APRIL 9, 2026
BERLIN • NORTH WORCESTER COUNTY• OCEAN PINES
FREE
Coastal Bays joins Berlin to fix branch Hudson Branch to receive special care to help bays and watershed overall By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (April 9, 2026) The Town of Berlin, in partnership with the Maryland Coastal Bays Program, will hold a public meeting later this month to present plans for a stream restoration project along Hudson Branch and gather community input. The meeting is scheduled for April 29 at 5:30 p.m. at the Berlin Library, with a virtual attendance option available on the Town of Berlin’s Facebook page. Officials say all members of the public are imvited to attend, ask questions and offer their opinions. “The goal of this stream restoration project is to reduce the flood risk See PROJECT Page 8 PHOTO COURTESY GARRETT NEVILLE/GOOD BOY MFG.
BUNNY BUSINESS The Berlin Chamber of Commerce recognized Easter this past weekend with the annual Spring Celebration. The event began with a bonnet parade, featuring a special appearance from the Easter Bunny.
Cheer teams bound for Florida Competitive cheerleading groups from Berlin area head for championships By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (April 9, 2026) Just a year after its formation, a cheerleading program in Berlin is heading to Florida for the Allstar World Championship to com-
pete against teams across the United States and beyond. Clique Athletics was launched by owners and coaches Nikaletta Martin, Jamie Ferguson, and Monicia Young last May. The program is registered with the competitive cheer event organization, Open Championship Series, and welcomes cheerleaders of all skill levels, aged 4 to 18, to participate in classic cheer compo-
nents: tumbling, stunting, choreography, and conditioning. These skills are tested at least once a month when the teams head to local, regional, or national competitions, where they perform their twoand-a-half-minute routines. According to Martin, Clique Athletics has a total of 33 cheerleaders across a novice group and two elite See CHEER Page 6
WE BUY GOLD & SILVER Kozma Jewelry & Coins
Taylor House pig roast will aid programs By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (April 9, 2026) Smoke will rise from the lawn of Berlin’s Calvin B. Taylor House Museum later this month when it presents its fourth annual old-fashioned pig roast. This year, organizers are adding a twist: See PIG Page 8
We Pay the Highest Prices for Gold & Silver Coins Gold Jewelry • Silver Jewelry • Silverware D.A. KOZMA JEWELERS RT 50 & 611 in the FOOD LION SHOPPING CENTER WOC 410-213-7505 • DAKOZMAJEWELERS.COM
Page 2
Bayside Gazette
April 9, 2026
A Place To Call Home
Voted Best Assisted Living in Wicomico County 2024 and 2025. Newly Installed - Insperien, an industry Leading Artificial Intelligence Camera for fall prevention and care tracking!
April 9, 2026
Bayside Gazette
Page 3
OP Anglers Club announces flea market to assist events friendly events. Teach a Kid to Fish Day is set for June 20, and the children’s tournament is scheduled for July 18. How it works is that, for the Teach By Tara Fischer a Kid to Fish event, the club will have Staff Writer several display tables organized to (April 9, 2026) In an effort to sup- teach fishing skills, such as fish idenport outreach programs for children tification, knot tying, artificial this summer, the Ocean Pines An- lures/baits, and how to bait a hook. glers Club is hosting a flea market In addition, the novice anglers this month, offering fishing, crab- meet with staff members from the bing, and boating equipment avail- Maryland Department of Natural Reable for purchase. sources to learn water safety and fishThe OPAC is gearing up to hold its ing regulations. fifth annual flea market on Saturday, “We also have a casting station to April 18, from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in teach the beginners how to cast difthe Assateague Room at the Ocean ferent types of tackle,” Tortella said. Pines Community Center. All pro- “After moving through the various taceeds will be spent on organizing the bles, the kids are given live bait and club’s “Teach a Kid to Fish Day” and can fish the pond for one hour. At the the subsequent conclusion there is kids’ fishing tournaa raffle for a rod and ment. ‘[The events] introduce kids reel combo.” According to the For the July conto the sport of fishing and group’s administratest, all contestants all things great about tor, Frank Tortella, must register in being outdoors.’ Ocean Pines Angler their age groups (4 Frank Tortella Club members and to 8; 9 to 12; or 13 private vendors will Ocean Pines Anglers Club to16) and are given be on-site on April a card to get their Administrator 18, selling fishing catch certified. Voltackle and gear, unteer judges are boating items, and creations related stationed around the Ocean Pines to the sport and/or the outdoors. South Pond. OPAC board member Doug MurA bait station provides both worms phy added that this year’s fishing and minnows for each angler, and the market allowed for 20 seller tables, children are allowed two hours to all of which have been reserved. Six fish. The top three fishers in each age interested vendors remain on a wait category win prizes such as a fishing list. rod and reel, and a tackle box. The “This year we were lucky and filled biggest fish in each age group wins a out fairly quickly,” Murphy said. “We rod and reel. have six tables on a wait list. Last year Tortella added that there is a we had 13 tables, and this year we grand raffle at the end of the tournamaxed out at 20.” ment for a custom fishing rod, and all In addition to the items for pur- kids receive a gift set that includes a chase, the event will include a 50/50 club hat and shirt. raffle. Ticket buyers should write “These events are certainly among their name and phone number on the our club’s most enjoyable and reentry slip so they do not need to be warding annual activities,” the club present when the winner is an- administrator said. nounced at the conclusion of the marThe mission of the kid-friendly acket. tivities is to create and inspire young Tortella said that the club hopes to anglers. secure about $300 to $400 from the “[The events] introduce kids to the flea market for the kids’ fishing sport of fishing and all things great events. The two programs cost the about being outdoors,” Tortella said. group about $2,000 to $2,200 total “They learn about the DNR and to present. Maryland rules and regulations that The club’s annual expenses run come with the sport and, imporabout $2,500 to $3,000 when factor- tantly, the kids learn how to particiing in their yearly project with Believe pate and interact with other kids, in Tomorrow, in which about 15 boat organize events, take instruction and captains take Believe in Tomorrow supervision from adults, and simply kids and their families out on a boat bring families together for a great for a few hours to enjoy the water, time.” and their participation in Bay Day. Fishing enthusiasts are invited atBay Day is held in White Horse Park tend the community angler club’s flea in Ocean Pines each year in collabo- market on April 18 to browse the ration with the Maryland Coastal equipment selection and support the Bays Program. organization's goal of fostering a love The flea market, however, will help of the outdoor sport in a younger genthe organization pay for its kid- eration.
April 18 event planned for Ocean Pines Community Center to feature vendors
OCEAN CITY’S HOME FOR STE EAKS, SEAFOOD & COCKT TA AILS!
OFF-SEASON SPECIALS | DINE-IN ONL LY Y TUESDA AY Y EARLY BIRD 20% OFF BEFORE 6 6PM WEDNESDAY 50% OFF BOTTLED WINE THURSDAY COMPLIMENTAR A Y DESSERT WITH ENTRÉ ÉE PURCHASE
HAPPY HOUR R
TUESDAY-SATURDAY TUESDAY Y--SATU T RDAY 4-6 PM SUN & MON ALL ALL NIGHT FIND THE LATEST T MENUS & SPECIIALS AT
CAPTAIN A NSTABLEOC A .C COM 15th Street & Oceanside
4 410.289.7192