Entertainment

SDHS student raising money for local Eagle Scout project

By Jack Chavez Staff Writer (Jan. 28, 2022) Sometimes to move forward you have to revisit your roots.

That’s what Stephen Decatur High School student and Boy Scout William Kozma is doing with his Eagle Scout project, which is to construct a gazebo on the grounds of his previous school, Most Blessed Sacrament, where his career in the Scouts started a decade ago.

“(This gazebo) is for when kids come outside, or in the summertime, or for the teachers who want to bring their kids outside,” Kozma, 17, said. “It’ll be a nice little place, a shaded spot. There are a lot of places where you can sit outside (here) but there aren’t a lot of covered spots.”

“I was mainly thinking in the last few years, we’ve had the pandemic and there’s always talk about how everyone has to socially distance, be six feet apart.”

Essentially, being outside is a way to deal with the virus.

“So I thought well, this would make for a nice outdoor section and be something to help the school, mainly because, one, I’ve been approached by former principals and also, I started my scouting career back in 1st grade and we had a little troop (at the school). So, I thought it’d be appropriate for me to end my scouting at MBS.”

The biggest need for the project is donations. So far, Kozma has raised about $1,500, as of Tuesday. His goal is $7,000.

Once the project is fully funded, he said he anticipates it will take around two weekends to finish.

“There are a lot of people I have in mind as volunteers and I think they are very knowledgeable in construction,” said Kozma. “It shouldn’t be too challenging to get it done in two weekends.”

The rank of Eagle Scout is the culmination of the Boy Scouts’ hierarchy — Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life and, finally, Eagle Scout.

To earn the rank, one has to be in a position of leadership for at least six months, complete the Eagle Scout project and file a subsequent application for review.

Kozma said he anticipates receiving the rank in July or August, provided there are no setbacks.

She added that the gazebo can be viewed as an outdoor classroom as well.

“We’re excited to see this process and we’re grateful for his desire to do his Eagle Scout project here at MBS. He was a student here from pre-K through 8th Grade,” said Evans. “Mr. Record, our former principal who passed away

William Kozma — too soon — was a big influence on his life and the lives of many of us here at MBS. He’s dedicating his outdoor classroom to (former Principal) Mr. Record’s memory.”

When finished, the gazebo will be unveiled at a dedication ceremony for Mark Record, who passed away from cancer last March at the age of 67.

“He was a really big impact on my life, a role model,” Kozma said.

MBS Director of Admissions and Advancement Amanda Evans, who has been working with Kozma to facilitate the intake of donations, described Kozma as a great student who has done wonderful things throughout his student career.

Anyone interested in donating to Kozma’s project can call Most Blessed Sacrament at 410-208-1600.

Facility will bridge gap in care

Continued from Page 26 crisis stabilization centers or behavioral health urgent care centers to open in early 2022.

Tina Simmons, the director of population health at AGH, said Wednesday that the new facility will help reduce mental health patients in the emergency room, which is where they are currently sent with no specified facility to treat them, and bridge the gap in care. She said that both the Worcester and Wicomico County locations will be “home-like environments” and provide the immediate care needed in times of crisis, as well as Telehealth options.

Starting out, the Atlantic General Behavioral Health Crisis Center will be open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, with plans to expand hours as volume increases, at 9713 Healthway Drive on the AGH campus in Berlin.

RENDERING COURTESY WILLIAM KOZMA The 10x10 gazebo should take a couple weekends to build once funding is secured, according to Boy Scout William Kozma. He hopes to have it finished by May. The gazebo will offer a shaded spot to sit on the Most Blessed Sacrament grounds and can serve as an outdoor classroom for the school.

