1/12/2024 Ocean City Today

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JANUARY 12, 2024

SERVING NORTHERN WORCESTER COUNTY

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School bd. worries about FY25 funding Talk about county sticking with minimum formula concerns school officials

MALLORY PANUSKA AMES/OCEAN CITY TODAY

By Hunter Hine Staff Writer (Jan. 12, 2024) Worcester County Public Schools will have a $500,000 drop in county funding from Fiscal Year 2024 to Fiscal Year 2025 if the county commissioners again choose to fund schools through the maintenance of effort formula.

While presenting a draft of the school system’s 2025 budget to the Board of Education on Monday, the school system’s Chief Financial Officer, Vince Tolbert, said that another

year with minimum county funding could also dig the school system into a $10 million hole from pay raises and cost-of-living adjustments alone.

“At this time, we’re hearing maintenance of effort funding again for next year,” Tolbert said.

Maintenance of effort, or MOE, is the minimum amount of county funding to schools that is permitted by state law. It maintains funding at the same per-pupil amount as was spent in the previous year.

The commissioners funded the schools at this level for the 2024 budget after requesting a more detailed line-item budget. The board says this forced them to make cuts on See GROWING Page 3

A flooded Fourth Street and St. Louis Avenue is to be expected after a storm like Tuesday night’s.

Who’s a good boy?

High wind, heavy rain, usual floods

James, now that he’s back safe at home

Storm comes, goes leaving little bit of damage in wake

By Hunter Hine Staff Writer (Jan. 12, 2024) The storm that crossed over Ocean City on Tuesday raged through the night, raising flood waters into the downtown bayside area and carrying sheets of surf across the inlet beach and up to the parking lot.

Hal Adkins, the public works director for the city, said that the orange barricades, or jersey walls, that public works set up along the border of the inlet lot and beach around a month ago blocked most of the sand that could have washed into the lot.

Still, some did, but public works

HUNTER HINE/OCEAN CITY TODAY

Strong winds from the south churn up the ocean at the inlet jetty.

cleared it out.

“I had to send a fleet of heavy equipment down there in the way of backers (backhoes) and loaders,” Adkins said. “But it was far less than it See BIG Page 6

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (Jan. 12, 2024) The first week of the New Year was nothing short of eventful for the almost 3-year-old basset hound-shepherd mix James, the pup that went missing on Dec. 31 around 1 p.m. from 136th Street in Ocean City, stirring a frenzy in the community.

James’ owner, Perie Donellan of Baltimore, was in town staying with a friend when her beloved dog broke away. The next seven days were filled with drives back and forth to Worcester County Animal Control and communication with the Ocean City See DOG Page 4

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OCEAN CITY TODAY

James, a basset hound-shepherd mix, had the community looking for him for days until Ocean City Police officers found and returned him.

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Ocean City Today

Growing costs could put system far in red Continued from Page 1 school materials, summer and afterschool programs and to lower promised salary increases for staff, all of which would cost around $1.5 million to recover in the 2025 budget, Tolbert said.

At the same time, schools face growing costs that could put them millions of dollars under budget.

Most fees would come from the mandated spending increases from the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, but some stem from inflation and a new state law that guarantees paid time off, Tolbert said.

Much of the budget is still in the works and many allocations remain unknown. The school board is negotiating contracts with the teachers association and has to meet with bus contractors, Tolbert said. Health insurance benefits aren’t finalized either, he said.

“This is all a stamp draft. We are very early on in the process. These numbers will be checked and rechecked … before it comes back to the board in February. (Then) it won’t be a draft. It will be final at that point,” Tolbert said.

Tolbert said he also won’t know the amount of state funding going to Worcester County schools for another seven to 10 days from Monday, he said.

The $500,000 decrease in funding from 2024 to 2025, however, would be in the county’s contribution. The minimum funding level dropped because Maryland is using a three-year average for student enrollment rather than the actual number of enrolled students when calculating maintenance of effort, Tolbert said. The average is meant to compensate for the

enrollment fluctuations during covid, he said.

Even though enrollment has increased, the three-year average is lower, meaning schools actually get less money from the county per-pupil if the commissioners only give the minimum required by the state, Tolbert said.

While the school system faces yet another year of minimum county funding, mandatory salary increases in the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future requires millions more in spending over the next few years as school leaders implement the state’s education reformation law.

The school board will have to make six percent increases in the teachers’ cost-of-living adjustment for the next three fiscal years in order to meet the $60,000 starting teacher salary that the Blueprint mandates Maryland’s school systems to meet by 2027, Tolbert said.

For the 2025 budget, a salary step increase for teachers with no cost-ofliving adjustment could lead to a $5 million shortfall, according to a presentation from Tolbert. A step increase with a six percent cost-of-living adjustment increase could create a potential $10.3 million budget shortfall.

Superintendent Lou Taylor said that if schools receive the minimum county funding, and the budget settles on a six percent cost-of-living increase, he would have to cut 100 job positions from the schools to make up the deficit. He said teachers deserve a raise, and that he feels they were “stepped on” last year.

“I challenge you in your hearts today to remember that this is about kids. This isn’t about somebody we

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FILE PHOTO/OCEAN CITY TODAY

The Worcester County Board of Education met Monday to discuss and review a draft of the Fiscal Year 2025 budget. Pictured is the Worcester County Public School Administration building in Newark, where the board meets.

don’t like, or somebody shouldn’t be in a position we’re in. The bottom line is this school system is not about one, two, three, four, five or seven people.

It’s about 6,700 children,” Taylor said.

On top of that, teachers who achieve National Board Certification must receive $10,000 raises. If the same teacher works at a high-poverty school, they get an additional $7,000,

which comes from the county because of the blueprint’s wealth-based formulas, said board member and former school superintendent Jon Andes.

The blueprint also stipulates that 75 percent of certain restricted funds from the state must go to highpoverty schools and wouldn’t be able to be used for places like Showell or See CUTS Page 4

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Cuts to come from reducing staff Continued from Page 3 Ocean City Elementary Schools, Andes said. Andes hopes the Maryland General Assembly tweaks the rule in the upcoming legislative session, or else there could be significant implications for the non-highpoverty schools, he said.

Another new cost comes from the state’s recently passed Time To Care Act, which gives employees 12 weeks of paid time off through increased payroll holding, but the county school administration is working with the Maryland Association of Boards of Education to see if this can be paid for through an insurance plan, Tolbert said. It could be less expensive this way, but still cost several hundred thousand dollars, he said.

Charles Abt, the schools’ chief operations and human resource officer, said schools start paying into the program by next October. Combined with another 12 weeks guaranteed of unpaid leave made available by a federal law, employees could have 24 weeks of leave each fiscal year, Abt said.

“Salaries and benefits and bus contractors, those things together are about 93 percent of our budget,” Tolbert said.

Of the Fiscal Year 2024 operating budget, which is almost $126 million,

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86.5 percent is salaries and fixed charges, Tolbert said. Most of another 7 percent of the budget labeled “contracted services” is for bus contractors, he said.

“As we talk about potential reductions or potential cuts, it’s going to come from reducing staff. That’s where the funds are in the school system,” Tolbert said.

Worcester County receives the smallest per pupil state funding contribution of any Maryland county.

The county covers 68.8 percent of the schools expenses, while state funding makes up 16.9 percent and federal aid is 13.7 percent.

School finance staff formatted the draft of the 2025 budget in a more detailed way than years past to resemble the line-item style that commissioners asked for in the last budget round, Tolbert said. Its layout is based on the Wicomico County schools’ budget, he said.

School budgets had never been formatted this way because staff are required by state law to organize proposed funding by category and subcategory, Tolbert said. Schools have followed an accounting manual published by the Maryland Department of Education that directs staff where

to put certain items categorically. The schools did, however, record expenditures as line-items in the past.

Tolbert and Andes said for things like materials of instruction, a spreadsheet and formula dictates how much total funds each of the county’s 14 schools receive from administration for the category. Each school principal then makes specific choices on how to spend the money, Tolbert said.

For upcoming meetings regarding the budget, board member Katie Addis asked Tolbert to provide a report that shows approved budgets compared to previous years’ expenditures, to see if there are any trends, she said. The funds in the approved budget of each fiscal year does not necessarily reflect the final expenditures.

After the meeting, board members decided to cancel a second budget review meeting that was set for Tuesday.

The next regular board of ed meeting is Jan. 16, then there is a budget work session on Feb. 6.

The board is set to decide whether to adopt the final Fiscal Year 2025 budget at their regular meeting on Feb. 20.

Dog wanders off for days, but found and returned by police Continued from Page 1 Police Department and animal control as they strived to locate the missing pet.

Donellan, who adopted James from a South Carolina shelter in June 2021, confessed that he is a little neurotic, and that she found herself overcome with anxiety as the search trudged on. “I was so distraught when he went missing, but it was probably more traumatizing for him than it was for me,” she said.

Family friend Craig Lerman urged Facebook users in the area to keep an eye out for the dog. The post was shared over 100 times within the first hour.

“We would not have received nearly half the help we did if we were elsewhere,” Lerman said. “There was so much awareness. People I didn’t know were asking me in person if we found James yet.”

Multiple sightings were reported, but James was hard to track down.

The police, animal control, friends, and strangers scoured the area for him day and night. He was spotted on Jan. 4 on Old Landing Road eating out of a bowl left by a resident for the neighborhood fox. Later, the pup was found on the same street in the middle of the highway. He bolted before he could be grabbed.

According to Donellan, the jumpy animal was seen in the marsh near Knights of Columbus on Jan. 5. Police showed up with drones but ultimately spooked him. The determined owner returned to Ocean City Sunday to continue the hunt with liquid smoke and belongings from home at the recommendation of an animal tracker.

James was finally secured and returned home on Jan. 7 after being found in the fenced-in area between ACME and Roses on 95th Street.

“New Year’s Eve is the worst time for a skittish dog to go missing,” Lerman said.

“There were a lot of fireworks and partying, and seven days later, a few of us were losing hope but still doing everything we could. When I was driving home and saw the police crowded near the grocery store, I knew it was about James. I got a spark in my heart that it would be good news.”

Donellan was impressed with the help she received from the community, notably the Ocean City Police Department, and plans on sending the department dinner to express her gratitude. “The town of Ocean City was amazing,” she said. “I’m looking forward to retiring and moving down here.”

JANUARY 12, 2024

PAGE 5

Ocean City Today

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733 BRADLEY ROAD • OCEAN CITY $3,200,000 Luxury 5BR/6BA/2HBA Bayfront home with pool hits the market! This luxury home has 145 feet of water frontage with direct bay views and offers southern exposure. As you walk in the front door of this lovely home you will immediately fall in love with the attention to details and upgrades throughout. An elegant foyer with marble flooring greets you as you enter with your eyes drawn to the beautiful Bayfront views and the swimming pool in the courtyard. On the first level you will find a kitchen designed for access in and out to the pool area with plenty of seating and room for entertaining family and friends. Also on the first floor, you will find a Bay front office or playroom for the kids. This home is complete with a home elevator so either take the spiraling stairs to the second level or take the elevator up to the second level. You will be mesmerized by the amazing Bayfront views and endless sunsets this home offers. There are 6 decks off the home for privacy. On the second level you will find a professional chef’s kitchen complete with large center island, high end appliances and plenty of cabinet space adjoining a beautiful, spacious dining room overlooking the bay. The family room is also complete with a gas fireplace for chilly winter nights, making this the perfect home for year-round living or a vacation home. Also, on this floor, you will find a second office, home theater room, or game room. On the third level you will enjoy waking up to the endless water views from your primary bedroom. The primary bath has custom finishes throughout with extensive tile work. The primary bedroom also has a fireplace for romantic evenings and relaxing. Also on this floor are three additional bedrooms, which are spacious and separated nicely from the primary bedroom. This home is over 6000 ft.² and is one of the few Bayfront homes available on the market. So, if you’re looking for a home at the beach, also offering all the thrill of the day with attention to detail look no further. Come take a look at 733 Bradley Rd. today before it’s sold!

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36939 CREEKHAVEN DRIVE SELBYVILLE, DE 19975 • $835,000 Stunning 4BR/4.5 bath home in the Refuge at Derickson Creek hits the market! This meticulously maintained home backs up to the pond, has peek of the Bay and is located approximately three miles from Fenwick Island beach. As you walk through the front door you will immediately see the attention to detail. There is an upgraded kitchen with breakfast bar, Quartz countertops, beautiful tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and plenty of cabinet space. The kitchen opens into the dining area.

Friends and family will enjoy meals there together and will make memories that last a lifetime. The spacious family room, with a beautiful gas fireplace, is off the dining area and is a perfect gathering place for entertaining family and friends. There’s a wonderful, enclosed sunroom with a glass slider to the paver patio deck and beautiful back yard. There’s also a flex room on the first floor that could be used as an office. The primary bedroom suite is located on the first floor and is oversized and has a beautiful full en suite bath. You will enjoy the water views from your primary bedroom. The laundry room is also on the first floor. You will love the first-floor hardwood floors, tile, woodworking, upgraded lighting and upgraded carpet throughout. The hardwood floors continue to the second level. There is a spacious second family room on this level and there are three additional bedrooms all with en suite baths. This is the perfect home for everyone to enjoy. There is a two-car garage, covered front porch, and outside shower. Every room in this house has a view of the pond and a peek of the Bay. The Refuge is an amenity rich community with a large inviting outdoor pool w/separate wading pool for kids, a clubhouse with an exercise/workout room, tennis courts, basketball court, volleyball court and playground. In the Refuge you get to enjoy the scenic views and native wildfowl of Derickson Creek and the Delaware Inland bays. Come take a look today before it's SOLD! DESU2052970 RESIDENTIAL LOT

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34862 WEST LINE RD SELBYVILLE, DE • $3,900,000 Commercial Site in Prime Location hits the Market! 2.36 acres on the corner of RT 54 and W. Line Rd in Selbyville DE. This location is directly across from Yellowfins Restaurant and shopping center on heavily traveled Rt 54. The location is approximately 3-4 miles to the beaches of Ocean City & Fenwick Island. It has water and 8' sewer main that will supply a hotel, shopping center, office complex, medical center, professional center, etc. Lot is cleared.

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1 66TH ST UNIT 101 • OCEAN CITY • $499,900 Stunning 2BR/2BA condo one back from the beach hits the market! This condo is located on 66th street in an ocean block building. The sellers have made many recent upgrades, installing luxury vinyl plank flooring throughout, new microwave, new refrigerator, new stove, new dishwasher, new exterior HVAC unit, toilets and kitchen faucet within the last three years. The decks also were tiled in 2019 and the glass sliders leading to the deck were also replaced within the last five years. This would make a great second home or investment property and is being sold fully furnished and ready for your immediate enjoyment. This is one of the best values at the beach - fully furnished and only one back from the ocean.

As you walk through the front door, you will see an inviting living room for entertaining family and friends. There is a dining area off the kitchen with glass sliders leading to a huge covered deck with recently tiled floor. You can hear the waves break from the deck. This is a first floor unit but it's an elevated building so the height off the street is equivalent to a second floor unit. This condo has two large bedrooms and two full baths so there's plenty of room for family and friends. The condo is in walking distance to many restaurants, stores, shops and a supermarket, so once you're here you don’t have to move your car, but the condo is conveniently located to the route 90 bridge, making coming and going a joy. Come take a look today before this amazing property is sold. This condo association is well managed by Mann Properties. MLS MDWO2016172

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MID-TOWN 3BR/3.5 BA RIVENDELL CONDOMINIUM with WATER VIEWS! OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY 10AM-NOON

121 81ST ST UNIT 706 • OCEAN CITY • $815,000 Stunning three-bedroom 3.5 bath condo at the Rivendell hits the market! This beautiful condo is being sold furnished and it's ready for your immediate enjoyment. You’ll be mesmerized by the waterfront views. You can actually watch both the sunrise and the sunset without ever leaving this condo. The kitchen is sure to delight the chef in your family with its granite countertops, custom cabinets and plenty of workspace. Off the kitchen is the family room and dining area where you will enjoy family meals and make memories that last a lifetime. The family room is great for entertaining and has a gas fireplace for chilly times in fall and winter. There’s also a wet bar for relaxing and having cocktails with friends. You can see the Ocean and Bay from the primary bedroom suite and the primary bath is luxurious with a tile Jacuzzi tub, shower and double vanities. The other two bedrooms are spacious as well and each have their own en suite bathroom. There is also a half bath off the family room. There’s a separate laundry room with washer and dryer and plenty of storage. Privacy is ensured with good separation between the primary bedroom and the other two bedrooms. There are large balconies where you can enjoy your morning coffee and a cold drink in the evening. The Rivendell has an indoor pool, outdoor pool and a fitness center, and the Hobbit restaurant is located in the building as well. This condo is located in Midtown on 81st St. and there is a traffic light at the intersection so crossing the street is very easy. There are plenty of stores, restaurants and shops in the area. There is a parking garage and secure access to the building. Come take a look today and make this beautiful property yours. This is a non-rental building so you will make friends and know your neighbors. MLS MDWO2017698

THINKING OF BUYING OR SELLING? LET'S CONNECT TO BEGIN THE PROCESS TODAY! The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Real estate 2024 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Operated by agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor agents and are not employees of the Company. ©2015 a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker, the Coldwell Banker logo, Coldwell Banker Previews International and the Previews logo are registered and unregistered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. 10771BALT_07/15

PAGE 6

Ocean City Today

JANUARY 12, 2024

Job posted for new Ocean City parking mgr.

Officials seek someone who can run all facets of division forming this year

By Mallory Panuska Ames Managing Editor (Jan. 12, 2024) By the time the summer season gets into full swing, Ocean City transit officials hope to fully staff a new parking enforcement division.

This week, Transit Manager Rob Shearman gave members of the Transportation Committee an update on efforts to hire a parking manager and seven to eight part-time seasonal support staff members to run the new division.

Council members voted in November, upon advice from a consultant hired to look into solving the city’s

parking issues, to combine all paid activities into a single division under the umbrella of the transportation department, and hire the new staff to run it.

Staff members said at the time that the city’s parking system brings in about $6 million annually in revenue, with no one really “steering the ship.”

Shearman said the department is advertising for a manager to essentially handle all parking activities within the city. The job was listed roughly two weeks ago, according to the city’s website, and includes a full description of the position and qualifications for the desired applicant.

Shearman said Tuesday that more than 20 applications have been received, with some, but not all, boasting direct parking experience.

“We have several promising candi-

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The inlet parking lot in downtown Ocean City sits empty on an off-season weekday.

dates in that pool and are continuing to advertise for that position,” he said.

Shearman expects to hire and onboard the new manager by April 1, with the support staff to be hired by May 1. He said officials are also working out where to locate an office for the new division. He said they are eyeing space above the south tram station.

Efforts are also underway to transition to new parking and tolling provider Duncan Solutions, who council members voted to hire in November to provide parking enforcement technology and citation

management.

Once fully acclimated to the position, the new manager will essentially be in charge of every facet of parking within the city.

“Anything related to parking will go under this individual’s job description,” Public Works Director Hal Adkins said. “Whether it is the Caine Keys 2 residential parking permits, whether it is monitoring and trouble shooting an EV program throughout the town, and things of that sort. If it is parking related, it is ending up with this person.”

The full job description is available to view on the city’s website.

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Continued from Page 1 could have been.”

Between 14th and 16th Street, the “wave action” hit and ran over the top of the seawall, the light blue barrier that divides the beach from the Boardwalk, he said. Public works closed the sea gates, or gaps in the wall that give entry to the beach, and the water making it to the wall was an isolated incident to that one area, Adkins said.

Waves reaching the wall is something usually associated with named storms or nor’easters, Adkins said.

He found it interesting that this storm approached from the south.

County schools closed early, residents secured their yards, and the Ocean City police posted a warning about the incoming “Winter Wind Storm” on Facebook Tuesday. According to the post, residents could expect up to 2 inches of rain, with sustained winds expected to range from 35-45 mph and gusts as high as 65 mph. That did not quite happen.

The Ocean City Municipal Airport reported about 1.36 inches of rainfall between about noon on Tuesday and 1 a.m. Wednesday morning.

