06/27/2025 OC Today-Dispatch

OC Today-Dispatch

Big tanks offer big backup

They’re part of a Chesapeake Utilities project that will use five 100,000-gallon tanks to store liquified natural gas at a Bishopville facility to ensure its availability in the northern Worcester County area. — PAGE 22.

Sign up now for our new, Monday-Friday newsletter. — Page 75

Governor defends windmills

Gov. Wes Moore says the state needs more energy options so it isn’t totally reliant on one source, but he doesn’t directly address Ocean City government’s opposition to offshore wind turbines. — PAGE 3

Run for it!

Or do the best you can given the circumstances. But this and one other sea turtle did make it back in the ocean after being rehabilitated at the Baltimore National Aquarium. — PAGE 86

Gov. stands behind offshore wind off coast of Ocean City

Moore

By Brian Shane Staff Writer

(June 27, 2025) As President Donald Trump continues to tweet against windmills, Maryland’s governor says his office hasn’t been in communication with the White House over a proposed offshore mid-Atlantic wind farm that’s in the final stages of approval at the state level.

“No, we haven't had any communication with the Trump administration on this project specifically,” Moore said in an interview Tuesday with OC Today-Dispatch. The governor is in Ocean City for the annual summer conference of the Maryland Municipal League.

“I know some of the challenges that the administration has and we hear them loud and clear,” he added. “The thing that I want for everybody to hear loud and clear is that in the state of Maryland, we have got to come up with more energy options. We've got to come up with a more sustainable and affordable way for people to be able to harness energy. We have to do more to invest in our grid. We have to do more to make sure that we are not solely reliant on individual or independent sources of energy.”

Moore added he’s looking forward to working with the federal government “to figure out just where exactly they are, and what they will support and fund, because federal involvement does matter in these projects, we cannot deny that.”

During his 2024 campaign, Trump said he’d end offshore wind with an executive order “on Day 1.” Once he took office in January, the President continued to make overtures about stomping out offshore wind projects, calling them “an economic and environmental disaster” that only work with government subsidies.

Trump’s criticism continued last week with this June 21 posting to his Truth Social account:

“Windmills, and the rest of this ‘JUNK,’ are the most expensive and inefficient energy in the world, is destroying the beauty of the environment, and is 10 times more costly than any other energy. None of it works without massive government subsidy (energy should NOT NEED SUBSIDY!). Also, it is almost exclusively made in China!!! It is time to break away, finally, from this craziness!!!”

The developer US Wind plans to install a 114-turbine wind farm as close as 11 miles off the coast of Ocean City. The company recently cleared a final round of permitting

from the Maryland Department of the Environment.

“The Department has made a final determination to issue the permit-toconstruct, the PSD Approval, and the NSR Approval, effective June 6, 2025,” the agency shared on its website earlier this month.

OC Today-Dispatch specifically asked Moore, a Democrat, what his position is on this project.

“My position is that Maryland needs to have an energy future that can create sustainable and affordable and reliable energy for every Marylander,” came his reply. “It's the reason that I've been pushing for not just wind, but also solar and nuclear energy, and just more energy sources that can make things a little bit easier for the people of our state and for the people of Maryland.

“But I also know that I don't do anything without community,” he added. “I think there's one thing that people have learned about me and the way that I lead, is that I believe that partnership produces progress. I don't believe that we do things to communities – I believe we do things with communities. My promise to all of our communities is that I will always be not just an active listener, but an active partner inside of this work to make sure that we get to the right conclusion.”

Local elected officials have voiced their strident opposition to the wind farm project for years. Ocean City is currently in the process of suing the federal government to stop the project from proceeding, with Worcester County government signed on as a co-plaintiff.

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BRIAN SHANE/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Maryland Governor Wes Moore is pictured in Ocean City this week as part of an annual visit to the resort for the Maryland Municipal League convention.

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Worcester County officials also have considered invoking eminent domain to stop US Wind from setting up shop at the West Ocean City commercial fishing harbor for an operations and maintenance facility to service the wind farm.

When asked what he would say to those elected officials who are staunchly opposed to wind farms off their coastline, Moore said “they’re still my partners on the (Lower Eastern Shore) and they’re people who I still plan on working with and still plan on coordinating with on these issues.”

Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan has vowed to keep fighting the US Wind project in court, saying that the state has “ignored” local voices and “will stop at no end to politically approve” a project he called unreliable and unsustainable.

Congressman Andy Harris on Tuesday posted to Facebook his opposition to the US Wind project, saying “this offshore wind project will devastate our shoreline, destroy the commercial fishing industry, and harm our marine life.”

Moore has strongly supported offshore wind. After signing a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to advance offshore wind development in Maryland, Moore said in June of 2024 via statement on his website, “Maryland is serious about offshore wind – not just because of what it means for our environment, but also because of what it means for our economy. Offshore wind means new manufacturing jobs, higher wages, and more opportunity to grow wealth for Maryland families. I’m grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration and all of our partners at the local, state, and federal levels for their partnership in this work. Together, we will build an economy that is both green and growing.”

New helipad at Northside Park first of its kind in Md.

weather conditions

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(June 27, 2025) A new landing zone at Northside Park will go live in August.

On June 21, representatives for the Town of Ocean City, various city departments and Maryland State Police Aviation Command gathered at Northside Park to cut the ribbon on a new Instrument Flight Reading (IFR) landing zone, which will allow medical helicopters to land in Ocean City during periods of poor weather and low visibility.

Ocean City Fire Department Community and Department Engagement Officer Ryan Whittington said the helipad is the first non-hospital, non-airport-based IFR landing zone in the state.

“We’re very excited to offer that to our residents, our visitors and our business owners here in Ocean City,” he said.

Whittington said the development of an IFR landing zone was years in the making, as it required funding from the Town of Ocean City and a working relationship with the Federal Aviation Administration and Maryland State Police Aviation Command.

However, he said those efforts were worth it, as it would improve aviation response times to critically ill patients in Ocean City.

“Just like you have a GPS in your car that can take you to a destination,

during inclement weather, or when visibility is lower than the normal standard where the pilot can see out of the aircraft, they can use this instrument approach and rely on their instruments to fly into Ocean City and land here at Northside Park,” he explained.

Maryland State Police 1st Sgt. Jonathan Larson said Aviation Command will be able to utilize the new approach in poor weather conditions, which he said will save time and lives. Traditionally, a critically ill patient would be transported from Ocean City by ground when visibility is limited.

“The IFR approach is certainly not cheap,” he said. “However, in the future, when it goes live in the beginning of August, that life that we save will have paid for itself.”

From the new landing zone in Ocean City, Larson said patients can be flown to Shock Trauma in Baltimore, Christiana Hospital in Delaware, or even Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C. He added the heliport could also be used by outside agencies, including Delaware State Police.

“This is just another tool for all the ground providers and the [Helicopter Emergency Medical Services] industry to be able to use,” he said.

Officials report that practice will continue at the new landing zone throughout the summer. And while the helipad will be operational by early August, Whittington said not much will change at Northside Park "other than we clear the field a little more to get

BETHANY HOOPER/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

The creation of a new Instrument Flight Reading landing zone for aviation response agencies at Northside Park was celebrated last Saturday with a ceremonial ribbon cutting.

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New mobile home park offers affordability

By Brian Shane Staff Writer

(June 27, 2025) In a coastal market where affordable housing is increasingly out of reach, one West Ocean City developer says he’s found a solution: a mobile home community that not only blends low price points with upscale amenities, but where neighbors know your name.

Mark Odachowski is the developer behind the community he calls

Salt Life, a 92-home mobile home park in West Ocean City. The new two-bedroom homes, around 1,200 square feet each, are priced in the $200,000s – a rarity in the current resort housing market.

“Obviously, the economy, inflation and all that's impacted all of us, no matter where you live,” Odachowsi said at a June 20 ribbon cutting attended by friends and local government officials, including Con-

gressman Andy Harris.

“But West Ocean City is a high sought-after area,” he added, “and affordability is difficult for many factors. So, we've strived very hard to have the most affordable, best community with five-star amenities, and I think we've achieved it.”

The project connects an existing adjacent parcel of 58 mobile homes on Old Bridge Road (Route 707), renovated to include new water and

sewer connections, with another 34 newly manufactured homes. It’s all built around a clubhouse, pool, and retaining pond.

It took him 18 months to get to this point, with crews working seven days a week.

“We felt that it was a trailer park when we obtained it,” Odachoswki said, “and now it's a mobile home community. And if there's ever a distinction between a trailer park and

The Salt Life mobile home community in West Ocean City officially opened June 20 with a ribbon cutting and appearances from local elected officials. BRIAN SHANE/

Salt Life community cuts ribbon

mobile home community, this is it. This isn't a trailer park. … I think we are the model for what a good, quality, well-run mobile home community can be.”

Salt Life buyers pay to own their homes, but then they’ll also pay ground rent and other community fees. Excluding electricity and cable TV service, the fee includes lawn mowing, water and sewer costs, real property taxes, trash pickup, and even mosquito control. Some homes can come furnished. Garages and sheds are available, too.

Rentals are available, but only on a year-round basis. That’s because Odachowski is selling not just housing but a laid-back beachy lifestyle, one where neighbors get to know each other and have shared experiences.

“This is more of a community,” he said. “It's not intended to be like an AirBnb. When you live here, this is your home. It's not coming into town, renting it for a week. People obviously work hard all year long to come down here to vacation and want to have fun and stay up to later nights – this is not that place.”

Odachowski so believes in his passion project that he stole front acreage from his own homestead on Old Bridge Road to further develop the project. The entrance to the Amish-built Phase II modular homes used to be his gated driveway.

The project stands out because new construction homes in this price point are nearly impossible to find, said real estate agent Marlene Ott, who attended the ribbon cutting. She is also a member of the Worcester County Planning Commission that approved the project.

The list price is “as good as it’s going to get in this area,” Ott said. “It got out of hand due to the economy and the general market. Thank heavens these entrepreneurs knew how to anticipate the need for this, and I think they’ve shown the success.”

For home builders, the outskirts

of Ocean City are suffering from a shortage of water-sewer access – or “equivalent dwelling units” (EDUs) in developer parlance. It means development in the West Ocean City area is both driven by – and constrained by – sewer access, according to local attorney Hugh Cropper.

“It takes a very unique property to be developed right now because there’s no EDUs, and in my opinion, that’s running up the cost of housing,” said Cropper, whose law practice specializes in zoning and real estate matters. “The demand is just – the [wastewater treatment] plant has run out of EDUs, and they can’t over connect it, so we’re at a situation know where we have limited availability.”

In the near future, he added, construction of new residential subdivisions in Worcester County will have to rely on the public sewerage, because development on private septic isn’t really feasible, based on regulations in place to protect ground water and environmental conditions.

Worcester County Commissioner Eric Fiori, who represents West Ocean City, said future housing growth in his district will have to come from smaller residential projects with EDUs already allocated.

“We’re not going to see any large home site development – we just don’t have the public water and sewer capacity,” he said. “The only way we’re going to see residential growth and development in our district we would need an ocean outfall. There’s no other way.”

Who owns Worcester County’s remaining EDUs is a mystery because that information is not a matter of public record.

County law shields the identity of EDU holders, because the relationship is of a contractual business nature, with EDU holders paying for a service, not paying general taxes, according to county spokeswoman Kim Moses.

BRIAN SHANE/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Developer Mark Odachowski inside a model home at his new Salt Life community.

Surrounded by local and state leaders, the Maryland Coastal Bays Program recommitted to the protection of the coastal bays with the signing of its

Group to protect, restore area bays with updated plan

Team prioritizes health of waterways and marine life

By Brian Shane Staff Writer

(June 27, 2025) A local environmental nonprofit just inked its latest ten-year roadmap with state and local officials, including a ringing endorsement from Maryland’s governor, to protect and restore coastal bay waters in Worcester County.

Calling the coastal bays “one of the greatest heirlooms we’ve got,” Gov. Wes Moore appeared in person Tuesday in Ocean City to affix his signature to the Maryland Coastal Bays Program’s (MCBP) newest Comprehensive Conservation & Management Plan.

“It's our job to protect this area and we will make sure we do just that,” Moore said from a lectern at the southern end of the Boardwalk overlooking Assateague Island.

“Thank you for making sure that we can walk arm in arm through this, to know that the next generation will look back at the same waterway generations from now.”

Moore ended his enthusiastic remarks by writing his signature in Sharpie marker on a poster-sized version of the agreement displayed on an easel. He was joined by other local elected officials including state Sen. Mary Beth Carozza, mayors Zach Tyndall of Berlin and Rick Meehan of Ocean City, and Worcester County Commission President Ted Elder.

Josh Kurtz, Secretary of the state’s Department of Natural Resources, at the signing ceremony lauded the group for its long-term blueprint, one that aims to tackle a daunting future

management agreement.

BRIAN SHANE/ OC TODAY-DISPATCH

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County to reap benefits from legal cannabis

pact fund, from which the state’s 23 counties and Baltimore City each get a percentage.

By Brian Shane Staff Writer

(June 27, 2025) State tax revenue from recreational cannabis sales has given Worcester County a $1 million kitty from which to distribute community-based impact grants.

The Worcester County Reinvestment and Repair Grant Program will distribute money that’s been earmarked for low-income communities or to serve disproportionality impacted areas.

Funding comes from the state’s 9% tax on recreational cannabis, which was legalized in 2023. Maryland puts 35% of that tax revenue into an im-

Counties are required to adopt laws outlining specific purposes for which the cannabis tax revenue can be used locally. The county’s Board of Commissioners voted to do so unanimously at its June 17 meeting.

Each county’s fund share is based, generally, on its historical impact of drug enforcement laws. Last year, Worcester County’s share of the fund was 1.22%, according to county spokeswoman Kim Moses. As of June 1, the fund balance was $1,084,216.

In Worcester, grant applicants can be nonprofit organizations, community groups, small businesses, and municipalities. The money can be used for economic development, public health, and community improve-

ment.

Funds may not be spent on law enforcement, or to supplant any county programs that existed before the legalization of recreational cannabis.

Proposals must include an outline of project goals, including who the money will help, a budget, and measurable outcomes. Applicants also must include letters of support from local community organizations, according to Worcester County Administrator Weston Young.

He said they’ll be more likely to seriously consider grant requests from nonprofits and municipalities. For example, he said Berlin is looking to fund a community center, and Snow Hill wants to resurface its public basketball courts.

“Our Program Open Space money’s been cut to less than a third of what it used to be under Governor [Wes] Moore. So, we don’t have as much money to give around for parks,” Young said.

Applicants would benefit from including letters of support from others in the community, “to show this is a community request, and not [for] the benefit of one business owner,”

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Young added.

County officials will accept applications through the end of this summer, with grant awards announced in October. Smaller grants are encouraged, though there’s no maximum award. The county eventually will publish online an annual report including the projects selected and their respective grant amounts.

When the Worcester County Commissioners discussed this on June 17, Commissioner Caryn Abbot (District 1, Southern) said she knows of two projects in the Pocomoke City that could benefit from such funds.

According to Abbott, one project would be housing several businesses under its roof, and two of those businesses in particular would be a law practice and a mental health clinic.

While the southern end of Worcester County does lack many services like day care, dry cleaners, or attorneys, “it’s meant to be for community initiatives,” Young said of the grants.

“I could see churches. I could see, you know, any sort of nonprofits out there. … Ultimately, we’ll present everything back to you all that’s been requested,” he told Abbott.

roadmap signed by MCBP

Continued from Page 14

marked by warmer waters, more erosion, and shrinking islands.

“Having the foresight to do this in 10-year increments allows us to really say: what are the challenges on the horizon?” Kurtz said. “This plan looks into that future, and it helps us really build for what we want to see, which is a coastal bays that provide robust economic opportunity for all of our local communities.”

It’s the third iteration of the organization’s management plan, with its first edition coming out in 19992000. They revamped it again in 2015, following a three-year effort to define the most significant issues related to water quality and environmental health.

What emerged was a 10-year treatise that addresses goals and action items in the areas of legislation and policy, education and outreach, restoration and conservation, and ecosystem assessment.

So what’s changed in the last decade? Worcester County officials say “significant progress” has been made that benefit the coastal bays, like ongoing litter cleanup initiatives, more environmental education in local schools, increased land conservation programs, and improved bay

health report cards.

The new management plan, which extends to 2035, touches on themes of providing healthy waters, protecting fish and wildlife and their habitats, creating resilient ecosystems, and developing public engagement and partnership. It’s also sleeker, with a list of 124 action compared with 222 in the prior version.

The coastal bays include the areas of Assawoman Bay, Isle of Wight Bay, the St. Martin River, Sinepuxent Bay, Newport Bay, and Chincoteague Bay and all their respective creeks, prongs, and coves. Their collective watersheds extend through Worcester County from lower Sussex County, Delaware, to Chincoteague, Virginia.

Kevin Smith, executive director of the Maryland Coastal Bays Program, said it’s been 25 years since local leaders last renewed their commitment to keeping those waterways healthy by signing a working agreement like they did Tuesday.

“It’s almost, in certain regards, like renewing your marriage vows,” he said. “We’ve always had a good partnership with folks – the town, the county, and other folks. We’ll go back to work tomorrow and just continue what we’re doing.”

Police chief to explore new plate reader on 142nd St.

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(June 27, 2025) Officials are looking to install a new license plate reader on 142nd Street.

During a recent meeting of the Caine Woods Community Association, Ocean City Police Department’s new police chief, Raymond Austin, told community members he wants to revisit the installation of a license plate reader (LPR) on 142nd Street. As the road is a main entry and exit point, law enforcement officials believe it could be beneficial to the city.

“When the LPR’s first came about, that site was not feasible due to connectivity issues,” Ashley Miller, the department’s deputy communications manager, said in a statement this week. “Chief Austin would like to revisit it since there has been enhancement in technology over the years and there is a need for it.”

Caine Woods President Mike Quade said the chief had noted “people who have stolen cars have learned how to get out of Ocean City through 142nd Street and onto Route 54.” Miller said the chief is reviewing the cost of installing a license plate reader, which could be added to the department’s budget.

Quade said the installation of a license plate reader was one of many subjects discussed at the association’s meeting. He said concerns of speeding were also addressed.

“The community is facing speeding in 25 mph speed limits, especially on 141st and 142nd streets,” he said. “That’s the big issue, but there’s speeding all over Caine Woods.”

Quade said association members also took issue with the department’s removal of a portable speed board in the Caine Woods community. Miller said the board was moved to another location at the conclusion of a speed study the department’s traffic safety unit (TSU) conducted on 139th Street.

That study, she said, revealed more compliant motorists than violators. The speed board recorded 13,846 vehicles and an average speed of 21 mph.

“About 1.2% of almost 14,000 vehicles were doing 11-plus over the speed limit,” she said. “Statistically, there is not a major speed concern at this location. However, TSU will continue to enforce as always, to hold any traffic violator accountable, especially in our communities.”

Quade said he trusted the police department to act on the community’s concerns. He said the chief vowed to have a strong police presence within Caine Woods and monitor speeding.

“It’s a common problem in all locations in Ocean City this time of year,” he said. “People on vacation, Junebugs are in town, they want to get where they need to go as soon as possible, and they don’t take into consideration that we have a lot of children with bikes on the street.”

BRIAN SHANE/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Police are exploring the installation of a license plate reader at 142nd Street, a popular access point to Ocean City.

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New natural gas storage facility being built

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(June 27, 2025) Barges hauling 100,000-gallon gas tanks are making their way to Bishopville this month in preparation for a new natural gas storage facility.

Nicholas Bishop, capital projects manager for Chesapeake Utilities,

said the tanks are part of an Worcester Resiliency Upgrade project recently approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), which oversees the interstate transmission of natural gas, oil and electricity. Construction of a new liquefied natural gas storage facility in Bish-

opville will begin in the coming months and be completed by next year. Eastern Shore Natural Gas, a subsidiary of Chesapeake Utilities, will operate the site.

“The facility will provide additional capacity to protect customers from weather-related supply disruptions and expand energy availability to more residents and local businesses,” he said.

The 135-acre site – located next to the asphalt plant in Bishopville – will house five, 100,000-gallon, low-profile horizontal storage tanks, Bishop said.

Given their size, the tanks were shipped from a manufacturing company to Norfolk, Va., where they were then barged to Moore Boat in Bishopville. From there, the tanks were transported by truck to the project site, which caused temporary road closures.

“Eastern Shore Natural Gas worked with several specialized shipping companies to deliver the tanks, and coordinated the entire process with FERC, local officials, first responders and MDOT to ensure safety

and minimize disruption to the community,” Bishop said.

Eastern Shore Natural Gas reports the project will service residents in Worcester and Wicomico counties in Maryland, and Sussex County in Delaware.

In addition to the installation of the gas tanks, the project will include pipeline looping, upgrades to the Millsboro pressure control station, and upgrades to three existing meter and regulator stations – located in Selbyville, Thompson and Berlin.

Eastern Shore Natural Gas reports the project’s goal is to ensure reliability and affordability. With the new capacity, the company said customers are protected from weatherrelated supply disruptions and associated price spikes.

“The tanks will be used to supply additional natural gas via the existing Eastern Shore Natural Gas pipeline during periods of winter weather and supply shortages,” Bishop said.

Bishop said those with questions should visit the project’s webpage, worcesterresiliencyupgrade.com.

This gas tank-carrying barge sailed to Bishopville earlier this month in preparation for a new natural gas storage facility, which is set to be completed next year.

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Eight arrested for failure to register as sex offenders

(June 27, 2025) The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office recently partnered with local and federal agencies to strictly enforce Sex Offender Registry compliance across Worcester County.

From March 3 through March 14, the WCSO Sex Offender Registry Unit, the U.S. Marshals Service-District of Maryland, the U.S. Marshals Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force (CARFTF) and the Ocean City Police Department conducted a joint compliance initiative.

The operation involved 69 sex offender compliance checks. As a result, deputies secured eight arrest warrants for failure to register as a

sex offender, closing six warrants with physical arrests. Charged with violations regarding the sex offender registry were Justin Bell, 35, Tier 3, of Ocean City; Daniel Crismond, 60, Tier 3, of Pocomoke; Donald Disharoon, 75, Tier 3, of Berlin; Deborah Halter, 40, Tier 2, of Girdletree; Cheryl Jarmon, 61, Tier 3, of Ocean City; Ruben Martinez, 42, Tier 3, of Berlin; Shawn Robins, 43, Tier 3, of Snow Hill; and Richard Steininger, 31, Tier 3, of Snow Hill.

“The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office is committed to public safety, and this operation’s success demonstrates what can be accomplished when law enforcement agencies coordinate resources and work together toward a common goal,” said Sheriff Matt Crisafulli in a statement.

Daniel Crismond Donald Disharoon Deborah Halter Cheryl Jarmon

Ruben Martinez Shawn Robins Richard Steininger

Justin Bell

Follow tradition, Berlin planning July 3 fireworks

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer

(June 27, 2025) With Independence Day fast approaching, the Town of Berlin is gearing up for its annual fireworks display on July 3, to be visible throughout the municipality's limits.

Berlin will host its fireworks show one day before the Fourth of July, as has been a tradition for many years. On July 3, the colorful, sparkling lights will launch from Heron Park around 9 p.m. The explosives will illuminate the sky for approximately 20 minutes.

According to Berlin Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells, the town hosts its patriotic display the day before actual Independence Day, as folks typically have the following day, the Fourth of July, off from work. This allows parties to last a bit longer, which is conducive to the fireworks’ 9 p.m. start time.

“Historically, we have always held our fireworks celebration on July 3, because there are a lot of backyard barbecues, parties, and family get-togethers,” she said. “Knowing that people have July 4 off, the parties can run a little bit later since the fireworks don’t start until after 9 p.m. Everyone has the next day off. We like to have a party here in Berlin.”

Berlin residents typically watch the show from different spots around the area, like SonRise Church or their backyards, as the town’s agreement with firework provider, SkyShooter Displays of Pennsylvania, stipulates that the explosives shoot high enough to be seen throughout most sites within the town’s limits.

“We contract with the fireworks company specifically for our show to be as high up in the air as possible so people from all over the town can see them,” Wells said. “You don’t have to actually go to Heron Park to watch the fireworks because there won’t be anything low to the ground, so that you won’t miss anything. We intentionally have the fireworks high to allow the most visibility around town.”

