is currently seeking a PT custodian to clean school buildings daily from 3:30 p.m.- 6:30 p.m. CJIS Background Screening required. EOE

Contact: Heather Parsons 410-641-3575 or hparsons@worcesterprep.org

Now Hiring For The Following Positions:

Must be familiar with carpentry, siding, trim, framing, etc.

Great pay and benefits package.

Requirements: o Knowledge of and practice all job safety requirements o Minimum of 2 years experience o Must be able to read blueprints o Valid driver’s license o Tools and transportation a plus Please Apply Online: https://www.allstatesconst.com/delmarva-renovations-careers

Or Contact Our Office at 410-352-9800

TOWN MANAGER

HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT CLARION RESORT FOUTAINEBLEAU HOTEL 10100 COASTAL HIGHWAY OCEAN CITY, MD 21842 Phone: 410-524-3535 x.7128 Fax: 410-723-9109 EOE M/F/D/V

(Coconuts)

AM HOSTESSES (BEACH HOUSE RESTAURANT)

University of Maryland Extension seeks 4-H Educator to provide coordination and programmatic support for educational programs for youth, families and communities.

This is a non-tenured, continuing contract faculty position housed in Snow Hill, Maryland. The Educator would work with volunteers and youth development agencies to provide experiential learning opportunities for youth, leading to the development of life skills for youth. Educator will be responsible for creating and delivering youth development programs in cooperation with colleagues across Worcester County, Maryland and the Lower Shore cluster.

Bachelor’s degree in youth development, education, social science or related field is required. MA or MS in youth development or related field is preferred.

Project Manager/Supervisor Carpenters

We are currently recruiting for a year round Rooms Division Manager for our Oceanfront Convention Hotel (250 rooms with 85 adjacent condominiums). The preferred candidate should have a minimum of 3 years hotel front desk management with working knowledge of housekeeping, inventory/revenue experience, good verbal communications and telephone etiquette. Qualified candidates only should apply. Salary commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits package available. Apply in person, Mondays thru Saturdays, 10am-4pm.

AM/PM SERVERS

4-H EDUCATOR

We are currently recruiting an experienced Food & Beverage Director to oversee and be responsible for our busy dining room and convention center. Must have strong management experience in a large restaurant, banquet and/or convention services experience, ability to train staff, excellent communication skills and ability to solve problems. Must be able to work a flexible schedule including weekends and holidays.

Excellent salary and benefits package.

Send resume and salary requirements to:

ROOMS DIVISION MANAGER

FRONT DESK & ROOM ATTENDANTS

Agent (position 126581)

FOOD & BEVERAGE DIRECTOR

Work With the Best Ocean City has to Offer ...

We Invite You to be a Part of our Family!

NOW HIRING

Experienced applicants are preferred, but not required.

We require satisfactory pre-employment background check by all applicants.

Please contact Bob at 410-289-6846 for further information or to schedule an interview.

Work With the Best Ocean City has to Offer ...

We Invite You to be a Part of our Family!

CLARION RESORT FOUTAINEBLEAU HOTEL 10100 COASTAL HIGHWAY OCEAN CITY, MD 21842 Phone: 410-524-3535 Fax: 410-723-9109 EOE M/F/D/V

September 17, 2021

The Town of Fenwick Island, DE is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Town Manager. Fenwick lsland is a beach town located in southeastem Sussex County, Delaware. There are 400 full time residents and approximately 5,000 residents during the summer.

The Town Manager will report to the Town Council and will be responsible for the management/supervision of approximately 13 year-round employees and an additional 30 seasonal employees, as well as all Town operations. The ideal candidate must have excellent verbal, written, personnel management and organizational skills. Knowledge of and experience in municipal government operations and management is a definite plus, as well as experience in applying for and administering government grants. A Bachelor's degree in Public Administration or related field is strongly desired. The applicant must be willing to relocate within a reasonable distance of The Town of Fenwick Island. Salary is dependent on experience and education. An excellent benefit package is available.

Send resume with three professional references and a completed Fenwick Island job application to: TM Search Committee, 800 Coastal Highway, Fenwick Island, DE 19944 A job application may be obtained at www.fenwickisland.org or picked up from Town Hall from 8:00am to 4:30pm.

Deadline for consideration is September 30, 2021.

The Town of Fenwick Island is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Follow Us On Facebook, Instagram & Twitter!

All candidates MUST apply online. See the detailed position announcement at https://ejobs.umd.edu for position #126581. Apply by September 20, 2021 or until a suitable candidate is selected. EOE Work With the Best Ocean City has to Offer ...

We Invite You to be a Part of our Family!

Full Time Year Round Positions ~EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT ~HOUSEKEEPING SUPERVISOR ~FRONT DESK AGENT ~NIGHT AUDIT ~MAINTENANCE ~PAINTER ~ROOM ATTENDANT ~ROOM DIVISION MANAGER ~SERVERS ~BARTENDER ~HOSTESS/HOST Seasonal Positions ~SECURITY ~GRILL COOKS ~SERVERS ~BARTENDER ~HOSTESS/HOST ~BUSSER ~FOOD RUNNERS ~POOL ATTENDANT ~WAREHOUSE CLERK ~BEACH STAND TOP WAGES! EXCELLENT BENEFITS! HOUSING AVAILABLE! FAX RESUME & SALARY REQ. to: 410-723-9109 Online at www.clarionoc.com APPLY IN PERSON Mon-Sat 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

CLARION RESORT FONTAINEBLEAU HOTEL 10100 COASTAL HWY. OCEAN CITY, MD. 21842 EOE M/F/D/V

September 17, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

The Dispatch Classifieds

The Dispatch Legal Notices

CONTACT INFORMATION Phone: 410-641-4563 • Fax: 410-641-0966 Email: classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com Mail: P.O. Box 467, Berlin MD 21811

LEGAL RATES Legal advertising rate is $7 per column inch.

The deadline is Tuesday at noon. For more information call 410-641-4563 or email classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com

HIRING AT BOTH LOCATIONS APPLY IN PERSON South Location 31st St. Coastal Hwy. 410-289-2581 North Location 128th St. Coastal Hwy. 410-250-2304

CASHIER/ SALES ASSOCIATE Must be friendly & dependable FT/PT - Year Round & Seasonal - Various Shifts Competitive Hourly Wage + BONUS Benefits Available

To Apply-go online www.petromg.com *Employment *Retail *OC MD *Cashier Wine Rack *Search *Cashier Sales Assoc.-Wine Rack Rt. 50 Wine Rack 12827 Ocean Gateway West OC, MD

YARD SALES ST. MARTIN’S UMC: 10840 St. Martin’s Road. Saturday, September 18, 7am until.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– YARD SALE: Saturday, 9/18, 8am12noon. 12512 Ocean Reef Drive, Berlin. Clothing, garage, and miscellaneous items.