NOW PLAYING

COINS 28th Street and Coastal Highway, Ocean City 410-289-3100 / www.coinspub.com Every Tuesday: Trivia Night OCEAN CLUB 101st Street, Ocean City Clarion Fontainebleau Hotel 410-524-3535 / www.clarionoc.com Jan. 28-29: On The Edge, 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. RESIDENCE INN BY MARRIOT 300 Seabay Lane, Ocean City 410-723-2222 / www.ResidenceInnOC.com Every Friday: Live Music, 6-9 p.m. Every Sunday: Karaoke, 5-8 p.m. Every Wednesday: Live Music, 5-8 p.m. SEACRETS 49th Street and the bay, Ocean City 410-524-4900 / www.seacrets.com Jan. 28: John McNutt Band, 6-10 p.m.; Comedy For A Cause - SOLD OUT, 7-10 p.m.; DJ Cruz, 10 p.m. to 1:50 a.m. Jan. 29: John McNutt Band, 5-9 p.m.; DJ Bobby-O, 6-8 p.m.; DJ Cruz, 9 p.m. to 1:50 a.m.; High Five Swan Dive Trio, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Feb. 3: Opposite Directions; 5-9. p.m.; DJ Cruz, 9 p.m. to midnight THE VIEW AT THE CAMBRIA HOTEL 13 St. Louis Ave., Ocean City 443-856-4158 / https://www.choicehotels.com/maryland/oceancity/cambria-hotels/md310 Every Tuesday: Karaoke, 7-11 p.m.

JOHN MCNUTT BAND

Seacrets: Sat., Jan. 29, 5-9 p.m.;

Apply for nonprofit grants online now through Feb. 7

(Jan. 28, 2022) Worcester County Government (WCG) is accepting applications from area nonprofit agencies now through Monday, Feb. 7.

Applications are available to download as a PDF at www.co.worcester.md.us. Once there, the link to the nonprofit grant application can be found under “Important Links” on the right hand side of the web page.

Completed grant applications should be mailed to the following address: Wester County Government, One West Market Street, Room 1103, Snow Hill Maryland, 21863, Attention: Senior Budget Accountant Kim Reynolds.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered, and applying for a nonprofit grant is not a guarantee of funding approval from WCG.

Grant awards will be announced by mail following the adoption of the FY23 WCG Operating Budget in June 2022.

DIRECT FACTORY IMPORTER PRICES

The annual Assateague Island Superintendent’s Award was presented to Markus Williams and Tami Pearl, center, and the Assateague Island Safety Award went to Anastasia Rhodes.

Williams, Pearl and Rhodes presented awards for service

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(Jan. 28, 2022) The winners of the annual Assateague Island Superintendent’s Award and the Assateague Island Safety Award were recently announced.

The 2021 superintendent’s awards were presented to Tami Pearl and Markus Williams. The 2021 Safety Award went to Anastasia Rhodes.

The superintendent’s award is given to an employee or employees who have performed “above and beyond” during the previous year. The safety award is bestowed to an employee who has made a major contribution to the safety program or the safety culture of the park.

Pearl is a biological science technician, specializing in wildlife. Her primary responsibilities lie with Assateague’s avian monitoring programs, which include the piping plover, a federally-listed threatened shorebird species.

In January 2021, Pearl initiated the first-ever virtual meeting for wildlife managers within the Piping Plover Southern Recovery Unit and was recognized for her significant leadership in this endeavor by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and her peers.

She conducts annual avian population surveys including breeding bald eagles and American oystercatchers and works closely with the Maryland DNR monitoring colonial nesting shore bird species in the summer and migrating saw whet owls in the fall.

Pearl is passionate about all of the seashore’s wildlife management projects and has worked to make significant technological advances in field data collection protocols for the beach nesting bird monitoring program. She readily participates in inter-divisional discussions, works well with external collaborators, and is actively engaged with finding solutions to some of the park’s biggest challenges.

Williams is the supervisory recreation fee technician for the national seashore.

He has taken on many additional duties while leading a hard-working fee collection staff through another year of record-breaking visitation at one of largest and most popular campground operations in the National Park Service.

Williams has participated in important national-level programs including the launch of the new service-wide Recreation Business Management System, training all fee staff and troubleshooting system functionality and the development and implementation of the new and improved reclassification of the fee collection job series.

Williams is an active member of Assateague’s interdivisional wild horse working group and an advisor for future entrance station and campground improvements.

Rhodes is a seasonal visitor services assistant working with Assateague’s Horse Management staff.

This year was her second season with horse management, which saw her in an important leadership role. Rhodes was integral in orienting and training new Horse Management interns and Pony Patrol volunteers.

These staff members are dedicated to educating visitors about the wild horses while monitoring and ensuring safe viewing distances and proper food storage compliance.

Rhodes has drafted standard operating procedures for moving wild horses and a new job hazard analyses for UTV operation.

She has worked and operated equipment for two seasons without any safety incidents. She and her 2021 Horse Management team performed hundreds of hours of patrols safely. Her work ethic, skills and training provided for a safe season for park visitors and the Assateague wild horses.