The whole 20-minute show can be enjoyed from anywhere in Berlin, specifically residences, as barbecues and at-home parties are a staple of the American holiday.

SonRise Church is also a popular spot for Berlin locals to catch the fireworks show. As a sponsor of the event, SonRise Church hosts a variety of children’s activities and offers food as families come out to enjoy the Independence Day tradition.

In the case of rain, the fireworks will still be lit off. However, Wells notes that if the weather is dangerous or threatening, the illumination display will be postponed and added to another upcoming event.

“It’s a wonderful time in Berlin,” Wells said. “Come down, get some dinner, grab some ice cream at Island Creamery, and enjoy the fun. It’s the way for the Town of Berlin to give back to the community.”

The Ghost Museum open in Berlin

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer

(June 27, 2025) Berlin’s new ghost museum welcomes residents and visitors to explore the Eastern Shore town’s supernatural history, featuring spooky artifacts, haunted stories, and paranormal accounts.

The Town of Berlin Main Street and Arts and Entertainment District announced in February that a new exhibit, the Ghost Museum, would be coming to town this summer. That time has officially arrived, as the latest business, located on the upper level of Pitt Street Treasures, opened its doors last week. The facility will operate daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The museum’s entrance fee is $11 at the door. For information about the exhibit, email info@ghostmuseums.com.

Per the facility’s website, the Ghost Museum aims to “educate and entertain.”

“Our collection showcases artifacts, stories, and historical accounts of ghost sightings and paranormal phenomena,” their webpage reads. “We believe in preserving the rich tapestry of ghostly history while encouraging visitors to explore their beliefs about the afterlife.”

According to Alyssa Maloof, the Ghost Museum’s owner, the space includes exhibits that encapsulate Berlin’s haunted history, like photographs, materials that potentially prove the exis-

tence of ghosts, and art installation pieces that “give the eerie ghost vibe.”

“It’s a really unique experience and space that’s different from anything around the area,” said Maloof, who also operates the town’s Mermaid Museum on Jefferson Street.

The owner noted that the ghostly facility’s artifacts and pieces were sourced through donations, help from her friends and community members, and eBay.

The museum officially opened on June 20. Ivy Wells, Berlin’s economic and community development director, said the response to its founding has been “incredible.”

“It’s such a unique idea and a fun way to spend the day. It’s just another thing that makes Berlin even better,” she said.

Berlin’s paranormal background has

A display available inside The Ghost Museum in Berlin is pictured. The museum will be open seven days a week during the summer from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Cost to tour the museum is $11 per person. SUBMITTED PHOTO/

been a topic of interest for some time. The Ghost Museum will add another way for residents and tourists to explore the town’s spooky past.

Chesapeake Ghost Tours, for instance, a haunted walking excursion, features the town as one of its Maryland Eastern Shore spine-chilling attractions. The ghost tour company allows participants to take a guided tour, led by storytellers, as they explain some of Berlin’s most frightening tales.

Chesapeake Ghost Tours also offers an Ocean City Ghost Walk, a St. Michaels Ghost Walk, a Cambridge Ghost Walk, a Salisbury Ghost Walk, a Snow Hill Ghost Walk, a Pocomoke Ghost Walk, and a Denton Ghost Walk. Still, their website notes that Berlin’s tour “has the strangest energy out of all

our Eastern Shore ghost walks.”

The tour features legends like the “healing tree,” a notable plant on the Calvin B. Taylor House Museum’s property. The story goes that the tree radiates heat, healing energy, and vibration.

An elemental, or a non-human spirit, is also a highlight on the Berlin tour, as accounts of apparition sightings have been recorded at the Adkins Company on Harrison Avenue.

The company’s website notes that the walk includes stories of a child who haunts the iconic Atlantic Hotel, the Lady in White standing by the Calvin B. Taylor Bank on Main and Commerce Streets, and the tragic tale of the Carey family, who lost four children during the Civil War.

Berlin’s Chesapeake Ghost Tour, which lasts about an hour and 45 minutes, can be booked at https://chesapeakeghosts.com/. The guided walk costs $25 for adults 13 and older and $20 for children eight to 12. Those under eight can attend at no cost.

The Ghost Museum will now be another attraction for paranormal enthusiasts who want to explore some of the town’s scariest legends through artifacts, photographs, stories, art pieces, and more.

“We have ghost tours every week,” Wells said. “We are a haunted town, so [the new ghost museum] just adds to the allure of Downtown Berlin. It’s really cool.”

Maloof is no stranger to the ghostly world. Last August, the Pasadena, Maryland-based Dead of Night Paranormal Investigators probed her other exhibit, the Mermaid Museum. The team visited the space, and their focus was less on the mermaids and more on the possibility of otherworldly visitors.

Investigator Olen Price contacted Maloof in May of 2024 after a trip to Berlin with his wife. While walking downtown, Price took notice of the Mermaid Museum, particularly its haunted vibe. Maloof’s new business will now feature proof of the town’s ghostly accounts.

The Ghost Museum’s home is on the upper level of the Pitt Street Treasurers. Maloofsaid the top of the facility had been vacant for a decade before her new business moved in.

“The space had been empty for over 10 years, so it was nice to be able to utilize that unique space in a creative way,” she said.

The Ghost Museum is open seven days a week. Its founder hopes to attract visitors interested in the metaphysical realm who want to discover more of Berlin’s unique history.

“The Ghost Museum was inspired by the fascination with the paranormal,” the facility’s website reads. “We are passionate about ghost stories and folklore. We set out to create a space where visitors could engage with the supernatural in a respectful and enlightening way.”

Two fireworks displays set for Ocean City on holiday

(June 27, 2025) Ocean City will light up the night sky with two simultaneous fireworks displays on Friday, July 4 in celebration of our nation's Independence Day. From beach chairs and blankets, residents and visitors can watch the fireworks sparkle over the beach and the bay.

The northern celebration at Northside Park, 125th Street and the bay, will kick off at 8 p.m. with DJ musical entertainment by Radio Ocean City followed by a spectacular fireworks display at 9:30 p.m.

“Northside Park is the perfect place for families to watch the colorful displays light up the evening sky and lagoon,” said Mayor Rick Meehan. “We encourage spectators to get there early to claim their spot to watch the fireworks.”

The soccer field and walking path on the northwest side of the park will be closed from viewing due to state and local safety precautions as the fireworks display will move off the west pier into the park to bring the experience closer than ever before.

On the south end of town, guests can head to Ocean City’s famous Boardwalk with its bright lights, an assortment of food, family fun and more. This celebration will kick off with DJ Kutt at 8 p.m. on the beach at

Caroline Street Stage. The official fireworks show will begin at 9:30 p.m.

“The July Fourth Celebration in Ocean City is a unique opportunity to watch fireworks over the ocean,” Meehan continued. “Our Caroline Street Stage allows visitors to bring beach chairs or blankets and claim a spot on the sand where they can enjoy the live performance and capture a special and patriotic firework display set to music.”

Parking operations for the Inlet Parking Lot will stay the same for the holiday, Friday, July 4, however; the parking rate for the Inlet Lot will increase to $6 per hour for the day. Visitors are reminded that parking is extremely limited at both fireworks locations and significant traffic delays are expected after both shows.

Coastal Highway bus service will be available from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. Patrons can ride for only $4 for a rideall-day pass and are reminded to anticipate delays and full buses due to event-related traffic and ridership. The West Ocean City Park & Ride on Route 50 is another transportation alternative, offering free parking and $4 ride-all-day shuttle service downtown to and from Dorchester Street and St. Louis Avenue. The service running to and from the West Ocean City Park & Ride to Dorchester Street and St. Louis Avenue will be

JOLLY JELLYFISH BEACH CLUB

Both shows to start at 9:30 pm

available from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Expect traffic delays and high rider demand at the West Ocean City Park & Ride. West Ocean City Park & Ride passes are also valid on Coastal Highway buses.

Finally, area boaters should note that on the evening of July 4th, the span of the Route 50 Bridge will remain closed to marine traffic at the usually scheduled 10:25 p.m. and 10:55 p.m. opening times.

The Route 50 Bridge will reopen for boaters at 11:25 p.m. on the evening of July 4th.

With safety in mind, the Ocean City Fire Marshal’s Office (FMO) is also urging spectators to leave the fireworks to the professionals.

“The power and danger of fireworks should not be underestimated,” said Ocean City Fire Marshal Joe Sexauer. “In addition to causing damage, fireworks can cause injuries and we want people to be safe during their holiday stay in Ocean City. The safety and wellbeing of all residents and visitors of the Town of Ocean City is the primary goal of the Ocean City Fire Department.”

Although the State of Maryland has approved the use of ground-based sparkling devices such as cylindrical and cone fountains, these are not legal to use or possess in Ocean City. Further, all other fireworks that may be sold in neighboring states are not legal for use by the public anywhere in Maryland.

“Fourth of July in Ocean City is a tra-

dition that brings our community and visitors together in celebration,” Meehan finished. “With fireworks lighting up both the beach and the bay, there’s no better place to enjoy the holiday. We’re proud to offer a safe, family-friendly atmosphere that honors our nation’s independence in true Ocean City style.”

For more information about July Fourth activities, visit ococean.com/events or call the Ocean City Welcome Center at 410.723.8600.

•Marina boat ramp w/daily trailer parking area.

•Top class Glen Riddle Golf course.

•Short drive/boat ride to Assateague or OC beaches, shopping centers, movies & entertainment.

The downtown fireworks display in Ocean City is pictured from the Wicomico Street Pier from July 4, 2023. Ocean City also offers fireworks at Northside Park.

Independence Day Carnival returning to Ocean Pines

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer

(June 27, 2025) With summer in full swing, Ocean Pines gears up for its annual Fourth of July celebration with fireworks, music, and refreshments.

On Friday, July 4, the Ocean Pines Association’s Recreation and Parks Department will host its Independence Day Carnival at the Worcester County Veterans Memorial Park, located at 11144 Cathell Road. The event will feature games, music, and food. Attendees can make their way to the patriotic festival at 4 p.m. A fireworks show will kick off at approximately 9:15 p.m.

Admission into the Fourth of July Carnival is $20 per wristband. Parking will be available next to the Taylor Bank and the Ocean Pines Library. Handicapped spots will be accessible on-site in designated areas at the Veterans Park.

In addition to the festival and fireworks show, Ocean Pines is once again hosting its July 4 Freedom 5k. Racers will take their marks at 8 a.m. at Vet-

erans Memorial Park in Ocean Pines and run the 3.1 miles around the wooded community.

Race contestants are encouraged to wear their most patriotic outfits. In addition to awards for the top three male and female runners and a grand prize trophy, recognition will be given to the 5k competitor who dresses in the best American-themed costume.

The race is $30 for advanced registrations and $35 for day-of sign-ups. Those interested in competing in the 5k can register ahead of time, through July 1, at runsignup.com. T-shirts will be reserved for all pre-registered runners. Preferred sizes are not guaranteed for day-of registrations.

All ages are welcome to participate in the run. Racers can pick up their 5k packets at Ocean Pines Community Center on Thursday, July 3, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Contact the Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks Department, the event organizers, at 410-641-7052 for more information about OP’s Independence Day celebration lineup.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

A collector’s poster is now available for purchase to mark anniversaries in Ocean City.

Art of Ocean City poster available now for purchase

(June 27, 2025) The Art League of Ocean City announces the release of a collector’s poster entitled “The Art of Ocean City” that commemorates the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Town of Ocean City.

The poster also celebrates the 20th year of the “Artists Paint OC” plein air festival and features eight paintings of iconic Ocean City scenes, painted by the plein air artists over the years.

The posters measure 18x24 inches and are available in two editions. The unframed edition is $15 and suitable for framing in a standard-size frame.

The Art League is also offering a deluxe framed edition embellished with a commemorative gold seal reading “Ocean City Maryland 1875-2025” and limited to 150 numbered prints. This deluxe edition will be offered as a gift to anyone donating $150 or more to the nonprofit Art League, a tax-deductible contribution.

“This commemorative poster is just gorgeous,” Rina Thaler, executive director of the Art League, said. “The eight paintings displayed show everything we love about Ocean City, including the beach, the fishing pier, the Boardwalk, and the bay marshes. Whether you’re a summer resident looking for art for your condo or a local who loves the Town of Ocean City and its storied history, this is a poster you’ll want to collect. We published these posters in a limited quantity to ensure they’ll be collectors’ items to be cherished for generations.”

“The Art of Ocean City” posters are available for purchase at the Ocean City Center for the Arts, 502 94th St. bayside; on the Art League’s website at OCart.org; or by calling 410-524-9433. The posters will also be available to buy around the area at various shops. Shipping is available at an additional cost.

David Dypsky

REALTOR ®

(410) 726-5020

david@daviddypsky.com

www.daviddypsky.com

2,497,000

FIRST FRIDAY

The Art League of Ocean City held its monthly free First Friday opening on June 6 at the Ocean City Center for the Arts, 94th St. bayside. Above left, Laura Jenkins judged the entries in the Art League of Ocean City's "Games" all-media group exhibition. Pictured, from left, are Jenkins and winners Kevin Moore, Frankie Zurla, Lisa Scarbath and Boni Buchanan. The exhibit continues through June 28 with free admission. Above right, Buchanan is pictured with her winning piece. At right, from top to bottom, are Lisa Scarbath with her second place piece; Sarah Halcott competing in the pottery throwdown; and Chris Warner with her prize from the Clay-a-Palooza Ping Pong Toss.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Deadline announced for 8th Annual OC Film Challenge

(June 27, 2025) The Ocean City Film Festival presents the 8th Annual Ocean City Film Challenge to filmmakers and aspiring filmmakers across Delmarva and beyond. Registration is free and now open at www.ocmdfilmfestival.com/ocean-city-film-challenge

The challenge is for filmmakers to produce an original short film about Ocean City that is no longer than 10 minutes and made between July 1 and July 31, 2025. Any filmmaker who wishes to tell a story about the resort, preferably suitable for viewing by all ages, may enter. Films must be shot in Ocean City or be about Ocean City and follow a cinematic narrative. Films also must include a secret line of dialogue that is denoted in the registration form.

“A film can be produced in Ocean City, in a way that is visible within the film,” B.L. Strang-Moya, creative director of the OC Film Festival, said. “Or the film can be shot outside of Ocean City, but Ocean City has to be central to the premise of the film. The film must tell an actual story in the form of a fictional narrative. We cannot accept any vacation footage, music videos, or any such media that would not be considered traditional cinema.”

The deadline to register for the challenge is July 21. Final cuts are due on

July 31, 2025, and submitted online along with other deliverables. The winning films will premiere in a special showing under the stars on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, 7-9 p.m. on the tennis courts next to the Ocean City Center for the Arts, 94th St. bayside. In the event of inclement weather, the screening will move inside the Arts Center.

The three top films will be screened at the Ocean City Film Festival in March 2026.

The 1st-place prize includes two Film Festival Season 10 passes, a swag bag, and an Ocean City hotel stay for the duration of the festival. The 2nd-place prize includes two Film Festival Season 10 passes, a swag bag, and $50 cash; the 3rd-place includes two Film Festival Season 10 and a swag bag.

“Ocean City is a beautiful landscape, and there’s so much that artists can take advantage of right here in town,” said Strang-Moya. “There are many ways to tell a story through motion picture, and our Film Challenge pushes filmmakers to explore these boundaries.”

Upon registration, filmmakers will be sent an access code to submit their final films to the Filmfreeway platform. Contact the Film Festival at OceanCityFilmFest@gmail.com with questions.

The Ocean City Film Festival is a program of the Art League of Ocean City.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS/OC TODAY-DISPATCH WATER

DONATIONS

During firemen’s week in Ocean City, Eastern Shore Distributing (local Anheuser-Busch distributor) donated five pallets of water to each of the fire houses operating under the Ocean City Fire Department. Representatives are pictured with local firefighter/paramedics.

Berlin Main Street receives honor

(June 26, 2025) Berlin Main Street has been designated as an Accredited Main Street America program for meeting rigorous performance standards.

Each year, Main Street America and its partners announce the list of designated programs to recognize their exceptional commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach™.

Main Street America recognizes two tiers of national designation — Affiliate and Accredited. These designations are a powerful advocacy tool, signaling to local stakeholders, as well as city, state, and national funders, that a Main Street program has an established position within a nationwide movement with a 45-year proven track record of generating impressive economic returns, building local capacity, creating welcoming and inviting communities, and creating lasting impact.

“Main Street America is proud to recognize this year’s 821 Accredited Main Street America programs for their commitment to building strong and vibrant communities,” said Erin Barnes, President and CEO of Main Street America. “Their tireless efforts show what’s possible when engaged

leaders work together to shape places that reflect the people they serve. The continued impact of our network shows that the Main Street movement remains a powerful force for positive transformation.”

Berlin Main Street’s performance was evaluated through assessments conducted by the organization’s personnel and board of directors, and Main Street Maryland, which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify local programs that meet rigorous national community evaluation standards.

These standards provide the Main Street America network with a strong foundational framework to review progress, recognize strengths, understand trends, and identify strategies that move Main Street programs forward. To quality for Accredited status

— Main Street America’s top designation tier — communities must demonstrate a proved track record of achieving outcomes in alignment with the Main Street Approach and exceptional performance in six areas: broad-based community commitment to revitalization; inclusive leadership and organizational capacity; diversified funding and sustainable program operations; strategy-driven programming; preservation-based economic development; and demon-

strated impact and results.

In 2024, Main Street America programs generated $7.65 billion in local reinvestment, helped open 6,324 new businesses, facilitated the creation of 33,835 new jobs, rehabilitated 10,126 historic buildings, and logged 1.9 million volunteer hours. On average, for every dollar that a Main Street program spent to support their operations, $21.73 was reinvested into their downtown and commercial corridor communities.

Berlin Main Street was named a 2025 Top 10 Great American Main Street by Main Street America.

“Berlin’s Main Street is thriving because we focus on both preserving history and planning for the future, and this accreditation affirms we’re on the right path and motivates us to keep that momentum going,” said Ivy Wells, Economic and Community Development Director and Manager of the Berlin Main Street Program and Arts and Entertainment District.

Mayor Zack Tyndall added, “Being accredited with the National Main Street Center is a testament to our commitment to preserving and enhancing the unique character of our downtown. This recognition strengthens our sense of pride and provides a solid foundation for continued growth and success.”

Patrol manages rotating surfing spots, flexibility

By Kristin Joson Contributing Writer

(June 27, 2025) Wondering where you can surf in Ocean City?

With the town’s beaches bustling from Memorial Day through Sunfest, surfing is only permitted in designated areas during the Ocean City Beach Patrol’s operating hours of 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., but that doesn’t mean surfers are left out of the fun.

Seven days a week, two rotating surfing beaches are designated along Ocean City’s coastline by approval of the Mayor and City Council. On weekdays, a third surf beach is also available in the Inlet area. These surf beaches are reserved exclusively for surfing, no bodyboards, paddleboards, or beater boards are allowed, helping to prevent injuries and conflicts with swimmers. Additionally, no swimmers, waders or surfing instruction may take place on any of these surfing beaches. However, when no surfers are present, these zones can temporarily reopen to general swimming. Surf Rescue Technicians (lifeguards) are still staffed at surf beaches, ready in case we open the area of beach to normal swimming activities until someone wants to surf.

Rotating schedule keeps it fair

The two rotating surf beaches move two blocks south each day, meaning the same street block won’t host a surf beach on the same date again for over 20 years. For example, if 10th Street has the surf beach during the second week of July this summer, it won’t fall there again during that same week for two decades. It will be on every beach a couple of times every season but during a different time of the season. That’s a small ask for such a great resource. Out of 154 guarded blocks in Ocean City, only two or three are reserved for surfers each day. The rest remain open for swimming and wading. Inlet surf beach: a consistent spot

The third designated surfing beach operates Monday through Friday at the Inlet, beginning at the south rock jetty and stretching 150 yards north. Chosen for its typically light weekday crowds and favorable waves, it’s a surfer’s favorite that also keeps swimmers safely away from the jetty’s hazards.

Weather may change rules In poor weather conditions, the Beach Patrol may modify the ordinance to allow surfing outside designated areas. This is evaluated daily, and depends on factors like beach crowd levels and safety (no lightning or thunderstorms).

Website provides status alerts

lifeguard if surfing is permitted outside the usual areas, or call headquarters at 410-289-7556.

To receive real-time alerts when surfing rules change, sign up for the Surfing Notification Service on the Beach Patrol’s website. Local surf shops are also kept in the loop and may help spread the word.

On modified surfing days, swimmers still have the right of way, and surfers must wear a leash and remain 50 yards away from any swimmers per town ordinance. Surf beaches remain staffed even during these special conditions.

Who’s in charge of surf beach?

Surf Beach areas are clearly marked with yellow lifeguard stands, boundary flags, and signage. These zones are managed by Surf Beach Facilitators (SBFs), Beach Patrol members wearing green or yellow uniforms to distinguish them from traditional lifeguards. SBFs arrive at 9:30 a.m. (a half hour earlier than the rest of the patrol) each day to explain rules to beachgoers and ensure smooth operation. They also visit the next day’s surf beach location in advance to inform beach patrons. In 2020, new educational signs were added at beach entrances to help the public better understand the surf beach rules. If the surf beach is temporarily open for

swimming, SBFs assist lifeguards with enforcement until one or more surfers arrive and the beach become an exclusive surfing area again.

Safety is bottom line

The primary reason behind Ocean City’s surf beach program is safety. Keeping swimmers and surfers apart prevents accidents and ensures that everyone, from beginner bodyboarders to experienced surfers, can enjoy the ocean safely. While some younger surfers may claim Ocean City’s rules are strict, they’re not alone. Similar policies exist in places like Pacific Beach and Del Mar, California, especially during peak seasons.

Surf events, seasonal changes

Special events like surf contests may be held on non-rotating surf beaches with permits from the Mayor and City Council. These events, drawing spectators and competitors alike, are fun to watch, but swimming is not permitted in those zones during the event. Although this may cause you to walk half a block to enter the water, remember that surfing is important to the whole beach experience and although it may tie up a few blocks, swimmer still have over 150 blocks to enjoy.

After Labor Day, Ocean City allows Stand-Up Paddleboards (SUPs) and similar equipment to be used on

beaches (excluding surf beaches) under Section 106-94 (11). SUPs are allowed beginning on the Monday following Labor Day, on any day that surfing is modified (never on a surfing beach) Details on specific requirements included in the ordinance are available on the town’s website. Have fun, ride safely, and look out for others.

To find the daily surf beach rotation, visit local surf shops or check the

Beach Patrol website at www.ococean.com/ocbp and don’t forget to sign up for the surfing notification service. For info about the Surfing Beach Facilitator program, job applications, or general questions, call 410-289-7556 or visit JoinBeachPatrol.com.

And remember the Beach Patrol’s top safety tip:

“Keep your feet in the sand, until the lifeguard’s in the stand!” It could save a life — yours.

Three of the newest Surf Beach Facilitators are pictured during Surf Rescue Training Academy I. The SBFs are not involved in water rescues.

FREE T-SHIR

CA GA 0 GAME C

ARD PURCH AME C

Helping Hands Award presented to shore therapist

Honor named after Moore for philanthropic passion

(June 27, 2025) Lacie Amabili, RRT, a respiratory therapist at TidalHealth Nanticoke in Seaford, was recently presented with the 2025 Leighton Moore Helping Hands Award by members of TidalHealth's leadership team and the TidalHealth Foundation.

The Leighton Moore Helping Hands Award was established by TidalHealth's Board of Directors in 2014 to honor team members who exemplify Moore’s spirit of giving back to the community.

Amabili was chosen from over a large group of nominees and was nominated not once, but four times. She has worked at TidalHealth since 2011 and was honored earlier this year with TidalHealth Nanticoke’s Tree of Life Award for her compassionate care and dedication to her patients, her team and the Sussex County community.

Amabili creates a significant, lasting impact in the community through her volunteer work and “random acts of kindness.” In her nominations, she was praised for her dedication, selflessness and her outstanding service to the less fortunate in the community. She is a strong advocate for her patients, whom she treats with compassion, kindness and gentleness. In one specific example, Amabili was recognized for purchasing a stuffed animal from the hospital gift shop for a child whose mother said they could not afford it.