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FARM EQUIP.

Third Insertion

1996 KUBOTA TRACTOR B20: Backhoe with loader, 4x4, diesel engine with 20HP, 445 hours, $1700. Call 301-245-5445.

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

HOUSING NEEDS SEEKING HOUSING: Looking for small apartment in OC, Ocean Pines, or Berlin. Need ASAP. Please call 443-754-7054.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

RENTALS WINTER RENTAL: Week to week.

5104 Coastal Highway, Siesta Villas. 1BR Oceanblock, across from Seacrets. $250/week + electric.

Ref. req’d. Call 267-254-0111.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

WEEKLY RENTALS Poolfront: $245 Efficiency: $275 2 BR Apartment: $385 4 BR House: $585

Burgundy Inn 1210 Philadelphia Ave.

410-289-8581

COMMERCIAL STORAGE WEST OCEAN CITY: 2 car garage with attached work room. 775 sqft. Call 410-7260075.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 12X24 CONTRACTOR SHOP: Near Ocean Pines. $180/month + security deposit includes electric.

Call Steve 410-251-3412, leave message.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– FOR LEASE: Retail Banking Center with drive thru. Contact Brian Gamm. 443-880-2225.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– WEST O.C. OFFICE/RETAIL SPACES AVAILABLE: 1 OfficeRetail and 1 Warehouses. Plenty of Parking. 443-497-4200.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Did You Know?

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NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18866 To all persons interested in the estate of CLARA FERN CASALE, ESTATE NO. 18866. Notice is given that ROBYN DENISE FILLMAN, 4897 DUBLIN ROAD, COLUMBUS, OH 43221 was on, AUGUST 25, 2021, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of CLARA FERN CASALE, who died on JUNE 6, 2021, with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 25TH day of FEBRUARY, 2022.

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

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication SEPTEMBER 03, 2021

ROBYN DENISE FILLMAN 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 09-03, 09-10, 09-17

Third Insertion CYNTHIA B. MACDONALD, ESQ. 208 CALVERT STREET P.O. BOX 33 SALISBURY, MD 21803 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18873 To all persons interested in the estate of WARREN L. STONE, AKA: WARREN LAYMAN STONE, ESTATE NO. 18873. Notice is given that ADAM BRUNO, 75 HELMS HILL ROAD, WASHINGTONVILLE, NY 10992 was on, AUGUST 30, 2021, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of WARREN L. STONE, who died on DECEMBER 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 FEBRUARY, 2022.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before

Page 67 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 SEPTEMBER 03, 2021 ADAM BRUNO 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 09-03, 09-10, 09-17

Second Insertion NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18875 To all persons interested in the estate of DUDLEY MILES EICHHORN, ESTATE NO. 18875. Notice is given that STAURT EICHHORN, 3913 UNION CHURCH ROAD, SALISBURY, MD 21804 was on, SEPTEMBER 01, 2021, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of DUDLEY MILES EICHHORN, who died on AUGUST 11, 2021, 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 1st day of MARCH, 2022.

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

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication SEPTEMBER 10, 2021

STAURT EICHHORN 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 09-10, 09-17, 09-24

Second Insertion NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18869 To all persons interested in the estate of ELLEN JOAN SANSONE, ESTATE NO. 18869. Notice is given that ELIZABETH WATLINGTON, 2109 KEELAND LANE, GRAY, TN 37615 was on, AUGUST 30, 2021, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of ELLEN JOAN SANSONE, who died on AUGUST 15, 2021, 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 FEBRUARY, 2022.

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

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication SEPTEMBER 10, 2021 ELIZABETH WATLINGTON 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 09-10, 09-17, 09-24

Page 68

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

The Dispatch Legal Notices LEGAL RATES Legal advertising rate is $7 per column inch.

The deadline is Tuesday at noon. For more information call 410-641-4563 or email classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com Second Insertion NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ESTATE NO. 18868 Notice is given that the PROBATE COURT of KENT COUNTY, DE, appointed JOHN F. JARVIS JR., 12242 GREENRIDGE LANE ROAD, OCEAN CITY, MD 21842 as the EXECUTOR of the Estate of MABEL D. JARVIS who died on APRIL 28, 2018, domiciled in DELAWARE, USA. The Maryland resident agent for service of process is N/A. At the time of death, the decedent owned real or leasehold property in the following MARYLAND counties: WORCESTER. All persons having claims against the decedent must file their claims with the Register of Wills for Worcester County with a copy to the foreign personal representative on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the foreign personal representative mails or delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Claims filed after that date or after a date extended by law will be barred.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication SEPTEMBER 10, 2021 JOHN F. JARVIS JR. Foreign 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 09-10, 09-17, 09-24

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18870 To all persons interested in the estate of JAMES E. BROWER AKA JAMES EDWARD BROWER, ESTATE NO. 18870. Notice is given that LAURA J. PAYTON, 8713 WILD GOOSE LANE, BERLIN, MD 21811 was on, AUGUST 30, 2021, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of JAMES E. BROWER, who died on MARCH 31, 2021, 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 FEBRUARY, 2022.

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

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication SEPTEMBER 10, 2021

Second Insertion

LAURA J. PAYTON Personal Representative

DANIEL C. CONKLING, ESQ. 2756 BAYSIDE BEACH RD. PASADENA, MD 21122

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 09-10, 09-17, 09-24

First Insertion NOTICE OF HEARING FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS IN THE MATTER OF SKIPJACK OFFSHORE ENERGY, LLC AND US WIND, INC’S OFFSHORE WIND APPLICATIONS UNDER THE CLEAN ENERGY JOBS ACT OF 2019 Case No. 9666 On July 27, 2021, Skipjack Offshore Energy, LLC (“Skipjack”) and MarWin II, LLC, an affiliate of US Wind, Inc. (“US Wind”) filed their respective Applications with the Public Service Commission of Maryland (“Commission”) for the Approval of a Round 2 Qualified Offshore Wind Project and Award of Offshore Wind Renewable Energy Credits under the Clean Energy Jobs Act of 2019 (collectively, the “Applications”).

The Commission will hold virtual hearings for receipt of comments from members of the public with respect to the Applications as follows: Tuesday, September 28, 2021 at 6:00 p.m., and Thursday, September 30, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.

Any individual who would like to speak at either hearing should send an e-mail to susan.howard@maryland. gov by no later than 12:00 p.m. on Friday, September 24, 2021, requesting to do so. In the subject line of any e-mail to Ms. Howard, please include the phrase “Wind Speaker,” and within the text of the e-mail, indicate your name and the date on which you would like to speak. The virtual meetings will be held through WebEx, and participants will receive an e-mail with a link to the virtual meeting. Additionally, the public comment hearing will be live streamed on the Commission’s YouTube channel, at https://www.youtube.com/c/ MarylandPSC. Reasonable accommodations will be made at Public Service Commission proceedings for qualified persons with disabilities if requested five (5) days in advance of any hearing in this proceeding. (Dial 410767-8000 or 1-800-492-0474 or access the prior numbers through the Maryland Relay Service at 1-800-735-2258).