The award winners each demonstrated initiative far surpassing their routine duties. Their hard work and innovative solutions to the challenges of the 2021 season have made a significant, positive difference at Assateague Island National Seashore.

By Greg Wehner Staff Writer (Jan. 28, 2022) A local man with an addiction to fishing and passion for the outdoors has an uphill battle ahead of him after suffering a stroke in December, but with the help of friends and family, he won’t be doing it alone.

Paul Daisey, 41, suffered a massive stroke on Dec. 7 that caused the left side of his body to become paralyzed.

Lisa Daisey-DiFebo, Daisey’s older sister, said she called him that morning, but he did not pick up. After waiting 30 minutes to an hour, and not hearing back, Daisey-DiFebo had her husband go to Daisey’s house to check on him. When he arrived, Daisey was awake and on the floor, though he could not move.

Daisey was taken to Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury, where he remained for three weeks before getting transferred to Encompass Health and Rehabilitation, also in Salisbury.

“Three days into rehab, a case worker came in and said she knew where she knew him from,” Daisey-DiFebo said, adding that her brother was the mate on the boat the case worker fished on during the Poor Girls fishing tournament.

Daisey-DiFebo said her brother remembered the woman and that they caught three white marlin during that tournament.

Over the years, Daisey has worked on several boats, including The Marley and White Lightning.

For full-time work, he works for a local cable company, and for fun, Daisey likes to fish, hunt, and stay active.

According to Daisey-DiFebo, he is also an amazing uncle to her two sons.

Since the stroke, Daisey has gradually worked to be able to walk 15 feet with the help of a walker and three people – and that was just in the last week.

“He asked if he can grab a fishing pole, and the doctor said, ‘Not yet,’” Daisey-DiFebo said. “We just have to keep with the positive thoughts.”

How much recovery Daisey will need is uncertain, as is how far he will come to be able to live on his own again.

But the costs of rehab and making his home, which was built in the 1940s, handicap-friendly will be high.

To help offset those costs, DaiseyDiFebo started a GoFundMe page with a goal of raising $80,000. As of Wednesday, over $81,000 had been collected.

Daisey-DiFebo also plans to put any additional money she gets toward different types of therapy like that which can be done in a pool.

Once Daisey is released from care, he will move in with his sister and her family.

To prepare for her brother, DaiseyDiFebo and her husband have worked to make their home handicap-accessible.

“I don’t know how long he will be with us,” she said. “The goal is for him to live alone.”

With that goal, Daisey better be ready for a marathon of physical therapy.

“He wants to fish by July,” she added.

Anyone interested in donating toward Daisey’s recovery can visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-Daiseydaisey?utm_source=facebook&utm_m edium=social&utm_campaign=p_cp% 20share-sheet&fbclid=IwAR0urWoYR66FvoL3rVbSykzbT1fx8LK6IJuExQIqy5PmN-xUD4g1iy_U_M.

A fundraiser was originally scheduled for Saturday at Smitty McGee’s in Fenwick, but that has been changed to next Saturday, Feb. 5, at Salted Rim in Millville at 3 p.m. The benefit will have an auction that includes boat trips, a catered shrimp and clam boil, and gift cards to restaurants.

“I feel so supported by the community and his friends,” Daisey-DiFebo said. “I’d never be able to do this without them.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF LISA DAISEY-DIFEBO Paul Daisey, who has a passion for fishing and the outdoors, suffered a massive stroke in December, causing the left side of his body to become paralyzed. Now, his sister, Lisa Daisey-DiFebo, is raising money through GoFundMe to help pay for medical and therapy costs, as well as modifications to Daisey’s home to make it handicap-friendly.

Italian group vows to serve more food than Festa Piccola

(Jan. 28, 2022) If running out of food is any indication, the first Festa Piccola in Ocean City was a huge success.

When covid hit the city last March, the Ocean City Lodge of the Sons and Daughters of Italy had to cancel its highly popular annual St. Joseph’s Festival.

Since funds raised at the festival support the lodge’s charitable activities, the membership organized Festa Piccola on Oct. 9 as a way to raise money.

Judging by the food sales at this mini version of the St. Joseph’s Festival, Festa Piccola was a huge success. Patrons lined up before the 11 a.m. opening and lodge began running out of food within the first hour of the five-hour event.