Additionally, Amabili and her family volunteer their time each Sunday at Love INC of Mid-Delmarva in Seaford to prepare and serve meals, coordinate haircuts, and provide clothing and care packages with much-needed essential items for the local homeless community. She also purchases many resources for the homeless using her own money and takes in stray animals. Those who know her say she has the “heart of a saint” and note that “her deeds are her heart in action, and she finds satisfaction in the service of others.”

Amabili received a gift pack from the TidalHealth Foundation and her name will be added to the Leighton Moore Helping Hands Award plaque that is permanently displayed outside the Executive Office at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional.

Moore, a local philanthropist and owner of Seacrets, Jamaica USA in Ocean City, Maryland, is well known for his dedication to making a difference in his community, including his significant time and efforts to improve healthcare on Delmarva as a Past Chairperson of the TidalHealth Foundation Board of Directors.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Lacie Amabili is the 2025 recipient of TidalHealth’s Leighton Moore Helping Hands Award. Pictured, from left, are Jill Stone, PT, MPT, Senior Director, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Respiratory Care, TidalHealth; Jessica Hales, CFRE, VP/Chief Philanthropy Officer, TidalHealth and President, TidalHealth Foundation; Lacie Amabili, RRT, Respiratory Therapist, TidalHealth Nanticoke; and Penny Short, MSM, BSN, RN, Senior Vice President, TidalHealth and President, TidalHealth Nanticoke.

Who’s Where When

BURLEY OAK BREWING COMPANY

443-513-4647

10016 Old Ocean City Blvd., Berlin

Sat., June 28: Hickory (Tickets $5)

Wed., July 3: The Dirty Grass Players (Tickets $20)

BUXY’S SALTY DOG & DRY DOCK 28

410-289-BUXY

28th Street Coastal Hwy.

Fri., June 27: DJ Wax

Sundays: Local Party w/ DJ Deogee

Wednesday: Karaoke w/ DJ Hundley

CAPTAIN’S TABLE

410-289-7192

15th & Boardwalk

In The Courtyard Marriott Fridays & Saturdays: Phil Perdue

CARIBBEAN POOL BAR

410-289-6181

In The Plim Plaza Hotel

109 N. Atlantic Ave.

Fri., June 27: John Cardo & Free State Country

Sat., June 28: Rogue Citizens & Permilla Project

Sun., June 29: Mercury Agenda & TBA

Mon., June 30: DJ Mary Jane & Steve O’Boyle

Tues., July 1: Reform School & Ragged Mile

Wed., July 2: Nick Hundley & Jason Lee

Thurs., July 3: Endless Ember Duo & Schizophrenic Boogiemen

COCONUTS BEACH BAR

410-289-6846

Oceanfront At Castle

In The Sand Hotel

37th & 38th Streets

Fri., June 27: Darin Engh & Beg 2 Differ

Sat., June 28: Dylan Canfield & Beach Bandits

Sun., June 29: Carley Twigg & Aaron Howell Trio

Mon., June 30: Sean Loomis & Fil Rhythm

Tues., July 1: No Hesitations & On The Edge

Wed., July 2: Jack Bannon & Zion Reggae Thurs., July 3: Jess Arms & Full Circle

COINS PUB

410-289-3100

28th Street Plaza On Coastal Hwy.

Fri., June 27: Identity Crisis

Sat., June 28: Jim Long Party & First Class

CRABCAKE FACTORY BAYSIDE

302-988-5000

37314 Lighthouse Rd.,

Rte. 54, Selbyville, DE

Sun., June 29: Bilenki Duo

Wed., July 2: Tony Mowen

CRAWL STREET TAVERN

443-373-2756

Wicomico St., Downtown O.C.

Fri., June 27: Shredded Cheddar

Sat., June 28: Fuzzbox Piranha

Thurs., July 3: Brandon Hardesty & Michael Sky (Ticket Event)

FAGER’S ISLAND

410-524-5500

60th St., In The Bay

Fri., June 27: 33 RPM, DJ Groove

& Bad w/ Names

Sat., June 28: Making Waves, DJ Stinson & The Loop

Sun., June 29: Howl & DJ Cascio & Friends

Mon., June 30: Full Circle, DJ N9ne

& Pineapple Band

Tues., July 1: DJ RobCee, Bryan Clark & Latin Night

Wed., July 2: Cecilia’s Fall & DJ Sal Flip

Thurs., July 3: DJ Groove & High Voltage

Best Beats On The Beach

FULL CIRCLE

Fish Tales: Saturday, June 28 (Duo)

Fager’s Island: Monday, June 30

Seacrets: Wednesday, July 2 (Duo)

Coconuts Beach Bar: Thursday, July 3

GRILLED LINCOLNS Pickles Pub: Saturday, June 28

BAD W/ NAMES Fager’s Island: Friday, June 27

BEACH BANDITS

Coconuts Beach Bar: Saturday, June 28

Jolly Jellyfish Beach Club: Thursdays

THE DIRTY GRASS PLAYERS

Burley Oak Brewing Co.: Thursday, July 3 (Ticket Event)

FUZZBOX PIRANHA

Crawl Street Tavern: Saturday, June 28

SCHIZOPHRENIC BOOGIEMEN

The Wedge: Tuesday, July 1 Caribbean Pool Bar: Thursday, July 3 BILINKI

IDENTITY CRISIS

Coins Pub: Friday, June 27

THE DUNEHOUNDS

Harborside: Saturday, June 28

GO GO GADJET

Seacrets: Thursday, July 3

HICKORY

Who’s Where When

FISH TAILS

410-289-0990

22nd St., & Bay

Sat., June 28: Full Circle Duo

Sun., June 29: Charlie Travers

Mon., June 30: Joe Wood

Tues., July 1: Bilge Rats

Wednesdays: DJ Wax

Thurs., July 3: Blake Haley

GREENE TURTLE WEST

410-213-1500

Route 611, West OC Fri., June 27: TBA

HARBORSIDE

410-213-1846

South Harbor Rd., West End O.C.

Fridays: DJ Billy T Sat., June 21: The Dunehounds & DJ Bigler

Sundays: Pickin’ Party & Lost Figures

Wednesdays: DJ Billy T

Thursdays: Dust N Bones Duo

JOLLY JELLYFISH BEACH CLUB

443-664-6147

98th Street Coastal Hwy.,

Plaza Condominium

Fri., June 27: Homeskool Dropouts

Sat., June 28: Chris Diller Sun., June 29: On The Edge

Mondays: First Class

Tuesdays: Lost Figures

Wednesdays: Joe Mama & The Friends

Thursdays: Beach Bandits

PICKLES PUB

410-289-4891

8th St. & Philadelphia Ave.

Fridays: Beats By DeoGee

Sat., June 28: The Grilled Lincolns

Sundays: Beats By Styler

Mondays: Karaoke w/ Wood

Tuesdays: Beats By Wax

Wednesdays: Beats By Madame Dutchess

Thursdays: Beats By Connair

PURPLE MOOSE SALOON

410-289-6953

Between Caroline & Talbot Sts. On The Boards Fri. & Sat., June 27 & 28: My Chemical Bromance

Sat., June 28 (2pm): Steve O’Boyle Sun., June 29 (2pm): Wayne Blake Sun., June 29: Firekite

Wednesdays: Balkan Party w/ DJ Papi

SEACRETS

410-524-4900

49th St. & Coastal Hwy.

Fri, June 27: 5 DJs, Elephants Dancing, The Event Horizon & Kono Nation

Sat., June 28: 6 DJs, Kono Nation, Not Leaving Sober, Lights Out By 8 & The Event Horizon

Sun., June 29: 4 DJs, Not Leaving Sober & No Filter

Mon., June 30: DJ Wax, Blake Haley & Ryan Frick & Friends

Tues., July 1: DJ C-Miller, Opposite Directions & Turing The Tide

Wed., July 2: DJ E-State, Full Circle Duo, & The Benderz

Thurs., July 3: Faith Noel, The Way Outs, Go Go Gadjet & 3 DJs

THE WEDGE 410-289-5121

806 S. Atlantic Ave.

Sun., June 29: Jason Lee

Mon., June 30: Lauren Glick

Tues., July 1: Schizophrenic Boogiemen

Wed., July 2: Kasey Briggs & Charlie Travers

Thurs., July 3: Joe Esham

Burley Oak Brewing Co.: Saturday, June 28 (Ticket Event)

Dining Guide

■ PRICE RANGE: $, $$, $$$

■ RESERVATIONS: Reservations accepted

DOWNTOWN

South end to 28th Street

■ BUXY’S SALTY DOG SALOON

DRY DOCK 28

28th Street, Ocean City, 410-289-0973, buxys.com, drydockoc.com

Destiny has a new home in Ocean City. From the ‘burgh to the beach, Buxy’s is your home away from Pittsburgh. Come see what all the locals already know and have known – Buxy’s is the place to come to meet friends, relax and be social with no attitudes. House specialties include “The” Cheesesteak Sub, Primanti-styled sandwiches, pierogis, egg-rolls and homemade crab dip. Dry Dock also features a full menu with soups, salads, kick starters, pierogis and craft pizza.

■ CAPTAIN’S TABLE

15th Street and Baltimore Avenue, in The Courtyard by Marriott, Ocean City 410-2897192, 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 daily 7:30-11 a.m. 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, 25:30 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. Open Monday through Friday, 2 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 11:30 a.m. Dine-in, carry out.

■ 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, 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

■ CRAWL STREET

19 Wicomico St., Ocean City, 443-373-2756, crawlstreet.com

Established in 2020 just a short walk from the legendary Cork Bar. Don’t leave without trying the famous wings, but everything on the menu is solid, including flatbreads, tacos, salads, sandwiches and seafood platters. Be sure to check out the live music offerings as the nightlife is top of the line.

■ DISTRICT 24 CRAFT BAR, JAY’S CAFÉ & BLU CRABHOUSE & RAW BAR

2305 Philadelphia Ave., Ocean City 410-2893322, district24oc.com

There is more at District 24. Enjoy breakfast, lunch, pastries and coffee at Jay’s Cafe. CRAFT Pizza, Beer & Cocktails at CRAFT Lounge. Fresh Seafood at BLU Crabhouse & Raw Bar. Enjoy an elevated dining experience with great chophouse dishes and charcuterie boards, along with a Wine Spectator Award Wining Wine Menu at Embers Rooftop Restaurant. There is something for everyone at District 24 like live music in the courtyard, mini golf, arcade play and axe throwing.

■ FISH TALES

2107 Herring Way, Ocean City, 410-289-0990, ocfishtales.com

Bayfront marina dining offered here with a huge menu to satisfy guests of all ages. Enjoy a drink from a hanging chair or fish tacos at your table while the kids play in a playground build in the sand. Food and drink menus offer enough of a variety to meet all needs.

■ HARBOR WATCH

806 S. Atlantic Avenue, Ocean City 410-2895121, www.harborwatchrestaurant.com

$$-$$$ | Reservations | Kids’ Menu | Full bar

Celebrating our 41st anniversary with fresh seafood, an award-winning raw bar, mouthwatering steaks and the best view of the Ocean City Inlet and Assateague Island. Open every day. Monday through Wednesday open at 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday open at 11:30 a.m. Call for banquet and large-party details.

■ PICKLES PUB

706 Philadelphia Ave., Ocean City, 410-2894891, picklesoc.com

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

Easy to find with plenty of free parking, serving lunch, dinner and entire diverse menu until 1 a.m. Also nightly entertainment year-round and a great place to watch all the sports on an ocean of televisions including a giant high-def screen. Also four pool tables on site. Lunch and dinner and entire menu until 1 a.m. Open all year from 11:30 a.m.-2 a.m., seven days a week.

■ PIT & PUB

2706 Philadelphia Ave. and 12701 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, pitandpub.com

Ocean City’s home of Pulled Pork and the finest barbecue, the legendary 28th Street Pit & Pub and the Northside Pit & Pub are known for serving up delicious smokehouse specialties. Grab a brew and enjoy the live sports action on one of the big screen TVs. Happy hour daily. Familyfriendly atmospheres at both locations. Weekend entertainment.

■ THE WEDGE BAR

806 S. Atlantic Ave, Ocean City, www.thewedgeoc.com

$-$$ | Full bar

Panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, bay and Assateague Island. Enjoy small plates, sandwiches and grilled burgers. Open every day, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

MIDTOWN

■ 32 PALM

32nd Street in The Hilton, Ocean City 410-2892525, 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!

■ THE BONFIRE

71st Street, Coastal Hwy., Ocean City, 410-5247171, thebonfirerestaurant.com

Celebrating more than 50 years as the best seafood and prime rib buffet in Ocean City. It’s all here – the service, the atmosphere and finest, freshest seafood available and quality meats. Save room for the decadent desserts available as well including homemade donuts.

■ COCONUTS BEACH BAR & GRILL

3701 Atlantic Ave., Ocean City, 410-289-6846, castleinthesand.com

A tropical open-air patio steps from the beach. A unique place for lunch or dinner with a menu featuring all the customary items and a few Ocean City-based surprises. Guests can also enjoy beach service for lunch and cocktails. Be sure to check out the daily entertainment schedule.

■ FAGERS ISLAND

201 60th St., Ocean City, 410-524-5500, fagers.com

$$ | Full bar

Dine on the island with an award-winning bayfront restaurant featuring American & Regional dining with a global influence and popular destination featuring impeccably prepared American and Pacific Rim cuisine. Also enjoy our outdoor decks and bar with live entertainment and 32 wines by the glass. A place where the joy of food & the presence of the table are of utmost importance. Dine on fresh seafood and our famous Prime Rib. Enjoy beautiful sunsets over the water. Open 11 a.m. daily. Fine dine at 4:30 p.m.

■ HOOKED

8003 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 410-7234665, hookedoc.com

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

A Common Ground Hospitality concept, a passion driven restaurant group servicing the coastal community. The goal is honor creativity and innovation by design. With passion at the heart of everything, unique dining concepts are paired with honest hospitality and well-made food sourced with fresh local ingredients and seasonal harvests. Craft and full bar available. Open daily 11:30 a.m.

■ LONGBOARD CAFÉ

6701 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 443-6645693, 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

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, 7:30-11:30 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 Friday at 11 a.m., 10 a.m. on Saturdays, close at 2 a.m. Enjoy a tropical atmosphere and dine under the palms in our outdoor, kid friendly dining area or try a Seacrets Beachin' Cocktails in the Bay with live music every day open to close. The club is open every night in the summer. Try our famous jerk chicken with homemade honey mustard sauce, Pushcart Trio, a true Jamaican dish or a hearty wrap, sandwich or delicious burger. We have it all at Seacrets.

tions include crab cakes, prime rib, Philly-style cheese steaks, various seafood, kids menu plus full breakfast menu.

■ DIRTY HARRY’S

100 Coastal Highway, Fenwick Island, DE, 302539-3020, Beach-net.com/dirtyharrys

$ | Kids’ Menu | Full bar

Don’t let the name fool you, the food is home cooking at its finest. Owned and operated by Ginny Swann and family for 19 years. Popular for the breakfast but getting rave reviews for lunch and dinner, too.

■ NANTUCKETS

Route 1, Fenwick Island, DE, 302-539-2607, nantucketsrestaurant.com

Serving the beach great food and spirits for over 30 years. David and Janet Twining will wow you with the finest foods and drinks in the area. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by what one of the coast’s finest dining establishments has in store for guests. Everything here is a house specialty.

■ TWINING’S LOBSTER SHANTY Rte. 54, Fenwick Island, Del., 302-436-2305, twiningshanty.com

Reservations | Kids’ Menu “A funky little place at the edge of town.” Classic New England fare, lobsters, steaks and burgers. Bird watching and magical sunsets await. Open for lunch and dinner. Reservations are suggested.

■ ALBERTINO'S BRICK OVEN & EATERY

13117 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 410-2502000, albertinosoc.com

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

Featuring the best brick oven pizza, always handmade with fresh ingredients, Italian-American mouth-watering seafood specialties, traditional Italian pasta dishes, apps, soups and salads. Full bar with large local craft beer selection.

■ CAROUSEL OCEANFRONT HOTEL & CONDOS

118th Street, Ocean City 800-641-0011, www.carouselhotel.com

The Carousel Oceanfront Resort offers a family friendly casual dining experience with their Reef 118 restaurant. Offering dinner Thursday through Saturday from 5-9 p.m., featuring AYCE Crab legs. Serving breakfast on Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. Their new "Go for 2" happy hour features $10 appetizers as a buy one get one free. $1 oysters during all open hours.

■ THE CRAB BAG

13005 Coastal Highway Ocean City, 410-2503337, thecrabbag.com

$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

Featuring consistent hot steamed crabs, eat in or carryout. The Crab Bag is also an Eastern Shore style seafood house specializing in preparing and serving the biggest and the best blue crabs available. The extensive menu promises something for everyone. Winter hours, Friday-Sunday, open 11 a.m.

■ CRABCAKE FACTORY USA

120th Street, oceanside, Ocean City, 410-2504900, crabcakefactoryusa.com

Full-service family restaurant, carry-out and sports bar. Outside seating available. Menu selections include prime rib, chicken Chesapeake, steamed shrimp, beer battered fish, real Philly cheesesteaks, burgers, and a kids menu. Casual attire, full liquor bar, no reservations. Open Year Round. World-Famous Crabcakes are served all day starting at 8 a.m. and can be packed on ice for you while you are eating breakfast.

■ JOLLY JELLYFISH BEACH CLUB

9800 Coastal Highway, Ocean City 443-6646147, jollyjellyfishbeachclub.com

Oceanfront bar with casual island style outdoor dining with awesome ocean views focused on cool beach vibes. Open for lunch and dinner and suitable for the entire family. Diverse menu available for every type of diner and featuring a cocktail menu with six housemade kegged cocktails. Every Sunday all summer features a “big deck energy party.” Entertainment daily, 4-7 p.m. Located in the Plaza Condominium with plenty of free parking.

■ VISTA ROOFTOP RESTAURANT

13801 Coastal Highway, located in the Fenwick Inn, Ocean City, 410-390-7905, vistarooftopoc.com

$$-$$$ | Full bar

Enjoy a wonderful meal overlooking the ocean and bay. Some of the most unique views in Ocean City. Steaks, seafood, burgers, soups, salads and lite fare. Happy hour, 3-6 p.m. New this year is a boozy brunch Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Live music.

■ CRABCAKE FACTORY BAYSIDE

Route 54, Fenwick Island, DE, 302-988-5000, CCFBayside.com

Same award-winning crab cakes and bloody marys. Enjoy waterfront dining. Full-service family restaurant, carry-out & sports bar. Outside seating available. Open daily year-round. Menu selec-

■ ASSATEAGUE BAR AND GRILL 9636 Stephen Decatur Highway, West Ocean City 443-664-8158, abarngrill.com

$$ | Full bar Full service, family friendly, casual dining to please everyone. Offering breakfast lunch and dinner with breakfast being served all day. Classic American cuisine with a selection of delicious Maryland favorites. Happy hour everyday from 16 p.m. with bar specials and tasty bites. Daily specials Monday through Friday. Dine-in and carry-out.

■ BREAKFAST CAFE

12736 Ocean Gateway, Route 50 east, West Ocean City, 410-213-1804, breakfastcafeofoc.com

All the traditional breakfast options available here in a casual, diner setting. Open daily closing at 2 p.m.

■ 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.

■ DUMSER’S DAIRYLAND

West Ocean City: Route 50 east; Boardwalk locations: 501 S. Philadelphia Ave., 49th Street, 123rd Street, Ocean City, dumsersdairyland.com

This classic ice cream shop is a tradition for many families. Voted O.C.’s “Best Ice Cream” for the past 20 years, Dumser’s is celebrating decades of serving the shore, and the ‘40s-style décor takes you back in time. With locations throughout Ocean City, treating your tastebuds to this signature homemade ice cream is easy. The 123rd Street location offers lunch and dinner menus in addition to a wide variety of ice cream treats.

■ GREENE TURTLE WEST

Route 611, West Ocean City, 410-213-1500

Proudly serving West Ocean City since January 1999, The Greene Turtle features a beautiful 80seat dining room, large bar area with 54 TVs with stereo sound and game room with pool tables. With an exciting menu, The Greene Turtle is sure to please with delicious sizzling steaks, jumbo lump crab cakes, raw bar, homemade salads and more. Live entertainment, Keno, Turtle apparel, kids menu, carry-out.

■ HARBORSIDE BAR & GRILL

12841 Harbor Rd., West Ocean City, 410-2131846, weocharborside.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Home of the original Orange Crush drink with an extensive menu offers a wide variety of appetizers, fresh seafood, steak & pasta entrees, as well as juicy burgers and sandwiches. Whether seeking a full dining experience or just a crush or two, the team will be sure to take excellent care of you and yours. Monday-Wednesday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Thursday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. ■ OC DINER 12744 Ocean Gateway, Rt 50 east, West Ocean City, 410-390-5112

Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Salad bar and dinner are back. Local’s favorite, homemade meals. Breakfast served all day. Kids’ menu. Dine-in and carry-out. Open 7 days a week: Sunday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m

UPTOWN 91st to 146th streets

FENWICK ISLAND

WEST OCEAN CITY

Herbed flatbread topped by cherry tomato, goat cheese

By Deborah Lee Walker Contributing Writer

(June 27, 2025) As I continue the daily progression of life, I find myself taking a break from my busy schedule and peeking into the past. Relishing recollections of loved ones is a way to celebrate, respect, and preserve our ancestry.

Aunt Jenny played a key role in my life and greatly influenced my personal and culinary point of view. Even though she is no longer with us, strangely enough, I find myself thinking about her more and more. One might think it would be just the opposite.

Aunt Jenny and Uncle Don owned a farm in Mt. Airy, Maryland, and I spent summer vacations there. A three month break from school and the big city was an incredible vacation from my daily routine. Every type of tomato was grown on this sanctuary of goodness. I was small enough that I could sit in between the rows to pick the fruits of our labor.

I was mesmerized how a tiny seed could grow into a gorgeous, flowering plant. There are so many miraculous

wonders around us, if we would just take the time to notice these blessings.

Needless to say, I learned a lot about tomatoes. For every question, there was an answer beyond the expected norm.

Aunt Jenny was an incredible cook and she did not hesitate to satisfy my curiosity. I remember her saying never add sugar to offset the acidity in tomato sauce. Instead, replace the sugar with a few pinches of baking soda. The sauce will foam up instantly, which means it is neutralizing the acid.

There are many varieties of tomatoes, do you know what is the preferred tomato for a fresh tomato sauce? Roma tomatoes are favored because they are meaty and contain less seeds.

Do not use an aluminum pot, pan, or utensil when cooking tomatoes. The acid in the tomato reacts unfavorably with the aluminum. Using aluminum cookware makes the sauce more pungent and fades the color.

An interesting fact follows; the high acid content of the tomato will naturally slow down the cooking process of certain foods. For example, beans cooked with tomatoes may take up to 20 percent more cooking time.

Summer is here and cherry tomatoes are plentiful. Herbed flatbread with

cherry tomatoes and goat cheese can be made on the fly and is a gorgeous way to highlight cherry tomatoes.

Simply take your favorite flatbread and place on the counter or chopping board. Add a layer of herbed goat cheese. Using the back of a large spoon, make swirls for a more festive look.

An assortment of cherry tomatoes adds variance which is always pleasing to the eye.

Brush a layer of extra-virgin olive oil on the tomatoes and bake for 15 minutes in a 400-degree oven or until crispy and golden brown.

Either place the flatbread under the broiler for a char or use a butane torch to achieve the same finish. Mini butane torches can be purchased online and a must for those who adore entertaining.

Add a dusting of kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper and fresh basil or oregano.

Using a pizza cutter, slice in triangular shapes and serve immediately.

Even the most inexperienced cook will have no trouble with this recipe. And the best part, it is deliciously good.

Secret Ingredient – Color

Color speaks louder than words. — Anonymous

vanishing vanishing OCEAN CITY

With Bunk Mann

The Ocean City Boardwalk has seen its share of characters over the years, but none as popular as Norman Webb, better known as “Boardwalk El- vis.”