The Application and other pleadings in the above-referenced matter may be viewed or downloaded from the electronic docket file (Case No. 9666) available through the Maryland Public Service Commission’s website, www.psc.state.md.us.

Written public comments in

connection with this case may be submitted by November 19, 2021. The comments must reference “Case No. 9666.” Written comments submitted via firstclass mail shall be addressed to: Mr. Andrew S. Johnston, Executive Secretary Maryland Public Service Commission 6 St. Paul Street, 16th Floor Baltimore, Maryland 21202-6806 Written comments may also be submitted electronically through the Commission’s Public Comment Dropbox, which can be accessed through the Commission’s website at https://www.psc.state.md.us /make-a-public-comment.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication SEPTEMBER 17, 2021 2x 09-17, 09-24

First Insertion NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18877 To all persons interested in the estate of ELIZABETH ANN GOURLEY, ESTATE NO. 18877. Notice is given that BARBARA ENTWISTLE, 8453 CEDAR LANE ROAD, BERLIN, MD 21811 was on, SEPTEMBER 02, 2021, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of ELIZABETH ANN GOURLEY, who died on JULY 11, 2021, 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 2ND day of MARCH, 2022.

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

September 17, 2021 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 SEPTEMBER 17, 2021 BARBARA ENTWISTLE 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 09-17, 09-24, 10-01

First Insertion WILLIAM L CALLAHAN JR. 11304 RHODE ISLAND AVE. BELTSVILLE, MD 20705 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18878 To all persons interested in the estate of DONNA JEAN FAULCONER, ESTATE NO. 18878. Notice is given that JAMES LYNN FAULCONER, 4232 KENNY STREET, BELTSVILLE, MD 20705 was on, SEPTEMBER 09, 2021, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of DONNA JEAN FAULCONER, who died on AUGUST 6, 2021, with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 9TH day of MARCH, 2022.

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

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch

Date of Publication SEPTEMBER 17, 2021 JAMES LYNN FAULCONER 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 09-17, 09-24, 10-01

First Insertion NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ESTATE NO. 18888 Notice is given that the REGISTER OF WILLS COURT of NEW CASTLE COUNTY, DE, appointed ROBERT M BOWMAN, 305 WILLIAMS STREET, SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ 07076 as the PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE of the Estate of KATHARINE M BOWMAN AKA KATHARINE MOIR MCCREADY BOWMAN who died on MARCH 27, 2020, domiciled in DELAWARE, USA. The Maryland resident agent for service of process is RAYMOND D COATES JR, whose address is 6200 COASTAL HIGHWAY, SUITE 300, OCEAN CITY, MD 21842.

At the time of death, the decedent owned real or leasehold property in the following MARYLAND counties: WORCESTER. All persons having claims against the decedent must file their claims with the Register of Wills for Worcester County with a copy to the foreign personal representative on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the foreign personal representative mails or delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Claims filed after that date or after a date extended by law will be barred.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication SEPTEMBER 17, 2021 ROBERT M BOWMAN Foreign 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 09-17, 09-24, 10-01

Worcester County Fair Returns To Snow Hill This Weekend

September 17, 2021

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – Community members are invited to Byrd Park this weekend to celebrate the return of the Worcester County Fair.

While COVID-19 restrictions forced organizers to cancel last year’s event, the Worcester County Fair will return to Snow Hill Sept. 17-19.

The traditional country-style fair will feature games, music, animal exhibits, food, vendors, demonstrations, and arts and crafts, to name a few. Held at Byrd Park, the event will be free and open to the public.

“What we are trying to do is highlight what Worcester County is all about,” said Earl Ludy, treasurer for the Worcester County Fair board.

Officials say event festivities kick off on Friday and continue throughout the weekend. On Sept. 17, the fair will feature a cake auction to benefit the Worcester County Fair, a volunteer-run nonprofit. And on Sept. 18, activities include a car and truck show, livestock exhibits, children’s games and performances by Laughing Wolf, as well as a youth and adult talent show.

“That always draws a lot of people,” said organizer and board member Susan Todd. “We try to have a major event each day.”

Officials added that the fun continues Sunday with a church service, kid’s games and crafts. Anchors Aweigh Entertainment will also be onsite with a mobile gaming trailer.

“It’s a family oriented event,” Ludy said.

Event organizers say they are excited to return to Byrd Park following last year’s cancellation. Ludy noted the modern-day fair has been a community staple since the 1950s.

“The last four years have been hard on us,” he said. “In 2018 we had to cancel because the park flooded. And last year COVID hit. We’re hoping to have a nice fair this year and let people know we are here.”

Officials noted this year’s fair has been modified in response to the pandemic. For example, all 4-H and FFA livestock classes have been suspended, and livestock shows have been altered for safe COVID practices.

Sanitizing stations will also be available throughout the fair. And on Friday and Saturday, the Worcester County Health Department will be available to offer COVID-19 vaccines.

“If you haven’t had your vaccine, it’s a good place to get it,” Ludy said.

Todd added the fair will include roughly 20 vendors, which include businesses and civic and nonprofit organizations.

There will also be games and competitions, including a sack race and pie eating contest, for the children.

“Saturday is full of livestock shows and children’s activities…,” she said. “It’s a family and community event as much as anything.”

Ludy said the fair will be open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17, and Saturday,

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Sept. 18, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 19. Organizers say the Worcester County Fair is a great place to learn about agriculture and local organizations.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Todd said.

For more information on the Worcester County Fair, visit www.worcestercountyfair.com or “The Worcester County Fair” Facebook page.

Organizers say they are also seeking volunteers to help throughout the year.

For more information, call 410-957-4079 or email worcestercountyfairmd@gmail.com.

“You don’t need to take off days at a time for this,” Ludy said. “If you have two hours a month to do something as simple as update our Facebook or webpage, you’d be surprised how much that helps us out.”

Page 69

Among the many attractions at the Worcester County Fair will be a livestock exhibit.

File Photo

Page 70

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

September 17, 2021

September 17, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 71

Berlin Delays Proposed Disc Golf Donation Request Decision

Page 72

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – Town officials delayed a decision regarding a donation of disc golf equipment.

The Berlin Town Council this week voted 4-1 to table a decision related to accepting a donation of disc golf equipment for Stephen Decatur Park. The council is expected to reconsider the donation from Eastbound Disc Golf next month.

“I am of the opinion this group should not come back to us based on the discussion we have had, which is beyond the donation of equipment,” said Councilman Dean Burrell, who voted against the motion to table. “They should not come back to us until they have their 501c3 status.”