The strongest gusts reached 52.12 mph at 9:36 p.m. yesterday, according to the NOAA station at the Ocean

City Coast Guard Station. The highest tide rose about two feet above normal at 6:36 p.m., and as it tends to do in other heavy storms, St. Louis Avenue and other bayside downtown spots saw some flooding.

“From an engineering standpoint people need to realize, based on the street elevations, based on the elevation of the bulkhead at the street ends, and based on Mother Nature and tidal influence, there’s nothing that we can do. We just wait it out and let it drain back off,” Adkins said.

Adkins urged motorists to be aware that some areas in town simply have to be avoided during storms of any consequence. Most area residents already know this, Adkins said.

Adkins heard of no property damages, and some of the only damages he saw were street signs that the wind “spun around” and one traffic light by 65th Street that twisted about 45 degrees sideways.

“We anticipated back bay flooding so there wasn’t any need to mobilize the workforce through the middle of the night. We knew that we would have action when the sun came up this morning, that we would have to clean up,” Adkins said. “I’m fortunate that we didn’t have a lot more debris.”

JANUARY 12, 2024

Ocean City Today

PAGE 7

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JANUARY 12, 2024

Ocean City Today

Sports complex recommendations approved Ocean City Council signs off on funding, request to look for facility operator

By Mallory Panuska Ames Managing Editor (Jan. 12, 2024) Ocean City staff can officially include up to $500,000 in the Fiscal Year 2025 budget for preliminary costs for a proposed county sports complex and begin looking for a professional sports facility operator.

At a work session Tuesday, City Council members approved the actions, which came as recommendations from the Sports Complex Task Force during a meeting last month.

Mayor Rick Meehan said task force members discussed a couple of options to fund site assessment and preliminary design of a facility.

One was a request to Gov. Wes Moore for $1.2 million to be included in the state’s budget to fund 80 percent of the project.

The other was to submit legislation requesting $500,000 from the state as a capital grant request. But to ensure momentum is not lost, committee members recommended the City Council approve $500,000 in the fiscal 2025 budget to be reimbursed in a future bond issue.

City Manager Terry McGean said more than $1 million will be needed to get through the initial phases before officials can go to the state for construction dollars.

Essentially, he said the $500,000 the city allocates could be reimbursed with either a bond or grant, whichever is used to fund the project.

Meehan said the other recommen-

dation, to pursue recommendations for a facility operator, was made to ensure someone is on board early to help market the complex and solicit sponsors to ensure the it is developed with no outstanding deficit beyond the debt service.

Ocean City officials have expressed support for the complex since members of the county commission voted early last year not to pursue a bond issue for a site identified near Stephen Decatur High School.

The task force is made up of 31 government officials, business representatives, residents and other stakeholders who support the project. Members have met twice since the group formed in August and discussed funding options and sources, potential sites and management details.

Meehan has said the committee is

eyeing four or five properties currently, but he would not disclose where they are, or whether one of them is the property that the county turned down.

Berlin council OKs support for sports complex funding

By Cindy Hoffman Staff Writer (Jan. 12, 2024) The Berlin Town Council voted this week for Mayor Zack Tyndall to send a letter to Secretary Helene Grady of the Maryland Department of Budget and Management supporting Ocean City’s request for $1.2 million in state funding to perform a site assessment, preliminary design and cost estimates for a youth sports complex.

The cost of the first stage of the project is estimated at $1.5 million and Ocean City is set to contribute $300,000 to help fund the balance.

“The Maryland Stadium Authority recently completed an economic feasibility study for a sports complex in Worcester County,” the letter stated.

“The study indicated that a sports complex near Ocean City with 8-10 multipurpose tournament quality outdoor fields and an indoor facility with 10 basketball courts/20 volleyball courts would create 720-860 new Maryland jobs. Additionally, the study showed that a facility of this size could produce $80-$95 million in state economic impact and $7-$8 million in state tax revenue.”

The facility is expected to cost in the range of $150 million. Tyndall and council members Steve Green and Shaneka Nichols represent Berlin on a 31-member task force for the proposed a sports complex.

“The Town of Berlin believes a regional sports complex of this size will contribute positively to the local and state economy and further leverage Worcester County as a tourism destination in Maryland,” the letter said.

Correction A story in the Jan. 5, 2023, edition about a lawsuit The Washington Post filed against the Ocean City Police Department over a public records request regarding use of force and internal reviews incorrectly stated The Washington Post's latest article on the lawsuit did not summarize why the department denied a request for records involving information about officers involved in two 2021 Boardwalk altercations. The article did include the department’s explanation for denying the requests in question.

JANUARY 12, 2024

Ocean City Today

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OCEAN CITY TODAY

The Henry Hotel on South Division Street and Baltimore Avenue in Ocean City is pictured. The vacant, historic building recently received a $250,000 grant from the African American Preservation Program for preservation and rehabilitation.

Henry Hotel gets $250K grant and speech from Gov. Moore MD’s governor harped on OC’s historic project before giving funds to improve it

By Hunter Hine Staff Writer (Jan. 12, 2024) Gov. Wes Moore shined the spotlight on Ocean City’s historic Henry Hotel last week while authorizing funds that will go toward the first big steps in the landmark's upcoming renovation.

The Henry Hotel Foundation, a nonprofit organization working to restore the Henry Hotel and turn it into a museum and learning center, is set to receive a $250,000 grant from Maryland’s African American Heritage Preservation Program. The grant will cover costs of lifting the hotel and constructing a concrete foundation.

As of now, there is bare ground beneath the hotel, said Nancy Howard, founder and president of

the foundation.

The program previously notified Howard of the grant, but at a Maryland Board of Public Works meeting on Jan. 3, Moore and its two other board members also had to authorize the award of the $5 million in grants that the African American Heritage Preservation Program released in its recent funding round.

The Henry Hotel’s refurbishment was one of 24 projects that earned a slice of the program’s funding.

Before authorizing the money, Moore recounted some of the hotel’s history.

“Henry’s Hotel is formally known as “Henry’s Colored Hotel,” and is one of the oldest hotels in all of Ocean City,” Moore said. “It was also the last hotel that allowed African Americans to access the beach during the Jim Crow Era restrictions.”

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JANUARY 12, 2024

Ocean City Today

98’s Best State money to pay for foundation Ocean Wings on Shore Continued from Page 9 1916 to replace an earlier structure that burnt down, according to a short history of the hotel written by Gordon Katz of the Ocean City Life Saving Museum. It became “Henry’s Colored Hotel” in 1927 after a Black businessman from Berlin named Charles T. Henry purchased it a year earlier.

It was at one time one of five places in Ocean City that served exclusively Black seasonal workers and visitors, according to Katz.

Moore said that it will become a place where people can learn about African American history in Maryland and on the Eastern Shore, and where people can come to “understand the African American contribution to the town’s development, and despite the fact of suffering years and decades and generations of discrimination. That … it's also helping to tell the story of ‘despite it all, still I rise.’”

Howard said she had been watching the live-stream of the Board of Public Works meeting after Sen. Mary Beth Carozza’s (R-38) office informed her that the board was set to authorize the program’s grant expenditures that day.

Howard was surprised to hear the governor cite the Henry Hotel proj-

ect, she said.

“You could’ve knocked me over with a feather,” Howard said.

On Jan. 4, Carozza put out a press release reiterating her support for the Henry Hotel’s rehabilitation project.

Moving forward, the foundation is expecting a letter of approval for the grant, Howard said. Even then, members still need to get an easement on the property to make headway with the hotel’s foundation-building project. Then they need to seek and receive bids from companies and award the project.

All in all, this remains a longterm undertaking, and it’s only the first of several pieces of construction that’s planned for the building.

Once the foundation is complete, the foundation will focus on repairing the siding, roof and full building exterior, and once that is finished only then can members begin planning and renovations for the museum and learning center that is planned for the inside.

The foundation has applied for other smaller grants to fund the construction — which Howard previously estimated to reach several million dollars in total — and will

continue applying for grants as they move along. But Howard has also started looking to the public for potential funding.

In November, the Henry Hotel launched a website in an effort to raise awareness about the hotel and to begin crowdsourcing fundraising. The website, which is at henryhotel.org, is currently minimal and under development by D3 Corp, a digital marketing agency from Ocean City.

Eventually members of the pubic will be able to submit donations there to pay for the upcoming infrastructure upgrades and educational resources.

The Henry Hotel Foundation received nonprofit certifications around April 2022 after Howard recruited board members to run the organization.

She hopes the eventual museum and learning center will become yet another draw for Ocean City tourism and will help inform people about the historic Black experience in Ocean City and Worcester County.

Howard also hopes to reach people who may have a connection to the hotel’s history or something to share about Black history on the Eastern Shore.

Contest set Feb. 4 (Jan. 12, 2024) Ocean 98.1 WOCM-FM, with presenting sponsors Mountaire Farms and Crooked Hammock Brewery, are hosting the 10th year of the Best Wings on the Shore Contest next month.

Set noon to 3 p.m., Feb. 4, at Crooked Hammock Brewery in Lewes, the event raises money for Ocean 98’s Cash for College fund.

According to a news release, the $20 entry fee charged at the door will provide each attendee a judge’s ballot, allowing for unlimited tastings of wings prepared for the event by some of the community’s best restaurants.

The categories that will be judged are Best Overall, Most Creative and Hottest.

Mountaire Farms has returned as a presenting sponsor, and will donate fresh wings to all restaurants for their competing entries.

This is a family friendly event with children under 10 admitted at no charge.

The Ocean 98 Cash for College fund provides $5,000 awards each year to outstanding high school students in Worcester, Wicomico and Sussex County.

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Ocean City Today

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Ocean City Today

Two buses sit parked at the South End Transit Station downtown.

Members of the Transportation Committee discussed the status of plans to transition the city’s diesel bus fleet to zero emissions this week.

MALLORY PANUSKA AMES/ OCEAN CITY TODAY

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PAGE 13

Ocean City Today

Update on zero-emission bus fleet transition OC officials planning study this year, but full electric implementation years away

By Mallory Panuska Ames Managing Editor (Jan. 12, 2024) Plans to transition Ocean City’s bus fleet from diesel to a zero-emission fuel source are slowly but surely coming along, with a study outlining cost details of the change set for funding in the next fiscal budget.

“It’s not an inexpensive study,” Transit Manager Rob Shearman said Tuesday during a resort Transportation Committee meeting. “It’s a pretty comprehensive survey of site and power needs, fleet and infrastructure, and considerations with Delmarva Power.”

With a price tag of nearly $150,000, Shearman said officials are hoping to secure state and federal grants to cover the bulk of the cost, with the city expected to be on the hook for about 10 percent.

Once the study is complete, which Shearman said should take several months, officials can begin looking into grants for infrastructure and new buses.

In any case, the fleet will likely not be fully transitioned until 2026 or later.

“I think it’s fair to say we’re still a few years from actually seeing electric buses on site,” Shearman said.

In response to a question from Councilman Tony DeLuca, who sits on the Transportation Committee, Shearman said department officials will continue to add articulating, or arctic, buses to the city’s fleet in the near term. The department recently welcomed two used articulating buses from the state to bring the total number of the larger, 60-foot vessels to 12.

Shearman said the transition to an all-electric fleet would have to begin with installation of charging stations, which will be detailed in the study.

“We can’t even really apply for grant funding for electric buses until we’ve completed this study, first of all,” Shearman explained. “Second of all, we wouldn’t want to dive into that until we have a sense if it’s a good direction for us.”

When the buses are brought in, Shearman and Public Works Director Hal Adkins said they will be cycled in with the existing fleet over the course of 12 to 14 years, which is the normal lifespan of a diesel bus.

“At some point when the transition study is finished and done by the state level you will have a multiprong occurrence,” Adkins explained.

“Where you will be ordering buses, you will be installing electric service stations, and you will training your service center staff.”

Shearman also said that grants are essential to the full transition of the fleet, as electric vehicles, and the infrastructure to support them, are a significant expense. For example, he said a single, battery-powered artic bus costs about $1.5 million.

City Manager Terry McGean

added that the infrastructure is “at least as much as one of those buses.”

While committee members said they are excited about the prospect of eventually transitioning to a full electric fleet, the push to transition to zero emissions really came from the state.

Democratic Gov. Wes Moore, who was elected in November 2022, has been pushing an agenda focused heavily on clean energy and emissions reductions. He vowed during his election campaign to “combat the effects of climate change, and build a more resilient Maryland.” The commitment came with a bulleted list of action items, including a push to ensure the state generates 100 percent clean energy by 2035, and reduce greenhouse gases by 60 percent by 2030.

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Ocean City Today

JANUARY 12, 2024

PHOTO COURTESY LIVE WIRE MEDIA

Jeeps drive along the sand during a daily sunrise beach crawl at last year’s OC Jeep Fest. This year’s event is set for Aug. 22-25 with activities throughout the resort.

OC Jeep Fest OK’d for Aug., request for Jeep Week coming

By Mallory Panuska Ames Managing Editor (Jan. 12, 2024) Ocean City could feasibly host more than one weekend this year dedicated to Jeeps and the people who love them.

This week, the organizer of OC Jeep Fest officially locked down Aug. 22-25 for this year’s event. But next Tuesday, the organizer of Jeep Week, another Jeep-oriented event with no affiliation to Jeep Fest, is set to ask City Council members for approval to host an event in May. At a work session Tuesday, City Council members unanimously voted, with Councilwoman Carol Proctor absent, to allow Live Wire Media CEO and Jeep Fest organizer Brad Hoffman to use the beach and Boardwalk for event activities on the late summer dates. Key elements include daily sunrise beach crawls and a sand course on the beach downtown.

“It is very well attended at the end of summer the weekend before Labor Day,” Hoffman said during the work session. “I’m just excited, once again, to bring a great event to Ocean City. It’s well run and it’s a significant economic impact to Ocean City.”

This year, Jeep Fest will run at the same time as the Ocean City air show, which organizers moved from its regular mid-June date to accommodate a desired headliner. Hoffman said in early December that he looks forward to his event co-existing with the air show this year and believes they will feed off of each other.

As part of the approval process, Hoffman was also tasked to fill out a lengthy request for proposal for Jeep Fest, which he said he spent 40 hours completing.

City Manager Terry McGean said the city requested extra information both from Hoffman and the organizer of Jeep Week because the event requests came in for the same dates in August.

McGean said staff asked for a “fairly lengthy proposal” from both applicants explaining why the city should choose their event. He said he received the requested information from Hoffman, but not from Jeep Week organizer Amanda Cropper.

During the public comment period of Tuesday’s meeting, Cropper asked City Council members to hold off approving the request for Jeep Fest until See JEEP Page 16

JANUARY 12, 2024

PAGE 15

Ocean City Today

Dec. police stats show drop in calls, arrests Recruitment for seasonal officers and PSA’s moving forward for summer 2024

By Hunter Hine Staff Writer (Jan. 12, 2024) The Ocean City Police Department has seen a steady decrease in calls to service and a drop in enforcement for drug and weapons violations this past December compared to the same month over the past three years.

At the Ocean City Police Commission meeting on Monday, Police Chief Ross Buzzuro reviewed monthly department statistics for December and provided board members with a seasonal officer recruitment update for the upcoming summer.

Officer calls to service, or calls police receive from fellow officers, dropped from 1,187 in December 2022 to 994 in December of 2023.

“That’s significantly down from December of ’21,” Buzzuro said, which had 1,630 officer calls to service.

Citizens called for police 519 times in December 2023, and while this number went down by 112 calls from December of 2022, only 490 citizen calls were made in December 2021.

The totals for both officer and citizen calls excludes traffic stops, business checks and assistance for citizens or motorists.

Calls to assist firefighters and emergency services, which are the second most frequent calls officers receive, have been on the rise for the last three years. December 2021 had 63 calls, December 2022 had 121 calls and 133 calls were made this past December.

Buzzuro said police respond with fire and EMS on almost every call those services receive within the corporate limits of Ocean City.

Other categories within the department’s top 25 calls to service saw declines in December 2023.

Police dispatchers had 52 hangups on 911 calls this past December, while there were 72 the year prior and 79 in 2021.

Calls regarding a suspicious person or activity went down to 47 in December 2023 after remaining consistent at 68 calls over the two years before that.

“Be on the lookout,” or BOLO calls went from 30 calls in December 2022 to 10 calls in December 2023. In 2021 police heard 23 BOLO calls.

Enforcement statistics followed suit with mostly decreasing trends.

Custodial arrests went down by almost a third from in December 2023 compared to December 2022, dropping from 90 to 66. In December 2021, police made 108 custodial arrests.

“Drug arrests were almost cut in half,” Buzzuro said at the meeting.

HUNTER HINE/OCEAN CITY TODAY

The Ocean City Police Commission met on Monday to review December statistics regarding calls and enforcement, and Chief Ross Buzzuro also updated the commission on seasonal recruiting efforts. Pictured are member of the commission on Monday.

Officers made five drug arrests this past December while there were nine in 2022 and 17 in 2021.

DUI arrests remained mostly consistent with the past two years, with 29 arrests made in December 2023 compared to 30 in 2022 and 22 in December 2021.

December weapons arrests have decreased in every category, which includes firearms, knives and “other.”

While December 2021 had 19 weapons arrests, police only made eight in 2022 and six in 2023.

As for recruiting, the department has started testing applicants for seasonal police and public safety aides for the summer 2024 season.

After a testing weekend on Jan. 67, police have 46 seasonal police officer applicants who have applied and tested, Buzzuro said.

Police have two more testing weekends coming up on Jan. 27-28 and Feb. 17-18.

“We had 51 applicants at this time last year, so not meeting the mark but fairly close,” Buzzuro said.

For the past testing weekend, 24 applicants signed up and 16 showed up, Buzzuro said. This an improvement from the testing round last year, which had only 13 show up, he said.

“We’re slightly higher with our PSA (public safety aide) applicants that have come through the door to this point,” Buzzuro said.

The department has had 32 applicants for public safety aide positions, a number that has grown from 24 applicants for the same time last year, Buzzuro said.

At the last testing date, 19 PSA applicants signed up and only 16

showed up, Buzzuro said. However, only eight showed up for the same testing date in 2023.

“We’re looking to hire as many as we can as they move through the process,” Buzzuro said.

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PAGE 16

Ocean City Today

JANUARY 12, 2024

OC transit set to avoid brunt of state cuts

By Mallory Panuska Ames Managing Editor (Jan. 12, 2024) A projected cut this year in Maryland’s transportation budget could have some detrimental effects on rural transit systems. But thanks to a new allocation plan for state dollars, Ocean City could end up faring pretty well.

“In talking with our regional planner, the [Maryland Transit Administration] was already changing allocation for state funding, which was going to work in Ocean City’s favor,” Transit Manager Rob Shearman said during a Transportation Committee meeting this week.

“So the budget cuts that have been newsworthy of late are largely going to offset by that change.”

Shearman explained after the meeting that state transportation officials are going to begin using a more formulaic,

performance-driven method to divvy out funds this year to rural systems. And because of Ocean City’s ridership and miles driven, the impact is expected to be minimal.

But while the news is good for the resort, Shearman said the outlook might not be so positive for other rural systems, which makes the situation bittersweet.

“Our colleagues across the state will be hit harder,” he said.

The city’s paving program is also not expected to be hit hard with the incoming cuts from the state.

Public Works Director Hal Adkins said a comparatively small percentage of the millions of dollars allocated to paving across the resort each year comes from state grants, with the majority covered by local dollars. Therefore, he said, even if there is a reduction in state money received, it likely would not interfere with

planned paving projects.

“It’s not going to be hundreds of thousand of dollars,” he said.

Overall, the state’s six-year transportation spending plan is projected to be cut by $3.3 billion.

Paul Wiedefeld, the secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation, reported in December that transit agencies across the state can expect to see 8 percent decreases in funding as the administration grapples with a huge gap

between revenue and expenditures. The fund reduction is expected to be a primary focus for the upcoming General Assembly session.

A Dec. 5 news release from Wiedefeld’s office said roughly $1 billion would be reduced from the operating budget, $2 billion from the capital program, and about $400 million would be eliminated from local government grants. Some highway and transit services are expected to take sizable hits.