Norman began walking the Boardwalk in the mid-1960s and became a regular sight with his huge boom box on his shoulder. He began dressing like Elvis Presley in the 1970s and changed from boom box to cassette player to kazoo. Norman became so popular that people sought his autograph and posed with him for photos. Postcards of him as “Boardwalk Elvis” were sold in local gift shops.

Norman retired from his Boardwalk strolls several years ago and was for many years seen riding his customized “Elvis” bicycle around Ocean Pines or attending Ocean City events such as Sunfest. In his later years, he would often answer to the name of “Boardwalk Elvis.” Webb passed away at his home in Showell on June 16, 2018 at the age of 78 after a bout with cancer.

Things I Like...

By Steve Green

The spirit of Berlin’s bathtub races

Getting to the beach on summer weekends

Seeing my teens doing laundry

Dinner on the Boardwalk

Being open to change

Heated Scrabble games

Seinfeld bloopers all these years later

Sleeping through a power outage

A good movie I have never heard of

High temperatures in the mid-80s

Low temperatures in the mid-60s

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

Photo by Richard Mille

FIELD DAY FUN

Worcester Preparatory School’s Lower School students, faculty, and families came together on Tuesday, June 3, to celebrate the end of the school year with the much-anticipated annual Field Day event. Held on the school’s athletic fields, Field Day featured a variety of games and team-building activities that allowed students from Pre-K through Grade 5 to compete, collaborate, and have fun outdoors. Following the energetic festivities, the WPS Parents Association hosted a celebratory picnic for students and their families. Above left, kindergartners having a blast under the parachute are Carter Nichols, Liam McGuinness, Emily Mitchell and Lily Moore. Above right, from left, are first graders Carter Grahn and Duke An with fifth graders Madelyn Tull, Amalia Gjikuria, Kate DelliGatti, Isabella Labin and Nora Rafinski. Below, top to bottom, are fifth grader Kingsley Giardina in the sack race; second graders Dylan Brandt and Nicole Sebastian with their teacher Abby Harrison; and, sisters Emily and Claire Leiner take a break together.

by Steve Green

TThe Adventures of Fatherhood

he summer between junior and senior years in high school is an interesting time.

So far there has been a lot of working for our Beckett, 17, but also quite a bit of relaxing and free time. Each day it’s interesting to see what he does with his day. Most of his free time involves the beach and gym.

A few weeks back, when he took his last final, it was clear he needed an academic break after rigorous junior year. There were times when he was near the breakdown point with his studies, but he made it through and deserves some down time.

It’s now been three weeks since school let out and his school does require some summer reading as well as work in an AP government class he’s taking.

Evidently, Pam and him had a deal there would be no discussions about school – or “s-word talk” as he calls it –until Fourth of July. That’s one entire month off essentially for him since his last exam. That seems more than fair to me.

Unfortunately, ever the negotiator he is, Beckett wants to discuss modifications to the deal. Pam has shut that down so far and it’s a good move.

There is no doubt he will get his summer work done eventually, but he seems to prefer not having to modify his freedom yet. I understand that. Summer break should be about enjoying all the wonderful things this area has to offer. So far, he’s living his best life, including sleeping in whenever possible, and it’s good to see.

It seems to me all parents with schoolaged kids probably struggle with the appropriate balance between nothingness and a little bit of something during the summer months.

Some points made in the 2019 piece on grownandflown.com by Katie Bingham Smith hit the mark for me.

I’ll never forget the summers before I

had to work full-time to afford my student loans, apartment, car, lights and running water.

During those summers, I’d go to work in the afternoon, stay out late with friends, come home and make toast before crawling into bed and sleeping until eleven before I did it all again the next day.

It wasn’t laziness–it was an experience and a wonderful one at that and I’m thankful my mom didn’t try and keep me busy at every turn during those years. I got to have freedom to do my thing before life got real and my responsibility to act like an adult kicked in.

Who doesn’t look back on their teen years during the summer without thinking those were the days?

It’s the only time in your life you are old enough to do some adult things, yet you don’t have to pay the mortgage.

Going out with your friends occupies a lot of your time and money, but that works out well since you always have a warm, safe bed to come home to. And you can usually find something to eat on the way to your bedroom, then pass out so you can repeat it all the next day.

Now … the expectation to fit it all in and keep your kids busy is prevalent and a lot of parents feel pressure to keep up with what everyone else is doing.

… I mean, when someone asks you what your summer plans are, you can’t say “Nothing, we are keeping it open so my teenagers can have a relaxed summer and do what they want without a schedule,” can you?

Oh yes, you can.

Let me tell you, the woman who used to stock the summer with “fun” plans and activities has left the building and I feel as free as a bird. If I could bottle up this feeling and sell it, I would.

The time my kids are in right now, the space between gaining independence and going out with their friends without a lot of responsibilities, is fleeting.

And the fact that my kids don’t want to be shuffled around, or have any sort of set schedule all summer wasn’t even on

my radar.

The other day as I was rattling off ideas to fill up summertime because I want to make sure we get it all in and my kids don’t get a huge case of the summer slides, my son said to me “Mom, we do the scheduling crap all during the school year. I’m tired of it. Chill.”

I could tell by my quick change of heart that I was tired of the scheduling crap too. In one small moment the color came back into my knuckles and I let my idea of summertime entertainment go.

I’m not going to think we have to have epic adventures anymore just because my kids are on summer vacation. We are going to take it day by day. We are going to do things we want to do. And for the love of all things holy, we are going to relax, intentionally.

I want to keep the schedule open to take my kids to the beach whenever they want to go.

I want to open the house up to their friends and let them hang out all day and eat junk food without telling them their time is up because we have 5 places to be that day.

I want them to wake up in the morning and let them decide what they want to do with their day because when you are a teen in the summertime and get to put the book down and take a breather, it’s truly an amazing time. Our kids deserve to have a break from the chaos of schedules and practice and rushing off on the regular because their mom thinks they need a bunch of activities to keep them busy.

I’m glad my son talked some sense into and made me realize sometimes the best seasons are the ones that aren’t manufactured, but the times that leave you free to build memories that will make you look back and think, Those were the days.

(The writer is the executive editor of OC Today-Dispatch. He and his wife, Pamela, are proud parents of two boys. This weekly column examines their transition into parenthood and all that goes along with it. E-mail any thoughts to editor@octodaydispatch.com.)

Official start to summer sure felt like it in OC area

By Dave Dalkiewicz Contributing Writer

(June 27, 2025) The first day of summer recently occurred. It was on Friday, June 20, astronomically speaking.

Not only does this time of the year feature heat and humidity but it seems as though there is frequent chance of sizable thunderstorms, complete with lightning and heavy rain. Simply put it’s the longest day of year although meteorologists, also known as weathermen, will make it a bit easier and consider June 1st to be the beginning of the summer season. Either way it becomes a small issue. If the weathermen had their way each season would fit into a nice even threemonth package, though the regarding factors are minimal.

So what does this mean to the surfer? For one thing the ocean water is generally warmer. Barring any upwelling the ocean water is at least approaching 70 degrees. Some light wetsuit or rash guard gear might be ideal, if for nothing else but sun or ultra-violet protection. Even some form of headgear could be advisable for at least a degree of scalp and/or face protection.

Surf wise it’s always a random call. Generally, the summertime will produce a small southerly swell which can easily make for knee to waist high wave conditions. As the summer progresses the hurricane factor, as a possibility, can come into play. Even though the hurricane season is officially June to November, the later summer season carries more chance as in August through early fall months.

The best scenario for a hurricane effect, or any low pressure weather system, is when it is centered well out into the ocean, north of South Carolina and west of Bermuda.

Southerly facing beaches will generally receive the best of these weather factors such as spots in North Carolina, New Jersey, Long Island, New York and Rhode Island. Unfortunately, our local beaches are looking more to the east.

In light of any more detail, the summer season is frequently considered to be the “best of the year.” This might not be the case for most local people but from the traffic on area roads, the visitor and vacationer factor, and all things considered, summer’s in the better to best range.

- Dave Dalkiewicz is the owner of Ocean Atlantic Surf Shop in Ocean City.

HISTORICAL FILM CHALLENGE

The Ocean City Film Festival presented an encore screening of the Historical Film Challenge at the Ocean City Center for the Arts on June 21. Eight films with historical significance to the Town of Ocean City were shown to a crowd of 110 at the free Film Night. The films were originally created for the March 2025 Film Festival to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the resort. The Ocean City Film Festival is a program of the Art League of Ocean City. Among those who attend were, top left, Historical Challenge filmmakers Gwen and Don Lehman, Fiona O’Brien with the Town of Ocean City, and Davis Mears.

COMMUNITY/SCHOOLS

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

The Worcester County Arts Council has announced the recipients of the 2025 Arts Scholarships, awarding a total of $10,000 to six outstanding students pursuing college degrees in the arts. Recipients included Savannah Chisholm, University of Maryland Eastern Shore; Aiden Clayton, Towson University; Genevieve Eggers, Stephen Decatur High School; Teresa Guo, Pocomoke High School; Tirzah Hill, Stephen Decatur High School; and Ja’Mari Savage, Snow Hill High School. Pictured, from left, are Hill, Guo, Eggers, Chisholm and John Sisson, scholarship donor. Not pictured were Clayton and Savage.

Students in Mr. Mills’ kindergarten class at Ocean City Elementary School enjoyed gorgeous weather for Field Day on June 3rd.  They took part in relay races, scooter races, and water activities. What a great day to get exercise and make memories with classmates!

GARDEN CLUB DOCENTS

Members of the Worcester County Garden Club serve as docents at Historic St. Martin’s Church in Showell during the month of June. This Georgian brick structure, completed in 1764, is open to the public on Mondays throughout the summer from 1-3 p.m. The Worcester County Garden Club is a member of Federated Garden Clubs of Maryland, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization, whose mission is to provide support, leadership and education for garden clubs and the public about best practices for horticulture, conservation, and landscape design. Above, recent visitors hear about the altar from, at far right, Worcester County Garden Club members Pat Bell and Pat Arata. SUBMITTED

WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP

Students got to know the beach from an artist’s perspective during the two-day watercolor workshop entitled “Day at the Beach,” taught by Amy D’Apice, on June 21 and 22 at the Ocean City Center for the Arts on 94th St., home of the Art League of Ocean City. A complete list of upcoming classes is available at OCart.org/classes.

Once again, the Ropers took over Ocean City for the

organization.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

BERLIN BATHTUB RACES HELD

The Berlin Chamber of Commerce’s 35th annual Berlin Bathtub Races were held last Friday on Main Street. There were 16 teams competing for bragging rights with Pohanka, pictured at right with MC Al Reno, in the end repeating as champions. The husband-and-wife team from Pohanka went undefeated in their heats during the night. In the finals, Pohanka defeated the team of Seaside Plumbing. Pictured are snapshots from the rest of the event.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BERLIN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

First

and

tions, car and truck displays, and giveaways.

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20

Nothing is too much for you to handle right now, Aries. But don’t take on even more as a way to prove something to someone. That could be a recipe for trouble.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21

Your physical energy is strong right now, Taurus. This may work to your advantage regarding your relationship. Your desire for love and passion is intense right now, so explore it.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21

Matters of the heart may need a little work right now, Gemini. If things haven’t been going too smoothly, you might have to examine the dynamics of the relationship and make changes.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22

You have an incredible passion for life, Cancer. It’s attracting friends and family members into your circle. Partner with someone who shares your energy.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23

Leo, if things aren’t going smoothly at work, be careful about blaming yourself. You need to look at the bigger picture and figure out who all the players are in this situation.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22

Virgo, even when others may count you out, you can be full of surprises. Do not let a recent success go entirely to your head, however. You still have a lot of work to do.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23

Libra, even though you may like to plan ahead and take things slowly, sometimes you need to throw caution to the wind. When an opportunity all but falls in your lap, run with it.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22

Scorpio, recent conflicts may ignite some mixed feelings, which could prove confusing. Think about solutions that potentially benefit all around you, including yourself.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21

You might not be having the best luck right now, Sagittarius, but things can change quickly. Keep your chin up and your eyes set on your goal. Networking may help you move forward.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20

Capricorn, if you have any health questions, make an appointment to talk to someone right away. It is important to stay ahead of things.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18

Something that has been taking up a bulk of your time is finally coming to a close, Aquarius. This will be a big relief and a lot of stress will be lifted in the process.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20

People keep coming up to you expecting all of the answers, Pisces. Don’t feel pressured to please everyone. Right now you may be content to enjoy some alone time.

COMMUNITY BRIEFS

Grant program offered

A new grant program will offer funding to support initiatives that benefit low-income communities and those disproportionately impacted by cannabis charges.

Worcester County is currently accepting applications through the new Worcester County Reinvestment and Repair Grant Program for community-based projects that support economic development, public health, and community improvement. The grant program is being funded with Worcester County’s allocation from the state’s Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund, which receives a portion of cannabis sales tax revenue and license conversion fees.

“This program will allow the county to provide financial support to projects that will benefit our low-income communities,” Chief Administrative Officer Weston Young said. “The broad parameters of the program will allow us to consider a variety of applicants as we reinvest this funding into our local jurisdictions.”

Nonprofit organizations, community groups, small businesses, and local government entities are encouraged to apply for funding if they have projects that will benefit low-income communities or serve disproportionally impacted areas. The grant program is designed to fund economic development, public health, and community improvement initiatives. The funding, per state guidelines, cannot be used for law enforcement activities.

More information is available at www.co.worcester.md.us.

Lifeline screening set

Residents living in and around the Ocean City can learn about their risk for cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, diabetes and other chronic, serious conditions with affordable screenings by Life Line Screening.

St Peter s Lutheran Church will host this community event on July 17 on 103rd Street.

Screenings can check for the level of plaque buildup in your arteries, related to risk for cardiovascular disease, stroke and overall vascular health; HDL and LDL Cholesterol levels; diabetes risk; and kidney and thyroid function, and more

Screenings are affordable and convenient. Free parking is also available.

Special package pricing starts at $159, but consultants will work with you to create a package that is right for you based on your age and risk factors. Call 1-877-2371287 or visit www.lifelinescreening.com. Pre-registration is required.

Student successes

The following represents a group of press releases submitted to this paper.

- Among the students who recently graduated from the College of William & Mary were Berlin residents Myra Cropper, Bachelor of Science, and Maeve Don-

ahue, Bachelor of Arts, and Snow Hill resident Kendall Gould, Bachelor of Arts.

- Students were named to the Spring 2025 Dean's List at LeTourneau University included Berlin’s Maxwell Stein, who is majoring in Mechanical Engineering.

- Rafe Parsons of Berlin graduated cum laude with a bachelor of arts in business administration from Bridgewater College during the May 3, 2025, Commencement exercises.

- Snow Hill resident Ellie Black was named to the Presidents List at the University of Alabama for the spring semester. Among those named to the University of Alabama’s Deans List were Berlin residents Bianca Becchinelli, Emery Busko and Rylie Kirby.

- Nearly 18,000 University of Maryland Global Campus students were named to the Dean's List for the spring 2025 term. The following students from the area were recognized: Katelyn Bern, Ocean City; Larry Bickel, Berlin; Khaleel Collick, Snow Hill; Jonathan Davis, Ocean City; Mikayla Dischinger, Berlin; Joshua Dolan, Ocean City; Kathleen Ewing, Ocean City; Antonio Franco-Loosemore, Ocean City; Keegan Gould, Snow Hill; Destiny Holland, Snow Hill; Jeffrey Hubbard, Berlin; Curtis Kamara, Ocean City; Bridget Kemp, Berlin; Julia Miller, Berlin; Blake Moore, Ocean City; Darby Moore, Ocean City; Kayla Purnell, Snow Hill; Dean Rill, Ocean City; Angela Robinson, Ocean Pines; Dane Thurston, Ocean City; Devon Tingle, Ocean City; and Andrew Sullivan, Berlin.

Calendar

Submit calendar items to: editor@octodaydispatch.com. Submission deadline is 5 p.m. Monday, the week of publication. Local submissions have priority. Area event listings are subject to space availability.

Fri., June 27

JAMES ‘MURR’ MURRAY: THE ERRORS TOUR

Ocean City Performing Arts Center, 4001 Coastal Highway, 8 p.m. Featuring “Murr” from Impractical Jokers. Tickets cost $47/$57. Must be 18 years of age or older. Tickets: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/323704 69/james-murrmurray-ocean-city-ocperforming-arts-center.

FREE PROFESSIONAL LEARNING FOR ADULTS

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Held June 27, July 25, Aug. 15 and Aug. 22. Join 1, 2, 3 or all sessions. Strength in Every Story — Understand how poverty affects everyone and explore real, local solutions.

OC MAHJONG CLUB

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Join in for a morning of playing tile Mahjong. Feel free to bring your own tile set. All adults are welcome. 410-5241818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

GAME DAY

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 1:30 p.m. Play games all afternoon. From Mario Kart to chess, challenge yourself. For ages 6-11 years. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

COCO-WYO INSPIRED COLORING

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 2 p.m. Use alcohol ink to learn new techniques like layering, blending and adding highlights. Some materials provided, but feel free to bring your own. For ages 12-18 years. 410-632-3495

70’S BOOK BASH AND FUNDRAISER

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 5-8 p.m. There will be games and crafts for all ages as well as a book sale, silent auction, 50/50 and more. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org

SIPPIN’ WITH SLOTHS

Coastal Wilds, 34215 Peppers Corner Road, Frankford, 6-8 p.m. Music by Sound Living/Glenn Stern. Cost is $40 and includes sloth encounter, selfguided tour, and one complementary glass of wine. Tickets: https://book.sin-

genuity.com/469/activity/details/2284/ rates. 302-829-1548

KIGHTS OF COLUMBUS BINGO

Fridays - Knights of Columbus, 9901

Coastal Highway, behind St. Luke’s Church. Doors open at 5 p.m., bingo starts at 6:30 p.m. Light snacks available before bingo and at intermission. 410524-7994

Sat., June 28

OC PRIDE PARADE

Downtown Ocean City, 809 S. Atlantic Ave., 10 a.m. The 30-45 minute parade goes around the pier, up the Boardwalk to Second Street and back. The event is free and open to all. Full details: https://www.ocmdpride.com/pride-parade.

SNOW HILL BOOK SALE

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 9 a.m.noon. Enjoy another day of supporting your library. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org

CRAFTY SATURDAY: SUMMERTIME FUN

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10 a.m. Let’s get crafty. All ages. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

BBQ CHICKEN DINNER

American Legion #123, 10111 Old Ocean City Blvd., Berlin, 12 p.m. 1/2 chicken with Carolina sauce and a bag of chips. Cost is $10.

CHICKEN SALAD AND SHRIMP SALAD CARRYOUT

Bishopville Volunteer Fire Department, 10709 Bishopville Road, 12-2 p.m.

Shrimp salad is $16 per pint and chicken salad is $10 per pint. Preorder and information: 443-880-4944.

LIBRAY LEGO LEAGUE

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 1 p.m. Explore your imagination with LEGO bricks provided by the library. Your creation will be displayed in the library for the next whole month. For ages 6-11 years. 410641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

COMIC BOOK CLUB: LUNCH LADY SERIES

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 1 p.m. Check out this month’s featured series, create your own comic and craft. No ex-

perience required. For families. 410208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

OCEAN PINES FARMERS & ARTISANS MARKET

Saturdays - White Horse Park, 239 Ocean Parkway, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Shop for everything from fresh local produce to unique handmade artisan goods. Also featuring family-friendly activities, music and unique shopping experiences. Open to the public, year round. 410-6417052, https://www.oceanpines.org/web/pages /farmers-artisans-market

Sun., June 29

SUNDAES IN THE PARK WITH FIREWORKS

Northside Park, 200 125th St., Ocean City, 7-9 p.m. Featuring “Chris Sacks Band” (Tropicana Rock). Kids enjoy free activities and entertainment. Ice cream and beverages available for purchase. Free event concluding with fireworks.

BERLIN FARMERS MARKET

Sundays - Pitts Street, Commerce Street and Main Street, Berlin, May through October, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. Producers only market featuring more than 50 farmers, food cultivators, bakers, distillers, seafood, meat and more. Also featuring a petting farm (9-11 a.m.), free kids art station and live music. TheBerlinFarmersMarket.com

SEWING FOR A CAUSE

Sundays - Buckingham Presbyterian Church, 20 S. Main St., Berlin, 10:30 a.m. to noon. Learn how to sew while making a difference. 410-641-0234

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES MEETING

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

Mon., June 30

STORY TIME: WEATHER

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Crafts, songs and stories. For ages 0-5 years. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

MOVIES AND MUNCHIES

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 2 p.m. Discover the meaning of “ohana.” Munchies included. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

CANCER SUPPORT GROUP

John H. “Jack” Burbage, Jr. Regional Cancer Care Center, 9707 Healthway Drive, Berlin, 3-4 p.m. For those newly diagnosed, in treatment or in remission. Face challenges, celebrate victories and build strength from the group’s shared

journeys. Friends and family welcome. 410-641-2626

FIBER CRAFT MEET-UP

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 4 p.m. Bring your work in progress for community and shared knowledge. Held in the meeting room or in the garden, weather permitting. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.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.

BRIDGE

Mondays - Ocean City 50plus Center, 104 41st Street, Ocean City, 12:30-3:30 p.m. Reserve a spot: Tish, 410-8043971. www.Worcoa.org/oceancity

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 LibraryOcean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 7-8 p.m. No dues or fees. 410-459-9100

Tues., July 1

SEAFOOD NIGHT WITH THE KNIGHTS Knights of Columbus Hall, 9901 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Held Tuesdays in the Columbus Hall behind St. Luke’s Church. Pre-order crabs Monday or Tuesday morning of that week: 410-524-7994. Non-seafood options will be available.

STORY TIME

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 10:30 a.m. A story time geared for ages 0-5 years featuring seasonal themes designed to support early literacy skills with stories, songs and fingerplays. 410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

PLAY TIME: PAINT DAY

Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 401 Fifth St., 10:30 a.m. Dress for a mess. Creative finger paint day. For ages 0-5 years. 410-957-0878, www.worcesterlibrary.org

ANYTHING BUT A PAINBRUSH

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 10:30 a.m. Try your hand at painting using anything but a paintbrush. Spin, roll, dab and spray during this colorful event.

CALENDAR

Dress for a mess. For families. 410-6323495, www.worcesterlibrary.org

OC KNITTING GROUP

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

MASTER GARDENERS PLANT CLINIC

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 11 a.m. Master Gardener Ginny Rosenkranz talks about all things plants. Bring any questions and feel free to show your plants as well. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

SUMMER READING PROGRAM: STICKY ART

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 2 p.m. Using washi tape and your creativity, design your own canvas. All material provided while supplies last. For ages 6-18 years. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

TEEN PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB: LIGHTING

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 4 p.m. Bring your phone, tablet or any type of camera for this photography lesson on lighting. If you don’t have a camera, there will be one to use during the program. For ages 12-18 years. 410-5241818

SAFE BOATING COURSE

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 6-9 p.m. State mandated Recreational Safe Boating Course held July 1 and 2. Cost is $20. Register: Barry Cohen, 410-9354807 or CGAUXOC@gmail.com.

CROSS FARMS POP-UP FARMERS MARKET

Tuesdays - Flower Street Field across from Henry Park, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Accepting Maryland Department of Agriculture FMNP (WIC & Seniors) Checks and Maryland WIC Fruit & Vegetable Checks. Also offering a "Produce Bucks" program, which doubles purchases for eligible residents. https://www.facebook.com/theberlinfarmersmarket.

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.

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES MEETING

Tuesdays - Berlin Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 212 West St., Berlin, 7 p.m. www.jw.org

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

OC KNITTING CLUB

Tuesdays - Worcester County LibraryOcean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m.

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.

ZUMBA TONING TUESDAYS

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

WEIGHT MANAGEMENT AND WELLNESS GROUP

Tuesdays - Holy Trinity Cathedral, 11021 Worcester Highway, 2-2:45 p.m. Use the weight loss program/app/plan of your choice. Free and open to everyone. 410-641-4882, www.htcanglican.org/activities.

Wed., July 2

MOVIES ON THE BEACH

Carousel Oceanfront Hotel & Condos, 11700 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 8:30 p.m. Featuring “Paw Patrol: Mighty Movie.” Free, family-friendly event. Bring blankets, chairs, snack, drinks and warm clothing. Weather permitting. www.ococean.com/things-to-do/free-family-fun/

PAINT & SIP

Ocean Pines Community Center, 235 Ocean Parkway, 6-8 p.m. Cost is $27 and includes wine and crackers. Must be at least 18 years old to participate. Register: 410-641-7052.