Austin Widdowson and members of Eastbound Disc Golf approached the council Monday to offer a donation of disc golf equipment that could be set up in Stephen Decatur Park for the next six months. Widdowson said pilot events in August had been well received and well attended.

“It was nice to be able to see that park activities can also function while disc golf is going on,” he said.

Because those events went well, the group asked to donate an 18-hole disc golf set to the park that residents could try during the next six months. That trial period would give Eastbound Disc Golf a chance to vet the course and determine the best permanent layout. If the trial goes well, the group, which Widdow-

son said was seeking nonprofit status, could raise money to donate a permanent course. Widdowson said he didn’t feel it was appropriate to ask donors to pony up money before the concept had council approval.

Mayor Zack Tyndall said he’d attended all the group’s trial events and thought they went well.

Burrell was quick to ask if the group was a nonprofit. Widdowson said they’d applied but that there was an eight-month backup on applications.

Burrell said that though disc golf was on the agenda as a donation, Widdowson was actually asking for his group to be able to use a portion of the park.

“What we’re asking for is to donate equipment to be installed into the park just like you would a swing set,” Widdowson replied.

Tyndall said that while entities were typically required to be nonprofits in order to hold events at the park, he said there was no well-defined policy related to donations.

“If people want to give something to the town to help us improve our parks or open spaces, I don’t think we should be turning them away,” he said.

When Councilwoman Shaneka Nichols brought up the issue of maintenance and repairs, Tyndall said the golf baskets would be easy to remove.

Widdowson said the rough value of the equipment the group wanted to donate was $15,000. When staff pointed out that should be taken into account finan-

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sit on the porch when they’re done.”

He stressed that despite officials’ concerns, the disc golf holes near the water were critical.

“Why would we eliminate it?” he said.

“I haven’t heard one valid reason other than someone doesn’t want it in their backyard. You shouldn’t have bought along the park.”

Nichols objected, saying, “I’m sorry. I feel that right there is a little bit far to the left.”

Nichols said officials were just voicing concerns they’d heard from residents.

Burrell felt the town was essentially being asked to turn over a portion of the park to Eastbound Disc Golf.

“What you’re missing is, I’m speaking for myself — I’m not interested in drawing people to the Town of Berlin to play disc golf,” he said. “I’m interested in maintaining a facility for the enjoyment of the citizens of the Town of Berlin.”

Eastbound Disc Golf members said they were trying to foster a sense of community and expose more people to the game.

Councilman Troy Purnell said he thought the donation was a great idea but asked to table the decision until the group provided a map showing where the proposed disc golf baskets would be located.

Councilman Jack Orris added he would like to see a written agreement.

The council voted 4-1, with Burrell opposed, to table the issue until Oct. 12 so the group has time to present a map of course layout and a draft agreement.

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cially, Tyndall agreed and said that needed to be resolved.

“Whatever this accounting process needs to be, we need to figure that out before somebody’s sitting here in front of us with a half-a-million-dollar skate park,” he said.

Councilman Jay Knerr said the trial events the group held had gone well but that some residents still had concerns about disc golf occurring near the pond and Route 113. He said a nine-hole course, rather than the 18-hole course proposed, might be a good starting point.

Widdowson said invasive species were taking over the pond area and that disc golfers would help maintain the space.

“I believe there are a few voters in this town that are opposed to it because they have properties up against it but there are 4,000 voters in town,” Widdowson said. “There are way more in support of it. We’re looking to donate park equipment. We’re looking to utilize parts of the park that are currently not being used right now. The walking trail (around the pond) is one of the most underutilized and suffering portions of the park.”

Widdowson said a nine-hole course wouldn’t be the draw an 18-hole course would. He expects Stephen Decatur Park to attract many players.

“This park is gold,” he said. “It’s going to bring people to stop at Rayne’s Reef on their way in to have breakfast, they’re going to play disc golf, they’re going to bring their families to the Atlantic Hotel

September 17, 2021

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Original Sentence Holds In Fatal Collision With Biker

September 17, 2021

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

SNOW HILL – A Berlin man, convicted in 2018 of negligent homicide by motor vehicle while under the influence after a fatal hit-and-run collision, was back in court last week for a re-sentencing hearing and essentially will serve the same time originally sentenced.

In November 2018, after two days, 100 exhibits and testimony from four experts, a Worcester County jury found Jonathan Kidder, now 61, of Berlin, guilty on all six counts against him from the May 2018 incident during which he struck and killed a bicyclist on Route 589 before leaving the scene. JONATHAN KIDDER Just minutes later, the impaired Kidder caused another accident on Route 50 in West Ocean City.

Kidder was convicted of negligent homicide by motor vehicle and for that count he was sentenced to 10 years, five of which were suspended. On count three, failure to immediately stop at the scene of an accident involving death, Kidder was sentenced to 10 years, with five years suspended, which was to be served consecutively to the negligent homicide count.

Kidder then filed an appeal with the

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

state Court of Special Appeals, challenging various aspects of the trial, jury selection and other elements of the case. Kidder posed five different questions in the appeal. The Court of Special Appeals dismissed four of the appeal questions, but agreed with Kidder on one of them, which could have resulted in a reduction of his sentence.

Kidder was back in Worcester County Circuit Court last Friday for a re-sentencing hearing after the appeals court overturned his conviction on the leaving the scene of an accident involving death over a technical issue. Kidder’s original sentence on the negligent homicide by motor vehicle while impaired was the judge gave him five years, which was the maximum on the remaining conviction. In short, Kidder was going to serve five years even before the appeals court reversed one of his convictions, and that is what he is going to serve after the resentencing hearing last week.

In the appeal, Kidder contended his enhanced sentence for the leaving the scene of an accident involving death was illegal because he wasn’t charged with an essential element in the count.

Essentially, he contended the charging document for that count was missing one key word – knowledge. Kidder contends he lacked knowledge that he caused an accident involving death, therefore, the enhanced sentence for

Page 73

that charge was illegal. The appeals court agreed. Again, the high court affirmed the remaining convictions, so the 10-year sentence for negligent homicide with five years suspended still stands after last week’s hearing.

Around 10:10 p.m. on May 6, 2018, Maryland State Police troopers responded to a motor vehicle collision involving a bicyclist in the area of Route 589 and Gum Point Road near Ocean Pines.

Upon arrival, MSP troopers determined the operator of the bicycle had suffered severe trauma.

The bicyclist, later identified as Jose Eduardo Madrid-Pineda, 38, of Berlin, a Honduran national, was transported to Atlantic General Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. Kidder fled the scene of the fatal accident. After Kidder was involved in the fatal accident that killed the bicyclist on Route 589 near Gum Point Road, he fled, leaving damaged parts to his vehicle at the scene including a broken side view mirror and broken part of the grill. About 10 minutes later, Kidder was involved in a second accident in West Ocean City.