Virus cases prompt hospitals to reinstate mask mandates

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (Jan. 12, 2024) Atlantic General Hospital and TidalHealth have reinstated their mask mandates as covid-19, the flu, and respiratory syncytial virus cases increase this winter.

According to TidalHealth Strategic Communications Director Roger A. Follebout, masking was reestablished on Dec. 28 for patient rooms and interactions. The hospital plans to reassess regulations as the season progresses.

“Daily, we evaluate the increase in respiratory viral illnesses we are seeing in our community, among our admitted patients, and within our workforce,” Follebout said. “With the gathering of friends and family for the holidays, we saw a steady, almost two-fold, increase in both flu and covid-19.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasizes that the quality of masks matters. Loose woven products offer minimal protection while well-fitting respirators approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, like the N95, provide an optimal safeguard.

A new variant of covid-19, JN.1, accounts for about 62 percent of current cases in the United States. Reuters re-

ports that The World Health Organization classified the mutation as “of interest” in December but said the risk to public health was low. While no evidence supports that the strain increases the severity of symptoms, it may be more contagious.

“JN.1 does seem to be more transmissible because it’s rising the charts, not only in terms of the majority of cases right now, but the rate of increase is dizzying,” Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, infectious disease expert at the University of California, San Francisco, told ABC News.

TidalHealth expects masks to be mandatory during patient interactions through the worst of the respiratory season. They intend to use community and hospital metrics to evaluate illness trends and review requirements as cases decrease.

Follebout reiterated the importance of keeping hands sanitized, wearing face coverings securely over the nose and mouth, and social distancing from anyone who displays symptoms to ward off all respiratory illnesses.

TidalHealth will inform the community of any changes to its mask policy via social media channels and its website at tidalhealth.org.

Jeep Week requested for May Continued from Page 14 they address her request for Jeep Week, which is set to be presented at their next regular meeting on Jan. 16.

Cropper said that she does not want Jeep Week to compete with what she called one of the largest Jeep events in the nation, the Great Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, which is set for Aug. 22-24. She said the Tennessee event attracts 300 of the largest Jeep brand vendors, 20,000 participants and 50,000 spectators over the course of three days.

Lisa Mitchell, the city’s private events manager, said Jeep Week is requested for May 9-12, and will have different activities than Jeep Fest.

According to a news release Live

Wire Media issued after this week’s council approval, the Ocean City Jeep Club, under the leadership of president Mike Locke, has pledged exclusive support to OC Jeep Fest. The release said the club “will not support any other Jeep events in Ocean City.”

Jeep Fest organizers will also update the design of the Sand Course this year.

A creation of Delmarva Jeep Events, the course is set up in the soft sand on the beach downtown and will be open for three shifts a day Thursday through Saturday, and one shift on Sunday.

The release said key vendors OC Jeep Fest 2024 include title sponsor Kicker Audio, and vendors Audio Works, Vision Wheel, Quake LED, 717 Companies, Fan Fam and Steinjager.

JANUARY 12, 2024

Ocean City Today

PAGE 17

PAGE 18

JANUARY 12, 2024

Ocean City Today

PHOTO COURTESY WORCESTER COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS

Worcester County’s Environmental Programs staff are proposing a new rural legacy area in the Bishopville/Showell area to protect forests and farm lands through easement purchases with property owners. Pictured is a proposed map of the Bishopville/Showell Rural Legacy Area. The red line marks the potential borders of the zone.

New rural legacy area pitched for north county

By Hunter Hine Staff Writer (Jan. 12, 2023) Property owners in northern Worcester County could have the option to preserve the agricultural or natural integrity of their land if staff from the county’s environmental programs establish the Bishopville/Showell Rural Legacy Area.

Rural Legacy Areas are created to protect contiguous tracts of land from further development and to save lands that support natural resources, according to the state program’s website.

The Bishopville/Showell area would be the third rural legacy area in the county, joining the Coastal Bays and

Dividing Creek rural legacy areas, which are both farther south.

“Agriculture is a significant part of our economy. Tourism also depends on lack of congestion, scenic landscapes and tourism is also obviously a huge aspect of our economy,” Katherine Munson, planner with the county’s environmental programs, said at the Worcester County Planning Commission meeting last Wednesday.

The Bishopville/Showell area would comprise 11,743 acres, according to a draft grant application for the new area. That total area holds about 3,600 acres of “prime” farmland and almost 3,600 acres of woodland,

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Munson said. Most of the region is zoned A-1 agricultural and there are 22 historic properties within.

“This area is very sensitive, there are a lot of sensitive species in this area, habitats,” Munson said.

If the area is established, not all of its acreage would become protected instantly. Landowners within a legacy area have to agree to join.

Maryland’s Rural Legacy Program started in the late 1990s and since then has spent more than $464 million to preserve almost 121,000 acres across the state.

Counties apply to the state to designate rural legacy areas, then the

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state awards funding to the county, which uses the money to buy conservation easements, Munson said.

Conservation easements allow farming and forestry, but eliminates an owner’s right to develop the land, Munson said. Development restrictions are bound to the property in perpetuity even if the land is sold to a new owner.

Worcester County has to establish the proposed conservation area before sending an application to the state for recognition and funding, which is due

by Feb. 24, Munson said.

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Ocean City Today

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Continued from Page 18 approval and review, the rural legacy area proposal would go to the county’s Agriculture Preservation Advisory Board, which meets on Jan. 23, and then to the county commissioners for a vote, Munson said.

Now having the planning commission’s support, Munson plans to submit an application to the state by Feb. 9, but the state’s approval process is expected to take eight to 12 months, Munson said.

When reviewing applications, the state looks for how concentrated a proposed legacy area is, whether the potential easement areas are connecting and contiguous and what the level of landowner interest is in the area, Munson said. State officials also like to see that the county is implementing other tools of conservation as well, like protective zoning, she said.

Worcester established the Coastal Bays rural legacy area in 1999. About 9,900 acres across 48 properties within the 46,000-acre area have since been protected, according to a county report on rural legacy areas. It spans much of the Chincoteague Bay coastline in the southern county.

The Dividing Creek rural legacy area started in 2009, and more than 3,300 acres on 12 properties in the 67,812-acre area are now protected, according to the same report. It runs

along the west border of the southern part of the county.

The state has granted the county about $14 million for rural legacy area easements in these two areas to date, according to the report.

There is a lack of protection in the north county since the focus has been south, Munson said, and the Coastal Bays area is reaching a saturation point. New landowner interest in easements is waning there, she said.

Over the past summer, environmental programs staff started corresponding with landowners in the Bishopville/Showell area and held an August meeting with five of them. So far, 11 owners indicated interest in joining the program, Munson said.

Property owners face a mixed bag of possible benefits and detriments when agreeing to a conservation easement.

Not only are property owners compensated for forsaking their development rights, but they also keep ownership and can receive tax relief.

However, the management of the land thereafter is private, as are the costs of managing the easement.

Landowners could be required to create landscaping features like natural buffers, especially if their property borders a body of water, Munson said.

The proposed legacy area falls in the Isle of Wight and Assawoman Bay watershed area, and a positive outcome from protecting rural land use there could be reducing stress on the waterways, Munson said.

Many properties in the proposed area border Birch Branch, Middle Branch, Carey Branch, Slab Bridge Prong, Bishopville Prong and tributaries of the St. Martins River, and owners who sell easements there would require buffers along the water, Munson said.

According to the draft application for the rural legacy area to the state, the long-term preservation goal is 60

percent of the Bishopville/Showell area’s land.

Revenue from the state’s real estate transfer tax goes to fund land protection like rural legacy grants, which are handed down to counties to buy easements, Munson said. The revenues also fund the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation, or MALPF, a program where the state buys easements from landowners instead of the county, she said.

MALPF only works with properties with 50 or more acres, and many of the farms in the proposed legacy area are only 20-30 acres, Munson said.

“Even though this area is really contiguous, … the farms’ parcels are small, so this is an important reason why very little farmland has been protected in this area, because our main tool has been MALPF,” Munson said.

So far, about 13,000 acres of land are protected through the rural legacy program, and about 10,000 acres are protected through MALPF. In 2017, Worcester County was ranked the fourth county in the state for highest annual market value on agricultural products, which was over $100 million, Munson said.

Even though Worcester is third largest county in state in total area, and ranked fourth in agriculture production, it is 11 out of 23 in acres of protected farmland based on acreage numbers from 5-6 years ago, Munson said.

In 2010, the county added a priority preservation area amendment to the comprehensive plan in order to protect the local agricultural economy, Munson said. The amendment’s stated goal was to protect at least 800 acres per year, but Munson said the county has stayed closer to 1,000 per year since then.

“The long-term goal is to protect at least 100,000 acres through agricultural and conservation and easements,” she said.

Library hosts creative care series (Jan. 12, 2024) Caregivers and older adults are invited to attend the Worcester County Library’s Creative Aging with Care series in January and February.

According to a news release, creative aging is the theory that having opportunities for inspired expression promotes social engagement for older adults, helping them remain integral parts of their societies and communities.

“Creative Aging with Care provides an opportunity for older adults and caregivers to come together to share art and stories. We are offering artistic workshops and classes and caregiver support through humor and discussion,” Adult Services Coordina-

tor Elena Coelho said in the release.

“We also appreciate the opportunity to partner with the Worcester County Commission on Aging to highlight their services. This initiative aligns with our goals to promote community engagement, lifelong learning, and inclusivity.”

The project was funded in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and administered by the Maryland State Library Agency.

For more information about Creative Aging with Care programs, please contact Elena Coelho at 443783-6164 or ecoelho@worcesterlibrary.org. Information is also available at worcesterlibrary.org under “Events.”

JANUARY 12, 2024

Ocean City Today

PAGE 21

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Jalapeño poppers simple, year-round app

By Deborah Lee Walker Contributing Writer (Jan. 12, 2024) An experienced host knows it is important to have a few recipes that one can whip up at the last minute.

Jalapeño poppers are a trendy yearround appetizer that are easy to make. In addition, the filling can be adjusted to fit any occasion and budget.

Speaking of jalapeño poppers, there is no set recipe for the filling.

When one has the confidence to improvise and let your taste buds be your guide, you enter the kitchen with a new sense of confidence, which allows individuality to come to the forefront.

The first consideration is whether or not to blanch your jalapeños before stuffing them. This step is entirely up to the individual cook. There are those who find that blanching mellows out the heat of the peppers.

To blanch your jalapeños, simply place them in boiling water for two minutes and pat dry with paper towels.

The cheese filling is the next thought process. Cream cheese, cheddar, mozzarella and pepper Jack are the most common cheeses to form the foundation. They are tasty and have good melting qualities.

Garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, Worcestershire sauce, scallions and bacon are common additives to the cheesy goodness.

The Eastern Shore is known for its seafood and the addition of shrimp or crab elevates the tasty finger food to another level.

At this point the jalapeños are ready for stuffing. Slice them in half lengthwise, and remove the ribs and seeds. The seeds are hot, add bitterness to the cheese mixture, and have an undesirable consistency.

It is a good idea to wear gloves while working with hot peppers. If not, make sure you wash your hands thoroughly.

Using a hand-held mixer or (by hand), combine the popper filling until well blended. Fill each jalapeño half with the cream cheese mixture using a small spoon. The filling should be somewhat overfilled.

The next step is the breading. Popper purists would only consider non flavored bread crumbs so perfection can be achieved by the ingenuity of the cook.

However, if time and simplicity are a factor, Italian style bread crumbs are perfectly acceptable.

The subject of the breading still remains open. Getting the batter to stick to the waxy skin of jalapeños can be tricky. The key is to double dip

them.

Dip the filled jalapeños into a combination of milk and eggs, then roll in flour until completely covered, and refrigerate for 10 minutes. The chilled breading will act as a glue for the second dipping. Again, dip the jalapeño into the egg mixture, but this time roll the peppers in a combination of seasoned breadcrumbs and plain panko bread crumbs, Panko bread crumbs are Japanese bread crumbs that are larger in size and facilitate the element of crispiness.

Fry the poppers in unflavored oil.

The temperature should be around 375 degrees to achieve that coveted crunch.

If you own a cast iron skillet, now

is the time to use it.

You cannot beat this type of pan for frying.

Do not overcrowd the pan: otherwise, the temperature of the oil will drop, which will yield soggy poppers.

It will only take a few minutes for the edges to turn a golden-brown color, about 3 to 4 minutes. Once you see this, turn the poppers. The second cooking time will be about 2 minutes.

When the poppers are done, place

them on a cooling rack that has paper towels lined underneath. Do not place cooked poppers directly on a See MANY Page 22

PAGE 22

Ocean City Today

JANUARY 12, 2024

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Many easy dipping sauce options available Continued from Page 21 plate lined with paper towels. There is nothing worse than to have your crunch poppers sitting on greasy paper towels.

Delicious dipping sauces can be made with two ingredients, how great is that? Anything with mayonnaise pairs well with fried foods. Mayonnaise and a touch of siracha sauce adds a spicy, creamy final touch.

A sweet and spicy combination is always a crowd pleaser. Duck sauce combined with sweet chili sauce pairs perfectly with the poppers. Don’t be fooled by its name, sweet chili sauce has a “kick.”

Believe it or not, but marinara sauce with chopped cilantro goes well with the cheesy filling.

If one is feeling ambitious, serve the jalapeño poppers with a trio of sauces. It takes literally no time to make the condiments.

In closing, jalapeño poppers are simple to make and so, so good.

Enjoy!

Jalapeño Poppers Filling Ingredients 15 jalapeño peppers, halved and seeded

2 cups cream cheese 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese ½ cup cooked bacon, chopped ¼ cup finely chopped scallions 1 teaspoon each garlic and onion powder ½ teaspoon paprika ½ teaspoon ground cumin ¼ teaspoon cayenne few pinches salt ¾ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1. In a medium bowl, combine the ingredients thoroughly.

2. Slice jalapeño lengthwise and remove seeds.

3. Using a small spoon, fill each jalapeño half with cream cheese mixture. The filling should be overflowing a bit.

3. Place flour in another bowl, and combined bread crumbs in a third bowl.

4. Dip filled jalapeño in milk mixture then in the flour. Repeat this process for the remaining peppers.

Place breaded peppers on a tray and refrigerate for 15 minutes.

5. Dip breaded jalapeño in the milk mixture and then in the bread crumbs. Press the pepper in the bread crumbs to make sure it is completely covered. Repeat this process

for the remaining peppers.

6. Carefully lower poppers in oil one at a time and fry them in batches.

7. Once they are cooked on both sides, place them on a cooling rack for 1 minute. Season with kosher salt.

8. Serve with favorite sauce and a garnish of fresh cilantro.

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PAGE 23

Ocean City Today

NOW PLAYING

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OCEAN CITY TODAY

ON THE EDGE

Kevin Harris, of Chestertown, poses with some of his artwork on glass, which will be on display in the Art League of Ocean City’s Spotlight Gallery this weekend.

Papi’s Taco Joint: Friday, Jan. 12, 7-10 p.m.

OC art league hosting free MLK events this weekend

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15th Street and Baltimore Avenue, Located in The Courtyard by Marriott, Ocean City, 410-289-7192 / Captainstableoc.com Every Friday & Saturday: Phil Perdue, 5-9 p.m.

(Jan. 12, 2024) The Art League of Ocean City is hosing a celebration of the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. during a Dreamfest celebration this weekend.

The event, set Jan. 13 and 14, is free to all attendees, with complimentary food and drinks, and will be held at the Ocean City Center for the Arts, 502 94th St. bayside.

49th Street and the Bay, Ocean City 410-524-4900 / www.seacrets.com Jan. 12: Blake Haley, 5-9 p.m.; DJ Tuff, 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Jan. 13: Full Circle, 5-9 p.m.; DJ Bobby-O, 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Element K, 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Jan. 18: Full Circle Duo; 5-9 p.m.

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According to a news release, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, the “I Have a Dream” pop-up youth art show will be exhibiting artwork by local school children. Kevin Harris, of Chestertown, will be demonstrating his artwork on glass in the Spotlight Gallery.

“God and recovery are why I’m See ARTWORK Page 24

28th Street and Coastal Highway, Ocean City 410-289-3100 / www.coinspuboc.com Jan. 12: Shortcut Sunny, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 13: First Class Duo, 7:30 p.m.

PAPI’S TACO JOINT 1500 Coastal Highway, Ocean City 443-664-8611 / papistacojoint.com Jan. 12: On The Edge, 7-10 p.m.

VISTA ROOFTOP RESTAURANT Located on the 8th Floor of the Fenwick Inn, 13801 Coastal Highway, Ocean City 410-390-7905 / vistarooftopoc.com Jan. 12: Steve Kuhn, 4-7 p.m.

Jan. 13: Dave Crites, 4-7 p.m.

Jan. 15: Steve Kuhn, 4-7 p.m.

Jan. 16: Steve Kuhn w/Special Guest, 4-7 p.m.

Jan. 17: Taylor Knox & Brian Thomas, 4-7 p.m.

Jan. 18: Michael Sky, 4-7 p.m.

PAGE 24

JANUARY 12, 2024

Ocean City Today

Dreamfest set this weekend in OC

HOROSCOPE ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20

Second annual event will feature fusion of music, history tours and speakers (Jan. 12, 2023) The second annual Dreamfest, a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr., will kick off this weekend in Ocean City.

According to a news release, the three-day event, set Jan. 12-14, will feature a fusion of music, history tours, commemorative speakers and celebrations to honor King and his legacy.

“We want to celebrate Rhythm and Blues while also honoring the civil rights hero Martin Luther King Jr., along with the history this holiday weekend represents,” Mayor Rick Meehan said in the release. “Dreamfest promises an enriching experience for our residents and visitors alike, offering a diverse array of activities all around Maryland’s Coast.”

On Friday, members of the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce will join Meehan in hosting the mayor’s prayer breakfast, Dreams & Determination, at 8 a.m. in the Roland E. Powell Convention Center Bayfront Ballroom.

The event will feature keynote speaker Col. Gregory D. Gadson and a performance by the Morgan State University Choir. Attendees can buy tickets online at ococean.com.

“The Dreams and Determination Breakfast will be an inspiring event you won’t want to miss with our keynote speaker Greg Gadson and the world-renowned Morgan State University Choir performing. I couldn’t think of a better way to honor and recognize the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.,” Meehan said in another news release.

Gadson, a Chesapeake, Virginia, native, is a retired United States Army colonel who served for 26-plus years.

Gadson’s service culminated as the Garrison Commander of Fort Belvoir, where he oversaw daily operations. At the base, more than 50,000 military personnel and em-

ployees provide logistical, intelligence, medical and administrative support, and command and control for a mix of more than 140 commands and agencies for the Department of Defense.

In May 2007, as commander of the 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery, Gadson’s greatest challenge came in Iraq, where an Improvised Explosive

Device, or IED, attack cost him both legs above the knees and normal use of his right arm and hand. Gadson remained on active duty and continued to inspire many with his message of courage, perseverance, determination, and teamwork, the release said.

Gadson is an advocate for wounded warriors, veterans and See ATTRACTIONS Page 25

Aries, watch out because you are hot stuff this week. Coming off the excitement of the holidays, you’re still in the mood to socialize. The invitations to various social events will still flow.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 Hopefully you’ve made progress on the various organizational projects that you have had in mind, Taurus.

Now is the time to get those resolutions moving.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, how is your to-do list coming along? If you haven’t yet gotten moving, a coming slowdown could make the perfect time to get cracking.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 Cancer, right now you may be feeling like hibernating, especially if the weather is changing. Don’t burrow under the covers just yet. Find a way to stay busy and socialize.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 Leo, even if it seems the way to be the most productive, burning the candle at both ends is only going to make you tired and less efficient. Ask for help if you need it.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 SUBMITTED PHOTO/OCEAN CITY TODAY

Hip hop artist and Baltimore native Jay Konsciouz is pictured during an animated performance.

Konsciouz will perform at the Art League of Ocean City’s MLK celebration this weekend.

Artwork, film, hip hop on display Continued from Page 23 back painting on glass today,” Harris said in the release. “My rebirth as a painter occurred after 30 years of addiction. My work shows the struggles of African-American culture.”