FAMILY FUN NIGHTS

Wednesdays (through Aug. 20) - Ocean Pines Yacht Club Pool, 1 Mumford's Landing Road, 6-8 p.m. DJ, games and prizes. Food available for purchase. Admission is $3 for OP swim members, $5 for OP residents, $7 for non-residents and free for non-swimmers. Cash only. 410-641-7052, oceanpines.org

BARIATRIC SUPPORT GROUP

Meets the first and second Wednesday of each month. For non-surgical patients. Atlantic General Bariatric Center, 410-641-9568

KIDS BINGO

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Join in for a beach-themed bingo and the chance to win a summertime prize basket. For ages 0-11 years and their families. 410-524-1818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

PUZZLE SWAP

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 1 p.m. Bring your gently used puzzles and leave with

a new-to-you puzzle. Don’t have a puzzle but still want one? That’s OK too. All puzzles must be in their original boxes. All ages welcome. 410-641-0650

DIABETES SUPPORT GROUP

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Providing discussion and education on the topic of diabetes. Patti Yocubik, 410-208-9761, Patti.Yocubik@TidalHealth.org

KIWANIS CLUB MEETING

Wednesdays - Ocean Pines Community Center, 239 Ocean Parkway, 8 a.m. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. Last Wednesday of the month meetings are offsite and information can be found on the website and Facebook. www.kiwanisofopoc.org.

Thurs., July 3

CONCERTS IN THE PARK

White Horse Park Pavilion, 235 Ocean Parkway, Ocean Pines, 7-9 p.m. Featuring music by Breath of Fresh Air. Free family entertainment. Bring chairs, blankets, etc. Food will be available for purchase and BYOB is acceptable. Smoking area is in the rear. 410-641-7052

CPAP MASK FITTING

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. Appointments required: Robin Rohlfing, 410-641-9726.

STORY TIME: COLORFUL ANIMALS

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10:30 a.m. Songs, dancing and crafts. For ages 2-5 years. 410-208-4014, www.worcesterlibrary.org

PLAY TIME

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 10:30 a.m. Join in for a variety of activities and toys. Play and socialize with other families. For ages 0-5 years. 410-632-3495, www.worcesterlibrary.org

PAINT LIKE ALMA

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 10:30 a.m. Alma Woodsey Thomas was an African-American artist and teacher best know of her abstract paintings. For ages 12-18 years. 410641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

OC CHESS CLUB

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Enjoy a relaxing game of chess every Thursday at the library. 410-5241818, www.worcesterlibrary.org

ICE CREAM SOCIAL

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 11:30 a.m. Featuring ice cream with all the toppings. Ice cream donated by Island

Creamery. 410-641-0650, www.worcesterlibrary.org

‘PAINT WITH BOB ROSS’ DAY

Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 401 Fifth St., 2 p.m. Paint a “happy” outdoor scene with a Bob Ross impersonator. Chances to win some Bob Ross-inspired prizes. For ages 6-18 years. Registration required: 410-9570878. www.worcesterlibrary.org

DIY FIREWORKS

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 2 p.m. Join in for a STEAM adventure. For tweens and teens. Registration required: 410208-4014. www.worcesterlibrary.org

ONGOING EVENTS

CREATIVE KIDS CORNER: COLOR BY NUMBER

Ocean City library, 10003 Coastal Highway, July 1-31. Grab an art kit to create at the library or take it with you. Most supplies are included. For children ages 0-11 years. 410-524-1818

CLAY-A-PALOOZA

Celebrate the art of clay, June 4 through July 6, at the Art League of Ocean City during Clay-a-palooza, a vibrant series of events showcasing pottery and ceramic arts. www.artleagueofoceancity.org

WOMEN SUPPORTING WOMEN’S 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IN JULY RAFFLE Women Supporting Women, 1320 Belmont Ave., Salisbury, June 1-July 25. Tickets $10. Daily raffle to win prizes for the 12 days of Christmas in July. 410548-7880

LOUIS PARSONS III MEMORIAL PHOTO CONTEST OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS OC Life-Saving Station Museum, 813 S. Atlantic Ave., April 1-Sept. 1. Entry fee is $5 per entry. Category winners will be announced on Nov. 1. https://www.gogophotocontest.com/oce ancitymuseumsociety, 410-289-4991, emma@ocmuseum.org

PINOCHLE

Meets the first and third Thursday of each month at Ocean Pines Community Center, 235 Ocean Parkway, 12:15-3:15 p.m. Established Pinochle group welcoming new members. Carrie, 410-251-8207

Crossword answers from page 56

BOAT CAPTAIN/ MATE

Weekends June-Sept.

Location WOC

Great opportunity for a retired captain or someone qualified looking to make some extra $$. The job description is taking the owner cruising around stopping at some local restaurants. Some bay fishing. Possible short offshore fishing to the nearest spot. Mostly on weekends but some weekdays are a possibility. 273 Everglades CC. Bring your per hour wage offer. Great opportunity for the right person looking to get out on the water for just a few hours. Call or text 410-404-7118.

AMERICAN LEGION Assistant Manager, PM Shift 2 Line Cooks, experience required. Part-time. Apply at Post, 2308 Philadelphia Avenue or call for information at 410-289-3166

TikTok® EXPERT PART TIME Looking for help with TikTok Live® and to monetize. I have millions of viewers! 410-206-6590

CLEANERS WANTED Vacation rental cleaners needed for OC and The Pines. Exp. preferred, but not required. OC PURIFIERS. Call or text 443-397-1189 or email Karen@ocpurifiers.com

MAINTENANCE

FULL-TIME, YEAR-ROUND Competitive Salary, Health Insurance, 401K, Paid Vacation. Apply in person or call. Pyramid Condo 9500 Coastal Hwy., OC 410-524-4479

JUDICIARY CLERK The Circuit Court of Worcester County is seeking a Senior Judiciary Clerk. JOB ID 12560 SALARY $56,264 to apply https://www.mdcourts. gov/careers Worcester County Circuit Court 1 West Market St. Snow Hill, MD 21863

SPEEDWORLD Small Engine Mechanic. Year-round. Wage starts at $15/hr & up based on experience. Benefits available. 443-754-1047

House for Rent Year-Round Rental 3BR, 2BA House for Rent in downtown Berlin, MD. House is newly renovated with all new appliances, bathroom fixtures, HVAC, full-sized W/D and quartz countertops. Rent is $2800/month plus utilities. Contact Jessica @ 410-641-3333 for more information.

WATERFRONT BAYSIDE Newly remodeled 2BR, 2BA Condo in North OC. Full kitchen, LR, DR, W/D, balcony for sunsets. Perfect for crabbing, fishing, kayaking. 10 min. walk to beach. Weekly summer rentals & long term seasonal Nov.-May. Contact Julie, 443-223-4623

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Annual Drinking Water Quality Report for 2024 Town of Willards

May, 2025

PWSID #0220007

We're pleased to present to you this year's Annual Water Quality Report. This report is designed to inform you about the quality water and services we deliver to you every day. Our constant goal is to provide you with a safe and dependable supply of drinking water. We want you to understand the ef forts we make to continually improve the water treatment process and protect our water resources. We are committed to ensuring the quality of your water. Our water source is two (2) wells drilled three hundred twenty ft.(320’) into the Manokin Aquifer.

We have a source water protection plan available from our office that provides more information such as potential sources of contamination. This plan is also available from Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) or at the Wicomico County Public Library. For more information call 1 800 633 6101.

I'm pleased to report that our drinking water is safe and meets all federal and state requirements. As you can see by the table which follows on page 2, our system had no violations. We constantly mon itor for various contaminants in the water supply to meet all regulatory requirements.

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general popula tion. Immuno compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by cryptosporidium and other microbiological contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800 426 4791).

If you have any questions about this report or concerning your water utility, please contact Chandra Singh at 717 278 5315. We want our valued customers to be informed about their water utility. If you want to learn more, please attend any of our regularly scheduled meetings. They are held on the second Monday of each month at the Town Hall Building at 7:00 p.m.

The Town of Willards routinely monitors for contaminants in your drinking water according to Federal and State laws. This table shows the results of our monitoring for the period of January 1st to December 31st, 2024. As water travels over the land or underground, it can pick up substances or con taminants such as microbes, inorganic and organic chemicals, and radioactive substances. All drinking water, including bottled drinking water, may be reasonably expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. It's important to remember that the presence of these contaminants does not necessarily pose a health risk.

In this table you will find many terms and abbreviations you might not be familiar with. To help you better understand these terms we've provided the following definitions:

Parts per million (ppm) or Milligrams per liter (mg/l) one part per million corresponds to one minute in two years or a single penny in $10,000.

Parts per billion (ppb) or Micrograms per liter one part per billion corresponds to one minute in 2,000 years, or a single penny in $10,000,000.

Parts per trillion (ppt) or Microgram per liter one part per trillion corresponds to one minute in 2,000,000 years, or a single penny in $10,000,000,000.

Action Level the concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other re quirements which a water system must follow.

Maximum Contaminant Level The “Maximum Allowed” (MCL) is the highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.

Maximum Contaminant Level Goal – The “Goal”(MCLG) is the level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.

Note: Test results are for year 2024 or as otherwise indicated; All contaminants are not required to be tested for annually.

We have learned through our monitoring and testing that some contaminants have been detected. The EPA has determined that your water IS SAFE at these levels.

All sources of drinking water are subject to potential contamination by substances that are naturally occurring or man made. These substances can be microbes, inorganic or organic chemicals and radioac tive substances. All drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1 800 426 4791.

An initial inventory of service line pipe materials located within our service area required to be sub mitted to the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) by October 16, 2024. We submitted the service line inventory report by the deadline, and the “report is available upon request”.

Willards has completed the service line inventory required by U.S. EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (initial inventory due October 16th, 2024)

For more information on our service line inventory please call 717 278 5315.

Through completing a records review, it has been determined it has no Lead or Galvanized Re placement (GRR) service lines in its distribution system. This includes all system owned and customer portions of all service lines regardless of actual or intended use.

Construction records, meter replacements, and distribution maps were used to help us determine the composition of our systems service lines.

Willards has reviewed all applicable sources of information to complete the inventory and will con tinue to identify and track service line materials as they are encountered during normal operations. If, in the future, a Lead or Galvanized requiring replacement (GRR) service line is found within our sys tem, we will prepare an updated inventory and submit to the Maryland Department of the Environment and in addition, the inventory will be made publicly available for water customers to view, and cus tomer will be notified of any change in the service line material, if applicable.

For more information on our service line inventory please call 717 278 5315.

Lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. Willards is responsible for providing high quality drinking water and removing lead pipes, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components in your home. You share the responsibility for protecting yourself and your family from the lead in your home plumbing. You can take responsibility by identifying and removing lead materials within your home plumbing and taking steps to reduce your family's risk. Before drinking tap water, flush your pipes for several minutes by running your tap, taking a shower, doing laundry or a load of dishes. You can also use a filter certified by an American National Standards Institute accredited certifier to reduce lead in drinking water. If you are concerned about lead in your water and wish to have your water tested, contact Willards at 410 835 8192. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to mini mize exposure is available at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

MCL’s are set at very stringent levels. To understand the possible health effects described for many regulated contaminants, a person would have to drink 2 liters of water every day at the MCL level for a lifetime to have a one in a million chance of having the described health effect.

Infants below the age of six months who drink water containing nitrate in excess of the MCL could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue baby syndrome.

The Maryland Rural Water Association’s State Circuit Rider assisted with the completion of this re port.

We at The Town of Willards work around the clock to provide top quality water to every tap. We ask that all our customers help us protect our water sources, which are the heart of our community, our way of life and our children’s future.

BWW Law Group, LLC

6003 Executive Blvd., Suite 101

Rockville, MD 20852 (301) 961-6555

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEES'

SALE OF REAL PROPERTY AND ANY IMPROVEMENTS THEREON

128 B NEWPORT BAY DRIVE OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

Under a power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust dated March 23, 2006, recorded in Liber 4670, Folio 399 among the Land Records of Worcester County, MD, with an original principal balance of $428,000.00, default having occurred under the terms thereof, the Sub. Trustees will sell at public auction at the Circuit Court for Worcester County, at the Court House Door, One W. Market St., Snow Hill, MD 21863, on

JULY 8, 2025 AT 4:05 PM

ALL THAT FEE SIMPLE LOT OF GROUND, together with any buildings or improvements thereon located in Worcester County, MD and more fully described in the aforesaid Deed of Trust.

The property, and any improvements thereon, will be sold in an "as is" condition and subject to conditions, restrictions and agreements of record affecting the same, if any, and with no warranty of any kind.

Terms of Sale: A deposit of $26,000 in the form of certified check, cashier's check or money order will be required of the purchaser at time and place of sale. Balance of the purchase price, together with interest on the unpaid purchase money at the current rate contained in the Deed of Trust Note, or any modifications thereto, from the date of sale to the date funds are received by the Sub. Trustees, payable in cash within ten days of final ratification of the sale by the Circuit Court. There will be no abatement of interest due to the purchaser in the event additional funds are tendered before settlement. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE FOR THE PURCHASER. Adjustment of all real property taxes, including agricultural taxes, if applicable, and any and all public and/or private charges or assessments, to the extent such amounts survive foreclosure sale, including water/sewer, ground rent and front foot benefit charges, to be adjusted to date of sale and thereafter assumed by purchaser. Purchaser is responsible for any recapture of homestead tax credit. All transfer taxes and recordation taxes shall be paid by Purchaser. The purchaser shall be responsible for the payment of the ground rent escrow, if required. Condominium fees and/or homeowners association dues, if any, shall be assumed by the purchaser from the date of sale. Purchaser is responsible for obtaining physical possession of the property, and assumes risk of loss or damage to the property from the date of sale. The sale is subject to post-sale audit

of the status of the loan with the loan servicer including, but not limited to, determination of whether the borrower entered into any repayment agreement, reinstated or paid off the loan prior to the sale. In any such event, this sale shall be null and void, and the Purchaser's sole remedy, in law or equity, shall be the return of the deposit without interest. If purchaser fails to settle within ten days of ratification, subject to order of court, purchaser agrees that property will be resold and entire deposit retained by Sub. Trustees as liquidated damages for all losses occasioned by the purchaser's default and purchaser shall have no further liability. The purchaser waives personal service of any papers filed in connection with its failure to settle within ten days of ratification and expressly agrees to accept service by first class mail at the address provided by the Purchaser as identified on the Memorandum of Sale. The defaulted purchaser shall not be entitled to any surplus proceeds resulting from said resale even if such surplus results from improvements to the property by said defaulted purchaser. Sub. Trustees will convey either marketable or insurable title. If they cannot deliver one or the other, or if ratification of the sale is denied by the Circuit Court for any reason, the Purchaser's sole remedy, at law or equity, is return of the deposit without interest. (Matter No. 372188-1)

Howard N. Bierman, Carrie M. Ward, et. al., Substitute Trustees

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WEBB, CORNBROOKS, WILBER, VORHIS, DOUSE & MATHERS, LLP

MICHAEL B. MATHERS ESQ. P.O. BOX 910 115 BROAD STREET SALISBURY, MD 21803-0910

NOTICE

TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ESTATE NO. 20694

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Surrogate’s Court of Passaic County, New Jersey appointed (1) Karen P. Fox Martino, 8 Woods End, Oakland, NJ 07436-2338 as the Personal Representative of the Estate of Loretta H. Fox who died on September 11, 2019 domiciled in New Jersey, America.

The name and address of the Maryland resident agent for service of process is (1) Michael B. Mathers, 115 Broad St., P.O. Box 910, Salisbury, MD 21801-4912.

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.

(1) Karen P. Fox Martino 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: June 12, 2025

OCD-6/12/3t

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Estate No. 20683

TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF ELIZABETH DOROTHY STIEMLY

AKA: ELIZABETH D. STIEMLY

Notice is given that Margaret Bollhorst, 606 Cypresspointe Dr., Severna Park, MD 21146-4100, was on June 02, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Elizabeth Dorothy Stiemly who died on May 18, 2025, with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 2nd day of December, 2025.

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.

Margaret Bollhorst Personal Representative True Test Copy Terri Westcott Register of Wills for Worcester County One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074

Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest

Date of publication: June 12, 2025

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McCabe, Weisberg & Conway LLC 312 Marshall Avenue, Suite 800 Laurel, Maryland 20707 301-490-3361

Laura H.G. O’Sullivan, et al., Substitute Trustees

Plaintiffs vs.

Kelley E. Galyen

Defendant IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND Civil No. C-23-CV-24-000074

NOTICE

ORDERED, this 9th day of June, 2025 by the Circuit Court of WORCESTER COUNTY, Maryland, that the sale of the property at 5 Evergreen Court, Berlin, Maryland 21811 mentioned in these proceedings, made and reported by Laura H.G. O’Sullivan, et. al, Substitute Trustees, be ratified and confirmed, unless cause to the contrary thereof be shown on or before the 14th day of July, 2025 next, provided a copy of this notice be inserted in some newspaper published in said County once in each of three successive weeks before the 7th day of July, 2025, next. The report states the amount of sale to be $285,000.00.

Susan R. Braniecki CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND

True Copy Test: Susan R. Braniecki Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County, MD

OCD-6/12/3t

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20687 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF ELIZABETH FARWELL AKA: ELIZABETH A. FARWELL

Notice is given that Carol Meekins, 8247 Sea Biscuit Rd., Snow Hill, MD 21863-4306, was on June 03, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Elizabeth Farwell who died on May 09, 2025, 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 3rd day of December, 2025.

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 ear-

lier 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.

Carol Meekins

Personal Representative True Test Copy

Terri Westcott Register of Wills for Worcester County One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074

Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest

Date of publication:

June 12, 2025

OCD-6/12/3t

WEBB, CORNBROOKS, WILBER, VORHIS, DOUSE & MATHERS, LLP

MICHAEL B. MATHERS ESQ. P.O. BOX 910 115 BROAD STREET SALISBURY, MD 21803-0910

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ESTATE NO. 20696

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Surrogate’s Court of Passaic County, New Jersey appointed (1) Karen P. Fox Martino, 8 Woods End, Oakland, NJ 07436-2338 as the Personal Representative of the Estate of Edward J. Fox who died on August 24, 2005 domiciled in New Jersey, America.

The name and address of the Maryland resident agent for service of process is (1) Michael B. Mathers, 115 Broad St., P.O. Box 910, Salisbury, MD 21801-4912.

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.

(1) Karen P. Fox Martino Foreign Personal Representative Terri Westcott Register of Wills

One W. Market Street

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: 6/20/2025

AUTH: Raymond J Austin Chief of Police

Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074

Name of Newspaper:

Ocean City Digest

Date of first publication: June 12, 2025

OCD-6/12/3t

NOTICE

OF PASSAGE OF BILL 25-02

WORCESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Take Notice that Bill 25-02 (County Government – County Real and Personal Property and County Buildings) was passed by Commissioners Abbott, Bertino, Bunting, Elder, Fiori, Mitrecic, and Purnell on May 20, 2025.

A fair summary of the bill is as follows:

The bill amends Section 4-404 of the County Government Article of the County Code to refine restrictions on camping at certain locations including County property, clarifying the ability of the County to remove abandoned personal property on County and other property, and making violations of this provision a misdemeanor rather than a civil citation.

This is only a fair summary of the bill. A full copy of the bill is posted on

the Legislative Bulletin Board in the main hall of the Worcester County Government Center outside Room 1103, is available for public inspection in Room 1103 of the Worcester County Government Center once County Government Offices are opened to the public. In the interim, a full copy of the bill is available on the County Website at www.co.worcester.md.us.

THE WORCESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

OCD-6/19/3t

JOSHUA I. BIENSTOCK, ESQ. BIENSTOCK LAW, LLC 21 CHURCH ST., STE. 600 ROCKVILLE, MD 20850-4207

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20707

TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF JULIA COLETA SMET

AKA: JULIA SMET

Notice is given that John M. Smet, 7801 Wingate Dr., Glenn Dale, MD 20769-2024, was on June 11, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Julia Coleta Smet who died on November 07, 2024, with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 11th day of December, 2025.

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.

John M. Smet Personal Representative

True Test Copy

Terri Westcott Register of Wills for Worcester County One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074

Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest

Date of publication: June 19, 2025

OCD-6/19/3t

NOTICE

Disposal of Surplus Vehicles and Equipment to be Auctioned on GovDeals.com

"Disposition of County Personal Property no longer used by the County"

The following described personal property, including vehicles, furniture and equipment, have been determined to be no longer required for County use by the County Commissioners of Worcester County, Maryland and deemed to be surplus property:

SURPLUS VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT

Surplus vehicles, listed by make and model (with model year), as follows: Ford F150 2WD (2001); International 2674 (1991); Ford F250 4x4 (2004); Chevrolet Tahoe 4x4 (2014); Chevrolet Silverado 1500 2WD (2006); Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4x4 (2005); Ford Econoline 150 VAN (2006); Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4x4 (2003); Ford F350 CREW CAB DUMP (2006); Dodge Caravan (2006); Chevrolet Tahoe 4x4 (2012); Ford Crown Victoria (2008); Ford Crown Victoria (2009); Ford Crown Victoria (2008); Ford Crown Victoria (2009); Ford Crown Victoria (2010); Chevrolet Tahoe (2009); Chevrolet Tahoe (2013); Chevrolet Tahoe (2013); Chevrolet Tahoe (2012); Chevrolet Tahoe (2013); Ford Crown Victoria (2011).

Surplus equipment, including: Bannerman Turf-Topper BTD20H (1994); Kings Sprayer K3PTH150B12.

Surplus furniture and miscellaneous equipment, including: Portable PA System With Amplifier; Wood Desks and Shelving; Ornamental Light Poles; LB White Heater; Hydraulic Hose Machine; Misc Automotive Filter/Parts/Manuals; Coats Tire Mounting Machine Model 40-40A; Old Battery Powered Tools; Tire Balancing Machine, Hunter Road Force; Electrical Power Banks; Soda Machine, Industrial Air ILA3606056 Air Compressor; Parts Washer; Ranger T-5-500; Misc Soccer Goals; Misc Gas Powered String Trimmers; Misc Printers; Misc Computers.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE AND CONVEYANCE: The County Commissioners propose to solicit competitive bids via an Internet-based auction system operated by GovDeals, Inc. for which the winning bidder pays a buyer's premium of twelve and one-half percent (12.5%) of the winning bid for each

transaction so that there is no net cost to the County. All of the above referenced surplus property will be offered for sale "AS IS, WHERE IS." The County Commissioners make no warranty, guaranty or representation of any kind, expressed or implied, as to the merchantability or fitness for any purpose of the property offered for sale. The County Commissioners warrant to the buyer that the property offered for sale will conform to it description. The County Commissioners reserve the right to reject any and all bids as they see fit and to withdraw from sale any of the items listed. Payment in full by successful bidders shall be made to Worcester County Commissioners.

OPPORTUNITY FOR OBJEC-

TIONS: Anyone objecting to the proposed conveyance of the above surplus vehicles and equipment shall do so in writing prior to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 10, 2025, or in person at the regularly scheduled meeting of the County Commissioners to be held at 10:00 a.m. on July 15, 2025 in the County Commissioners Meeting Room, Room 1101 - Government Center, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland 21863. WORCESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OCD-6/19/3t

JOHN F. ROBBERT ESQ. CHESAPEAKE LEGAL COUNSEL LLC

2661 RIVA RD., STE. 410A ANNAPOLIS, MD 21401-7335

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Estate No. 20686 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF MAJORIE L. DODGE

AKA: MAJORIE DODGE WORTH

Notice is given that Stephanie Staib, 313 Reed St., Milton, DE 19968-1640, was on June 12, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Marjorie L. Dodge who died on March 19, 2025, with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 12th day of December, 2025.

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 de-

livery 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.