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Mary Ellen Cropper NEWARK – Mary Ellen Cropper, age 96, died on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021.

Born in Berlin, she was the daughter of the late Carl L. and Grace Ellen (Rayne) Wells. She was preceded in death by husband William G. Cropper in 2009, brother Carl William Wells, and son-in-law Presley L. “Andy” Hayes. Surviving are her children, son William Carlton Cropper of Newark, and daughter Deborah C. Hayes of Charlottesville, Va. She was a devoted grandmother of two grandchildren, Ryan Hayes and Robin Hayes Verrier and her husband Jack.

While in training for her nursing degree, Mrs. Cropper had served as a cadet nurse in World War II. Receiving her MARY ELLEN RN degree in 1945 from CROPPER Hahnemann Hospital in Philadelphia, she was the youngest nursing candidate ever admitted. She worked at Johns Hopkins’ Wilmer Eye Division in Baltimore before returning to the shore where she was employed at Peninsula General Hospital where she did private and general duty nursing for 30 years. She married William G. Cropper in 1947 and joined Trinity Methodist Church in Newark. She served as treasurer and on the cemetery committee for several years. An excellent cook, she was also noted for her style. She also spent a great deal of her time caring for many elderly relatives.

A celebration of life will be announced at a future date. Interment will be in Trinity Garden of Memory Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a donation in her memory may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, PO Box 36, Newark, Md. 21841.

Arrangements are in the care of the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin. Letters of condolence may be sent to the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com.

Della Marie Ruark ST. MARTINS – Della Marie Ruark, age 86 passed away on Sept. 8, 2021 at her birth place, with her daughters by her side.

Born in St. Martins, she was the daughter of the late John M. and Marie (Hadder) Dickson. She is survived by her children, Beverly Amir of Crisfield, Pamela Lauer-Hamilton and her husband Matt of Salisbury and Frank Ruark of Berlin. She was an adored grandmother to four grandchildren, Shah Amir,

OBITUARIES Theodore L. Lauer (Laura), Adam Ruark and Rose Hamilton, and great-grandson Theodore “Jack” Lauer. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her seven brothers, Roland, John, Bill, Jim, Bob, Joe and Dave Dickson, and her grandson Christopher Ruark and daughter-in-law Donna Ruark.

During her early childhood, she lived with her late grandparents Pierce and Della Beam in the small coal mining town of Acosta, Pa. After returning to St. Martins, she attended Buckingham High School in Berlin. On Aug. 31, 1951 she married the “love of her life,” Franklin Ruark. They spent 61 happy years together. She and her husband had owned/operated Ruark’s Plumbing and Heating until his death in 2012. Della was a member of St. Martins United Methodist Church where she was married. She and her husband shared many interests, including her flower and vegetable gardens, bluegrass festivals, casinos, day trips and their restored 1941 Chevrolet.

The family would like to thank her three special friends, Carol Rose, Dot Warren and Jean Littleton, and nephews Johnny and Bill Dickson for their care and support.

A funeral service was held on Sept.

14 at the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin. Rev. Olin Shockley officiated. Interment followed in Riverside Cemetery.

Letters of condolence may be sent via: www.burbagefuneralhome.com.

Earl Stephen Hewitt BERLIN – Earl Stephen Hewitt, age 85, of Berlin, passed away on Sept. 6, 2021 surrounded by family.

Born in Baltimore, he was the son of the late Earl Douglas and Grace Goodness (Waggner) Hewitt. Earl graduated from University of BaltiEARL more. He was a veteran STEPHEN HEWITT of the U.S. Air Force. Earl worked at APG-TECOM for the Information Systems Command, where he retired as an Information Systems Manager.

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He was past president of the PTA in Hickory, a member of Mt. Ararat Masonic Lodge #44, the Scottish Rite Boumi Temple in Baltimore County, and a member of the Shrine Color Guard where he was committed to participating in the many parades and flag ceremonies throughout the years. He was also a life member of the BPOE (Elks) and was active in the Lodge 2354 of Abingdon and Lodge 2645 of Ocean City. He was a life member of American Legion Post 39 of Bel Air and was active in Post 166 of Ocean City. He was a member of St. Peters Lutheran Church in Ocean City. He volunteered for the Tax Aid for the Elderly with AARP. Earl was honored as a hometown hero in Ocean City where his portrait flew on the Boardwalk.

Earl was known to always embark on spur of the moment good times. He rarely turned down an outing or fun with friends and family. He was a spark among people. Everyone loves him, no matter the generation.

Earl is survived by his three daughters, Terry Jefferson of Forest Hill and her husband, William, Stephanie Hutcheson of Bel Air and her husband Douglas and Patricia Amos of Bel Air; sister Ann Badolato of Cockeysville; stepdaughters Melissa Campasino of Baltimore and Sandra Collins and her husband Michael of Florida; and close friend Jacqui Santangelo. He leaves a legacy of 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, all who love their “Pop Pop.” In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his second wife, Eleanor Hewitt and first wife, D. Lillian Hewitt; sisters Katherine VanRossum and Virginia Mason; and son-in-law, Timothy Amos.

The family will be hosting a memorial service on Sept. 18, 2021, from 11 a.m.2 p.m. at The Community Church at Ocean Pines, 11227 Racetrack Road, Berlin, Md. 21811. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Shriners Hospital for Children or Believe in Tomorrow, House by the Sea, both organizations for which Earl was very involved.

Condolences may be left on the guestbook at mccomasfuneralhome.com.

Miriam Lee Cropper Bishop BERLIN – Miriam Lee Cropper Bishop, 84, of Berlin, died on Friday, Sept.

3, 2021 at Coastal Hospice at the Lake in Salisbury.

She was born and raised in Ocean City. She was the daughter of the late Miriam Birch Cropper and Leroy James Cropper, Sr. of Ocean City. She was a member of the last graduating class of Ocean City High School in 1954. She married in 1955 and moved to Houston, Texas.

While in Houston, she was employed by National Supply Company and University of Texas MIRIAM LEE Dental Branch as a Clerk CROPPER BISHOP Typist; Avon Sales Representative, winning many awards; and

September 17, 2021 managed Sharpway Cleaners substation and Pilgrim Cleaners substation.

She moved back to Ocean City in 1993 and worked at Assateague Greens Golf Center until her retirement. She loved interacting with her customers and treating them like family.