“We offered the same great homemade Italian food and baked goods that we feature in March but because of covid we offered carryout only,” said event Chair Sal Castorina. “We were overSee FESTIVAL Page 30

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Continued from Page 29 whelmed by the response and ran out of food much earlier than we anticipated.”

Looking ahead, Castorina not only apologized to those disappointed, but pledged “to have plenty to serve at our next scheduled St. Joseph’s Day Festival, March 19, 2022.

“We would like to thank all of our supporters who came out Saturday and purchased food, plus the many who came out and were disappointed that we had sold out,” he said. “We very much appreciate your support and hope that each and every one of you will come back next March, when we will have plenty of food to serve, the return of our Italian band, the wine bar, freshly made cannoli, gelato, fried dough, and the popular silent auction and multiple basket raffles.”

The Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America has been in existence in the U.S. since 1905. The Ocean City lodge was started by Italian businessmen and women in May of 1980.

Its goals include increasing awareness of the Italian culture and contributions of Italian Americans to the progress of the United States, helping the community through charitable contributions, and promoting Americanism based on absolute loyalty to the Constitution.

Today, Ocean City Lodge 2474, with almost 200 members living in Worcester County, and Sussex County, Delaware, is active throughout the local area, donating to many charitable organizations. The lodge also provides scholarships to young Italian American high school students and helps support many young men and women who travel from Italy every summer to work in Ocean City and the surrounding resort areas.

Serving homemade Italian foods during the Festa Piccola, from left, are Barb Graziosi, Sharon Smith, Donna Potenza and Rosemarie Pomilla.

Mediacom offers 60 scholarships to seniors

(Jan. 28, 2022) Mediacom Communications is offering $60,000 in scholarship support for high school seniors who plan to obtain further education.

The scholarship program is in its 21st consecutive year and Mediacom’s investment will award $1,000 World Class Scholarships to 60 high school seniors.

Scholarship recipients are given the flexibility to use the financial awards to support post-secondary college costs or vocational training from an accredited institution starting in the fall of 2022. Award selection is based on academic achievement and leadership.

Applications for Mediacom’s World Class Scholarships are available online: mediacomworldclass.com. Information recently was sent to all high schools in areas where Mediacom delivers its high-speed internet services.

School officials are asked to encourage seniors to submit applications on or before the Feb. 15 deadline.

“Our company makes it a priority to give back to communities in which we do business, and we believe one of the best ways is to invest in promising young students who will be our future leaders,” said Mediacom Regional Vice President Doug Frank.

Applicants do not have to be Mediacom customers but must live in areas where Mediacom’s broadband service is provided. Recipients will be selected from the 22 states where Mediacom’s residential customers reside. A complete list of communities in Mediacom service areas is included with the online application. Inquiries may be sent to scholarship@mediacomcc.com.

Dining Guide

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

DOWNTOWN

South end to 28th Street

■ CAPTAIN’S TABLE 15th Street and Baltimore Avenue, inside The Courtyard by Marriott, Ocean City 410289-7192, www. captainstableoc.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS! Featuring seafood, steaks and poultry. Daily chef specials. Breakfast and lunch Wednesday through Friday, 8-11 a.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 8 p.m. to noon. Dinner and Lite fare Wednesday through Sunday, 5-9 p.m. Dine in or carry out available. ■ COINS PUB & RESTAURANT 28th Street Plaza and Coastal Highway, Ocean City 410-289-3100, www.coinspuboc.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Casual dining atmosphere for families. Soups, salads, crab cakes, hand cut steaks, fresh seafood, scallops, fresh soft crabs, and specialty dishes. Happy hour daily, 3-6 p.m. with food and drink specials. Early bird daily, 4-6 p.m. with special dinner menu. Open Monday through Thursday, Friday and Saturday at noon; Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Dine in or carry out. ■ CORAL REEF RESTAURANT & BAR Oceanfront and 17th St. in Holiday Inn & Suites, Ocean City 410-289-2612, www.coralreefrestaurant.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Enjoy our hearty homestyle breakfasts starting at 6:30 a.m. daily. Lunch and dinner offering light fare of soups and salads along with our house specialty Scallops St. Croix, along with ribs, Cuban pork and steak selections. ■ THE DOUGH ROLLER S. Division Street and Boardwalk 410-289- 3501; 3rd Street and Boardwalk 410-289- 2599, www.TheDoughRoller.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar An Ocean City family tradition since 1980. Offering breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Buttermilk pancakes, fresh handmade dough pizza and Italian dinners. We have something for everyone! ■ THE VIEW RESTAURANT AND BAR AT CAMBRIA, OC Located in the Cambria Hotel, 13 St. Louis Avenue, Ocean City 410-280-1645 or 410520-4541 Open to the public with a new full menu, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Happy Hour each day from 3-9 p.m. Open 7 a.m. daily until midnight Fridays and Saturdays and until 10 p.m. all other days. Enjoy overlooking the bay with fresh baked pastries on premise. Wounder appetizers, salads, sandwiches, entrees and flatbreads.