From 12:30-1:30 p.m., hip hop artist and Baltimore native Jay Konsciouz will perform. The release described Konsciouz as “God-fearing, inspirational, creative, and entrepreneurial.” It said he has his own unique style, providing a rollercoaster of emotions, including energized, danceable, and inspirationally embracing sounds.

From 2-3 p.m., a showcase of short

films, including “Points of Juxtaposition” by B.L. Strang-Moya; “Nothing Makes Sense” by Torrez Wise; and “Runaway Groom” By Marlon Wallace, will be shown.

From 3-4 p.m., an MLK banner will be up for picture taking.

From noon to 1 p.m., Sunday, the youth art exhibition will continue with Konsciouz performing hip hop open mic and answering questions from the audience.

The Ocean City Center for the Arts at 502 94th St. is open until 4 p.m. daily and admission is always free.

More information is available at OCart.org or by calling 410-524-9433.

Virgo, your innate humility means you’re often content with being behind the scenes and not in the limelight. However, this week you may want a little extra fanfare.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 Libra, after a season of partying and letting other tasks fall by the wayside, it is time to get back to focus. You must take out your financial account records and track spending right now.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 Take an inventory of the things you want to change about yourself, Scorpio. There is always room for improvement, especially if you feel you have not been your best self lately.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 Hopefully you have met your quota of parties and social events because now is the time to take a break, Sagittarius.

The invitations will cease, but that can be a good thing for you.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20

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Aquarius, you are the zodiac’s team player, so you may have to give the troops a pep talk to get everyone working together this week. Smooth down any ruffled feathers as needed.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 If you have any unfinished business that needs to get wrapped up, Pisces, the clock is ticking. Make a strong attempt to finish by Wednesday or Thursday.

JANUARY 12, 2024

PAGE 25

Ocean City Today

Attractions at OC convention center, sites around county

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OCEAN CITY TODAY

Local historian and Salisbury University History Professor Clara Small leads a discussion on African American military service. Small is set to present the discussion on Jan. 13 at the Germantown School in Berlin.

Continued from Page 24 those with disabilities and has testified before Congress. He is also an actor, entrepreneur, and motivational speaker. His keynote speech topic will be “Overcoming Adversity: Prevailing Through Challenges.”

The Morgan State University Choir has performed around the world to critical acclaim. Named “Best College Choir” in 2004 by Reader’s Digest magazine, the choir has performed with many symphony orchestras including the Philadelphia, Chicago, New York, National, and Baltimore Symphony Orchestras.

Dreamfest will continue Friday night with Michael Jackson tribute concert, “Who’s Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience in the

Performing Arts Center.” On Saturday, Prince keyboardist Matt Fink, known as Doctor Fink, and frontman Marshall Charloff will present a tribute to Prince and The Revolution with “The Purple Xperience.” On Sunday, ten-time Grammy and Dove award-winning acapella group Take 6 will perform.

Along with the shows, there will be tours of African American historic sites throughout the county, including celebrations at the Ocean City Art League, museum tours at the Sturgis One Room School Museum in Pocomoke City, local black history discussions at the Calvin B. Taylor Museum in Berlin, and more.

To view a full list of events and sites, visit ococean.com/dreamfest.

African American military service discussion Sat. (Jan., 12, 2024) On Jan. 13, local historian and Salisbury University History Professor Clara Small will join the Germantown School in celebrating Martin Luther King Weekend with her discussion on African American military service.

The discussion will take place from 10 a.m. to noon at the Germantown School at 10223 Trappe Road in Berlin.

The event is free, but registration is recommended. To register, email: germantownschool@gmail.com or call (410) 641-0638.

According to a news release, African Americans have served in every war, conflict, and military crisis the country has been involved in even before it was the United States of America.

Small’s discussion will touch on details of African Americans’ service, including time in the French and Indian Wars as slaves, free Blacks and indentured servants through the American Revolution, Civil War, the Spanish American War, as well as wars and conflicts of the 20th century to the present.

African American servicemen also helped bring order to the Wild West, working as firefighters, and peacekeepers, and were some of the country’s first aviators.

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Ocean City Today

PAGE 26

JANUARY 12, 2024

AGH joint surgery center earns certification Gold Seal of Approval given to hospital for offering safe and quality patient care (Jan. 5, 2024) Atlantic General Hospital’s Joint Surgery Center has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Total Hip, Knee and Shoulder Replacement Certification.

According to a news release, the Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects a health care organization’s commitment to providing safe and quality patient care.

The voluntary certification, offered in collaboration with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons,

focuses on the entire continuum of care, from pre-surgical orthopedic consultation to the intraoperative hospitalization or ambulatory surgical center admission, rehabilitation activities, and follow-up visit with the orthopedic surgeon.

The release said the joint surgery center underwent a rigorous on site review on Nov. 9 and 10. During the visit, a joint commission reviewer evaluated compliance with related certification standards and documented performance improvement efforts.

The reviewer also conducted on site observations and interviews.

“We’re incredibly pleased to receive these certifications from the

Dining Guide ■ PRICE RANGE: $, $$, $$$ ■ RESERVATIONS: Reservations accepted —————————————

DOWNTOWN

South end to 28th Street ■ CAPTAIN’S TABLE 15th Street and Baltimore Avenue, in The Courtyard by Marriott, Ocean City, 410-289-7192, captainstableoc.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar A local tradition for over 60 years featuring hand cut steaks, premium lobster and perfectly prepared regional seafood.

Breakfast: closed Monday through Wednesday; Thursday through Saturday, 7:30-11 a.m.; Sunday, 7:30 a.m. to noon. Open daily for Dinner: Sunday through Thursday, 4-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 4-10 p.m. Happy Hour, seven days a week, 4-6 p.m.

■ COINS PUB & RESTAURANT 28th Street Plaza and Coastal Highway, Ocean City 410-289-3100, www.coinspuboc.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar American style local restaurant serving seafood, steaks and chefs specials.

Check out the off season weekday specials. Early bird; daily, 2-5:30 p.m. Sunday’s early bird specials, all day and all night. Happy Hour; daily, 2-5:30 p.m. with food and drink specials. Closed Monday. Open Tuesday through Friday, 2 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday, 11:30 a.m. Dine-in, carry out. Ordering online www.coinspuboc.com.

■ CORAL REEF RESTAURANT & BAR 17th Street in the Holiday Inn & Suites, Ocean City 410-289-2612, coralreefrestaurant.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Enjoy traditional Eastern Shore cuisine and local favorites that are sure to please your entire party! Choose from a selection of house specialty entrees such as sharables, handhelds and seafood. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Featuring specialty rums. Open daily, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Happy Hour, every day, 3-6 p.m.

■ PAPI’S TACO JOINT 15th Street and Philadelphia Avenue, Ocean City 443-664-6811, Papistaco-

joint.com $$ | Kid’s menu | Full bar Authentic Mexican restaurant open 7 days a week. Weekdays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and weekends 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

With a family atmosphere you can enjoy building your own street tacos with a sheet table side with their home-made authentic salsa. Serving food such as little cravings, choice of salsas, salads, bowls, soups, main dishes and desserts. Also, brunch, gluten free and vegan menus. Happy Hour Monday through Friday, 3-5 p.m. with beer, wines, cocktails and specialty signature drinks. Dine in or order online for your carryout.

MIDTOWN 29th to 90th streets ■ 32 PALM 32nd Street in The Hilton, Ocean City 410-289-2525, 32palm.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Elevated cuisine, locally sourced ingredients and allocated spirits are prominently featured in our lounge and dining room. Open year-round for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Routinely updated menus with the highest quality local ingredients for fresh seafood any time of the year! Don’t miss out on Happy Hour, every day, 3-6 p.m.

■ LONGBOARD’S CAFÉ 6701 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, 443664-5693, longboardcafe.com $$-$$$ | Full bar Casual Dining … Refined. Open for lunch and dinner. A wide range of gourmet burgers, innovative tacos, salads and sandwiches to full dinner entrees featuring fresh local fish prepared in a variety of styles, beef, shellfish and pasta. All our sauces, salsas, dressings, etc. are meticulously house made.

We use fresh local sources wherever possible and premium ingredients such as our chuck, brisket and short rib custom blended burgers. Closed Tuesday.

Call for reservations.

■ MARLIN MOON RESTAURANT 3301 Atlantic Ave. in the Double Tree Hotel, Ocean City 410-289-1201, marlinmoonocmd.com $$ | Full bar

Joint Commission for our joint replacement program,” Mandy Bounds, the vice president of patient care services/chief nursing officer at Atlantic General Hospital, said in the release.

“The awards validate the exceptional care provided by the physicians, nurses, clinicians, and support staff in the care of joint patients in our surgical program. On top of that, the guidelines established by the Joint Commission standards will help us remain consistent in our efforts to become a high reliability organization and achieve excellence in quality, safety, and our patient experience.”

Ken Grubbs, the executive vice president of accreditation and certification operations and chief nursing

officer for the joint commission, also commented on the commendation in the release.

“Total Hip and Knee Replacement Certification and Total Shoulder Replacement Certification recognize healthcare organizations committed to striving for excellence and fostering continuous improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” Grubbs said. “We commend Atlantic General Hospital and its staff at the Joint Surgery Center for using The Joint Commission certification process to reduce variation in clinical processes and to strengthen its clinical program to drive safer, higher quality and more compassionate care for individuals served.”

Winner of the Maryland People's choice award, Marlin Moon continues to offer its famous, locally loved dishes and famous happy hour. Enjoy creatively crafted cocktails, fresh selections from the raw bar and luscious desserts.

Happy Hour, every day, 3-6 p.m., featuring drink specials. Breakfast, 7:3011:30 a.m.; Lite Fare, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Dinner, 4-10 p.m.; and Bar open noon to 11 p.m.

■ SEACRETS 49th Street, Ocean City 410-524-4900, www.seacrets.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Open Sunday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday through Saturday, 10 a.m. through midnight with island atmosphere. Jamaican jerk chicken, appetizers, sandwiches, paninis, pizza and fresh seafood.

a full bar menu. Open everyday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

■ OCEAN PINES YACHT CLUB 1 Mumford Landing Road, Ocean Pines 410-641-7222, www.OPYachtclub.com $$-$$$ | Full bar The Ocean Pines Yacht Club offers casual coastal cuisine for lunch and dinner in a beautiful bayfront setting. Fresh seafood, signature drinks, live music and more. Open Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. menu.

UPTOWN

91st to 146th streets ■ CAROUSEL OCEANFRONT HOTEL & CONDOS 118th Street, Ocean City 800-6410011, www.carouselhotel.com Enjoy one of the restaurants at the Carousel. Fine Ocean Front dining with a beautiful view. The Reef 118 is open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday through Sunday serving breakfast, lunch and dinner and 4-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday serving dinner. The Bamboo Lounge is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Sunday and 4-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

■ VISTA ROOFTOP RESTAURANT 13801 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, located on the 8th floor of the Fenwick Inn, 410-390-7905, vistarooftopoc.com $$-$$$ | Full bar Enjoy a wonderful dinner overlooking the ocean and the bay. Serving off season weekly specials. Steaks, seafood, burgers, soups, salads and lite fare. Monday through Friday, 3 p.m. to midnight. Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to midnight.

Happy Hour, 3-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday brunch, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Check out the website for a full menu.

OCEAN PINES ■ CLUBHOUSE BAR AND GRILLE 100 Clubhouse Drive, Ocean Pines 410641-7222, Oceanpinesgolf.org/dining $$ | Full bar Indoor and outdoor dining with sweeping views of the 18th green and pond, the Clubhouse Bar and Grille serves freshly prepared breakfast and lunch items with

oceancitytoday.com

WEST OCEAN CITY ■ CANTINA LOS AGAVES MEXICAN GRILL 12720 Ocean Gateway #7, West Ocean City 410-390-3914, cantinalosagaves.com $$ | Kid’s menu | Full bar Ocean City’s newest Mexican restaurant and bar. Offering delicious and generous portions of the tastiest traditional and not so traditional #MexicanEats you have ever tried. Open daily at 11 a.m. Serving food until 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Bar open til 11 p.m.

■ OC CHOPSTICKS Asian Bistr 12741 Ocean Gateway, Suite 890, West Ocean City (Outlets Ocean City) 410-801-1111, www.occhopsticks.com $$ | Beer | Premium Sake Authentic Chinese, Japanese and Thai food.

Dine-in and carry out. Lunch specials, dinner and lite fare. Sunday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m to 9:30 p.m. and Friday through Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

■ PIZZA TUGOS 9935 Stephen Decatur Hwy., West Ocean City 410-524-2922, pizzatugos.com $$ | Full bar | Celebrating 40 years in Ocean City. Offering pizza, wings, burgers, subs, salads, pasta and more! Open daily at 11 a.m. Serving food until 2 a.m.

■ SELLO’S ITALIAN OVEN & BAR 9802 Golf Course Road, 410-390-3543, sellosoc.com $$-$$$$ | Full bar Located in the heart of West Ocean City.

You may think you stepped off a city street and not just off the beach or boat. You will find a wide array of choices from a wood-fired oven individual pizza to our 8 oz. center-cut filet mignon. Join us at Sello’s, your new “happy place,” where “va tutto bene” … it’s all good … Open Sunday through Thursday, 5 p.m. until and Friday and Saturday 4 p.m. until.

JANUARY 12, 2024

Ocean City Today

PAGE 27

WPS hosts alumni at event to prep seniors for college Current students asked grads about app process, life after high school, more (Jan. 12, 2024) On Jan. 3, Worcester Preparatory School’s college counseling department, in partnership with the alumni association, held its annual college alumni luncheon and panel.

The event provided an opportunity for current seniors to ask recent WPS graduates about their experiences with the college application process, choosing the right school, and college life.

According to a news release, 18 recent alumni attended this year’s event, which included lunch, fellowship and an alumni panel discussion with current seniors.

The release said alumni expressed appreciation for how school officials prepared them for their college success; particularly in terms of time management, writing skills, and communication. They encouraged the seniors to take advantage of the opportunities that await them at college.

Alumni couldn’t reiterate enough the importance of making an in-

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OCEAN CITY TODAY

Worcester Prep alumni pose together for a photo at the school’s recent alumni luncheon and college fair.

formed and carefully researched decision when choosing a college. They also encouraged students to reach out to their networks of contacts and use the college counseling office at WPS to learn more about schools in consideration.

For those who will be heading off to college in the fall, they shared tips for acclimating to college life including making friends, connecting with professors and excelling in their studies.

PAGE 28

JANUARY 12, 2024

Ocean City Today

Calendar Submit calendar items to: editor@oceancitytoday.net.

Submission deadline is 5 p.m. Monday, the week of publication. Local submissions have priority. Area event listings are subject to space availability.

Fri., Jan. 12 MAYOR’S PRAYER BREAKFAST: DREAMS AND DETERMINATION - MLK WEEKEND DREAMFEST 2024

Roland E. Powell Convention Center, 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City. 8 a.m. Keynote speaker is Gregory D. Gadson. Also featuring the Morgan State University Choir. Tickets cost $50. https://www.etix.com

WHO’S BAD: THE ULTIMATE MICHAEL JACKSON EXPERIENCE - MLK WEEKEND DREAMFEST 2024

Roland E. Powell Convention Center, 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 7 p.m. A power packed tribute to Michael Jackson. Tickets cost $45 and $55. https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/6097173 3/whos-badthe-ultimate-michael-jackson-experience-ocean-city-oc-performing-arts-cente

BABY TIME

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 10:30 a.m.

Stories, rhymes and finger plays. For ages 0-2 years and their caregivers. 410641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

MAHJONG CLUB

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

HOMESCHOOL HANGOUT

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 11 a.m.

Join in for STEAM activities and socialize with other homeschool families. 410632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org

BOOK DISCUSSION: ‘LOVE IN DEFIANCE OF PAIN’ EDITED BY ALI KINSELLA, ET AL.

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 2 p.m.

Copies of the book are available at the Ocean Pines Library circulation desk.

410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

FRIDAY MATINEE

Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 301 Market St., 2 p.m. Celebrate Elvis Presley during his birthday week.

410-957-0878, www.worcesterlibrary.org

$14 for a one-crab cake sandwich platter, $24 for a two-crab cake sandwich platter and $10 for a crab cake sandwich. Platters include green beans, baked potato and Cole slaw. Bake sale too.

Sat., Jan. 13 7TH ANNUAL DELMARVA ART EXPO

Roland E. Powell Convention Center, 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Featuring great handcrafted artwork from regional artisans, all gathered in one location. This is Ocean City’s juried festival of all art types. Admission is $4 per day. www.delmarvaartexpo.com, 443-2352926

MARSHALL CHARLOFF & THE PURPLE XPERIENCE - MLK WEEKEND DREAMFEST 2024

ANNUAL USHER DAY

New Bethel United Methodist Church, 10203 Germantown Road, Berlin. 10:30 a.m. Guest Preacher: Rev. Eloise Henry Gordy, Choir and Congregation, Zoar United Methodist Church, Selbyville, Delaware 19944, Rev. Lucille Nichols, Host Pastor.

PAWS FOR READING

DREAMFEST EVENTS AT THE ART LEAGUE OF OCEAN CITY

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 11 a.m. Delmarva Birding talks about spotting our feathered friends during the cold season.

410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 301 Market St., 11 a.m. Join Piper, a Portuguese Water Dog, who would love to hear your stories. Read to Piper and make a craft. For ages 5 years and older. 410-957-0878, www.worcesterlibrary.org

DREAMFEST EVENTS AT THE ART LEAGUE OF OCEAN CITY

Art League of Ocean City, 502 94th St., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Celebration of MLK Weekend with events to inspire you.

Complimentary light food and drinks.

Free and open to the public. Schedule: https://artleagueofoceancity.org/events /category/event/list/, 410-524-9433

BULL & OYSTER ROAST

OCEAN PINES ANGLERS CLUB MEETING

FARMERS & ARTISANS MARKET

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 9:30 a.m.

Donna McElroy from the Ocean Pines Marine Activities Committee will speak about upcoming plans and projects.

Also, updates on fishing tournaments and charter fishing opportunities. All welcome.

VETERAN VOICES: AFRICAN AMERICAN MILITARY SERVICE

Germantown School Community Heritage Center, 10223 Trappe Road, Berlin, 10 a.m.-noon. Dr. Clara Small will discuss the African American military service and the local heroes who have served us all. Free event but registration is recommended: germantownschool@gmail.com, 410-641-0638.

CRAFTY SATURDAY: CELEBRATIONS AROUND THE WORLD

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10 a.m. How do our friends around the world celebrate the new year? Join in for a fun day of crafts. All ages welcome. 410-2084014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

BRUNCHY BOOK CLUB

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill

pop. Tickets cost $45 and $55. https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/8206861 7/take-6-ocean-city-oc-performing-artscenter

WINTER BIRDING 101

Roland E. Powell Convention Center, 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 7 p.m. A 5-piece Prince tribute band. Tickets cost $45 and $55. https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/855474 81/marshall-charloff-the-purple-xperience-ocean-city-oc-performing-artscenter

MARYLAND CRAB CAKE DINNER

Stevenson United Methodist Church, 123 N. Main St., Berlin, 4-6 p.m. Cost is

Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 11 a.m.

January’s theme is “Judge the Book by Its Cover.” Light refreshments and casual discussion. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org

American Legion Synepuxent Post 166, 2308 Philadelphia Ave., Ocean City, 3-6 p.m. Menu includes pit beef, pit ham, oysters, oyster stew, Cole slaw, potato salad, desserts, draft beer and soda. Cost is $55 each or Table of 8 for $400. Only 200 tickets available. 301-289-3166

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

Sun., Jan. 14 7TH ANNUAL DELMARVA ART EXPO

Roland E. Powell Convention Center, 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Featuring great handcrafted artwork from regional artisans, all gathered in one location. This is Ocean City’s juried festival of all art types. Admission is $4 per day. www.delmarvaartexpo.com, 443-2352926

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES MEETING

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

TAKE 6 - MLK WEEKEND DREAMFEST 2024

Roland E. Powell Convention Center, 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 7 p.m. This award winning a cappella group performs gospel, jazz, R&B and

Art League of Ocean City, 502 94th St., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Celebration of MLK Weekend with events to inspire you.