She is survived by two sons, Alan Bishop of Alvin, Texas and Gregory Bishop (Andrea) of Westminster, Colo.; one brother, Richard Cropper (Susan) of Salisbury; one sister, Susan Birch (Victor) of Berlin; one sister-in-law, Martha Cropper of West Ocean City; four grandchildren, Dwayne Bishop (Brandy), Colorado; Kevin Bishop, Texas; Jessica Duran, Colorado and Julia Bishop, New York; two great grandchildren, Damian and Anaiya Duran, Colo. and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Leroy James Cropper, Jr.; her sister and brother-in-law, Sarah and Ron Hoar; and the father of her children, Robbie Lee Bishop.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

Charles Grafton Kitzig, Sr. BERLIN – Charles Grafton Kitzig, Sr. died on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021 at Tidal Health, Peninsula Regional in Salisbury.

Born in Baltimore, he was the son of the late Charles A. Kitzig and Grace Price Kitzig. He is survived by his wife, Niv Kitzig, and children, Charles Kitzig, Jr, and his wife Kathy, Mary Kitzig, John Kitzig, Jean Kitzig, Angela Urban and her husband Bill and John Wood. There are eight grandchildren, Amie, Nathan, Harrison, Sophie, Samantha, Jessica, Elisa and Elaine, and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ruth I. Snyder in 1978, CHARLES and two brothers, Sam- GRAFTON uel and Arvid Anderson, KITZIG, SR. and sister Grace Snyder. Also surviving are two sisters, Evelyn Collins and Jeanette Christman, and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Kitzig had served in the United States Navy during the Korean War, and later worked for Burroughs Corp. as a computer installer. Having a strong faith in God, he held many leadership positions in the church and most recently attended Holy Savior Catholic Church, and sang with the choir. He was a member of the Ocean Pines Bowling Club and the Ocean Pines Golf League. He was also a fan of the Baltimore Colts of long ago.

Cremation followed his death. Inurnment was held in the Eastern Shore Veterans Cemetery in Hurlock on Monday, Sept. 20. In lieu of flowers, a donation in his memory may be made to the Ocean Pines Fire Department, Emergency Medical Services, 911 Ocean Parkway, Berlin, Md. 21811. Letters of condolence may be sent via www.burbagefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin.

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September 17, 2021

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Page 75

STUDENTS In The News

Students in. Danielle Marshall's first grade class at Ocean City Elementary celebrated the end of their first week with a fun activity that helped them get to know each other. Each student brought in a bag of items that represented important things to them. They took turns speaking in front of and listening to their peers.

Pictured, from left, are Hanan Ramadan, Charlie Poulin, Yali Cohen, Benjamin Staley, Adam Ramadan, Ariyah Hayward, Miles Horsey, Anna Gjikuria, Ama AgyeiMensah, Lia Lugasi and Jesse Perez.

Submitted Photos

Worcester Preparatory School students from the Classes of 2021 and 2023 captured 35 Advanced Placement Honors from the College Board. AP Scholars with Distinction who achieved scores of at least 3.5 on all AP tests taken and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams were Ayush Batra ’22, Daniel Chen ’21, Waverly Choy ’21, Ibrahim Khan ’21, Sophia Ludt ’21, Marshall Mumford ’22, Hannah Perdue ’21, Joseph Schwartz ’21, Summer Walker ’21 and Megan Waller ’22.

AP Scholars with Honor who received an average of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams were Charles Becker ’21, Sydney Lamson-Reich ’22, William Lamson-Reich ’21, Christine Lizas ’21, Kaden Mault ’21, Graham McColgan ’21, Edward Quillin ’21, Riley Schoch ’22 and Maddy Warren ’21.

AP Scholars with scores of 3 or higher on three or more exams were Caroline Anderson ’21, John Arrington ’21, Ryan Brafman ’21, Sarah Butler ’21, Anna Carpenter ’22, Carson Cebula ’21, Meredith Cummings ’21, Anwen Elliot ’21, Grace Hopkins ’21, William Mears ’21, Riley Moyer ’23, Ava Nally ’22, Vincent Petrera ’21, Sumira Sehgal ’22, Jarrett Sofronski ’22 and Marika Vasilikos ’21.

Pictured, front from left, are Sydney Lamson-Reich, Sumira Sehgal, Megan Waller, Anna Carpenter and Ava Nally; back, Jarett Sofronski, Marshall Mumford, Riley Moyer, Riley Schoch and Ayush Batra.

Page 76

Wine Event Appreciation Editor: 2021 Wine on the Beach is a wrap.

Despite all the challenges presented by weather and virus, we are proud it was a success – thanks to the Town of Ocean City, our volunteers and our vendors.

The challenges were many, as COVID took a toll on several of our longtime participants. Hurricane Larry sent us a tide that left our stage mired in a lagoon. With the help of Ocean City staff, we were able to secure and activate another stage, although many of our guests still enjoyed picnicking on partially submerged tables. Literally, Wine on the Beach.

Saturday saw the water recede and more space created to enjoy the entertainment, food and wine. As always, Bird Dog and the Road Kings led the merriment on stage.

We greatly appreciate the Town of Ocean City for giving us more space for distancing, picnic tables and benches enjoyed by our guests and logistic assistance. Despite the many obstacles, our return was a success and we look forward to seeing you again next year.

Chris Nokes Annapolis (The writer is the festival director.)

Seeking Fair Commentary Editor: The purpose of this letter is to address recent developments in the Richard D. Farr, et al. vs Ocean Pines Association, Inc., et al. case.

The case was originally filed by Mr.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

September 17, 2021

Letters To The Editor Farr, on his own behalf and on behalf of a “class” of plaintiffs, specifically, Ocean Pines voters who cast votes for Mr. Farr before the purported disqualification decision. The Maryland Rules allow for a case to be filed in that fashion (on behalf of a class of un-named plaintiffs) when there are many individuals who have been harmed in the same way, certain other conditions are met, and the Court approves such an approach. In this case, by way of a recently filed amended complaint, we eliminated the “class action” aspect of the case and, instead, added certain specifically named voters as CoPlaintiffs in the case.

These voters all voted for Mr. Farr before his candidacy was disqualified (in closed session of the Board) and the Board decided (in closed session) to proceed with the election and counting of all votes except those cast for Mr. Farr. The effect of that (closed session) decision by the Board, in my view, partly disenfranchised those voters who had already submitted a vote for Mr. Farr.

This is the reason why the individually named Co-Plaintiffs have joined the case – they are conscientious Ocean Pines citizens who, out of civic concern, do not want to be disenfranchised by closed-door decision-making at the end of an election.

Mr. Farr’s Co-Plaintiffs are not seeking money in this case and they are not a source for payment of my firm’s fees (which are being paid by Mr. Farr and,

to some degree, voluntary donors to a fund for such fees). They see the Board’s actions as wrong, as Mr. Farr does, and they wish to correct those (alleged) wrongs. It is their right to take an active position in this regard, just as it the right of any other OPA member to support the Board’s side of this case.