Stephanie Staib Personal Representative True Test Copy Terri Westcott Register of Wills for Worcester County One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074

Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest Date of publication: June 19, 2025

OCD-6/19/3t

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE

TO CREDITORS

NOTICE

TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of BRUCE GORDON KNUTSON Estate No. 20705 Notice is given that HEATHER MCDONALD whose address is 339 REDWOOD GROVE CT., MILLERSVILLE, MD 21108-1876 was on JUNE 11, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of BRUCE GORDON KNUTSON who died on MAY 22, 2025 with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 11th day of DECEMBER, 2025

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

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NOTICE

TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE

ESTATE NO. 20695

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Register of Wills court of Sussex County,

Delaware appointed (1) Catherine Northcraft, 21068 Cool Spring Rd., Milton, DE 19968-3318 as the Administrator of the Estate of Catherine R. Oswald who died on December 07, 2023 domiciled in Delaware, USA.

The name and address of the Maryland resident agent for service of process is (1) Ellen Ora Vanderham, 2708 Appleseed Rd., Finksburg, MD 21048-2206.

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.

(1) Catherine Northcraft 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: June 19, 2025

OCD-6/19/3t _________________________________

ALEXANDER M. PAGNOTTA 183 HARRY S. TRUMAN PKWY., STE. 104 ANNAPOLIS, MD 21401-7579

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20710 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF GEORGE A. PURNELL

Notice is given that Frances S. Purnell, 1546 Teal Dr., P.O. Box 460, Ocean City, MD 21842-5555, was on June 16, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of George A. Purnell who died on May 13, 2025, with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 16th day of December, 2025.

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.

Frances S. Purnell

Personal Representative

True Test Copy Terri Westcott Register of Wills for Worcester County One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074

Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest

Date of publication: June 19, 2025

OCD-6/19/3t

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS

BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS AND APPEALS

TOWN OF OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND

Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 2 Administration, Article IV, Division 5 of the Code of the Town of Ocean City, Maryland hereinafter referred to as Code, same being the Board of Adjustments and Appeals Ordinance for Ocean City, Maryland, notice is hereby given that public hearing will be conducted in the Council Chambers of City Hall located at 301 Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, Maryland.

Wednesday, July 2, 2025

At 3:00 PM

BAAV 25-041 - A request has been submitted for a variance from TOC Code Section 38-71 (a)(5) Minimum Elevation Requirements, to reduce the minimum 3’ freeboard elevation requirement above the AE-6 flood zone by approximately 2.3 feet for a lateral extension to the rear of an existing interior townhouse unit, and to match existing the lowest floor elevation approved by BAA variance 2002-004. Locally known as 501 Bayshore Drive Unit 7- parcel number 112-20-5347 Lot 7.

Owner: Guy and Laurie Sosnowski

Applicant: Guy and Laurie Sosnowski

BAAV 25-042 - A request has been submitted for a variance from TOC Code Section 38-71 (a)(5) Minimum Elevation Requirements, to reduce the minimum 3’ freeboard elevation requirement above the AE-6 flood zone for a lateral extension to the

rear of an existing single-family house, and to match existing the lowest floor elevation of the primary structure located in the X zone. Locally known as 321 White Heron Court - parcel number 116-05-5313A Lot 29.

Owner: Phillip and Anne Creek

Applicant: Mills Creek Builders –Kevin Rohe

BAAV 25-043 - A request has been submitted for a variance from TOC Code Section 38-71 (a)(5) Minimum Elevation Requirements, to reduce the minimum 3’ freeboard elevation requirement above the AE-6 flood zone for a lateral extension of open unenclosed decks to the rear of a proposed single-family house, which will otherwise meet required minimum elevation. Locally known as 315 South Heron Gull Court - parcel number 116-11-6071A Lot 97.

Owner: Keith and Shelley Coffin

Applicant: Keith A. Coffin

OCD-6/19/2t

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20704 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF SANDRA PECK

AKA: SANDRA ANN PECK

Notice is given that Ryan B. Wolfgram, 17994 Woods Overlook Dr., Dumfries, VA 22026-3111, was on June 12, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Sandra Peck who died on June 05, 2025, with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 12th day of December, 2025.

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.

Ryan B. Wolfgram Personal Representative True Test Copy Terri Westcott Register of Wills for Worcester County One W. Market Street

Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074

Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest

Date of publication: June 19, 2025

OCD-6/19/3t

NOTICE

of Self Storage Sale

Please take notice Main Street Storage located at 9842 Main Street, Berlin, MD, 21811 intends to hold a public sale to the highest bidder of the property stored by the following tenants for default on their Storage Contracts. The sale will occur as an online auction via www.lockerfox.com on 7/2/2025 at 10:00AM. This sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Certain terms and conditions apply.

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THE TOWN OF BERLIN, MARYLAND NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Monday, July 14, 2025 6:00 PM

To consider the Re-zoning of the Parcel of Property identified as Tax Map 25, Parcel 57

Pursuant to the Town of Berlin, MD Code Sections 108-214 and 108215, the Berlin Mayor and Council will hold a Public Hearing during its regularly scheduled meeting on the date and time indicated above in the Council Chambers of Berlin Town Hall, 10 William Street, Berlin, MD 21811 to consider the recommendation of the Berlin Planning Commission for the change of zoning classification of the above indicated parcel. The Planning Commission passed, by unanimous vote, a motion to recommend the rezoning of 10009 Old Ocean City Blvd., Berlin, MD from R-1 Residence District to B-2 Shopping District at its meeting held on Wednesday, June 11, 2025.

The hearing is open to the public, and public testimony is encouraged.

Persons with questions regarding this hearing may call 410-641-2770 for further information.

OCD-6/26/2t

RAYMOND D. COATES JR, ESQ COATES,COATES, & COATES, P.A.

6200 COASTAL HIGHWAY, SUITE 300 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE

TO CREDITORS

OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES ESTATE NO. 17401

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the CIRCUIT court of WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA appointed (1) STEVEN PETER YEATRAS whose address is 12 140TH ST UNIT 3 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842-6329 as the PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE of the

Estate of PETER S YEATRAS who died on MARCH 20, 2015 domiciled in VIRGINIA, USA

The name and address of the Maryland resident agent for service of process is (1) RAYMOND D COATES JR whose address is 6200 COASTAL HWY STE 30 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842-6678. 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 publishe 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.

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-6/26/3t _________________________________

REENA J. PATEL ESQ. LAW OFFICE OF MARIANNA BATIE

1321 MOUNT HERMON RD., STE. B SALISBURY, MD 21804-5303

SMALL ESTATE NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 20537 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF DOROTHY MARIE SHOCKLEY Notice is given that Ernest C. Shockley, 28551 Crystal Ln., Milton, DE 19968-9681, was on June 17, 2025 appointed personal representative of the small estate of Dorothy Marie Shockley who died on January 25, 2025, with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within 30 days after the date of publication of this Notice. All persons having an objection to the probate of the will shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within six months after the date of publication of this Notice.

All persons having claims against the decedent must serve their claims on the undersigned personal representative or file them 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) Thirty days 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 claim within thirty days from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Any claim not served or filed within that time, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter.

Ernest C. Shockley Personal Representative True Test Copy Register of Wills for Worcester County Terri Westcott

One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074

Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest

Date of publication: June 26, 2025

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING WORCESTER COUNTY BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS AGENDA

THURSDAY JULY 10, 2025

Pursuant to the provisions of the Worcester County Zoning Ordinance, notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held in-person before the Board of Zoning Appeals for Worcester County, in the Board Room (Room 1102) on the first floor of the Worcester County Government Center, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland. Audio and video recording will take place during this public hearing. The public is invited to view this meeting live online athttps://worcestercountymd.swagit.co m/live

6:30 p.m. Case No. 25-40, on the lands of Dara and John Wooten, requesting a variance to the side yard setback from 7 feet to 4 feet (to encroach 3 feet) for a proposed landing with steps in the A-2 Agricultural District, pursuant to Zoning Code §§ ZS 1-116(c)(4), ZS 1-202(b)(5), ZS 1122(c)(1) and ZS 1-305, located at 10610 Flower Street, Tax Map 25, Parcel 97, Tax District 3, Worcester County, Maryland.

6:35 p.m. Case No. 25-39, on the lands of Donald D’Aquila, on the application of Hugh Cropper IV, requesting three (3) variances to reduce the Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area Buffer (1) from 100 feet to 41.79 feet (to encroach 58.21 feet) for a proposed dwelling; (2) from 100 feet to 29.71 feet (to encroach 70.29 feet) for a proposed garage; and (3) from 100 feet to 13.79 feet (to encroach 86.21 feet) for a proposed driveway in the A-2 Agricultural District, pursuant to Zoning Code §§ ZS 1-116(m), ZS 1-202(b)(5) and ZS 1-305 and Natural Resources Code §§ 3-104(d)(4) and NR 3-111, located at 8718 Grey Fox Lane, Tax Map 33, Parcel 206, Tax District 3, Worcester County, Maryland.

6:40 p.m. Case No. 25-41, on the lands of Everett Glenn Holland Rev-

ocable Trust and Jean Truitt Holland Revocable Trust, on the application of Cedar Hall Energy Center LLC, requesting a special exception for a public utility structure (battery energy storage system) in the R-2 Suburban Residential District, pursuant to Zoning Code §§ ZS 1116(c)(3) and ZS 1-206(c)(10), located on the north side of Cedar Hall Road at its intersection with the Pocomoke Beltway, Tax Map 91, Parcel 68, Tax District 1, Worcester County, Maryland.

OCD-6/26/2t

MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF SNOW HILL

NOTICE OF PROPOSED LEGISLATION ORDINANCE 2025-10

NOTICE is hereby given by the Mayor and Council of Snow Hill that Ordinance 2025-10 was introduced for first reading at a regular meeting on June 10, 2025. A fair summary of the ordinance is as follows: An Ordinance of the Mayor and Council of Snow Hill (the "Town") To Repeal and Replace Chapter 72, Entitled Critical Area, of the Code of the Town of Snow Hill, Maryland. State Law requires each local jurisdiction to comprehensively review its entire Critical Area Program every 10 years and Snow Hills previous updates was in 2012. The Mayor and Council of Snow Hill desires to update Chapter 72, entitled Critical Area to complete the comprehensive review and incorporate updates to the State Critical Area Law. The second reading will take place on July 8th, 2025 at the regular Town Hall meeting. A complete text of the ordinance is available for review at Town Hall, 103 Bank Street, Snow Hill, MD 21863.

OCD-6/26/1t

MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF SNOW HILL

NOTICE

OF PROPOSED LEGISLATION ORDINANCE 2025-11

NOTICE is hereby given by the Mayor and Council of Snow Hill that Ordinance 2025-11 was introduced for first reading at a regular meeting on June 10th , 2025. A fair summary of the ordinance is as follows: An Ordinance of the Mayor and Council of Snow Hill (the "Town") To Amend Chapter 131, Entitled Penalties, Fees, Fines and Other Charges, Section 131-11, Entitled Trash Roll Carts of the Code of the Town of Snow Hill, Maryland. The Mayor and Council of Snow Hill (“Snow

Hill”) desires to clarify which properties are charged a trash roll cart fee. The second reading will take place on July 8th, 2025 at the regular Town Hall meeting. A complete text of the ordinance is available for review at Town Hall, 103 Bank Street, Snow Hill, MD 21863.

OCD-6/26/1t

MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF SNOW HILL

NOTICE

OF PROPOSED LEGISLATION ORDINANCE 2025-12

NOTICE is hereby given by the Mayor and Council of Snow Hill that Ordinance 2025-12 was introduced for first reading at a regular meeting on June 10th , 2025. A fair summary of the ordinance is as follows: An Ordinance of the Mayor and Council of Snow Hill (the "Town") To Amend Chapter 155, Entitled Solid Waste, Section 155-7, Entitled Trash Roll Carts of the Code of the Town of Snow Hill, Maryland. The Mayor and Council of Snow Hill (“Snow Hill”) desires to eliminate the usage of non-Town of Snow Hill issued trash roll carts. The second reading will take place on July 8th, 2025 at the regular Town Hall meeting. A complete text of the ordinance is available for review at Town Hall, 103 Bank Street, Snow Hill, MD 21863.

OCD-6/26/1t

NOTICE

TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ESTATE NO. 20714

Notice is given that the Register of Wills of Bucks County, Pennsylvania appointed (1) Dawn Hartman, 1270 Paso Fino Dr., Warrington, PA 18976-1945 as the Executrix of the Estate of Eleanor M. Gladkowski who died on January 28, 2025 domiciled in Pennsylvania, USA.

The name and address of the Maryland resident agent for service of process is (1) Ron Gladkowski, 736 Mooring Rd., Unit B, Ocean City, MD 21842-4912.

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 de-

livery of the notice. Claims filed after that date or after a date extended by law will be barred.

(1) Dawn Hartman

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: June 26, 2025

OCD-6/26/3t

NOTICE

OF PROPOSED CHANGE IN ZONING

EAST SIDE OF GREENRIDGE LANE ROAD 850 FEET SOUTH OF OLD BRIDGE ROAD, WEST OCEAN CITY

TENTH TAX DISTRICT WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND

Pursuant to Section 1-113 of the Worcester County Zoning Ordinance, Rezoning Case No. 449 has been filed by Hugh Cropper on behalf of Mark R. Odachowski, property owner, for an amendment to the Official Zoning Maps to change approximately 18.67 acres of land located on the East side of Greenridge Lane Road, 850 feet south of Old Bridge Road, West Ocean City, in the Tenth Tax District of Worcester County, Maryland, from R-2 Suburban Residential District to R-4 General Residential District. The Planning Commission has given a favorable recommendation to the rezoning application.

Pursuant to Sections 1-113 and 1114 of the Worcester County Zoning Ordinance, the County Commissioners will hold a PUBLIC HEARING on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at 10:30 A.M. IN THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS’ MEETING ROOM

WORCESTER COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER –ROOM 1101 ONE WEST MARKET STREET SNOW HILL, MARYLAND 21863

At said public hearing the County Commissioners will consider the rezoning application, the staff file on Rezoning Case No. 449 and the recommendation of the Planning Commission, any proposed restrictions on the rezoning, other appropriate restrictions, conditions or limitations as may be deemed by them to be appropriate to preserve, improve, or protect the general character and design of the lands and improvements being zoned or rezoned or of the surrounding or adjacent lands and improvements, and the advisability of reserving the power and authority to approve or disapprove the design of buildings, construction, landscaping or other improvements, alterations and changes made or to be made on the subject land or lands to assure conformity with the intent and pur-

pose of applicable State laws and regulations and the County Zoning Ordinance.

Maps of the petitioned area, the staff file on Rezoning Case No. 449 and the Planning Commission’s recommendation, which will be entered into record at the public hearing, are on file and available to view electronically by contacting the Department of Development, Review and Permitting, Worcester County Government Center, One West Market Street, Room 1201, Snow Hill, Maryland 21863 Monday through Friday from 8:00 A.M. and 4:30 P.M. (except holidays), at (410) 632-1200 as well as at www.co.worcester.md.us.

THE WORCESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

OCD-6/19/2t

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20718

TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF WALTER SHRIEVES SR.

Notice is given that Robin Nock, 2304 Bird Hill Rd., Stockton, MD 21864-2054, was on June 20, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Walter Shrieves Sr. who died on April 13, 2024, 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 December, 2025.

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.

Robin Nock

Personal Representative True Test Copy

Terri Westcott Register of Wills for Worcester County One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074

Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest

Date of publication: June 26, 2025 OCD-6/26/3t

JOSEPH

E. MOORE ESQ

WILLIAMS, MOORE, SHOCKLEY & HARRISON

3509 COASTAL HIGHWAY

OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of KAREN MARY ASKLAND PIPPIN Estate No. 20715 Notice is given that JORDAN J PIPPIN whose address is 3 PENDERS CT BERLIN, MD 21811-1462 was on JUNE 18, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of KAREN MARY ASKLAND PIPPIN who died on JUNE 01, 2025 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 18th day of DECEMBER, 2025

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-6/26/3t

NOTICE OF

APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20716 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF CHARLES CARROLL WAESCHE

AKA: CHARLES CARROLL WAESCHE SR.

Notice is given that Kathy Sue Henninger, 3401 Westminster Dr., Myrtle Beach, SC 29588-7716, was on June 20, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Charles Carroll Waesch who died on May 22, 2025, with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate

of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 20th day of December, 2025.

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.

Kathy Sue Henninger Personal Representative True Test Copy Terri Westcott Register of Wills for Worcester County One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074

Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest Date of publication: June 26, 2025

OCD-6/26/3t _________________________________

VICTOR H. LAWS ESQ.

LAWS, INSLEY & BENSON, P.A. 209 E. MAIN ST., P.O. BOX 75 SALISBURY, MD 21803-0075

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20724 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF DOLORES S. COLEMAN

AKA: DOLORES SUSAN COLEMAN

Notice is given that John J. Coleman III, 10 Citrus Dr., Rochester, NY 14606-4333, was on June 23, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Dolores S. Coleman who died on May 12, 2025, with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 23rd day of December, 2025.

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.

John J. Coleman III Personal Representative True Test Copy Terri Westcott Register of Wills for Worcester County One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074

Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest

Date of publication: June 26, 2025

OCD-6/26/3t

MICHAEL B. MATHERS ESQ. WEBB, CORNBROOKS, WILBER, VORHIS, DOUSE & MATHERS, LLP

P.O. BOX 910115 BROAD STREET SALISBURY, MD 21803-0910

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20712 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF BENJAMIN C. PENNEWILL

Notice is given that Kathryn A. Mulcahy, 612 N. Pinehurst Ave., Salisbury, MD 21801-6161, was on June 23, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Benjamin C. Pennewill who died on April 29, 2025, 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 23rd day of December, 2025.

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.

Kathryn A. Mulcahy Personal Representative

True Test Copy

Terri Westcott Register of Wills for Worcester County One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074

Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest

Date of publication: June 26, 2025

OCD-6/26/3t

MICHAEL B MATHERS ESQ WEBB, CORNBROOKS, WILBER, VORHIS, DOUSE & MATHERS, LLP POBOX 910115 BROAD STREET SALISBURY, MD 21803-0910

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES

ESTATE NO. 20721

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the PROBATE court of BANDERA, TEXAS appointed (1) JACK L RAUSCH whose address is 7904 24TH PL HYATTSVILLE, MD 20783-2622 as the PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE of the Estate of JACK LEE RAUSCH who died on JUNE 09, 2013 domiciled in TEXAS, USA

The name and address of the Maryland resident agent for service of process is N/A. At the time of death, the decedent owned real or leasehold property in the following

Maryland counties: WORCESTER 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 delivery of the notice. Claims filed after that date or after a date extended by law

Put Your Business Card Where It Gets Noticed and Seen By

will be barred.

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY

ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074

OCD-6/26/3t

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS BOARD OF PORT WARDENS

Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 106 ”Waterways,” Article II – “Shoreline Development” of the Code of the Town of Ocean City, Maryland, hereinafter referred to as the Code, same being the Port Wardens Ordinance of Ocean City, Maryland, notice is hereby given that public hearings will be conducted in the Council Chambers of City Hall located at 301 Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, Maryland.

Thursday, July 10, 2025 2:00 PM

PW 25-047 A request has been submitted to install 225’ of replacement vinyl bulkhead, to construct a 6’ x 30’ pier and install one boatlift with associated pilings, maximum channelward extension 30’. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 162

CHANNEL BUOY RD Parcel # 1467A-35 in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.

OWNER: Keith Ebersole

APPLICANT: McGinty Marine Construction

PW 25-051 A request has been submitted to construct a 6’ x 20’ pier extension for a total length of 50’ and to install one boatlift with associated pilings maximum channelward 50’. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 609 BAYSHORE DR UNIT 40 Parcel # 5347 -40 in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.

OWNER: St. Clair Revocable Trust

APPLICANT: J. Stacey Hart

PW 25-052 A request has been submitted to install one elevator type boat lift with associated pilings not to exceed 9’ maximum channelward extension. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 207 26TH ST UNIT 402 – Slip 4 - Parcel # 5753 - in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.

OWNER: John Leach

APPLICANT: Kayla Short

PW 25-053 A request has been submitted to install 3 boatlifts and extend two catwalks by 2’2”. Total channelward extension for all work will be 19.2’. These are deeded slips by the condominium to include units 4, 6 and 8. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 607 OSPREY RD Parcel # 5260 -in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.

OWNER: Crab Cove CM/Dan Stedman, President

APPLICANT: Paul Murphy

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County parks to see improvement

concession area at a cost of $50,000.

By Brian Shane Staff Writer

(June 27, 2025) Upgraded concessions, parking lots, and lighting are part of $650,000 in potential upgrades to five Worcester County parks using state grant funding.

The County Commissioners at their June 17 meeting unanimously approved a proposal to use $585,000 in grant funding from Program Open Space. The state’s cost share is 90% and the county will provide the remaining $65,000 as a 10% share. The plan requires state approval.

In Berlin, the Northern Worcester Athletic Complex would see $225,000 in renovations. It would include new LED lighting at the parking lot, which already has conduit in place for light placement, and upgrades to the bathrooms and concessions area, including a new pavilion roof.

Snow Hill’s John Walter Smith Park would see a dugout replacement project for three fields at a cost of $125,000. The dugouts are original to the park. This park also would get a new roof for its

Showell Park in Showell would get a brand-new parking lot, including engineering, design, and construction, at a cost of $150,000. The park’s limited parking area fills up during peak times, pushing visitors to park on the roadside, which county officials say is a safety concern.

On the southern end of the county, both Stockton Park in Stockton and Newtown Park in Pocomoke City will see improvements as well. Stockton Park will place its 16-by-30 foot pavilion at a cost of $50,000 and Newtown Park will get a new $50,000 roof for its concession stand.

DNR established Program Open Space in 1969 and has since provided funding for nearly 7,000 parks and conservation areas statewide.

Today, however, the availability of Program Open Space funds for Worcester County stands at about a third of what it used to be. That’s because the state has cut back as a cost-saving measure in the wake of this year’s multi-billion-dollar budget shortfall, according to County Administrator Weston Young.

“My stance is, they should not cut anything that has a return on investment – investing in tourism, in parks, things like that,” he said. “An improved

park improves property values. It contributes to tourism. But it’s also qualityof-life for jurisdictions.”

In 2023, Worcester County received Open Space $1.14 million in Program Open Space funding. Two years later, that amount fell to $450,209, despite the county’s request for $1.65 million in grants.

For this upcoming fiscal year, which begins Tuesday, the county’s grant award total is $359,744. The county will next submit its full proposal to the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for approval. It can be amended during the year if other projects arise.

While year-by-year grants have dropped, the county still gets to keep prior year grants in escrow. The county’s parks department has more than $1.5 million in Program Open Space funding available, which includes the fiscal 2026 allocation.

If the county taps into its reserves to complete all the proposed park projects for this year, then that fund balance would drop to about $783,000, according to an internal county memo from May 27.

Last year’s Open Space money was used to acquire Little League fields in Berlin from the Lions Club, to add to the county’s parkland, according to Young.

Gov. gives municipal league keynote speech

By Brian Shane Staff Writer

(June 27, 2025) At a convention of elected officials in Ocean City, Gov. Wes Moore sharply criticized a federal budget bill, one backed by President Donald Trump, that Moore says would leave thousands of Marylanders without health care and food assistance.

Saturrdday 10am-4pm

Saturrdday 11am-1pm

In a 40-minute keynote address at the summer conference of the Maryland Municipal League, Moore split time between talking up his accomplishments in the face of the state’s $3 billion budget shortfall and criticizing the start of President Donald Trump’s second term – calling them “two very independent and distinct storms.”

“We're now six months into 2025 – and what a six months these have been,” Moore said, eliciting groans from the full auditorium at Ocean City’s convention center. “This was

not a fiscal storm that you created, but it was one that you had to deal with. The second storm was a new federal administration that was coming on board with policies that threatened to do harm to our economy and to the people that we serve.”

Moore unabashedly touted the middle-class tax cuts his budget enacted while also levying new taxes on high earners. He trumpeted a new program offering $4 million in grants to boost workforce development, and he celebrated a future $1 billion investment in quantum computing through the University of Maryland.

He touched on a 40-year low in Baltimore’s homicide rate and the state’s low unemployment rate. And, in a dig against former Gov. Larry Hogan, Moore said his administration had helped to create nearly 100,000 new jobs – “which is more than our predecessor created in eight years.”