Complimentary light food and drinks.

Free and open to the public. Schedule: https://artleagueofoceancity.org/events /category/event/list/. 410-524-9433

Mon., Jan. 15 DEMOCRATIC WOMEN’S CLUB OF WORCESTER COUNTY GENERAL MEETING Ocean Pines Community Center, 235 Ocean Parkway, 10 a.m. Social time at 9:30 a.m., meeting and speaker at 10 a.m. Laura Wilson-Gentry will address “Political Polls: What We Need to Know.” www.dwcmd.org

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

Atlantic General Hospital, Conference Room 1, 9733 Healthway Drive, Berlin, 5-6:30 p.m. Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a weekly support and educational group promoting weight loss and living a healthy lifestyle. Rose Campion, 410641-0157

DELMARVA WOMEN’S A CAPELLA CHORUS Mondays - Ocean Pines Community Center, 239 Ocean Parkway, 6:00-8:00 p.m. All ladies who love to sing invited.

Mary, 410-629-9383 or Carol, 302-2427062.

OVEREATER’S ANONYMOUS

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

Tues., Jan. 16 GENEALOGY WORKSHOP

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

BLOCK PARTY

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 11 a.m.

Babies, toddlers and preschoolers play with blocks and other toys while social-

JANUARY 12, 2024

PAGE 29

Ocean City Today

CALENDAR izing with other families. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org

STORY TIME: ‘BEARS’

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 10:30 a.m.5:30 p.m. Stories, songs and finger plays. For ages 2-5 years. 410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

STORY TIME: SNOW

Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 301 Market St., 10:30 a.m.

Songs, rhymes and stories. For ages 2-5 years. 410-957-0878, www.worcesterlibrary.org

STORY TIME: ‘LIONS’

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 10:30 a.m.

Stories, songs and finger plays. For ages 2-5 years. 410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

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

TAKE OFF POUNDS SENSIBLY

Tuesdays - Worcester County Health Department, 9730 Healthway Drive, Berlin, 3:30-4:30 p.m. TOPS is a weekly support and education group promoting weight loss and a healthy lifestyle. 410289-4725

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Do you love to knit or crochet?

Bring whatever project you happen to be working on. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

GREAT BOOKS DISCUSSION

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 2:30 p.m.

The group will focus on “Anthropology and the Abnormal” by Ruth Benedict.

410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

ASSATEAGUE COASTAL TRUST SIP & SCIENCE SERIES

Taphouse W. Bar and Grille, 12513 Ocean Gateway, Ocean City, 5:30-7:30 p.m. This interactive workshop is designed to educate participants about the importance of composting. Cost is $15.

Prizes and raffles. Register: http://tinyurl.com/3hmcrt5d.

SONG CELEBRATION

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 6 p.m. Bring a song to share with other players and writers in a welcoming and encouraging space. Originals encouraged. Listeners welcome. Hosted by Mike Campbell.

410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

‘SHARED VISIONS’ READING

Art League of Ocean City, 502 94th St., 6-8 p.m. Meet the artists and writers of this year’s “Shared Visions” collaboration. Hear readings of the poetry and prose that inspired the artwork on display. Free event. artleagueofoceancity.org, 410-524-9433

BEACH HEROES-OC

Tuesdays - Volunteer beach clean-up group meets from 9-10 a.m., year-round.

Trash bags, grippers and gloves provided. Check the Facebook page “Beach Heroes-OC” for weekly meeting locations. All are welcome.

ZUMBA TONING TUESDAYS

SHOULD I KEEP THE BOOKS I FOUND IN MOM’S ATTIC?

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 2 p.m. Jim Meckley will discuss book collecting and resources and share general knowledge about those books in mom’s attic or grandpa’s woodshed. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

STROKE SUPPORT GROUP ARGENTINE TANGO PRACTICE

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

Atlantic General Neurology, 314 Franklin Ave., Berlin, 3-4 p.m. For stroke survivors, family and friends.

410-641-4765, bglime@atlanticgeneral.org

TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE

Wed., Jan. 17 BARIATRIC SUPPORT GROUP

OC KNITTING GROUP

required: 410-641-0650.

Held the third and fourth Wednesday of each month. For surgical patients. Atlantic General Bariatric Center, 410-6419568.

Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 301 Market St., 4 p.m. Real news headlines and details contain two details the are true and one if false. Can you deduce which is false? Present two truths and a lie about yourself. For ages 8 years and older. 410-957-0878

TIDES & VINE TRIVIA NIGHT EASTERN SHORE SEWISTS

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 10 a.m. Promoting the needle arts through sewing education, activities and textile crafts.

For artisans of all skill levels. 410-6410650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

BACKGAMMON CLUB

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

Drop in for a game of strategy that dates back 5,000 years to Mesopotamia and Persia. All skill levels welcome. 410208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

SENSORY STAY AND PLAY

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Learn through exploration, curiosity and creativity during the sensory stay and play. Squish, build, splash, shake and scoop through several stations. For ages 2-5 years. 410-524-1818

Tides & Vine, 106 W. Green St., Snow Hill, 6 p.m. Test your knowledge as a team or on your own for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate.

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

Join in for story time all about what keeps us warm during the winter. For ages 2-5 years. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

MOBILE MENTOR

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 2 p.m. Oneon-one assistance for those who want to make the most of their tablet or mobile device. 410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

THE JOY OF OWNING A SMALL BUSINESS IN RETIREMENT

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 2 p.m. Mike Healy, owner and Tour Director of Celtic RnR Tours, will present how to start your own travel business in retirement.

410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

ZUMBA

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 4:30-5:30 p.m. Join licensed, certified Zumba instructor Joyce Landsman for an hour of movement. These classes uplift and improve mood. Registration required: 410641-0650. www.worcesterlibrary.org

KIWANIS CLUB MEETING

Wednesdays - Ocean Pines Community Center, Assateague Room, 239 Ocean Parkway, 8 a.m. Doors open at 7:30 a.m.

Third Wednesday meetings are offsite and will be updated monthly on the website and Facebook. Guests are welcome. www.kiwanisofopoc.org

ZUMBA WEDNESDAYS

Wednesdays - Ocean City 50plus Center, 104 41st St., 10 a.m. Dance background not required. zumbajoyceoc@gmail.com

Thurs., Jan. 18

BEACH SINGLE 55 PLUS MEET AND GREET

Thursdays - Harpoon Hanna’s, 39064 Harpoon Road, Fenwick Island, DE, 4-6 p.m. 302-436-9577, BeachSingles.org.

ONGOING EVENTS TEEN STEAM STATION

Berlin Library, 13 Harrison Avenue, during January. Drop in to create jewelry using binary code, construct a flying glider, design your own city out of recycled material and much more. Challenges will change each week. For ages 11 years and older. 410-641-0650

JOE GATTO’S NIGHT OF COMEDY

Snow Hill 50plus Center, 4767 Snow Hill Road, 11 a.m. All supplies provided, however you can bring in your own photo copies of pictures or magazines.

Images just need to be less than 2 inches. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org

Ocean City Performing Arts Center Roland E. Powell Convention Center, 4001 Coastal Highway, p.m. Joe Gatto, comedian, actor and producer, is best known for “Impractical Jokers.” Tickets https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/30609 874/joe-gattos-night-of-comedyocean-city-oc-performing-arts-center.

BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP

CPAP MASK FITTING

TAPE TRANSFERS

STORY TIME: WINTER CLOTHES

TINY ART CONTEST (BLUE THEME)

Through January and held at all Worcester County library branches. Pick up a Take & Make Kit from Jan. 2-13. Submit your creation by Jan. 16 for judging. The first place winner from each branch will win an art kit. For ages 6-12 years and 1218 years.

Crossword answers from page 22 John H. “Jack” Burbage, Jr. Regional Cancer Care Center, 9707 Healthway Drive, Berlin, 1-2 p.m. For survivors and current patients battling breast cancer.

Women Supporting Women, 410-5487880

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

WHAT’S IT WORTH?

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 2-4 p.m. Mike Ivankovich will introduce you, via Zoom, to “What Determines Value” and reveal what your antiques, collectibles and treasurers are worth today. Registration

STORY TIME ‘EARLY ONE MORNING’

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 10:30 a.m. Stories, songs and rhymes. For ages 2-5 years. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org

30

Ocean City Today

January 12, 2024 Call 410-723-6397

by Monday 5 p.m.

Classifieds appear in Ocean City Today & Bayside Gazette each week and online at oceancitytoday.com & baysideoc.com

MARKETPLACE HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

RENTALS

ROOMMATES

DONATIONS

ESTATE SALE

Year Round, Full Time RENTAL AGENT position with local, established company. Experience a plus but not necessary.

Must work weekends and have transportation.

Resort Rentals 410-524-0295

AUTOMOTIVE GREAT OPPORTUNITIES Large Automotive Center with Tire and Service center plus Auto/Marine Parts & Retail, is now hiring for: - Service & Parts Associates (will train) - Technicians Locations in Ocean Pines, Clarksville & Long Neck Great Pay & Benefits Call: 302-344-9846

Looking To Rent long term, year round unfurnished 2BR/ 2BA condo or apartment, ground floor. OP, Ocean City area great. 410-726-0169

Seeking Roommate to share home Bayview Estates, Selbyville, De. 5.7 miles to beach. $850/month, all inclusive.

Private bedroom, shared bath, kitchen, living areas, outdoor space, W/D, with community pool.

302-386-7818

Do you have an old bicycle not being used? It could mean a world of difference to a hard-working international student. We are looking to get as many bikes as possible. Your donation will be taxdeductible. Contact Gary at 443-975-3065.

Estate Sale in Willards, 35389 Rayne Road, Sat. and Sun., Jan. 13-14, 8am to 2pm. Furniture, kitchenware, tools, décor, bikes and electronics.

Cash & Carry.

MISCELLANEOUS MISCELLANEOUS

Pool General Maintenance.

Outdoor work, lifting heavy objects. Mechanical, basic pool pump & motors, CPO a plus / not required.

Able to pass CPO test.

Summer includes weekends & long hours; working alone or with others 410-289-4902 ask for Suzanne.

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

Year-Round Room For Rent Ocean Pines $800/month and $200 security. Fully furnished.

All utilities included. 443880-2317

Smal Engine Mechanic Year-round.

Competitive Wages.

443-754-1047

RENTALS RENTALS NOW HIRING!!

Production Crew for our WOC kitchen facility Up to $20/hr.

Apply online at: www.delmarvadd.com

Hiring Cooks, Audio/Video Techs, Maintenance Staff, Painters, Carpenter, Plumber, Housekeeper, Liquor Store Attendant, Boat Mates, Receivers, Event Space Housekeeper Apply in person or online at seacrets.com

OFF SEASON RENTALS Utililites Included CONTACT US AT burgundyinn@gmail.com 410-289-8581

Yearly & Seasonal Rentals We Welcome Pets 7700 Coastal Hwy 410-524-7700 www.holidayoc.com

HERKER PROPERTY MAINTENANCE An Innovative Approach to Property Maintenance

WE OFFER: Full-Time, Monday - Friday, competitive pay, great benefits, paid holidays and vacation.

- SENIOR OPERATIONS MANAGER -

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Customer Service, MS Word, Excel, & Outlook, and marketing skills. Bi-lingual & strong math skills are a plus.

- EXPERIENCED MECHANIC -

to repair to maintain gas & diesel trucks and landscaping equipment.

call 610-459-5857 or email resume to Gherker@comcast.net & Gherker@herkerinc.com

Certified Marine Technician Ocean City, MD Duties Inc.: diag./repair boat, motor, trailer, use diag. software to det. repairs, diag. elec., plumb., fuel sys. repairs, install new OB motor w/new rig. parts, supervise techs.

Req.: min. BA mech. eng., min. 4 yrs. mar. tech exp. diag. tools (Evinrude Diag. Ver. 6, Yam Diag.) Evinrude E-Tec OB Cert., YAM OB Cert., YAM Helmmaster Cert.

Send resume to harbormarineoc.com

1BR/1BA Condo - Off 28th St., yr. round, furnished.

No pets or smoking. $1350 per month.

Available immediately.

Resort Rentals, 410-524-0295.

Fully Furnished Townhouse, 4BR, 2BA, Living Room, Dining Room.

Water, Electric and Cable not included. $2100/month.

Yearly lease. One month security deposit and one month rent upfront. Located at 438 Ocean Parkway, Ocean Pines, MD 21011.

410-456-0272 WOC - YR Rental - 5BR, 3.5BA, 3600 sq.ft. on pond. $2950/month and one months security plus utilities. Contact Lou, 410-713-0065.

GET IT RENTED HERE! It’s not too late to advertise your winter rentals.

410-723-6397 www. oceancitytoday. com www. baysideoc. com

COMMERCIAL COMMERCIAL Industrial Warehouse.

Space: 1500 sq. ft.

Masonry construction, 18’ high ceiling, large garage door, bathroom.

Route 90/Bishopville.

Call 443-497-4200.

1 Office/Retail Space available in West Ocean City. Approximately 1656 sq. ft.

Call 443-497-4200

Bus Trip to Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival 3/2/2024. $100 includes transportation, entrance fee, water, snacks and bus games.

Pick up MD, VA, DE. Call Denise Becker at 410-688-4514 or Debbie Bowman at 410-208-0644.

Payment due by 2/14/2024.

VEHICLES VEHICLES WE BUY CARS. Running or not.

302-732-3529

Classifieds 410-723-6397

By Monday, 5 p.m.

SERVICES

BUDGET MOVERS 443-664-5797

Commercial Warehouses 600 and 800 sq. ft. spaces West Ocean City and Bishopville, MD Yearly Leases Only

Call 646-812-1212

LOCAL & EAST COAST MOVING Full Packing Service Piano Movers - Full Service www.facebook.com/OCBudgetMovers

CLASSIFIED AD NETWORK Serving the Newspapers of Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia since 1908.

MARYLAND STATEWIDE CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING NETWORK FOR SALE Prepare for power outages today with a GENERAC home standby generator. $0 Money Down + Low Monthly Payment Options. Request a FREE Quote. Call now before the next power outage: 1-855993-0969 HOME IMPROVEMENT SERVICES BEAUTIFUL BATH UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Superior quality bath and shower systems at AFFORDABLE PRICES! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Call Now! 877-738-0991.

MISC. SERVICES FREE high speed internet for those that qualify. Government program for recipients of select programs incl. Medicaid, SNAP, Housing Assistance, WIC, Veterans Pension, Survivor Benefits, Lifeline, Tribal. 15 GB internet service. Bonus offer: Android tablet FREE with one-time $20 copay. Free shipping & handling. Call Maxsip Telecom today! 1-888-592-5957

MISC. FOR SALE Switch to DISH and get up to a $300 gift card! Plus get the Multisport pack included for a limited time! Hurry, call for details: 1-855-407-6870

SERVICES DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 350 plus procedures. Real dental insurance - NOT just a discount plan. Do not wait! Call now! Get your FREE Dental Information Kit with all the dePETS/PET SUPPLIES tails! 1-855-337-5228 Are you a pet owner? Do you www.dental50plus.com/ want to get up to 100% back MDDC#6258 on Vet Bills? Physicians MuWANTED VEHICLES tual Insurance Company has pet coverage that can help! DONATE YOUR CAR/TRUCK/ Call 1-888-928-1656 to get a RV - Lutheran Mission Society of MD Compassion Place free quote or visit insurebarkmeow.com/mddc ministries help local families with food, clothing, counseling. Tax deductible. MVA licensed #W1044.

410-228-8437 www.CompassionPlace.org

Advertise in MDDC 410-723-6397

Advertise in MDDC Maryland, Delaware and D.C.: 106 papers with a circulation of 2.3 million and readership of 4.9 million! For only $495. Deadline is Wednesday of the week prior to publication. Call 410-723-6397 for more information.

www.oceancitytoday.com Order YOur Classifieds Online!

• Convenient • Quick • No Waiting, No Calls • Days, Nights & Weekends

JANUARY 12, 2024

PAGE 31

Ocean City Today

DIRECTORY BLINDS & SHADES

CONSTRUCTION

ELECTRICIAN

Raym Raymond mond O’Brocki O O’B Jr. M Master Electrician

443 691 0544 0 Call or Text Electric Veh hicle Chargers

35 Years Exp perience No Job Too Small! Frree Estimates!

Residential/Commercia al/Emergencies!

MD Lic #2268 Worcestter Co Lic #M1337 HANDYMAN

PA R R I S H THE

HANDY BEACHMAN Exterior Home Repairs “WE DO IT ALL”

• Roofing Repairs • Rain Gutters • Roof Cleaning • Gutter Guards

• Screening • Painting

HOME IMPROVEMENT

PipeLine

Contracting, LLC

Home Improvement Services Company

“One stop shop for Home Improvement”

Home Improvement Design & Bertch Cabinet Retail

• Staining • Caulking

• Gutter Cleaning & Powerwashing •

• Cabinets & Countertop • Kitchen & Bath Remodeling • General Carpentry & Painting

• Flooring & Tile • Residential & Commercial • Servicing Maryland & Delaware Beaches

US Veterans Administration Approved Contractor

• Deck Repairs •

11312 Manklin Creek, Rd., Ocean Pines, MD ~ Call or Stop in Today!

Licensed • Bonded • Insured • MHIC 17433

(410) 208-1518 • (410) 982-8368 pipelinecontracting.net • info@pipelinecontracting.net

“A Family Tradition Since 1935”

410-893-9707

MDHIC # 107489 • DE # 2014100304 • Insured & Licensed

HOME IMPROVEMENT

BAYSIDE BUILDERS

COMPLETE HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTOR LICENSED AND FULLY INSURED • FREE ESTIMATES ALL WORK DONE BY OWNER

• Flat Roof Specialist • • Roofing • Siding • Windows • Doors • Custom Homes • Additions • Repairs • Kitchens • Baths • Tile Work • Decks • Custom Inside Trim Work • Hardwood Floors

Specializing in Bathroom Remodels Tub to Shower Conversions Custom Tile Work Contact Garth for FREE Estimate! atminc4u@aol.com 410-641-8439

BUDGET MOVERS

NEW TITLE AND TAGS AND MORE www.westoceancitytagandtitle.com

The Area’s #1 Moving Company

LOCAL • ENTIRE EAST COAST Residential or Office or Commercial Packing or Loading or Unloading or Complete Move Single Item or Certain Items or Full Home

Call Maria: 443-664-5797

WEST OCEAN CITY

VEHICLE TAG & TITLE TRADER LEE’S VILLAGE 9935 STEPHEN DECATUR HIGHWAY #15 Open Mon., Fri., 9-2 & Wed. 9-5

Female Owned & Operated

JODY PALMISANO 410-629-5600

Licensed & Insured

PAINTING

POWERWASHING / SOFT WASH

POWERWASHING Atlantic Coast Powerwashing Services Commercial & Residential • Complete Exterior Cleaning Hot Water, Powerwashing & Soft Wash Systems Year round ser vices & • Deck Staining w/yearly seasonal • Decks • Docks rates • Houses • Restaurants • Shopping Centers ices is ad!

• Roofs • & More all ser v h t / w

Free Estimates

NOW ACCEPTING CREDIT CARDS!

410-603-3400

Joe Beran/Owner Operator acms1st@gmail.com

Bill Zimmerman cell 443-373-4539

REAL ESTATE

Kim Dixson REDFIN AGENT

Sell for more, pay a 1% listing fee when you buy and sell with Redfin Agents.*

MHIC #94614 Licensed Insured

MVA LICENSED

Zimmerman & Son LLC

10% Discount with this ad.

Making Your Dream Bath Come True For 20 Years!