Unfortunately, on certain “blogs” and perhaps elsewhere in the public domain (for example, the blog known as “Ocean Pines Forum”), there has been what in my opinion is incorrect and irresponsible commentary about the adding of the CoPlaintiffs to the case, which either criticizes them or baits/invites criticism and judgment of them. The Co-Plaintiffs seek nothing in this matter other than vindication of their right to cast two votes in the election and have both of those votes counted; they also support Mr. Farr’s position vis-à-vis his eligibility to run.

My sincere hope is that none of the Co-Plaintiffs will be criticized, castigated, singled out, unfairly judged, or impugned for taking an active stance in what is an important matter of public interest in Ocean Pines; and that commentary in the public domain – about them and toward them – will be fair, reasonable, accurate, and responsible.

Bruce F. Bright Ocean City (The writer is Farr’s attorney.)

Mask Mandate Supported Editor: We applaud the decision of the State Board, which was supported today by a legislative committee, to issue an emergency regulation requiring universal masking in all schools because it will help protect the health of our school communities and help us as educators to keep school buildings open and learning ongoing. This is the type of clear guidance, communication, and support that is essential to ensure that students, families, and educators feel safe and supported during these challenging times.

Data from other states without universal masking policies tell an alarming tale of increased infections and hospitalizations among students, including those too young to receive a vaccine. We want to avoid these negative outcomes for our

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children and families here in Maryland.

Masking, along with regular testing, adequate ventilation, increased vaccination, and other health and safety measures, gives us the best possible chance to protect the health and safety of our students, educators, and school communities.

Cheryl Bost (The writer is the president of the Maryland State Education Association, a 76,000-member affiliate of the National Education Association and the largest professional employee association in Maryland.)

Council Sacrificing Paddack Editor: In response to the Mark Paddack comment, it’s amazing how fast the City Council and mayor sacrificed one of their own.

Automatically the supposed victim blasts it on social media to gain attention and to do what everyone does and uses it as racist statement.

What if he was hacked? His life is now in jeopardy because someone took it to social media and made sure the attention was on the comment. Instead of addressing like a gentleman and confronting the issue privately, they blast on Facebook because nobody wants to handle any situation by themselves.

If the city does not replace him, we all know the end result. If he does not resign, the city will get the fire of dragons upon it. I said this last year, one bad incident will happen, and the city get hit. It did. Now this be broadcasted like it did.

Instead of handling it like a gentleman should have? Now the Town of Ocean City gets a racist mark on it again. Mark’s life is now ruined, and his life is in jeopardy. And Mr. Bobby knew what he was doing by sharing the comment.

I hate when people use a race as an excuse because the trending thing to do is put a racist tattoo on everyone. I hate racism with a passion, but I hate reverse racism too even more. No matter what the results are, fire, brimstone and ash are the next step.

It’s sad how quickly the City Council and mayor shunned the police officers with the first incident and now Paddack.

It’s a sad time for Ocean City, such a council that they willing to sacrifice one of their own to save themselves from being labeled traitors.

DT Hagan Ocean City

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The Dispatch 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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Masks In Schools Not Complicated How We See It

Requiring students wear masks has nothing to do with politics, freedom or rights. It has everything to do with ensuring kids stay in school.

Without masks, the fact is hundreds of kids will be quarantined every day in local schools. Right or wrong, and there is a lot to debate with the rules, the protocol states masks trump everything, including physical spacing and vaccination.

The definition of a close contact of a positive person is someone within six feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period with or without a mask. The CDC says the exception is in schools where, “close contact definition excludes students who were within 3 to 6 feet of an infected student if both the infected student and the exposed student(s) correctly and consistently wore well-fitting masks the entire time. This exception does not apply to teachers, staff, or other adults in the indoor classroom setting.” Once a contact is identified, there is a rubric involving vaccination to follow as to when the individual can return from quarantine and if a test will shorten the quarantine.

It’s understandable masks remain a polarizing issue. There are extreme positions debated daily, but the matter is best viewed through the simplicity lens.

Positive cases are inevitable in schools.

The first couple weeks of school around here confirm many are occurring. With positives a certainty, the only way to reduce the possible close contact quarantines among students is to mask up.

The protocols are inconsistent to be certain. The rules are not the same for schools compared to restaurants and businesses. The rules are bent to keep kids in school but only with masks.

When the Maryland State Board of Education voted to mandate masks last month – a move endorsed by a state legislative committee this week – officials said they reserve the right to revisit this decision often. This is not something anti-mask folks should celebrate.

There is no chance the mask mandate will be lifted unless the CDC’s protocols change. A greater emphasis is put on masks than spacing. As far as schools go, the CDC puts little value on a vaccination. It’s a disturbing view.

Schools are institutions of accountability and they must follow the health rules set forward. The problem is the rules are unfair and the local health department dictates who is a close contact.

The priority is keeping kids in school.

Without masks and the odd importance put on them in the protocol, students will not be able to stay in school.

It’s natural to abhor the protocol and despise wearing masks, but the reasons behind them are necessary and important to comprehend before pushing extremist views and accusations.

Page 77

Between The Lines

by Publisher/Editor Steve Green Ocean City Mayor and Council members were right this week to ask Councilman Mark Paddack to take a leave of absence after he posted offensive remarks on a local woman’s Facebook story while on her honeymoon.

The request was made by Council President Matt James and supported publicly at the meeting by Councilmen Tony DeLuca, Peter Buas and John Gehrig and presumably the whole council. Paddack refused the request, saying he had hired an attorney and sought an investigation. The probe was confirmed in an odd two-sentence release from the Sheriff’s Office after Paddack reported “unauthorized access of his FaceBook account.”

In response to a picture on the woman’s Facebook story, Paddack wrote at 1 a.m., “Tell the dude to turn his hat back where the white designed the hat to be worn. Where I come from, that is a punk. Immature POS.” Paddack says he was hacked and understandably few people believe him, mainly because he has proven to be a loose cannon on Facebook in recent years.

There are serious doubts whether this probe will ever materialize into anything. It’s likely the hack will never be confirmed. Paddack maintained he was hacked once before when he responded to a Facebook comment about Boardwalk violence, saying, “You trolls are amazing and want to bitch when you don’t even live in a prosperous community.”

Last weekend’s disturbing post is just the latest of Paddack’s antics on Facebook. He often comes unhinged and shares his extreme conservative views. Last summer Paddack lashed out at the president of the town’s advertising agency in a comment on a George Floyd post, saying, “You F##$@@ liberals are in denial.” A couple weeks later, in response to a seemingly innocuous Facebook post on a community page wondering who was running for Ocean City mayor, Paddack went after one of his council colleagues, Matt James. Paddack wrote, “They will not announce until September, it’s political. After the BS of summer COVID19 Shamdemic. I know Rick has been there for decades after the City Council. I am here to say the man eats, breaths, and supports OC. No other person other me an independent does what Rick does for this Town. Rick and I have had differences but in the end for 30k a year as Mayor, no one will do what Rick does unless a ‘daddy’ wants to pay it. End of story. Mayor Rick Meehan is the man for the job as Mayor. Not these wisher washy, drag decisions out people who want to continue to be career politicians. Wait til the last minute, try to make a name for themselves when never working a government job.”