The governor also mentioned his pardoning of thousands of low-level cannabis convictions and his $400 million Just Communities initiative, which prioritizes areas in Maryland where discriminatory policies had historically harmed people of color –both a subtle defense of his decision to veto a bill would have formed a committee to study reparations.

In a line that landed a big round of applause, Moore said the initiative aims to “make sure that they can help to repair the harms of the past, to make sure that we can do things like create more access to home ownership, create more access to good jobs, create more access to a fair appraisal value – to make sure that the work of repair must begin now.”

In going after President Trump, Moore mentioned the DOGE-ing of Maryland’s federal workforce and the many people who had been “indiscriminately fired” from their jobs since January. He criticized Trump’s trade policies and the resulting economic inflation.

Moore spent some time going after the budget reconciliation bill now under consideration by Congress, otherwise known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act.

“Congress right now, as we speak, is debating and ramming through this domestic agenda that is framed up in this so-called Big Beautiful Bill,’” Moore said. “I want to take a moment just to describe what's in this bill, because I've taken time to actually go through it.”

Moore condemned the bill’s tax cuts for the wealthy and big corporations, saying it would “slash vital services for working people.” He said

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Moore warns of fed budget bill

billions in cuts to healthcare and food assistance programs would leave thousands of Marylanders without Medicaid or SNAP benefits. He denounced potential funding cuts to rural hospitals in the hundreds of millions.

“Everybody's going to feel it. And for what? This is one of the worst bills for working families that this country has ever produced. And that's not a partisan statement, that's math,” he said, later adding “we have to remain nimble in the face of this chaotic bill – and frankly, in the face of this chaotic White House.

Moore wrapped up by urging the audience to contact their members of Congress to fight the budget bill.

“Let them know this bill cannot stand, because the pain that it will inflict not only on the Marylanders that you serve, but quite frankly, the pain that it will inflict on you all as the local elected officials is going to be staggering. No matter what the result is in Washington, DC, our partners, the state of Maryland is going to be prepared.”

Notably, the governor kicked off his remarks on a much lighter note. Moore celebrated a local bill he signed into law that makes the Orange Crush the official Maryland state cocktail. Outgoing MML President and Frederick Mayor Michael O’Connor walked onstage to greet Moore with two Crushes in hand and passed one to the governor.

The state-symbol legislation was the brainchild of Worcester County state delegate Wayne Hartman. Borne of a playful dispute between Delaware lawmakers over where the drink originated, the bill ended up being the talk of Annapolis this legislative session.

“If I could, I would like to take a moment to raise a glass,” Moore said.

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“I'm good friends with Delaware Governor Matt Meyer. Matt, I want to be very clear – that Maryland is the home of the Orange Crush.”

With that, Moore crushed his Crush – ignoring the straw, slugging it back, and hoisting an empty pint glass, all to whoops and hollers from the crowd.

“This speech is going to be interesting,” Moore remarked.

A spokesman for Moore didn’t clarify whether the concoction was an authentic vodka cocktail, or just a juice-filled prop for show.

Of course, it’s no secret where the Orange Crush was born. Thirty years ago, the libation was first crafted by off-season bartenders at West Ocean City’s Harborside Bar & Grill looking for fun new ways to use orange-flavored vodka, then a novelty ingredient.

PHOTO COURTESY OF GOVERNOR’S OFFICE

Maryland Governor Wes Moore gave an address at the conference of the Maryland Municipal League in Ocean City this week.

Delaware

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ORANGE CRUSH CRUSHED

New budget act in Maryland to bring changes to taxes

By Lauren Bunting Contributing Writer

(June 27, 2025) At the end of the 2025 Maryland General Assembly session, the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act was passed with several amendments along the way during this year’s session.

REALTORS® had opposed measures to reduce the estate tax, discontinue opportunity zone credits, and eliminate itemization on state tax returns.

As part of the FY 2026 State Budget, the final version of the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act makes several changes, all which became effective June 1, 2025.

• Itemization: Increasing the standard deduction by 20%, while gradually phasing out itemized deductions for those with adjusted gross incomes above $200,000

• Income Taxes: Adds two new income tax brackets:

1. 6.25% for single filers of $500,000-$1 million and joint filers of $600,000-$1.2 Million

2. 6.5% for single filers above $1 million and joint filers above $1.2 million

• Capital Gains: Establishes a 2% surcharge on net capital gains if adjusted gross income is above $350,000. This does not apply to the gains from the sale of real property used as a primary residence sold for less than $1.5 million.

• Technology Taxes: Imposes a 3% tax on data and IT services provided within Maryland, based upon federally defined categories, while excluding certain cloud computing, cyber security, and other emerging technology services.

• Removal of Tax Exemptions: Repeals current exemptions for sales of photography used in advertising, sales of coins or bullion over $1,000, and vending machine sales.

• Local Income Taxes: Local governments are authorized to increase the local income tax rate from 3.2% to 3.3%.

• New vehicle fees and taxes: Includes increases to increase:

1. titling fees to $200;

2. excise tax rates to 6.5%;

3. annual registration fees for passenger, truck, multipurpose and rental vehicles;

4. rental car taxes to 3.5%; and,

5. $5 fee per tire purchased.

Lauren Bunting is the Broker of Record for Keller Williams Realty Delmarva in Ocean City, Maryland.

PHOTO COURTESY OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

During his keynote speech at Maryland Municipal League Convention, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore slammed Maryland’s new official cocktail, the orange crush. Moore is pictured after toasting with Frederick Mayor Michael O’Connor, outgoing MML president.

Appealed cases scheduled for October session

incident. The court denied the request without prejudice.

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(June 27, 2025) Maryland’s appellate court will hear oral arguments in two cases involving Ocean City’s mayor and council.

Bruce Bright, litigator for the city, confirmed Monday that two cases –one involving The Washington Post, and another involving the site plan for an oceanfront hotel – have been scheduled for oral arguments this fall in the Appellate Court of Maryland.

“Barring some rescheduling, which may happen, it’s pretty firmly set sometime in October,” he said.

City seeks reversal in Washington Post ruling

In May of 2024, a Worcester County Circuit Court judge ordered the Mayor and City Council to provide The Washington Post with use of force records and internal reviews it had requested from the Ocean City Police Department back in 2021. Less than a month later, the city filed an appeal of the lower court’s judgment.

The case centers on the police department’s failure to provide the newspaper information on three requests – one seeking use of force data from Jan. 1, 2016 to June 30, 2021, one seeking internal reviews of two use of force incidents that occurred on the Boardwalk in June of 2021, and one seeking all reviews and investigations of a lieutenant’s actions on the Boardwalk the night of May 31, 2020.

During the motions hearing last March, Bright argued two of the records requests were denied as they constituted personnel records. He noted that while Anton’s Law, which was cited in the newspaper’s lawsuit, allows the public access to police misconduct records, he argued the records in question did not involve misconduct. He also argued that any use of force recorded during an arrest or incident is reviewed by the department. He noted, however, that a use of force review does not equate to an investigation of misconduct.

To that end, the department denied Thompson’s requests for documentation regarding three Boardwalk incidents.

A court order issued last May, however, sided with The Washington Post as it relates to their request for use of force records and internal reviews. Eric Feder, the newspaper’s attorney, told the court last year that no exemptions under the Maryland Public Information Act applied in the case and that the Post had a right to access the requested records. He noted that even without Anton’s Law, use of force reports generated by officers are not classified as personnel documents.

It should be noted that The Washington Post also sought unredacted video footage from a City Watch camera that captured a 2020 Boardwalk

Last June, the mayor and Ocean City Council filed an appeal of the lower court’s judgment. Following a year-long wait, oral arguments have now been scheduled for October 2025.

City involved in second appellate case

The appellate court will also hear oral arguments on a case involving the site plan for a proposed 230room oceanfront hotel between 13th and 14th streets.

In September of 2023, the Ocean City Planning Commission voted to approve the site plan for the proposed

Boardwalk hotel. The project included the same number of rooms as previously proposed for a Margaritaville development in 2021, but with less square footage and fewer amenities.

During a council meeting two weeks later, however, Harrison Hotel’s G. Hale Harrison and his attorney, G. Macy Nelson, shared their concerns about the development’s parking nonconformity and accessory uses. And later that month, Harrison Hall Hotel and nearby property owners filed an administrative appeal in circuit court.

The court case continued through June of 2024, when a circuit court judge granted motions to dismiss the case,

opining that the surrounding property owners should have first appealed the decision to the city’s board of zoning appeals. Days later, the case was appealed to the Appellate Court of Maryland.

With a legal matter pending, the city’s planning commission last winter agreed to extend the site plan another 18 months.

“As you know, an appeal was filed of the site plan to the circuit court,” the developer’s attorney, Hugh Cropper, told commission members at the time. “That appeal is now in the appellate court. That’s an administrative action that’s prevented us from moving forward with the hotel.”

f Ocean ies City

OC Deputy Fire Chief closes out a nearly 40-year career

(June 27, 2025) The Ocean City Fire Department has announced the upcoming retirement of Deputy Fire Chief Chris Shaffer, who will officially conclude his remarkable career on July 31.

A steadfast and respected leader, Shaffer began his journey with the department on June 1, 1987 as a parttime employee and steadily rose through the ranks to become one of the most influential figures in the Fire/EMS Division.

For more than 38 years, Shaffer has exemplified dependability, leadership, and relationship-building. His vision and commitment have helped guide the Career Fire/EMS Division — and the department as a whole — through significant periods of growth, reorganization, and continued development in emergency services.

“Chris has been the backbone of this department for nearly four decades,” said Fire Chief Josh Bunting. “His tireless dedication and ability to bring people together has helped make the Ocean City Fire Department the gold standard for EMS care and fire suppression in our region. It goes without saying how sorely he will be missed— by the department, our extended OCFD family, and by me personally.”

Reflecting on his retirement, Deputy Chief Shaffer shared, “It has

been my pleasure to serve the men and women of the Ocean City Fire Department over the years. I will definitely miss the friendships and relationships built over the past 38 years. It’s time for a new chapter—but one where I’ll continue finding ways to serve the community I love.”

A press release from the OCFD read, “Shaffer’s legacy is one of excellence, marked by his unwavering commitment to the community and to the men and women of the Ocean City Fire Department. His influence will be felt for years to come.”

Chris Shaffer

OC park’s admin building behind schedule

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(June 27, 2025) Officials say construction of the skate park’s administration building is a month behind schedule.

Taylor Hershey, project manager with Ocean City’s engineering department, said a new administration building at the Ocean Bowl Skate Park will now be completed by mid-July. He said freezing temperatures this winter, coupled with wet weather this spring, caused construction delays that could not be avoided.

“The reason for the delay is mainly due to weather,” he explained. “It’s an open-air concept building, and with all the rain we had recently and the freeze we had in the winter, it hindered our efforts.”

Last May, city officials celebrated the reopening of the new and improved Bayside Park at 3rd Street. The redeveloped property, located between 3rd and 4th streets, is now home to new walking paths, playgrounds, and ball courts, as well as an added street skate component at the Ocean Bowl Skate Park.

But recreation and parks staff last spring noted that they had not yet closed the book on the project, as a second phase of redevelopment was planned for the fall with the construction of a new Ocean Bowl administration building.

As planned, the administrative building will feature a shaded skater lounge and public restrooms on the first floor, and a skate park office and observation decks on the second floor. The facility will also include ramping and elevator access to the second floor, making it an ADA-accessible building.

Initially, the goal was to have the skate park’s administration building completed in mid-June. However, Hershey said this week that the project would now likely conclude in mid-July.

Regardless, activity continues in and around the skate park, Recreation and Parks Director Kate Gaddis said this week.

Last Thursday, the skate park

opened to the public. And this week, skate camps began.

She added the skate park is currently operating from a temporary trailer on 4th Street.

“We anticipate the administrative building will open the third week in July …,” she explained. “Right now we are on the same timeline as the police substation, assuming the weather cooperates.”

With construction near the skate park wrapping up, crews this week also began a repaving project on 3rd Street. Public Works Director Hal Adkins said the sidewalk was poured last week, and milling work began on Monday.

“We had funding to repave 3rd Street from Philadelphia Avenue to St. Louis Avenue to wrap up the project,” he said. “It was all part of the Bayside Park project, and we didn’t want to repave the street until all interruptions were done.”

Also downtown, construction crews are busy completing work on the Ocean City Police Department substation. Hershey said a ribboncutting is tentatively scheduled for mid-July, with project completion scheduled for July 22.

BETHANY HOOPER/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

A road crew is pictured this week repaving 3rd Street as part of ongoing improvements in and near the Bayside Park at 3rd Street. A new administration building, shown in the background, will be completed next month.

City departments operating under new heat stress rules

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(June 27, 2025) City officials say they are following new state guidelines to protect employees from the ongoing heat wave.

With temperatures reaching 90 degrees and above this week, and feel-like temperatures in the triple digits, officials in Ocean City say they are taking extra precautions to ensure employees are staying safe.

In the city’s public works department, Deputy Director Scott Wagner said employees are following new heat-stress standards from Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH). The standards apply to all workplaces where an employee is exposed to a heat index at or above 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

This week, however, Wagner said the city is operating under high-heat procedures, as the heat index is above 90 degrees. He said public works employees are required to take a minimum 15-minute break every two hours.

“We leave it up to our supervisors to make sure they are doing that,” he said. “We’ll also drive around and spot check. And we’ll carry water around too.”

Ocean City Beach Patrol Captain

Butch Arbin also acknowledged the state’s new regulations, which he said required every agency to have a plan, and training, for working in hot conditions.

“That’s new this year,” he said. “But so much of what we do already is taking care of that.”

Arbin said lifeguards are issued insulated water bottles, umbrellas, SPF clothing and all the sunscreen they want, and are encouraged to take ocean dips often. He also pointed to the elevated stands, which he said kept lifeguards cool on hot summer days.

“It’s hot on the beach, no question,” he said. “But it’s not hot on the stands.”

While extreme heat has settled over the area for several days now, Arbin said the beach patrol has not seen an uptick in heat-related illnesses among beachgoers. He said the biggest issue so far has been the hot sand.

“The thing we see now is people burning their feet because the sand gets so hot …,” he explained. “We see it all the time.”

Arbin encouraged beachgoers to limit their time in the sun this week, drink plenty of water and wear the proper clothing. He said those feeling

PHOTO COURTESY KRISTIN JOSON

An Ocean City Beach Patrol lifeguard is pictured keeping cool on the stand this week. Captain Butch Arbin said the elevated structures keep guards cool on hot summer days.

Workers finding way to keep cool as high temps continue

dizzy or weak should get out of the heat.

“The guards are monitoring the people on their beach,” he assured.

At the city’s recreation and parks department, Director Kate Gaddis said many summer camps started on Monday. She said workers are taking precautions to ensure campers are well hydrated and protected from the extreme heat. She noted kids and workers are taking frequent breaks in both the shade and air conditioning.

“All summer long, we encourage kids to bring water bottles, bring sunscreen, bring hats,” she added. “During this heat, we make it mandatory.”

First responders this week are also taking appropriate measures to stay

cool, according to Ashley Miller, deputy communications manager for the Ocean City Police Department. While the department has no particular policy for heat, she said officers are staying hydrated and getting sufficient breaks.

“This is one of the times we are very fortunate and thankful that we have such a supportive community,” she said. “Many community and business members look out for our officers and often offer them a place to cool down, food, and water.”

Opinions

Assateague still has no lifeguards

The absence of lifeguards on duty continues at Assateague National Seashore beaches in both Maryland and Virginia, showing just how inefficient and illogical the federal government’s slash-and-burn approach to budget cutting has been.

Defenders of the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) heavy-handed style can say what they want, but having no lifeguards on these popular beaches with the Fourth of July holiday just a week away makes no sense.

There’s simply no way to justify the loss of funding other than to say that the Park Service and the Department of the Interior, with a big shove from DOGE, have concluded that the best policy is (a non-gender-specific) every man for himself.

With that in mind, families who find the parks’ beaches on Assateague more to their liking will need to exercise greater caution when the kids — and adults, for that matter — are in the water. In short, they must look out for their own, because there won’t be anyone else watching for them.

Maintaining a watchful eye on friends and family in the water isn’t a bad thing to do even when the lifeguards are in the stands. As well-trained as they are, they can’t see everything all the time, so attention must be paid.

As it is, the ever-present risk of playing in and around the ocean has been exacerbated by a corps of individuals whose enthusiasm for their job exceeds their understanding of the jobs they’re eliminating.

It’s a sad and dangerous situation that won’t be criticized by the heads of the affected departments and probably won’t be addressed again until next year.

Here's hoping the people of the department come to their senses by then and push for the restoration of funding for this obviously needed public safety program. In the meantime, Assateague-bound individuals and families need to take care of each other, because the government has abandoned that responsibility.

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By Stewart Dobson

Its storm-chasing types are pretty good too, even if they still don’t understand that large, clear windows were invented some time back and that they no longer need to report from outside in 750 mph winds to let us know that conditions are significantly less than good.

We can see what’s happening just fine without someone out there flapping like a boat pennant to make a point.

But that’s what they do, and I believe it’s because of the marketing department, which apparently assumes that the occasional cow seen tumbling through the air in the background is too subtle to get the point across.

Besides, these folks have made it plain that they don’t think simply doing the weather is sexy enough to keep our attention.

That must be the reason they attach outrageous titles to otherwise informative programs, such as “When Weather Changed History.” Look, I understand that they know more about the weather than I do, but I suspect I know more about headlines that make sense.

After all, how would anyone know that, because of the weather, our original history was replaced by a new history, which, because it is history, would be the only history we know? In other words, if the weather could change what’s already happened, I’m just a

microburst away from passing high school English, although it would take a category 5 hurricane to get me through algebra.

And no one would be any the wiser because my “permanent record” would be part of the historical record, which changed without our knowing it, because the weather went back in time and ...

My latest, peeve, however, is the relatively new program, “Weather Unfiltered,” which is described as an “Uncensored take on weather and storms from an expert trio as unpredictable as nature itself.”

Oh boy, that raucous, rebellious, whacky world of meteorology and those cut-up commentators, who are just likely to say anything, because it’s uncensored.

I haven’t watched it yet, and before anyone tells me I can’t criticize it until I see it, I’d like to point out that we have 535 members of Congress about to vote on an 1,118-page bill they haven’t read, so I’m allowed.

The thing is, I’m surprised there’s anything to censor in a weather discussion, beyond a bad joke here and there — “It’s been so hot and humid lately that I’m suffering from tropical depression. HAHAHAHAHAHA.”

Or “A traveling salesman walks into a weather station and is met by a female receptionist with a southern oscillation and a stationary front ... HAHAHAHAHA.”

I mean, unless this crew comes out wearing lederhosen and singing the last verse of “Ninety-nine bottles of beer on the wall,” I’m doubtful that any censoring will be required. Although...

“Now, about yesterday’s weather down in Oklahoma. Well, Bob, was that a ******** Category ***** tornado or what? HAHAHAHAHAHA”

Between the Lines

By Steve Green

Despite being in Ocean City, where offshore wind is despised by most and the subject of a current lawsuit, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore confirmed in an interview with Staff Writer Brian Shane support for the turbine project off the resort’s coast. Moore said, “My position is that Maryland needs to have an energy future that can create sustainable and affordable and reliable energy for every Marylander. It's the reason that I've been pushing for not just wind, but also solar and nuclear energy, and just more energy sources that can make things a little bit easier for the people of our state and for the people of Maryland.” Moore then reiterated, “I don't believe that we do things to communities – I believe we do things with communities. My promise to all of our communities is that I will always be not just an active listener, but an active partner inside of this work to make sure that we get to the right conclusion.” In his interview this week, Moore also said his administration has not had any communication with President Trump about the 114-turbine wind farm. Trump has vowed to end all offshore wind projects.

It's an interesting position about collaboration for Moore to state because Ocean City has largely felt ignored by Maryland in its offshore wind farm opposition, including this month’s Maryland Department of Environment approval of more permitting for the project. It’s clear Moore and Maryland support the offshore wind project, and Ocean City’s opposition does not matter.

It’s why Ocean City has filed a lawsuit against the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. Joining Ocean City in the lawsuit is Worcester County and Fenwick Island and a host of trade organizations and private businesses. While on the surface the legal challenge seems like a tough fight for the municipality, officials remain confident the battle will be successful and is worth the expense. ***

The most recent budget discussions by the Worcester County Commissioners seems to have reignited talks about tax differential and the matter potentially heading to the state legislature.

As background, back in 2018, the Town of Ocean City sued Worcester County, seeking a home rule amendment to allow tax setoffs, or tax differential. Worcester County prevailed and an appeal upheld the lower court decision three years after the initial ruling.

At its simplest, tax differential involves county government reducing the county’s property tax rate within a municipality because of duplication of services, like police, public works and recreation and parks. In Ocean City’s case, it means resort property owners would pay the city’s tax rate at the set level but pay a reduced county tax rate since not as many services are being utilized. Ocean City maintains its property owners are charged more than should in taxes.

A Court of Appeals opinion supporting the lower court’s earlier ruling stated, “As a legislative matter, Ocean City’s requested relief more appropriately belongs within the Worcester County Delegation of the General Assembly.” This was a point raised by Worcester County Commissioner Joe Mitrecic at the conclusion of last week’s meeting. Still chafed over the commission majority’s refusal to help Ocean City with its challenges to fund its police department after the seasonal cop program was disbanded, Mitrecic seemed to indicate the tax differential discussion could be returning.

“… the money Ocean City needed for its police department … was not granted by the majority. It was stated we were lowering the tax rate for the people of Ocean City to be fair to them. At the time, I said that was a disingenuous statement. I still feel that way. I think I was proven right when one of the commissioners (on a radio station) said Ocean City can raise their taxes to pay for their police department. I think once again it shows we really don’t care about Ocean City as much as we should,” Mitrecic said. “We (Ocean City) lost in court with the tax differential suit. That doesn’t mean one of our delegates or senators can’t introduce a bill that would give Ocean City tax differential. This is the poster child for tax differential this year. Careful what you sow because you reap what you sow.” Tax differential is an interesting government issue, centering on the concept of “shall” and “will” jurisdictions. In Maryland, there are “shall” counties and “may” counties. The separation is largely urban vs. rural areas with the mandatory tax setoff applying to counties with large population centers like Anne Arundel, Baltimore City, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, among others. For rural areas, like Worcester and most on the Eastern Shore and southern Maryland, the counties are deemed “may” jurisdictions, meaning counties are not required to grant tax setoffs and can instead use their judgment to provide municipalities some of the returned funds the towns contribute to the county’s general fund through tax collections. It's unknown if legislators would pursue this matter in the legislature but all of the “may” counties would most likely need to be on board as a starting point.

Hate will never make America great

Editor,

In response to letter titled "Political tolerance needed within Country" in the June 20, 2025 issue.

As a Patriotic American the night of November 5, 2024 and the days following were absolutely horrifying. A plurality of Americans chose to return a Convicted Felon and Adjudicated Rapist to the White House.

The letter mentioned going back to "The ideas and principles of our founding."

I believe that means the Constitution which Trump openly mocks and defies everyday.

What positive pro-American policies have been put into effect?

Do the immediate positive effects include Pardoning the violent criminals who attacked the Capital on his behalf?

Handing sweeping, unaccountable power to the billionaire who spent $300 million to elect him?

Cancelled funding for lifeguards at Assateague, Flood Mitigation for Crisfield and a new causeway for Hoopers Island?

How about the Waste, Fraud and Abuse. Taxpayer paid almost every weekend at Mar-A-Lago, a $400 million flying palace, a ridiculous parade for his birthday.

How about Inflation and those $8 eggs?

He said he would lower prices on Day One (as well as ending the Ukraine war-Nope). Now threats of tariffs (TACO) have prices through the roof.

Also the Sadistic pleasure he takes in the cruelty he is inflicting on so many Americans -government work-

ers, legal immigrants (thought he was only going after the criminals).

Trump is not Pro-America he is Pro Trump (and Russia) Do you have his coins, watches, sneakers, hats etc.? All made in China.

The greatest threat facing the United States is it's own President. You better pray we are not headed for World War 3.

Hate will never make America great

Teri Denton Willards

OC petition campaign was misleading

Editor,

On March 3, 2025, the Ocean City Council voted to approve Ordinance 2025-04 restricting "short term" rentals in the Single Family Residential Neighborhoods of R-1 and MH. (Previously, these neighborhoods were never zoned to allow activities such as businesses / rentals).