MOVING SERVICES

40+ Years in Business

PAINTING • CUSTOM PAINTING • DRYWALL REPAIRS • WALLPAPER REMOVED • DECK & HOUSE STAINING Painting & Powerwashing • ALWAYS PROMPT SERVICE Interior & Exterior Licensed & Insured

AN AFFORDABLE NEW BATH STARTS HERE!

www.Facebook.com/ocbudgetmovers

Cell: 410-713-8599

Serving Delmarva for Over 35 Years

HOME IMPROVEMENT

ROOFING

MHIC 97081 Ocean City 34629 • Delaware 2004 222 381 Licensed & Insured

ROOFING

REDFIN 190 W. Ostend St., #200 Baltimore, MD 21230 Redfin - Direct 410-868-5666 redfin.com

443-373-1328 kim.dixson@ redfin.com License #650977

Contact Kim for a no-obligation home-value consultation. *Sell for more based on difference between the sale and list prices of Redfin listings versus those of comparable listings by other brokerages, per a 2019 study. Sell for a 1% listing fee only if you also buy with Redfin within 365 days of closing on your Redfin listing. If you sell first we will initially charge a 1.5% listing fee and then send you a check for the .5% difference after you buy your next home with Redfin. Subject to $3,750 minimum Redfin commission.

Listing commission subject to change. Buyer’s agent commission not included. More info at redfin.com/disclaimer.

Information provided is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. If you are currently working with an agent, this is not a solicitation of your business.

Your Roofing, Siding & Home Improvement Specialist Since 1989 ROOFING • SIDING • DURADEK • WINDOWS • GUTTERS

Mike Moesle 410-629-1573, Fax: 410-629-1946 mmoesle@shoresidingmd.com www.shoresidingmd.com

*Licensed in MD, DE &VA

PAGE 32

JANUARY 12, 2024

Ocean City Today / Public Notices

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS To all persons interested in the estate of PATRICIA ANNE CARTER Estate No. 20016 Notice is given that DEBRA LEOFFLER whose address is 712 OCEAN PARKWAY, BERLIN, MD 21811 was on DECEMBER 20, 2023 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of PATRICIA ANNE CARTER who died on DECEMBER 1, 2023 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 20th day of JUNE, 2024.

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

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-12/28/3t _________________________________

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS To all persons interested in the estate of CATHLEEN JEANNE WIST Estate No. 20015 Notice is given that RONALD MARC WIST whose address is 10 WESTMINSTER DR, BERLIN, MD 21811 was on DECEMBER 19, 2023 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of CATHLEEN JEANNE WIST who died on OCTOBER 14, 2023 with a will.

Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in

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

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

These three weeks of notification begins on DATE: 01/12/2024.

Line No 855-23 947-23 963-23 964-23 967-23 990-23 993-23 995-23 996-23 1000-23 1001-23 1002-23

Year 1974 2007 2007 1996 2008 2006 2007 1996 2005 1999 2015 2000

Make BMW VOLVO TOYOTA LEXUS YAMAHA CHRYSLER TOYOTA JEEP VOLVO LINCOLIN KIA NISSAN

Model 2S S60 SCION TC ES300 XV1700 TOWN & COUNTRY CAMRY GRAN CHEROKEE XC70 CONTINENTAL SOUL TERRA

Color GRN WHITE WHI SILVER RED TAN WHI GRN SIL GRY SILV BLU

Style 2S 4D 2D 4D MC VAN 4D 4D 4D 4D 4D SUV

VIN Mileage 4228577 N/A YV1RS592072615305 N/A JTKDE167870204495 N/A JT8BF12G0T0179831 N/A JYAVP19E28A005028 N/A 1A4GP45R96B577884 N/A 4T1BK46K57U536993 N/A 1J4GZ58S8TC300289 N/A YV1SZ592X51174010 N/A 1LNHM97V9XY646349 N/A KNDJN2A28F7808632 N/A 5N1ED28Y7YC524669 N/A

All vehicles will be sold at auction on-line at www.govdeals.com. For details call 410-723-6643.

AUTH: Ross Buzzuro Chief of Police OCD-1/11/3t ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 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 19th day of JUNE, 2024.

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

forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-12/28/3t _________________________________ JAMES E. CLUBB JR, ESQ 108 N 8TH ST. OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE

TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES ESTATE NO. 20023 NOTICE IS GIVEN that the REGISTER OF WILLS court of LUZERNE COUNTY, PA appointed ALBERT KOMOREK whose address is 215 EAST MAIN STREET WILKES BARRE, PA 18705 MICHAEL KOMOREK whose address is 227 ACADEMY STREET WILKES BARRE, PA 18702 as the PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES of the Estate of KAREN KOMOREK AKA: who died on JULY 13, 2022

domiciled in PENNSYLVANIA, USA. The Maryland resident agent for service of process is JAMES E CLUBB JR whose address is 108 8TH STREET 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 delivery of the notice. Claims filed after that date or after a date extended by law will be barred.

OCEAN CITY TODAY Legal Advertising Call Taylor Sloan, 410-723-6397, Fax: 410-723-6511 or E-mail: legals@oceancitytoday.net

JANUARY 12, 2024

PAGE 33

Ocean City Today

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-1/4/3t _________________________________

NOTICE

TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ESTATE NO. 20021 NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Circuit court of Fairfax County, VA appointed Mark J. Madigan, 11917 Oakwood Drive, Woodbridge, VA 22192 as the Executor of the Estate of Robert Joseph Madigan who died on November 08, 2022 domiciled in Virginia, USA. The Maryland resident agent for service of process is Ashley Brunning Furbay whose address is 10035 Bonita Drive, Ocean City, Md. 21842.

At the time of death, the decedent owned real or leasehold property in the following Maryland counties: Worcester County.

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

Mark J. Madigan Foreign Personal Representative Terri Westcott Register of Wills One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 Name of Newspaper: Ocean City Digest Date of first publication: January 04, 2024 OCD-1/4/3t _________________________________

ABANDONED VESSEL

Notice is hereby given that the following vessel has been abandoned for more than 180 days.

The vessel is described as: MD 1752 AZ 1990 28' GRADY WHITE, white ID NO. NTLEA138J990 Located at: The property of Dennis and Monica Shoemaker, 12717 Sunset Avenue, Ocean City, MD 21842, 410-213-2296.

Application for Title will be made in accordance with Section 8-722 of the Annotated Code of Maryland, Nature Resources Article, if this vessel is not claimed and removed from the above property within 30 days of this notice.

Name of Newspaper OC Digest/OC Today Date of Publication January 11, 2024 OCD-1/11/1t _________________________________

PHOTO COURTESY HARRISON GROUP HOTELS

An aerial view of the pool at the Holiday Inn on 66th Street shows proximity to the dunes and beach. The hotel is one of three that the Harrison Group owns and operates in Ocean City that was recently presented a Readers Choice Award by ConventionSouth magazine.

Harrison Group hotels recognized (Jan. 12, 2024) Three Ocean City Harrison Group hotels were recently recognized as three of the best meeting sites in the south by a national publication.

According to a news release, ConventionSouth recognized DoubleTree

by Hilton Ocean City Oceanfront, Hilton Oceanfront Suites, and Holiday Inn Ocean City in the publication’s 2023 Reader’s Choice Awards.

“This prestigious recognition comes from the United States’ top meeting professionals who hold events in the

South,” ConventionSouth Associate Publisher Tiffany Burtnett said in the release. “These planners demand the highest level of customer service and quality facilities, and they have determined that these Harrison Group HoSee HOTELS Page 34

HOFFY HOFFMAN 410-320-0430 Email: ochoffy@gmail.com Direct:

REALTOR®

410-208-3500 • 11001 Manklin Meadows Lane • Ocean Pines, MD 21811

AMAZING OPPORTUNITY COMING SOON NORTH OC 3 BR 2.5 BA CONDO

BEACH CONDO with OCEAN & DUNE VIEW

GREAT OPPORTUNITY 3 BR HOME with LOTS OF IMPROVEMENTS!

103 125TH STREET • THE LORELEI #20600 OCEAN CITY

8 77TH STREET JAMAICA SUN #104 OCEAN CITY

1320 OCEAN PARKWAY OCEAN PINES

Large 1,563 SF North OC Condo, Bayside Block, diagonal to Northside Park, 2 blocks to beach with front door glimpse of Ocean! Open Floor plan: Large kitchen, Breakfast bar, Dining Area & Living Room with Gas Fireplace. Covered Balcony off Living room with views of Northside Park’s July 4th Fireworks & Winter Fest of Lights shows. Owner’s suite has balcony access, walk-in closet, full BA with dual vanity, Jetted Tub & Separate Shower. Well-Maintained condo just painted. Full-size washer & dryer. Water heater new in 2019. Professionally managed building: Outdoor Pool, Elevator, Ground Level Storage, On-site Parking. Gas included in Condo fee. Close to restaurants, shopping, grocery stores, mini golf, movie theater & more! Property could be income-producing rental!

Don’t miss out on this Ocean $5 74,900 City GEM!

A little slice of heaven on the Beach at 77th

Perfect for 1st time Home Buyer, Investor, or 2nd Home near the Beach!!! This is a BRAND-NEW Home at a used home price!!

BRAND-NEW: HVAC System & Ducts, Hot Water Heater, Stainless Steel Appliances, Kitchen Cabinets, Counter Tops, Tile Backsplash, Lighting/Fans, Floors, Carpet, CPVC Plumbing, Paint throughout house, By-Pass Doors, Planks on the Rear Deck, Front Deck, Gravel Driveway & Landscaping... YES...all Brand New!! Roof done in late 2021 with gutter guards/covers. Existing Anderson windows. Attic Storage. Quiet section of South Ocean Pines. Steps from Nature Trail & walking distance to Robin Hood Trail Park.

street. Small well-maintained building. Lovely Deck & Community Garden Area, Picnic Table & Grills. 2 BR, 2 BA Condo with southern exposure. Sold as-is. Turnkey fully furnished.

New HVAC and bathrooms in 2021. Newer appliances. Sliding Shades completely cover Sliding Doors to balcony for extra privacy.

Great midtown location. Within walking distance of restaurants & shops.

Call today for a personal showing.

Start living your dream at the beach! $

449,900

This won’t last long... Call me now for a personal showing!!

$

315,000

©2024 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire HomesServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. Equal Housing Opportunity.

PAGE 34

JANUARY 12, 2024

Ocean City Today

REAL ESTATE REPORT

Home prices expected to drop slightly in ‘24 Realtor.com releases report on predictions in the real estate market this year

By Lauren Bunting Contributing Writer (Jan. 12, 2024) As was featured in an article last month, Realtor.com released its 2024 Housing Market Forecast and Predictions report recently with a headline of: “Housing Affordability Finally Begins to Turnaround.”

The synopsis of the data as it relates to that headline is contained below: Home prices grew at a doubledigit annual clip for the better part of two years spanning the second half of 2020 through 2022, a notable burst following a growing streak that spanned back to 2012.

As mortgage rates climbed, home price growth flatlined, actually declining on an annual basis in early 2023 before an early-year dip in mortgage rates spurred enough buyer demand to reignite competition for still-limited inventory. Home prices began to climb again, and while they did not reach a new monthly peak, on average for the year we expect that the 2023 median home price will slightly exceed the 2022 annual median.

Nevertheless, even during the brief period when prices eased, using a mortgage to buy a home remained expensive.

Since May 2022, purchasing the typical for-sale home listing at the prevailing rate for a 30-year fixedrate mortgage with a 20 percent down payment meant forking over a quarter or more of the typical household paycheck. In fact, in October

2023, it required 39 percent of the typical household income and the share is expected to average 36.7 percent for the full calendar year in 2023. The figure has typically ranged around 21 percent, so it is well above historical average.

We expect that the return to pricing in line with financing costs will

begin this year, and home prices, mortgage rates, and income growth will each contribute to the improvement.

Home prices are expected to ease slightly, dropping less than 2 percent for the year on average. Combined with lower mortgage rates and income growth this will improve the

home purchase mortgage payment share relative to median income to an average 34.9 percent in 2024, with the share slipping under 30 percent by the end of the year.

To read more of Realtor.com’s report, visit realtor.com/research/2024-nationalhousing-forecast/.

Ocean Downs revenue down in Dec. (Jan. 12, 2024) While overall revenues from Maryland’s six casinos went up slightly in December compared to totals from a year ago, Ocean Downs saw its first decrease in months.

According to figures from Maryland Lottery and Gaming, the local casino reported revenues of a little more than $7 million last month, which was $195,623, or 2.7 percent, less than December 2022.

Statewide, more than $165.6 million in revenues from slot machines and table games was reported this December, an increase of nearly $455,000, or 0.3 percent from 2022.

Casino gaming contributions totaled nearly $70.2 million, an increase of more than $500,000, or 0.7 percent.

Contributions to the Education Trust Fund, which by statute receives

money from state gambling revenues, totaled over $50.6 million, up $2,141 from 2022.

Ocean Downs joined two other casinos, Horseshoe in Baltimore and Rocky Gap in Allegany County, that reported losses for the month. Maryland’s three other casinos — MGM National Harbor, Maryland Live! In Arundel Mills and Hollywood in Perryville — generated more money this December than last.

Hotels stood out for meeting spots Continued from Page 33 tels indeed display the commitment to professionalism, creativity, and service that they require.”

The three hotels, run by the local Harrison Group, are among 446 convention and visitor bureaus, meeting facilities, hotels and other venues located across the south to receive readers’ choice awards this year.

Throughout the year, the release said meeting professionals nominated the sites they believe provide exemplary service for group events. The nominated sites are then compiled onto an online ballot where meeting professionals and fans are asked to

vote for the best of the best. With over 8,000 voters participating in the selection process and the highest social media interaction to date, the release said this year has been the most successful and engaging to date.

Since creation in 2001, this is the fourth time that the Hilton Oceanfront Suites and the Holiday Inn Ocean City received the award, and the second time the DoubleTree by Hilton Ocean City Oceanfront received the honor.

The hotels will be featured as award recipients in the December 2023 Awards Issue of ConventionSouth magazine.

This issue will also showcase some

of the most talented meeting professionals in the nation as ConventionSouth also presents planners with its annual “Meeting Professionals To Watch” designation.

The Harrison Group is a third generation family business that has been owned and operated in Ocean City since 1951. The company has grown into a premier hospitality company that owns and operates a portfolio of oceanfront destination hotels and restaurants in Ocean City, Virginia Beach, Corolla, North Carolina, and Jacksonville, Florida.

More information can be found at HarrisonGroupHotels.com.

January 11 - 18 DA AY/TIME

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Presented free as a courtesy to Licensed REALTORS® who are regularr Ocean City Today & Bayside Gazette Advertisers. For all other REALTORS®, there is a weekly charge of $10 per listing.

Your Online Community: www.oceancitytoday.com

JANUARY 12, 2024

PAGE 35

Ocean City Today

OC museum renovations underway (Jan. 12, 2024) Renovations are fully underway at the downtown historic Bank of Ocean City building, which members of the Ocean City Museum Society plan to turn into an extension of the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum.

Known as the Museum of Ocean City, a news release said the space on the corner of the intersection of South Baltimore Avenue and Dorchester Street will feature new exhibits, programs and events, with the renovations set for completion this summer.

Built in 1910, the bank building is a historic staple downtown. The release said museum society members have advised contractors with Oak Contracting LLC, who are handling the interior and exterior restoration of the building, to stay true to the early 20th Century architectural aesthetics. Specifically, they are working to keep the hardwood floors, crown molding and two safes installed in 1916 and 1947 in tact.

Ocean City Council members and other local officials have supported the project from the beginning, along with members of the museum society.

Private and state grants from the Department of Housing and Community Development, the Ocean City

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OCEAN CITY TODAY

Restoration work is highly visible at the former Bank of Ocean City building at the corner of the intersection of Dorchester Street and Baltimore Avenue.

Development Corporation, and the Maryland Heritage Areas Program are paying for the work.

The release said the ultimate goal of the Museum of Ocean City is to preserve the building’s historical identity while furthering the Ocean City Museum Society’s mission of

inspiring and supporting the interpretation and appreciation of Worcester County cultural and natural history.

For more information on the building’s history and project progress, visit ocmuseum.org/bankof-ocean-city.

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OCEAN CITY WATERFRONT This custom-built 3BR/2BA home is located in the Montego Bay community in North Ocean City. Situated on a 500' wide canal this home features approx. 1700 sq. ft. of living space, an open floor plan with cathedral ceilings, a sunroom overlooking the water, granite countertops, a 40' dock, a 36' pier, a boat lift, 2 jet ski lifts and much more. Offered at $775,000 furnished.

For more information, please contact MIKE GRIMES 410.251.6821/410-250-3020 or at montegomike@verizon.net.

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PAGE 36

Ocean City Today

JANUARY 12, 2024

Berlin Restaurant Week set to begin today, run to Jan. 18 About 15 eateries in town will offer special menus to commemorate the event

PHOTO COURTESY BLACKSMITH BERLIN

The Resturant Week menu for Blacksmith Berlin lists special offerings through Jan. 18.

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (Jan. 12, 2024) As the holidays end and winter sets in, Berlin establishments have created special menus for their Restaurant Week.

Approximately 15 eateries are participating this year, including The Globe, On What Grounds, Rayne’s Reef Soda Fountain and Grill, Blacksmith, The Sterling Tavern, 410 Social, and The Atlantic Hotel Bistro Bar. According to Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells, Cam Bunting of Bunting Realty approached the town five years ago with the idea of sponsoring a week where restaurants cater their special dishes to locals. It also encourages guests to dine at their favorite spots, often crowded during the summer and holidays and try new places at a discounted price.

“A lot of unique restaurants have opened. January, typically a slow month, is a perfect time for locals to try them,” Wells said. “The establish-

ments are 100 percent in. They are excited to figure out what will be on their menus. It keeps getting bigger and better every year.”

A contest to win a $400 gift card to be used at any participating Berlin restaurant and $100 cash donated

by Bunting is organized to incentivize diners. Patrons must eat at three places and stamp their cards to enter.

For locals looking for a morning or an afternoon pick-me-up deal, On What Grounds offers a breakfast sandwich and any beverage of any size for $7.99 or $2 off any upgraded drink. These include specialty coffees, like the winter spice and Aztec mocha lattes.

The Globe has lunch and dinner options. Afternoon diners will be welcomed with $10 specials, and those who wish to wait until the evening can expect to pay $30 for three courses.

A soup or salad will start the meal, followed by either prime rib, a crabcake, or an Indian dish, and finished with a sweet treat by Baked Desserts Café.

“We’re looking forward to it.

Hopefully, a lot of people come out,” See TOWN Page 37

JANUARY 12, 2024

PAGE 37

Ocean City Today

Special Hockey Beach Bash set Jan. 19-21 Event geared toward kids with special needs, will take place at Carousel

By Taylor Sloan Features Writer (Jan. 12, 2024) A hockey game geared toward kids with special needs hosted by Mite Beach Bash will take place Jan. 19-21 at the Carousel Hotel on 118th Street in Ocean City.

“We are sanctioned through USA hockey. We are a tournament company called Mite Beach Bash; eight and under is mite,” said Tom LaTona, the owner of Mite Beach Bash. “For the first time ever we’re going to have mentally handicapped kids three on three.”

LaTona works alongside partners Jenelle and Brian Antkowiak.

“Without them this would never be possible,” he said.

Several clubs are coming to Ocean City for the event. The teams are the Baltimore Saints, North Virginia Cool Cats and Washington Ice Dogs. The Great Wizard club is coming from Massachusetts and the Brick Stars are

coming from New Jersey.

“For the first time ever, we’re having a special needs event, and we hope it will grow,” LaTona said.

The games are expected to start mid to late afternoon on Saturday. Every team will get a total of four games.

“Last year the Cool Cats sent enough players for two teams. They

loved it,” said LaTona.

Last year, the group lost a member of the hockey community, Billy Zinkhan. LaTona said he was a player, referee, and active in the sled hockey community in Baltimore.

For most events, proceeds go ton adopted charity. The Washington Capitals normally donate to the event

with items such as signed hockey sticks.

“This year they’re going to give a scholarship award in Billy’s honor. It will be the first ever Billy Zinkhan Scholarship Award,” LaTona said.

For more information on the event, visit mitebeachbash.com or email, mitebeachbash@gmail.com.

Town event began five years ago Continued from Page 36 owner Jon Lane said.

Similarly, Blacksmith has two menus. Their two courses for the $22 lunch special starts with butternut squash bisque with balsamic, tomato and artichoke soup with lemon, shrimp bisque with sherry, or a Caesar salad with house croutons.