MIDTOWN

29th to 90th streets

■ 32 PALM Located in The Hilton,32nd Street, Ocean City 410-289-2525, www.32palm.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Open daily, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Bar and lounge. Western Caribbean cuisine with a mix of traditional Eastern Shore favorites. ■ THE DOUGH ROLLER 41st Street and Coastal Highway 410-5249254; 70th Street and Coastal Highway 410524-7981, www.TheDoughRoller.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Online ordering See downtown locations for description. ■ LONGBOARD CAFÉ 6701 Coastal Hwy., Ocean City 443-6645639, www.longboardcafe.net $$-$$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Classic and creative American dishes and cocktails are showcased in a festive, surfthemed setting with weekly specials. Featuring burgers, tacos, prime rib, seafood and more. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Closed on Tuesdays. Dine-in and curbside pick-up. ■ MARLIN MOON Located in the Double Tree Hotel, 3301 Atlantic Ave., Ocean City 410-289-1201, www.marlinmoonocmd.com $$ Open Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.to 10 p.m. Restaurant and bar with fresh seafood, small plates, desserts and cocktails. ■ RESIDENCE INN BY MARRIOTT 61st Street Bayside/2nd Floor @ Bayview Bar & Grill, Ocean City 443- 664-7043 $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Bayfront dining with a casual atmosphere. Specializing in burgers, flat breads, crab cakes, shrimp burgers and full dinner specials. Happy Hour daily, 4-7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 4-11 p.m. (kitchen until 10 p.m.) and NFL specials all day Sunday. ■ SEACRETS 49th Street, Ocean City 410-524-4900, www.seacrets.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Open Thursday and Friday, 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. with Island atmosphere. Jamaican jerk chicken, appetizers, sandwiches, paninis, pizza and fresh seafood.

UPTOWN

91st to 146th streets

■ HORIZONS OCEANFRONT RESTAURANT, BREAKERS PUB & LENNY’S BEACH BAR & GRILL Inside the Clarion, 101st Street, Ocean City 410-524-3535, www.clarionoc.com $-$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Serving beach-inspired dishes in our oceanfront restaurants, Horizons and Breakers Pub. All-day menu, available 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner including light fare and steamer specials.

WEST OCEAN CITY

■ COASTAL SMOKEHOUSE 12513 Ocean Gateway, West Ocean City 410-390-5998, coastalsmokehouse.com $$-$$$ | Full bar with 18 TVs Coastal Smokehouse caters to the steak and barbecue expert inside of us all with a menu that tours the nation's hottest barbecue destinations and a top-notch bourbon list with which to wash it all down. Open 7days a week for lunch and dinner from noon to 11 p.m. ■ OC CHOPSTICKS Asian Bistro 12741 Ocean Gateway, Suite 890, West Ocean City (Outlets Ocean City) 410-8011111, www.occhopsticks.com $$ | Beer | Premium Sake Offering a wide array of authentic Chinese, Japanese and Thai food. Dine-in and carryout. Lunch specials. Dinner and lite fare. Sunday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

■ CLUBHOUSE BAR AND GRILLE 100 Clubhouse Drive, Ocean Pines 410-6417222, oceanpinesgolf.org/dining $$ | Full bar With sweeping views of the 18th hole, the new Clubhouse Bar and Grille serves freshly prepared breakfast and lunch items. Full bar. Open daily, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., weather permitting. ■ OCEAN PINES YACHT CLUB 1 Mumford Landing Road, Ocean Pines 410641-7222, www.OPyachtclub.com $$-$$$ | Full bar The Ocean Pines Yacht Club offers casual coastal cuisine for lunch and dinner in a beautiful bayfront setting. Fresh seafood, signature drinks, live music and more. Open Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m.