During multiple hearings leading up to the approval of this ordinance, well organized Realtors and their "followers" showed up in large numbers to speak against passing of this ordinance.

It should be very clear that the only motivation for opposing this ordinance is money (from rentals and/or sales commissions).

Immediately following the approval of the ordinance, this group begin a campaign collecting signatures in order to obtain a referendum for the purpose of negating our Council's decision.

On the following dates, this group of Realtors placed full page ads in the OC Today/Dispatch magazine

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LETTERS TO THE

(3/14/25, 3/21/25, 3/28/25, 4/4/25, 4/18/25 and 4/25/25).

Every one of these ads was deliberately designed to mislead the citizens of Ocean City into believing that all of Ocean City was impacted by the ordinance.

They never mentioned that only the Single Family Residential Neighborhoods of R-1 and MH were affected.

In addition, these "sign the petition" ads also misled our citizens by claiming that 25% of "the area" in Ocean City is impacted. (Instead of accurately stating that only about 3% of the housing in Ocean City is affected).

Because of these deceptive practices, this group of petitioners, Realtors and followers and were able to obtain the necessary signatures for the referendum.

If the citizens of Ocean City knew the truth, they would be outraged by the devious tactics used to obtain their signatures.

They would also be outraged with The Town Council for allowing this deception to proceed.

The Town Council should immediately declare the signature results "Null & Void" because of the inaccurate, unethical and deceptive methods used to obtain them.

John Wright Ocean City

National Aquarium releases 2 sea turtles in Ocean City

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(June 27, 2025) Staff with the National Aquarium traveled to Ocean City last week to release two Kemp’s ridley sea turtles.

Surrounded by onlookers, “Icky” and “Mothman” were released back into the ocean last Thursday from the 40th Street beach.

The two Kemp’s ridley sea turtles recently completed a months-long rehabilitation at the National Aquarium.

Last November, Icky – short for Ichthyocentaur – was rescued by Audubon Wellfleet in Wellfleet, Mass., and triaged at the New England Aquarium prior to his transfer to the National Aquarium. He traveled with 35 other sea turtles from Massachusetts for rehabilitation at the Baltimore facility.

The following month, he was joined by Mothman, a Kemp’s ridley turtle that was rescued from Bear Creek off the Patapsco River in Dundalk, Md. Upon arrival to the National Aquarium, the turtle’s body temperature was 54 degrees Fahrenheit, or roughly 20 degrees below the average temperature of a healthy sea turtle.

Both turtles were treated for cold stunning – a pneumonia-like condition that occurs in turtles that are caught in cold water as temperatures drop in the fall – while Mothman was also treated for injuries consistent with boat strikes.

“To begin Mothman’s rehabilitation, our Animal Rescue staff stabilized the turtle’s condition by providing fluids, monitoring vitals and increasing body temperature in a

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BETHANY HOOPER/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Mayor Rick Meehan, left, assisted National Aquarium staff last week in releasing two Kemp’s ridley sea turtles back into the ocean.

School board okays facilities master plan

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer

(June 27, 2025) Last week, the Worcester County Board of Education approved the school system’s 2025-2026 facilities master plan, with an update to school enrollment, future projections, and upcoming construction projects.

According to Worcester County Public Schools Facilities Planner Joe Price, each July, the educational system is required to submit an upgraded master plan to the Interagency Commission on School Construction (IAC). Price noted that this year, the enhanced document includes updated enrollment “to reflect actual September 2024 enrollments, and projections through 2034.”

The plan also includes reports on the completion of the replacement Buckingham Elementary School

(BES) schematic design and the Berlin Intermediate School (BIS) feasibility study, which is set to begin next month.

The document includes a table that outlines September enrollment data and projections from pre-k through 12th grade for each school and area of the county. In northern Worcester County, which includes BES, Ocean City Elementary School, Showell Elementary School, BIS, Stephen Decatur Middle School, and Stephen Decatur High School, the September 2024 actual enrollment numbers were 4,462.

Worcester's central part, including Snow Hill Elementary School, Snow Hill Middle School, and Snow Hill High School, had actual September 2024 numbers of 1,159. The southern end of the county, consisting of Pocomoke Elementary School,

Turtle stranding season begins

temperature-controlled space,” a Facebook post from the response team reads. “Mothman also had clear signs of a vessel strike, which was treated with antibiotics, vitamins and fluids.”

Last week, the pair completed their rehabilitation in Baltimore and were cleared for release, which took place on June 19.

At the 40th Street beach, National Aquarium staff and Mayor Rick Meehan assisted the two turtles back into the ocean as more than 100 onlookers cheered them on.

Icky and Mothman join the hundreds of rehabilitated animals the National Aquarium has returned to their natural habitats. However, the team’s efforts are not over, as just last

week it announced the start of sea turtle stranding season.

As the water warms, and boat and fishing activity increases, the National Aquarium Stranding Response team is reminding community members to stay alert for any sea turtle strandings or entanglements.

Just last week, for example, a leatherback sea turtle was found entangled in a crab pot in the St. Martin River near Oceans Pines, the stranding team reported. With the assistance of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the turtle was successfully released back into the bay.

To report a live sea turtle stranding or sighting in Maryland, call the National Aquarium’s animal rescue hotline at 410-576-3880.

Pocomoke Middle School, and Pocomoke High School, had 1,330 students enrolled in September 2024. Cedar Chapel Special School saw 51 that same month.

According to the facilities master plan, 7,002 students were enrolled countywide in September of last year. Projection analysis estimates that in 2029, that figure will jump to around 7,075. In 2034, school officials expect to see 7,296 students attending WCPS.

The projections allow school system leaders to determine each facility's ability to accommodate students and staff and consider future school building needs. The projections are divided by geographical parts of the county, as the potential growth of an area dictates which schools would require renovation, upgrades, or replacement.

The 2006 Worcester County Comprehensive Plan predicts that the northern part of the area will see the most significant population growth. Snow Hill is expected to see the second-largest increase in growth, while Pocomoke is anticipated to see growth as well, to a lesser extent.

“It should be anticipated that the schools in the North County Area will continue to be called upon to accommodate the greatest percentage of school enrollments over the next ten

years,” the facilities master plan reads. “It is also likely we will see general population growth in both the central and southern communities in the future.”

The plan was also updated to reflect the completion of Buckingham’s schematic design and the upcoming BIS feasibility study. A new BES will soon be built to replace the current outdated facility. If all remains on track, school officials expect the new building to break ground in May 2027 and be completed by fall 2029, just in time to welcome students for the school year.

The state of Maryland and the Worcester County Commissioners previously agreed to contribute to the $71 million project. Maryland will provide around $25 million, while approximately $46 million will come from local funding. Additionally, next month, a feasibility study will begin to determine if BIS, another outdated facility on the northern end of Worcester County, must be replaced, or if simply renovating the school will be adequate to accommodate students and staff.

The board of education approved the facilities master plan at its meeting last Tuesday. The plan reflects updated school enrollment projections and upcoming construction projects.

Photo by Susan Lyons

The U.S. liberation of Mindanao

Thousands killed, injured in campaign, fight continued until Japanese surrendered

By Peter Ayers Wimbrow III Contributing Writer

(June 27, 2025) This week 80 years ago, the United States Army announced that its campaign to liberate the Philippine Island of Mindanao had been successfully completed, even though fighting would continue there, and on the island of Luzon, until the Japanese government surrendered.

At 40,360 square miles, Mindanao is the second largest island in the Philippine Archipelago. The largest mountain in the Philippines, Mt. Apo, is located there, with a height of 9,692 ft. above sea level. Mindanao is bounded by the Salou Sea to the west, the Philippine Sea to the east, Celebes Sea to the south and the Mindanao Sea to the north.

Today the island has a population of 25 million, with its largest city, and third largest city in the Philippines, Davao City, having a population of 1.5 million. It is located on the south of the island, on Davao Gulf, and is one of the fastest growing cities in the world.

On March 10, 1945, the U.S. Eighth Army, under the command of Lt. Gen. Robert L. Eichelberger, began its assault on Mindanao.

Gyosaku Morozumi was in command of the island’s defenses. He had at his disposal 58,000 soldiers, sailors and airmen. In addition to the Imperial Japanese Army, the 32nd Naval Special Base Force, commanded by Real Adm. Naoji Doi, also contributed to the island’s defense.

Three divisions from Eighth Army’s X Corps, commanded by Franklin C. Sibert, were assigned the task. After three days of bombardment by the Thirteenth Air Force, commanded by Gen. Nathan F. Twining, and naval forces, commanded by Adm. Alfred Gallatin Noble, two regiments of the 41st Infantry Division, under the command of Jens Anderson Doe, landed on the peninsula of Zamboanga, about three miles west of Zamboanga City, on March 10.

The 41st Infantry Division was a National Guard Division drawn from Idaho, Montana, Oregon, North Dakota and Washington, was nicknamed “Jungleers.”

Today, Zamboanga City has a population of 800,000 and is the sixth most populous city in the country. Defending the city was the 9,000-

man 54th Independent Mixed Brigade, commanded by Lt. Gen. Tkichi H j

The three-day naval and air bombardment drove the defenders out of their defensive positions and the city was quickly occupied, as the Japanese defenders fled into the hills behind the city. They held there until March 23, when they finally broke under the combined weight of the continuous shelling from Adm. Noble’s ships, and bombing by Gen. Twining’s planes.

Finally, on March 31, Gen. H j ordered his forces to retreat north up the peninsula. This operation resulted in the deaths of 220 Americans and 6,400 Japanese, one of whom was Gen. H j , on May 26, 1945.

The 24th Infantry Division, from Hawai`i, commanded by Maj. Gen. Roscow B. Woodruff, landed, unopposed, at Parang, on April 17, 1945. It quickly joined with Filipino guerillas, under the command of Col. Wendell Fertig, whose 108th Guerrilla Division, commanded by Lt. Col. Charles W. Hedges, had captured the town of Malabang and its airstrip at a cost of 38 casualties, in early spring.

Parang currently has a population of 73,000, and is located on the Illana Bay, in the Muslim province of

Maguindanao, while Malabang is half that size and is also located on the Illana Bay in the Muslim province of Lanao del Sur, immediately to the north of, and bordering on Maguindanao.

The 31st Infantry Division, commanded by Maj. Gen. Clarence A. Martin, landed on April 22, 1945. This was also a National Guard Division, composed of men from Georgia,

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Filipino General Paulino Torres Santos

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Florida, Alabama and Mississippi, and was known as the “Dixie” Division.

Gen. Martin’s division captured Malabalay on May 21 from the Japanese 30th Division, commanded by Gen. Jin Mori. Today that city has a population of 150,000 and is the capital of Bukidnon Province, in the center of the island.

After joining with Lt. Col. Hedges’ 108th Guerrilla Division, Gen. Woodruff’s 24th Infantry Division headed for Davao City. After traveling 115 miles, the combined force arrived at Davao City on May 3. It captured the city from the Japanese 100th Division, commanded by Lt. Gen. Jiro Harada, on May 17, at a cost of 350 American dead and 1,615 wounded, 2,800 Filipinos killed and 7,455 wounded, and 4,500 Japanese casualties.

One of those American casualties was PFC James H. Diamond, from Gulfport, Mississippi, who was killed on May 14, 1945. He was awarded the Medal of Honor, March 6, 1946, and is buried at the Evergreen Cemetery in Gulfport.

Upon being driven from Malabalay and Davao City, the Japanese gathered, for a last stand, at what is now General Santos City — named for Filipino Gen. Paulino Torres Santos Sr., who died in Japanese custody on Aug. 29, 1945. It is the southernmost city in the country and today has a population of 540,000, including world boxing champ “Manny” Pacquiao.

Finally, in mid-August, the Japanese succumbed to a mixed force of Americans and guerrillas. During the campaign, the Americans suffered 820 fatalities and 2,880 wounded.

The Japanese had 10,000 killed, 8,000 deaths from disease and starvation and 7,000 wounded. At the end of the war, another 22,000 emerged from the jungles. In addition to Pfc. Diamond, Cpl. Harry K. Harr, from East Freedom, Pennsylvania, who was killed June 5, 1945, was also awarded the Medal of Honor, and is buried in Alto Reste Burial Park, Altoona, Pennsylvania.

The fall of the Philippines was especially fatal to Japanese defenses. The sea lanes between the Home Islands and the resource-rich southern regions were now irretrievably severed by American air and sea power based in the Philippine Islands. The cost to Japan of its attempted defense of the Philippines was heavy as well — 500,000 soldiers, to say nothing of the loss of its Naval and Air power.

Next week: British Elections

Mr. Wimbrow writes from Ocean City, Maryland, where he practices law representing those persons accused of criminal and traffic offenses, and those persons who have suffered a personal injury through no fault of their own. He can be contacted at wimbrowlaw@gmail.com.

SHELIA JUDITH ROTH

Ocean Pines

Shelia Judith Roth, 86 of Ocean Pines, passed away on Friday, June 13, 2025.

Born in New York City, she was the daughter of the late Thomas A. Barrett and Helen Schoen Barrett. She was the loving wife of Harvey Roth for 64 years.

In addition to her husband, Sheila is survived by her three children Linda Roth, Thomas Roth and wife Barbara, Victoria Roth McKelvey and husband Craig. Her grandchildren include Kate, Barrett, Kori, Taylor Jeann, Aidan, Keath, and Colin. Her great grandchildren include Annabelle, Adalyn and Sophie. She also leaves behind a sister, Mary Alice Messemer, and a brother, Thomas Barrett.

Shelia loved her family and friends selflessly. She said she never met a stranger and after a short visit they became her new best friend. She was adventurous following Harvey and setting up homes on four continents with three young children. Regardless of what country or state she was living in, she was an active member of the community. While in Germany during Desert Storm I, as a Donut Dolly she distributed sandwiches and

drinks to soldier War Zone.

She was an EMT while living in Ocean Pines volunteering for the community as well as working at the horse racetrack in the ambulance. She was an artist and crafter working with multiple mediums – fabric, stained glass, paint and yarn. Sheila loved to cook feeding friends and family and believed there was always room for one more at her table – “The more the merrier”.

A Catholic Funeral Mass will be held at St. Luke’s Catholic Church located at 9903 Coastal Highway, Ocean City at 11 a.m. on June 30. Arrangements are in the care of the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin. Condolences may be shared with the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers the family prefers donations to be made in Sheila’s memory via Diakonia “a nonprofit organization that provides homeless families with food, shelter and clothing” or the Worcester County Humane Society.

FRANCES ELEANOR PILARSKI

Ocean Pines

Frances Eleanor Pilarski, age 83, a loving wife, mother, grandmother (babcia), and great-grandmother, passed away on Friday, June 13, 2025, at her home in Ocean Pines.

Born on August 25, 1941, in Baltimore, she was the daughter of the late

Frank Cline and Kathryn Elizabeth (Harper) Cline.

Frances was born in Baltimore city and mostly grew up on the east side. She attended St. Katherine of Sienna School for elementary and middle school and later graduated from The Catholic High School of Baltimore, where her passion for learning began to flourish. Frances went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts degree from Alvernia College in Reading, Pennsylvania. Years later, she earned a master’s degree in education with a concentration in Curriculum and Instruction, furthering her lifelong commitment to education.

Frances truly enjoyed life and had a deep, lifelong passion for teaching— from the youngest kindergarteners to adults pursuing continued education. She began her teaching career at St. Michael the Archangel School and continued at St. Ignatius Loyola in Reading, PA. Later, she embarked on a remarkable journey with Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic School in Berlin, Maryland. In addition to her full-time classroom roles, Frances also dedicated many of her evenings to teaching adult education classes at

Continued on Page 90

Shelia J. Roth F. Pilarski

Stephen Decatur High School through Worcester County Public Schools.

She had a unique and beautiful talent for bringing every lesson to life through her exciting and heartfelt stories drawn from her real-world experiences. Her vibrant energy and genuine love for learning left an enduring impact on generations of students and colleagues alike.

In October of 2004, the Diocese of Wilmington honored Frances for 25 years of dedicated service in Catholic education—a testament to her unwavering devotion to her students and her faith.

Frances lived in Reading, Pennsylvania, for 18 years, where she built a life rooted in faith, education, and service. She and her beloved husband moved to their retirement home in 2003, in Ocean Pines, Maryland, to

enjoy life near the beach that she loved so much.

Outside the classroom, Frances embraced every moment of life. She loved line dancing, taking walks on the beach, reading novels of various genres, and most of all, spending quality time with her family and friends. Frances especially adored butterflies—their bright colors and gentle, dancing movements from flower to flower brought her peace and calmness, especially during her walks around the pond of Ocean Pines. Frances strong Catholic faith was a guiding light throughout her life. She found comfort and purpose in her weekly prayer groups, served as a Eucharistic Minister in her Catholic communities in both Reading and Ocean City, and shared her faith with the next generation as a CCD teacher.

Known for her kindness, wisdom,

and unwavering spirit, Frances touched many lives through her work, her friendship, and her love of family. She will be remembered for her warmth, wisdom, her grace, and the joy she brought to every interaction. Her legacy of love, learning, and faith will live on in the many lives she touched.

She is survived by her loving husband, Albert James Pilarski Jr., son Kenneth Albert Pilarski, son Kevin Michael Pilarski (wife Tina Pilarski), daughter Sharon Michelle Smith (husband Ted Smith), granddaughter Amanda Lynn Pilarski (fiancé Scott Botkins), granddaughter Jessica Pilarski Borits (husband Michael Ryan Borits), grandson Zachary Kenneth Pilarski, grandson Devin James Pilarski, grandson Gabriel Edward Smith, grandson Tyler Albert Smith, great-grandson, Mason Ryan Borits, great-granddaughter Madison Reign

Botkins, and loving sister Kathryn Virginia DiNatale.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother-inlaw, Joseph Michael DiNatale Sr.

Visitations will be held on Monday, June 23rd, 2025, from 6pm to 8pm, and Tuesday, June 24th, 2025, from 9 to 10 am, at The Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, June 24th, 2025, 11am, at Holy Savior Catholic Church in Ocean City. Interment will follow the mass at 1pm, in Gates of Heaven, Dagsboro, DE. Letters of condolence can be sent to the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of The Burbage Funeral Home.

SANDRA LEE LANE

(TYLOR)

Ocean City

Sandra Lee Lane (Tylor), age 83,

OBITUARIES

passed away peacefully on June 15th, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family. Born October 15th, 1941, to Doris and Grady Lane, Sandra lived a vibrant life filled with deep devotion to her family, a spirited entrepreneurial drive, and a passion for life’s simple joys.

A dedicated real estate agent and proud proprietor of the original Fractured Prune donut shop in Ocean City Maryland, Sandra poured her heart into building a business alongside her family that brought joy to countless customers. The Prune served as a family run business and provided fond memories for those who entered, especially for her grandchildren who worked there during the summers. Her work ethic, creativity, and determination were an inspiration to many and a true reflection of her character. Sandra also deeply loved her life in Ocean City, Maryland-a place that brought her peace, happiness, and beautiful memories with friends and family. Sandra had many interests that made her truly unique. She was an avid reader who enjoyed sharing and swapping books with friends and family, a card-playing enthusiast, specifically poker in which she had fond memories playing at Dirty

Harry’s in Delaware, and she was a lifelong admirer of safari animals-always dreaming to one day take a real safari. She was a tried and true movie buff who loved all genres and never passed up a good film or show. She adored mermaids and loved collecting mermaid trinkets, she loved a good drink, and she treasured the memories captured in old and new photographs of her family. She cherished her pets and had dogs throughout her lifetime, adoring her beloved Penny and later CJ, her “Bubs”. Above all, Sandra loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Sandra was survived by her former husband, William (Bill) Tylor, a loving and devoted mother to Carrie Tylor, Colleen Kauffman, and Cynthia Fletcher, and a sister to Sally Lane Connolly. She was preceded in death by her beloved sons, Grady Tylor and William Tylor. She also had a great deal of love for her son-inlaws, Tad Kauffman (married to Colleen) and Brian Fletcher (married to Cynthia). Her memory lives on through her grandchildren- Kyle Fletcher, Sean Fletcher, Cody Kaufman, Alexis Albarado, Shannon Fisher (married to Weston Fisher), William Tylor (married to Brooke Tylor), Jessica Horton (married to Michael Horton), and Morgan Tylor (engaged to Kyle Norton)-and her great-grandchildren: Vincent Tylor,

Roman Tylor, Gabriella Tylor, Logan Fisher, Brielle Fisher, Myles Horton and Georgia Horton.

Sandra’s life was marked by warmth, humor, resilience, and fierce love for her family. She will be remembered always for her strength, her spirit, her sense of humor, and the unconditional love she gave to all who knew her.

JEANNE PRICE PACK Berlin

Jeanne Price Pack, 76, widower of Hayward Pack, Sr. and Harlen Price Jr., died November 1, 2024, at Prisma Health Tuomey in Sumter, SC.

Born July 31, 1948, in Salisbury, MD. She was the daughter of the late Willie Peter Howard and Elizabeth Williams Howard. She was a member of Alice Drive Baptist Church and retired from Palmetto Health Tuomey as the Community Health and Corporate Wellness Coordinator.

She is survived by a son, Darryl Price of Greenville, SC; a daughter, Jennifer Oakley (Keith) of Sumter, SC; three grandchildren, Ashleigh Johnson (Bart), Allison McElveen, and Kenneth Oakley, all of Sumter; two step grandchildren, Rachel Oakley of Shenandoah Junction, WV and Megan Spohn (Nathan) of Memphis, TN; one great grandson Ezra Johnson of Sumter, SC; a brother Donald Howard of Berlin; sisters-in-law Susan Rorie of Monroe, NC and Maida Howard of Willards; nieces Cheryl Howard and Amanda Rorie and a nephew Douglas Howard (Fawn).

She was preceded in death by her husbands, her parents, a brother William Howard and a nephew Mike Howard.

A graveside service and ash interment will be held at Downings United Methodist Church in Oak Hall, Virginia on July 4, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. Arrangements are in the care of Holloway Funeral Home, 107 Vine Street, Pocomoke City, Md. 21851. Please share condolences by visiting www.hollowayfh.com.

OBITUARY NOTICES

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Sandra Lee Lane

Jeanne P. Pack

PHOTOS COURTESY FISH IN OC

Captain Dale Lisi of Foolish Pleasures put this group, above left, on a solid day of fishing with 10 nice yellowfin tuna going in the box. Above right, Captain Chris Huk and the crew of Restless Lady II had an awesome day of trolling with a limit of yellowfin tuna.

PHOTOS COURTESY FISH IN OC

Above left, Captain Chris Watkowski of the Spring Mix II put this group on an awesome day of trolling the Washington Canyon with 12 yellowfin tuna. Above center, Luke Wrye fished the Route 50 bridge with a Roy Rig and was rewarded with this big 33” bluefish. Above right, Captain Jason Mumford of Lucky Break Charters had a nice day for this group with five keeper flounder, seven bluefish and a trout.

Below left, this group had a limit of yellowfin tuna on board the Marli with Captain Mark Hoos at the helm. Below middle, Jim and Alex Eladis had an awesome day on the Ocean Princess Captain Victor Bunting putting six keeper flounder up to 23” in the cooler. Below right, Mark Troch sent in this cool shot of a great white shark that he caught and released while fishing the Fingers.

Sports & Recreation

SMALL BOAT TOURNEY RESULTS

The Ocean City Marlin Club’s 46th Annual Small Boat Tournament, open to all vessels under 34 feet, was held last weekend. The tourney was separated by inshore and offshore catches. Leading the way on the inshore catches was the Lil Ready, below right, which won $1,212 for its first place flounder and second place bluefish and $500 for winning the Dale Brown Award. The Crab Boat, below left, won first place in the bluefish division, claiming $861. Taking home first, second and third for seabass and third place for flounder was the Spindrift, earning $252. The second place flounder was caught by the Groundhog worth $63. The third place bluefish went to the Kelcey Grace for $42. Offshore, the leading cash earner was the Vitamin sea, above left, with $8,235 for its first place dolphin. The PYY, above right, won first place tuna and $7.344. Rounding out the offshore winners was the Dan plan, $594 for a third place tuna, and the Hall pass, $297 for third place tuna.

PHOTOS