To follow, patrons can choose the crispy rockfish with hand-cut chips, a jumbo lump or vegan crabcake sandwich on local brioche, a shrimp po’ boy on a local baguette, or the

crispy chicken sandwich on local brioche. They will also offer three dinner courses for $33. Some dishes include shrimp goat cheese wontons, and crispy pork belly bao buns.

410 Social is excited to participate in its second Restaurant Week. To celebrate, the menu includes two courses for $22. Customers will choose scampi crostini or burrata, a 410-style- smashed burger, a tuna express wrap, or blackened tacos.

“We wanted to have some lighter options because we plan to switch to heavier winter menu items in the

coming weeks,” 410 Social owner Marcos Lopez said. “It’s also great because it gives guests the chance to try something they might be apprehensive about.”

Restaurant Week takes place from Jan. 12 through Jan. 18. Additional menus can be found on the establishments’ Facebook pages and the Berlin Welcome Center window on 14th South Main Street, where guests vying for the gift card and cash prize can pick up and deliver their stamped cards. The drop box will be open 24/7.

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PAGE 38

Ocean City Today

JANUARY 12, 2024

COMMUNITY/SCHOOLS

HOLIDAY SPIRIT DAY Ocean City Elementary School Students, faculty and staff show off their favorite festive attire during the school’s annual Holiday Spirit Day on Dec. 20, which included a school-wide holiday sing-along.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS/OCEAN CITY TODAY

JANUARY 12, 2024

Ocean City Today

PAGE 39

COMMUNITY/SCHOOLS

SUBMITTED PHOTOS/OCEAN CITY TODAY

‘DEAD CHICKEN CLUB’ Members of the self-proclaimed “Dead Chicken Club” pose during a recent meal at Longboards. The group of local friends used to meet on Thursdays for rotisserie chicken at BJ’s on the Water and now meet at Longboards in an effort to try and keep the tradition alive, despite some members passing away over the years.

PHOTO COURTESY KIWANIS CLUB OF GREATER OCEAN PINES-OCEAN CITY

KIWANIAN OF THE MONTH

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OCEAN CITY TODAY

The December Kiwanian Of The Month, Dave J. Landis Jr, and Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean PinesOcean CIty President Bob Wolfing pose for a photo after Landis was given the designation. Landis serves on the public relations committee by submitting press releases, almost weekly, to local newspapers and co-chairs the club’s annual lottery fundraiser.

CHURCH DECORATIONS From left, Worcester County Garden Club members Marlene Mumford, Cristie Ammann, Jan Owens, Pat Bell, Mary Ellen Jefferson and Joan LaHayne pose outside of St. Martin’s Church in Showell after decorating it for the holidays last month.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OCEAN CITY TODAY

GIVING GIFTS Hunter and Dylan Simons, founders of Only Positive Stories Inc. and students at Worcester Preparatory School, pose with Tish Ottey, the founder of Hope4Recovery and Home4Hope Therapeutic Solutions, and a pile of Christmas gifts they shopped for and wrapped for the organizations to give to men in local recovery housing this holiday season.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OCEAN CITY TODAY

FIRST PLACE WINNER Megan Burak-Lowe, of Ocean City, poses with her first place piece in January’s “Home Sweet Home” group show at the Ocean City Center for the Arts. The show runs through Jan. 27.

PAGE 40

Ocean City Today

JANUARY 12, 2024

TARA FISCHER/OCEAN CITY TODAY

Dozens of swimmers run toward the cold ocean on New Years Day during Atlantic General Hospital’s annual Penguin Swim fundraiser. Hospital officials reported that the event raised more then $100,000.

AGH Penguin Swim raises more than $100K (Jan. 12, 2024) The annual Atlantic General Hospital Penguin Swim fundraiser on Jan. 1 raised a a sizable amount of money for the local healthcare facility.

According to a news release from the hospital, more than 900 people participated in the swim, which was held on the beach in front of the

Princess Royale on 91st Street.

Participants raised more than $100,000 and donations can still be made online at aghpenguinswim.org.

The release said officials wanted to thank the event sponsors, who are listed as follows: Legacy Sponsor for 30 Consecutive Years as Title Sponsor:

“The Emperor Penguin” Bull on the Beach & Crab Alley.

Glacier Sponsors: AGH Auxiliary; D3; Princess Royale Oceanfront Resort; WRDE Coast TV. Iceberg Sponsors: AGH Medical Staff; Bluewater; Clear Channel Outdoor; Duffie Boatworks, LLC; Hardwire LLC; Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 486; WMDT 47abc.

Igloo Sponsors: Chris Parypa Photography; Chesapeake Employers Insurance; Matt Ortt Companies, LLC; Ocean City Elks Lodge; Wilmington University.

Icicle Sponsors: American Legion - Synepuxent Post #166 Auxiliary; Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.; Bank of Ocean City; Bill Corey and Stewart Title; Community Title Network & Ridgway Law Group; Courtyard by Marriott; Dunkin Donuts; Guerrieri Family Foundation; Hi Tide Dispensary; Kirby’s Pub; Long Life Treated Wood, Inc.; Monte Carlo Group; Ocean City Surf Club; Ocean Pines Association; The Original Greene Turtle; Park Place Jewelers; Red Sun Custom Apparel, Inc.; Sally Dowling M.D.; Shore Therapy Solutions; The Shrimp Boat; TPG Hotels & Resorts; Worcester Tech School.

Snowflake Sponsors: Celtic RnR Tours, Inc.; Deeley Insurance Group; Fisher’s Popcorn of Delaware, Inc.; The Harrison Group; Ish Boutique; Jolly Roger Amusement Park; The Kite Loft; Kyle Satterfield; M.R. Ducks; Mark and Kathy Drew; Max Hutsell; Nick’s Mini Golf; O.C. Seacrets, Inc; Ocean 13; Ocean City Elks Lodge #2645 Ladies Auxiliary; Pancho & Lefty’s; Peter Buas for Ocean City Council; Talbot Street Watersports; The Dispatch; Town Cats, Inc; DJ Street; the Mad Fairy The top fundraisers were also listed: Individual Youth 18 & Under Leila Attia - $1,007

Delaney Whittington - $105 Dezzy Wegrzyn - $100 Individual Adult James King - $1,275 Matthew Lynch - $700 Ed Fratantuono - $250 Youth/Family Team Team Believe - $3,325 Owrey’s Owls – $1,590 Ice Ice Kirby - $1,500 Community Group Team OC Ravens Roost #44* - $9,842.99 License to Chill - $2,325 Atlantic Club Beach Warriors $1,350 *The Ravens Roost team has contributed more than $170,000 to the AGH Penguin Swim over the last 15 years.

Business Team Bull on the Beach* - $25,828 Charles Brown Glass - $510 The Dispatch - $190 *The Bull on the Beach team has contributed more than $700,000 to the AGH Penguin Swim since it started.

Special recognition were also give to the oldest penguin, Nelya Kuvshinova, 83; youngest penguin, Laura Beasley, 9 months; and the penguin who traveled the furthest, Ashley Humphreys, from Boulder Creek, California.

There was also a costume contest with winners in the following categories: Best Youth Costume Madison Pecover as “Cow” Best Adult Costume Butch Lorditch as “Mad Hatter” Best Couple Costume Christy and Randy Nevel as “Barbie & Ken” Best Group Costume Isaiah and Malani Williams as “Maui & Moana” “Blingiest” Costume sponsored by Park Place Jewelers Frosty Friends as “Blingy Theme”

JANUARY 12, 2024

Ocean City Today

PAGE 41

WPS students attending leadership program (Jan. 12, 2024) Worcester Preparatory School sophomores Kain Crossett, Beckett Green, Ayla Yonker, Ashton Browne, Jude Damouni and Jake Timmons were recently selected to attend the Hugh O’Brian Youth, or HOBY, leadership program in Maryland and Delaware this summer.

The program, founded in 1958 by veteran actor Hugh O’Brian, is renowned as the country’s top youth leadership development organization.

According to a news release, the program has a mission to empower individuals to achieve their highest potential and “has been instrumental in creating positive catalysts for change in homes, schools, workplaces, and communities.” More than 500,000 alumni worldwide serve as youth leaders.

Over the years, the release said the program has graduated leaders who have made a significant difference within the global society through effective and compassionate leadership.

The leadership seminar, which welcomes hundreds of sophomores from across Maryland and Delaware, provides a platform for students to expand their understanding of leadership potential and personal development. Through immersive experiences, guest speakers, panel discussions, and hands-on activities, students learn about personal, group and societal leadership.

For more information on HOBY Maryland, visit hobymd.org or HOBY Delaware, visit hobydelaware.org.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OCEAN CITY TODAY

Six Worcester Prep sophomore ambassadors selected to attend this summer’s Hugh O’Brian Youth leadership programs in Maryland and Delaware pose together for a photo. Pictured front from left are Jude Damouni, Ayla Yonker and Ashton Browne. Pictured back from left are Kain Crossett, Beckett Green and Jake Timmons.

Commentary

Ocean City Today Jan. 12, 2024

Page 42

School budget will reveal some truths The Worcester County Commissioners and the board of education have a couple of real problems on their hands as they begin their budget-setting processes for the next fiscal year.

While the school board is wrestling with rising expenses, the commissioners face the prospect of being judged on how they respond to the board’s financial dilemmas.

The commissioners’ decision on how to fund the school system in Fiscal Year ‘25 will give the public a clearer picture of their perspectives regarding public education, since last year’s rejection of the board’s budget was said to be based on how it was presented rather than the amount of money in it.

The budget presentation argument won’t provide the commissioners as much political cover this year, and not just because the board’s submission will adopt a format similar to the one used in Wicomico County.

It’s also because the school system faces serious financial issues: the cost of supplies and materials have gone up, implementing the state’s Blueprint for Education will add to the burden, and then there are raises that must be given to teachers and staff.

None of this would be a subject for discussion at this point, had word not filtered out that the commissioners intend to stick to the legal minimum funding formula again this year.

Maybe that’s true or maybe it’s just an attempt to put pressure on the commissioners to soften their approach to negotiations with the school board and the administration.

No one can know the answer to that or how these talks will go until the numbers begin to flow and thoughts are exchanged. In the meantime, two things are indisputable: budgets can always be trimmed to some degree, and there’s no such thing as calling a budget fair and effective if it stands still while real costs go up.

Bearing that in mind, it’s incumbent upon the school board to present a package that contains no nonessential spending and give the commissioners the choice between voting to improve public education or making their own budget look good at the scho0l system’s expense.

Ocean City Today 11934 Ocean Gateway, Suite 6, Ocean City, Md. 21842 Phone: 410-723-6397 / Fax: 410-723-6511.

EDITOR ............................................ Stewart Dobson MANAGING EDITOR .................. Mallory Panuska Ames STAFF WRITERS ..................Cindy Hoffman, Hunter Hine ....................................................................Tara Fischer ACCOUNT MANAGERS.......... Mary Cooper, Vicki Shrier ..................................................................Renée Kelly CLASSIFIEDS/LEGALS MANAGER ............ Taylor Sloan PAPER COMPOSITION/PAGE DESIGN ...... Susan Parks GRAPHIC ARTISTS ............ Kelly Brown, Jane Leibowitz PUBLISHER........................................ Christine Brown ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT ...................... Gini Tufts Ocean City Today is published weekly by FLAG Publications, Inc. 11934 Ocean Gateway, Suite 6, Ocean City, Md. 21842 Ocean City Today is available by subscription at $150 a year.

Visit us on the Web at www.oceancitytoday.com.

Copyright 2023

PUBLIC EYE

Dogs going off menu

With so much bad news going around, it’s always rewarding to hear good news for a change, and this week the good news is the South Korean government is taking steps to take dogs off the nation’s menu.

That’s correct, if South Korea’s elected officials rally behind rover and pass the proposed ban on canine consumption, there will be no more cocker-roni and cheese, sauteed collie-flower, wiener dog schnitzel or chow chow mein on the list of daily speBy cials.

Of course, I am well aware Stewart that I’m having fun at the exDobson pense of our friend and ally in Asia, and that dog-eating there and in many, many other countries has been practiced for millennia.

I therefore apologize to anyone who is offended. It’s just that they don’t realize that we don’t do that sort of thing here and never have (I think), because our dogs are pets and partners.

Besides, Campbell Soup has yet to come up with a Poodle Noodle soup that I’d call acceptable, never mind mmmm, mmmm good.

At the same time, however, many people in India used to find it bizarre that we ate beef, while people of other cultures would just as soon eat your boat shoes as some of things we wolf down with gusto.

Still, I’ve always drawn the line at eating anything I know on a first-name basis, Sam the Clam, a long-time resident of a saltwater aquarium I used to have, being one example.

It’s not like we were close or anything, or that I’d take him (I’m not good on clam genders) out for a drive to see the sights, but the fact that he had a name made me pause before I ordered a bucket of steamers. Not a long pause, but a pause nevertheless.

Similarly, I used to have coffee in the early morning with Bob, a young Hereford steer on a farm where I lived for a time. He would leave the herd and wander over to me every time I showed up around sunrise with a cup of coffee in hand.

He’d just stand there and stare at me, while I ruminated out loud on the state of things. He’d only walk away when coffee time was over. That Bob, he was a great listener.

Nevertheless, I still wonder if Bob, or parts of Bob, ended up on a bun somewhere. As for his unnamed associates, however, I would top them with fried onions in a minute.

Which brings me back to the proposed ban on eating dogs. It just makes sense as more people over there have dogs as pets and give them names, the more opposed they would be to seeing a breakfast menu that features Great Danish or a Beagle Bagel, or a lunch menu with Pomeranians on Toast Points as a starter.

I’m very supportive of the South Korean effort, since in my culture this constitutes good news that I can reflect on whenever I need a mood boost.

“Yeah, yeah, I heard about the great tragedy in (pick a country) and the floods up north, the tornadoes down south, and the national political circumstances. But on the plus side, dog-eating is on the way out.”

www.oceancitytoday.com

JANUARY 12, 2024

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Ocean City Today

January 18-19th January 13-14th 2024 2020 SUBMITTED PHOTO/OCEAN CITY TODAY

Boats drive into slips in the bay. The next Maryland safe boating course for people who want to drive boats will be held virtually Feb. 6-8.

Safe boating course slated Feb. 6-8, to be held virtually (Jan. 12, 2024) The first Maryland safe boating class of 2024 will be held virtually next month.

The three-day course is set from 69 p.m. each day, Feb. 6- 8.

The course is taught by US Coast Guard Auxiliary instructors. All required material is covered in the interactive setting, with time for questions and student participation.

The Maryland Boating Safety Education Act requires that anyone born after July 1, 1972, must possess a Maryland Basic Boating Safety Certificate to operate a boat in the state.

People ho attend the class and pass the test will receive a Maryland Boating Certificate, which is NASBLA approved and valid in all states.

A fee of $20 covers the cost of the course and materials.

Checks should be made payable to “ USGCAUX 12-05“ and mailed to: USCGAUX 12-05, PO Box 1682, Berlin, MD 21811 Payment through PayPAL is also accepted.

For more information, or to register, contact Barry Cohen at 410-935-4807 or email CGAUXOC@gmail.com.

AGH Auxiliary hosting open house Jan. 23 for volunteers (Jan. 12, 2024) Members of the Atlantic General Hospital Auxiliary recently announced that they will be hosting a Volunteer Open House for people interested in volunteer at the hospital.

The event, set 1-3 p..m, Jan. 23 in the hospital’s cafeteria, will feature information about available volunteering opportunities.

A news release said the auxiliary needs volunteers to help in all areas

of the hospital and health system, including the new Gudelsky Family Medical Center and AGH Thrift Shop.

Volunteers greet visitors, run errands for staff, process and sort mail, visit patients, work at the information desk, help with administrative tasks, staff the Thrift Shop and more.

For more information and to apply online, please visit atlanticgeneral.org/volunteer. No RSVP is necessary.

South Point boat ramp closed (Jan. 12, 2024) The county boat ramp at South Point at the end of South Point Road off Route 611 in Berlin will be closed for the next couple of months for rehabilitation work.

The ramp is tentatively set to reopen March 1.

The two-month project will include replacing the bulkhead.

Funding was provided through a Waterway Improvement Grants from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and assigned designated funds from Worcester County.

For more information about the project, contact Worcester County Parks Superintendent Jacob Stephens at 410-632-2144.

Saturday 10-5 & Sunday 10-3

$4.00 Admission

Juried vendor show for all mediums Ocean City Convention Center 40th St. Bayside

For More Information: 443-235-2926 www.delmarvaartexpo.com

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Ocean City Today

JANUARY 12, 2024

PHOTO COURTESY MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

A group of wild turkeys flock together in a Maryland field.

Winter turkey hunt Jan. 18-20 (Jan. 12, 2024) Maryland hunters who did not harvest a turkey during the fall will have another chance during the winter season, which runs statewide from Jan. 18-20.

Hunting hours are from a halfhour before sunrise to a half-hour after sunset. The bag limit is one turkey of either sex.

“The winter season provides a great opportunity for hunters to enjoy the outdoors during a time of year when hunting seasons are winding down,” Maryland Department of Natural Resources Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Karina Stonesifer said in a news release. “The winter season offers hunters a unique

opportunity to get one last hunt in before spring.”

During the winter turkey season, hunters may only use shotguns loaded with No. 4 shot or smaller, crossbows, vertical bows, or airguns that shoot arrows or bolts.

Hunters are reminded that it is illegal to hunt turkeys with the aid of bait. Successful hunters are required to check in harvests by phone at 888800-0121, online, or through the department’s mobile app.

The Maryland Guide to Hunting and Trapping provides information about winter turkey hunting, including season open dates and regulations.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OCEAN CITY TODAY

A corn snake like the one Assateague State Park’s Scales and Tales program will be bringing to show attendees of the Little Learners program at the Ocean City Life-saving Museum in February is shown wrapped around a tree.

OC Life-Saving Museum to host Little Learners activities (Jan. 12, 2024) The Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum is hosting monthly Little Learners Programs this off-season.

Children will learn about local history and wildlife through story time, crafts, live animal encounters, special guests, and hands-on activities.

According to a news release, Little Learners is designed for children 5 and under, but all are welcome. The program is free and will be held at the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum. Free parking will be available in the Inlet parking lot.

After an event with Mermaid Tasha in January, the schedule for the next three months is as follows: • Scales and Tales program: 10:30-11:30 a.m., Feb. 12. Hosted by

Assateague State Park, attendees will be able to see and touch a horseshoe crab, diamondback terrapin and corn snake.

• OCPD: 10:30-11:30 a.m., March 11. Department officers and officials will introduce their K9 and mounted units.

• Sand-shifting on the beach: 10:30-11:30 a.m., April 8. Co-hosted

by Maryland Coastal Bays. Attendees will start in the museum with a story time and then head to the beach together.

All programs will be at the life-saving museum at 813 S Atlantic Ave. in Ocean City.

More information is available on the museum’s website at ocmuseum.org.

Land Trust presenting Living Landscapes at OC Golf Club

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(Jan. 12, 2024) The Maryland Coastal Bays Program and the Lower Shore Land Trust are hosting a speaker event tonight highlighting the importance of landscaping as a livable outdoor space.

According to a news release, Rick Darke will present “Elevating the Nature of Living Landscapes,” Friday, Jan. 12, at the Ocean City Golf Club at 11401 Country Club Drive in Berlin.

Doors will open at 4:30 p.m and the presentation will run from 5-6:30, with a Q&A to follow.

The release said Darke will cover “the importance of landscapes being a livable outdoor space, where people can gather, relax, and explore, and how best to accomplish that goal.”

Darke heads RICK DARKE LLC, a Pennsylvania-based consulting firm focused on the conservation, design and management of living land-

scapes. His work is grounded in an observational ethic that blends art, ecology and cultural geography.

Registration is required for the event, as seating is limited. To register, visit docs.google.com/ forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe9E4QA9HQhHEeQYc930XCcLOG2o0oELwAYyS_vO284Tbz0w/viewform.

Attendees can also register through the coastal bays website.

On the night of the event, light refreshments will be served, and the clubhouse bar and restaurant will be open for cash purchases.

The event is free to attend, but the coastal banks program and land trust are accepting donations to continue hosting similar events in the future.

For more information, email MCBP Education Coordinator Liz Wist at lwist@mdcoastalbays.org.