Additionally, Paddack has been known to often mix it up on Facebook pages operated by the pop-up rally people. He has defended this in the past, saying he was gagged by the police department throughout his career and will no longer refrain from expressing his opinions. He expressed himself on the topics of bikers on the H20 2019-20 Facebook page, saying, “Been there OC, Sturgis, Daytona and Myrtle Beach bike weeks. Yep combined over 25 times and never had an issue or; confronted authority figures. Adult motorcyclist that act like adults. Yep some problems created by POSs that feel entitled. Overall really great group of people motor cyclists and not because I own a Harley since 1994. As Americans par for the course. Nothing is perfect.

Far more of law abiding adults at those motorcycle events that span over a month in each location except Ocean City. You would know if you had life experience and developed some wisdom. Just saying. Not four days of immature acts of adult children showing their asses without pulling their pants down. Stupidity based on the numbers, prepare your self according and don't whine. You are adults responsible for your actions. Grow up, follow the rules and respect the community. That simple. Those are the facts. End of story.”

No matter what happens with the hack probe, the public will get a chance to decide on Paddack’s future next year if he files for re-election to a second term. For the record, I have been on Facebook for more than 12 years and never once been hacked.

The Coastal Association of Realtors raised eyebrows with a mailer this month about short-term rentals in Berlin. The mailer read, “Our property rights are at risk. They just won’t take no for an answer. Not again… another scheme to restrict our property rights.” The mailer also included the ability to send a letter to property owners’ elected officials expressing opposition along with a website ProtectOurProperty.com, adding, “There are already fair, sensible ordinances on the books that allow us to keep our property rights – as Berlin keeps its small-town charm. Now it’s your call … to protect your rights and all homeowners’ rights in Berlin.”

At this week’s town council meeting, Councilman Dean Burrell expressed some agitation over the mailing, believing it was premature as the town is still considering the ordinance and no vote is planned.

“Some of you may have received a correspondence that has my return address. It’s advocating for a no vote on an ordinance related to short-term rentals. This correspondence may imply or indicate that I am against or in support of voting against this ordinance. That is a misconception. I had nothing to do with this correspondence going out,” Burrell said. “I had nothing to do with this mailer nor at this time have I developed an opinion on this ordinance. I am still in the process of gathering information and those individuals who returned these cards, thank you for sharing your opinion, but be advised I am not advocating one way or the other at this time for this ordinance.”

Page 78

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Puzzle Answers

P T

September 17, 2021

The Adventures of Fatherhood

by Steve Green

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arenting seems to be all about the juggle.

Regarding balancing her work career with raising kids, best-selling author Nora Roberts once said, “It's too damn hard to keep everything in the air, and that's a pressure we don't need to put on ourselves. And if you drop a plastic ball, it bounces, no harm done. If you drop a glass ball, it shatters, so you have to know which balls are glass and which are plastic and prioritize catching the glass ones.”

Roberts was not literally referring to her children as balls in this case, of course. She was referring to the responsibilities in life that sometimes don’t get done or fall through in the thick of it all.

There are times when everything piles up and it’s impossible to manage it all. There must be prioritization, delegation and acceptance. The juggle applies to work and family and usually involves both with some other obligations. There are times when the plastic balls – the non-critical things – Roberts refers to fall. There was a time when I really sweated these sorts of situations.

I still don’t like when I forget or can’t manage to meet the demands of a situation, but I have the perspective now to realize not everything is paramount even if there are a couple people – notably a 13-year-old named Beckett and an 11-year-old named Carson – who value it differently.

Though the juggle continues, over the last year, I have noticed life has gotten easier in many ways and more complicated in other ways. There is not as much of a physical demand and time crunch as the boys get older. The challenges have turned more psychological as the kids change and mature.

In our 13-year-old’s case, he’s become a tough read. It’s challenging when he chooses to keep some feelings and thoughts from us. It’s part of

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the maturation process, but it’s a struggle for all parents to not have open communication with their kids. Teens simply don’t share what’s on their mind all the time. He was once an open book and revealed everything. He is now much more reserved and private.

While this reserved nature is difficult at times, one thing that has remained a constant throughout this evolving parenting adventure is the importance of a sense of humor. Some examples to illustrate the point: •I showed Beckett a picture from eight years ago taken on Assateague compared to one captured last weekend in about the same spot. He was 3 years old in the first one and is now 13 years old. We marveled over how much he has grown and changed, while I look younger. He didn’t agree with that last part.

After saying how much he likes his hair better now and how he’s taller than his mom at 13 years old, he hit with a quick and passing comment. He said, “Yeah puberty has hit me hard, finally.”

For some reason, his delivery made me laugh out loud.

•For some reason, Carson has been taking a stuffed animal to school each day.

It started with a small squirrel one day that I encouraged him to stick in his pocket when we walked up to the school. It has now morphed into something called a “chubby narwhal,” which will not fit into his pocket or even his bookbag. He carries it proudly in his hand as we make our way to school.

I’m sure he gains a few second looks from parents in the drop-off line and students in the halls. I could care less, but it’s ironic for a child who never wants to bring attention to himself.

I admit to the first couple days trying to talk him into leaving his stuffed animal in the truck, offering to fasten it in the seat belt to keep him safe throughout the day. He objected. I have now

transitioned to getting a picture of the “chubby narwhal” in different places along our walk into school. Whatever it takes to get him to walk into school on a good note, but I will continue to oppose carrying the stuffed animal for him. He thinks that’s hilarious.

•I try often to think back on what I was going through when I was 13 years old. However, the world is much different today and it’s all about technology.

I’m convinced there are more negatives associated with social media like Snapchat and TikTok than positives when it comes to teens.

I think these avenues contribute to make them more socially awkward than they would naturally be at their age. On several occasions, we have been out and about with Beckett and recognized a couple kids his age. Pam or I will say, “hey isn’t that so and so and so and so.”

He barely manages a glance in their direction but squeezes out a “yeah we are not really friends.”

There was one case recently when I knew for a fact there was a group of kids his age he hangs out with at times and definitely “snaps” with thanks to my phone surveillance. Yet, when he saw them in person there was nothing. It happens often.

Before I could even take a deep dive into it wondering if Snapchat is rotting all their brains, I figured it out. He was embarrassed to be seen with his parents and mortified at the thought of talking to his friends in front of us. This was probably not all that different than it was in 1988 when I was 13 years old. Later, when I asked if my premise explains why he doesn’t talk or acknowledge his friends with us, he said, “I never said that.”

I got it.

(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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September 17, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

September 17, 2021