JANUARY 12, 2024

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Ocean City Today

OCVFC VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Clay B. Stamp served 19 years with OCVFD Starting training at age 14 in OC, Stamp now chair of MD’s statewide EMS board

By Steve Price Contributing Writer (Jan. 12, 2024) This week it is an honor and a pleasure to recognize current Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company Life Member Clay B. Stamp.

Clay’s emergency services career began with the Town of Ocean City as one of its first advanced life support EMS clinicians where he developed a passion to help individuals in their time of need.

In November 1984, he was named the first emergency management director for the Town of Ocean City and developed the emergency management system that became the framework for emergency planning, response, and recovery for the resort community.

Following his retirement after 27 years of service with the Department of Emergency Services for Ocean City, Stamp has served in a variety of leadership roles for the State of Mary-

land including the director of the Maryland Emergency Management Agency and deputy director of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems overseeing statewide operations and facilitating several state-of-the-art projects. He currently serves as county manager for Talbot County.

When asked why he joined the Volunteer Fire Company Stamp said: “OCVFC Firefighter ‘Buck” Brown brought me to the firehouse at a young age and he joked he was raised by the “wolves” at the firehouse. Actually ‘Giants of Men’ who taught me how to work hard, show respect to others, and give it your all at all times.

It shaped who I am and much of the credit goes to the members of the OCVFC for instilling in me a drive and a desire to do my best each day to make a positive difference for others.”

During his 19 years of service to the OCVFC — four years as a cadet and 15 years as an active member – Clay served in a wide array of positions including lieutenant of Ladder 706 and later as lieutenant and then captain on Engine 708. He also

Salisbury opening Eastern Shore culture museum in ‘24 Museum to exhibit local culture pieces and info in downtown Powell Building (Jan. 12, 2024) The Museum of Eastern Shore Culture at Salisbury University is coming to downtown Salisbury.

Located on the first floor of the Powell Building at 218 W. Main St., adjacent to SU Downtown, the museum is tentatively set to open by summer 2024. According to a news release, the museum will feature exhibits and information related to local culture, including items formerly displayed at the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art. Among the exhibits upon opening will be a permanent display dedicated to the legacy of two world-renowned artists from Crisfield, Lem and Steve Ward, namesakes of the former Ward Museum.

Out of respect to the continuing efforts of the Ward Foundation, which founded the Ward Museum in 1992 and partnered with SU to operate the

facility after assets were transferred to the university in 2000, the university is not carrying over the “Ward” name to the new space. However items from the former museum will be on display on a rotating basis.

Partnership agreements are also in the works with several area arts and cultural organizations to display select pieces of the collection. Notable future partners include the Delmarva Discovery Museum; Wicomico County Recreation, Parks and Tourism; and the Somerset County Historical Society. Items not on display will be kept in climate-controlled storage.

The museum also will host programming including workshops with local artisans, a speaker series featuring regional topics of interest, featured artist talks, regular youth and community programs, and open hours during the Salisbury Arts & Entertainment District’s monthly third Friday celebration.

Admission to the museum will be free.

For more information, visit salisbury.edu/mesc.

OceanCityToday.com RELIABLE & LOCAL NEWS

served several years on the board of directors.

Stamp recalls that the most significant event of his fire service career occurred in 2002 when he and Firefighter “Bo” Duke made a difficult decision to rescue a woman from the balcony of a burning building. Using their training and with assistance from Chief David Cropper using an aerial truck, they safely removed the lady from danger.

Stamp cites his greatest accomplishment in the fire service as the opportunity “to serve with amazing men and women who care from their core for others and have a relentless desire to give back. Also, to begin my journey as a 14-year-old OCVFC Cadet wanting to take care of patients in the ambulance and today serve as the chairman of the statewide EMS Board overseeing all EMS Services across Maryland is an honor and a true blessing.”

Given the opportunity to “pass on” advice to the members of our cadet program or other young men and women with an interest in the fire service, Stamp replied: “Chase your passion, listen to those who have come before you, do the work, find your voice, be quick to listen and slow

Clay B. Stamp

to speak, keep all you do about helping others in their time of need…..and love your family.”

We are grateful to Director Stamp for his leadership and guidance in establishing the Office of Emergency Management in Ocean City and his lifelong commitment to overseeing emergency management services and emergency medical services in the State of Maryland.

For membership information or to learn more about your volunteer fire company, visit ocvfc.com.

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JANUARY 12, 2024

OBITUARIES

WORLD WAR II

ALBERT (AL) P. GERMAN III Ocean City On Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, Albert (Al) P. German III, 76, of Ocean City, passed away at his home peacefully.

Born Jan. 31, 1947, in Baltimore, to the late Albert P. German Jr. and Helen German, Al was known for his passion for life and all its opportunities.

He received his A.P. German III college and law degrees from University of Baltimore and felt the call to serve and went on to be a policeman, then firefighter/EMT, and then a stay-athome dad for over 30 years. He then moved to the federal government, working for the Department of Homeland Security before retiring.

Al loved to garden, cook, and was considered a jack of all trades. He enjoyed being outdoors and spending time with his family.

Al was predeceased by his wife, Deb German; and is survived by his three daughters, Amanda German, Allyson German, Ashley Cassell and her husband Matt, and beloved grandson Colton Cassell.

Al’s funeral service details are to be determined. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The American Cancer Society in his name.

Monte Cassino fight costly for allies

By Nick Wahoff Contributing Writer (Jan. 12, 2024) This week, 80 years ago, the Battle of Monte Cassino began. After four costly Allied assaults over four months against heavily fortified German positions, a breakthrough was finally achieved, paving the way for the capture of Rome.

In September 1943, the Western Allies landed at the bottom of the Italian “Boot.” The British, under the command of Gen. Bernard Montgomery, drove up the Adriatic side of the “Boot.” The Americans, under the command of Gen. Mark Clark, drove up the Western side into the city of Naples.

German Field Marshal Albert Kesselring conducted a skillful defense, slowing the Allied advance and ending any hope that Rome would fall before the onset of winter. Using the mountainous terrain to their advantage, the Germans inflicted heavy casualties as they withdrew to their winter fortifications – the Gustav Line.

The linchpin of the Gustav Line in the west was the town of Cassino.

Dominated by a Benedictine Abbey and on a mountain with commanding views of the region, Cassino looked over the Liri Valley and was part of the

main line of defense to keep the Allies from advancing to Rome.

Built in AD 529 by Benedict of Nursia, the Abbey on Monte Cassino was constructed on an older Temple of Apollo. It was sacked, burned and destroyed by earthquakes over the years, but was rebuilt to become the magnificent structure overlooking the valley and the town of Cassino.

By the middle of January 1944, the Allies had 18 divisions facing off against 15 German divisions along the heavily fortified Gustav Line.

The initial Allied attacks began on Jan. 17, with the British crossing of the Garigilano River. In response, Field Marshal Kesselring sent two German Panzer Divisions from Rome to stabilize the front. The American assault began three days later, with the crossing of the Rapido River. With no tanks being able to cross because of the flooded conditions, the Americans were thrown back after a German counterattack.

Other Allied attacks followed with Free French and American troops fighting into the mountains north of Cassino. The U.S. Army was able to reach the base of Monte Cassino, but was held off by German troops from the slopes below the monastery. After fighting the hard fight, the U.S. 34th Division was withdrawn because of heavy casualties and replaced by New Zealand and Indian troops from the British Eighth Army.

As the first battle of Monte Cassino was taking place, the Allies tried to outflank the Gustav Line by landing to the northwest on the beaches of Anzio.

While the amphibious assault was a success, the Allies failed to push inland and were rapidly surrounded.

The Germans could hold firm in their defensive positions around Cassino since the Allied threat to their rear was contained.

The second battle started with the bombing of the Abbey on Monte Cassino. The Allies thought it would be the perfect German observation post to call in attacks on their forces in the valley below. On Feb. 15, over 220 Allied bombers dropped 1,150 tons of bombs on the abbey.

It was followed by an artillery barrage on the mountaintop and an attack by Allied fighter bombers. Actual German positions lower on the mountain and on the hills surrounding Monte Cassino remained untouched.

With the destruction of the abbey, the German 1st Parachute Division moved in and turned it into a fortress & observation post.

On the day after the bombing, the British attacked a hill behind the abbey and were thrown back with heavy casualties. The next night, British Gurkha units from the Himalayas attacked, but were unsuccessful in their attempt to capture the hill.

At the same time, the New Zealanders led a successful assault on the Cassino railroad station, but were later repulsed by a German armor counterattack. The German defenses caused heavy Allied casualties and it would take them nearly a month to regroup and await better weather for the next attack.

On March 15, the third battle began with a three and a half-hour bombardment of German positions by heavy bombers and artillery. The Gurkha’s captured a hill only 250 yards from the abbey while the New Zealanders recaptured the Cassino train station.

To the surprise of the Allies, the German paratroopers counterattacked, preventing any assault on the abbey.

With heavy casualties on both sides, the British discontinued their attack.

It took nearly two months of preparation by the Allies before they were prepared for the next battle. Additional troops were sent into the Cassino sector and an elaborate deception was devised by the Allies to convince the Germans of an amphibious landing north of Rome. Field Marshal Kesselring estimated the Allies had six divisions against four of his own. His Axis troops were actually facing 13 divisions.

On the night of May 11, over 1,000 artillery pieces began a barrage of German positions around Cassino. The British led the attack by bridging the Rapido River, allowing the armor to cross (unlike in the first two battles).

At the same time, Polish troops engaged the Germans in the mountains around Cassino in heavy back-andforth battles.

French mountain troops (the Morrocan Goumiers) outflanked the Germans in terrain thought to be impassable. On May 17, the Poles launched a second attack on Cassino.

Seeing that their supply lines were about to be cut by the Allied advance, the Germans decided to abandon Monte Cassino and retreat to a new defensive line in the rear. Soon after, an exhausted Polish 12th Calvary Regiment planted a Polish flag atop the ruins of the abbey.

With the Germans in retreat, the Allies began their breakout from the Anzio beachhead. Instead of trying to cut off the retreating Germans, Gen. Clark ordered his troops to go straight to Rome. Less than three weeks after the capture of Monte Cassino, Rome was in the hands of the Allies.

After four major battles, the capture of Monte Cassino had enormous costs for both sides. While the Germans had close to 20,000 killed and wounded, the Allies suffered over 50,000 casualties. The Allied victory at Cassino broke the Gustav Line and led to the fall of the first Axis capital of World War II. Next week: Anzio

Sports & Recreation

Ocean City Today Jan. 12, 2024

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www.oceancitytoday.com

PHOTOS BY SUSAN TAYLOR-WALLS

Pictured on the left, Worcester Prep’s #23 Baylor Hoen goes for the ball. Hoen scored five baskets for a total of 10 game points. At right, Number 32 Ben Anthony makes one of seven baskets. He also made two free throws, making him the Mallards’ game high scorer.

Dragons ruffle Mallards’ feathers, 86-38

By Bruce C. Walls Contributing Writer (Jan. 11, 2024) While many high school boys’ basketball coaches wouldn’t look at an 86-38 loss as a good thing, the head coach of the Fighting Mallards of Worcester Prep, Mike O’Malley, said their loss last Friday night against the Dragons of The Salisbury School was a chance for his players to learn and grow.

“That’s a good team over there, no doubt about it,” O’Malley admitted.

“Those are very special high school players right there. Tyler Ball and Pierce Vazquez are special. They are very special ... Number 20 over there, Pierce Vazquez, is one of the best high school basketball rebound players I’ve ever seen and we all know what’s special about Tyler Ball.”

He added that the team gave them a great game.

“They came out hot and they weren’t missing anything,” O’Malley said. “We made adjustments after the

first half. We made some great adjustments to handle their full court presses. So, we were able to break that.

But when we got down there the offense needed to be more patient. I told them to slow it down and be more patient.”

Sophomore Ben Anthony paced the Mallards with a game-high 16 points, seven baskets and two free throws.

Baylor Hoen pulled his weight with five baskets for 10 more points. Also scoring for WPS were Ashton Browne

and Jeremy Forman with two baskets each, and James Haley with a free throw. During the first quarter, Mike DePalma sank a 3-pointer.

Only Anthony scored during the fourth, with three baskets and one free throw, ending the evening with the Dragons scoring 86 and the Mallards at 38.

O’Malley also said he hopes his team will reach 500 so they can get into the sate championships and play well.

Lady Mallards slay Salisbury Dragons in 43-18 showdown

By Bruce C. Walls Contributing Writer (Jan. 12, 2024) Worcester Prep’s girls varsity basketball team hosted the girls of The Salisbury High School to a runaway 43-18 Fighting Mallards win. The win improves the Mallards overall win/loss record 2-2.

Two Mallards were key to the win, sophomore Sydney Mize and senior Esther Mehilli. Both shot 13s. Mize pumped in three 3-pointers and Mehilli added another for the Fighting Mallards. They breathed fire in the third quarter with 16 points, as did the Dragons, but the first half led by the Mallards made the difference

followed by a strong defense. Also scoring was Lyla Roberts with three baskets and Abby Ament with one in the first quarter. The evening ended with a 43-18 game dominated by the Fighting Mallards.

“It was fun. I think it was one of our best games together this year,” Sophomore Anisha Batra said. “We played well together tonight. We’ve been working on defense we learned two new offensive plays and they worked.”

Mallard head coach Koula Strosnider said the team has been working on a lot of new offense plays and thinks they did great.

PHOTO BY SUSAN TAYLOR-WALLS

Worcester Prep’s Leah Gaito guards a Dragon player with assistance from teammate Esther Mehilli.

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JANUARY 12, 2024

Worcester Prep underclassmen learn cheers

By Bruce C. Walls Contributing Writer (Jan. 12, 2024) Worcester Prep’s varsity cheerleaders invited underclassmen to learn basic cheers last Thursday at their school.

Then Friday afternoon and evening, the groups performed some of the cheers they learned for basketball fans waiting to see the Worcester Prep girls’ and boys’ varsity games against The Salisbury School Dragons.

Last Thursday, a significant group of students turned out for the training where they learned several routines.

Friday, they performed the routines at the Worcester gym before basketball games between the Worcester Prep Mallards and Salisbury School Dragons. They also performed at half time and between quarters.

The Worcester Prep varsity cheerleading squad hosts the training annually to give younger students the experience of performing in front of an audience. You could feel their excitement in the air and see the joy in their faces as they filled the gym floor with three long lines of participants.

The WPS varsity cheerleading squad consists of eight to 14 members. Their member size fluctuates, with most of them participating in conflicting sports.

Members of the Mallard’s varsity cheerleading squad are scheduled to cheer again on Jan. 19 at Worcester Prep and fans are encouraged to come out and support the team.

PHOTOS BY SUSAN TAYLOR-WALLS

Worcester Prep underclassman Camila Prosser, right, performs a cheer with her peers.

SURF REPORT

Yes, Virginia, surfing goes on in colder months

By Dave Dalkiewicz Contributing Writer (Jan. 12, 2024) It’s safe to say that we’ve turned a corner and transitioned from fall surfing into a colder time of the year.

Now you might say or think that this colder time has been with us for a few months, give or take a few weeks.

But if one looks back, to say mid-November, the water was in the mid-50s, or close to it, and you could probably get away with a surf session without wearing any kind of wetsuit gloves for at least a short period of time.

Even into the month of December, with water still in the 50s range and gloves on, the cold wouldn’t be so bad.

Heck, I remember a December not too long ago when gloves weren’t necessary until about the middle of the month.

This was because the air had stayed so

warm up until that time. As you can probably guess the cold isn’t just a factor of water temperature, but of air temperature and wind chill as well. All of these ingredients deserve attention.

So now that we’re into the main part of winter the air is going to average about mid-20s at night to mid-40s during the day. Note that this is an average and is subject to fluctuations. If we are lucky we will stay above the freezing mark and hopefully get into the 50s for a high temperature. A scenario such as this would be considered a mild winter day and probably not so unusual.

At any rate, when all is said and done, the operative word is cold. Some subscribe to the meteorological thought that winter starts Dec. 1. Others figure that winter begins, astronomically, on the 21st of December, or there about. That will be the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere.

Again, at any rate it really doesn’t

make a lot of difference. It’s plenty cold and it doesn’t take a genius or even a really astute person to figure that out.

It might possibly be better not to think about any of this stuff at all. Sure, get some basic information, but sometimes it’s better to just put on the gear and have a go!

Don’t overthink it. By the time you become cold enough to come in your satisfaction level will have probably been reached and that feeling of a good session will be yours.

Okay, so where does that leave us?

Some can get through a winter of occasional surfing in only a 3/2, but that is very rare indeed. Others would step things up to at least a 4/3 and that sounds more reasonable. But the most reasonable wetsuit would be one in the 5 millimeter range. That would be 5 millimeters in the torso and either 3 or 4 millimeters in the arms and legs. This would offer a good combination of warmth and flexibility.

By the way, the wearing of wetsuit boots, gloves, and a hood or cap combined with a wetsuit of any thickness is an absolute recommendation and dare I say a profound necessity. It would even be a good idea to have a wetsuit with an attached hood. Hypothermia is no joke, but yes, wetsuits do work well.

To have a thicker wetsuit in this area would make a lot of sense in that it could be worn in roughly half of the year. By my way of thinking one can always cool off if the rarity would occur of being too warm. Simply allowing some water into a well- fitting wetsuit would cool one off in quick fashion.

So yes, Virginia, surfing does go on in colder conditions. On a recent weekend, after a powerful storm, in some heavy conditions, there were about 20 surfers stretched along a six-block area, and that was just a small part of our coastline.

— Dave Dalkiewicz is the owner of Ocean Atlantic Surf Shop in Ocean City

JANUARY 12, 2024

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Ocean City Today

War on the Shore tournament set Fri., Sat. Stephen Decatur’s annual wrestling event slated to host 26 teams this year

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (Jan. 12, 2024) Stephen Decatur High School is gearing up to host 26 wrestling teams for its annual War on the Shore Tournament, one of the preeminent competitions of its kind in the state.

Participants in this year’s grapplefest will include wrestlers from Loyola Blakefield, Kent Island, Parkside, Xavier, Woodbridge, and Sussex Central high schools. The event starts at 3:30 pm on Friday, Jan. 12, and continues the following day.

Seahawks head Coach Joshua August said this weekend is Maryland's most challenging wrestling competi-

tion, and not every school gets to join. Participants are selected based on past performance at the tournament. If a team has competed before, paid on time, and has respectful and good wrestlers, they are invited back.

Decatur wants decent squads, and while there is currently no application process, there may be in the future.

The contest is all about the athletes' chance to showcase their talent.

“If you place in the top eight, you’re on track to being a top Maryland wrestler,” August said. “And if you don’t, there’s an opportunity to improve.”

The competitors are used to challenges, and this week is no different.

The athletes have a meet two days before the tournament, and inclement weather forced the team to miss organized practice on Jan. 9.

August said they had to work out at home to supplement the lost training. “A little adversity doesn’t get the kids down,” he said.

Hosting such a significant event requires effort. The coach said that Decatur personnel work with the county sheriff's department to ensure the visiting kids are dropped off safely and promptly and the buses get through quickly. Wrestling instructors, parents, and staff work together to set up necessary equipment such as TV monitors, cameras, and computers.

The Seahawks are looking forward to wrestling strong competitors. According to August, they are keeping an eye on Xavier, Mount Saint Joseph, and Sussex Central.

“It’s tough because we don’t know many of the Pennsylvania schools,” he said. “A lot of teams have been

good this year, but our guys work hard.”

The girls will also compete. They can participate on the junior varsity squad or as a female-only team member. They cannot do both.

On Sunday, Stephen Decatur will host the first Junior Seahawks Wrestling Club War on the Shore for kindergarten to eighth-grade children. The high school, while unaffiliated, will be the site of the event.

August expects a packed house on Friday and Saturday as his athletes showcase their talent. “Everyone from JV to our champs is going to have a chance to wrestle,” he said.

Spectators can purchase a $20 pass for both days or a $15 one-day ticket. The tournament will go on until roughly 10 pm on Friday. JV will step out onto the mat at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday.

Only 69 Days ‘til Spring!

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